i heard you promise me.

1. lynn is my middle name.  a quick google search could have answered that. ;)
2. of course i still want to do photography.  desperately.  there is a workshop in nashville i am considering.  it's a big decision but i think it would be an amazing and changing experience.  and no, i am not one of those who feels the need to be self-taught only. or think it's something to brag about.
3. anger.  it is my least favorite emotion.  it is poisonous.  it ruins who i am and steals what i like about myself.
4. books.  the smell.  the feel.  the everything.  i feel like i've expressed my feelings about reading plenty, right?  at last count i've read 26 books so far in 2013.  insomnia, yo.  not all were life changing.  actually only one or two might fit into that category but most were still a good story to get lost in. oh and a friend sent me this recently.  perfection.
5. leggings/jeggings/tights.  yep, still wear them on the regular.  

that's a good start, right?  i'll answer more later this week.  i'll also share photos from my quick san fran trip.

"it's something i know to be true with every part of me.  without doubt.  without question.  it is where my heart calls home."

tell me stories...

tell me stories.  watch the sunrise with me.  be romantic.  spend the whole day with me.  keep me warm.  encourage me.  be spontaneous.  playfully tease me.  give me long hugs.  tell me how you feel about me.  remember little things about me.  take road trips with me.  have good taste in music.  send me random sweet text messages.  cook for me.  keep your promises. tell me i'm beautiful even when i'm wearing sweats and no make-up.  call me just to say goodnight.  spend the holidays with me.  teach me new things. love me for who i am.  take me camping.  take me to a concert.  be my best friend.  tell me your secrets.  trust me.  play board games with me.  stargaze with me.  play with my hair.  take pictures with me.  be yourself.  dance with me.  have tickle fights with me.  kiss me in the rain.  write me letters.  hold my hand while you're driving.  build a fort with me.  sing to me even if you're terrible.  surprise me.  cuddle with me.  go on adventures with me.  hug me from behind.  make me laugh.  kiss me.  love me.  

but through that window came a better day.

goals. resolutions. hopes. aspirations.  

1.  grow with photography.

     a. learn more.  learn everything.

     b. create website.

     c. learn how to advertise myself without feeling awkward.

     d. use my camera weekly.

     e. take risks.  

     f. try new techniques.  

     g. practice. practice. practice.

     h. more personal photos.

2.  learn to sew.  first project: superhero cape for dylan.  i am looking for an antique sewing table today.

3.  try something new.  i am debating between guitar and cherokee.

4.  be the best possible version of myself.  everyday.

5.  be grateful.  everyday.

6.  let the camera turn on me more often.  i can be such a weirdo about photos of myself.  see figure 1.

7.  turn off the tv one day a week.  fill the house with pandora, read, dance around the house, play out in the garden, enjoy the silence.

8.  write letters.  real, hand-written letters and mail to my favorite people.

9.  try new recipes.  be adventurous in the kitchen.

10. read one book a month.

11. be healthy.  blah, blah, blah, i know, this has made 90% of the populations' lists this year.  

12. find more music.  see figure 2.

13. cherish those dear to me and make sure they know it.

14. concerts.  as many as possible.

15. trip.  a real vacation somewhere new.

16. build a living-room fort.  

figure 1.

                                         

figure 2.

"you're all the things that fall from the sky."

never could be sweeter than with you.

randoms {& more questions answered}

1.  i very much enjoy walking barefoot in the grass.

2.  i am learning how to sew.  my goal: a quilt.  give me time.

3.  i love the smell of tomato plants on my hands.

4.  i love the smell of cilantro.

5.  i am getting a lot of resistance about adopting a puppy or rescue. i want to name her olive. *sigh*

6.  i also might like a kitten.

7.  my dreams grow everyday.

8.  i believe in everlasting love.

9.  musical talent is so very sexy.

10. fireflies.

11. i want to live in the country someday. with a very large front porch. and chickens.

12. i use mason jars for everything.

13. running in the rain = glorious.

14. i can spend hours on b&h.

15. i'm thinking my next lens may be a 35mm.
16. i am not a fan of selective coloring.  

17. miso soup = so tasty.

