Back to Reality...

HOLA!, my long lost blog followers! I know it feels like eternity since my last post but we have been out having WAY too much fun, and now we are home and back to reality. LOTS to tell you about...


We started our vacation off last week with a week at our most favorite resort in the Dominican Republic. It was just as beautiful as ever & we all had a wonderful time! Can’t wait to go back next year to say “I Do!” on the beach!

We got home Saturday morning (red-eyes are NO fun, FYI), and chilled out all day- which was MUCH needed from the travelling. We planned to relax for the rest of our long 3-day weekend/ Memorial Day, but instead woke up Sunday morning and drove down to good ol’ Ocean City to visit my dad and my little sisters. (I do have to say I LOVE Maryland, but our beaches SUCK compared to the Caribbean.)

Here is Kylie (my little sister)... I mean my little mermaid...



It is so nice to be home though, and I'm not sure if Lia missed us or not, but I missed her! Here she is just posing on the deck (and a peak at our roses- THEY BLOOMED while we were gone!!)

And HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!!! (His birthday was Monday.) ...Isn't he just so cute! :)

Back to rEaLiTy as of yesterday. Started my summer classes last night. I’m taking Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology this summer (while working full time). Needless to say I will not see Summer 2012, please enjoy it for me! Applying to PA schools next Spring, and gotta get these classes done. It’s CRUNCH TIME! Decided today that work is just super boring and I am ready to be the care giver, NOT the one behind a desk… (even though I do have a cute office, LOL).

I’ll try to keep my blog posts popping this summer, even though my social life may not be as exciting. Be excited to hear all about the Human Body! 

... Hey, science isn't that bad!

~Ashleigh XoXo

Beach Prepping!

Congrats! You survived Monday, the most impossible day of the whole week! Now you should know you can accomplish anything! I usually am not excited or interested in going to work lately, but this week isn’t so bad since I know I am off all of next week!! YAYY!! We are headed back down to our favorite place in the Dominican for a week. You should check it out too! You can easily book directly through my mom here at her site: www.vacaydr.com. The word “Paradise” doesn’t even do this place justice! (Photos to come when we get back!)

Anywho, to prepare for our vacay, I am doing a 6 day cleanse. I have been eating like a health freak for over a month now (I just gotta slim down for the wedding!), but after speaking to a good friend who did this cleanse at the start of her weight loss program, she highly recommended it for a good metabolism jump start and a fresh pallet cleanse to decrease/eliminate all of the cravings that are diet breakers.

Pretty much I am eating ONLY veggies (so far I have enjoyed broccoli, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, carrots, squash, green beans) and can allow myself to enjoy 3 fruits a day (which has been watermelon and 2 apples). For drinks, I can have room-temp water, cold water, warm water, and hot water. I also can enjoy the preference of bottled or tap. J Sooo exciting, I know. (Below is a picture of my weekly groceries.)

My friend lost 15 pounds on this cleanse, so I’ll be sure to let you know Saturday, how I do. Wish me luck!

~Ashleigh XoXo

Artsy Fartsy Monday!

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was amazing, and you got to spend it with loved ones. I want to send another special CONGRATS to my step dad, who graduated from his Nuclear Medicine program last week, and another HAPPY 23rd  BIRTHDAY wish to my beautiful cousin! I had a wonderful time celebrating with BOTH of you this weekend!

On Friday night I went to a local art class, and I had WAY more fun than I even fathomed I was going to have! Margaritas before the class, wine during... YUP! LOTS of fun!!

Here is a picture of my painting I created, and some others from the night:

  

...Now if only I could think of a good place in the house to hang it, we'll be all set. :)

Also, you may recall the heck of a deal coffee table I got from Goodwill, and the sneak peak I shared in this post... My original intentions were to stain it, but after learning about Annie Sloan Furniture Chalk Paints (simply amazing!!), I chose to get a little more crafty... I just LOVE being Artsy Fartsy!

I hope you're feeling InSpIrEd!! Enjoy your week, and just think, the coming holiday weekend will be a long one!

~Ashleigh XoXo

Mommy's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you that are a mom in some way, especially to my wonderful Momma!! I love you and appreciate you more and more with each passing day.

To all of you who may not have "children" but have pets, you are a mom too!! Also, many people I know act like a Mother Figure to some many other people, and today is a day to Celebrate YOU too!

Many of my friends are NEW moms!! YAYY!!! So much excitement and love is now in your life, and I wish you the happiest of days to celebrate you also.

And many people I know, both family and friends, now have their moms as their guardian angels residing in Heaven. I am thinking of each and every one of you today, and know that a mother's love is endlesss, past the time we can even fathom. It's the kindest, most humble love for all eternity.

Here's one of my favorite pics of me and my mom:

And here is my baby that I am a mom to:

So take it all in. Enjoy your special day, and know that you are all so appreciated in my life!

~Ashleigh XoXo 



Lemons & Cucumbers

Well LONG time no see, huh?! Sorry it’s been a good while since I’ve written. Lots of things have been taking over my life lately. Mostly horribly sad things, which I won’t speak of, but the good that has come from all of it is that I have a new perspective on life.

Just a friendly reminder to remember to always tell those you love how much you love them, and truly ACT out your feelings, not just verbally. It will all be worth it in the end. J

Anywho, the biggest thing happening in my life right now is my attention I spend focusing on a healthy life and eating clean foods. I have attempted to cut out all grain products from my diet, as of April 9^th. Almost a month now, and most of my cravings are gone! I do love pasta and rice and cereal, etc. etc. But I have planned out my days with healthy foods, and am only allowing myself to have a very small portion of any of this occasionally once a week, if that. 6 pounds gone so far, and I actually feel really great!! I hope this might be a little inspiration to you that once you set your mind to something, you can do anything!

My 2 necessities are LEMONS and CUCUMBERS! They are what gets me through… Lemons in all of my beverages and cucumbers as a mid-afternoon snack, or whenever I want to eat! No offense to cucumbers, because I do really LOVE them, but too much of anything will make you loose your appetite, so I choose to curve mine with this delish veggie!

Here’s to a Healthy Week!

~Ashleigh XoXo