A Real Post, I'd Rather Not post

This is the view I work up to:

 

There are two things wrong with this picture! 1. That is snow you see, luckily not a lot, but enough to be on the ground and trees. Yuck! 2. There are no window covers on my windows, not just this one either, in fact all do our window coverings are down! Why you ask? 

FLEAS! 

Yup, luckily not a lot, but you don't need a lot to freak out! I'm sure I've gone overboard, but better safe than sorry. How did I find out? Insert back story:

My Dad moved back down home, got his own place and all, which meant that all of his stuff in my shop can go to his new place. He brings his dog over all the time, this was no different. Then he went moose hunting and sure enough my sister volunteered to watch the dog. About 3 days later she found a ton of fleas on her. So she went all crazy in her house, bathed Gypsy 3 times, and sure enough all was to be fine. 

Yesterday I was at my sisters house photographing her jewelry and her dog kept itching, so I told her to check him and sure enough, she found a flea. Her dogs are treated with flea stuff regularly, but still managed to have fleas. She called my Dad over to bath her dogs and cat with flea treatment. Sure enough he went. I packed up, headed home and then checked my pets and sure enough, I found one on Gracie, and one on Lux. None on Jazz, Lily or Binx. But if one has them, they all have them in my eyes, as they are always cuddling, sharing beds, etc. So I called my Dad, told him how not impressed. I was and then got straight to work. 

M came home from work to a frantic pregnant clean freak, coming up with a master plan of how we were going to deal with this. We used the bathrooms as holding areas for the pets. Dogs in my bathroom, cats in M's. Then started a contamination room - aka laundry room to hold all of the potentially contaminated linens. We had a quick dinner, and then cleaned our house top to bottom, took all bedding, curtains, pillows, washable rugs, clothes and put them into the contamination room to be washed. Sure enough I have a heck of a lot of laundry to do, which was also started last night. My house is spotless for the most part. Everything was vacuumed, floors washed, I'm sure you get the picture. 

We bathed Lily first and sure enough we still didn't find any fleas. Poor M was stuck bashing everyone because I couldn't come into contact with the shampoo being pregnant. So I dried the dogs with these handy dandy gloves on! Better safe than sorry! 

Gracie was up next, still rather simple to bath, the dogs usually are. While I was drying Gracie, Binx was up next. She is soo easy to bath thank goodness! She's just laid back and purring. But I found a few more fleas on Gracie while drying her off! luckily they were dead but I couldn't get them off with my gloves on, so M came over to help and sure enough Binx is just wandering around the bathroom. We finished drying Gracie, finished bathing Binx and moved on to Jazz. You would have thought we were skinning her alive, she was soo upset with having a bath. I dried her while Lux was up next, he was a brat. Let's just say the baby won't be the first one to go to the bathroom in the tub! Poor M! And poor Lux!
 

We put all the towels in the wash, then shut both bathrooms at 11:30pm, made the bed, cleaned ourselves, emptied the vacuums and garbages and sure enough it was past midnight by the time we came to bed. 

Needless to say we were beat! 

So I have 3 rooms left to be cleaned, 2 of which will be done today - both bathrooms and the laundry room once everything is washed! 

The good news is my house is spotless. My animals are clean, but man that was a whole ton of work! I'm sure those without animals - if they made it this far in the post are not only disgusted, but wondering why someone would have an animal. But those who do have animals know this is a possibility and yes it does in deed suck. 

But my answer to those without pets would be, these animals are my fur-children, my babies, and they are part of our family. And although this evening really sucked, I would do it all over again, even with a baby on the way or even here. There is a bond between pets and humans, one that only pet owners understand. 

Thanksgiving Reminders

As another thanksgiving rolls around, I can't help to remember what a hard place I was in just 3 short years ago. Our very first IVF cycle was cancelled and I literally felt like my world had just shut down. God had said no, yet again. Despite this being the beginning of our journey really, as far as treatments went, it broke us down and made us realize that this journey was not going be quite as easy as we had set ourselves up to believe. We had figured that our first IVF would bring us the baby we always dreamed of. You have to put that in your in head, in order to just get through the cycle, or even prep yourself for the cycle, without that hope why else would you do it? You have to believe it's going to work. But when it doesn't, the let down sucks, your world is rocked in ways you never imagined.

