It's about damn time, right?

So I've been thinking about posting for a really long time.  Life's been crazy busy and surprising.  I know it's been over 2 months since my last post and that's because of a few things.  I went back and read that I had updated about my 2 new jobs.  Well, I kept all 4 jobs until the end of August.  I even ended up working 22 days in a row without even 1 day off.  I ended up quitting the lowest paying job (Michaels) despite it being one of the more relevant ones to my field of study.  However, I was in a financial pickle after letting the situation at my brother's go on for so long.  So now, I work still at the Washington Pavilion from time to time and then part-time at JJs and part-time in direct sales for a local cable company.

I'm still seeing Mr. Nice, much more seriously now.  For awhile I was attributing my prolonged fatigue to the fact that I was juggling 4 jobs and a boyfriend.  Come to find out (about 6 weeks ago) that I'm pregnant with his oopsy baby.  SURPRISE!  Now obviously that was pretty unexpected and definitely not planned.  However, our relationship is going really well as is the pregnancy.  By my calculations, I'm 12 weeks along which was confirmed by my doctor on Thursday at my first ultrasound.  The difference between this one and the one I had last year was night and day.  I got to see my baby moving around there, active and healthy and normal!  I wish my guy could have been there but he still lives an hour away and the scheduling just didn't work.  He is making plans to save money and move here whenever it works best.  Until then I still get to see him every weekend.  Actually I've been at his place this whole weekend.  He still does the night shift while I do the day so he's still sleeping now while I'm wide awake.  I don't usually have any problem staying asleep late with him but I did take a little nap last night while he was playing his video game.  Plus I was getting really hungry so I made some sticky buns.  He's gonna have to get up soon if he wants some...  :P  Side effects of this bun in my oven is the overwhelming urge to eat far more often than I've ever felt before.  I've had some nausea and dizzy spells.  Morning sickness hasn't affected me as much in the way of barfing all the time as just generally feeling crappy for days on end.  This week's had some crazy temperature and weather changes and I've been sick because of it all week.  I thought it started out as a sinus thing but now my symptoms are more like the bronchitis that Terri was sporting last week.  Or maybe it's just a 'faux sickness' like my friend Jessica said.  Whatever it is, I'm hoping it'll be gone very very soon.  I've gotta catch up on some work this week.  I think I'll at least have some more energy now that I'm almost out of the first trimester.  It's been terribly hard not to always give in to the incredible urge to sleep between jobs.  That's when I don't get nearly as much done in the day.

I've been wanting my artistic release back, wanting to do something for art's sake (to borrow a phrase).  So the title of this post is multipurpose then.  I received some unbelievably sad news last Sunday that my dear friend and neighbor from college Will passed away.  I wept for the world's loss of a beautiful soul and a talented individual who simply didn't understand his true worth in life.  The loss of someone so great makes me feel like time really is short and I have to make the most of what I've got.  I have to be able to find a balance between the busy of life and family and maintaining the art that is my true life-blood.  I decided to start organizing my collection of items and bits from college.  I found a lot of things that reminded me of Will and our group of friends and all the great times we had together.  And not just in the college partying friends way; also the way that we were fellow artists working side by side and together in this world to make a mark.  I don't want to lose what I've worked for so I've made a command decision to make art a part of every single day.  I ended up stopping by my aunt Jen's house on Tuesday this week.  She's always been one of my biggest creative inspirations.  I stopped by because I saw her outside and because I was RSVPing to a jewelry party invite for Thursday.  We talked for almost 2 hours and in that time she managed to inspire me yet again.  She showed me a wonderful little scrapbook she'd made completely by hand.  It, to me, was much more like an artist book than some scrapbook.  It was beautifully crafted with delicate details and features like pockets and inserts.  And the basic structure of the book was paper lunch sacks.  She is planning on helping me get started on a book of my own.  It seemed so perfectly synchronized that I should be organizing the items I want to put into a variety of artist's books the 2 nights prior to my aunt offering to help me get started on them.  I always curse myself for not taking that book-making class in college.  I should have realized that a lot of my art is better in book format.  At any rate, I got some supplies at Michaels the other night when I went in to show some of my old coworkers my ultrasound pictures.  I spent more than I should have but I got a couple of nice frames for Aaron and Terri.  I had promised birthday presents to them months ago when I was much more broke.  I finally got what I'd planned to awhile ago.  Now I just need to sew Z's little baby romper to a nice fitted piece of matboard and put it in the 12" x 16" black shadowbox I got for Terri and give Aaron the black shot glass collector case I got for him.  I've also been crocheting and knitting a little more here and there.   I want to get my baby hat inventory up for this winter.  So in the past week, my artistic spirit has been soooooooaring.  I hope the baby can feel the arty energy.