18. i hate witnessing someone make an enormous, life-altering mistake.  especially when they are too stubborn to listen to everyone around them.  heartbreaking.

19. i think you get what you give in this life and try to be a good person everyday.

20. i have very long {curly} hair.  and change the color every two months.
21. i am brown and eaten alive after the weekend.

22. trueblood.  so much better than twilight.

"live as if everything is a miracle"

here i am with open arms.

it's official, three of my prints were picked to be displayed and sold in a local store here in tulsa.  a year ago i would have never believed i would be labeled "an artist" by an artist and paid for my photography.  wild.  i actually cried after my review {happy tears from all the praise}.  what an amazing thing to find something you LOVE in this world that people are willing to pay you to do.  truly amazing.

i don't know that i have ever really talked about my real job.  i am a metabolic dietitian.  i have to say it is getting hard to do everyday.  we have lost two children in the past two months.  both eight years old that i have cared for the last six years.  nothing can prepare you for the death of a child, sick or not.  most days i love it; it challenges me and is about the only setting where i can really make a difference in someone's life but other days it sucks.  okay, moving on.

cake balls.  the birthday boy requested cake balls.  food network won't be calling me up for a decorating challenge anytime soon but i am okay with this.  cake balls are so much fun to make!  {tip: use a melon baller if you want uniform shape and size.  i am good with my homemade look so i just rolled by hand.}  they are a little too rich for me but i was in the minority, they were devoured in no time.

okay, i will answer two recent questions.  i guess it is always interesting to know more about random strangers...

the vegetable garden.  oh, the vegetable garden.  it is one of my proudest accomplishments as of late.  completely worth all of our hard work.  it is BEAUTIFUL.  so healthy.  and flourishing.  i will take photos soon to share.

what television shows i watch?  well, i don't really watch any live tv with the exception of the weather channel {i know, i'm a freak and may be a meteorologist in my next life} and spongebob {i know, i'm an "adult"}.  so, when i do watch television, i mostly only watch whatever is recorded on the dvr.  here is a list of my shows currently recorded on the dvr.
deadliest catch. the planets. chuck. pride & prejudice. mythbusters. fairly oddparents. america, the story of us. other random history channel. watch what happens: live. the office. friends. random food network. real housewives of ny, oc and nj {i know...}. sci-fi science. random dinosaur and ancient egypt & greece. scrubs. the notebook.

i will answer more questions in the next couple of days.



"it's a f*cking tragedy is what it is."

yesterday's just a memory.

please excuse me while i ramble on for the next few minutes...

running group: it was a bitter-sweet run last night.  it was my last night with P2.  i can officially call myself a runner!   it's not over though, i am just graduating to the next group.  i love, love, love my current coaches but it is time to move on.  now i gotta work on distance to get prepared for the tulsa run and route 66 this fall!  i can't even believe that i am considering a half marathon.  i am really only planning on the quarter but there is already pressure to just go for the half.  i must have lost my mind at some point.  

"embrace the suck" and "train your brain"

annoying but true.   

research: my name was included on two abstracts submitted by our residents.  it would be so awesome for them {and me :)} if they were published!  our team is also starting up a research study on some of our kiddos.  i was promised research opportunities when i was hired.  only took six years. 

garden:  a frost warning on the 2nd of may??  thankfully the garden survived.  we ended up with eight {8} tomato plants, two {2} zucchini, two {2} squash, two {2} bell pepper, two {2} jalapeno, two {2} okra, three {3} asparagus, one {1} cantaloupe, three {3} cilantro, one {1} blueberry and one {1} blackberry.  okra was just added.  when it was suggested, i responded with "duh, i love okra!"  i have a way with words.  i'm cool like that.

house:  the entire interior was painted last week!  i finally have colors everywhere!!!  i have wanted a chocolate brown accent wall in the bedroom for YEARS and it is finally happened.  it turned out just as beautiful as i imagined it would be.  and the kitchen....so dreamy! 

weekend: gonna be incredible.

music: new appreciation for the steel guitar and banjo of all things.  still loving the addition of a harmonica.

photography:  things are progressing.  i have a friend who works for fox in tulsa and they have their own "groupon" and he is trying to talk me into advertising through them.  i haven't decided on this yet.  i feel like i am pretty busy as it is for now.  maybe in a couple of months.  i have a mini-engagement and a 3 month old in the next couple of days. and, here is my favorite from last weekend.  goofball.

