365 Tuesday

This week has not been my favorite, to be honest - I had surgery on Friday to remove an ovarian cyst, so while I'm glad it's behind me, it's taken a toll on life!

Happy Fat Tuesday - I bought a King Cake to go with the day - this was the day we found out I needed surgery on Friday so this was the best I could do that day!

Wednesday, I had another doctor's appointment and Richard & I had errands to run up north, so he surprised me with taking me to my favorite bagel place (Marx Hot Bagels) and it was so yummy! A great reminder that I truly have an amazing husband - he knew just what I needed that day!

Thursday, March 10th was a busy day - it was my friend Amy's son Sammy's birthday (1 year old!) and my niece Kalysta's 11th birthday! I stopped up to see Amy & her kiddos (sweet tea was involved - of course!) - and then went to Pizza Tower with Kalysta, Amanda, Ethan, Nancy & Jr while Richard worked. It was snowing on Thursday and kind of a mess going home - but a fun day!

Friday March 11th was surgery day so I made a collage of some of the not so funness of surgery - IV's, pictures afterwards of what everything looked like, stupid compression sock things they make you wear etc. Needless to say, glad this day's behind me!

March 12th was my dad's 55th birthday but my picture of him is on my big Canon, and I haven't taken those pictures off (I need to do that before I forget!) - this is a picture from Richard going to Kalysta's birthday party (Justin Bieber themed!) and he made the comment "Justin Bieber was everywhere"...I was bummed I had to miss it because I was yet to miss a birthday party of my niece or nephew but I was in no shape to go anywhere on Saturday - that was by far my worst day!

Like I said, all I've done for the past few days is sit around and relax - so my sister came to visit yesterday but I haven't gotten those pictures off the camera yet either so this is my "Sunday" picture and represents the last few days of my life - just sitting around watching friends. My mother-in-law asked if I just watch them over and over again and I'm like "pretty much...I love them" :) I also know that I need a pedicure as soon as I feel up to it!

Next week I'll have more photos because I'll get them off all the cameras and be ready to go - hope everyone has a great week!

365 Project (a bit early!)

As I sit down to type this entry, I'm kind of nervous about my doctor's appointment tomorrow but ready to get it overwith so I know if I have to have surgery (again!) - let's hope not! Richard's working so I spent most of the day with mom & dad and got to visit with them. I love days like this - relax, walk the dog, massage & chiro appointment, errands, hang out with mom & dad, relax at home by entering a 31 order - typical day in the life-o-Ashley! I thought I would share some picture over the past week with you - enjoy!

March 2nd - On facebook, I'm doing a 30 day challenge (

 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2430898&id=21407106&l=7fd98d4c52 ) - each day is something different (ie. someone you'd like to trade places with for a day - I picked Heidi Klum!) :) This day I took a picture of my most prized item - and it's a quilt from my grandma. It was my grandma & grandpa's first quilt on their bed and I treasure it!

Sally LOVES to get Richard's helicopter - it's hilarious to watch her attack it and have fun with it. This day I took tons of funny pictures but this is one of my favorites...Sally ready to go and Richard getting ready and trying to keep her back with his leg. I had Ellen on the TV so it was funnier when Ellen was on but I'll have to settle for this silly ad on the TV for the pic of the day!

Kalysta & I met Crystal & Caleb for a dinner at Red Robin - had a great time!!

Kalysta & I went to paint pottery at Color Me Mine in Crestview Hills - she hates having her picture taken but I love looking back at them so I'm glad I got a half way decent smile out of her (or should I say my dad the picture taker did!)

Nancy & Amanda are my 2 latest 31 hostesses!! They had a very successful party at Nancy's shop and Amanda has fun new hair!

Tonight was Red Robin (and Kmart) night with mom & dad - dad's double fisting it with a beer and strawberry milkshake - he cracks me up!! Love spending time with them!

Looking forward to seeing what the next week has to bring for pictures - stay tuned!!

Project Life Tuesday (365 Project)

Went out with mom & dad to dinner at Longhorn - we forgot to take a picture when we were at the restaurant so we took one as they were dropping us off back home!

Ate with Lynn at Pasquale's - as she was getting in her car I said "Lynn, smile, I need a picture of the day!"

Richard & I went to the Rave to see "Just Go With It" with Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler. It was a good flick but Richard thought $8 for matinee prices was a little expensive - HA!

Jessica's first 31 party / kickoff was on Friday - she is so sweet and it was nice to meet her family/friends!

Happy 1st Birthday to Caleb Matthew Hatfield - this was my favorite shot of the day - he is just having so much fun!

On the way back home (from Crystal's and Kelli's 31 party) we met the Boyle's at Montgomery Inn) - as Rob says "This pretty much sums it up!" :) I love spending time with them!

Tax day with H&R block and talking with Jeneal about insurance - good thing we broke everything up with a visit to my favorite chicken salad place - Chef's Cafe on Fields Ertel - it is SO yummy!

