A Day in the Life

Found It!

2009-07-13T12:09:00.002-05:00

This is sort of turning into a wedding planning blog...so bear with me if you're not really into it. It's just what I've been spending the majority of my time on this summer. The "it" I'm referring to is my wedding dress! I ended up going with the one that I was 95% sure of when I tried it on the first time. I did try on my other two favorites again, just to see if I'd get that "feeling." But when it came down to it, the other one just made me feel like a bride. :) It'll look great for the beach and reception back here. Wish I could post a pic but you'll have to wait until July 11th at least. I don't have too much more to do with the wedding/reception as far as putting deposits down and booking things. Hopefully I'll just be able to enjoy the planning and relax when the wedding gets here. :)

Dresses, Dresses, and More Dresses!

2009-07-01T23:06:00.003-05:00

So if you're married you know all about the wedding dress hunt! I've been looking the last couple of days and there is just so much out there. A-line, silhouette, sweetheart, strapless, tiaras/headpieces, veils, slips, corsets, princess, bustle...the list goes on and on. I will admit it's been lots of fun trying all of them on. :) And it's nice looking for me for a change, not for someone else! There are a few that are sticking with me...those few that you try on and they literally take your breath away. I could tell from the looks on my mom's and friends' faces which ones those were. I know I'll settle on one eventually, and I don't have to worry too much as long as it's ordered about 7 months before the wedding. Until then, I'll enjoy it! :)

PS I can just about guarantee I won't be wearing THIS one! ;)

Wedding Ticker :)

2009-06-28T22:23:00.001-05:00

Wedding Planning!

2009-06-23T23:42:00.002-05:00

Well the wedding planning is officially underway! Let me just say that I'm glad I don't work in the summer so I have the time to do all this...it's a lot of work! It doesn't help that we're going away to get married then coming back and having a big reception, but it's what we both really want. Our families and friends are excited about it too! I just remind myself that at the end of the day, I'm marrying my best friend, and that's what truly matters. I'll be updating our wedding website as more things are booked. I just put some new things on there today. Here's the link:

www.theknot.com/ourwedding/AshleyBywater&NathanGwin

Leave a comment on our guestbook (and wish me luck)! :)

PS I just had to add this picture to my post! I'm definitely not to that point (and hopefully I won't ever will be) but it was too funny!

We are engaged!

2009-05-10T19:28:00.005-05:00

Just wanted to share our wonderful news with everyone on my blog...Nathan and I got engaged today! It was absolutely perfect! We had my family over for brunch and sometime before my parents left, Nathan showed them the ring and asked for their blessing. He put it on Louie's collar while I went outside to clean off the patio tables. He came out and asked if he could help with anything and I said no thanks. I went back inside and they both followed me. We were in the living room and he asked me to check Louie's ears (he's had an ear infection). I looked down and there it was, along with a beautiful heart-shaped keychain. He told me he loved me and asked me to marry him. I kept saying "What is that?! Are you kidding?" in the midst of all my crying! We hugged on the living room floor with Louie watching. :) It was perfect...very "us." Thanks to everyone who called/emailed/texted/left a facebook comment today. It's very much appreciated. I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with my best friend! :)

Sorry!

2009-04-18T23:49:00.003-05:00

So I really stink lately at this blog thing! lol Sorry it's been so long...nothing new has really been going on. The school year is almost over and I can't believe it. I really had a great group of kiddos this year and it'll be sad to see them leave. They will just be across the hall though. ;) Nathan and I are doing well. We did some ring shopping a few weeks ago so I'm just waiting to answer the big question! Then the planning fun starts! I'm trying to decide if I want to try and get a job this summer or just relax. I know I want to volunteer out at the APA quite a bit. I know that may lead to me wanting to bring a dog home, so we'll see how that goes! Hope everyone is doing well. Until next time...:)

2008 Year in Review

2008-12-31T08:43:00.001-06:00

Where did you begin 2008?
At Jill's, then Brad & Cory's with my friends and Nathan

What was your status by Valentine's Day?
taken and living with Nathan

Did you have to go to the hospital?
Just to see babies that were born

Did you have any encounters with the police?
no

Where did you go on vacation?
Mexico!

Did you know anybody who got married?
yes, lots of weddings!

What sporting events did you attend?
Cardinal games, Alex's baseball games

Where do you live now?
Granite City

What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2008?
I didn't think "never" but I thought I would put it off a lot longer...getting my master's degree!