Speaking of arty energy, I think I may put something on the tv and crochet, but first...another sticky bun, and maybe a quick cleanup.  This man has a serious bachelor pad.  I actually really want to post again soon.  Maybe it'll be good for the arting to keep posting.  And so I shall.

Quick Update

So I'm done watching Z and I moved out of my brother's place on the 1st and where I'm living now we don't have internet yet.  I got 2 more jobs and I've been working a ton.  I also have still been seeing Mr. Nice every weekend.  I even went to visit him in his hometown for the 4th of July (I met one of his sisters and his parents!!!!).  I've been going to the library for web access but I'm seriously hoping to get it going at the new place ASAP.  One of my new jobs is at the nearby JJ's...I thought it would suck going back but it's fun and easy and there's plenty of opportunity to move up.  The other job I start training at next week since this week I was booked solid.  I really don't know when my next day off will be but I'll still be seeing Mr. Nice this weekend.  I'll try to update again the next time I'm on the net...but I won't make any promises (seeing as it's been almost a month since my last post).  That's all for now.

Another Awesome

Ok, it's pretty much a done deal.  I'm smitten like a kitten!  Mr. Nice and I have hung out the last 2 nights and I already want to see him again.  Unfortunately (but not really since I need money) I started my second class at the pavilion this morning so we weren't able to hang out today too.  And I already want to see him again.  He's going to a show tonight but I work at Michaels tonight so the odds of me going are pretty slim.  He says he's looking for jobs in SooFoo cuz he's tired of living an hour away from his friends and the 'city' and wants to move back.  That would make things sooooo much easier and we could spend time during the week getting to know each other.  I have to say that so far, he hasn't done or said even one thing that's made me uneasy or unsure about him.  I really think that this could definitely go somewhere.  I got the words straight from the horse's mouth that Mr. Nice is beyond the 'one-night-stand' phase and that monogamy is a must for him (like it is for me).  I can still hardly believe how lucky I was to meet him...the universe sure has a strange sense of time and humor but hey, I'll take it!

Omg, I could stay on here and gush for hours but I've got packing to do.  Moving out by the end of the month...another AWESOME for ASHLEY.  YES!

Butterflies

I got 'em...there, I said it.  Mr. Nice and I are going out tomorrow and I'm really excited.  We've only talked once since last weekend but we've texted back and forth throughout the whole week and I know he's looking forward to it too.  I had an extremely crappy afternoon with Z and just the thought of tomorrow made me smile.  It still does.  Though I'm kinda being a nut job a little.  By this I mean I've been cleaning and packing and whatnot for the last few nights on the off chance that he comes here tomorrow.  I'm less that 2 weeks away from moving so obviously packing is a good idea at this point.  However, the vigorous cleaning and packing away of things is because I'm definitely not ready to reveal all my crazy on the first real date.  I really like him so I don't wanna scare him away right away.  I say this slightly in jest but also seriously.  I don't know why I haven't had any decent luck keeping a man in my life so far.  Looking back now at 25, my longest relationship ever was only 8 months...and that was a stretch, believe me.  That relationship was doomed after 5 months, even 4 maybe.  So, my nerves about blowing things with Mr. Nice too soon are understandable.  At least I'm not carrying any baggage from my past...I'm sure that should be at least a little bit of a plus for him.  I've been single pretty much steady for close to 3 years so I think it's about time something good happened for me.  Curse these wretched nerves! haha  The cool part is that I'm totally enjoying all the funky feelings that are the resulting feelings from a mutual like interest.  I suppose after this ramble I can't really say 'I won't say much' but I will say that I have every intention of keeping the real details to myself.  Secrets like that are the best because you're the only one that knows them.  I would, however, like to sum up that I have overall been very happy and excited all week all because of Mr. Nice.  Preparations for my folks' anniversary luau coming up tomorrow has been a great distraction so far to keep me from metaphorically grasping for tomorrow night desperately.  I really am more of a romantic than a cynic so I'll end with the cliche: I just can't wait! :D

