Crackin' Backs...

Jake and I finally have a chiropractor. We just went for the initial tests, so we haven't actually been adjusted yet.  I am dying to get back in there on Monday morning.  Thank the Lord for benefits, but honestly, at only $37 an appointment, I don't know why I wasn't going at least once a month.  Both Jake and I have been suffering needlessly.  I am so grateful for this country, and for people who care enough about the health of others to study and learn how to help us.

It was hard to decide which doctor to go with, since we were referred to about five.  However, we chose the one that was nearest to us, and I'm not disappointed!

Love,
Ashleigh

Some New Music...

In the summer I bought some new music from HMV online, and just downloaded it onto my MP3 player.  It's actually quite convenient for me.  I don't have an iPod, so this system works pretty well.  Yesterday I decided it was time to buy some more new music.  Lights recently came out with a new CD; in the store it was $12.99, and I bought it online for $9.99.  I love savings like that.  The only downside I can possibly see is that I don't have a hard copy.  To remedy that, I just have to burn a CD.

It feels good to get some new tunes going.  Jake and I have been going through all of our old school Christian music, which isn't a bad thing.  I need some new songs now! 

Also, got my hair updated :) As much as I love long hair, short hair is so freeing, and much easier to take care of.  It's still taking a bit to get used to, but I am enjoying it. 

Hope everyone has a great day!

Love,
Ashleigh

A Warm Bowl of Oatmeal...

Clue #2 of a True Snacker- You get more excited about finding a random bag of dried cranberries in your cupboard than knowing your freezer is stocked with four different kinds of meat.

I got a gym membership this morning, and worked out on the stationary bike.  The doctor told me yesterday that I do indeed have plantar fasciitis in my left foot, which means that not running for 3 weeks has been a good thing.  I have been walking to work every day, and eating smaller portions, and am encouraged to see some headway with the scale.  Jake and I have been talking about the idea of me getting a gym membership for a while, and one of our main concerns has been that I won't use it (or that I can just work out at home).  Duly noted, so we are going to try this out for a month to see if I actually stick with it.  Apparently I burned 323 calories this morning, and biked 16 km. WOW! I was pretty happy walking out of there.

I came home and made myself some mushy oatmeal with cinnamon, honey, raisins, and flax seed.  Yay for healthy eating! It's time to purge myself of all that ice cream birthday cake.

Speaking of that, thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes and the gifts.  I feel very loved, and am excited for what God is going to do in this, my 25th, year.

Love,
Ashleigh

A True Snacker...

Jake often tells me that I have taught him how to be a snacker over the course of our relationship.  I had never thought of myself as much of a snack-eating fiend until I found some clues that tell me that I am, without a doubt, a true snacker.  Find out if you are too!

Clue #1: When your window ledge sports a cracker box (or other such snackish material) where a book should be

More to come.

Love,
Ashleigh

Peanut Butter Fail...

I wanted to do something nice for Jake, so after he left for work, I decided to bake some cookies.  Originally, I was going to bake chocolate chip oatmeal.  However, at the last minute, I decided to switch it up and bake peanut butter.  I don't remember ever baking peanut butter cookies on my own, and now I remember why.  First of all, they are so messy (I can't stand the way peanut butter sticks to everything), and second, I had no clue why the tines of the fork kept sticking to the dough when I was trying to do the criss-cross pattern.  They were starting to look pretty nasty, and I was getting even more frustrated and hot in my small kitchen.  Finally, I remembered that a friend of mine had posted a recipe for PB cookies on her blog, and there was a trick with the fork.  Sure enough, I found out that it's much easier if you dip the fork in water.  AHA! Thank you mbamamamusings!!
I also discovered that peanut butter cookies do not taste like the real thing when you make them with whole wheat flour.  So much for trying to bake healthy! I was foiled. Next time, I'm going to try my friend's recipe :)

Love,
Ashleigh

Fresh Pages...

I love how a new journal just opens up a world of possibilities.  Every page is new, and I get to write down my thoughts and imagination. I don't always use my imagination to full potential, and get into little ruts with writing, but not so when I start a new journal.  I bought my new one at Wal-Mart, and, although it was a bit pricier than I had hoped, it is so nice.  I also like that it's lined, as my old one wasn't.

Sometimes I don't really consider myself as a writer, someone who other people would enjoy reading.  That's totally fine.  But when I remember that I write in my journal and usually blog every day, then I start to think, is that the makings of a writer? Or am I just narcissistic (in terms of blogging every day)?

