Memory Lane...and then some

It is always fun and enjoyable to take a stroll down memory lane. I decided to go back and read my blog of what was happeneing around a year ago...back in September of 2009 was when I decided to take the leap and move out of my parents. I loved living at home, but I LOVE living by myself! I also joined a church, but never got plugged in...which is so incredibly sad, but the good news is I have found a church that I am so plugged into and just want to get even more plugged in!
OKay, I am so over memory lane...let's talk about this half marathon I am slaving over. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to run! I have been doing all my training on the tredmill...which I am fine with, but once you pass a certain amount of miles...8 being my number...the tredmill has just gotten boring. This afternoon I will quickly run my 5 miles on the tredmill, but tomorrow morning, Amber and I will put on as little, but modest clothing as possible and hit the sidewalks. We have a 9 miler to pull outta ourselves tomorrow, but I know we can do it. We have already chatted about where we will have our water stops and the time we are pushing for. Just a few more weeks until race day, and I am getting pumped! We will do our weekend long runs together, and our short 5 mile runs on our own. I can say 5 miles is a short run because after you run 8, you live for only 5.
Fall is right around the corner...what I look most forward to is the cooler weather, my coffee addiction steps up a notch, college football, high school soccer, and my most favorite thing is sweatshirts and jeans...and now that I have a cute chair on my deck...naps on the deck wrapped up in my quilt that my Granny so beautifully made for me!!!
64 days till NYC!!!!!

What a weekend...

Wow. Talk about an extremely fun weekend! Met a new friend, watched some baseball, lost some money, met more new friends, ran 8 miles, went out on the lake, bonfire, church, lunch with friends, and small group cook out!! I had an adventuresome weekend...it was awesome(lowercase a)!!!
The sermon at church was off the chain yesterday! There was a guest speaker, whose name I cannot remember, but his initials are J.J. Anyway, wow. The Lord really used him to speak to all the Summiters!
I am having some issues at work this morning. As I was throwing the football last night, when I caught it, it hit a couple of my fingers strangely, and now I have 2 swollen and very sore fingers. Oh well, I had fun, so that trumps the issues...plus, no pain, no gain...although that statement doesn't really apply to this current situation, it is still my favorite situation.
An update on the running. I felt like an old lady. My joints, my bones, my head...everything was sooo sore while I was running my 8. It was painful...but, no pain no gain. I got through it and I am looking forward to my 2 5 milers and my 9 miler this weekend. Just a few more weeks and a will have finally completed my 1st half marathon!! Woohoo!!!
I am looking forward to my afternoon...I will be plopped at Starbucks having devo time!!

secrets

This is it folks, this is what you have all been waiting for...Ashley over here is going to reveal some of her deep secrets which I don't think many if any even know...are you ready? can you handle the truth? classical music. absolutely LOVE it. piano's and violins...holy cow. I know some people love a good rap song and yes, I love a good Black Eyed Peas song to get me pumped up before a workout, but play me some classical music and I get pumped in a calm way. Were you able to handle that secret? ready for another? i have many...but, i dont think i want to share them all right now...so, i will keep you on the edge of your seat about knowing Ashley's crazy secrets...
I need a new layout for this blog that i am failing at...i need something inviting, something that will make me want to blog. so, if you know a site that has cute layouts, let me know. i need to spice things up here, so that when i read my own blog i am not drowing in ugliness, but creativity.
oh, by the way, it is FRIDAY!!!!! although i feel i have alot going on this weekend, i am pumped and excited! as soon as i get my long runs over with everything will be chill. with my ramblings being rumbled, i am going to get back to work.

OMG...Ashley is ALIVE!!!

Yes, that is a true statement...I am alive and very well indeed. Before I begin with all the random things that make up my interesting life, I would like to give a shout out to one of 2 or 3 people that actually read my nonsense...Amanda Geer Hadley this is your shout out!! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your BIG day!! I was honored to get to be the program attendant, and what really topped it all off was catching the bouquet at your amazing reception! You were one gorgeous bride, and your wedding was perfect! I wish you and Chesson every happiness!!!

As I like to say...let me bring it back to center (meaning me)...this summer has truly flown by. I have met some amazing people and done some pretty amazing things! I cannot remember what I blogged last so I will just give a quick run down of July...I went to the beach 2x's...the first time was with some friends and we were there all weekend...the second time I left my apartment at 3AM, drove to the outer banks...got there by 6AM, picked up my friend...we stopped fr=or breakfast and were back at my apartment by 10AM...that beach trip was the most fun!!! Went to an amazing wedding!!...painted, did serveRDU with Summit serving under an amazing leader and awesome friend...we were doing Extreme Makeover:Library Edition!! We have one more work day and then it should all be finished!!! The big thing that has been going on is training for my half marathon. Amber and I are running on September 5th in Virginia Beach!! We are both pumped and excited!! I love beasting those runs! I feel like I could take over a small country! I have crossed some things off my summer bucket list...and my new years list too...all in all...I am loving life!

the BEST thing that has happened is how much my relationship with the Lord is growing! He has placed some amazing people in my life! My prayer was that the Lord would bless me with a friendship where we could grow in the Lord and encourage each other...I not only got 1 friend...I got a slew...talk about awesome blessings! I have a friend, Sarah, who I am currently studying Proverbs with. We are keeping each other accountable in making wise decisions...let me tell you, if you want some wisdom, open your Bible up to Proverbs...you will get punched in the face...in a good way. Another study I am doing is called Breaking Free by Beth Moore. I am doing this study with Shyana. Let me just tell you what an amazing study this is. Seriously, grab a friend and do this study. We are only on week 3 and I am amazed at how much the Lord is teaching me. What makes it even better is that we are meeting once a week just to discuss what we are learning. We talk about it during the week too just to make sure we are staying faithful in studying God's Word!! I could go on and on about what I am learning, but I will stop now.

Okay...I have typed enough...I am now going to eat Mexican food...until next time...whenever that is :)