Birthday Wishes.

Last night we celebrated Rachel's Birthday.  I'm so glad I have a friend like the Rach in my life.  She's pretty darn fantastic.  I hope her Birthday wish comes true.  P.S.  Aren't my earrings drool worthy?!  My friend Kira and I did a temporary jewelry swap, and it has changed my life.  

Creativity Tuesday: DIY Seasonal Art.

Today I changed out my seasonal art frames.  See my fall display {here.}  For December I went for a graphing paper background.  I hot glued the Hades out of the backs of two pinecones.  With my fridge finally updated, my Christmas decor has been made complete.  I'm utterly giddy.  

On Goals, Hurdles, and Resolutions.

I want to share something with you that was recently shared with me. As many of you know I am extremely goal oriented.  I always have yearly goals and personal bench marks that I hold myself accountable for.  It's always rough when I have hurdles that inevitably pop up. When I fall of the wagon, I usually fall hard.  This is usually due to having too many goals at once.  Moreover, the perfectionist in me doesn't know where to start.  I've recently learned how to work on my goals bit by bit without feeling overwhelmed.  If fact, quite the contrary.  

My friend Sandy is a Yogi.  She recently went on a retreat that was all about obtaining goals and realizing dreams.  The counsel she was given was to do things one at a time.  Let's take getting into shape for example.  I fell off the wagon health wise in June when I went on vacation.  I knew I wanted to get back in shape.  I should run three times a week, improve my tone, take vitamins, and eat healthier.  The old Ashley would try to do all of that in one week.  Well guess what? That's too much change for one person, in one little week.  I would have inevitably crashed, felt bad about myself for failing, then gone back to my lazy ways.  

What Sandy counseled me to do was to add one healthy habit to my life in one calendar month.  Big Goal:  Get in shape.  Small Goal:  Run once per week, four times monthly.  This way I would sustain a healthy habit in my life, feel good about accomplishing my goal, then move forward adding another layer.  That's exactly what I did.  Three months ago I accomplished my monthly goal of running/weight training once per week. Then last month I added two days exercise, then one day of no sweets.  Then December I have added three days exercise, and two days no sweets. I cannot tell you how revolutionary this has been for me.  I feel great about what I've accomplished and slowly added to my routine.  

Professionally I've only been working on three goals; improving in film class, working on my website, and researching agencies that would be an appropriate fit for me.  Yes I have numerous goals that I want to work on for my career.  But how about I work on doing less better?  Once I get my submissions sent out, and my website up then I'll work on the next phase.  This has really helped me feel like I have more control in my life.  It's given me permission to focus on smaller bites of the big picture.  I feel like I have consistent follow through, which feels fantastic.  I hope this inspires you while working on your goals, hurdles, and resolutions.  Let me know if these ideas help you out in the future.  Or if you have more ideas to share with me.   XO, Ashley 

Hello Yellow.

RENTABLE: ADAM.

This thoughtful, unassuming film is both entertaining and educational. ADAM is a screenplay that follows a young man that has Asperger's Disorder.  Asperger's is a high functioning form of Autism.  At first glance many think he's eccentric.  But upon further inspection, it's obvious that he is different.  He doesn't pick up on social cues, or understand other's emotions.  Then he meets his new neighbor on the stoop.  And she is all things beautiful and vivacious.  She thinks that she has much to teach Adam, but she learns the most in the end.  Here's what my little brother Matt had to say on the flick;




"Adam was amazing! I thought it was Hugh Dancy's best work, even though I have not been fortunate to see all of his. Did you ever see Evening? It was slow paced, but incredibly beauiful to watch and Miz Claire Danes never fails. She is terrific. ANYWAYS, that movie was the first time I saw Hugh Dancy and Adam was a wonderful follow up :)"




Thanks for your review Matt.  And the recommendation!  Have a great weekend.  

The Reading Binge Continues.

The book [see previous post and title {here.}]is so stinking good.  I just had another crying fit reading another oh, so moving chapter. It's perfectly wonderful.  On a lighter note;  I love the doodles and comics sprinkled in the book.  They enhance the story and bring such playfulness for the reader.  I loved the above comic.  The top right picture reminds me of Bryan when he wears his black framed glasses. I'm tired, but so very happy and fulfilled.

Currently Reading.

I can't put this book down.  My dear friend Amber bought me the book titled, THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN, A Novel By:  Sherman Alexie.  It is the freshest piece of literature that I've read in such a long time.  I am completely smitten.  Within the first few pages I was laughing out loud, then crying because of my heart feeling like it was being compressed.  Maybe it's because I identify with growing up poor. Maybe it's because I understand what it's like to be labeled as "weird" my entire life.  Maybe it's because I'm married to a Native American that has had brushes with racism, and heard too many back sliding comments like Chief, and Sitting Bull.  Each heckler thinking they are very clever and exceedingly funny.  Maybe it's all of these reasons and more.  But I love this book.  I want to shout it from the roof tops.  I started it at 7pm.  And I'm sure I'll finish it tonight.