Trashy obsession

July 26, 2013 / ashleyeileenp / 1 Comment

Shiloh’s latest obsession with trash continues.

This time I wanted to shame her in hopes that maybe that’s what she needed to STOP the obsession.

We shall see…

She’s really on a roll. To put it simply- she sucks.

She now runs off to the neighbors and refuses to come home after being hollered at.

She waits to fart until she is laying or sitting right next to you.

She rolls in the horse crap…..and then maybe comes home.

When she gets hosed off or bathed she finds the one spot of loose grass, rolls in it, then needs to be hosed off again.

She follows all the little children around and snatches goldfish or cookies right out of their precious hands.

She simply sucks. And can’t manage to do anything adorable or lovable…besides morning and evening cuddles

Ok she doesn’t totally suck. She has just really irritated me lately. I need more of these lovey moments than picking up trash.

I need more of these cuddles than washing off horse crap from her body.

I need more cuddles than taking 20 minutes to find her late at night.

Basically she needs to get it together.

Because if she doesn’t I’m going to start looking at boarding schools for dogs. Or military schools.

Or maybe just ship her to her grandma…Mike’s mom where she never does anything wrong.

Frustrated but still Fortunate,

Ashley

Back at it

July 24, 2013 / ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

Annoyed

Stressed

Depressed

Excited

Those are the words that come to mind when I think about school starting in a week.

Annoyed that there are always people who say things and do things you think should be kept to themselves. I know who to trust NOW and have prepared myself for the upcoming year. And I believe in karma. Karma should take care of all of that.

Stressed by the list of things I keep thinking of that I should do. The list is endless. I don’t like lists that weigh on my mind…hence why I love summer.

Depressed that summer is over and I won’t be able to drink coffee until noon and read books on the deck until I feel like getting up. Depressed that my days schedule will now revolve around my job and making money instead of whatever it is that I want to do. Depressed I won’t get to see my niece and nephews whenever I want. Depressed that laying by the pool will have to wait until 3 pm except for weekends.

Excited to meet a whole new group of kids and form a new classroom family! Excited to share ideas with colleagues and start fresh. Excited to be challenged.

Too many feelings for one day. Heck, for one month.

I think I’ll go back to relaxing for now…

84

July 24, 2013 / ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

84 years of putting up with all of us. We are so fortunate to have a woman who could handle them (us) all.

I admire her for so many things.

Her strength.

Her sense of humor.

Her sassiness.

My grandma turned 84 this past weekend. My mother’s mother.

We are so blessed with her wisdom and beauty. She has taught us all so much.

Fortunate as always…

Perfection

July 20, 2013 / ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

This is what perfection on a summer day looks like.

Family and friends gathered at our pool.

Snacks and squeeze its all around.

Smiles and laughter and splashing.

Sad and long goodbyes and lets do it again before school starts.

Jumping and floating around.

Sadly talking about school.

Planning vacations for next summer.

Naps with chlorine eyes and sweaty little bodies.

Swimming with their daddy when he gets off work.

Proud to overcome her fears.

Pizza for dinner.

And wine.

And Summer Shandy.

Night swims and one more jump in.

It really doesn’t get much better than this.

I always get teary eyed when I think about work and school and not seeing their faces every day like I love.

Always wanting more summer days like today.

Always.

Nothing better than being an aunt. Nothing.

All I need…

July 16, 2013January 23, 2018 / ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

All I need are these people in my life.

They make me happy.

My heart smiles when I am with them.

I feel like a better person when they are around me.

I miss them when we are apart.

I have many dear friends near and far who I feel are family despite our blood lines.

Family isn’t just blood….it’s who you make it.

So I don’t have to tell you all the people I need in my life.

Those that aren’t my family know who they are.

They know they are needed in my life and many others because they hear from me daily or weekly.

They know who they are.

Feeling fortunate despite the summer closing in on me,

Oh how I’ve missed you

July 12, 2013January 23, 2018 / ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

Last weekend my love finally got the piano moved from my dad’s house. It was one of the happiest/saddest moments I’ve had in a while. Seeing it in our home.

This piano was a part of my every day as a child for as a long as I can remember. Before I learned to play I watched my mom give piano lessons to many friends and family. Then she tried to teach me. It didn’t take us long to realize it was probably a better idea for me to receive lessons from someone else to avoid tears and possible arguments.

Then we had an organ and the piano. Mom practiced every Sunday morning on the organ, sometimes with her headphones, while the cinnamon rolls baked. It was that sight and smell I can still remember. Walking out from the hallway to the kitchen and seeing her practicing for Sunday church service. Smelling the cinnamon rolls in the oven. Those are just moments I will never forget.