News-full June

I know it's been a couple weeks since my last few posts...life gets crazy sometimes:

I didn't completely stop doing my food diary.  I did, however, stop being so diligent with the calorie counting.  I have every intention of returning to the habit a little more resolutely come July.  But with all that's going on and will go on by then who knows what will happen?  For the record though, the calorie counting does work...I lost 7 lbs during the month of May making my grand total since New Years 18 lbs.  Go me!  Now I've stayed the same for the past 3 weeks, which is good considering all of the occasions...I do plan on getting back into my exercising and workout plan, which has been on hold because of all the craziness.


First on the list of crazy things:  I'm finally moving out of my brother and sister-in-law's basement.  I'll be moving in with Matt's cousin Justin.  He's 21, just bought his first house.  He's got money, but not a clue.  So Angela and I have taken it upon ourselves to take charge of the house before I move in to get it in order and make it a little more like a home and a little less like a dumpy bachelor pad.  We've spent a fair amount of time over there cleaning and whatnot.  We (as in Angela and me) will be picking paint (which Justin's going to buy) and painting the whole place soon.  I plan on being totally moved in there by July 1st.  Lucky for me he's pretty flexible about when I move in and when I pay rent which will be affordable as soon as I get a better job.  I've been looking for awhile now and have had a couple responses.

The main reason I don't already have a new job is because June is the month of my summer classes at the Washington Pavilion.  I had my Canvas Creations painting class last week and have my Art Explorers class next week.  Last week was insane having my class every afternoon still watching Z on three of the days and working at Michaels on two of the nights.  Also, Wednesday was my 25th birthday.  Wooty woot!  It was Terri's birthday too, and Thursday was Aaron's birthday.  We had a family cookout on Tuesday night.  Dad made ribs on the grill; Mom made homemade mashed potatoes, her tasty coleslaw salad.  We had fruit and chocolate ice cream cake and everyone was there.  On my actual b-day Matt and Angela took me out to Bracco's for half-off drinks.  We splurged on some "Jamaican-me-crazy"s, nachos and a Bob Marley-tini.  We also stopped off at Woody's for another drink.  I didn't feel that great during class the next day but I had a great time.

The birthday celebrating continued on into the weekend when Marcy went into labor on Saturday night.  Samantha Cadence Seaman, daughter of Jon and Marcella Seaman, was born Sunday at 12:34 in the afternoon; 6 lb 2 oz and 19 in long.  I was working at the time and though the new parents were accepting visitors that night, most of the family waited to go up to the hospital until yesterday before lunch.  She's beautiful and tiny.  I'm so excited to be an auntie again!  1 nephew and now 3 nieces!!!

