I feel so old even saying this, but 14 years ago when Kyle and I first met and began our relationship, we corresponded through letters. We met at freshman orientation at the UofA and we had a little over a month left of summer before school began. Talking on the phone was too expensive - there were no free long distance cell phones...Read More

"All that part of Creation that lies within our observation is liable to change. Even mighty state and kingdoms are not exempted. If we look into history, we shall find some nations rising from contemptible beginnings and spreading their influence, until the whole globe is subjected to their ways. When they have reached the summit of grandeur, some minute and unsuspected cause commonly...Read More

If you read this blog, you know I'm knee deep into several historical books, the most incredible of which is John Adams (by David McCullough). I became interested in this book after watching the HBO miniseries with the same name. I was deeply moved by the miniseries for several reasons: 1) history truly came to life for me as never before and 2)...Read More

I want to say "Welcome to the World" to our newest godbaby, Julianna Lizabeth West, born January 23, 2009. 7 pounds, 3 ounces, 19 inches long. We can't wait to meet you! ...Read More

I sit through movies sometimes and become the person I'm watching. The movie ends, the lights come up and I'm mildly shocked to find that I am still Ashley. I feel just like whomever I was observing for the past hour or so.There are times, however, when you watch something that becomes an emotional experience that you don't leave. You take it with...Read More

It's January, my favorite time of the year, and it's finally really really cold outside. I know this because there is a layer of ice covering Bailey's water pail. That rarely happens here. And she loves it when it does cause she gets to drink out of the toilet (freshly cleaned toilet). Bailey is my dog, by the way. Not my kid. I...Read More

I love clothing...I just find myself limited by my taste and that tiny, insignificant detail called money. So I love nothing more than stumbling onto a good sale. I did that TWICE this past weekend. One, at Banana Republic (thank you, Linda!): I walked away with 4 items totaling $60. Without a sale, I could have EASILY paid that for one item. Two,...Read More

I love looking at design magazines..Domino, Dwell, etc. ...these incredible houses with beautiful furniture...nothing out of place...and I think to myself, "Wonder what that house looked like before it was "magazine-ized". The "real" house. I bet it was something more like this:Rug on the floor where the dog sleeps.Baby placed on the lamp by Brooklyn.Stack of last year's calendar, flag waiting for a...Read More

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For months now, I have been sharing my counter space with 10 Fiesta Ware mugs. Because I really like them and want to display them, but have had no way to do so. Until recently. I found the perfect bar and S-hooks on Ikea. I also found a knife magnet that I desperately needed to house my two new knives (Christmas presents). I...Read More

Every time I sit down to play with B and her Play-Doh, I tend to raise the stakes. At least for myself. She'll say, "make a snake." Done. "Make a face." Done....after about 15 minutes...I end up tediously crafting these sculptcreations that I'm actually quite proud of! And then B takes great pleasure in smooshing them back to their original ball of dough.Here...Read More

Well, for the first time in 8 days, Brooklyn is not running a fever. She still has a hacking cough which occasionally makes her throw up because she can't stop coughing. And she looks thin and weak, which she is, poor thing. She has a ton of mucous in her body - she coughed up a ball of it earlier and it was...Read More

As I was doing some reading last night in John Adams, I had a minor epiphany. I am currently reading 3 books: John Adams by David McCullough, Marie Antoinette: The Last Queen of France by Evelyn Lever, and Princesses (can't remember the author) - about the daughters of King George III. Here was my epiphany: through no conscious action of my own, I...Read More

There is such a thing as too much fun and I have just about reached that point. Last night, while Kyle was at a gala honoring his boss and I was watching Bride Wars with my mom, sister, sisters-in-law and August, my little girl was hanging out with my dad, getting sicker.We had faithfully been giving her tylenol and motrin every 3 hours...Read More

Lately, I have been on a history kick. In December, I watched John Adams, the HBO miniseries, and was so enthralled by the vibrant refresher course on history that I have been devouring historical books like crazy ever since. I realize now, probably too late, how interesting history can and should be. But I'm making up for lost time, thanks to incredible researchers...Read More

For those of you who wonder where I might have been the last 2 weeks, just set your default mode to "Sick Kids" cause that's what mine is apparently set to. In the last 4 weeks, I have made weekly visits to the doctor - 3 times for August (rash, bronchitis, rash again (atopic dermatitis) and the most recently for Brooklyn (bronchitis). I'm...Read More

I am so encouraged by all the people who've been inspired by our (me and Kyle's) experience with P90X. I can name about 10 couples who've since purchased and begun their own P90X experience, and I am so proud of them! I wish I got a commission! Sadly, I don't.Yes, it is a time commitment, but I have been amazed at how the...Read More

I know as adults, we tend to downplay what we got for Christmas. Why is that? It's not that it's any less exciting to rip into your gifts now that we're older! I find it even MORE exciting now that I'm an adult. Usually the gifts I receive are things I really need or really love and so I appreciate them much more...Read More

A few years ago, Kyle and I stumbled upon the mother of all estate sales, thanks to the previous occupant of our house. The house we live in now was previously occupied by a woman of more substantial means than us po'folks. And she was a patron of the arts. As well as estate sales hosted by one particular company who tends to...Read More

I fully intend to update this blog with pictures from Christmas, etc. Which was absolutely fantastic! But for the moment, I have to say that it is about time this family gets healthy. I feel as though the black cloud of germs is sitting over my house, just spitting on me and the kids every time we go outside. It might have something...Read More