Three Years in this Town.

This week marks my third year in Los Angeles, California.  {Bryan joined me 5 months later.}  I cannot believe all of the dreams that have connected since my arrival.  Mind you, there have been numerous difficult times too {I don't live in a bubble.} But, Bryan and I are so utterly happy here.  In L.A. we have made amazing friendships, adopted a sweet Chihuahua, and learned all about parking tickets. We've eaten our way through the city, shopped EVERYWHERE, and have relished the opportunities to pursue our creative careers.  This week will be a tribute to all things L.A. 

***The above photograph is via the SPACE 15Twenty blog from The Loved One opening.

Weekend Revelry.

I had a one of those, "I'm-so-happy-and-glad-to-be-alive-and-in-love-weekends."  You know the ones.  Where it's good friends/food/music/weather.  Here's some of my high points:

1. Cindee gave me an amazing owl necklace!


2. Romantic dinner for two at chez Yazzie.


3. Watching Anna and Jonathan get their improv on.


4. Discussed the direction of my website with my Bunnie/graphic designer.


5. Dinner and a movie {Cafe 101/The Green Hornet}


6. Finished reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.


7. Cleaned the house.


8. Lots and lots of kissing.


9. Wore my new shoes.


10. Eating a home made dinner with my L.A. family.

*What did you do over the weekend?

Seven Years.

I remember the night before our wedding.  My mom and I went to go drop something off for him.  He was packing his suitcase for our honeymoon.  He looked exhausted, but devilishly handsome. His suit and tie were hanging at the ready for the following morning.  I was in utter anticipation and excitement for morning's light.  Because when you love someone since you were 15, you want to bound to that person forever.  After seven years of marriage Bryan remains the most fascinating, talented, and most striking man that I've ever known. And he belongs to me.  I am wildly fortunate.

So Rentable: PERSUASION.

I'm in full Jane Austen mode.  I'm finally getting around to reading the books for the first time.  {I know, why haven't I read them yet?!} To inspire cracking open another book, I rented PERSUASION. What I love about British films is that it's not about being tragically gorgeous, it's about the characterization and acting chops.  No one was classically attractive in this movie, and I loved it all the more. Grab a cup of tea, put on your Snuggie, and watch Anne get her groove back with Captain Wentworth.  Image found {here.}

Mi Abulelita.

This is my grandma Charlotte aka grandma Shark. This photo was taken for her senior picture. What a knock out, right? Grandma grew up on a ranch in Paso Robles, California. A religious woman, she has always cursed, but called it, "Ranch Talk." Grandma has taught me to unabashedly be myself, embrace my hairy arms, always clip coupons or haggle for a better deal, use leftovers and laugh. Above all you MUST laugh. I love my grandma. I think I inherited my quirkiness and Democrat outlook from her.

Good Morning.

Bryan woke me up this morning
asking, "Why are you so beautiful?"
Comments like that are what keep us
in love after six years of marriage.

Old Friends.

Last week I really thought a lot about my alarm clock. This is one of the few objects that I own, that has seen me through the best and worst moments of my life. My step dad bought me the little guy when I was nine years old. He was present when my little sister was born and brought home from the hospital. He saw me through my parent's divorce. He played Color Me Bad when I needed a pick me up. He traveled with me to college all the way to Missouri, and endured a sticky summer of theater in Iowa. Then he traveled with me back to Arizona, and woke me up the day of my wedding. And now, years and years have past and he perches happily where he has always remained; next to my bedside. He too loves it in Los Angeles. He wakes us up each morning, and gladly plays music for our puppy Soba while Bryan and I are away.

Last week he was dropped hastily to the ground. His neon, trusty digits ceased from flashing. Bryan and I held our breath. We knew he was gone. In truth, I was devastated. But, like any good M. Night Shamalan movie, there was a surprise twist. He started blinking 12:00 repeatedly a couple of hours later. And I felt such relief and happiness. What a dear, old friend. Please never leave my bedside again. We have much more to experience together!

Love Your Companion,
Ashley

True Love.

Last week was incredibly stressful and filled with anxiety. I felt particularly grateful to my Bunnie, who strengthened me. He was helpful, kind, and loving to not only myself, but my family. I love him increasingly more with each passing day. He is positively my rock.

Update.

For the past five days I've been in Arizona spending time with my sister and family. Last week was literally the epitome of stress and anxiety. Later in the week {when we could exhale} it was filled with laughter, gratitude, and tears of joy. My sister went from the Intensive Care Unit, to Trauma, to the Physical Therapy Ward. Chanelle is doing much better after one week and two days post accident.

Her current prognosis; she still has the pool of blood on the left side of the brain. This will take some time for the brain to completely absorb. This injury caused some damage, and manifests itself with her altered humor, temperament, taste for food and drink, and short term memory. Her clavicle is broken, but the pelvis is fractured. She is working with amazing physical therapists daily. The goal being to get her coordination and strength returned, while working her joints and preventing atrophy from bed rest.

Sister also works with an occupational therapist to flex her brain. They ask her numerous questions, critical thinking situations, and have her solve riddles and puzzles. In short, she's exhausted. But we remind her that she keeps asking to go home, and her only ticket is through following the strict regimen. She's working very hard on doing what the physicians ask of her, and I'm sure she'll be out of the hospital as soon as feasibly possible.

I want to thank the fifty people that have visited my sister and family at the hospital. Thank you to the people who have sent flowers, cards, brownies, balloons, and delicious meals. Thank you to the kind nurses, doctors, therapists and support staff. And least of all, best of all, thank you to each of you that have sent their prayers, good thoughts and encouragement to not only my family, but myself. I am deeply touched. Four friends candidly told me that they don't even believe in God, and or aren't religious, but they were going to pray to a higher power on our behalf. I was completely in awe. Please accept my honest gratitude for all that you have done, and continue to do.

