Sunny San Diego

Just so you all know, I went to the beach today. It's the END of October and I went to the BEACH! Not only that...I was sitting in a beach chair, soaking in the warm rays and enjoying the cool breeze when I realized that I had no sunscreen on. WHOOPS.

Nothing a little Sooth-A-Cain can't fix.

Love for you, San Diego. Love for you.

Monday Night Softball

Most people, when they think of their favorite day of the week, say "Saturday" or "Friday". I say, "Monday". Why, you might ask? Two simple words. BARNYARD CUTIES. That's my team. I love them. I love playing ball with them. I love KILLING other teams with them. I love that we won a trophy last season. I love that we have matching baseball shirts with red sleeves. I love it. I love everything about it.

Last week, we won 22-3. Mercy rule was enforced. GO BARNYARD CUTIES!!

Last night, we played a team called "Momentum". They are from the Momentum Church in the greater San Marcos area...or so I was told. Momentum vs. Mormons. Who would prevail? It was a battle of the churches. BARNYARD CUTIES (aka BC) was up 3-0 in the first 2 innings. Then Momentum caught up. Tied. They scored, then we scored. Back and forth, forth and back. Til at the end of regular game time (hour and 10 mins approx) the score was tied up: 13-13. We were the visiting team, so we HAD to score or it would be over. We scored, not once, not twice, but 4 runs in that innining. Momentum scored one. BC WINS 17-14 and the true church prevails.

What are you doing next Monday night? Come cheer on the BARNYARD CUTIES, and wear your favorite barnyard coustume.

F-f-f-f-amily!!

Everyone (or, almost everyone) thinks that they have the greatest family on earth. Well, sorry world, I do. I have the greatest family on earth. Period. What I love most about my family, is that we laugh - A LOT. When we get together, all we do is laugh at each other's jokes, even when no one else is laughing. We make fun of each other, we talk about the "good ol' days" - anything, and everything. We just laugh and have a great time together because in all seriousness, we love each other to no end. We literally drop everything for one another - just the way it should be, right?

So why bring up my family and brag about how great they are and how I love them so much? WELL - my sister, Paige and her family (husband and 3.5 kids) are coming into town on Saturday. My Auntie Robin and cousin Tina (on my mom's side) are flying in from Atlanta, GA on Wednesday this week - and why? To have a little family reunion, that's why! Natalie (my oldest sister) and I got Thursday and Friday off next week and we're ALL (even my sweet sweet dad) going up to Disneyland for 2 days, and then we'll enjoy a 3 day weekend together. I'm SO excited, I can hardly even stand it!

I LOVE being an Auntie!

I get the pleasure of being an Auntie TWICE this year. I can't wait. First, my bestfriend/sister (okay, not "blood" sister, but I swear we should've been) is going to have a little girl named Emmerson Claire Nielsen. I can't WAIT!!! Nikki and I have talked about being mom's for as long as I've known her...and trust me, that's a very long time. We used to keep this running list of baby names (both boy and girls names). If we decided we didn't like a name anymore, out it went. When we discovered a new name, it didn't matter what we were doing, we'd say "Write this down, I have a new one." Ironically, Emmerson and Claire were never on that list. That's beside the point. Emmy is going to be GEORGEOUS. Have you seen Nikki and Greg?! Picture perfect family. They should be models.

A month after Emmy is born (she's due in October), my sweet-sweet sister, Paige (yes, one of my "blood" sisters) will have her 4th baby/3rd girl! I can't WAIT - again!! Holy cow, I get SOOO excited for babies... especially if they make me an Auntie again. Baby girl Boone, does not have a name yet. So, I'm asking for suggestions that I can send to my sister. Here's the criteria to play the game:
- Has to be a city. (Doesn't matter what city, just a city...anywhere in the world).

