Miracle Grow+Beans= ??? & other news...

A few disclaimers: this post will be all over the place- its another one of my "random" posts. And really, after reading it- don't worry- I'm fine. I really, really am. I'm in what you might call a "funk." But I'll climb out soon enough :)

My dog (Lola) got into the garage and ate a box of that miracle grow powder that you add to water AND an entire bag of green bean seeds. Normally I'd be excited about green beans and miracle grow... but not inside my dog. Especially when the miracle grow powder was 15 buckaroos. Good Lord... can I get a break?!?!?!

In other gardening news... the storms and heavy rains are kind of killing my garden. Well, that's what I think anyway. I can't figure out why else things would suddenly take a turn a downward turn. One day the garden is thriving, the next, its looking wilted. Hmmm.... how disappointing. Maybe it will make a comeback.

This past week has kind of been... a flashback? To highschool maybe? It's been a LONG time since I've been thrown into the firey pits of drama. And wow. I don't like it one bit. Get me OUTTTTTA HERE! I've been listening to the new Jack Johnson album a lot... it brings me back to earth- calms me down, eases my soul :) There's a song called "No Good With Faces" and its AWESOME. SO awesome that you should look up the lyrics and read through them. It's one of those songs with a great message. :) My next acupuncture appointment is in a couple of weeks.... it can't come soon enough. I think I'm going to listen to that song while I get poked. I need some peace :)

In kid news... Henry is sitting pretty much on his own. Maeve is still not interested in the potty. I'm spending my days at various parks & playgrounds. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I've talked about getting a part time job at Gymboree- just to get out of the house for a bit... but I think that would be totally counterproductive. Instead I'll just stick to my "photography" outings. I am thoroughly enjoying meeting new people, getting out of the house for an hour or so, and trying my best to capture some moments. It's a lot of grunt work- not the actual session but the editing process. Still though, I'm hoping it will lead to something someday.

I've lost 12 lbs. in the past 6 weeks :) WAHOO! And if you know me, its not because I've been exercising or dieting religiously. I HAVE been more active (gardening, playing outside, walks w/ the kids) but food is still my fave :) I DID cut out alcohol (well kind of... no alchy at home but if I'm out with a friend or two, I'll get a "light" drink) and I have weaned off of one of my meds. I am thinking that's the big reason for the weight loss. Anywho, I'm excited its gone. 8-10 more pounds to go and I'll be pre-preggo... (pre-preggo HENRY... not Maeve! :)

And last, but certainly not least piece of randomness I have for you tonight...I have a desire to throw out my computer, phone, camera, tv- anything that links me to the crazies out there. I just want to live with my family. Do what I love and like to do and be at peace. I want to live with my family on an island with nice, friendly people. HONEST, friendly people who are nice. Haha- is that too much to ask???? :) I want to eat fresh fruit every morning, grill fresh fish every night... look at my beautiful children and smile. Because life is good. It's OUR life. We're doing what WE want to do. No outside influences, no negativity. Just living a good, honest life. I want a boat with a margarita. I don't want to worry about my waistline. Ryan will love me however I look- no need for Coach purses or new countertops. Just simple living. THAT'S what I want. SIMPLE, HONEST living.

Hmmm... maybe we should become Amish :)

Randomness COMING YOUR WAY!

I am too tired to compile a neat, nicely written post. BUT I do have things to say... nothing important... just things to document I guess.

-I am in love with my garden. It's a small garden. No- like, REALLY small. The size of a bathroom stall- no joke. BUT I am growing some beautiful things in there (and in pots/planters around the house). Yellow & butternut squash is growing GREAT. Zucchini is forming as I type... we pick about 3 strawberries a day (although I have to say that plant isn't looking too hot...) we have one teeny tomato starting to form. Yellow peppers are getting HUGE... Cucumbers, eggplant, broccoli and green beans are all planted... nothing major to report yet- just leaves :) The pumpkins and cantelope are blooming as well. WOW :) You have no idea how accomplished I feel! :)

-losing weight is a losing battle. While out for dinner the other night with friends, I told them "I cut out alcohol because its wasted calories." I then ordered a "skinny" margarita and boneless buffalo wings. Nice.

