another year coming down to an end

I've never been good at New Years Resolutions; I always forget about them, or give up on them.  Maybe January just isn't my month to start changing my life around?  As this year is coming to it's end I find myself reflecting on the last few months and how crazy and messy this year has been; I'm honestly glad to say goodbye to 2011 as these final months fly by me.  Yes, it's only September, but going back to school, working almost full time and having the holidays coming up on top of that it's about to get really busy and really hectic for me so I know these next few months will fly by fast.  I'm so ready for a change; and I fear that if I wait for 2012 to hurry up and get here... I might just go crazy...
 And I mean it, I fear that I am going crazy sometimes.  This year has been a whirlwindy, up and down, scary rollercoaster ride for me; I wont get into details...  I was recently diagnosed with Depression, which I'm sure many of my fellow Portlandians can sympathize with.  Times are tough right now; and I feel like some of the people, places, and things in my life are making my life tougher; I'm not pointing fingers or placing blame, it just is what it is.  I have always loved the quote :

I'm going to be the change I want to see in my own life.  I don't want to be depressed and upset all the time.  Now is the time for me to rise above.  I know enough about the brain that by altering things in my life that I can control I can retrain my brain not to keep going down this destructive path, further into this sickness.  I have good days and bad days.  The good days are awesome and I feel like I can do anything; but the bad days are always coming, and I just have to keep preparing myself with tools to fight the battle.  Tools to help me break away from these stories I tell myself, stories that I get so lost in, so I can come back to reality and work on getting back to my good days.  Tools like sticking up for myself when I need to, meditation, yoga, mindful practices, healthy diet, compassionate communication, education & inspiration, and all around wholesomeness. 

Wish me luck.  :)

a devoted collector of a beloved story.

My love for L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wizard of Oz started when I was a young girl.  As a child I would spend literally hours and hours watching my VHS tape of the movie; and as embarrassing as it is to admit I just recently read the entire novel.  My love for the characters, songs, and the story-line in general is still as strong to this day and I will forever hold a special spot in my heart for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

My family has generously assisted me in my ever-growing collection of the story's memorabilia.  I'm a proud owner of many, many books; various versions of the film, snow globes,  figurines, dolls, stuffed animals, etc.  Being a true book lover at heart, I have to admit that my most prized possessions are my books.  Although most of the collection is in storage and I have no idea how many copies of the books I own, I would venture to say I own over a dozen of the Oz books.

 

People have many different ways to express their love and passion for things that impact their lives.  I have decided recently to express my eternal love for this classic story through body art.  That's right, ink me up Adam.  (The best tattoo artist in Portland; Adam from Anatomy Tattoo.)  I am on a steadfast search for just the right artwork to incorporate into a very unique and original sleeve.  It's perfect for me.  So says I.  :)  Wish me luck!

says who?

Says me; Ashley. 

I'm a crazy, animal loving, tree hugging, book reading, bike riding, adventuresome yogini...  to say the very least.  I'm 24 years old and have lived in Oregon my entire life, however I aspire to be an Alaskan in the near future.

I have three furry children.  Akayla Faith, my beautiful German Shepherd Dog and the source of pure happiness in my life.  Akayla is a goofball, but I know that my dog loves me more than she could love any other human being.  I rescued Akayla in August of 2009 from the Oregon Humane Society.  Since then we have been almost inseparable if I could help it.  She's the best dog in the world.  :)

Akayla and I hiking Beacon Rock.

I also have two cats with the funniest personalities; but they are completely opposite.  

Zelda; also known as Z-Cat, Honey B, Sherb, Hisster, Zelly, ZZ, and many more...  She is a feisty, sassy, petite little girl with Sorbet coloring.  She has enough attitude to take on a pack of coyotes, but no front claws to get the job done  She gets into more fights than I have ever seen a cat get into.  She likes to chase me around the house, and is currently training me to give her treats upon her command.  

Zelda, protecting Fort Z. 

(She has a thing for boxes and bags.)

The newest addition to the family is Andy Bernard.  (Yes, I like The Office.)  Andy B is not your average Maine Coon.  Without having any medical training, or seeing a doctor, I would venture to say that Andy might be a few cards short of a full deck.  He is the most loveable and sweet cat you will ever meet.  He's a big boy with a beautiful coat of fur.  Something just isn't right about my big, sweet dummy cat.  Regardless, I love him all the same.  And he is the perfect lap warmer; as soon as you sit down, Andy is ready to lay on your lap and get his pets.  

 I might seem a little obsessive over my pets, but I assure you I'm not.  I just like to share the things that make me happy with other people.  I'm going through a hard spot in my life right now, and these guys have been making me as happy as possible.  Sometimes I feel like just giving up and running away.  Three years ago I probably would have done just that.  But these guys are my family.  They would miss me, and eventually I would start to miss them too.  Sometimes the best thing to do when it gets hard and you want to run away is to push through the pain and enjoy what you have in life that makes you happy.