out with the old...

out with the old {year} in with the new {year}
whether you like it or not, the new year will be here in a few short hours.
so why am i wasting time on my holiday blogging?
because i feel like it, ok?

i just had a great workout.
my hair is in a towel soaking wet.
i am burning some time before I have to go to my closet and decide what to wear tonight.
the new years eve party thrown by my bffe {ashley}
funny, we're both ashley.
people refer to us as "the ashley's" (i always feel like its a negative connotation...but who cares)

i made a killer bean dip for tonight.
i am going to eat to my hearts content.
i am thrilled!

i am also contemplating what the year 2010 brought to me.

i suffered.
i cried.
i laughed.
i forgave.
i was hurt.
i was happy.
i was angry.
i prayed.
i became a better version of me.

i hope 2011 is just as good to me as 2010 was.
i am looking forward to the adventures the new year holds in store for me.

new men?
new jobs?
new hair?
new family?
new car?
new apartment?
my brother coming home from his LDS mission
a trip to Europe

there is so much to look forward to.  and I am welcoming it all with open arms.

i also finished the Book of Mormon today.
I made some spiritual goals today to make me a better woman in 2011.

i also made some fitness/health goals
some studying goals
some financial goals

i am READY TO ROCK 2011

I hope all my bloglies have a splendid New Years Eve tonight.
Be safe.
Be happy.
Soak up the moments with the ones you love.

Life is meant to be enjoyed, not endured.

HAPPY NEW YEARS 2010

bring on 2011....I'm so ready!

"secretly my best friend, all along"

Today's "girl power" post comes from the adorable Joni from the little beachs.
after you read her post, check out her fun blog!

"I never knew about sisters growing up I grew up with 5 older brothers.  I had toy cars, bikes, and sling shots.  I did once get a doll and I ended up painting it blue and burned off her hair...I guess you could call me a tom boy.  I went through life loving every minute of it and not caring that all my friends were guys and that I would rather blow up things than shop at a mall.

-It was not till one day - the day I got married.

That day was the best day of my life, I married my best friend but little did I know I got 2 best friends that day.  I had always been close to my mother and I have looked up to her and loved her from day one, but the day I got married I gained a new respect for this amazing woman in my life.  it was like something clicked in my head and I saw her as more than "just a mom" I might have never had sisters or many girl friends, but I have the jack pot of mothers.  Now that I am married and a mom, I go to her for everything.  I trust her with every situation and hang on her every idea.  Little did I know I had the best girlfriend any girl could dream of right next to me my whole life.  I am grateful for my mom and the amazing example she has been to me throughout my life.  She has touched so many lives but I think she has touched mine more than anyone's.  My mother has secretly been my best friend all along."

healthy, wealthy, happy new year

tonight as I was on the treadmill (slowly...mind you) i was listening to  one of my most favorite groovies:

Mercy - Duffy



]...and I felt a sudden surge of energy!

I have been wanting to get back into shape really desperately, ever since I got sick almost 2 months ago...so, this is me committing myself (yet again) to get back into shape, no not ROUND, more like toned and fit.

who's with me?!  who wants to be more active and healthy in 2011?!  (what an over-rated New Years themed resolution) but I truly want 2011 to be my HEALTHIEST and FITTEST year EVER

woo hoo, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO me! :)

I hope everyone is enjoying the girl power posts, I've sure loved reading them and reading the responses.
We are all so blessed with wonderful women in our lives!

Let's resolve to be better women, my dear bloglies (bloggers + lovelies)

{look for the good in people}

today's "girl power" post comes from my very best friend, Ashley from Absolutely Ashley

Ashley has the funnest blog, seriously!  Even though she is my best friend, and I may be slightly biased, she truly is an amazing woman.  She is one of my heros in life.  I look up to her so much in so many aspects of life.

Here is her inspirational woman in her life:

to love life. to accept everyone. to be there for everyone. to LOVE everyone. to work hard. to laugh. to know that i can do tough things.to do what you love. to be a leader.

