that one time I went to LA for the weekend...

....ya, it wasn't for FUN.

it was for WORK.

but the work I do is fun!

Welcome to CHA

one of the Crate Paper crates

CP Girls

The main display table (those flowers smelt so delish!)

You wouldn't believe how many people came to visit us at the winter CHA show this past week!

I work for Crate Paper, Inc.

and when it's time to release new product, we venture off the the CHA show (CHA = Craft and Hobby Association)  betcha didn't know such thing existed, huh?

Nor did I, until I got involved in the biz.

Anywho, it was a lovely time in Los Angeles. 

We had a great show and so many people came out to support us.

dear grandpa

dear grandpa,

I wonder why I cannot sleep tonight, I wonder if you're doing alright.  If you're laying peacefully asleep in your hospital bed, or if you lay awake in pain.  Tonight I've wondered if our Heavenly Father has come to take you home with Him.

I worry about you, and want you to be ok.  I don't want you to be in pain.  At Christmas you seemed to be in so much pain.  Life's littlest tasks seemed to be too much for you.

Grandpa, you've fought a good fight.  You've lived a very abundant life.  You've raised a wonderful family.  You've served others throughout your life.  But in my eyes, you've been a disciple of Jesus Christ.  You and grandma Nancy were able to  serve a mission.  I'm absolutely positive you were able to bless the lives of many in Florida where you served.

Grandpa,  I want to thank you for always making me feel special.  You always ask me how I am doing.  Always wanted to know how school was going.  Always asked if I was dating someone.  You always asked how I was doing.  And in your own quiet and special way, you'd let me know how proud you were of me.

Grandpa, thank you for always loving me.  I thank you for your testimony as well.  For the birthday lunches, and for always being consistent.

I remember the time you and grandma took me to lunch one fall day.  I was on my way to Provo from school in Idaho and we went to lunch.  You drilled me on school, church callings, friends and boys.  I remember getting in my car after the nice lunch and hearing a song on the radio.  I'm already an emotional person, but this song made me cry.

"My Wish"

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow

And each road leads you where you want to go

And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed

I hope you keep on walkin' til you find the window

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile

But more than anything, more than anything

My wish for you

Is that this life becomes all that you want it to

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to

I hope you know somebody loves you

And wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forget

All the ones who love you and the place you left

I hope you always forgive and you never regret

And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake

And always give more than you take

But more than anything, yeah more than anything

My wish for you

Is that this life becomes all that you want it to

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to

I hope you know somebody loves you

And wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish, yeah yeah

I love you Grandpa more than you'll know.

I hope when your time on this earth ends, Heavenly Father will bless you with His spirit.  What a wonderful reunion you'll have waiting for you.  Grandma Eloise, your parents, friends gone on before, many loving arms to welcome you home.

I love you grandpa.

Thank you for everything.

I respect, admire, and look up to you.

All of my love.

Ashley

{just a dream}

Baby why'd you leave me

Why'd you have to go?
I was counting on forever, now I'll never know...

...This can't be happening to me

This is just a dream

this song makes me cry.

without fail.

every single time I hear it.

what song makes you cry, reader?

facebook fast

yesterday as I was sitting in church, I had a thought come to me.
"de-activate your facebook account"

I realize how difficult it is going to be for me, I love facebook.
yet, I also realize how WONDERFUL it is going to be.
I dare-say I spend anywhere around 5 hours a WEEK on facebook.
doing what?
looking at peoples photos?  their status updates?
don't get me wrong, facebook is a wonderful way to keep in touch with friends.
It's also a great way to see what's going on in people's lives.

but I am sick of it.  I need a change.
think of all the good I could accomplish for myself with those 5 extra hours a week!

I have some new goals to accomplish during my facebook fast

* workout for 1 hr daily (i bought a NEW upright exercise bike)

* re-read the Book of Mormon by my birthday in March

* start training for the half marathon I would like to run this summer

* spend more time with those I love

* spend more time on my church calling
* be frugal and continue to live within my budget

* read at least 2 new books I've never read before

* spend more time in the LDS temples

* become a better version of me

* finish up my dental internship

I am hoping that my facebook fast will last me until my 23rd birthday (eeek, did I just say 23rd birthday?!  yikes, I am starting to get old!)

56 days to go my dears.

In the meantime, does anyone have suggestions for a good read?

I'd love to hear what you suggest!

Happy Happy Happy Monday my dears!  

I hope you make this day the BEST DAY EVER.

"true success in this life comes in consecrating 

our lives - that is, our time and choices - to God's purposes"

giveaway

GIVEAWAY

yeah, you heard me.  my awesome company Crate Paper, Inc. is hosting a giveaway today!  If you're at ALL into design or scrapbooking, head on over to the blog and check out our 4 newest releases:

Portrait

Neighborhood

Toy Box

Emma's Shoppe

They're all so gorgeous!  Seriously, go look for yourselves!

and comment for a chance to win these new collections!

tell ALL of your friends about it!

{inspire}

If you meet a boy in whose presence you feel a desire to achieve,

who inspires you to do your best,

and to make the most of yourself,

such a young man is worthy of your love

and is awakening love in your heart.

{David O. Mckay}

{help}

I need some HELP
If you're thinking, "um, yeah you need a lot more than that girlfriend" then please...keep reading! ha

I am in charge of planning an activity for some singles in my area and I thought of none other than

SPEED DATING

I mean, come on, how fun could that potentially be?!  I am wondering if any of my bloglies have some advice.

Have you ever gone speed dating?
What was something awesome that happened?

What did you LOVE about the experience?

What did you HATE?

What would you recommend to a beginner?

What do you think would work best?

Please, I am in dire straits here...

This activity is going to be somewhere in February, hello, the month of LOVE, duh!

So,

don't be shy,

help a blog sistah out!

favorite love songs

some of my favorite love songs...from yours truly.
can't you feel the love?

Head Over Heels - Tears for Fears



I'll Be There - Jackson 5





Let My Love Open the Door - Pete Townshend



Iris - Goo Goo Dolls



Oh Boy - Duffy




Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys



I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston




I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing - Aerosmith



Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Lady Antebellum



Let's Stay Together - Al Green





Your Body Is a Wonderland - John Mayer


I love making playlists...so I wanna know what some of YOUR favorite love songs are.

I may or may not be in the process of making a GIVEAWAY with love songs involved somehow....
so fess up

what's

your

favorite

love

song

walk down memory lane....

so i went thrifting with the bffe last weekend and I found this little bundle of joy.
this walking/snorting piggy is an exact replica of one i had when I was a little girl.

i was soooooooo stinkin excited, I bought it.
and guess how much it was?! fifty whole pennies.
that's right folks, half a dollar.

i was so thrilled and overcome with joy i squealed.
the people in the store looked at me like i was an insane person.
oh well.
i didn't care.
my long lost childhood pal and i had been re-united ("reunited and it feels so good..." its a song, ya know?)

i came home, put some new batteries in it, and it works like a charm!

look at how fun it is. it walks then snorts! hehe
this really takes me back to being a little girl. 
i love this pig. so darling!

thank you DI thrift store


do you have a favorite toy from your childhood?!

my new kicks

i got some new kicks this weekend at the Nordstrom Rack.
such a great purchase!

they're comfy to boot! hehe
happy MLK day!
(i get to work today! hooray)

does anyone have tennis shoes that they adore?!  Is it bad that I am in love with these bad boys??