And now, as if all of this excitement wasn't enough, something else incredible happened to me on Saturday:  I met someone.  I don't want to jinx it or anything so I'm not going to get into a lot of details (ie his name).  I'm gonna play it like Carrie on Sex in the City when she's writing her column; you don't really know Mr. Big's real name is John until the last episode.  So I'm going to call this guy Mr. Nice.  I will say that I'm really glad that I went out on Saturday night.  I had gone painting at Jon and Marcy's in the morning (completely unsuspecting that she'd be popping in less that 24 hours!), and worked the rest of the day at Michaels.  Angela called before my shift was over and said that Sara's new beau had a guy friend that I should meet and that they were going out for drinks that night.  Lucky for me I had my flip-flops and a different shirt in my car.  AND despite being unshowered, with grody failing make-up, my huge work pants and a baggy, rather unflattering top on, I'm fairly certain that Mr. Nice is genuinely into me.  I guess it's just my charming personality (haha).  I'd say that considering all I knew about him before meeting him was his name and all he knew was my name and that I'm kinda chatty, we hit it off like most people wish their fix-ups between friends would go.  I know I said I wouldn't get into much detail so I'll just say that Mr. Nice lives about an hour away from here meaning he'll be mostly available to see on the weekends when he quite frequently comes to SooFoo to hang with friends.  This is actually perfect for me the relationship-tard...It means we've got time to get to know each other without being too serious about it right away and that I'll still have time to do all the crap that I already have to do.  That's one thing about relationships that I haven't figured out since I haven't had anything even close to one in over 3 years.  How do you have time to do everything?  I guess that sounds kinda bad: it's not that I don't want to see Mr. Nice until next weekend.  However, I've been in a fantastic mood since we met and just the few sweet texts he's sent have been enough to make me all fluttery inside.  There's no need to rush the good feelings that come with something new and exciting.  I'm really looking forward to seeing him again this weekend...
Though I can't image he'll be down for coming to my parents' (6-months-early) 30th wedding anniversary Tahitian luau which is Saturday night.  It would be amazing if he did, but I hardly expect something like that from a guy I just met especially considering I've never actually introduced my folks to anyone I've dated before.  I'm pretty confident I'll be seeing him again this weekend, we'll just have to wait and see when.  At any rate...GO ME!  While for right now, financially, I'm fucked, I at least have a lot of great things in my life to keep me happy through the struggle...I'll try not to wait so long til my next post but I can't guarantee anything. ;)

A Food Journal: Day 31

Breakfast: (180)
Special K cereal with 1/2 cup skim milk (150)
coffee with cream and Truvia (30)

Lunch: (325)
whole wheat pita pepperoni pizza (150+15+60+100)
diet coke

Dinner: (565)
sesame chicken with carrots, green beans, broccoli (90+200+25)
white rice (160)
1 cup skim milk (90)

Snacks: (360)
string cheese (80)
coleslaw/ramen salad (150)
Cheese-it pack (100)

Workout:
Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred: Level 1 (25 min)
weights (10 min)

(1400)

A Food Journal: Day 30

Breakfast: (130)
homemade wheat banana bread (100)
coffee with cream and Truvia (30)

Lunch: (815)
cheeseburger with ketchup and mayo (330+110+60+15+30)
Multi-grain Pringles (70)
coleslaw/ramen salad (100)
rhubarb crisp (100)
diet pepsi

Dinner: (280)
whole wheat pita with homemade hummus (150+50)
string cheese (80)

Snacks: (80)
string cheese (80)


(1305)

A Food Journal: Day 29

Breakfast: (150)
Special K cereal with 1/2 cup skim milk (150)
diet coke

Lunch: (345)
pear (85)
2 string cheese (160)
Cheese-it pack (100)

Dinner: (350)
Michelina's Lean Gourmet Shrimp Scampi (290)
1 slice of American cheese (60)

Snacks: (300)
2 slices of homemade wheat banana bread (200)
cookie pack (100)


(1145)

A Food Journal: Day 28

Breakfast: (255)
2 slices of homemade wheat banana bread (210)
coffee with cream and Truvia (45)

Lunch: (approx. 610)
Leonardo's Pizza (at Washington Pavilion), 2 narrow slices of pepperoni (educated guess: approx. 610)
diet coke

Dinner: (300)
orange curry garlic chicken with onions, carrots, green beans (300)

Snacks: (245)
pear (85)
2 string cheese (160)


(1410)

A Food Journal: Day 27

Breakfast: (195)
Special K cereal with 1/2 cup skim milk (150)
coffee with cream and Truvia (45)

Lunch: (280)
spinach, 1/4 cup shredded cheese blend, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, 1 mushroom, hard-boiled egg, 2 wheat saltines, carrots, and balsamic vinaigrette (10+100+40+70+20+20+20)

Dinner: (745)
cheeseburger with mayo and ketchup (330+120+60+45+30)
sweet potato fries (160)
diet coke