 Kathleen Pili was my coach for two years in college.Those were some of the best memories of my life. Kathleen was like my mom to me. Our team would go to her house for team dinner and I was a captain so got to spend even more time with this amazing lady and got to know her a little more than the rest of the team. I was lucky.She always was full of great advice for me and truly cared about every single girl on our team. No matter what anyone had been through she was always there with a willing hand & a listening ear. She is such a great person and I was so blessed to have her be a part of my life.

i will never forget the fun memories of camp in California, all our performances, team dinners, outings, picture taking,talking,eating,etc. There was never a dull moment with her, she was always making us laugh (doing her old cheers from high school, you know what i'm talkin about drill girlies...!) Kathleen was always full of energy and taught me to always be positive and to look for the good in people. She is THE DANCING QUEEN. Her program was all about having fun doing what we all love the most...DANCING. We all did just that. I think every team should be about FUN, and not stupid competitions, etc.

i don't think i will ever be able to repay her for the love she showed me. to love everyone. to love them for who they are. and how they have become. to not be judgemental. she made me look at life differently. to view others as our Heavenly Father does. to treat others as we want to be treated.


she helped me become a better person- molded me into who i am today. she probably will never know how much she influenced my life + changed me for the better. but she did.


xoxo  Ashley

like two peas in a pod

Today's "girl power" post comes from the lovely Lindsay from one of my favorite blogs of all time scenic glory - let your spirit take flight
if you get a minute, please flutter on over to her darling blog.  she is one inspirational lady!

Dear Mom,


I wanted to take the time to thank you for being the amazing person that you are. I could not have asked for a better mother, friend and role model. Every day I am grateful for our relationship...it is truly the most beautiful thing I could have ever asked for.

I have vivid memories of my childhood. I can remember how hard it was for you to raise me as a single working parent. Many nights were spent in the hospital because of my asthma, but I could always count on you to be by my side. Although these times were tough on both of us we were always smiling, always laughing and above all we knew we had each other...even then I knew that this was all that mattered.

Every day you encouraged me to reach new heights and to be something great. Even when I announced during my preschool graduation that when I grew up I wanted to "be a rock star like Madonna and live in a town-house in Chicago" you stood behind me (laughing your butt off) and told me I could be whatever I wanted to be...I always knew that I had your support and for that I will forever be grateful.

Looking back I see just how lucky I was...no mountain was ever too high for you. When others might have just given up, you stood by me pushing through every obstacle with all of your strength. I thank you from the buttom of my heart for all of your dedication.

I stand here today a strong woman full of dreams, love, hope, strength and everything in between. Because of you I have these opportunities...because of you I am me. Today I look back to the past and look ahead to the future knowing that with each other we can conquer anything. With you by my side anything is possible...we will always be like two peas in a pod.


Love forever and always,

Lindsay

"sisterhood is {eternal}"

Today's guest post comes from the gorgeous and lovely Shalyn from Laugh Until Your Cheeks Hurt
(darling blog, by the way, with the BEST playlist everrrrr)

anyway, take it away Shalyn....

I wasn't very fond of having four sisters growing up. We were all so...well, different. And different in our house meant endless fights and a constant nuisance stealing the parents' attention. 6 girls in a house makes for a boatload of Estrogen, dontcha know. Oh, and the worst thing was sharing- clothes? I didn't care. But food! Oh, how I hated sharing my food! I suppose I didn't get over some things...;-)


Now that we are all pretty much grown, though, my appreciation for my sisters has blossomed to so much more than just closets to raid or people to blame things on. My sisters are four of the most beautiful, talented girls I have ever known and continue to inspire me everyday.


Just a little bit about each of them since they are all so. very. different.