What was your best season?
summer, I love the weather and my birthday :)

Any regrets?
no

What do you want to change in 2009?
stop drinking soda, take yoga classes

Overall, how would you rate this year on a scale of 1 to 10?
8

Have any life changes in 2008?
no

Change your hairstyle?
yes, shorter

Get a new job?
no

How old did you turn this year?
25

Did anything embarrassing happen?
probably in my classroom

Get married or divorced?
neither

Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
only the funny audition parts

Start a new hobby?
no

Been snowboarding?
no

Drank Starbucks in 2008?
yes...until they closed ours :(

Been naughty or nice?
little of both

What school did you go to?
teach in Hartford

Did you change much?
no

Are you happy with who you have become?
yes

Did you fall in love?
more every day :)

Did you go on any camps?
no...not real outdoorsy

Did you see any movies at the theatres?
yes

What's a song you were hooked on?
live your life, womanizer

Did you get really dressed up for anything?
lots of weddings

What is the saddest thing that happened?
aunt tina passing away

What is something that really made you smile?
Louie makes me smile every day, and teaching

What are your plans for New Years?
going to mike and charlie's party

Will you be getting a midnight kiss?
yes

Think back to the beginning of the year and now think of now what’s different?
I'm better educated, Dalton is almost 1

What’s the same?
pretty much everything else

How was your last winter?
cold

Summer?
loved it, took some classes then enjoyed the rest and went to mexico!

Fall?
beginning of a new school year, loved that too

All in all, it was a pretty great year. With every year that goes by, I'm more and more thankful for my family and friends, Nathan and Louie, and my wonderful "job." Here's to 2009! :) Have a happy and safe new year everyone.

Merry Christmas to all...

2008-12-23T16:49:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Enjoy the time with family and friends, and be thankful for all the blessings in your life.

...and to all a good night! :)

I am thankful for...

2008-11-28T22:06:00.001-06:00

Well it's a day late, but better late than never right? :) Just a quick note on what I'm thankful for this Turkey Day:

*My family
*My friends
*Nathan & Louie
*My "job" (it's hard to call it that) and my amazing students
*Our home
*The good health of me and people I care about

What are you thankful for?
Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Rest in Peace Aunt Tina

2008-11-23T13:10:00.002-06:00

My Great Aunt Tina passed away on Saturday. She had been battling diabetes and her health had not been good these past few months. She was truly an extraordinary lady. I will remember her for the kind, caring, and hilarious lady she was. When I was away at SIUC, she wrote me at least one letter a week. She knew I loved getting mail and didn't believe in emailing. Her letters were usually about things she was doing around the house, or updates on family members, but regardless of their content, it was the thought that counted. I loved her very much and will miss her. I know she is in a better place, surrounded by people she'd been waiting to see. Rest in peace Aunt Tina. We love you. :)

Great Confucius Quotes

2008-11-16T20:59:00.002-06:00

Found these recently...

"To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it."

"Before you embark upon a journey of revenge, dig two graves."

"It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop."

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do."

Things to think about. :)

Busy!

2008-11-16T17:14:00.002-06:00

But not for too much longer! :) I only have 3 meetings left for my last Master's class then an exit test to take. It'll be official around the middle of December or so. Greenville doesn't have an actual ceremony since there are only 7 of us, but we do get to walk in May. I wasn't going to at first, but apparently they're making a big deal of it because we're the first group to go through the program. It is a huge accomplishment and I'm very proud of myself. I don't even care if I'm bragging a little! :) Only a few more assignments to go...

On another note...the holidays are here! It seems like it's earlier every year. I guess you can't blame companies for wanting to make money off consumers for as long as they can! Has anyone else noticed the crazy grocery prices though? It's like gas went down but that other stuff shot up. Guess it's just the way it is. If I don't post again before, everyone have a great Thanksgiving! :)

Please pray...

2008-11-09T17:51:00.001-06:00

for Jeff Bladdick and everyone else who was involved in last night's shooting at Mac & Mick's. :(

It's been awhile!

2008-11-08T21:28:00.002-06:00

Okay Phelan (and the few other people who read this) here's your update! haha :)

*I am loving my group of 4th graders this year (like every year so far). They are truly awesome kiddos. We're working on planning a field trip to either the Arch or the new Lincoln Museum.