There is a part of me that wants to be validated as a writer; even if I'm not writing stories, or books, or getting published in a magazine, I still want to be noticed.  The possibility of being a well-renowned blogger or a writer one day is kind of intimidating.  I think of people like Francine Rivers, whose blog is read by hundreds, if not thousands of people.  Really, who would want to have that kind of readership?  It's one thing to write a book and have that many people read it.  They're not interacting with you.  To have a blog, however, where people can comment and interact, that is a huge deal.  I don't think I'm ready for it!

My Jake wants to be a writer.  He has the gift for it, that's for sure.  If you've never read his stuff, his blog is here.  I would love for him to write a book one day, and to be able to share his words on paper.  He's actually suggested that we try writing a book together.  I think that would be awesome.

Love,
Ashleigh

A New Week...

There is something about a fresh start and a new week that holds all the possibilities in the world.

In my mind, that is.

In real life, it's a daunting week, filled with appointments, no free evenings, and a messy house.

Thankfully, we have Someone who can ground us, and who we can look to for strength and energy, and most of all Life.

Thank you, Lord.

Love,
Ashleigh

P.s.  I might have to start lane swimming for a while, instead of running.  Stay tuned...

Cheers to the Freakin' Week-end...

It's official.  Saturday mornings are the best.  No getting up at 5AM.  No schedule.  Jake is home. AND we get to make delicious little Pillsbury croissants.  That's awesome.

If you're in the HV area today, there is a fall festival downtown from 10-3 that you should check out.  We sure will be....like little creepers from our third-storey windows :)

Love,
Ashleigh

Waiting For the Sunrise...

I've probably said this before, but once I hear a song that I really like, I will play it over and over and over again.  I might play it 10 times.  I might play it 20 times.  But from the first note to the last, I enjoy it more every time I hear it.  One that I've been playing on repeat is "Hold Me Together" by Royal Tailor.  I sent it to a friend and she liked it too (and played it more than once-I'm not the only one!)


This morning I was reminded of a song that I had heard on Life 100.3 while driving up to Orillia last week-end.  I found the music video online this morning, and ended up crying like a baby as I was overwhelmed, not only by the very artistic portrayal of pain and humanity featured there, but also how thankful I am that God is always there for me when I encounter hurt, sorrow, and Satan's poured out guilt.  


Jesus, thank you for your unrelenting love for us, and how you pursue us and pour out more grace!


Love, 
Ashleigh


P.S. I have included the lyrics below.  This isn't the first time I've been impressed by how worshipful this group is.  Check out this video.


Lift Me Up
The Afters

You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up

Waiting for the sunrise
Waiting for the day
Waiting for a sign
That I’m where you want me to be

You know my heart is heavy
And the hurt is deep
But when I feel like giving up
You’re reminding me
That we all fall down sometimes
But when I hit the ground

Chorus
You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up

I know I’m not perfect
I know I make mistakes
I know that I have let you down
But you love me the same

And when I’m surrounded
When I lose my way
When I’m crying out and falling down
You are here to 

Chorus
Lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

I can see the dawn is breaking
I am feeling overtaken with your love
With your love
I don’t know what I can offer
In this moment I surrender to your love
To your love

You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go

You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me so I’m letting go
You lift me up when I can’t see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me so I’m letting go

I can see the dawn is breaking
I am feeling overtaken with your love

You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up with your love
You lift me up

Out of Motivation...

I don't know about you, but whenever I get a major burst of energy and motivation, the day after just sucks.  And I'm being completely honest.  Yesterday I did four hours of homework.  Today I've only done one.  and I have to go to work in an hour (which doesn't give me much to work with).  Not to mention, I still haven't showered after my run.  In my opinion, that run itself should have made me bounce off the walls, eager to throw myself into the next task on my to-do list.  Nope. That hasn't happened.  And so here I sit, my lackluster self catatonic and ready for sleep again.
n.b. I have been up for four hours already.  AND went for a 3.9 km run.  Only by God's grace will I get through this day without stressing.

In times like these, Jake would tell me, "Do you want to get up and do something, or do you want to just sit there and merely think about all those things you need to be doing?  Because thinking and moping about it doesn't help you."  Well, he doesn't say it exactly like that, but...point taken.

So here I go, off to do something productive and be a good steward of this beautiful day God has given to me.

Love,
Ashleigh