the results.

So I'm not as weird as I thought! Here are the results from that ever so important poll post I made with the help of my pal, insomnia.
36 peeps voted... and here's how it panned out... oh, and because you're dying to know... my answers are included. BAHAH.

Question #1: How many kids would complete your family?
2 kids- 15 people (41,67%)
3 kids- 9 people(25,00%)
4 kids- 8 people (22,22%)
5 kids- 2 people(5,56%)
1 kid- 1 person (2,78%)
6 kids- 1 BRAVE person! :) (2,78%)

My answer was, 4 :) Surprise, surprise- how many times have I blogged about that magic number? Now, don't be shy, who's the lady who wants 6 babies? Post a comment you brave wonder woman you! :)

Question #2: Favorite flower (what riveting questions I came up with)

Other (please comment!) 13 people (40,63%)
Peonies -8 people (25,00%)
Daisies -7 people (21,88%)
Roses 4- 4 people (12,50%)
Magnolias -0 NO LOVE for the mags?!?!?! (0,00%)

Apparently, along with being a less than fab poll questioner, I'm also not buffed up on my horticulture. The majority (40% derrr) picked "other." And because you're sitting on the edge of your seat, saying "PLEASE Ashley... PLEASE tell us what your favorite flower is!!!!" I will... peonies all the way please :)

Question #3- Would you rather go to the dentist or throw up?

Go to the Dentist- 24 people(77,42%)
Throw up- 7 people (22,58%)

AWWWW YEAH- keepin' it real by going to the dentist! This question randomly popped into my head because I spent last weekend with the porcelain bowl. I hadn't puked in so long, and got a fast slap in the face with how much it truly sucks. I thought of some other sucky things in life... came up with the dentist, and that's where THAT piece of randomness came from. Surprisingly, even with my bad luck with getting teeth pulled and such, I would still rather go to the dentist than blow chunks... that's just me though (and apparently 77% of you blog readers :)

Question#... lesser of two evils- birth or breaking a bone?

breaking a bone -15 people (68,18%)
giving birth -7 people (31,82%)

I have to say I was super surprised by this one. I was positive that breaking a bone would get 100%. So who out there, in their right mind, would rather go through the horrors of labor than break a bone? I didn't even specify the bone... it could be a little bone... like a pinky finger, ya know? Hands down, I'd pick a little snap rather than a blow out any day. You 7 people who chose birth must have had those births where the babies practically walk out, and rainbows and unicorns fill the room. And then baby feeds perfectly, your stomach shrinks back to normal, everyone sings "Happy Birthday" and you look like heaven (ANGIE)... I did not have those births. Therefore, I'd rather break something. ;)

Question#5- boy or girl? (are you...)

girrrrrl! -27 people (100,00%)
manly man -0 (0,00%)

I picked "girl." just to let you know :)

Question #6- salty or sweet?

cupcakes, brownies, ice cream and sugar cubes -17 people (60,71%)
pickles, chips, pretzels and a salt lick -11 people (39,29%)

Yahhhhh! I've got sweet toofers with me! :) Did you know that I often "sacrifice" my dinner just so I can eat some horribly fattening sweet thing for dessert? Yup, I do.

Question #7- Do you sleep with the tv on or off?

off -19 people (70,37%)
on -8 people(29,63%)

Could this be the root of my sleeping problems? The fact that "River Monsters" and "Dr. G, Medical Examiner" are playing all night long? Hmm....

Question#8- Can you touch your head to your toes?

yes- 15 people (57,69%)
no -11 no(42,31%)

More than half of my blog can bend their body in half tickle their hair with their toes. Ha.... I'm in the other half. The whole having babies thing has really morphed my body (in case I haven't complained enough about it)... I am that mom in the grocery store who squats down to pick up a bag of dog food, and then has to brace myself while the stars and dizziness spin in my head.

Question #9- do you like your name?

yes- 22 people(88,00%)
no -3 people (12,00%)

awwwww 88 PERCENT of you embrace your name :) that's awesome! I don't. (sorry mom and dad) but the name ASHLEY kind of reminds me of shaggy dog or something... right?


