Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sully and I

This morning Abbie and I ran our 8K race

I really felt great running
Finished at 48:26
Which is a faster pace than I usually run
but I still wish I were faster.

Abbie kicked ass
Everyone LOVED his costume

He won first place in the costume contest


and we cleaned up at the raffle as well

Tonight we are celebrating Halloween by carving our tiny pumpkins


we had to get tiny pumpkins because when you wait till the last minute - these are the options:



After the pumpkins are carved we are watching our TBS Halloween shows that we DVR'd.

Happy Halloween everyone!




Saturday, October 30, 2010

Party Time... Excellent...

Last night was mine and Brittany's
Halloween Party

I was lame and re-wore my costume from 4 years ago

 

Abbie was more original and made his costume


There were friends



And food


(my contribution- Rice Krispie Treats)

We played Bags

and Rock Band

Then things got weird





It was a great night. Today is a day of recovery- 8k race tomorrow.

****
Friends and family have commented on the blog's recent negativity.
Sorry.
I'm back!
Happy Ashley again.





















Friday, October 29, 2010

Baby you can drive my car

Driving in Florida can be a tricky thing
Especially this time of year when all the snow birds are down


I usually consider myself to be a good driver- defensive- alert
Last night I was making a left turn on a green arrow
And literally came about a foot away from hitting a Honda SUV

He was going 45mph and ran a red light
Abbie was shotgun
Had food in his mouth…

That’s a lie
He’s going to be an Avatar for Halloween
and was molding his fang teeth and couldn’t talk

As I started to make my turn
He excitedly made an
MMMMMmm!!!mmmM!MM!MMMM noise
Which caused me to tap my breaks
Then SLAM the breaks when I saw the idiot barreling down at me

Two words
Jelly. Legs.
This scared the shit out of me

Based on the damage my car took from a tiny tap
Against the parking garage aluminum shelter pole

Who knows what would have happened had I hit a car speeding along

Later we laughed at Abbie’s response
And questioned about what is the proper way to warn a driver of an accident

Once, Abbie almost hit a guy on a bike
To which I scream “OH MY GOD! ABBIE!”
He stopped
But later told me that was not a good response.
Sometimes you just can't help how you will react to things.

Anyway
Happy to be alive today

Happy Friday everyone!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Lisa it's your birthday... Happy Birthday Lisa...

Today is my best friend Lisa's birthday

We met through the sorority
were neighbors
then roommates
then I was her MOH (with Jen)


she's one of those life long friends
that you know will be around forever.

Happy Birthday Lisa!
As always, this song is for you...



** I wanted to upload more pics but Blogger is being a little bitch

Who's the Loser now?

So last night's Biggest Loser was LAME
and is a prime example of why I hate contest/reality shows
and is possibly the reason I will not be watching next season

Filler, filler, filler
This show could EASILY be cut to 1 hour
they interview the contestants and who just keep repeating themselves.

So lame.
From now on, I'm only watching DVR'd shows so I can fast forward through all the crap.

I know-
this blog post is equally as lame.
I promise to do better.

forgive me?

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Don't be a Josie


They were talking about this on the radio this morning
so I thought I would send out a PSA


 Do not try on the sample make up at the makeup counter

Unless you are a Josie Grossie


In high school I worked at Sears next to the makeup counter
every single day people would bypass the Q-tip applicators and straight put the lipstick on their lips. 



 Or would use their Josie fingers and put on eye shadow.

Just don't do it folks.

And while we are on the subject 
here are some more retail do's and don'ts

Don't ever wear a bathing suite without washing it first
I'm sure I do not need to provide an explanation for this.

Always take your clothes out of the fitting room when you are done.
I know it is not your job and you don't get paid to do this
but it is just common courtesy.

Do not open the dressing room door with just your undies on and ask the salesperson to get you another size.

Old, gross men did this ALL the time.

I know many may disagree with this one
but never shop at outlets
I worked at Levi's Outlet
the jeans were almost always defective or out of style 
for only 10% off of what you would pay for good jeans at a regular store.

That concludes this Ashley PSA.
good-day.




Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A new york smile in skinny jeans

In continuation of my poopie mood, I have written a poem...

Skinny jeans, skinny jeans
You are a trend that should die
For hips and asses – you do not hide

Skinny jeans, skinny jeans
That only tall toothpicks can wear
Aren’t you concerned that I look like a pear?

Skinny jeans, skinny jeans
You now crowd the shelves
Leaving us curvy girls to fend for ourselves

Skinny jeans, skinny jeans
I hope you are only a fad
Like chunky heels, hammer pants, and dreaded shoulder pads.