 

"when someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.  You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

laugh until we think we'll die, barefoot on a summer night.

Here are just a few from a sweet teenage girl I photographed last week...

1.  I am looking for some good cooking blogs. 

2.  I had to ice my shins for 30 minutes last night.  After a 40 degree run this sucks.  Big time. Cuddling under a big blanket helped with the teeth chattering.

3. I got my first shellac manicure this weekend with Lindsay.  I am sold.  And, one of the guys there used to do my toes in Norman.  :)

4.  The garden is ready to go: tomatoes, squash, zucchini, cantaloupe, asparagus {a first for me}, garlic, blueberries, blackberries, and herbs-galore!  I REALLY wanted to do eggplant but can't do it all.  Next year.

5.  I finally slept past 6 am for 3 days straight!  {this is a big deal}  Unfortunately, that pushy bitch, 4 am, tried to be friends again this morning.  Ugh.  This is the time when I watch my dinosaur, universe, etc. shows on netflix or catch-up on my dvr.

6.  I have the wild idea that I should make the mutts homemade food.  One is allergic to the world and while the current food works pretty well maybe all natural would be better??  I might be crazy.

7.  The Office made me laugh and cry.  It's been awhile.  

 "Home is wherever I'm with you."

a simple plan, we'd be different from the rest.

*a few of my running must-haves*

self-explanatory

fun tees and tech pants

{note the versatile Zelda shirt - can be worn running or with a black sweater and skinny-legs for a casual night out}

My name is Ashley and I am a tech pants and socks convert. 

Nike+ GPS app

love. love. love.

(only $1.99)

just one of the neato features

 *I was fitted for compression sleeves yesterday.  They didn't make the list since I haven't worn them yet but I have heard they are fantastic.

 

"Flower boxes? I will build you flower boxes."

you say that it's not fair that it's not raining where I am.

Relaxing home office half-day. 

Lovely.  Kind of a Rocky Votolato/Bon Iver mix.  



1. I adore my friends{new and old}.  I can't say this enough.
2. I adore you.
3. My post-run pear tonight was a loser.
4. My immune system is a loser.
5. I must do my taxes.
6. I must buy a external hard drive.
7. I am sun-kissed.
8. I am grateful.

"funny how you think your the only one caught in the storm"

tell me your regrets, about your remorse.

confessions

1.  I may or may not {but definitely am} having a love affair with jeggings/leggings.

2.  I love NPR in the car.

3.  I have a love/hate relationship with my trainer.

4.  I have a slight obsession for all things Apple. 

5.  I started this blog as a therapeutic activity.

6.  It amazes me that it is still never enough.

7.  I appreciate all of the messages sent by random visitors/strangers to this blog.  It freaked me out at first since I had only shared this page with five people in my life but now think it is nice. 

8.  I could eat homemade salsa every day of my life.

9.  I have had a song stuck in my head for months.  It is driving me crazy because I can't remember the band or the name of the song.  I have considered calling SiriusXMU and humming what I remember on multiple occasions.  I am glad I have restrained.

10. I watch shows about the universe and then get overwhelmed by the idea of infinite space around us.  But for some reason I just can't stop myself from watching more.  It is a vicious cycle.  And, black holes really scare me.

11. I have dreams that need at least ten lifetimes to fulfill. 

12. I am in love with love.

13. I need help loading film in my camera.  

14. I didn't accomplish all I had planned to do over the break.  I have some guilt about it.  

15. I wanted to be an anthropologist, Egyptologist, and a paleontologist.

16. I want to be a photographer.

17. I haven't listened to a local radio in over a year.

18. I am not sure that I would change a thing but want to change every minute.

19. I like Meatless Mondays.

20. I miss that place.

21. I want it to snow and result in the world stopping for a few days.

"Is rebellion a stage?"

"Uh, maybe it fits somewhere between 5 and 6."