*Ashley* The most beautiful smile you will ever see. Shaved my back with a razor, fed me Exlax (said it was chocolate-yummy!) and pushed me off the bed constantly when we were little. She still beats me up, but has grown to be the most wonderful person and mommy that you can imagine. I pray to be half the mom she is when I have a little one someday *soon*

*Lindsey* Most infectious laugh you will ever hear and the most gorgeous hair out of anyone in our family. Sings like an angel. Taught herself to play the piano proficiently in just a few months. Teaches me that it is okay to laugh and smile at anyone, anywhere and at anytime (well, almost anytime!)

*Kiley* The most nurturing and sweet. Has a huge heart and loves seeing people happy. Is a huge example to me of someone who truly emulates Jesus Christ. Huge lover of animals- in school to be a veterinary technician. Teaches me to be caring and have more patience.

*Mckayla* Growing into the most beautiful young woman. Sweetest thing ever. I love when she asks me for advice. Loves her older sisters and wearing a cute flower in her hair. Makes me want to be a better person so that I can somehow be an example to her.


Although I am older than three of them, all of them teach me often and make me want to be so much better of a person. They have taught me that no matter your age, you can make a positive impact in someones life.

Sisterhood is eternal.

merry Christ-mas

"Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty and then for three years was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put his foot inside a big city. He never traveled more than two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of those things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but himself..


"While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed on a cross between two thieves. While he was dying his executors gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth - His coat. When he was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

"Nineteen long centuries have come and gone and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever were built, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life."

Merry Christmas

this is how i feel...

this is how i feel.
bloated.
swollen.
huge.
fat.
chubby.
yucky.
gross.
nasty.
ugly.


i could go on and on...but i won't.  i have been sick for 6 weeks and have been on several regimens by my doc.  the latest and greatest are these lovely things called steroids. no, not roids that body builders use, steroids for my lungs.  they've helped me feel better, but now i've gained 8 lbs.  i feel swollen, bloated, and gross. 

i am putting myself on a strict diet, yes. i know, lame.  it's terrible to do this at christmas time, but i just don't see any other way...haha

does anyone have any advice on how to drop some lbs fast?!  i have been chugging water all day long, ate a good breakfast, watched what I ate throughout the day....but my face is nasti-fied with chubbers.  haha

tomorrow i am hitting the treadmill for 1 hour.  will this chubbers ever go away?!


curseeeeee youuuuuuu steroidssssssssss

pretty little things

pretty little things.

christmas is upon us.

this morning my momma and i wrapped all the 'santa' gifts.

then i wrapped my own gifts from santa.

nothing like knowing what I am getting for christmas, eh?

oh well, i suppose.

i hope everyone is ready for the big day, it'll be here before we know it!

oh, dear.

this is how i feel today.

lazy.

lame.

loser.

tired.

relaxed.

but i already am in my pjs

beautiful

take a good look at yourself in the mirror, then repeat

"I am beautiful"

for truly you are.

you

are

beautiful

girl power

hey ladies (and gents)

i am still waiting for some of you to email me your "guest post" about the inspirational women in your lives.
i've received one thus far and I CANNOT wait to share it!

girl power week is NEXT WEEK (starting December 27)
So, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE email me your posts so we can have an inspiring week next week!
Thanks my lovelies!

{christmas}

finding Christ during the Christmas season.

for those of my blog friends who don't know, I'm a Mormon.
I consider myself a devoted member to my religion.

Christmas time is a wonderful time of the year for some soul-searching, I feel.

Today was a wonderful Sabbath day.
I was able to attend church and listen to the beautiful hymns and the Christmas carols.
made me feel the peace and comfort and joy of the true meaning of Christmas.

then I had a great experience tonight (i don't relate this story for self-promotion**) but I thought it was a wonderful experience, and I wanted to share it so I don't forget what I felt tonight.

my family has been able to collect money, food, and gifts for less-fortunate families throughout the month of December through my dad's church service.

anywho...we were able to deliver the 'secret santa' gifts tonight to a sweet mom and her family.
as i walked up the stairs and into this lady's apartment i could just feel a spirit about her.
she was so grateful.
little English.
and so sweet.

their apartment was pretty bare, no Christmas tree, but there were some dirty stockings on the wall.  i also noticed a picture of Christ on their bare walls.
as i spoke with her, i sensed her gratitude.  but it wasn't for me.  she said (in Spanish) that the only reason she was going to be able to see the happiness on her children's faces Christmas morning was through a prayer answered by God.