-Maeve was showing a LOT of interest in the potty and even used it a few times but has since completely backed off. I am seriously not pushing it. I'm knee deep in Henry's diapers... not much of a difference being elbow deep in Maeves as well.

-we got a new laptop today :) a Toshiba. It's big & nice. I like it. Although I'm waiting for an external hard drive until I boot the new one all up.

-Have I ever mentioned my obsession with bedding? I can't stop buying it. We seriously have about 5 complete bedsets. I love new sheets and comforters. Anyways... I found a "Dwell Studio" set at Target on clearance for 22 bucks- its beautiful and I just couldn't resist. I am snuggled in it right now. It feels heavenly.

-Henry doesn't sleep. Well- he cat naps- but that's it. And its kind of driving me nuts. I'm sure this is the 1000 time I've posted that same exact sentence. But JEEZ OH PETES. I am about to pull my hair out. I can't get a dang thing done around the house because every time I lay him down he's up 10 minutes later. It's nuts. Sleep kid! Sleep!

-We're trying to teach Maeve to say "no sir; yes sir; no mam; yes mam" It comes out sounding like "no shirr" and "no man." haha :)

-you should all go out and buy a box of skinny cow mint chocolate truffle bars. They're 100 calories and pure bliss. Do it. Go now.

-I watched "Shutter Island" by myself the other night and am STILL wondering about it. Stupid movie... I can't figure out what I really think of the ending... hmmm.. any input on that???

-I have been SWAMPED with photography! WOAH BABY :) It's been awesome getting all the experience but I've been spending my nights editing... and my eyes burn in the morning. Still though, I have the passion to learn... therefore I will trudge on :) ...not really trudging because I love it so much... but I am a perfectionist and I can point out a zillion things in every single picture I take that irritate me.

-I've been thinking of Maeve's 3rd birthday (already...I know) and I think I want to do "Alice & Wonderland." I'm hoping to leave the trippy drug theme out of it though... just sticking with the colors & white rabbit stuff :)

-My next acupuncture appt. can't come soon enough. I slept amazingly the first few nights after I got it done. I want to sleep like that again!!! :)

-I have moldy strawberries in my fridge that I refuse to touch... therefore they sit. And at 11:30 PM I am thinking about them, rotting and contaminating the rest of the veggies & fruit... thinking of waking Ryan up to dispose of them... :)

-gymboree is having its semi annual sale and that just spells "TROUBLE" for me. I won't throw out numbers, but ummm... I've earned a lot of gymbucks. The PLUS side is that both of my kids are set for fall and winter. :)

-Does it bug you when your toe nails catch on the sheets? It drives me bonkers. Like I have to get out of bed, clip them, file them down so they're all smooth. Hmmm...

*****told you this would be super random!******

-I finally cracked and spent 20 bucks on "The Lion King." Not a big deal- 20 bucks- but normally I would wait for a sale or a coupon or something... however, Disney is brilliant and they only release their movies a few at a time. Who knows when the next time they'll release "The Lion King." I found it used on Amazon for 20... and I think I'm more excited to watch it than Maeve is ;)

-I want to go strawberry picking... and I think we're going to next week. just gotta set a date.



I think I'm out of random thoughts... it felt good to write them all down :)

everyone should do a "random rambling" post!

Move Over Sara Snow!!!

Well... let me begin by telling you who Sara Snow is- she is this super cute chick on the discovery health channel (my fave. channel) who is waaayyy into reducing our waste, recycling and going organic. For awhile I was being pretty lazy (well I still am- my dad calls me a 2 toed sloth- they're the laziest animals in the jungle apparently) and throwing away my cans/glass/plastic and not really paying much attention to my waste. If you remember my infamous Earth Day this year, you're probably thinking "yeah right Ashley. " (I threw a poop diaper out the window on Earth day- horrible bleccchhh.) But really- in the past couple of months I've made such HUGE improvements with our house, our tummies and our world! Woah that sounds freaking deep.... okay maybe I haven't done a whole lot to contribute to the bettering of this world, but I feel like I am doing a LOT more and I am teaching Ryan in the process. I have a couple of people to thank before I continue telling you how I have gone green. Angela, thanks for telling me about your kick a$$ recycling habits- you really inspired some change in me! Julie- you're so green you are practically kermit the frog... Cloth diapering little Griff and making all of his foods by hand- very inspirational! So thanks to you two gals!