I remember you sweet-talking to me beneath the strung up lights.

This mutt has been jumping the fence. The six-foot fence. She learned how over the summer at doggie camp. It is a good story I should share but the highlight is her hopping the fence and stopping to pick up her bag of food before heading down the road towards home. {I just see her as the kid with a bag on a stick running away} Now she just does it for sport or to show us she can. Thankfully all she does is run around to the front to sit on the porch. Love this dog.

I have super slacked on learning how to use Photoshop.  Now I have no excuses after my Barnes & Noble day.  I should be dedicating Christmas break to reading through these during the day.  I can't be legit until I really know how to use Photoshop.

And, I also got this journal to start keeping photography ideas in.  It has tab dividers and pockets throughout to keep me better organized.

last one...


what I love today:

• the snow on Christmas day
• my hair is now chocolate brown/red
• acoustic guitars
• Christmas break

"I didn't say my girl, I said my woman."

is that Christmas morning creaks?

~just a small preview~

 What I love today:

• the bell ringers in front of all the stores
• Christmas lights
• bundling up for a cold run

"I think my heart may have suffered actual physical damage.  It doesn't beat the same anymore."

well versed in tears {and laughter}.

For the last couple of years I have had a non-traditional Christmas dinner.  This year will be no different.  We just had a big Thanksgiving dinner so why do it all over again only a month later?  But, instead of burritos, I am making Roast Chili for Christmas.  It might not look like much but it is pure deliciousness.  Thank you, Konga.  Plain, on shredded lettuce or dressed up in a tortilla.

I will also be making all the favorite Christmas treats.  Requests are already in for Chex Mix, Magic Bars, Fat Man's Folly, Gooey Butter Cake, Pumpkin Bread, No Bake Cookies and Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins.  Maybe some peppermint bark too.  I love baking during the holidays for everyone.

What I love today:
*the way the old hardwood feels on my bare feet
*my new, almost black hair
*Christmas shopping at Bass Pro
*the smell of evergreen in the house

"I have known you long.  Do you know me?"

giving thanks today

1. the support and love of my wonderful family
2. my incredible friends
3. OSU's winning football season
4. Callie and Ophelia
5. spending time with my brother
6. nights out with friends {even when it includes Monday Night Football} :)
7. laughter
8. a job I love
9. that smile
10. forgiveness
11. a warm house
12. love for photography and cooking
13. Christmas Vacation, Charlie Brown, The Grinch and Harry Potter on this cold day

you are always good to me, October.

I am grateful for many things today:

1.  My AMAZING family and friends.
2.  The butterflies.
3.  3 shoots this weekend and many more referrals.
4.  All the new opportunities in front of me.
5.  The start of the holiday season, cooler weather and the changing colors of the world.
6.  Skinny-leg pants and knee-high boots.
7.  Lowe's and a $10/hour painter. (floor to ceiling wood paneling = fail)


"Glad I could make you smile..."

you soothe my soul, Sufjan.

1. Four shoots in the next two weekends.
2. Class starts Monday.
3. The smell of sweet pea has my head swimming.

"If you know what I am saying then you are a dork and we need to be friends."

your eyes no longer smile in photos.

1. Powwow #1 this weekend!
2. Photoshop and Lightroom still have not been installed. *sigh*
3. The bruising and swelling of my wrist looks much worse than it feels.
4. The last 2 mornings I have had trouble distinguishing my dreams from RL.
5. My dad's PSA has FINALLY dropped!!

"read books to each other.  read the mind of the other."

only love is all maroon

1.  Falling in love.
2.  Laughing so hard your face hurts.
8.  Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9.  Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
14.  A bubble bath.
15.  Giggling.
20.  Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
21.  Running through sprinklers.
23.  Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
24.  Laughing at an inside joke.
26.  Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
31.  Having someone play with your hair.
35.  Swinging on swings.
36.  Wrapping Christmas presents under the Christmas tree.
41.  Someone making you chocolate chip cookies. 

"There is no measuring how this makes me feel."

Casualties

1. A fishing shirt
2. White bowl
3. Hairdryer
4. Two frames
5. A muscle

"Someday my pain, someday my pain will mark you"