Question #10- Do you suffer from insomnia and do stupid things like (THIS) to kill time?

no- 14 people(56,00%)
yes- 11 people(44,00%)

Well I'm happy that more than 50% of you get some good sleep! But then again, be thankful for the 44% of us who don't- because then you wouldn't have super official, captivating surveys like this one to complete and read.

Now you can say that 57% of Ashley's blog readers can touch their head to their toes. WOW.

And with that...
happy Saturday night! :) -and thanks for playing along ;)

a mess.

because its getting late (9 PM here ;) I decided to forgo the post I had been working on for tonight... it's too thoughtful for a night like this.

Instead I'm going to throw a mess of questions out. Questions that mean nothing.... I'm just nosy... and making sure I'm not the only one... ha :)

vote & have fun... and get some sleep y'all!

Ew.

Y'all know my insomnia...

My insomnia often leads to youtube searches. Youtube searches usually lead to anxiety provoking videos. The anxiety provoking videos lead to my insomnia. Vicious cycle!

Anyways, last night I was up until 2 or so? ((YUCK)) and came across this video. I'm not a fan of Pam Anderson... at all (Yuck to her as well). But I will never, EVER eat chicken from KFC again... EVER. I am sure I am late on this video... meaning- I'm sure you've seen it and have all been boycotting KFC for years because of it... whoops... not me.

From now on, all my chicken eating is coming from Laura McCully's farm! :) I've seen the chickens out there- they're treated well- everything is clean- no broken bones, no slicing their beaks off... just happy, healthy chickens :)

I have never really been a meat fan. I am practically a vegetarian- NOT a vegan- but a vegetarian. I hardly ever eat meat. I DO like BBQ chicken... and I will eat chili- or spaghetti with ground turkey. But (this may blow your mind) I have never, EVER had a steak. EVER. Crazy??? I just don't like the taste of meat.

If I didn't have such a meat hungry husband, I'd probably become a vegetarian. But honestly, Ryan might become a cannibal if I deprived him of meat. That would be no good for any of us... ;)

Anywho, what a great post for a Monday morning right??? :)

Have a good week readers!

how silly.

this would mark my THIRD blog post in one day. Funny because I went about two weeks with no blogging. I guess I have spurts of blogginess or something.

Or it could be that I can't sleep.

I wonder how many blog posts have been written all because of my insomnia. I bet a handful... probably two handfulls.

Anywho... its closing in on midnight. I'm in the bedroom... typing/facebooking/jack johnson stalking/editing all with LOLA snoring next to me.

Where's Ryan??? He's on his hands and knees- scrubbing the floors. He's been scrubbing them for close to 4 hours. FOUR HOURS. All I can say is that I'm pretty lucky that I have a husband who takes his stress out by cleaning rather than say, drinking... or some other bad habit.

I'm having a really hard time sleeping lately (what's new?)- but I think the recent bouts of insomnia are due to the craziness that is my life. I haven't gone a day in the past hmmm... MONTH?!?! without shedding at least one tear. This can't be healthy.

So... in an attempt to get myself to sleep, I'm going to count sheep/my blessings with you...


.I have 2 beautiful, healthy children
.I have 1 adoring, faithful husband
.I have strong family... distance won't untie us
.I have 2 talented sisters, who may be far away, but are always on my mind.
.I have a roof over my head
.I have like 3 boxes of k cups in my cupboard
.I have a big cookout/luau party on Friday with good friends
.I have an 80.00 check on my fridge written out to ME for MY PHOTOGRAPHY :)
.I have "Florida windows" in my bedroom- which open out perfectly for me to hear the rain
.I picked my first cucumber today (out of my own garden of course)
.Ryan is starting his job at U of M soon
.We're "showing" our house on Sunday (just to friends... who ARE interested- but its not a REAL showing)
.I was told that I was loved by my daughter, my husband, mom, dad and grandma today.
.I have the ability to control how something is going to affect me... I might not have control over the situation- but I can control how I respond to it
.I have a bottle of tosti asti that is screaming at me from the fridge (maybe this weekend?)
.I found a painting from 1984 (the year I was born) at St.Vincent Paul Thriftstore- of sailboats. It reminds me of St. Augustine... I bought it :)
.I got a text from a good friend today, just asking how I was doing
.I have acupuncture tomorrow
.I have two healthy legs that took me on a nice, long walk tonight.
.my scale now reads in the 120s. HALLELUJAH.
.I cashed in loose coins today at a coinstar and got 32 bucks.
.it rained today. I took my camera out, sat down and watched it. There is something very refreshing about crying with the rain
.I have an engagement shoot tomorrow with a sickengly adorable couple :)
.It's cookies and cream custard day at Culvers. (cancel out the walk, mentioned above)
.I have a God that lets me start each day new.
.I have a God that lets me mess up, say stupid stuff, do dumb things and still gives me a second, third, fourth, etc. etc. etc. chance
.I have a God that will pick me up and get me through this cloudy fog.
.I have sleepy eyes that are finally starting to burn and shut.