For me, I didn't want to celebrate thanksgiving, I was mad, I was ungrateful, as bad as that seems to admit. It was too difficult to look at the things in my life that I am forever grateful for, like our families and friends, our pets, our house, our dreams that have come true, our jobs, our accomplishments, I could continue to list the things that matter in our lives. I made up an excuse as to why we weren't going to thanksgiving with our extended family, because we hadn't shared our struggles, and now was not the time to. I couldn't imagine having to talk about it, yet here I am admitting my faults, because I was wrong. My Mom and sister had tried convincing me to go, but I couldn't bear the thought at that point of pretending to be happy, little did I learn that soon this would be my only coping mechanism to get me through these hard times.

The following years around thanksgiving, and Christmas, and any other time another bump or no came up in our infertility journey it brings me back to remembering how easy it is to forget those important things in your life, even just the small things. The kisses goodnight with M, the quality time with my nieces or nephews, the puppy snuggles, family dinners and games, the walks with friends, those little moments in life that don't seem like much at the time, but looking back it was those exact moments that got me through.

Obviously this year is different for us, I'm teary eyed just writing about how grateful and thankful we are for where we are this weekend! This baby inside of me growing and kicking up a dance party is the answer to soo many prayers at this time of the year. The one thing I have prayed I could be thankful for! Thanksgiving for me this year is good, I'm just soaking in all those small things and I'm happier than ever. But with that being said, I will never forget the silent walls that scream your struggles non-stop at you when you are alone. I will never forget about those still struggling. I will never forget about my own struggles or how far I have come and I will never take this season for granted again.

Now is the time to put the struggles to the side, even just for a day and to truly be happy with what you DO have in your life. Your struggles, no matter what they are will still be part of yesterday and maybe tomorrow, but for one day just soak in the season of thanksgiving. 

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends and family! May this weekend be filled with family, friends, positivity, reflections, faith and hope. 

Currently...

I just realized it has been months since I have posted one of these, so I feel it's time for update on my current status.

I am reading: The Memory Keeper's Daughter.... I am only on page 52... hopefully I will get back to it now! Oh this is still the same! I totally suck at following through with reading!

I also read Oh The Places You Will Go weekly to the baby! Does this count? lol

Listening to:

One Direction: Little Things

 

 

Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran - Everything Has Changed

 

 

 

Thinking About: Getting organized. I've going on and on about this, but I have been brainstorming various ideas on how to implement changes.

 

Loving: This sweet baby inside of me. My loving husband and our crazy animals!

 

Drinking: Water and a lot of it. I'm loving milk again and orange juice.

 

Watching: Chicago Fire, The Voice, PARENTHOOD, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order SVU, X Factor. Love the fall TV line up!

 

Missing: I'm not really sure, I am really happy with where I am in my life right now!

 

Need to: clean windows, clean the bath tub, organize the mudroom... my list is ongoing.

 

Cooking: I just want everything sweet! It's bad. I'm trying not to bake anything. Although I made Jello last night and it was tasty!

 

Very Grateful: For where I am in my life today. I am grateful to come out of my struggle with infertility feeling entirely blessed. Infertility will always be with me, but knowing that there is a sweet baby growing inside of me despite the odds and numbers against me, I will only encourage those still struggling to never give up, even when you are about to consider it. I was there and here I am pregnant. Always have HOPE!

 

 

Looking Forward To: Seeing the baby next week with our ultrasound. Getting the nursery together and getting organized.

 

Creating: some projects for the baby. I'm thinking of starting a blanket, crocheted or quilted, can't decide!

 

 

I really want a chevron one for the baby, but I am going to have one made, because I cannot figure it out.

 

Planning: Putting up the kitchen back splash! Decorating the nursery after we pick a paint color. 

 

A Reflection on 28

Today I turn 29!

Isn't this the year I need to make the most of because I'm going to be 29 forever from now on? 

And in all honesty, although I cannot predict the rest of 29, but so far it is shaping up to be one of the best of my years. The year I hope to see many of my past birthday wishes all come true!! I'm due to have my first baby while I'm 29 and this alone means the world to me, as you all know! That was no easy task. I will spend most of my 29th year pregnant! Something I have always wanted. I will celebrate 7 years with M. I will see the man I married and love turn into a father. Our family will grow, our hearts will grow, along with our love for one another and a sweet blessing we created together! (I am more than aware that things can change but I'm thinking positively)

As much as I dread getting another year older, this year it's different! I have soo much to look forward to! I am truly blessed. 