*I am finished with my master's in reading on December 10! I really can't believe how quickly it has gone by. I have learned so much. Hopefully I'll get to be a reading specialist one day.

*Nathan and I won the costume contest at Jake's on Halloween as John McCain and Sarah Palin! :) And I am SO glad this election is over! No matter who you voted for, hopefully you just voted.

*Nathan and I are doing great. We just got back from a trip to Bloomington to see my cousin Amanda, her husband Pete, and their new baby girl Ruby. She is beautiful! We had a great time. We stopped in Springfield on the way home and went through the new Lincoln Museum. It was truly breathtaking. I got emotional during parts of it. I recommend that everyone go see it. *Bonus: We got in for $7 each instead of $10 with our college IDs. :)

*I got my hair cut super short on Thursday and I love it. It takes 25 minutes off my morning!

*I'm looking forward to the holiday season. I try to hold on to the true meaning through all the shopping craziness! I'm sure my mom and I will do our Black Friday trip this year again.

*I'll end with posting a picture of me with my beautiful cousin Ruby. Until next time! :)

Benefit for Alyssa Chrusciel

2008-10-03T22:02:00.002-05:00

There is a benefit tomorrow night (10-4) for Alyssa Chrusciel. She is 24 and has recently been diagnosed with cancer. It will be a Chicken & Beer Dance at the KC Hall in Granite City at 7 PM. Tickets are 1 for $20 or 2 for $30 and can be purchased at the door. Let me know if you have any questions. Hope to see you there! :)

Baby Mania!

2008-09-25T21:45:00.002-05:00

No...not me! :) My cousin Amanda and her husband Pete had their baby girl today. Her name is Ruby Victoria and she was 6 pounds, 9 ounces and 21 inches long. She is beautiful! Also, my friend Rachelle and her fiance Buddy found out they will be having a boy in February. His name might be Ben. I'm hoping to hear from my cousin Molly soon also. She was induced last night. Babies are precious! :)

First Day of Fall!

2008-09-21T17:15:00.006-05:00

Tomorrow is the first day of fall and it could not get here soon enough! It is one of my favorite times of the year. Back to sweaters & hoodies, leaves falling, Relleke's, and bonfires. I did just get over my annual "back to school" cold. I'm sure one of these years I'll build up a tolerance but not quite yet!

I've been working on my big research paper and tutoring for my second practicum. It's lots of work but I remind myself that it's over in 83 days (hence the countdown on my myspace page)! I did some major shopping yesterday and wanted to share some pictures of my purchases.

The first pic is a frame of shells I found that matches our bathroom perfectly. The second pic is of the two fall decorations I found to hang outside our porch. The third pic is a plaque that is hanging above the entryway from our living room to the hallway. I think it's a great thing to see and read each day. There are lots more pics of the other things I bought (all at Old Time Pottery) on my myspace page in the "Our House" album. Enjoy! :)

Hi friends! :)

2008-09-07T19:17:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a great weekend. It was definitely a beautiful one! I love this time of year, when the weather is changing and it's not too hot or too chilly. If it could stay like this all year round it'd be perfect!

Yesterday I took the K-12 APT test at SIUE. It's the last of the "big tests" I need to pass before I can use my master's degree. I find out in a month whether or not I passed it. I've done ok on the others that I've taken, so I'm not too worried. It'll just be a relief to know I don't have to take any more! Last night, Nathan and I went to Fast Eddie's with some friends, then to Jake's for Brett & Lauren's reception. I am so happy for those two. They are truly nice people and they deserve all the happiness they're getting. I wish them a long and wonderful life together. :)

Today, Nathan and I went to the yummy Denny's for breakfast/lunch. We took Louie for a walk, then we cleaned the house and I cooked for him and my family. I made mostacoli, cheese bread, salad, and brownies. (If you haven't tried the Ghiradelli brownies, get a box from the grocery store. You will not be sorry!) We were stuffed from dinner. I'm doing some homework now before the VMA's come on at 8. I'm thinking Britney may make her big comeback tonight but I'm not sure...We can hope! Have a wonderful week everyone. :)

*On a side note, my beautiful Ava Grace turned 6 years old today. I watched her come into the world and I'm enjoying seeing her grow into a lovely little lady. She's going to make a great big sister in February! :) Here is me and Ava's mommy Rachelle at Jake's this past Saturday night.

Into our 2nd week...