Met Marthe at Chipotle on Fountain Square downtown for dinner tonight - always good to catch up with her and see how her life is going! We finally got a decent picture after many attempts.

It's been a rough week just because I'm still in pain with my cyst - I go back to the doctor in exactly 1 week to see if it's gone (I can tell you it's still there!) - and if it is, then we'll schedule surgery. I'm frustrated, annoyed, and just cranky all around about it - no way to really sugar coat it at this point - trying to stay postive/relax but it's hard when it constantly feels like someone is pushing down below on me...imagine the feeling of waiting too long to go to the bathroom - CONSTANTLY. I got a card in the mail from Ryann today - she's been sending cards every week since I've been off and it's really sweet & makes my day when I go to the mailbox - I love how loved/supported I am - it makes me want to be a stronger person because I know how many people love me & want nothing but the best for Richard & myself - thanks for everyone for their continued support...I promise one day I'll be back to "regular Ashley" - let's hope that's sooner rather than later!

Today I started a 30 day challenge on facebook -

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2430898&id=21407106&l=7fd98d4c52

 

It's fun - here's the order of things:

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with 15 facts

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 04 - A picture of your night

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ridiculous things with.

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your favorite day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with 15 facts

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 04 - A picture of your night

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ridiculous things with.

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your favorite day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

I'm looking forward to completing it and having some fun with it along the way - I also hope my friends start to do it too because it's a fun way to learn more about people! Anyhoo, guess that's all that's going on right now - until next time...

365 Project Wednesday (since I can't hit the Tuesday mark!)

Two of my favorite girlfriends (Crystal and Lindsay) - we met for lunch last Wednesday (2.9.11) at Frisch's in Clifton - it was great to spend time with them and visit! They have two very cute boys that are fun to talk to as well!

2.10.11 - Went to Grandma & Grandpa's house and went to the Reservation in Milan to eat - not as good as the Grubb Company in Osgood we all decided but it was neat to show Richard the old house that they used to live in and yack with them (I even took a video of them telling stories!)

2.11.11 - Richard worked today so I was home by myself. Stephanie & Ryann both sent cards recently about hope & keeping my head up - I am so lucky to have such wonderful and supportive friends in my life - I don't know what I do without all of them keeping me so upbeat and positive!!

2.12.11 - 2.13.11 - Columbus trip!! Eating at Schmidt's here:

 And Bob Evans for breakfast here: :)

 2.14.11 - Happy Valentines Day Richard! I delivered cake to the firehouse!

Richard & I went up to watch Caleb for the evening and had a ball with him - he loves Sally and Sally tolerates him :)

365 Project (so far...)

Back in 2009, I did my own 365 project because I had read about people doing it online and I wanted to see if I could actually take one picture every day (for an entire year) - well, I did 364 days of the year (only missed one day completely!) and it was a blast...everyone enjoyed seeing it documented in the album and especially when the year was over - I love going back through and looking at all the photos!

I took a year off in 2010 and I'm back full-force in 2011! I decided to purchase a Project Life Kit that Becky Higgins created so that I would have no excuse not to journal since it came with all the journaling cards! I purchased the red one (back in November/early December) and in mid-December she launched a turquoise and amber option (I'll save the turquoise for next year!) - I love the red because I've seen other bloggers do it so much and I do love red - I think it looks really good! Here is a picture of the album itself:

This is the first page - it's fun to start a new project like this - wonder what it will look like when it's all done!

Here are just the first few pages of the album - it's fun to journal every day (and I try not to get behind on journaling because it is hard to catch up!):

I try to print pictures every couple of weeks because it's easier to keep up with - but sometimes I just journal along with the day and wait for a coupon code from walgreens that is worth it!

I like documenting our lives like this - it's really fun to look back even on the last few weeks like "wow, those have been fun memories!" Now if I only I could get up some energy and scrapbook my NYC trip with Corey - that is the next project!!

Project Life Tuesday - Week 5 (actually on a Tuesday!)

 If you were to ask me what kind of mood I'm in today I would say "sad", "defeated" and "worn out" - went to the doctor yesterday and my cyst is still there. I am going to wait 4 more weeks and go get another ultrasound - if it's still there, we'll need to do another laparoscopy (this would be my third one - first one was for my ruptured appendix, second was for my tubes being removed) - let's just say that's not my first choice...so I'm taking the "conservative approach" as Dr. Thomas calls it and trying to wait the cyst out. Thing is - I've had cysts before - all the time actually, and everytime we go to do my baseline ultrasound, it's gone...but they've never been this big before. Dr. Thomas actually said yesterday "It's almost the size of your uterus!" (which is ~3-4 inches!) - and it's IN my ovary...not on the outside, but INSIDE....come on! He said he would prefer it be on the outside, but it is what it is - he doesn't think it looks like it has something inside of it but he really can't tell why it's so big and why it won't go away. Richard asked yesterday why we don't just do surgery now, but needless to say - I'm hoping that surgery never happens. I don't want to go through the process again...I don't. Period. And it literally makes me cry just thinking about it...

