A Favorite Photo..

Day 17: A favorite photo of yourself and why

of the May Challenge

If you have been following along you may have already seen this photo here and in case you don't know, let me just tell you that the place where white sands, the water, blue skies, and the sun meet, is my FAVORITE place ever. 

This photo was taken at Cape San Blas, Florida in 2009. 

It was me and my Mom's first trip just us and we were excited to be staying at her boss's condo. 

This place was amazing. We are the beach people who get up as early as we can, head down with our lunch in a cooler, read.. nap.. read some more.. eat lunch.. look for seashells.. nap again.. read.. read.. well you get the picture.. and go in after we stay out as late as we can. 

If you have never been to Cape San Blas, let me just explain a little bit about it. There really is nothing there to do.. but lay on the beach or fish. The only people there seemed to be families and not very many were there. 

We felt like we had the whole beach to ourselves. 

There was one family to our left and one to our right. The family on our left, if you faced the ocean, just to give you the best mental picture possible, was hardly out because they had a baby and a toddler and were constantly in and out. 

You can tell from the background in the photo and just how far away they were from us, too. 

Talk about peace and relaxation. 

Now, to the reason for this post.

A couple of months prior to this vacation I left my ex of almost 5 years. 

While at the time, it seemed to be such a hard decision, I knew that it was for the best. I could not continue on the horrific roller-coaster-relationship ride that we were on. I look back at moments where I know I should have turned and ran, but for whatever reason(s), I didn't. I guess there were lessons that needed to be learned and I can honestly say that I walked away learning many things. For a long time I used to really beat myself up about all the 'wasted' time spent with him, but in the end, I learned and I grew and I feel I became a better person from it. 

The picture above represents a huge weight lifted.. 

a sense of freedom.. 

a fresh start.. 

the beginning of a new chapter in my life.  

And let me just tell you, I am BEYOND BLESSED where I am today and wouldn't be here in another new chapter, if I had not made the decision that enough was enough, four years ago. 
Praise the Lord too for having His hand over me and for Him having control of our steps in life!

At this moment in 2009, people were pouring their love, support, and positive vibes all over me. 

The parts of me that were completely broken were starting to mend. 

My confidence was beginning to build back up. 

I was starting to feel joy again and I was actually smiling.

I will not say that I was back to my "old" self.. 
I was moving forward and I was becoming a new me.

Lots of Love,

AshLee

A Day In the Life

of AshLee.. 

Besides waking up to my beloved coffee or Spark..

talking to my Heavenly Father..

taking care of our Pups..

being with Coach..

spending time with my family and friends..

You will find me behind the chair.. 

A place where I feel joy..  a place where people leave feeling special.. 

A place where I am 

creating.. designing.. being an artist..

Lots of Love,

AshLee

WILW..

Happy Happy Wednesday All!

It's a gorgeous 88* day here in the Peach State and I am loving it!! 

YAY FOR THE SUNSHINE!

I am loving the expression on my Brother's face when he received his class ring..

I am loving my nails by Yours Truly..

I am loving our baby chicks I picked up last night!!

I am loving this bible verse...

I am loving this BTC quote my Mom tagged on my facebook...

Lots of Love,

AshLee

I miss...

My Paw-Paw Smokey.

One of the many Christmas' at their house. This was the living room and the same room that became Nanny and Big Nanny's room. 

He is the first person who came to my mind when I read the topic for Sunday (a day late) of the May Challenge.

When I was about 6, me, Mom, Dad, and my brother moved into our new home, that my Paw-Paw helped build, right down the dirt road from Nanny and Paw-Paw's house. She and my great grandmother, Big Nanny, had their room and Paw-Paw had his room in the front. It was a narrow room with a huge, glass front window that faced the front yard and the main road. All that was in the room if my memory serves me correct was the TV, a couch, an end table, and his recliner. While he was reclined back in his chair watching TV, I would comb his hair. Maybe this is where doing hair originated from. I remember doing this every time I would visit. 

I remember when he and Nanny would pack us up in their big blue Chevy van and we would head to Daytona Beach. Me, my brother, Nanny, Paw-Paw, Mom, my cousin Jaime and her Dad. One of those years, I was introduced to the sting of a jelly fish. NOT FUN!  

Such fun!!

He also had a wood working shop where he built many things. He was so talented in what he could make! I can remember going in the shop with him and there would be saw dust everywhere!

When I was in the 4th grade, Paw-Paw passed away. He had a heart attack and was in the hospital, but was given a good report to recover. From what I was told, his appetite was quite a healthy one while he was there! I vaguely remember going up to Nanny's at one point while she was home and he was in the hospital. I asked how he was, she told me he was doing very good and the doctors were going to let him come home the next day. And the next thing I remember, is Mama Jane coming to our house to help my Mom tell me and my brother, that Paw-Paw had gone to Heaven. 

I can kind of remember his laugh.. and what helps me to smile is that one day, I will not only be able to hear him laugh again, but I will be able to see him and hug him!

These are my 3 of Paw-Paw's sons.. my uncle Norman, my Dad, and my Uncle Duane.. and did you do a double take?? Because I do every time I see him! He looks so much like Paw-Paw!

There are more pictures of me and Paw-Paw and I can't wait to get my hands on them! There is one I vividly remember.. it's just me and him, in his and Nanny's kitchen.. I'm very young, sitting in his lap and he has the biggest grin on his face.  

 Lots of Love,
AshLee

Happy Mother's Day!

To my wonderful Mom!

Last night we got together at my grandparents for a hamburger and hot dog cookout.

These hamburgers by the way were DELICIOUS.. deer meat burgers. SO GOOD!

What a fun time it was filled with jokes and laughter! It was so good being able to sit down and spend time with them.

Happy Mothers Day to all the amazing Mom's out there!

Lots of Love,

AshLee

Most Embarrassing...

Too funny that 

Day 10: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill.

is the topic for the May Challenge.

It was just recently that I was sharing one of my horrific moments.

Being that I just turned 29ish, this has been many moons ago. If my memory serves me correctly I think I was 17 or 18. 

Wow, I just made myself feel really old!

The guy that I was dating at the time, was going to be house sitting for one of his Mom's coworkers. One afternoon, me, my boyfriend, and his Mom, took a little road trip to this guys house to get house keys, show him around, etc etc. We get there, everyone gets introduced, he starts showing the house, telling my bf what his responsibilities would be, and then we start heading out the back door to get details on the pool. As I am walking out the door, I get so caught up in the pool that I don't even turn around to look to grab the door handle to pull the door shut.....

Just let me insert a very important piece of advice here--  ALWAYS turn and look for the handle!!!

Because if you don't.. 

You could be getting a handful, of a complete male strangers, err package. 

Remember the pool? Yeah.. I wanted to go drown myself.

Lots of Love,

AshLee

One Moment

Day 9: A moment in your day.

Recently, my Mom's best friend, they went thru school together all the way from Kindergarten to their Senior year, was just diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Last night, she came to the salon and we pinked her out!

Lots of Love,

AshLee