Good night. :)

Can I Turn to You?

Taking a quick break from Disney posts... I have insomnia again. My husband has resorted to sleeping out on the couch because I can't turn off the computer/TV/blackberry. Not because I'm addicted to anything in particular or talking with anyone but because I CANNOT SLEEP. I have waves of thought streaming through my brain... I wish I had an "off" button. But sadly, I don't. So, I am turning to the blog, to you to get some thoughts out and perhaps, just maybe I can type myself to sleep. Highly doubtful but worth a try.

-Yesterday afternoon I DVR'd an episode of Dr.Phil- normally he drives me nuts and I avoid his shows at all costs but I was running out of DVRd shows and I needed to make sure I had SOMETHING to watch at 3 AM. Anywho, back to the show. I ended up watching it around midnight or so- Ryan was once again on the couch- but this time it was because Henry was up and making noise and he felt like he could sleep better out in the living room...hmmm :) The show was about animal abuse- normally its not a title that would grab my attention- not that I'm NOT interested in animal abuse or rather, the prevention of animal abuse, its just not a HUGE interest of mine... like if the show would've been on anorexia or cancer or cheating scandals (haha-trashy I know) I would've been more excited to watch it. So where am I going with all of this? I was GLUED to the dang TV. Like fast forwarding through the commercials at lightening speed to get to the next segment- I was so appalled and taken aback by the way some people out there treat animals. I guess I had no clue how much abuse was really going on. I still obviously think child abuse takes precedence to animal abuse, however, its nonetheless pretty sickening. SO sickening, that I went out to the living room and dragged my 50 lb sleeping boxer back to the bedroom and made her snuggle with me. I scratched her ears and gave her a little head rub... and then I fell asleep dreaming about living on a farm (yes, this is a common dream) and adopting a few dogs. Hmmm... we shall see.

-I am photographing a birth tomorrow morning/afternoon/?evening? And I'm scared out of my brain. It's a good friend (ANGIE :) and I know she's going to do great but I'm nervous about seeing her in pain- seeing too much!?!? and missing PRIME-NEVER-GET-BACK moments. I love, love, love photography and I am loving all the practice I'm getting in with friends and family and I LOVE that Angie has entrusted me to capture these precious moments- but I am so intimidated! I am by NO MEANS a pro- but I'm going to give it my best shot. (hey- no pun intended! :) Not sure if Angie's going to post any of the pics or not... but if she does, I will make sure to post a few here... and I'm also planning on putting together a slide show for her- again, if she decides to share it, I will be sure to share it with you all also...

-Ryan got me a memory foam pillow for mothers day. To be fair, I asked for it (not for mothers day) but just randomly said "I want that." To be honest- its giving me a terrible neck ache. But I feel too bad to tell him :)

-I am beaming- BURSTING with pride. Maeve had her ballet pictures today and though she didn't POSE per say, she DID do her dances! And that's the really important part, right?? She is getting to be so big... I can hardly take it. I find myself listening to super sappy songs in the car and bawling my eyes out thinking about how my BABIES are growing too fast. Along with an "off" button for my brain, I'd also like a "pause" button on my kids :)

