Barbara Jean

This is a pictureof my aunt and i about four years ago before she got sick. This was just the kind of person she was....always smiling and laughing. . . and she brought those silly Christmas headbands just for her and I because she knew I would wear one with her.

Its hard to say goodbye to someone who was always so full of life, but yesterday she passed away. As some of you know, she really fought through her cancer. They told us she had less than a week left over 7 weeks ago!

I talked to her once during that sad and scary week and she assured me that she was going to be okay. She was scared, but that she believed in God and had done all she could to make things right. She also said that she didn't want me to be sad because she was going to watch over me every day and she knew that Kyle and I had a wonderful future ahead of us.

It was so sad and heartbreaking to hear it then, but now it eases my mind a little. This struggle has been really difficult for my aunt and my family. Her services will be held in Decatur some time this week, so please keep us in your prayers as we make it through this difficult week.

Dress

I just watched part of an episode of Say Yes to the Dress on TLC. The episode started with a very petite, pretty, and tan bride walks in and looks amazing in every dress she puts on. After just a few dresses, she walks out, looks into the mirror, and exclaimed "I Love It." Then the camera panned over to her also georgous mom who was starting to cry and she muttered, "That is it! You have to get that one!"

Then the sales lady went on to talk about how important it is to find the right dress because you can only wear a dress like this once in your life. . .

All I can say is . . I wish

Free Dr Pepper

So here is a cool deal I found while just looking around on the Internet. Dr Pepper is celebrating the new Guns n Roses CD that comes out on Sunday(11/23/2008). . .So on Sunday and Sunday only, you can print a coupon for a free 20 oz bottle of Dr Pepper from their website. I believe that you do have to register your information with them and the coupon is sent snail mail, but its still free. Who knows it might work into an awesome CVS deal!

Peace

Peace does not come from knowing how you'll find the answer,
or when it will come, or what it will be.
Peace comes from simply knowing you will find the answer.

3 Signs its Winter

Until just lately, it hasn't really seemed like winter for me, but as you can tell by my Christmas blog craze I am now in winter mode. There are three main reasons that it feels like winter for me and they are as follows :

1.) The Temperature
It has obviously got much colder the past week or so. Yesterday, as I left for school, there was a frost on the grass and houses and my dad was scraping his windshield. Also last night when I left Jenn's house I could totally see my breath!

2.) SNOW !
That is right. . It snowed. For those of you who didn't notice it, don't feel bad. I have a snow radar or something. Anyways on Sunday around 2 pm, it snowed.

3.) The Decorations
Everyone is starting to put up their Christmas decorations and play Christmas music (that is among retail stores.) I can't wait until after Thanksgiving when I can decorate my house!

Couponing for Christmas

With Christmas coming, a tightened budget is weighing heavily. I wish I could buy everyone the perfect gift, but I don't have $200 for the newest gadget. I have always felt like a great gift showed those even greater people in my life how much I love them. I guess I know it isn't true, but with the bustle of shoppers and gifts under the tree, sometimes I have to remind myself. It's the thought that counts anyways, right? Well, this Christmas I am going to be as frugal as I can while still getting gifts that are fun and usable. This is my first thrifty gift this Christmas, and you guessed it . . I even used coupons!

Pack of 36 Hair Ties : 4

$2.19 each @ Target (Even cheaper than Wal-Mart's $2.28!)

-$2.00 Goody Ouchless Coupon

$0.19 each

Pack of 8 Headbands : 3

$2.19 each @ Target

-$2.00 Goody Ouchless coupon
$0.19 each

Blue Basket : 1

$1.00 @ Dollar Tree

Gel Handel Hair Brush : 1

$1.00 @ Dollar Tree

TOTAL COST : $3.33 (plus tax)



I may add some other little things (hair spray or other product) if the price is right! It is only a start considering I buy for 14 people not including friends! So, if you have any other gift ideas . . . let me know!