Okay here is my "go green" list of things I've done:

I bought up a few of those giant tote bags from Whole foods which I now use RELIGIOUSLY with everything. Obviously I use them at the grocery stores, but I even take them to the mall! Instead of getting bags from gymboree, gap, etc. I just stick my purchases in my totes.


I've been very conscious of the foods we've been eating lately. We have cut our "going out" down to about 2xs a week- which may still seem like a lot, but compared to how much we were eating out... WOAHHHH I won't even go there. Our family is now happily and healthily about 80% organic I'd say. Our breads, meats, fruits, veggies, cheeses, yogurts, etc. are all organic. The reason that we're only 80% is because we still are eating out those 2 nights and both Ryan and I still drink diet pop... Maeve is like 95% organic- we do let her eat a little off of our plates when we go out for dinner (I let her suck on fries- yucccccck but she loves them) But of course her baby food is organic (it doesn't get any easier than that! You just spend about 60 cents more and your child can eat food free of pesticides.) For example, last night I made this noodle bake thing- it had ORGANIC pasta and ORGANIC sauce and ORGANIC cheese... I cut up the noodles and let Maeve have a bit. She loved it :) Oh also, we discovered that there is ORGANIC formula! Talk about THRILLING! :)

I have been more aware of what products are made out of- I had no idea that you could buy organic clothing, but you can! Now this one, I'm not like totally green- I'm more a shade of yellow... or probably orange.... but anyways I've been snatching up the organic body suits for babies left and right. Maeve wears them under her stuff all the time. She also owns quite a few pairs of organic pjs... and a few organic toys. Did you all know that this stuff even existed? I didn't! Its CRAZY how organic you can go!

We are recycling... (sounds simple but this is the first time in a really long time that I've done it!) I have yet to set up a recycling "center" (which I plan to do with Tupperware bins) but we definitely have been sorting our plastics, glass and aluminum.

This next one is a HUGE one for me- (I swear I used to be the most wasteful person ever!) I have always, ALWAYS kept water running while I do the dishes, brush my teeth, etc. But I have been making quite the effort to turn it off while I am not DIRECTLY using it... sounds so simple but it was a habit that I'd had for decades! :) Oh, also Maeve and I shower together, which I thought was more out of convenience (and it really is) but it is also saving tons of water. We only use our shower 2xs a day. Ryan takes a shower by himself in the morning, then I take a bath with Maeve either in the mornings or at night.

Carpooling has also been on my green list. I try and catch rides with my momma whenever I can. Not just to save gas, but also for convenience! Also, I drive a gas guzzling jeep... I am really hoping that in the future we can get a hybrid. I do insist on driving an SUV just because of the amount of room you have... so maybe one day we'll have the bacon to get a hybrid. That would be awesome.

You guys are going to think I've just completely lost it, but I've been collecting rain in watering cans to water my indoor plants... its just such a simple, easy, green thing to do :)

Okay last but not least, (this one is more like a confession more than anything else!) I have STOPPED littering! My husband used to get on me so bad about it because I'd chuck anything and everything out the windows... I thought "Heck it gives those prisoners something to do..." But in reality, its just plain lazy...

Well thats about it for me! We still have such a ways to go to get where I want to be- I'd love to be 90% organic (that 10% being left out for special occasions) and I would like to be way more conscious of where my stuff is coming from and what its made out of- stuff, meaning toys, clothes, etc. All the green things that we're doing are really little steps, but I'm hoping that they will lead to leaps if we keep up with it. Jules, keep working on me with the cloth diapering- I'm about an inch away from doing it! One, for the cost, two, because of the amount of diapers I throw away... I am constantly thinking of ways to preserve things and how to make my family a healthier and happier addition to this world. Below are a couple of websites that I LOVE and check out all the time... enjoy and GO GREEN!!!!!

Sara SNOW!!! She has AWESOME dinner ideas and lots of easy ways to reduce and reuse. http://health.discovery.com/fansites/sara-snow/sara-snow.html

AWESOME site for families with babies... Its where I buy Maeve her organic toys (so far we have a few wooden puzzles) http://www.ourgreenhouse.com/foundations/store/shopcart.asp