2008-08-27T21:07:00.004-05:00

It's been a week since I've written on here. Told you I'd be busy! :o We're now into our second week of school and the honeymoon is definitely coming to an end. I have a great bunch of kiddos, but they're starting to get a little more chatty and comfy with each other. I have to make sure I nip it now, so I'm not dealing with it throughout the whole school year. I'm looking forward to a nice three-day weekend coming up!

I went to the library tonight and got some books for my big research paper. My topic is reading disabilities. It's very broad, but I like how I can hit on a few different things in my paper. It won't all be focused on just one disability. I can tell already that I'm going to learn a lot through this research. I think it will make me a better teacher also. I also got two non-school books tonight. I was bummed that there were no Jodi Picoult titles (I only have 5 more of hers to read). But I did get A Bend in the Road by Nicholas Sparks and That Night by Alice McDermott. I haven't heard of her before so I'm excited to start that one.

We have three get-togethers this upcoming Labor Day weekend...my grandma's on Saturday, the Laws' on Sunday, and the Schmidtkes' on Monday. Always busy! We should have a good time though. I hope everyone has a great week! :)

PS Here's a picture of me and Mira Lynn Ahlvers (16 days old today)!

New school year, new class!

2008-08-20T21:33:00.002-05:00

School has started! I love my new kiddos. I have 20 this year, which is 5 more from last year, but I'm not complaining! I can hardly tell I have a bigger class. We're getting into the swing of things this week, learning procedures/expectations/etc. I passed out textbooks today and saw their little eyes widen at the size of science and social studies! I think it's going to be a great year. :)

I also started my second-to-last class of my master's program last night. It'll be interesting researching a reading topic that I want to know more about...but writing the 12-15 page paper with it might not be as fun! I'm also doing my second practicum at the same time. I meet with a struggling middle-grade student for a total of 500 minutes over the next 2 months or so and help them with reading strategies. Basically, I'm crazy busy until December when I graduate! Wish me luck. :)

Gearing up for the craziness!

2008-08-13T21:05:00.002-05:00

I've been working in my classroom each day this week, getting ready for the new school year. I've gotten a lot finished, but there's still more to do. I'll be in there every day until the kids come Tuesday. Today I rearranged my classroom library. I'd been wanting to do it for a couple years, but had been putting it off because it required a lot of work. I now have all my books in bins. Most of them are sorted by genre. I put all the multiple copies and books by the same author in one place. I also went through each book and logged it into a Word document. I want to print off a few copies of it, so my kids can reference it throughout the school year. They won't have to rely on me as much when it comes to finding a book; it'll all be on a database that they can search.

With the new school year, I start back up with my master's classes too. I have three left, then I'll have my degree in December. It flew by. I can't believe I'm almost finished. So from now until then, I'll be really busy! It'll all be worth it when it's over. :) My student loan payments start three months after I graduate. *sigh* Hey, it's only $20,500. No problem, right?! I did get a great fixed rate and I have a while to pay it off. That's the price we pay (literally) for a higher education! Have a great rest of the week everyone. :)

Birthday blog!

2008-08-10T22:35:00.001-05:00

I just want to wish my Mommy a very happy birthday tomorrow! She is truly my hero and I wouldn't be where I am today without her guidance and support. :)

Good to be Home

2008-08-05T18:43:00.003-05:00

Well I forgot how much I missed good ol Granite City! As soon as I saw a lady walking out of QT yesterday with her baby on one hip and a case of Bud Light on the other, I thought "Ah it's good to be home!" :) I guess you do have to balance out what you're carrying right?

Today I worked district registration at school. It was today from 7-1 and it's tomorrow from 12-7. I get $75 each day and I'm not really doing anything else so I figured I'd make some extra money. Our district started a new policy this year requiring two forms of residency, instead of one like previous years. Some people were not happy since most just had the one. It was on packets that were mailed home last month but some people still forgot. Most people just smiled, went home and got another bill, and came back to register with no problems. I saw some of my students' parents from last year's class and some from my first year. I couldn't believe how grown up they were! It makes me a little sad but proud also to know that they're doing well.