Although I found myself somewhat emotional last night - could be my pregnancy hormones, but finishing my 28th year brings tears to me eyes. Putting this year behind me is harder than I thought! Suddenly this all feels real to me. I'm closing on a huge chapter of my life, one that was dragging on and on without sight of the end. 

28, as much as it was off to a rough start, it made up for it in the end and I will also never forget 28. It will keep me honest in knowing what a struggle is, learning more and more about my own strength, feelings, body and how my past has changed me. My eyes are open now to soo many things I had never focused on. 

It was the year I found myself pregnant! The year that put a stop to years of suffering with infertility. 

As hard as 26, 27 and 28 were they have helped create a new meaning to my life. They have made me stronger, taught me many life lessons I could never have imagined learning. I don't regret these years at all, despite the hardships, but I look at coming out of it all, finding the light at the end of the tunnel. Conquering the odds and never giving up. 

Goodbye 28. Your chapter has ended in the best possible way. 

I won't be sipping champagne this year, but I hope you all do for me!! 

Here is to 29! 

Pinterest My Friend...

Wow it is Wednesday! We have all made it to the middle of the week!!

Now that my trip is booked and paid for - I am pumped as in soo pumped I need to start wardrobe planning!! Soo I have been on Pinterest looking for some inspiration:

PIN

I have some maxi dresses and skirts that I think I will be bringing, as well as some summer dresses!

And then there are these:

PIN

I like to start packing early with hopes of not forgetting anything!

This picture looks just like Grace and Lily from the the distance:

PIN

Rather funny because we have a picture of them sitting in Lake Superior from our road trip like this! Except of you did look closely and knew my dogs - Lily is bigger with red hair and Gracie is smaller with the longer tail and curly hair. So basically the pic is reversed!! But still nonetheless neat!

I am seriously contemplating getting a tattoo! I have found the perfect one, I just can't decide on location. This is what it will be like:

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Looks small enough that I could get through it and it wouldn't take long. I love the word HOPE! And it means soo much to me. I do have a fear though of needles - so we will see. But M said if I get one he will get one. I think he is banking on the fact that I will chicken out - but like I said it is important enough to me. I am not someone who is willing to get "inked" for nothing.

PIN

Last Love Before Christmas 2012

Wow - Christmas is less than a week away!!! Crazy!! Where they heck did this year go? Although I will be 110% honest I am soo ready for a new year. This year has been tough!

I am loving the new office here at work! Although it looks like a bomb has gone off in here, I cannot wait to see it all come together!!

I am loving that Cassidee Pope won The Voice last night!! I actually would have been mad if she didn't because she is amazing!!

I am loving that I have now lost over 10 pounds!! Keep on dropping!!

I am loving this little cat, although she may be a bit of trouble:

She refused to look at my phone...

her note there says:

I stole ornaments off the tree! Just to swat them around.

I thought she only stole 3, but then I found the 4th and the 5th. I think she may have had some help!!

We are supposed to get some wicked weather tomorrow which should include rain, freezing rain and of course snow. Who knows it might not be a green Christmas after all.

I love that the guy that is here doing the plumbing is singing along to his radio and talking to himself! Entertaining!!

And to leave you off with some quotes:

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If I was brave enough to get a tattoo, I love this one:

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Soo true:

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Strength:

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This is perfect and just how I will end this post:

PIN

Loves and Laughs

Ok so we all know fall is pretty much my favorite season. If only they could integrate summer weather with fall colors - I would be in heaven!

So here are some of the things I am loving:

- I love that I have my first FALL photo shoot of the year tomorrow!! And the weather is supposed to co-operate! Makes me a happy girl!!

- I love my husband so much! Especially when he walks into screen doors. You bet there is a story behind this. I had went out yesterday afternoon with K to Michael's - dangerous! I had the screen door shut, as it was really nice out. When I left the house, I had just shut the main door and was on my way. Later that night - like 11 PM, M opens the door to let the dogs out and went to go out on the deck and just walked right into the screen. We are talking face pressed sideways on the screen, full-fledged walk. I am lucky to still have a screen. To say I laughed at this would be an understatement. He was laughing too! It was humorous!! Yes, it was my fault but in my offence I had forgotten about it as well! Either way we both had a good laugh!

- I love Zumba! Had a blast last night and felt great afterwards!! Hoping I can make it to Yoga tomorrow night!

- We are having our thanksgiving dinner at the farm tomorrow night. I am making cherry cheesecake!! Yum!

- I am just about finished the dishcloth!! This is soo exciting!!

