just do it.

 

every.single.time i see this picture...

motivates me a gazillion times more

to go to the gym.

being healthy can be tough, but its well worth the work.

who wouldn't wanna look like them!?!

put that cinnamon bun down and go work out! ;)

there's your weekend motivation. hehe.

sharing is caring.

so, during my lunch break sometimes... i sit at my desk and surf the web. i like to read. what a dork, right? whateva's...knowledge is power! at least in my book it is. anyways, i came across lisa nichols page and read her post of "the power of sharing" - very interesting stuff. just by the first two sentences i was taken back. because her words are so true!

this statement really made me think: I've learned that there's a power in consistency. The more I peel back my layers and give to you, the more of you that you give to me.


anyhoo...its a pretty, short and interesting read. take a look :)

*****************************

The Power of Sharing by Lisa Nichols



Peeling back the layers of yourself can leave you feeling unprotected and emotionally exposed before another person.


But vulnerability is necessary when building any relationship.


Peeling away your layers allows people to see who you really are. And there's freedom in that. It's a freedom you should celebrate and embrace, not shy away from.


Everywhere I go people tell me, "You're just like you were on Oprah."


Whether intended or not, I embrace their comments as wonderful compliments. Whenever or wherever you see me, you're going to get Lisa -- so much so it might surprise you.


I've learned that there's a power in consistency. The more I peel back my layers and give to you, the more of you that you give to me.


It's amazing what can happen when individuals have the courage to honestly open up with one another. It can take your relationships -- with your children, your sisters or brothers, your mother or father, or with the man or the woman in your life -- to a much deeper level.


Try it with this little exercise.


Find one or two people in your life and complete the following sentence to them at least seven times:


"If you really knew me, you'd know that I..."


Don't expect them to necessarily open up to you in return. They may or they may not. But I want you to really share yourself with them.


For me it'd go something like this:


"If you really knew me, you'd know that sometimes I get really scared or really frustrated... If you really knew me, you'd know that I love what I do every day... If you really knew me, you'd know that I want people to see the real me, but I'm often afraid to show them."


Whatever it may be for you, peel back the layers. Give others more of you so that they can give you more of them. You may be surprised how people respond -- pleasantly surprised!


If you're feeling a bit wary about trying this with a friend practice it alone first. Take a few minutes right now to complete this exercise in front of a mirror and those layers will fall away that much easier.

never argue with a woman who reads.

One morning, the husband returns the boat to their lakeside cottage after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, puts her feet up, and begins to read her book. The peace and solitude are magnificent.



Along comes a Fish and Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, 'Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?'


'Reading a book,' she replies, (thinking, 'Isn't that obvious?')


'You're in a Restricted Fishing Area,' he informs her.


'I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading.'


'Yes, but I see you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up.'


"If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault,' says the woman.


'But I haven't even touched you,' says the Game Warden.


'That's true, but you have all the equipment.. For all I know you could start at any moment.'


'Have a nice day ma'am,' and he left.




MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely she can also think.

************

p.s. thank you for all of your kind and encouraging words...they mean more than you'll ever know! :)

honesty.

no matter what anyone says...i know how i feel.

this has been the hardest thing for me. truly it has. and its only been two months.
you have no idea.

being away from my family, friends and my "home".

some days i don't know how to feel. i try not to feel sad and upset with myself, but its a struggle.

honestly, i wish i would have listened to my mom's advice instead of everyone else's.
since obviously she knows me best. she knew this would be hard for me and it is.
but i'm trying.

i'm trying to be the "good" friend i've always seemed to be to everyone, but its hard being so far away. at times i feel like i'm bothering everyone and that is why i apologize for calling or texting so much...or not calling or texting at all.

and being completely alone causing you to think A LOT about stuff...life, family, love, happiness, marriage, etc. what's really important in life.

its.tough.being.all.by.yourself. gosh, its hard.


i don't feel like me. my heart is definitely in north carolina.


a lot of things are not how i expected them to be. but when are they ever, right?


i know this is a good professional move, but personal?


it almost feels like i didn't really think this major decision through, but instead just jumped right into it because it sounded good.


i've just been praying for God to reveal His purpose for me being here.


and, so i'll wait to receive that answer.