This is dedicated to LISA.

****
Did everyone watch
How I Met Your Mother 
last night?
source

(note- I originally typed that as: How I Met Your Mother Last Night? bow chica wow wow)
Now this is a sitcom that gets it right.
So freaking creative every single time.

If you haven't seen it- watch it

also
don't forget to watch TBL tonight

Abbie and I have a bet with another couple on who the winner will be
loser has to buy dinner
my vote is for Rick.
not necessarily because I think he has the most potential
but because of this:



we now jump at the opportunity to yell  - Rick!



Monday, October 11, 2010

How to Annoy Me...


  • Use the word "EPIC" in your facebook status
  • Use the words "EPIC AWESOMENESS" together in your facebook status
  • Be out of staples (this one is directed to my stapler)
  • Tweet about “how to be happy”
  • Use definitive words
  • End all of your emails with ASAP
  • Pass me on the right
  • Say my dog is fat
  • Park in my spot
  • Act chipper at 8:30am on a Monday
Just keeping with the "I'm Poopie theme"

Sunday, October 10, 2010

stuff it

I'm having one of those days where I hate everyone and everything
I don't know why
I call it being poopie.

When I told Brittany I was poopie this weekend she thought I was having stomach issues
not the case

Basically I don't want to be anywhere or do anything
then feel guilty that I am feeling this way

Anyones else have this happen?

On the plus side
I made another loaded dinner last night

Stuffed Acorn Squash




Followed by this


ice cream on top



CLICK HERE for the recipe

(I used brown rice and craisins instead)

The best part about it was that I got to use my new knife

New knife

 Rusted old knife (don't worry I never used this- just never threw it out)


Saturday, October 9, 2010

An Ashley Friday

How to have an Ashley Friday:

1- Melt 2tlbs- ish of butter

2- Add popcorn and swirl


3. Cover and shake time to time

4. When popping slows turn off the heat
5. Pour popcorn into bowl and add salt

6. Champagne - excuse me- sparkling wine is a perfect match for popcorn
(Ashley Rule- if champagne is on sale for less than $10 you buy it no matter what)
 

7. Beware of sneaky dogs trying to steal your goods

8. Put in a movie and enjoy the night
(or watch DVR'd shows)




Sunday, October 3, 2010

La la la la la lasagna

My new goal for the remainder of this year
is to cook a semi-complicated meal every weekend

(hoping to craft some culinary skills)

I started with Butternut Squash Lasagna
I found the recipe in my SHAPE magazine


It actually turned out pretty good
despite the fact that I have 
no sharp knives
no clue how to peel a butternut squash
(tip- Google how to do this BEFORE slicing it into ity bity pieces that are even more impossible to peel)
no milk
no kale (used spinach)
and not enough cheese


I'm trying to get Abbie to propose to me 
so we can register for wedding gifts
and I can have all new cookware and cookbooks

He's not buying into it though

Here is the recipe:

(as you can see- mine doesn't quite look like this)


Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb peeled, seeded butternut squash, buttercup squash, or kabocha squash
  • 1/2 T olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 oz lasagna noodles
  • 2 clv garlic, minced
  • 4 cup lacinato (or regular) kale, rinsed and cut into ribbons
  • 2 T sliced fresh basil leaves
  • 3 T all-purpose flour
  • 2 cup nonfat milk
  • 2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 T minced fresh oregano
  • Cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F. Cut butternut squash (or other squash) into thin slices and place on baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and a pinch of salt and pepper; toss to coat. Arrange in an even layer on baking sheet; roast for 30 minutes or until butternut squash has softened. Remove squash from oven (keep oven on). 

While butternut squash roasts, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook for 7 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking. 

In a medium skillet, heat 1 ½ teaspoons oil over medium-high. Add garlic; sauté. 2 minutes. Stir in kale and 1 tablespoon basil. Add ¼ cup water to skillet and cover; cook 5 minutes. Remove cover, reduce heat to low; cook 3 minutes more. Set aside to cool. 

In a medium saucepan, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. Add flour; whisk 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and a pinch of salt; bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Continue whisking for 2 more minutes or until white sauce thickens. Remove from heat. 

Stir ricotta into kale. Add egg and oregano; stir. Season with salt and pepper. 

Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 2/3 cup of sauce over bottom. Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles over sauce. Gently spread half the ricotta mixture over noodles; top with roasted butternut squash. Sprinkle half the mozzarella over squash. Top with remaining ricotta, followed by lasagna noodles. Top with remaining sauce, basil, and mozzarella.