Cookies and Coffee

I'm not going to say this is my absolute favorite thing about having 

my friend Anna come and visit from Sweden...

But it is pretty damn close.

Lucky Me

This time last year

we were on an amazing 

month long camping trip

and now we are planning a wedding

It just keeps getting better and better...

Planning a Wedding

I've been planning my wedding 

wayyy before I actually became engaged.

Say Yes to the Dress

Four Weddings

David Tutera

If there was a wedding show on TV- I was watching it

With every episode I was

picking out and deciding what things I wanted to do for my own "big day"

Now that I am actually engaged

and actually planning a wedding

things are way different. 

Like that little thing called a budget

funny how little $10,000 can get you

and ALL those things that I wanted so badly 

have now been quickly crossed off my list.

I think I am creative though

and can work around the budget

because really

we just can fathom spending more than that at this point in our lives.

To help keep me sane, I've picked up this book for some pointers.

For my readers,

there are bound to be some Bridezilla moments

that will make for some good blog posts

I'll keep that in mind as I go along as well.

Baby Girl

I voted today...

did you?

I stood in line for 45 minutes

in conversation with a terrible woman

who didn't even consider that I might not be voting for the same person she was

(I wasn't)

and she proceeded to vomit out a litany of terrible rubbish.

I wonder which one of us will be happy with the results of the vote tonight.

***

Today is not only 

election day

but it also the birthday of my sweet baby girl

who is now 7 years old.

I love her more than anything in this world

and I am so grateful to have her in my life.

Ice Cold

Today's miles
totaled a
Sweet 16

A milestone in my marathon training-

I ran further that I ever have before

and I only keep going up from here

I actually felt pretty damn good for the majority of the miles

definitely coasted through the first 8

and then got a little sore miles 10 and up

But I didn't stop

not once

not because I didn't want to though

I just couldn't

I felt like if I stopped then I would permanently freeze up for good

So I channeled my inner Forrest Gump

and 

I - WAS - RUNNING!

Afterwards was another milestone in my marathon training

my first ice bath

Freezing

but fantastic at the same time.

Worth the Wait

After almost 5 years together

he popped the question...

I am over the moon 

happy

in love

The proposal was obviously a surprise and totally worth the wait.

I can't believe I get to share the rest of my life with this amazing man.

Now it's time to plan a wedding!

Ashley Meets Vegetables

I'm back on track eating healthy again!

Loading my plate with all kinds of veggie goodness

(shrimp and vegetable curry) 

 (Salads)

 (stir fry)

The best way to get tasty veggies for little money

is the Whole Foods buffet

$5 for all this!

boom!