I know that there are angels among us.  It is usually through another person that God meets our needs, whether they be spiritual, physical, or mental needs. 
what a blessing it is to serve others.
tonight I've made up my mind that i want to serve others more and more.

there is a certain feeling i get when i help others.  and i want to feel it all the time.

i hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and remembers and embraces the true meaning of the season.

Christ, our Savior and elder brother, is the reason for the season.  We celebrate His birth, His Life, and His death.  Everything in this life is possible through Him.  We are able to repent, to change our lives, and become closer to God through our Savior.  I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have of the gospel.

Merry Christmas sweet blog friends. 
take care of yourself and remember to serve others.

"God Bless Us, Everyone"

favorite thing during Christmas time is to travel up to good old Salt Lake City and see the gorgeous lights at Temple Square. 

Breathtaking.

Gorgeous.

Heaven on earth, is what comes to mind.

happy new years to me.

'new year new boys'

hope this upcoming year brings lots of awesome things, including new boys.

come out, come out wherever you are Mr. Wonderful

(i can't help it that i love PINK by VS so much!)

 these photos made me happy.
i want to find a love like this.

someday.

until then, happy weekend my lovelies

(photos from we heart it)

happiness is:

wearing my 1978 sunglasses and

eating a delish mint brownie from The Chocolate

that is all.

happy friday

st. patricks day

Here comes the cold

Break out the winter clothes
And find a love to call your own

You - enter you

Your cheeks a shade of pink

And the rest of you in powder blue

Who knows what will be

But I'll make you this guarantee

No way November will see our goodbye

When it comes to December it's obvious why

No one wants to be alone at Christmas time

In the dark, on the phone

You tell me the names of your brothers

And your favorite colors

I'm learning you

And when it snows again

We'll take a walk outside

And search the sky

Like children do

I'll say to you

No way November will see our goodbye

When it comes to December it's obvious why

No one wants to be alone at Christmas time

And come January we're frozen inside

Making new resolutions a hundred times

February, won't you be my valentine?

And we'll both be safe 'til St. Patrick's Day

We should take a ride tonight around the town

and look around at all the beautiful houses

something in the way that blue lights on a black night

can make you feel more

everybody, it seems to me, just wants to be

just like you and me

No one wants to be alone at Christmas time

Come January we're frozen inside

Making new resolutions a hundred times
February, won't you be my valentine?

And if our always is all that we gave

And we someday take that away

I'll be alright if it was just 'til St. Patrick's Day

 

 



guest bloggers?

calling all blog friends.

i am looking for some ladies to help me blog (guest post) about the awesome women in your life.

looking for:

- inspirational stories
- photos
- experiences that have made you who you are today

anyone interested in helping me out?

could be a

-mom
-sister
-neighbor
-boss
-co-workers
-a total stranger
-best friend
-aunt
-grandma
-cousins

whoever it may be, lets celebrate these awesome women who touch our lives for the better!

send me your stories or blog post to: ashley(dot)warner88(at)gmail(dot)com (ashley.warner88@gmail.com)

Christmas Tonight

i am lovin' this song right about now!

kind of a modern take on "baby it's cold outside"

(oh and hillary scott from my FAVE --- Lady Antebellum)

listen to this tune ya'll...you'll LOVE it!

cake wrecks

i've found a new favorite blog: cake wrecks

check it out!

there are seriously some hilarious cakes out there people!
what are these pastry chefs (can we even call them that?) thinking?!

eeeekkkkk!

Tuesday Tunes

tuesday tunes.
i think i am going to name off my favorite CLASSIC ROCK songs...
they're classic because I said so....