Snacks: (215)
cookie (30)
string cheese (80)
1 slice homemade wheat banana bread (105)

Workout:
P90X: Plyometrics (60 min)


(1435)

A Food Journal: Day 26

Breakfast: (180)
Special K cereal with 1/2 cup skim milk (150)
coffee with cream and Truvia (30)

Lunch: (390)
2 scrambled eggs with mozzarella (240)
hash brown potatoes (150)

Dinner: (535)
bag of Gardetto's (375)
Fiber 1 bar (150)

Snacks: (440)
2 string cheese (160)
cookie pack (70)
1 cup of grapes (110)
Cheese-it pack (100)

Workout:
P90X: Shoulders and Arms (60 min)


(1535)

A Food Journal: Day 25

Breakfast: (275)
Special K cereal with 1 cup skim milk, 1/2 banana (110+90+45)
coffee with cream and Truvia (30)

Lunch: (185)
romaine lettuce, 1/4 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, deli sliced turkey, 2 Ritz crackers, balsamic vinaigrette (5+80+40+20+30+10)

Dinner: (310)
orange curry garlic chicken with onions, carrots, and green beans (160)
brown rice (150)

Snacks: (480)
cookie pack (100)
string cheese (80)
wheat pita with homemade hummus (150+50)
Cheese-it pack (100)


(1250)

A Food Journal: Day 24

Breakfast: (180)
Special K cereal with 1/2 cup skim milk (150)
coffee with cream and Truvia (30)

Lunch: (380)
wheat pita pizza with 1/3 cup mozzarella, 2 Tbsp sauce, and 1 Tbsp Parmesan (150+120+15+10)
orange (85)

Dinner: (405)
El Dorado taco bake with tortilla chips, mozzarella, sour cream, sausage, green chilis (315)
1 cup milk (90)

Snacks: (620)
2 string cheese (160)
chocolate cake (for Erin's birthday) (300)
1 slice American cheese (60)
Cheese-it pack (100)

Workout:
P90X: Kenpo X


(1585)

A Food Journal: Day 23

Breakfast: (340)
sesame bagel with neufchatel cheese (240+70)
coffee with cream and Truvia (30)

Lunch: (420)
garlic and onion chicken and mushrooms (170)
brown rice (150)
Keebler cookie pack (100)

Dinner: (275)
Romaine with 1/4 cup mozzarella, 4 baby carrots, pulled chicken and 1 Tbsp fat-free balsamic vinaigrette (5+80+20+60+10)
grapes (100)

Snacks: (70)
1 slice of American cheese (70)


Workout:
yoga and weights (45 min)


(1105)

A Food Journal: Day 22

Breakfast: (150)
Special K with 1/2 cup skim milk (150)
diet coke

Lunch: (320)
garlic and onion chicken and mushrooms (170)
brown rice (150)

Dinner: (265)
Michelina's Lean Gourmet Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes and gravy (180)
pear (85)

Snacks: (480)
Cheese-it pack (100)
2 string cheese (180)
wheat pita pocket with homemade hummus (90+30)
cookie pack (100)
Oats'n'honey cereal dry (150)


Workout:
Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred: Level 1 (20 min)
Yoga and abs (30 min)


(1365)

A Food Journal: Day 21

Breakfast: (210)
1/2 honey wheat bagel with neufchatel cheese (120+40)
coffee with cream and Truvia (50)

Lunch: (325)
turkey and American cheese sandwich with lite mayo and homemade hummus (50+60+90+20+15)
banana (90)

Dinner: (830)
Jimmy John's Vito, special (510+60)
Reduced fat potato chips (260)

Snacks: (5)
stick of gum (5)


(1370)

Seventh Frog

This frog will eventually be a height chart for Z.  For now the frog itself is finished.

Sixth Frog

 

Fifth Frog

Fourth Frog

I finished painting this frog for Zidane's nursery mural the weekend of Valentine's Day but I just uploaded the pics off the camera tonight (and back then I was in one of my dry spells of blogger posting).  So here's the progress shots: