To a wonderful man… I like to call him my love

To my love:

Thank you for standing by my side through everything. Thank you for being an amazing man, loving me, our crazy monsters and supporting us. Thank you for being mine all mine until the end of time. I couldn't ask for a better more loving man.

You are more than any woman could ever ask for and you put up with a lot of crap. I.E. my late night classes and long work days or when I'm coming your going and vise verse. I know its tough now but we can survive anything together. We will conquer life and make it an amazing one along the way. Yes, we hit a few rocky patches along the way but no matter what we stand strong. You are the one and only person outside of my parents that I know I can trust with my life.

I can't thank you enough for all that you do for me, for us, for our monsters. I love you with all my heart and soul. Thank you once again :D

Breast Cancer Awareness

My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before Christmas 2010. Our family has been supporting her as much as we can. She has undergone surgery and everything went smoothly. The cancer did not have a chance to spread so she will be monitored closely for any changes that may occur.

I will be participating, on her behalf, in the Susan G. Komen Race for the cure this year. The race takes place on Sunday, September 25, 2011. For those of you who would like to join me please contact me as soon as possible. I have a plan for raising my goal donation of $1,00o.

I created necklace for a few close family members before my aunts surgery and many of my family and friends have been inquiring about buying them. So here is the opportunity.

*The Necklace*

*A Closer View*

About the necklaces:
Made from one pink organza ribbon and one black organza ribbon, measuring approximately 24 inches long with a lobster claw clasp and a pink glass ribbon pendant. The pendant is approximately 2 inches long. Each necklace comes individually wrapped in assorted pink papers. The necklaces can be given in the original package as a gift or just a nice place to store the necklace.

Lets talk cost:
I have decided to sell them for a minimum donation of $10, 100% of the money will go towards my goal of $1,000. **Shipping is not included: I will deliver the necklaces withing rang but shipping will be extra if necessary**

I will be taking orders for the necklaces via e-mail

Please contact me at designer09ashley@gmail.com

Remember its for a great cause and all the money raised will be put toward my goal for the race this year. Thank you for any and all donations.

Wow how time flies… Right by you!

So it's been almost a year since our family suffered a great loss and its seems like just yesterday my grandmother left us to be with Elvis :) (inside thing)! Its so unreal, her not being here with us! I am so at a loss for words and what to do. Although I do know that she would be so excited that the Packer's are going to the Superbowl this year :D That was her team!

Now our family has new battles to face with illnesses and what not *hoping and praying for no lives to be taken this year* it was a very tough and strenuous year last year and I am hoping this year will be much better.

The Ugly, Brutal Truth!!

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WARNING: THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY BREAZE OPTIMISTIC POST. IT WILL BE UGLY AND IT WILL BE BRUTAL!! So, IF you plan on bitching to me about it later, then don't even wast your time reading this.

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So lately some things have happened to make me realize that I am unappreciated and that I am far to nice of a person… we'll things are about to change.

I am not some 120 lb, blond hair, blue eyed, tan skinny girl. I am a voluptuous plus sized girl and by no means am I here to impress anyone. I could defiantly afford to loose a few pounds (captain obvious) but no matter what I will still be a larger framed girl and I am okay with that. I don't spend 10 hours in front of the mirror before I walk out the door to do anything. Like I said by NO MEANS am I here to impress anyone…

I am a homebody and a family girl (who still swears she's adopted because I simply don't fit in my family) who would rather go to the park with her kids than the club with her friends. I put my family first and I am working towards an education so I can have a fantastic life for them.

My parents mean the world to me and I am so grateful for everything they gave up to raise me. They are truly amazing… everyone has there flaws and thats okay, I still love them at the end of the day.

I am always bending over backwards to change things that are beyond my control… i.e. My douche bag brother… So I have finally decide that i'm over trying to help other people who simply don't want to help them selves…

In a family of misfits (with the exception of a hand full) I am the only one trying to better my life. I am a student, an employee, an artist, a full time mother and a loving girlfriend… and at the end of the day I simply don't have time to play problem solver and try to fix everything else for everyone around me. People simply are ungrateful and unappreciative and don't deserve the help.

Some things simply are beyond my control. Thats all there is to it. I wish I could fix things… make them better again, have my best friend back… but its one of those things that are out of my reach. And I will simply end this by saying one last thing…

God grant me the serenity to

accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Creativity Explodes

So I wanted to create something hand made for my son's 2nd Birthday... and some may say I went overboard and yes, I do know that he is far to young to appreciate all the amazing things I am planning for his birthday. But my hopes are that SOMEONE will appreciate them, and hopefully one day monster will too.

The creative process was rather time consuming, but well worth it.

The inside of the invitations

In the end they turned out AMAZING.

There is much much more to come from this amazing birthday party i'm planning for my special little monster. I never had a theme to my parties growing up or the goodie bags. So i'm trying my hardest to give my son the best life I can. I hope one day he can really appreciate all I am doing for him.

It is what it is...

