Ready for Random?

Since I have self-diagnosed A.D.D., this post is just full of things I've been up to.  You know, I haven't been able to actually accomplish a lot, in terms of being "productive".  Around here, I'm just going with it.  There's been a lot of distractions like, "OH that's shiny!"  "Oh Prettttty!"  "I wanna do _______ instead."  "You can't make me fill out those papers."  Ha!  Here's what's been going on in my world.

{Sorry for the crotch shot.}  I took some time to make my bed, light a candle, and just read a book.  Yeah, that doesn't happen with Dyl around.  Nice try.

I'm addicted to spray-painting.  If I don't like it, I paint it.  I'm working up something pretty to put inside the frame.

I have had a geeky crush on John Mayer for quite some time.  When my husband deployed to Iraq, John became my dream husband.. You know, I would have dreams that John and I were jumping on his bed together and holding hands.  We would giggle at each other.  I can't believe I shared that.  lol!  As much as I enjoyed to dreams, it became a little obsessive.  Well, enter the Grammy's:  Sunday night, I caught a glimpse of dream husband Mr. Mayer looking a LOT like Mr. Depp.  *Jaw dropped* Thanks for throwing fuel on the fire John.  Ha!  Oh, I need my one and only, real life husband back!

  

 

 The orchids my fabulous husband sent me for Valentine's Day, decided to go ka-put on me.  Luckily, the company was more than happy to replace them.  But, I wanted to see if I could get a few more photos out of them before they went to orchid heaven. 

Even though orchids don't grow in typical soil (they prefer a bark mix), it makes a pretty picture.  I can totally enjoy the color, and hints to spring, while I wait for my replacements. 

 I watched Glee, you know the Bieber Fever episode?  Yeah, I was wearing this outfit, by coincidence.  I HAD to take a picture. 

Shortly after I found out I was pregnant with Dylan, I immediately craved Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  Within five minutes of this craving, I was in the car on my way to the doughnut shop.  Much to my disappointment, the shop had closed.  Well, 4 years later, our gas station carries the doughnuts.  I broke down yesterday and got some for breakfast this morning.  But, you know, I can't just eat the doughnut.  I have to take it to extremes.  Let me share with you.  Take your doughnut, this works best on plain ole glazed, and place in a bowl.  Slather your doughnut with butter, then heat in the microwave.  Heaven!!  I only do this once every.. several years or so?  It's fattening and addicting.. so consider yourself warned! ha!

See?  Totally random!  That's my life though!  Happy Friday everyone!!

Fab Finds

Look at what I found yesterday.  I love it all.  And, it's kind of a coincidence all these items are in the same picture.  I have FINALLY found a name for my shop.  Do you think you can guess what it is?

You'll have to wait to find out...but, just a little wait.  ;)

I also found...

  this itty bitty goodness.  Aren't the colors and ruffles awesome?

AND

This big mama must have taken so much time to make.  I have a king size bed, and big mama took up a more-than-fair share.  I was drawn to the mellow yellows and creams in the blanket, but got to looking a little closer... I think I need to do some work on her.

So, why do I tease you with all this goodness?  Well, you'll see these beauts again.  These fabulous finds will be in my shop!  I'm so excited to get things on the ball, but it does take lots of un-fun work.  Which, is probably the reason for my grumpiness yesterday.

I felt like a 'Mean Girl'.  I don't know what was in the air/water/stars, but it was just not my day.  That's not the energy I wanted to share with you lovely readers.  There are more inspirational things to share.  There's encouragement and love that needs to be spread around.  So, pardon my absence.  I needed to have a talk with myself.  I'm better today!  Yay!

Getting My Happy Back

One day at a time.. ya know?  Sunday was a pretty heavy day for me.  The loss of a friend can really take a toll on you.  But, I'm determined to take a look around, really to SEE and to FEEL and to just BE. 

I took time yesterday to spend with my little man.  His daddy and I gave him a SpongeBob Valentine's book, those chalk-y Valentine's hearts (stick to the traditions), and Horton Hears a Who.  Dylan was sitting in my his chair, and yelled up the stairs to me, "MOM!  I have some-fing for yoooooouu tooooo!!  Come see!"  So, I went down to see what he came up with.  He grabbed a candy heart and said, "Valentime for you mommy.  Just 'cause I wuv you."  Melt my heart. 

