Playing with Soba.

Isn't he just scrumptious?  We had such an entertaining afternoon playing with his ball yesterday. 

Culture Club: Our cozy weekend.

My little family had a sweet weekend.  We worked and played.  Bryan worked on an art installation Saturday/Sunday for "MILK AND BOOKIES."  We ate tasty home cooked meals.  Snuggling transpired.  Bryan bought me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.  We listened to the rain.  We saw LIMITLESS at the movie theater.  I read.  Soba hibernated.  It was lovely.  What did you do?

Mr. Soba-Soba.

Soba has REALLY been getting on my nerves this week. But sometimes I look at that little face, and I forget why. 

Merry Grinchmas.

This little family wishes you the Merriest Christmas. We had such a lovely Christmas Eve dinner with friends and much cheer. Today was incredibly enriching spending time together, watching the Beavis and Butt-Head Christmas special, eating our traditional Mexican dinner, and opening presents. {Pictures to come!} Most of all, we are grateful for the birth of the Christ child. For His life, ministry, and atonement. Merry Christmas.  

I'm thankful for...

For two years I've had an incredible Chihuahua named after an Asian noodle-naturally. He is the spark of joy in our household.  Soba, you little scrumpet, I love you.



P.S. I've written 500 posts on The Infinite Madness.  500?!  I know.  That's quite a bit.  This has been such a wonderful creative outlet for me.  Thank you to all my kindred spirits that keep me inspired, challenge my intellect, and best of all, make me laugh!

Family Walks....

are pretty much the best thing ever.  I love my boys.

It's Soba's Birthday Too....

Yesterday I received a surprise e-mail from Nikki of the Mutt Scouts {the shelter we got Soba from} click {here.}  She remembered that it was Soba's Birthday, and wanted to wish him well.  How thoughtful is that?! She also gave me the above pictures of my little guy. I had never seen any of them before.  What a treasure.  Soba with his two brothers!  Tear. He's on the top in the first picture, and extending his arm over his brother in the 2nd.




Dear Soba,




Happy 2nd Birthday Chunky.  Mom and Dad love you so much. You've been such a good boy over the last two years.  You are kind, funny, sweet, all mixed in with just a dash of trouble maker.  We are so glad that you are ours.  We promise to take you back to the beach soon, because we know it's your favorite.




Xo, 

Mom and Dad

Constant Companion: Mr. Soba Sobes.

This little Chihuahua has defined the word "cute" in my life.  I snapped these shots a few days ago whilst he was trying to take his mid-morning nap.  Are you a dog person or cat person?

Taxes.

Today I had my taxes done.
And suffice it to say, we did NOT
get a return of any sort.
And so it is, today I'm
thankful for this little face
to cheer me up & lift my
sagging spirits.

One Fish, Two Fish, Three Fish, Blue Fish.

Our Sunday afternoon. &
I love Bunnie's new suit.

Family Portrait.

My boys are completely resistant to photos.
Either one, or both sabotages the picture.
Imperfect as the image may be,
it's an accurate depiction of our family.
And completely heart warming.

Thrifty Treasure.

This just might be the best $2.19
I've spent in a very long time:
a media rack circa 1959.

Inspiration books were stowed to easily access.

I think I may have fallen in decorative love.
Soba may have fallen in love as well.
{Post Script: Sister come to L.A. tomorrow!}

Two.

I just hit my two year mark in Los Angeles. I can't believe how time has danced by. I moved here one terribly, rainy week in February. My first night alone in my apartment I cried and thought, "Maybe I made a mistake." I didn't! I was cast in "And Away We Go To Wonderland" at the Santa Monica Playhouse and made the move to L.A. sans husband. At that time his band Alcoholiday had just released their album, and were doing quite well. He also had an amazing job with Gore Design. Five agonizing months apart, Bryan tied all lose ends and moved to L.A. with me!L.A. has meant meeting extraordinary friends: Melissa, Chris, Rachel, Court, Catherine, and Cindee. My La Grande Orange Crew, my industry pals, Each of you have made such an imprint on my life. I have learned much from you, and continue to be constantly inspired by your lives and art.
Los Angeles has meant career opportunities. I have more auditions in one week in L.A., then I ever had in an entire month in Phoenix. I've been in theater, film, master classes, readings, screenings, previews, call backs, cattle calls, rehearsals, meet and greets....and all of it has been thrilling and terrifying. I can't believe how far I've come. L.A. is a tough town, but if you fight back, she shows you some kindness.

Los Angeles has expanded our family. A year ago Bunny and I celebrated our fifth anniversary by adopting a Chihuahua/Terrier mix named Soba. We love that little sack of fur more than you'll ever know. He is much the temperament of Bryan: Shy at times, bold when provoked, a cuddle bug, sweet, loving, loves to eat, enjoys the outdoors, oh, and very naughty (again these are all Bryan's traits as well!)

I continue to be in awe by all that we've experienced here. Bryan is flourishing with his design work (photos to come) Soba is learning to be more obedient, and I'm learning how to create, and embroider a colorful life. And as a family we are so very pleased that the backdrop for each of our memories is the city of angels. Many locals call this "the city of broken dreams," but this location has expanded on our dreams, and made them very much a reality.

Furry, Little Friend.

And they call it puppy love.

Mi Familia, Mi Corazon.

This week has been largely schizophrenic;

worker bee by day, actor by night.

The hats I wear are quite comical.

I'm pleased that this evening I can simply be

Ashley the wife and canine mother.

My boys are my reason to smile.

{photo by Rachel Noble}

Christmas Wonders.

Christmas came and went all too quickly this year.

I want to remember this blessed day year 'round.

I have a few snap shots depicting

my favorite memories of the day:

opening presents with Bunnie and Soba,

baking cookies, making bruschetta and Mahi-Mahi.

I feel content honoring my Savior Jesus Christ.

May we each have a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

Alternative Decorations.

I think Soba Sobes makes a superb tree topper.

This reminds me of HARRY POTTER when the

Weasley twins charmed a garden gnome and place it atop

their Christmas tree. Clearly Sobes wasn't amused.

All Dressed Up.

Bryan purchased Soba a top hat. It is the holiday season after all. Why is this so stinking funny?

Accentuate the Positive.

I love being a positive woman. {go figure!}

I've observed that many people are negative Nellies.

Which is to be expected, sometimes its
hard to find good in the bad.

I've always thought the world was divided in two types of people;

Half Full and Half Empty.

But guess what? There's worse than half empty!

There's 1/4 empty.

I had a woman snarl at me a month ago to refill her literal

glass that was missing only 1/4 of ice tea.

I was shocked; she must frequently be disappointed by life.

And what good sprouts from negativity?

I choose silver lining.

I choose a positive outlook.

I choose smiles + giggling.

My positive moments this weekend?

1. Taking Soba to the dog park.
2. Filming a NEW MOON spoof.
3. Divine food.
4. Delicate flowers.
5. Spiritual refueling.
6. My new dress.

Polaroid Exhibition: Florals.

What I love/hate about polaroid photography?

The unpredictability. When I think to myself,

"This is going to be a good one."

It actually pops out hexed. Then when I just

go for it, the photo develops heavenly.

Go figure. Isn't that a microcosm for life?!

This is a floral expedition Soba and I took this week.