Every once in a while, I wonder if school was the right choice for me. Then I take a close look at the things I have accomplished; maintaining a 3.5 GPA, raising a child, completing some amazingly difficult but fun projects, learning all this new stuff. And today I took a close look at the classes I still need to graduate college, inside my brain I am screaming, but I only need 6 classes after winter and spring quarter to graduate. Theoretically that is only summer and fall classes and I will be done with my first of three degrees (Graphic Design being the utmost important :D). I am so shocked at all the things I have accomplished and still being able to raise my little monster. Now i'm working, going to school and raising my monster. I can truly say that I am proud of myself.

My life is truly amazing and there isn't much more I could ask for. Besides for my best friend to be back home where she belongs so she can bask in the glory with me. (LBNR).

Life has given me some tough times this past year but it just goes to show that I can work through ANYTHING!! I am a strong woman with an amazing family and I appreciate them and all they do for me. I have the most amazing best friend EVER and I probably never would have made it this far and still kept my SANITY without her. I LOVE YOU ANNA DANIELLE CROUSE!! Thank You!!

101 in 1001

The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year’s resolutions or a ‘Bucket List’. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

This is my list of 101 things to complete in 1001 days. I am looking forward to completing this list. I believe that this list will help me become a better person, mother and artist.

So here goes. My start date is August 30, 2010. Making the completion date May 27, 2013.

Education & Arts:

1. Read 30 new books
2. Blog about 101 in 1001 as I complete tasks
3. Read a photography book
4. Make deans list
5. Make presidents list
6. Frame 10 pieces of my art
7. Design 26 pieces of work with only type (A-Z)
8. Complete my graphic design degree
9. Paint 3 canvases
10. Take one photo a day through list and post the photos (1001)
11. Enter my work into an art show (not at school)
12. Update my portfolio every quarter
13. Sell my artwork online
14. Learn HTML
15. Get a Yudu machine
16. Print 3 shirts a year with the Yudu machine.
17. Start an online shop to sell art work (Etsy, Amazon, Ebay)
18. Buy 3 pieces of art from local artist
19. Learn to say ‘I love You’ in 5 languages
20. Learn CSS
21. Send out hand made Christmas cards
22. Design one new piece of art a month (outside of school work)
23. Create a digital/online portfolio

Family:

1. Read two books a day to the kids for a month
2. Go to the zoo once a month till Christmas 2010
3. Leave warm fuzzy’s for Dan once a week for a month
4. Go on a picnic with my family
5. Take the kids to the museum
6. Have a romantic day with my love (sans kids)
7. Potty train monster
8. Build a fort with the kids using sheets
9. Have an off the radar day with no technology and enjoy each other (kids too)
10. Teach the little miss about charity and why its good
11. Make cookie tins for my family for Christmas
12. Create a scrapbook of the kids birthday parties

Community service:

1. Volunteer 3 times
2. Donate to the goodwill
3. Donate blood once a year
4. Do 3 charity walks
5. Plant a tree

Personal Wellness:

1. Post to my blog every week for 6 months (0/24)
2. Meet 3 new people
3. Stop drinking soda
4. Find a design job
5. Talk a friend into making a 101 in 1001 list
6. Have a girls night out
7. Write a letter to myself to be opened once this list is completed
8. Throw a Halloween party
9. Get a professional massage
10. Watch the sunrise for a week
11. Go without TV for a weekend (Friday – Sunday)
12. Take silly photobooth photos
13. Get a little black dress
14. Have a romantic swim with my love under the stars
15. Write a letter to 5 people who inspire me
16. Reconnect with an old friend
17. Buy a stranger lunch and tell them to ‘Pay it forward’
18. Learn how to french braid
19. Throw a random party at the house (bonfire, friends, drinks, etc…)

Food & Fitness:

1. Try spinach
2. Try 3 new recipes
3. Enroll & complete a class at the YMCA
4. Try a new cake/cupcake flavor
5. Buy a bike
6. Walk once a day for 6 weeks
7. Create a recipe book
8. Eat at the Melting Pot
9. Exercise five times a week for a month (not including walking)
10. Lose 40 lbs
11. Make pizza from scratch
12. Get more creative with my cake/cupcake skills (fillings, frostings, decorations, etc…)

Mrs. Fix It:

1. Paint the kids room before Christmas 2010
2. Make the kids toy boxes for Christmas
3. Organize kitchen cabinets
4. Organize home office
5. Organize basement
6. Organize toy room
7. Organize bedrooms
8. Open the pool before the end of May

Adventure:

1. Go to a concert
2. Go ice skating
3. Go horseback riding
4. Do karaoke
5. Visit Atlanta, GA
6. Take a road trip and photograph it
7. Release a message in a bottle when we go on our cruise
8. Ride in a hot air balloon
9. Play laser tag
10. Visit Myan Ruins
11. Zip line
12. Visit a Zoo not in Ohio or Michigan
13. Take boudoir photos to give to my love on our next anniversary
14. Spend at least one day a month at the park (even winter)

Other:

1. Stop procrastinating
2. Watch 26 new movies A-Z
3. Milk a cow
4. Say yes to everything for a day (within reason)
5. Get a henna tattoo
6. Go to a comedy show
7. Host a garage sale
8. Pretend to be paparazzi