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Dyl and I had a lunch date.  I'm pretty sure I got a gold star for letting him have cheeseburgers and french fries.  (Take the victories where you can. ha!) 

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Upon arriving at home, from lunch, I found an AMAZING surprise...

Hellloooooo FABULOUS orchids!!!  I have THE BEST husband in the world!!  They are so amazing and gasp.  You may be thinking, "Why not roses?"  I do enjoy roses, but I think orchids are more amazing.. Oh and peonies.  I just love the unexpectedness of it.  Special flowers.

Later in the evening, Dyl and I cuddled up to watch his movie. 

My sweet boy fell asleep.  How can you not love that face?

Then, it was my turn to pamper myself.  I needed quiet, peaceful luxury.

Soft light from the candles.  I also had to unscrew some of the lights.  Lighting is key.

 Bubbles!!! (I like Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap) and bath salts... delightful!!

I soaked, and melted away tension, stress, thoughts... everything.  I want to have a date night with myself more often!

After my bath, I attempted to watch Casablanca.  Can you believe I have never seen it?  Well, my amazing bath put me in some sort of a sleepy/foggy/coma state.  I couldn't even make in 15 minutes into the movie.  But, a 10pm bedtime was well worth it!

Did everyone have a great Valentine's Day??  I know I did!

Heavy Hearts

I wasn't going to put this out on my blog, but it's part of my journey. 

Yesterday, I got news that my hometown had lost a great guy.  Everyone knew him, loved him, and loved hanging out with him.  He was such an amazing gift to the world, and it is so hard to try and fathom the thought of him being gone.  My heart is heavy for his family.  My thoughts and prayers go out to them. You will be greatly missed buddy!

I'm going to try and pull myself together and enjoy my son.  Life is precious and I need to just BE today.  I will be back within the next couple of days.  I have so much I want to share.  But, my heart isn't in it today. 

I hope everyone has a FABULOUS Valentine's Day.  Take time to really be present and share it with your loved ones today!  ♥

Of course...

Yesterday, I got the Victoria Secret spring catolog.  I saw this bag and fell in love.

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Well, I went online to check it out.  I thought, hey I'll save my money and get a prize when I can.  Nope.  "This item is no longer available."

I called the number in the catolog.  They won't be getting anymore in.  I called the store.  They don't have the item.  I looked on e-bay.  Nope.

But then, I thought I could make it.  Luckily, before I even thought about buying supplies, I checked my sewing machine.  The footer won't be able to push through the thick material. 

It.is.a.sad.day.

Any ideas??



Friday Confessions

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Leigh-Ann of Freckled Nest wrote her 6 Confessions and I thought it would be fun to share mine today. =0 )

6 Confessions by Ashley Crenshaw

1.  I HATE mornings. My son has the worst way of waking me up.  It involves incessant talking, repeated phrases, throwing my phone at my face and then demanding me to carry is 4 favorite objects down the stairs.

2.  I LOVE peace and quiet.  I never get it, so I treasure those moments.

3.  My favorite day of the week is Tuesday.  I always wondered why, so I looked up the day I was born.  Yep, it was Tuesday.  AND I was married on a Tuesday... hmmm.  Has this happened to anyone else?

4.  I have so many pictures I need to take this weekend.  I've been filing through my inspirations to find great set-ups and all that.  Really inspired.

5.  If I have to watch one more episode of ANY cartoon, I may have to be checked into an asylum. 

6.  I still have my blankie.  I found it in a box a few days ago.  Honestly, I was too scared to hold it in fear of it crumbling to pieces.  My husband thinks I'm weird and need to let go of it.  I keep hiding it in random places around the house, so he won't find it and throw it out.

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Valentine's Day for One

It sounds worse than it really is... OK, no it doesn't.  I miss the husband.  I wish he could be home to romance me and sweep me off my feet.  I wish he would be here to drink wine and giggle with me.  But, since he's deployed, I'll just have to romance myself. 

Here's what I'm thinking for a peaceful retreat for my Valentine's evening for one.

NO fancy dinner.  A) Dylan won't eat it.  For some reason, he doesn't like to eat dinner.. Oh wait, if we have hot dogs he's there.. Gag.  B) I would have to cook it.  C) I would have to clean up.  D) I just don't care too much about the dinner part. 