{please bare with me and my lack of posting}

life in pa so far...via iphone.

hi my beauties!

long time no talk, huh?

my apologies. i'll do better!! pinky swear.

1: nice longs walks after work with my doggy {looks like she's walking me}

2: pictures of NC family and friends on my fridge {miss them dearly}

3: me and my shadow Payton {she follows my every move}

4: my collection of shot glasses - should a lady really have that many? ;)

5: Rita's...my newest guilty pleasure. seriously. yum. yum.

6: my new bcbg boots {free .99}

7: my new keurig - hey, i deserve a present after this move :)

8: good ole shippensburg, pa....filled with corn fields and dairy farms.

quote day.

2011's best dressed.

so, according to People...check out 2011's best dressed ladies!

i'd have to agree with picks above, whadda ya think?

wouldn't ya like to take a peek in these ladies closets????

miss ya, love ya...mean it :)

yeah...you.

got heart?

...nuff said ;)

m.i.a

gosh, i miss you guys and blogging...

this whole move is taking wayyyy tooooo much of my time.

pinky swear once i can pull myself out of all of these boxes, stop working sooooo much overtime and finally get internet at home...I'LL BE BACK!

good news...i'm officially a resident of good ole' PA :)

any fellow bloggers around dezzz parts???

guest post: Brandi from Home Team Dreams

What's up girls? 


Okay, today Brandi from Home Team Dreams is taking over! Her blog is one of personal favs as well. She's funny, smart and gorgeous...just take a look below. See? Totally hottie alert, right? Told ya! Don't forget to check out her awesome blog! You won't be disappointed!

Okay, drum roll please....take it away, Brandi!

Hello All! Since Ashley is moving to PA so that she can be that much closer to my state, so that we can eventually become BFFs, she has asked me to fill in for her for today. I happily obliged. So, here I am!


Let's talk relationships. Curious as to what I find to be one of the most important aspects of a marriage, heck almost any relationship for that matter? Okay, probably not, but I would love to tell you anyway.

Humor!

It’s so very important to laugh in a relationship. Have a good time. Don’t take yourselves so seriously all of the time.

 The one thing that my marriage is full of is laughter. I often joke that we are like Lucy and Desi… except flipped. My husband is pretty goofy-- in a totally mature, good way, of course (wink). One of the reasons that I fell in love with him was because I felt so free when I was around him. No inhibitions. There was just something about him that made me feel all silly and goofy.

I’ve never laughed more than I have laughed with him. Most people that know me would describe me as pretty reserved. No one would ever imagine that I put on a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey and dance to the humming of circus music, courtesy of my husband (mmmhmm, totally weird and random); or that I make up corny raps about wearing palm tree printed pants (no, I do not own a pair). No one would ever guess that at random we will break out into song—opera no less. Or, that without warning, one of us will go into a contagious laughing fit about absolutely nothing in the middle of the night and it will go on and on non-stop. He jokes about how huge my feet are and how bad I dress while at home- his favorite line being “you look sooo crazy right now.” I don’t get upset because I constantly rag on how the size of his head is eclipsing the sun. We. Have. Fun.

Life is tough. Being light-hearted and carefree can be difficult to conjure up on your own sometimes. Having a partner that can make every funny bone in your body go haywire is such a prize!

Yes, the love, trust and romance are all so important butlaughter is also critical ladies. And, that’s not just laughing atthe person, it’s with them as well- but you understood that, right? Now go get married girls!

*****************************

Thank you sooooo much, Brandi! You rocked it, girl! Hope you girls enjoyed todays guest post. I sure did! And, so can't wait to become real life BFF's with Brandi. Hopefully, we'll be able to schedule both of our first blogger meets! ;)