I'm pretty excited to eat tonight because Nathan is bringing home Vin Hoa. For those who don't know, it's an awesome Chinese restaurant we have here in town. Best sweet and sour chicken around! Well...it's advertised as chicken anyway but I don't care what it is! :)

Louie's been on his pills for his hives for a little over a week now and they're already going away. The vet said he had some type of allergic reaction to something. It could be as small as him getting bitten by a mosquito or eating a lightning bug that triggered it. One of the two pills is a steroid and the poor guy has to pee every hour or so! It's a good thing he finishes the medicine by the time I go back to work, because no one would be able to let him out during the day.

Woo this was long and I didn't mean for it to get that way but oh well! Have a great night everyone. :) 8 weekdays until I'm back to school!

Back from paradise!

2008-08-03T20:52:00.002-05:00

Our trip to Mexico was FABULOUS! We had a fun-filled, yet relaxing, time. We got back late last night, around 11:30. I was so happy to see Louie! I missed him while we were gone. He acted kind of distant at first, like he was mad at us for leaving him. (I've heard of dogs doing this.) But he was back to his old self in no time.

Our trip was filled with relaxing in the pool, laying on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and eating at awesome restaurants. It was everything I thought it would be and more! I would highly recommend our resort also. They took great care of us. We stayed in the Royal Suites section. That means we had our own bar with premium liquor, a private pool, a jacuzzi tub outside our balcony, and a cart that took us anywhere on the resort we wanted to go. A good website to find out more about them is: www.palladiumaddict.net

On Monday of our trip, we took a catamaran out to the middle of the ocean. It was all you could drink, with a lobster or steak lunch. Yummy! We were out there for about 4 hours. The view was breathtaking. On Wednesday, we went to Xel-Ha (prounounced "shell ha"). It's a natural lagoon filled with different types of fish and other marine life. We got to snorkel and float around the lagoon. Their website is: www.xelha.com

Our other days we didn't plan anything, which was exactly how we wanted it! We had a great time, and it brought us closer as a couple. I can't wait to go back! Here's a pic. There are more on my myspace page. :) myspace.com/ashdee83

Last Pre-Mexico Post!

2008-07-25T07:43:00.002-05:00

Well about 24 hours from now we'll be on a plane to Mexico! I cannot wait! I have to finish packing today...along with 10 other things. My mom and I are getting massages at 10 for my birthday. Then I'm coming home to pack. Louie has a vet appointment at 3. Alex is supposed to have a baseball game at 6, but it's looking like a rain-out. I'm going to try to fit in a tanning time and eyebrow wax too. Always busy! But I don't mind at all. I'll soon have an umbrella drink in my hand on the beach! I'll post some pics when I get back. :)

Aahh...relaxation!

2008-07-23T13:44:00.003-05:00

I went and got a manicure & pedicure today with the bday money I got from Nathan's grandma. The people at London Nail (by Schnucks) are so nice and they do a great job. It was only $36 for a french manicure (on my own nails) and french pedicure. My fave part is when they massage your legs and calves! I was going to go to Walmart after, but I'll have time tomorrow for that. I need to stock up on some travel size stuff for Mexico. I'm going tanning a bit later (so glad when I can stop after Mexico!) then to Alex's baseball game in Hazelwood at 6. I'm going to clean the house tomorrow and start packing. Is anyone else like me when it comes to cleaning before vacation? I cannot stand coming back to a messy house! Friday my mom and I are getting massages at Anna's work at 10 (her bday present to me) then it's back home to finish packing. Mexico in...about 2 days! :)

Errands!

2008-07-21T21:39:00.003-05:00

Sheesh...where didn't I go today?! I actually liked that I had so much running around to do, or else I'd sit around my house all day and be bored. This morning, I started out with QT to get gas ($50 to fill up the 'stang!), the post office, the bank, Walgreens to get an ink cartridge refill, the library, my parents' house to pick up my mom, Walmart supercenter in Cville, Qdoba, then back home. I put the groceries away then went to Ace to get keys made, back to Walgreens to pick up the ink, the tanning place, and back home again. Busy day...but definitely productive! I found some steals at Walmart...a new sheet set on sale for $17 and a red scarf for our living room window (see picture). I had been looking for one for a while and found this today for $4.50!

Nathan and I went to his grandma's house tonight to swim then to Mr. Twist (my favorite)! Nathan's dad Randy just stopped by to bring me my bday present and it is beautiful! He made me a wind chime for our backyard. I can't believe he made the entire thing. (see picture) That's all for now. Have a great night! :)

My birthday weekend!