I spent many hours on this piano practicing for weekly lessons with Mrs. M or the annual recital that always brought my nerves to a full tail spin. Many times my mom would sit and listen to me play. She always told me it sounded wonderful and that she was proud of me.

Even on the days I was extremely frustrated with the piano and harder pieces I was trying to learn I kept trying for one reason…..to make my mom proud.

So back to my point. The piano was finally delivered to the house two weekends ago and this week and last I’ve had a few chances to sit down and play and become familiar with it again. First song I chose….”How Great Thou Art.” My favorite hymn ever. As I played I didn’t make it through the first page before tears fell. They were both tears of sadness and tears of joy. Joyful that I had this piece (rather large piece) of my life back in my life. Sadness that I will never hear her say those words again, or hear her play the organ, or smell her cinnamon rolls on Sunday morning.

I’ve been playing all week. Just like writing in this blog…it is very therapeutic. I’m looking forward to mastering some of the old pieces I use to play with ease.

My favorite part of summer…

July 11, 2013January 23, 2018 / ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

is the chance to spend more time with the ones I love….

days at the park

at late night dinners, cocktails, and hanging out with my love

at fireworks shows

at 4th of July celebrations

while eating good food

while hanging with friends

at a tailgate setting up fireworks

while antique shopping

at the strawberry patch picking berries

in the kitchen turning strawberries into jam

at the pool with my hunny

at the pool with the littles playing shark!

at summer concerts in the park

at concerts with girlfriends

at concerts with cousins

at the pool anytime!

while relaxing by the pool

at the ice cream stand with a messy faced boy

while holding a cute baby laying in the sun

at the county fair with yummy cupcakes

at the county fair selling food

while riding a float in the parade for the fair

while saying MOO to a cow

at times with my best friend and her little

while winning fishies for her little

at a pedal pull cheering on my champ!

at a moment to remember mom

while on a nice morning walk with my girl Shiloh

My favorite part of summer is at all these places and doing all these things with all these wonderful people who love me so much. I’m never able to capture a photo of all the people I love…but I hope they know who they are!

I’m beyond fortunate.

I’m beyond lucky.

Through his eyes

July 9, 2013January 23, 2018 / ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

A couple of times in the last few days the littlest nephew has said, “I see your mom.”

The first time occurred late at night after our fireworks and 4th of July party. We were in my living room getting the kids pajamas on before they left so they would be ready for bed. He point to the mantle and says, “I see your mom.” At first we just assumed there was a picture of mom on the mantle somewhere. However….there isn’t. Not anywhere near where he pointed is there a picture of her. We refer to mom as “Mamaw Debbie” to the littles even though they never met her. They still need to know who she is.

It was so random. So wonderful. So much needed.

A day spent with family and friends celebrating the holiday weekend. A time where she loved to gather with loved ones. Sit around, laugh, eat, be merry. Years and years ago everyone gathered at her house for 4th of July.

If she were going to take a break from Heaven and join us I suppose it is only fitting she would be watching down on all of us when we were together having a great time.

The other time he said this was just one of those moments where it needed to be heard. A time where calm and reassurance was perfection in its timing.

We all know she’s here with us. Some days and moments more than others.

We all just wish we could see her.

I believe that the littles have the capability to see her. I just wish I could stop and see things through his eyes. So I could see her one more time. Maybe even talk to her. Or give her a hug. Just one last time.

What I would give to look through his eyes.

Missing her,

At some point…

July 8, 2013January 23, 2018 / ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

I found this quote on Pinterest recently and it was as if it was written for me at this point in my life. I cried a little when I read it. It’s sad that it spoke to me and I feel this way. It doesn’t pertain to anyone who reads my blog, guaranteed.

It’s just that I wish I was honestly done trying to hard at the relationship. I wish I could truly say I’m done. I wish I was that strong. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.

I will continue to read this and hopefully at some point I can draw that line of determination.

Finding something to draw the line with,

40 years

July 4, 2013January 23, 2018 / ashleyeileenp / Leave a comment

Thank goodness 40 years ago (last Saturday) two wonderful people had fallen in love and made it official by marrying one another. My honey’s parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Saturday and we SURPRISED them with a little gathering at our house.

We were all a little worried as we watched their truck come over the hill….and then keep going. Apparently they weren’t exactly thrilled to see all the cars and thought it would be cute and funny to keep driving. Lucky for them…they returned to all of us. Momma S wasn’t real happy, but I know deep down she was. Tears of joy and happy hugs to all who came. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day special for them.

I’m beyond blessed with both of my guy’s parents caring and loving me all that they have. We have a wonderful relationship and there are always laughs when they are around. I’m very grateful for them and I’m definitely glad we could pull off a party to show them how much we care.

Thank goodness for 40 years ago…