inspiration

I am so very glad that it's Friday and that I have a little time to breathe. It has been a rough week.

I saw this idea on this blog and thought I would do my own version here. I love finding inspiration on other blogs (when I have them time). Let me just say that there are a few blogs that fall into many of these categories, so I listed them more than once. Here is my list for you (which is not comprehensive...just some inspirational blogs off the top of my head):

link a blogger who...
has an online shop: my happy little life / a beautiful mess / marta writes
takes fantastic photographs: tara whitney / karen Russell
has a new baby: ali / marci
has flawless taste: karla / my happy little life / simple as that
is unique: emily
has admirable qualities: my happy little life
crafts up a storm: my happy little life
is an artist: a beautiful mess
is intriguing: shutter sisters
you've bookmarked: tangled and true
lives far away: shimelle
is an old favorite: becky higgins
is creative: molly irwin
features fabulous ideas: becky higgins' recipes
features loveliness: marta writes
features pretty products: anna marie horner
features fantasticness: danielle
features weddings: james carson photography
writes about life: pioneer woman
is a daily must see: my happy little life / karen Russell
tells great stories: my happy little life / pioneer woman
is funny: bits & pieces
is a designer: how about orange / ali
you are inspired by: my happy little life / millie holloman photography
recently added to google reader: the jackson family
gives fabulous tips: stephmodo / pioneer woman photography

So there you go. Blog inspiration in many different area to suck hours of your time.

Can you tell that I really love my happy little life and karen russell's blogs? They are my very favorite to read.

It was difficult to keep this list to one or two per category. Of course there are many blogs I read, written by people with admirable qualities. I put down my happy little life for that one because she openly writes a lot about her feelings and beliefs, and the things she writes about are admirable in my mind. And there are lots of people who write about life and fit in many other categories. Like I said, these are just a few. (Many more on my blog list.)

Also, I took out "works a letterpress" because I couldn't think of anyone off the top of my head who does.

Okay, so now it's your turn. I would love to read your list and get some more inspiration!

(Also, sorry this showed up so many times for those of you who have google reader. I went back through a double checked the links and there were a few that were wrong so I had to make some changes.)

a beautiful day

My friend Jackie was sealed to her husband on Saturday in the Seattle Temple. Her and her husband are recent converts. It was a beautiful day. I really loved being there and sharing in their joy. After, Morgan had an open house for them at her parents' house.

[Morgan, Jackie and Courtney]
[Amy, Jackie and me]
Jackie is amazing. She is such a great example to me.

Congratulations Jackie and Tommy!

here we go again...

Sorry for all of you who are sick of hearing me complain about looking young. Actually, it's not so much complaining as it is me finding the humor in it. Oh, you couldn't tell? I also think my posterity might get a kick out of it, so I must record moments such as this:

I was at my internship yesterday, talking with the director and one of my co-workers. The director made a comment that she's been in this field since 1973. My co-worker said, "That's the year I was born." The director said, "I bet Ashley's parent's weren't even born in 1973." (Are you kidding me?) "Actually, I was born in 1979," I told her. My co-worker turned to me and said, "Are you kidding me? You look like you are twelve years old!" (Thanks.) My director looked pretty surprised when she realized that I am 29.

I'm laughing my head off over here, I tell you. On the inside.

pay it forward / lucky you

ETA: So it was brought to my attention that I contradicted myself while trying to combine both the "pay it forward" and "lucky you" challenges. So I will count five people rather than three.

So I've read a couple of friends' blogs lately who have a similar made similar offers but they are slightly different, so I will include both parts here. This is the basic idea:

1) The first 5 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a gift from me sometime in the next month!

2) When and what you receive will be a surprise!

3) Then you have to post this "Pay it Forward" challenge on your blog, then come back and leave a 2nd comment telling me you've done it.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year.
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!}

Just a little tidbit of fun for those who love to WIN ANYTHING/better the world through kindness!! Good luck!! Happy commenting!

valentine's decor

This is the only Valentine's Day decoration we own (but not for long). I like hanging things from this space above our stairs (as you can see here in the 10th and 11th pictures down). I think these hearts were $1.50 for all of them. I punched holes in the top, tied string to them, and then hung them on tacks (which I keep up all year long in the same spot). Really easy (it has to be if I'm going to have time to do it).

We don't usually do much for Valentine's Day. The past couple of years we have gone out to one of our favorite seafood restaurants and splurged on a meal. This year we are getting each other something small, ordering take-out, and watching a movie. I think it sounds perfect.

I hope you all have a lovely day tomorrow!

a few things:

*This pretty much made my night. I never win anything. How fun!

*I have a new nephew! His name is Ryan. I haven't seen any pictures yet but I'm so excited.

*I finally posted pictures of my cute sister and her husband here. It's about time!

*I am so tired...must sleep. Goodnight!

rachel

Surprise, Rach. This post is about you! Hope you're reading.

I was writing in my gratitude journal tonight (which I haven't done since October...good thing I have 90-Day Goals to keep me on track) and as I flipped through the pages, browsing through past entries, I found this picture tucked in the back. W took it in 2002. We were in Jackson Hole, WY, staying in Nedra Roney's amazing cabin (she is the founder of Nuskin, and one of W's friends had a connection). W and I were dating at the time, and he invited me to join him and his friends to spend a weekend at her cabin. I brought Rachel and my brother, Levi, along with me. Good times.

Rachel and I have been friends for eight years. She was my one of my mission companions. The transfer that brought us together was so much needed for me, just because I had experienced many trials and difficult companionships in previous areas on my mission, and she was such a breath of fresh air. We got along so well, she helped me lose weight, and we had fun together. (I actually think the way I eat now was strongly influenced by her, for which I am very grateful.) People thought we were sisters all the time. We served together for 7 1/2 months in Toronto, NSW, Australia, and I'm so grateful that we did. After our missions, we both attended school at Utah State in Logan. We later went back to Australia together right before W and I got married. She was one of my bridesmaids, and flew to Utah from Colorado for my wedding. I haven't seen her since 2004, but we still keep in touch. She is a great friend and I'm lucky to know her. Just wanted to get those thoughts down that came flooding back when I saw this picture. Love ya Rach!

P.S. You didn't think I would end without sharing some good old mission pictures, did you? Don't hate me.

asia pacific new year's celebration

ETA: This is a free event!

I volunteer at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, a great non-profit organization that promotes diversity while educating the community about Asian cultures. This Saturday, February 7th, is the annual Asia Pacific New Year's Celebration (you can read a bit about it if you scroll through the posts at that link). It's at the Tacoma Dome from 9-5. There will be food, performers and vendors representing many different Asian cultures, with an emphasis on the Tongan culture this year. This would be a great event to take your family to. Just thought I would let you know about it.

Another thing worth mentioning: 90 Day Goals started today. My goals are simplistic this time around, as my life is so busy right now. But I'm pretty excited to get back into the swing of things. I love having the support of a "goal group" to help me accomplish my goals.

My posts have been few lately...hopefully I can catch up a bit soon.