2008-07-20T23:17:00.002-05:00

Whew! It was a long, but wonderful, weekend. Friday night, Nathan took me to Olive Garden then to Barnes & Noble to get my gift. I picked out a book and a book light. This light is the neatest thing I've ever seen. It's made for reading in the dark and you just turn it on and hold it on your page. Anything having to do with reading I get excited about. :) We went to Mac and Micks for a bit after that. Mike was the music man that night and he announced my bday at midnight to the whole bar!

Saturday was jam-packed with my brother's baseball game, my cousin Amanda's baby shower, Carrie's 30th bday party, and of course, Ameristar night with the girls. Home, the night club we went to, was awesome. I had a great time with my great friends. :)

Today, my family, Nathan, and I went to Red Lobster (my fave). We also stopped by Jared and looked at some rings. Nathan had mentioned a few days earlier that we should start looking so he can see what I like. I protested but he twisted my arm...haha yeah right! He got a pretty good idea today of what I wanted. We plan on going to Shane Co to look around too.

All in all, my 25th birthday weekend was a blast. I was surrounded by my family, friends, and Nathan and they're all the people I love most in the world. I got some wonderful gifts that I love. Here's to my next 25! :)

Birthday approaching...

2008-07-18T14:44:00.003-05:00

I've been pretty busy these last couple of days. I watched Dalton (Nicole's son) yesterday and today. To all you mommies out there...I admire what you do! He's an awesome baby, but we had those times where he was fighting sleep! He's so precious and I love getting the chance to babysit. Aunt Ashley is pooped! :)

My 25th birthday is tomorrow. Nathan is taking me to dinner at Olive Garden tonight (yummy)! Tomorrow I have lots to do, and most of the plans aren't for me! haha Alex has a baseball game in the morning, my cousin Amanda's baby shower is at 1, our friend Carrie's bday party is at 3, then I come home, pack for the night, and get ready for my bday celebration with the girls/Rach's bachelorette party! Sheesh! :) It'll be a packed day/night, but I'll be spending time with people I love. The girls and I are heading to Home nightclub in the Ameristar casino, then we're staying the night at the hotel there. We've never been before so it should be a great time. Plus, ALL my girls are going and that rarely happens since we're all so busy.

My bday fun continues Sunday with lunch at Red Lobster with Nathan and the fam. Woohoo! Crab legs here I come! I'll post some pics of the weekend later. Have a good one! :)

Gardening:)

2008-07-15T22:02:00.002-05:00

Today I went to get flowers from K-mart to plant along the new walkway. I got pink impatiens like the one in the picture. These are mostly shade flowers which I needed since the area doesn't get much sun. I'm happy with how they turned out...the only problem will be getting Louie to walk around them and not through them. :)

We're having our air fixed tomorrow morning then I have some errands to run. Who doesn't right? I may have the girls over for another "Wednesday wine night." :)

I highly recommend...

2008-07-14T23:02:00.003-05:00

you try one of those new McCafe drinks at McDonalds! My mom and I walked the park this morning then used her "buy one get one free" coupon on two iced mocha drinks. We completely negated our walking but that's beside the point! :) After that we went to Goodwill and I found tons of children's books. It took all of me not to spend $50 right there...but I told myself after Mexico I would go back. If you know how much I love books, you know how much self-control I showed in that situation! Nathan and I ate at Applebees tonight and it was yummy as usual. More tomorrow! :)

I almost forgot! I went to see Kara's progress on her new house today and it looks fantastic! I'm very proud of her. :)

What a gorgeous day!

2008-07-13T22:02:00.004-05:00

Wasn't it beautiful outside today? Nathan and I decided to do some work outside today. We made some trips to Home Depot and he bought some landscaping bricks, stones, wood, and sand. We laid down a walkway with the bricks that leads out to the backyard from the deck. Then Nathan made a platform for his fire pit with the other stones he bought. There was definitely a lot done around here today and it was the perfect day for it! After we were finished, my grandpa, mom, dad, and brother Alex came by to check it out. My grandpa also dropped off my bday money. :)

Later, we had some people over to have some drinks and cook on the grill. Nick, Dan, Walt, Shaun, Kara, Jill, Sheena, and her daughter Kaili all stopped by. It was a great time.

On a reading note, I finished Jodi Picoult's Change of Heart (wonderful!!!) and have started Nicholas Sparks' The Wedding. It's a type of sequel to The Notebook and I've been wanting to read it for a while now.