I DO care about the dessert. 

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Helloooo Paula Deen's Red Velvet Sandwich cookies!!  Yep, I'm going to make those, but I think I'm going to change up the colors a little.  OOHH and pass them out to my friends.

Then, I'll most likely take a bath and enjoy some champagne.  But, a bath isn't a special bath without something from Lush.  Check out what I ordered.

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Bath bombs, massage bars, and a frog prince = bathing perfection.  And if you've never ordered from Lush, or been to a store... *Gasp*  You would feel like you've died and gone to heaven.  Amazing!!  I've been in love with Lush since we went to Banff, AB Canada once in like, wow, 1997?  Anyways, perfection in the bathing department.  It's all handmade, and there are Vegan friendly options.

So, back to my date with myself... I think it may end after the bath.  I've had this horrible cough lately, so I'm not sure if I can be up past the hours of 9.  ha!  But, if I'm feeling ambitious, I'm totally renting a chick flick.  I love anything that makes me cry.  You know, pulls at your heartstrings.  I may revisit a classic, I may find something new.  Hmm.. anyone care to share their favorites?

Well, it doesn't sound so bad after all.  I'm actually pretty excited about this!

Going Indie 3.0

You may have noticed a little button on the side of my blog for this Indie Business 3.0... and I'm totally thrilled!!

These fabulous ladies above (Leigh-Ann of Freckled Nest, Lisa Leonard of Lisa Leonard Designs, and Jill Munro of Lune Vintage), are putting on a 6 week course about taking your dreams and ideas to the next level.  I'm so excited to be a part of this.  For so long, I feel like I'm just basing my decisions off trial and error.  With Indie, I'm confident that I will have the direction and the focus needed to fulfill my dreams.

I also made this little binder to keep all my inspiring goodies in.

I'm already finding so many cool people, networking, and being inspired.  This is going to be an amazing journey!!  Look out world, here I cooooome!!

Love-ly Giveaway Winner!!

We have a winner winner chicken dinner!!!  Random.org has declared comment #4, Susan McCurry the winner!

Susan, please e-mail me your information (ashleycrenshaw.blog(at)gmail.com).  As soon as I can get out of my driveway, your package will be in the mail.  And, I'm cleaning out my studio, so if I find some fun embellishments, I will throw those in for extra goodness!

In other news:  We have ANOTHER snow day.  This makes mama a little stir crazy and the child totally wacky.  Hopefully, I get some of my projects done.  I have so much I want to share with you all!

Keep warm friends!

Keeping Warm

Over the weekend, I concocted this fabulous drink. 

From the kitchen, we have warm strawberry milk!! Yum!  Then, I kicked it up a notch with strawberry heart-shaped marshmallows.  Wet the 'mallow, or if no one's looking, just lick it and dip in chocolate powder.  So delicious, so Valentine-y!  Go make some!!

You can still enter my giveaway here!  It ends tomorrow, so hurry hurry!

Update

I'm experimenting with the blog this weekend.  I really want to make it more cohesive and pleasing.  So bear with me!!  Thanks!! ♥ Ashley

Photoshop Fun

{{Don't forget about the giveaway!!  You can still enter here: http://ashleycrenshaw.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-ly-giveaway.html}}


I've spent hours and hours trying to teach myself Adobe Photoshop.  I thought I knew a little of what I was doing until I found this website via Poppytalk.  Fun fun fun!!!  I'm learning so much and wanted to share the vintage effect I gave to one of my photos.

Here's my niece and I, the original picture:

Vintage-y re-do:

I think this is so cool!!  Now you know what I'm going to be doing alllll weekend! ;)

Happy Friday!!!

Valentine's Day Photo Inspiration

There are so, so many beautiful pictures and projects floating around blogland right now.  Check out a few that caught my eye for some sweet Valentine's Day inspiration.  Get in the mood for love!

Whether you celebrate with your lover...

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...or with your ladies...

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...whether it's raining...

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...or shining...

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...whether you hang out in bed...

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...or hit the town...

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Make sure your Valentine's Day is:

Sweet

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Silly

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Sassy

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and definitely make sure there are fireworks!!

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Don't forget to check out my free printable Valentine's Day coupon book here!

If it was going to go wrong...

it did!