-speaking of my kids- here are some quick updates on both of them:
Maeve- boo boo queen. I've even started calling her "boo boo." Maybe its because she's been outside more and therefore, more active? I have no clue- but this past week she has managed to get a black eye (stick fighting with Sammie), a bruised back (falling off the side of the couch) and a bent back toe nail (stubbed it on Lord knows what). She kind of looks like she's been through a battle.
Mr. Man isn't doing too hot- well his roseola IS better- but his skin continues to be a problem. We aren't controlling it with the steroid creams which isn't good... we take him back in a couple of weeks to have his trunk looked at again (the eczema has spread to over 90% of his body) and if its still bad, we'll be referred up to the U. Half of me wants to go up there so maybe we can get SOME sort of help- I really had no clue how big of a deal eczema was- I think I've said it a thousand times before, that I thought it was just dry skin... but apparently when its covering such a large surface area, the risk of infections goes way up. And of course there's the whole scarring issue. He has 2 really bad spots on his hands that are literally pussing and blistering as we speak- they're AWFUL looking. We put a glove on him at night ( a baby glove, mind you:) but it always comes off in the morning and he's sucking on those spots again. Ughhh I know there are many, MANY worse things in life... I'm just sleep deprived and complaining.

-I miss Disney. I miss FL. I want another vacation. I asked Ryan if we could go on a Disney cruise. He said if I could find one for 50 bucks we're in. Guess its not happening anytime soon.

-I feel so blessed- my life has really rounded out lately. I have my two beautiful, healthy children, my wonderful husband, my amazing family, my house is in order (for the most part...), and what's really rounded out my world are my new girlfriends. They're not really NEW- I've known them for awhile now, but I guess we've just recently started hanging out (occasionally!) without the kids- and we've started talking about deeper issues than who's kid had the biggest poo. I treasure their friendship- I swear, some days just getting a phone call or a message from one of them, keeps me sane for the day! :) Jess, Les, Angie, Angela, Suz you guys rock :)

-Someone needs to ban me from watching "Monsters Inside Me" and "River Monsters." Really.



Alright... I think that about does it for my random ramblings. I am actually tired now... maybe just maybe... I....can...sleeeeeep....

INSOMNIA=PROGRESS... PROGRESS=HAPPINESS.

Hello. I suffer from insomnia. Did you know that? Well, if not, now ya do. I have it bad. I have always had it to some extent but after having children its gotten about 100 times worse. I've been put on medications for it... I've talked with therapists about it (YES I've seen a therapist:) and I simply cannot find a solution for it. Instead, I busy myself with PROJECTS to take my mind off the fact that sleep is once again eluding me. It's a vicious cycle. I hate insomnia, but I love the feeling of completing projects... or making progress at least. Anywho... take a dive into my insomniac brain, will you? ;)

Recently, I've become a tad (okay more than a tad) obsessed with crocheting. You should see our bedroom- its like a giant yarn ball threw up. I tried (and epically failed) at keeping my yarn nice and organized. This little girl named MAEVE came along and decided to play with it- therefore I now have giant piles of random yarn strewn all along the side of the bed and stuffed in "Jo-Ann's" bags. Still though, I crochet. Every night, I crochet, crochet, crochet. Until my fingers are tired and my eyes are heavy. The result? A LOT of leg warmers, a few hats and one & a half blankets. If you're a friend of mine, have a daughter (or two:) don't be shocked when I throw leg warmers your way. Because really, how many pairs can I manage to squeeze on Maeve???

Speaking of Maeve and leg warmers... take a look at these darling pics :)







Oh- and don't think Henry has been left out of my crocheting madness! Check out these pics of him & his blankie :)




Onto project #2. THE CHAIR. The stinkin' $5.00 GOODWILL chair. Why in the WORLD has it taken me nearly THREE WEEKS to complete this project???? A few reasons. One, I'm a perfectionist- meaning, every time I *think* I am done with painting it, I look back at it and think it needs another coat. TWO, I refuse to bring it into the bedroom (that's where it will go) until I have the absolute *perrrrrfect* fabric for it. Did I also mention I am pretty indecisive??? Yet another quality of mine that popped up as soon as I had children... anywho, every time I go the fabric store I am too overwhelmed by all the beautiful fabric (kind of like how Target overwhelms me with all of their...awesomeness???) that I end up leaving with more- yup you guessed it, YARN! :) HAHA... VICIOUS cycle I tell you, VICIOUS! WELL... I am happy to tell you the chair is like 90 percent completed. I HAVE chosen a fabric (is it perfect??? Um...no, but it's going to have to do because I would actually, believe it or not, like to ROCK in my ROCKING chair while I can still ROCK! :) Now I say 90% because I still have to sew one cushion. The bottom cushion is done (I think) and I'm planning on starting the upper cushion tonight. The chair itself- meaning the painting, distressing, etc. in MY OPINION, looks pretty sweet. I literally beat that thing with a chain to give it JUST the right look. I was also very pleased to find out that the 5 dollar good will chair could withstand such a beating. I am not yet ready to reveal THE WHOLE CHAIR (yes, I'm pathetic...) but here's a peek at it.