Love,

The Yazzies, Pennicks, and Mattices

Image via powodzenia

So Much Heart.

The day of my sister's accident I was given an origami, dollar bill heart. Mr. Hiro (a lovely Japanese man who wears a gnarly mustache and has a hunger for Harley Davidsons) gifted this to me as my tip. I had no idea how appropriate and symbolic it would be for the following week. My sister, family, and I have seen more heart and love bestowed in our directions then we ever thought possible. I thank each of you for your genuine, over-grown, beating hearts.

What I am grateful for this week:

1. My sister

2. Thoughtful Doctors and Nurses

3. My family

4. Love

5. Prayers

Sister Update.

Yesterday was a long, frightening day. But by evening I received some amazing news. Chanelle's brain stopped bleeding in one chamber. It's still bleeding in another area, but the Neurologist was pleased with the progress. He was able to take Chanelle off of the respirator and she came to a little bit and spoke! Doc said she has a very long recovery ahead of her, but he feels that she's out of the danger zone.

Chanelle is still a critical patient and continues on in the Intensive Care Unit. Due to the head injury, the doctors haven't even begun to tend to her broken pelvis and clavicle bones. Sister has a long road ahead of her, but she had a great break through yesterday.

I want to thank each of you for your prayers, e-mails, flowers, and texts. You haven't the slightest idea how much your kindness means to my family and I. It brings tears to my eyes to think of your kindness on Chanelle's behalf. I know in my heart of hearts that God heard each petition offered, and a miracle transpired. I'll continue to keep you posted of Chanelle's progress. Thank you once more from the bottom of my sawdust heart.

Love,

Ashley

Prayers.

Yesterday morning my baby sister Chanelle was hit by a drunk driver. She sustained serious injuries and is under supervision in the intensive care unit at the hospital. She is my little sweet heart, and I love her dearly. Bryan and I are working on getting our responsibilities covered, so that we may join my family at this difficult time. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer. I humbly ask that you remember my sister and family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Cupcake Heaven.

You know you have an amazing husband when:

he brings home a tiny box

filled with a giant cupcake.

The vanilla cake,

vanilla frosted delight from

Sprinkles

was truly something to celebrate.

It made my day.

Auto Love.

I have an obsession for hatchback cars. Someone in my hood owns this '82 Honda. It's the most endearing shade of sapphire. I see myself driving it to farmer's market and auditions, with a red checked picnic blanket perennially in the hatch. Come for a drive with me?

P.S.: Notice the heavenly shaft of light shining upon her?

Art Smart.

I am in love with art.

I live/breathe for art, searching for it in every niche.

I'm smitten with paintings in particular.

My favorite painter from Arizona is:

Andrea Evans.

Her work evokes living dreams.

Vintage Photo Booth.

Being silly, and kissing is what bunnies do best.

Happiest of the Happies.

I wish everyone the happiest of happies for this New Year.

I am thrilled to see what will unfurl for each of us in 2010.

The above is one of my favorite mistakes.

It was a polaroid that went off accidentally.

I pressed flowers in an old book and taped them to the front.

This beautiful mistake now resides tucked into a corner

of my bedroom mirror. I am pleased each time I look at it.

Bunnie Moon: The Journey.

I arose from my bed Friday morning rubbing the sleep from eyes and stumbling over my puppy for the door. We raced to the living room to find a letter written in the curliest of cursive scripts. It was addressed to your's truly, wishing me a happy bunnie moon. I was left specific instructions to pack my bags and take a nice dress for dinner that evening. I would be taking the train at 2pm bound for the enchanting Santa Barbara. I squealed with shock and delight upon reading this tremendous news.
Bryan and I caught the train at union station and held hands the entire trip. My eyes were glued to the seaside view. The colors of the sunset kissing the sea were almost too much to take in. It was one of those truly magical moments in life. The tracks were so close to the beach that it seemed as if they would cross into the ocean at any moment.
Bunnie busied himself with music, munching on sugary treats, and thumbing through his books while I concentrated on the gorgeous view; trying my best to contain my excitement.
Bryan made thoughtful arrangements for us to lodge at the cozy bed and breakfast, The Orchid Inn. It was positively dream like. Above is the dining room in which we ate breakfast Saturday morning.
Above is the main quarters, it was a slice of heaven. I loved the simple twinkling lights. I felt right at home.
For our anniversary evening we haunted ELEMENTS restaurant and enjoyed an exquisite dinner. The Menu:

Appetizers:

1. tomato soup

2. cheese plate

3. bruchetta

4. rosemary garlic bread

Entrees:

Hers: braised Sword Fish

His: grilled Salmon

Dessert:

Hers: mint chip ice cream

His: coconut sorbet

The food, service and location is highly recommended by the Yazzies. The Orchid Inn was most hospitable as well. We would be pressed to find a more amiable arrangement. P.S. We stayed in suite number 7 if you are interested in looking at the specifics! Simply click on the link above.

Bunnie Moon.

Today marks my wedding anniversary. I can't believe we've been wed for six years. I must candidly express, that our marriage seems to just get better and better as the years tick on. I feel we are fortunate indeed for having found each other at such a young age. We've grown up together through the promise of eternity. When I saw this image for the first time I said to Bryan,

"When our children look at this picture, they will never wonder if we are in love."

Graffiti: Los Feliz Village.

I happened upon this graffiti and fell in love.

There is beauty to be found in every corner of the world.

Your Challenge: Look for unexpected treasures.