Here are pictures of the walkway and fire pit platform. More on my myspace page!
www.myspace.com/ashdee83

*We still have to stain the wood around the walkway. The four extra stones by the fire pit are for people to set their drinks on if they're sitting around the fire.*

Simpson Olympics!

2008-07-12T21:35:00.003-05:00

Today was the 7th annual Simpson Olympics. For me, it was the first time I got to see this craziness. Nathan had been in it before but he wasn't last year. The events were: slip n slide wiffleball, washers, volleyball, tug of war, spit relay, and penalty kicks. Our team (Nathan, Shaun, Chris, Matt, and Bobby- the Jamaican Ninja Mafia) won in vball and tried their best in the other events! As the day went on, the beer was flowing, and I was sure that would lead to some fights. But everyone played, had a good time, and went home safely. I bought myself a cute pink drink coozie too. :) I'm exhausted and plan on relaxing with my great book. Here are two pictures of today's events. There are more on my myspace page.
www.myspace.com/ashdee83

Air conditioning drama!

2008-07-11T21:13:00.002-05:00

So yesterday it got to 83 degrees in our house, with the air "running." It was on but the house was not cooling off at all. We had McFarland come out today and fix part of it. They have to come back Wednesday to do the rest. About $160 later...it will be cool in here again! :( I did go to the library today and read for an hour in the nice air. I am hooked on the new book I got from there yesterday. I'm already halfway finished. I didn't plan to check out any books yesterday b/c I had one I was going to read already. But on a whim of luck, I saw Change of Heart (the new Jodi Picoult book) on the shelf and had to get it. It's awesome, as I figured it would be! I plan on having a chill night with my book and some drinks. We have the big Simpson Olympics tomorrow! :)

Mexico in 15 days!

2008-07-10T15:19:00.003-05:00

Here are some pics of where we'll be in Mexico! :)

The first one is the Xel Ha scuba/snorkeling thing we're doing one day.

The other pic is our resort!

Summer Reading

2008-07-10T10:12:00.002-05:00

I finished The Third Child by Marge Piercy last night. Next I'm starting Learning to Breathe by Karen White. I have a couple books I'm taking to Mexico with me too. At Salvation Army the other day I bought Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella and The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani. I might borrow some Jodi Picoult books from my friend's mom too. Happy reading to me! :)

I love my girlfriends!

2008-07-10T09:24:00.002-05:00

Last night Nathan had class until 10, so I invited some girls over for wine and chat. :) Kara, Jill, and Rachelle (with Ava) were able to come over. We sat on the new wicker furniture on the deck and did what we do best...talked! I realized last night while we were chatting that we have truly been through a lot together. Boyfriends, break-ups, houses, new jobs, and just growing up in general. I looked over at Ava last night (who will be 6 soon) and couldn't believe that I watched her come into this world. That's one of those moments I will cherish forever, and I'll get to tell her about it when she's older. Hopefully our children will all share the bond that we have someday. With Rachelle having another baby, it looks like that might happen! Now the rest of us just need to catch up. ;) Love you girls! Here's an oldie (but goody) pic of the four of us.

My friend Alyssa needs your help!

2008-07-08T19:53:00.001-05:00

The following is an email I received from my friend Alyssa. Please read it and help out if you can. Thanks! :)

Hey everyone! Hope everything is going well this summer. I have been working hard to get ready for the Breast Cancer Walk both physically (the blisters are down to a minimum now) and in trying to collect the money I need. I think most of you know that I have to collect $2,200 to do the walk. I am about $650 short. If you could in anyway help me out or know someone that would be willing to help me out I would greatly appreciate it. What I don't collect I have to pay for on my own (a little sticking point they put in after you sign up with your credit card number). You can make a donation online to my account by going to www.the3day.org and then searching for my name. Or you can mail in a donation by going to the website and searching my name then printing off a donation form. I hate bothering you all and asking for money like this. It is tax deductible and going to a very worthwhile cause. If you have any questions please feel free to ask! Thank you again for any help you can give and any chance of passing the word on to others!

Alyssa Smith
alyssagonterman@hotmail.com

Patio Update!