On a more happy note - here are my pictures for this week -

Wednesday, Feb. 2nd - went over to the east side of Cincinnati to look at an MI model home - the "Torrey model" - it's the only place in the tri-state where there's a model (and one for sale) built - it was nice to see because it had a double staircase which we really liked - I think we realized it wasn't our "dream home" but it was good to see what we could afford to build right now & what we have to safe up for!  

Sally got a new dog bed from home goods! She loves it and I'm glad we found her one just like that - she loves nuzzling her head into the side of it and cuddling up while we watch TV!

Friday night - Olive Garden with Stephanie - I love her so much & miss her like crazy. If you're wondering why the glasses it's because something was wrong with my contact and made my eyes go CRAZY! We got to catch up and just enjoy each others company - great night!

31 Open House at my place - it was so much fun & so great to see everyone! I love having things at my house & seeing so many of my friends in the same place - it's a lot of fun!

www.mythirtyone.com/ashleymcfarland31 if you want more info!!

Superbowl Sunday - Go Packers (honestly, I just wanted Pittsburg to lose - it could've been ANY other team playing in the Superbowl with them - we watched the entire game and it was a good game! Superbowl 45 - Christina messing up the national anthem, facebook lighting up when the Black Eyed Peas performed and the jedi VW commercial were a few of the memorable moments. In this picture you can also see that Sally got dad to give her a Frosty Paw (sucker!)

Monday - spent the day with mom but forgot to take a picture so we went To Logan's for dinner.

Tuesday - lunch with grandma, grandpa & mom - I do love the moments when I can just relax and be with family while I'm taking some time off work...it's harder than it sounds (believe me!)

 

Project Life Tuesday (or Wednesdays by the time I get around to it!) - Week Four?

As you can tell - the button says "Tuesday" but these posts happen any day but Tuesday for some reason. Yesterday, it was because I had a long jury duty from 9-2 and then had to come home and get ready for an awesome Thirty-One party at the Bellevue Beadery! Here are some photos from the past week that will be going in my 365 project (I'm proud of myself for getting a 30 prints for $3 from Walgreens the other day and getting all the way through Jan 30th printed already!)

Tuesday, January 25th - Sally had her yearly vet appointment - she doesn't even seem to notice the cat giving her the evil eye - she just wants to see what's going on behind the counter! The vet said she should lose ~5lbs since she's gained that over the course of the year...guess the mile walk every day isn't enough! We're cutting back her food a bit to try and help - but we know she'll lose it again when the weather gets better and she actually wants to go outside!

Wednesday, January 26th - FRIENDS on the new TV plus the new stand from IKEA that it sits on - we are spending a ton more time in the basement now (since that's where the cable box - DVR is) - it's  nice, because it's starting to feel more home-like down there! :) I love when Richard doesn't mind that I watch FRIENDS - I know it's not his favorite show but it makes me feel so much better after watching it so he tolerates it sometimes and I just love days like this when we just sit and watch FRIENDS (and this night we actually went to Outback/furniture shopping) for a new ottoman/coffee table for in front of the couch.

Thursday, January 27th - Ryann sent me such a sweet card in the mail so I decided that this needed to be the picture of the day. Random notes in the mail are the best - so much better than bills!! I have such wonderful friends - they keep me going on the not so good days!

Friday, January 28th - We met the Boyle's up at BD's Mongolian Grille and had a ball! Rob & Richard went to Target World for a bit and Melanie and I got to sit and catch up for a little bit...we enjoy their company and look forward to the coming trips in 2011 we are planning~!!

Saturday, January 29th - Erin brought Charlie over to play with Sally - they seemed to wear each other out! It was such a nice day (as you can see Richard has on sandles/shot sleeved shirt!) so the dogs had a ball!

Sunday, January 30th - Friend catch-up day - we haven't taken a sweet tea picture in a long time so this is sitting in the KMart parking lot after finding Caleb this cute bib thing for his birthday party. We had a good time catching up and just spending some one on one time together! Love this girl!

Monday, January 31st - So Richard tells me that morning (through text) that he can't wait to show me what he's bought - that it's so cool. I met him at Frisch's for lunch (since he had class all day) and he shows me that it's a white castle candle (he said they money goes to charity) and it smells like white castle when you burn it. My husband decides to sit it on the kitchen counter the other day so when I came in it smelled like nastiness...this candle immediately went into the garage where I hope it one time finds it's way into the trash can!! Oh Richard...

Tuesday - February 1st - My first "official" party of 2011 at the Bellevue Beadery - what a great time with the girl's and Jen & Michelle did a wonderful job with the food / treat table - Michelle even gave me a gift for doing a party with her (she's too nice to me!) - and they used thermal totes to show all the different stuff - it was really cute! I also wanted to show a picture of the table all set-up...I have accumulated so much stuff it's unreal! I even sold some of the stuff that had retired to someone there at the party - it was good to get rid of it!

All in all, great week - still trying to relax and take it easy (easier said than done)!