Excited

I know I haven't blogged in like forever, but I figured I had something slightly blogworthy! I am super excited about Christmas! . . and yes, I am one of those people. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I love everything about it. I love shopping, Christmas music, decorations, baking, wrapping gifts, celebrating Juses's B-day, and even waiting in line isn't quite as bad around Christmas.

Evey thing is just better around Christmas. People are in better moods (outside of retail that is.) There is always something to do and something to be thankful for. Things have been hard lately for my family and I, so I have decided to just get through it as best I can and look forward to Christmas. I am also looking forward to thanksgiving because maybe it will help too. If nothing else, the Thanksgiving newspaper is awesome! (not to mention Black Friday Shopping)

I have ready purchased a few Christmas presents and have even seen a few commercials (also the only time of the year I am interested in commercials.) To those of you who hate the big deal people make over Christmas.... keep it to yourself. You can't bring down my Christmas excitement! Check out this wonderful link to the Countdown to Christmas. I was really surprised to see how few days there were.

I do believe that part of my excitement stems from my freeness from retail! No working until midnight, no customer getting mad at me because we don't have their size, and no mountains of clothes from the dressing rooms to put away. Now don't get me wrong, I still loved Christmas when I worked at JCP. I just love more and have a greater appreciation for retail employees.

So . . my apologies for not blogging and my best wishes for a Merry Christmas!

Lake Wisteria

As you can see, it is a little after 8:30 and I am online instead of at school. I don't think I have to explain to anyone why I am not in Springfield, do I? This is a picture of the end of my street at about 8. The car is the middle was a young girl from MTZ who babysits at a house almost exactly across the street from me. You can also see two other cars that are normally parked on the sides on the street. We had been down to check the water level a few times prior to this picture and they were even higher at that point in time. I am sure that the water will go down soon (at least I hope so because my mom has to go to work.) I really love my neighbors! Every time something like this happens they are always willing to help. We had another flood a year or so ago and everyone was helping then too, and don't get me started on the Wisteria Street annual snow dig-outs we have. Here are a few other pictures of cars driving past my street (on Arbor) and my wonderful neighbors.

This almost the same picture as the one above, but you can now see the Burdick truck crossing "The Arbor Rapids."
This is what good neighbors look like. The water was so cold, so I'm glad they let my be the camera lady. ;-) They were almost out of he water in this picture, but they had to push her car the rest of the way down the street because it wouldn't start.

P.S. A small part of Kyle's walk in basement is flooded too.

Gas Tank Tips

I know everyone is worried about inflation and gas prices, so I did some light research.  I found tons of tips on saving gas so I figured I would share some. . .

1. Drive on highways as much as possible to avoid stop-and-go traffic
   
2. Take off slowly - fast acceleration sucks up gas
   
3. Turn off the air condition - using windows (when driving under 40 mph) can use 10-20%
   
4. Make sure your tires are filled to the right pressure
   
5. Get oil changes on time
   
6. Car-pool when you can
   
7. Don't turn on your car to warm up when you don't have to
   
8. Follow the speed limit - going 65 instead of 75 can save 10%
   
9. Empty your trunk - storing lawn chairs and whatever else can create more weight
   
10. Don't idle for more then 1 min., just turn it off - that's why hybrid cars get the same gas mileage in town and highway because they don't use gas to idle (or so this web site says)
    
11. Fill you gas up when its cooler out and put the cap on tight - less gas will evaporate
    
12. Don't waste gas looking for a parking spot just walk!- when my grandpa parks out really far he tells my grandma that he is saving her life ;-)
    
13. and last...but not least... www.GasBuddy.com it shows local gas prices so you can get a deal when you do have to fill up.  

I hope someone saves a little gas.  Feel free to leave any other tips you might have.

EARTH DAY ! !