2008-07-08T15:44:00.007-05:00

My mom came by this morning with QT cappuccino and a "deck-warming" gift. It was a gorgeous plant that's now on our back patio. We spent the day at Wal-Mart, Old Time Pottery, and Lowe's getting more plants and decor. I don't have everything hung up yet, but I did take some pics of what we did so far. I'll post more later when I'm all finished. Enjoy! :)

The first pic is a plant stand that used to be an ugly green. We spray painted it black. I still need two more things for it. :)

The next pic is of the plant my mom got me.

There's a close up shot of our new dining set with the tiki candles I bought today.

The last one is a pic of the dining set, two ferns, and the plant from my mom.

2008-07-07T22:34:00.003-05:00

It was an exciting day in the life of Ashley. :) I went to lunch at Josephine's Tea Room in Godfrey with the girls in my master's classes and a couple of our teachers. I had the ever-famous ham special sandwich, lobster bisque soup, and raspberry-chocolate cheesecake. It was heaven! Here's the website if you've never been. It's definitely a must-eat!
http://www.josephinestearoomsandgiftshops.com

Nathan (my boyfriend) and I went patio furniture shopping. We ended up getting a great deal on three things: a 4-piece wicker set (loveseat, 2 chairs, table); a 5-piece outdoor dining set (chairs, table, umbrella); and an outdoor fire pit. Nathan had been wanting that last one for a while. I'm glad we waited to buy these things because they were all on clearance! I'm attaching a pic of the wicker set. I love it! I read a magazine outside tonight on the new loveseat and it was perfect!

I'll try to post more tomorrow! Like I said, my posts won't be anything too exciting, but feel free to read and leave comments! :)

Ashley

2008-07-07T22:29:00.003-05:00

So the direction of my blog has changed a bit...I didn't get too many bites from the "reading and books" idea, so from now on it'll just be about anything! I'll update when something happens in my life or the lives of people I love. To start off, I'll tell you a few things about me:

*I'm 24 (25 later this month) and I live in Illinois.
*I teach 4th grade at a small school.
*I'm currently taking classes to get my master's degree as a reading specialist (done in December)!
*I live with my wonderful boyfriend (and my wonderful dog).

I'm just a normal girl living a pretty normal life. A few of my friends have blogs so I thought I'd give it a try. :)

The Tenth Circle Movie

2008-06-24T18:09:00.002-05:00

The movie is on this Saturday at 8 PM on the Lifetime network. Watch and let me know what you think! :)

Mercy

2008-06-22T20:19:00.002-05:00

Well I just finished Mercy by Jodi Picoult and I must say it was pretty good. Not my favorite of hers...but I'm finding that I like her more recent books better. I still have 6 of her books left to read. I'll probably just go to the library and see what they have.

After reading that book (which was a bit heavy on the emotions) I needed a fun, light book to start. I'm now reading The First Assistant by Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare. They also wrote a book called The Second Assistant, which came before this one. It's definitely a switch from Picoult's type of books, but that's what I wanted.

Jodi Picoult has a great website:
www.jodipicoult.com

I didn't find one for the other authors.

Leave me a comment and tell me what you're reading! :)

In honor of Father's Day

2008-06-15T14:28:00.002-05:00

Here are some great books I would recommend for Father's Day (for kids and adults):

*Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer
*It's Father's Day, Charlie Brown! by Charles Schulz
*Just Dads: Nerves of Steel, Wills of Iron, Hearts of Pudding by Bonnie Louise Kuchler
*Froggy's Day with Dad by Jonathan London

*Chicken Soup for the Father and Son Soul by Jack Canfield
*Chicken Soup for the Father and Daughter Soul by Jack Canfield
*What a Daughter Needs from Her Dad by Michael Farris
*I Remember When Dad... by Louise Egan

Also, I can't believe I forgot to mention Janet Evanovich as one of my favorite authors in my first post. Her books are laugh-out-loud funny and there's always a great mystery too. Happy reading! :)

Let's see how this goes...

2008-06-14T09:45:00.003-05:00

Well this is my first post as a "blogger." I created this blog because I wanted to connect with more people about books. I'm looking forward to talking about books I've read and books that others have read as well. I guess a good starting point would be to list some of my favorite authors:

Jodi Picoult
Marisa de los Santos
John Grogan
Alice Sebold
Lucy Calkins
Regie Routman

(Those last two are authors of books I've read professionally for my master's classes.)

I am currently reading Mercy by Jodi Picoult. I'll finish my first post here and let you decide where the discussion goes next. Thanks to all who read and post! And remember, post about any book or author you'd like! :)