1.  Dust In the Wind - Kansas
2. Subdivisions - Rush


3. Hysteria - Def Leppard
4. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. Alone - Heart


6. Is This Love - Whitesnake
7. Abracadabra - Steve Miller Band
8. Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard *my fave*


9. Still Loving You - Scorpions
10. Money - Pink Floyd
11. Urgent - Foreigner
12. All My Love - Led Zeppelin


13.What About Love - Heart
14. The Joker - Steve Miller Band



15. Come Undone - Duran Duran
16. Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
17. Over the Hills and Far Away - Led Zeppelin
18. Wind of Change - Scorpions

19. Send Her My Love - Journey


20. Every Rose  Has Its Thorn - Poison
21. Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones
22. Waiting For a Girl Like You - Foreigner
23. Paranoid - Black Sabbath
24. Hello, I Love You - The Doors


25. Dream On - Aerosmith
26. November Rain - Guns N' Roses
27. La Grange - ZZ Top


28. Lyin' Eyes - The Eagles
29. Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan
30. Start Me Up - The Rolling Stones

{the Williams family}

here are some photos i snapped of this gorgeous family on sunday afternoon.

orange you glad it's Monday?

must be an orange day.

organic carrots.

2 'cutie' oranges

orange camelback (24oz)

ready to rock this day!

inspired

yesterday was a day for inspiration.
truly it was.

i had a glorious time yesterday. and although i've been sick for 5 weeks now, i have felt so down and depressed.
i blame it on the lack of exercise, being stuck indoors, and not being able to do the things i love to do.
i also blame myself for being lazy in some personal areas in my life.
i neglected my spirituality.

for those who know me, my religion is one of the most important things to me.  as is my relationship with God.  i was gently reminded yesterday that i need to be a better ashley.
i need to pray more.
study the scriptures more.
serve more.

now, having a spiritual 'to-do' list isn't such a bad thing...i am actually thankful for the wakeup call.

and i know i am rambling on and this probably doesn't make sense, but it does to me.  that's all that matters.
its nice to get my feelings out.

i have formed a new friendship with someone who makes me want to be a better person.
because he is such an incredible person i feel like i have to catch up to his brilliance.
i know i really don't have to catch up, but i just want to be a better person.

thus leading me to my great Monday I've had thus far.

got an email from my awesome brother who is on an LDS mission.
he is doing great. loving life.  he makes me happy!

i actually got up and walked on the treadmill (don't mind it wasn't very fast since i cough while i am walking still)  but it felt great.

i got ready for work today and curled my hairs! woo hoo go me!

notice anything new --- oh yeah, my DARK hair....eeek!

i also am starting guitar lessons tonight!  I cannot wait.

Alvarez (he is my guitar) and I have been together for almost 2 years, but I've never taken the time seriously to sit down and learn how to play the guitar.

so i figured now's the time to get goin!

and then I have a family Christmas party tonight - but its all about service!

I am so thankful for the glorious day today and for the chance i have to be alive.

i hope everyone else is having a splendid MONDAY!

"live each day like it was on purpose"

don't judge a book by its cover

Disclaimer: I know this is a lengthy story, but I promise it will touch your heart for the better :)



"A woman by the name of Mary Bartels had a home directly across the street from the entrance to a hospital clinic. Her family lived on the main floor and rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the clinic.
One evening a truly awful-looking old man came to the door asking if there was room for him to stay the night. He was stooped and shriveled, and his face was lopsided from swelling—red and raw. He said he’d been hunting for a room since noon but with no success. “I guess it’s my face,” he said. “I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says it could possibly improve after more treatments.” He indicated he’d be happy to sleep in the rocking chair on the porch. As she talked with him, Mary realized this little old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. Although her rooms were filled, she told him to wait in the chair and she’d find him a place to sleep.
At bedtime Mary’s husband set up a camp cot for the man. When she checked in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and he was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, he asked if he could return the next time he had a treatment. “I won’t put you out a bit,” he promised. “I can sleep fine in a chair.” Mary assured him he was welcome to come again.
In the several years he went for treatments and stayed in Mary’s home, the old man, who was a fisherman by trade, always had gifts of seafood or vegetables from his garden. Other times he sent packages in the mail.