Today is, yes you guessed it, Earth Day! Go do something green even if you can't plant a tree. I know the day has been all about seeing how many millions of trees people can plant on the same day, but that isn't all its about. I think that it is cool and important, but there are so many other things. Just do something that you can do to make things better. Do that green thing that you have been putting off because it takes too much time or isn't fun. Or just read something, learn about the things you can do. There are so many people and companies claiming to be green that it is hard to tell what's true (and if you find out let me know!). Learn what it means to be green. Just remember what we do today will effect our kids and grand kids tomorrow! Happy Earth Day!

Cleaning Cars

Sunday was "clean your car day" at my house (at least for Kyle and I), and for any of you that have ever looked in Kyle's car, you know that it does need an entire day. So Kyle and I got all of the junk out of our cars and then took them to get vacuumed and car washes. It was defiantly an accomplishment. For a short while there were multiple garbage bags on my driveway (all of which were from Kyle's car). My mom, half joking, asked if we needed to schedule a special garbage pick up for his bags. It is clean now, but we will wait and see how long it can stay this way.

The funny part of the story comes in when my dad was talking to our neighbor. His name is Darin and he is the associate pastor for First Christian Church. They were both out mowing the lawn for the first time of the season and started talking. Darin asked my dad if Kyle and I had broken up. My dad said no and asked why he might have thought that. Darin said he saw Kyle messing around in his car with lots of garbage bags, so he thought that Kyle was taking all of his stuff home! I thought that was too funny! I knew those of you who read this would understand because you all know how messy Kyle is!

Just a thought

Isn’t it ironic how when the whole world is spinning and you are so overwhelmed that you want nothing more than to be alone in thought, that people come in herds.

There are other times when you have so much to say that you feel like if you don’t talk to someone and work through it that your insides will explode, but there are no words to say how you feel and no one around that wants to hears them.

Websites

Here are a couple of interesting websites that I have come across over the last few days. Let me know what you think. . . .

http://www.FreeRice.com This site is really cool. This asks you vocabulary questions. For each one you get right the site donates 20 grains of rice to a foreign country that is in need. Kyle checked it out and it is legitimate!

http://www.MonkeySee.com I haven't looked around on this one too much yet. It is full of videos of people doing things. They are all instructional videos, but there are some "unique" things that people are teaching. Other videos may come in handy for something else...who knows...

Last but not least. . . http://www.CoolSiteOfTheDay.comThis site is crazy. It is pretty much what the URL says. It gives a new site everyday. It also has the quote of the day, word of the day, birthday, and even a hangman of the day! I haven't looked at it too much either so I cannot say that it is all..PG...you know with Internet stuff you can never tell. I haven't signed up yet. I am waiting for Kyle to check it out for me.

Coffee Day

So if any of you follow business news, or maybe just coffee news, then you know about the problems Starbucks is having. I'm not going to get into details about it. If you want to know I'm sure you could find an article somewhere. Anyways, someone from Starbucks in Springfield came to my business class today. We talked about their issues from a business standpoint, but we also had a coffee tasting. We tasted something new called like Pike Place Roast or something. I'm sure you all know how to do a coffee tasting, but i never had. It was kinda fun. I didn't really like the coffee, but it was fun. Who knows maybe someday I'll like it....there is always hope

DMH

I got a new job! I am so excited that I had to let whoever it is that actually reads this know about it. I will be working at DMH in the same day surgery waiting room. I'm pretty lucky that I know some people who work there that helped me out a bit. ;-) I am not sure when I will start, but it will be soon. I will be working 3-7, but the days of the week aren't set yet. I am really hoping that small group is still an option for me! If I have a choice I will ask for Tuesdays off, but if I don't get it, I'll be off at 7 so we'll see how things go. I am not sure yet if I am going to quit Penney's. Part of me want to run as far away from retail as I can and hope I never have to look back, but I think I will miss it (or at least my friends there). I think I will keep both for a few weeks if they do not conflict. Then I will decide from there what works best for me. So, just in case I do leave Penney's, if anyone want to do a little early spring/summer shopping ;-) let me know and I can get you some deals. Plus, I love shopping so its a win win! I'll update when I know more.