{Writing this on Tuesday night (while coloring my hair) to post on Wednesday morning, so I can sleep in.. what a day!}

Today was supposed to be my AWESOME day of freedom, that I have once a week.  I take Dylan to the sitter and go about my business, child-free!  Everything started out great... I woke up early, had my coffee, played computer games, checked my e-mail, and got dressed just in time for Dyl to wake up.  Phew!

Fast forward to 8:30...

Upon checking the weather, the temperature was currently -7, with a high of -2... BOOO!  So, I went to start the Jeep and get it nice and toasty.  I put our bags in the car on the passenger side and reached over to put the key in the ignition to turn it on.  Didn't start.  I thought, "Hey, you're a smart little lady you sweet Jeep you.  I bet I have to be sitting on the driver's seat to start it."  (You know weight sensitivity and all that safety stuff..)  So, I tried it again from my commander's chair.  Uh yeah, no go.  I run inside to message the husband, who is in Iraq, so I don't know why I thought it would help.  He said jump(start) it.  I said, GOT IT!  I try again.  No go.  Lucky for me, my neighbor came to put her trash out and I asked for her help.  She gets in her truck and pulls it down the drive and runs over her trash can.  OK.. I should've ran right then.  Nope, I'm a stubborn chick with an agenda!  Eventually, we did get the Jeep started!!!  There were numerous times I accidentally touched the ends together and sparks shot out everywhere.  I should've been set on fire then.

Dylan is now off to the sitter.  I have a fabulous day getting groceries (alone), getting Dylan some much needed larger clothes (alone), and sitting in quiet (alone).

After picking up Dylan from the sitter, I come home and start making potato soup for dinner.  Then, I pull the tags off Dylan's clothes, and start the wash.  We're eating dinner, like a happy little family (we miss you D!!), and I hear water SPLASHING all over my floor.  Apparently, the pipes that drain the water from the washer were frozen.  Thank goodness I was smart enough to shut off the washer!  FOUR GIANT beach towels and FOUR bath towels later, I feel confident in my mopping skills.  I even pulled out the dryer to get behind the set and towel up what I could.  When I was behind the dryer, I kept feeling freeeeeezing cold air down my rear crack.  At first I giggled (because it TICKLED OK!?).  But then, it was really cold.  I figured it was because the laundry set is on the outside wall by the uninsulated garage.  I get the dryer pushed back into place and then throw in the moist towels from the mop-up. 

I'm back enjoying my fabulous potato soup and rolls with Dyl.  Not five minutes later, our smoke alarms start SCREAAAAMING!!  I panic!!  Run and turn off the fire place!  Turn off the space heater upstairs!!! Fan out any candles burning!!  Dyl is screaming, "MOM FIIIIX IT NOOOOOW!"  This adds to my panic, and I run to the garage to see if that happened to be on fire.  I don't know why, but better safe than sorry.  Nothing that can set fire is on.  I don't smell smoke anywhere.  What the heck is going on?  I look at the windows and they are fogged over.  Hmm.. I turn back to the dryer to see if that was on fire.  Nope, I just forgot to hook up the exhaust again.  No wonder it was so warm and moist for those 5 minutes.  I stop the dryer, and open the back door to the now -8 degree weather.  Buh-bye warmth and moisture! Wow.  I should've taken the cold air tickles a different way.

THEN, while cleaning up the dishes from dinner, the sink pipes have clogged.  I hadn't put anything down the disposal.  I reach my hand down there.. Nothing.. as usual.  So, I turn on the disposal with cool water.  That clears that up.  Then, I smell the disposal start to overheat.  I quickly shut it off and walk away.  I'm not taking on that jerk tonight too.

I am convinced this would not happen if the husband were here.  But, in those situations, I tend to blame him anyways! ;)

SHAMALAMADINGDONG HOLY CRAP!!!  My head is burning!!!!!!!!!

27 minutes later...

Wow, I can't believe I typed all that out instead of just going to rinse is all off. 

All of a sudden, I am reminded of this post and my very first post.  Do these things happen to anyone else?  Is it seriously just me? 

Let's just call it a night!  I can't top that one. 

Love-ly Giveaway - closed

*This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks to all who entered!*

This is my 101st post!  Yay!!!  I feel like Rocky reaching the top of the steps and jumping up and down.. can I get some theme music?