Lastly, I've been reading. READING A LOT. I am on the tail end of "The Last Song" (and absolutely loving every word of it). I have "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult & "Not Without Hope" by Nick Schuyler waiting in the wings.

So there ya have it- my insomnia induced projects.

Oh yeah- one more thing... leave a comment (remember how that 100 blog reader/private list thingy is umm...at its limit?) I need to weed out who is reading & who is not! As awful as that sounds... I'm just not wanting the blog to be public- who knows why- just don't. SO, yeah just give me a shout out.... but WAIT- there is something FAB in it for you- simply leave an "I'm reading" comment (so I know not to delete ya!) and I will do a random number generated drawing for one of my insomnia pair of leg warmers! :) I'm sure you're wondering "well I am a momma of all boys" or "I really don't like your dang leg warmers." Or, "I don't even have kids you crazy thing!" Well- let me know you're reading anyway & if you win, give them to a fashionable fashionista that you know and love. Sounds great huh? :) So comment please!


PS- I will leave this open for a couple of days, giving adequate time to let me know you're alive & reading :)

I Can't Watch...

Okay... I just blogged like 2 hours ago, and note in that post me saying it was bedtime at 9.... fast forward to 11:30................ ahem and yes, I am still awake. Why??? I torture myself by watching the news... I seriously cannot watch it anymore. Its too depressing and it gives me horrific anxiety. Tonight, specifically I watched Caylee Anthony's memorial service. Oh my DEAR LORD. That poor family- I am sick for them. I can't imagine- I can't imagine being those grandparents, I can't imagine hurting your child, I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE. I mean, the whole thing is so horrible that its hard for me to even grasp that Casey Anthony really did it. I know she did. It's completely obvious... but I would love it if some nasty man came forward saying he did it- because the thought that a mother could do that to her child is just too much for me. As sick as it is when any child is taken too early, to think that it was at the hands of her own mother is unfathomable. Y'all know my anxiety issues- I tend to latch onto things... LIKE THIS, and can't let go. I have a hard time sleeping, letting Maeve out of my sight (at the moment she's laying next to me :).

Anyways, we were just in Orlando last weekend and the whole town is a buzz with the case... in every gas station there are fliers, bracelets, etc. branding sweet Caylees face. So it was really intense down there too. Anyways, since my blog is like therapy to me, I thought I'd express how and what I'm feeling at the moment...

UGH....... I really need to TRY and sleep even though nightmares await.....

Insomnia

I'm up- the rest of my house is sleeping. I really need to try and sleep because Maeve will be up in a few hours... BUT my anxiety is being a witch and I've received a few upsetting emails/comments about my previous post. I wasn't trying to offend anyone- it wasn't directed at any one specific person, but the issues I blogged about are pretty heated topics. Anyways, its my blog and I will write what I want.

So you guys should be thanking me for my insomnia because I am going to share with you a few of my favorite things to do when there is absolutely nothing to be done- like at 2 in the morning... Check out these freebie sites and sign up for as many freebies as you want until your heart is content :) I actually have so many pads, tampons and panty liners, razors, deodorant and sample shampoo and conditioner stashed up I probably won't have to buy any of that stuff for a year! Whats really cool is when you go on a vacay you don't have to buy any of that little sample stuff because the freebies you get are PERFECT for traveling! So enjoy and have fun :) I have literally spent night after night after night signing up for free stuff. Hahaha...

http://www.thefullmailbox.com

http://www.freegrabber.com