Messy Goo

Have you ever experinced a moment to which the only word that can describe it is horrible?
The great part is when you look back some time later and can laugh about it? If you just said no, you aren't thinking hard enough.
My junior year - chemistry class - lab day.... We were working on something with tubes and chemicals and whatnot. We were to mix two pre-measured tubes over a burner. No big. Well at least that is what I thought. Mine was at the temperate it was supposed to be, but it started bubbling. I called my teacher over and just as she got there...."SPAT!" The big bubble popped. This greenish-blue gunk flew everwhere. On the floor, the cabnets, on me, and of course on about four other people.
I was motified! I could have cried right then and there. I still to this day really don't know what or if I did wrong. The clean up process was a blur, but i do remember the goo was sticky. Every lab day after that I was nervous, and my teacher made sveral jokes on each of them.
Looking back, I laugh at it. It was funny, but not when it happened! It was horrible! I like remembering things like that. It reminds me that even when things are tough....someday i'll look back and laugh.

Coupons !

So it has been a while....I am always busy! But I'm never to busy to find a good deal. I know that you guys all do the same but just incase you've missed this one......... www.CouponBug.com

Prayer Request

There is a family friend of ours that has four kids. Two of the four have Muscular dystrophy. For those of you who do not know what it is here is a short Web MD definition : Muscular dystrophy is a diseases in which the muscles that control movement (called voluntary muscles) progressively weaken. In some forms of this disease, the heart and other organs are also affected.

This morning her oldest son, Nick, past away. He was diagnosed at birth and they knew it would eventually be fatal, but it still came as a surprise. He was only 24 years old.

The other hard part is his sister. She is 19 and also had MD. I can't imaging watching your brother die from a disease that you have.

I know I can count on you guys to pray for him and his family. Other than that, I am at a l0ss of words..... please pray

Accounting

So I started new classes last week and they are a lot different from those I've had in the past. I have a law class, and I am taking another accounting class. Did I mention that I am not a math person...therefor I'm bad at accounting. So if any of you just happen to be carzy and know anything about accounting, let me know! Otherwise, wish me luck!

Another Cute Video

Watch this video and don't laugh! I Dare You! ! !

http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1301803551&vw=g&b=0&pos=1&p=kid+laughing

YouTube Video

Here is a super funny YouTube video. Sorry there is no taser, but it is still really cute!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM

Be Green !

So I decided to save the planet! I'm creating awareness & praying for change. Below are a few simple ways to make a big impact. Now don't worry, I'm not talking about buying a hybrid car or solar panels for your house. These a little things. If you're wondering about the green feet, they symolise the footprints that you leave on the environment. I listed some of the life style changes I have made to do my part in parenthesis.

FACTS
-If everyone recycled we'd reduce landfill waste by 75% (I am still in the process of trying to recycle. Its not easy when you live with 3 other people who don't want to!)

-5% of this country's electricity is used up by products that are plugged in but not being used. (unplug things like toaster and radios when not using them. Use power strips with on/off switches. This will save you money on your power bill too!)

-Oil is used to make more then just gas. Among other things it is used to make plastic. If Americans stopped drinking bottled water we would save 1.5 billion barrels or oil each year! (I now use a refillable bottle. It saves me money and makes me feel better about my choices.)

-(This is a tip for you computer guys!) Did you know blue-ray discs are eco-friendly. 50% of their composition is paper. They can be put through a shredder and are easily recycled.

-(This tip is for the coffee drinkers) 1/3 of North Americas tap water is used in coffee makers. I not too sure what you can do about this other than reduce consumption and watch "water fill" whatever that means.

-I have also stopped using plastic bags. I bought this cute bag that I take everywhere with me. It is small and now I do not have to waste a plastic sack every time I go shopping. You can buy them at Wal-Mart and Kohl's.