Why did I not celebrate my 100th post?  I wanted didn't want to be cliche, and writing that next post shows I'm moving forward.  Right? Carrying on?

And because I wouldn't be here without my readers, I've made this bag for you!!

So cute!  How do you win?  Well, everyone (this contest is open to readers in the US and Canada only) has TWO chances to win!

1) Leave me a comment saying, "I'M FEELING LOVELY!" and a way you like to celebrate Valentine's Day.

2) Look on the right side of the page.  You'll see my Fabulous Followers section.  Follow my blog, and then leave a comment saying "I'M A FOLLOWER!"

-AND-

3) Add my button, found on the right side of my blog page, to your blog page.  Then, come back here and leave another comment saying, "I HAVE MOXIE LOVE!" and leave the link to your blog, so I can check you out! ;)

Remember, you MUST leave a comment for each action you take so that you receive the appropriate amount of entries.



The contest will stay open for one week.  One winner will be drawn at random using random.org.  I will announce the winner on Tuesday, Feb. 8th!  Good luck everyone and thank you SO much for reading my blog!! Love to all!!

Sunflower Showdown 2011 - Happy 150th Kansas!

I know, another tribute post, but it's for my home state!  Kansas celebrated it's 150th birthday on Saturday, KU played K-State in the Sunflower showdown, and I was in heaven.

I put on my KU shirt, grabbed my KU blanket and cup.  Dyl refused to wear my shrunken KU shirt, but carried Baby Jay down to join us.  I'm a KU geek, who wished she was with her comrades on that glorious evening.

OOOOOH I wish I were there!!!!

{I took the following pictures from my TV, but pretty sure the rights are through ESPN and KU Athletics.  They get the credit! ;)}

EPSN live at Allen Fieldhouse.. it's a MAGICAL place!  Also, one of the toughest courts to play on - if you're the opposing team.  ROCK CHALK!

I love the Morris twins.  Awesome skills and leadership. 

So, do I even need to tell you who won?  KUUUUUUUUUU!  Dylan was even doing the KU chant by the end of the night.  That's my boy!!

And this music video just makes me yearn for Lawrence again.  I'm playin' this song before every game I watch.  Totally pumper-upper!  It's rap... so not everyone's taste.  Just sayin'...

See.. I'm a KU geek and not apologizing for it.  ;)  What a happy happy way to celebrate the greatness of Kansas!

Total Eclipse Pigeon Tribute

How do I even begin?  There are sooooo many inside jokes to this whole post. 

A) T and I have been best friends since second grade.  That's a long time!  Everyone used to tease us that we were love birds.  One of us (I can't remember which) said it was more like retarded pigeons.  ha!  We were each other's pigeons.  One day, we ended up writing 'Hi Pigeon' on a note/test/something our teacher saw.  He corrected us with crossing out Pigeon and writing Pidgeon.  Totally the wrong spelling.  That made the joke even funnier.

B) T and I would cruise around our one stoplight town and belt out tunes.  Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' came on repeatedly every Saturday night.  {We had a choice of three stations to listen to.  For some reason, soft rock from the 80's was popular to the DJ. Sigh.}  It was like the song chose us.  It became our anthem.  We even 'performed' a karaoke version, with bonus dance moves, during our school play practice (that we didn't want to be at, and passionately disapproved of).

So, now that you know parts of our retarded jokes, I hope you appreciate the flow chart T sent me.

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The link T sent me, also had an AMAZING interpretation (very literal) of the video itself.  Check it out in all it's glory!

Here's the non-cat-in-the-frame version.

Happy Friday!!!



Super Cola Cup

Well, I used to have this GIANT glass cup that said "ICED TEA" in a lovely orange.  I loved that cup with all my heart.  {I was looking through all my pictures hoping to find my ICED TEA cup and was unsuccessful.}

After three fabulous days with my ICED TEA cup, it decided to jump off the counter and commit suicide.  I was devastated. 

Once I gathered up the remaining pieces of ICED TEA, and said my peace, I was on a mission to find his replacement.  Although, it may never be ICED TEA, I was willing to give another glass a shot.

TA-DAAAAAAH!!

Introducing SUPER COLA!  He's definitely the close relative of ICED TEA, not as cool, but totally related.  I can drink in peace again.  Thank you Goodwill!