When Mary received these thoughtful gifts, she often thought of a comment her next-door neighbor made after the disfigured, stooped old man had left Mary’s home that first morning. “Did you keep that awful-looking man last night? I turned him away. You can lose customers by putting up such people.”

Mary knew that maybe they had lost customers once or twice, but she thought, “Oh, if only they could have known him, perhaps their illnesses would have been easier to bear.”
After the man passed away, Mary was visiting with a friend who had a greenhouse. As she looked at her friend’s flowers, she noticed a beautiful golden chrysanthemum but was puzzled that it was growing in a dented, old, rusty bucket. Her friend explained, “I ran short of pots, and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn’t mind starting in this old pail. It’s just for a little while, until I can put it out in the garden.”
Mary smiled as she imagined just such a scene in heaven. “Here’s an especially beautiful one,” God might have said when He came to the soul of the little old man. “He won’t mind starting in this small, misshapen body.” But that was long ago, and in God’s garden how tall this lovely soul must stand!"

excerpt from a recent address given by Thomas S. Monson, "Charity Never Faileth" September 2010



 

 

(corbis images)

 

 

I just loved this story and thought I'd share it with you.  Life is too short to judge others, although I am far from perfect and attaining the quality of not judging, this story hit me in the face like a ton of bricks.  Everyone in this world is unique and special for a purpose.  We all have a purpose on this earth...I hope you can remember what yours is, and if you haven't figured yours out yet, keep working on it.  You'll get there.  You're an amazing person, truly a child of God.

 

 

Have a beautiful Friday my dears.

my camera phone doesn't do this precious little commodity justice.

new purse.  mustard yellow + silver roses.

odd? i think YES!  

but i loveeeeee it so.

makes me feel a little bit better about being so sick.  

who has a favorite purse?  or a recently purchased purse? 

 i am a sucker for a good deal and believe me friends, this purse was a killer.  

{i'm lovin' it}

one of my sweet friends sent me this quote today.  

exactly what this girl needed to hear today.

what a tremendous blessing it is to have the gospel in my life

emergency

i hate to complain, but i've been sick going on FIVE STINKIN WEEKS now....
come on!  Can't a girl catch a break?!

yesterday i had the hardest time breathing all day long...so finally i was forced (literally) to go to the doctors.

i got there, they weighed me (i've lost 4 lbs since last tuesday...hooray, I think!!), they took my blood pressure, temperature, and such.
then the doc came in.  told me my lungs sound like a baby who has RSV....gee thanks!
got a chest/lung x-ray taken, bloodwork, did a breathing treatment in the office....


whew! after two hours i was released to go home.



the verdit?

4 new medications (including an at-home breathing machine)

and a possible case of whooping cough....

i sure hope i can get better now.

get well treats, cards, movie ideas, flowers, emails, comments are all being accepted for the sick.

just teasing.....kinda.

but seriously, don't GET SICK blog friends.

no es bueno!

{provo, utah girls}

this is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time!
this video makes fun of the "mormon culture" at BYU in Provo.
most of which is far from true, but there are some exceptions i suppose....yikes! hehe

not all mormon girls are 18, desperate, and baby-hungry! eeek!

regardless of the stereotype, watch it. 
it's worth a good laugh!

madhatter knits

My awesome auntie is an amazing lady!  She has been busy busy busy making crocheted hats, headbands, flowers, etc.  Check out her blog here for more details.

I am in LOVE with this hat:

how cute is that?!  She custom makes them too, so you can let her know the colors you'd like.

Check it out!  Let me know what you think!

http://www.madhatterknits.blogspot.com/

fake boyfrenn



i wish there was a man that was a lil' bit of all these combined into one...is that even possible?!