I hope that you all consider making little changes. Think about your impacts and how they'll affect your children and grandchildren. These stats come from a book of mine, The Green Book. If you want to borrow it let me know. I believe Jenn is first in line. Leave me a comment with your opinions, other facts you know, and/or things you think you might change.

Hummm...

Have you ever had so many thoughts going through your head that you can't pin one down long enough to think it through. I'm sure none of that nonsence would be of any interest to you guys, but still. There are so many ideas just running around in my head with no where to go. It seams kinda like a waste, but no one wants to read about my newest cooking feats, the fun socks I bought the other day, how much I hate group projects at school, or why I love finding a new pair of shoes (on sale) that fit just right. Anyways I thought I might put my mind at ease a little if I wrote about it in general. I don't lose the interest of the few readers I have. I've got lots of post ideas. I'm just not sure if any are worthy. I don't know much about much really. I could talk about businees junk. I could tell you whats going on with Star Bucks in their troubled times or the puropose of the drop in interest rate, but that information isn't in high demand around here. O well. C'est la Vie !

8 Babies

At this point in time I know 8 couples that are having babies. 5 of them are friends of my brother. These are guys that I grew up with. Some of them were almost like extra big brothers that watched over me at school (which had its many perks). Now these "dumb boys" are having kids of their own.

I also have 3 of my own friends that are having babies. Its crazy to me. Of these 8, 2 are recent arrivals and 6 are coming to a neighborhood near you.

I do not feel old enough to have friends that are having kids. But thinking realisticly, I'm not that far away from being there myself. Now don't get me wrong, nothings happening anytime too soon. The entire thing makes me feel grown up, but I see myself as a kid. I know that having all of these friends with kids will only help me prepare for my future. So bring on the babies!

What is in a name ? ?

You may have noticed that the name of my blog could be taken in several different ways. Someone pointed out to me that the most obvious interpretation was not the one I indented. For privacy's sake, we will refer to this person as, "Nyle."

"Nyle" told me the first meaning that comes to mind when reading, "Apprehending." I am sorry to say that I did not mean for it to insinuate that the blog was about catching bad guys. Dictionary.com gives a second definition. The definition I am referring to reads, "To grasp mentally; to understand." So basically, the page is about me (Ashley) thinking about stuff (Apprehending.)

I am sorry for any confusion or disappointment. There will not be any action-packed YouTube videos where I fight crime, but stay tuned. You never know what craziness might show up when I get bored enough. Ashley

Number 1

Welcome to my first blog! !

I'm new to the whole "blog" thing, so bear with me. I finally have something half-way interesting to write about, so I figured there is no time like the present. I believe that the people who read this (as few as there may be) are involved enough to know the importance of the following date: Feb 5, 2008.

For anyone who does not know, it is the date of the Illinois primary election. The people who know me, also know that my views are strong. I do not feel that I should get into that right now, but if you are curious just ask. I am not trying to get you do think any specific way. The point of this blog is to encourage you to vote. I firmly believe that every vote counts. I also feel that if you choose not to vote, that in the future you do not have the right to complain about the decisions that president makes (or doesn't make).

On March 22, 2007 poll shows what people think they are:

33% Democrats

28% Independents

25% Republicans

Where do you fit in? Your political ideology plays a major role in you choice. This short quiz uses basic political beliefs to match you with your ideology (liberal, conservative, communitarian, libertarian). In my case, I was very surprised by the answer. I thought of myself as something other than what they quiz said. That doesn't mean I switched. It just means I feel more strongly about some issues. You don't have to put your e-mail address in, just click next. Take it! It is interesting. http://www.idealog.org/ideaflash.cfm

Thanks for reading my first ever blog. Sorry if politics aren't your thing. I promise to write about something different next time. Just remember Feb 5 is only a few weeks away! Don't forget! Ashley