That's it. Only rule! Paige and her husband, Jeff have this awesome tradition with their kids names: first name is a city, middle name is a family name. ...and because I know you'll ask, here's the older 3's names: Davis Jackson (Davis, because that is where Paige and Jeff met...in Davis, CA. and Jackson because that's my dad's name); Brook Lynn (put it together...Brooklynn...get it? Brooklyn, NY...and Lynn is Jeff's mom's name! Clever? I say, yes!); and Londynn Elise (She has my favorite name so far, just cuz I think Londynn is an awesome name AND cuz she's the sweetest little thing ever!! and Elise is the same middle name of another of my nieces)

So...give it your best shot! Just looking for a first name here people!!

The woe's of getting older.

My birthday is next week. On Wednesday, to be exact (just so you don't have to get a calendar, it's the 19th of August). I remember when I used to LOVE my birthday. I couldn't wait to be another year older. It was something I looked forward to all year long. When February 19th rolled around, I made sure to tell everyone that I was "(my age) and a half". Come May 19th, I was "(my age) and 3 quarters". Now...I start telling people my real age. No half's, no 3 quarters. Just my age. However, the other day someone said, "How old ARE you, Ash? You seriously couldn't be older than 24, right?" Aw, shucks. Thanks. But, no. What was my response? "Haha, funny. No, I'm 29." TWENTY-NINE??? HELLOOOO SELF??? I'm 28...TWENTY-EIGHT for at least another week and a half!!! I think my subconscious is taking over. I think I'm trying to get used to the idea that I'm not 23 anymore...although, I am celebrating the 6th anniversary of my 23rd birthday next week. What's even MORE frightening, is that in a year from now (which a year is now a very short amount of time...) I'll be turning 30. ....30..... hmm. Yeah, the thought of that makes my stomach churn and I get this overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia like I was in a 2ft-by-2ft box, sealed up tight with super glue and duct tape. ...maybe even wrapped in cellophane after that, tarred even.

You get the picture. I don't like my birthday anymore.

Analyze this.

I went to the San Diego County Fair last weekend. I had a blast. I love the fair and everything that it represents!

Every year I walk by this "vendor" that has these very large machine type things. Reminds me of the movie "Big" whenever I see it. There are buttons and flashing lights all over the machines - very enticing! On the table are these cards with a box that say "Sign Your Name Below" with a handy-dandy pencil right next to it. ....So, you just sign your name, the man puts it into the machine and out pops the results of your personality....



That is what I handed that nice old man...and below are the results.

- Your nature is normally extroverted and happy.
- You have a special way of influencing others with your ideas.
- You have a good head for business.
- You can be immature and act unwisely on occasion.
- You like your friendship to be appreciated.
- You have the talent and ability to be highly successful.
- Your conflicting feelings often prevent expression of emotion.
- You want to be free of restrictions and limitations.
- You sometimes forget that money doesn't grow on trees.
- You surmount obstacles easily and bounce back.
- Your approach to life is unconventional and original.
- You tend to be a little too argumentative.

You be the judge. Tell me if you think this personality analysis is accurate -

No June Gloom Here!

I just took one of those Facebook quizzes. Turns out I'm a San Diego "native". Go figure...I've only lived here my WHOLE life. With the exception of that brief year and half as an infant in Los Angeles...and college (Idaho and Hawaii respectively). Regardless, San Diego is home. This time of year, "June Gloom" plagues my precious city I call home. Funny though...I LOVE June Gloom, and everything that comes with it.

Summer. Beach. LOOOONG days. The FAIR. I could go on...

I anticipated June to be horrific. The reality is my prayers were answered and June has turned out to be pretty good to me.

Let's re-cap, shall we? Assessment = CHECK. PMP course = CHECK. PMP Certification Test = ......... turns out I can take it anytime within the next year. THANK HEAVENS. I need the study time.

It's funny - when we're doing what we're supposed to, and our priorities are in order...things just fall into place. I love it. I love everything that comes with it.

Now on to the next couple months - Decisions.

I have some big decisions to make within the next few months. Basketball (although I think that decision has been made). Buying a home. Buying a new car. Getting my eyes fixed (FINALLY). Getting my Masters. Shall I go on?

I need a vacation. ...and not one of my usual "vacations". I need to go somewhere different - like Greece. or the Caribbean. or Australia. Anyone care to join me?

Thanks, June. It's been...good.