Now for some Pinspiration:

How cute!!

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Love this:

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I would like to try this to my hair:

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Makes me laugh:

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Dream closet:

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And now my favorite part... quotes:

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PIN

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And last but not least, in lieu of thanksgiving this weekend - love this prayer!!

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It Was A LONG Weekend!!

So, as you can imagine my Friday didn't quite pan out the way it was supposed to! My blogging plans were cancelled when I woke up with a swollen face... thank you allergies! So I spent my morning with ice on my face, until it came time to curl my hair, and then the ice ended up on my neck because once again, I burned myself! I didn't think it would have caused an actual burn, but oh boy did it ever!!

But my hair looked good:

 

And my sandals and freshly painted purple toes:

 

 

The necklace I was telling you about that my sister made:

 

 

And the dress:

 

The hubs and I:

 

The wedding was outside and it was HOT, but it was a beautiful ceremony! We made it home by 1:15 AM.

 

Saturday we had a bank appointment, got groceries, came home, did some laundry, had dinner and then headed down to the lake for the rest of the weekend!

 

Sunday we debated going out on the water because it was windy and the water was a bit rough, but we decided to attempt it and we made out well!! It was a wet ride out, as one wave came into the boat and soaked us all, but the rest of day was perfect and the ride to the harbor was smoother!

 

We had lunch on the boat and it turns out the buns I bought had ants in them!! I called the store, because the bag was sealed, so they must have come from the store, they told me to freeze the buns and bring them back - more on that story below!

 

 The evening was spent having dinner and in good company, as well as a card game where the women won!!

 

Sunday was still windy, but we went out for lunch on the boat and let the dogs play in the water, it was a relaxing day and we were back home by 8 PM!

 

Today I had to run around and pick up some Scentsy bars, and take the buns back to the grocery store. The lady was soo rude! She told me there was no way I bought the buns on Saturday because of the expiry date - so I proved to her with my receipt. Her response was "Oh!" - which also means that they sold the other ones! Then she said the ants must have gotten in the bag while they were in my possession! I told her the bag was sealed and that there was no way they could have gotten in! I was beginning to get mad - so much for calling when I noticed to protect other people and so much for wasting my time! They did give me my $2.50 back - which I could careless about since it costed me more than $2.50 to drive them back in gas money! She didn't thank me for making them aware, and I highly doubt she was actually going to send them away to be tested. Sooo frustrating!!

 

I also placed my 2nd Scentsy Order today!! That was pretty exciting!!

 

 It's a rainy day today and I need to go figure out something for dinner and put away some laundry!

 

 Hope everyone had a safe and fun long weekend!!

I Skipped Monday Again....

I really should just write off blogging on Mondays so it seems... I had full intentions of blogging yesterday, but then I ended up going last minute apartment searching with my Mom and Sister yesterday! Luckily we found one for my Mom!

It has been birthday crazy around here lately!! Sunday was M's!!! Yup he is another year older! We didn't do too much, just dinner with his parents, I made a cake and we had a nice mellow evening. Yesterday was Grandma's, and today is my sisters!!

Our weekend was pretty laid back as well! Friday night M had ball and they won!!! Yay!! Saturday we did housework, picked up ribs for dinner and watched Friends With Kids. It was a pretty funny movie! I also changed the curtains around in the house. The ones from the bedroom are now in the great room and I love it:

I put ones that we had stored away in the bedroom.

On Sunday night I decided to hide my fear and made things happen for myself, hopefully with the support of those around me, but I made my photography facebook page. To say I was scared to hit share is an understatement, but I think it is time I put myself out there!! I have had a lot of support from those around me and I am very appreciative! Feel free to check out my page here and like it!!

Yesterday I took M's truck in for an oil change while apartment searching. We had made some lasagna on Sunday, so we had that for dinner last night and then M was off to fire practice.

Today I finally got my photo book in!!! Sooo excited!! I love how it turned out:

And then my scentsy order came in!!!

Meet Whoot:

He is hard at work right now baking a birthday cake, or so it smells!! I love it!!! I am soo happy scentsy is finally in Canada!!

I am actually considering selling it, because I love the product soo much!!

I hope everyone has a fantastic day!!!

What Is A Girl To Do/Friday Letters

Sorry for the blogging interruption yesterday... it was raining. I know, you read that correctly - the drought has ended, not that we really had a drought, but the grass is getting greener. We haven't had rain like this - well I don't even remember the last time!

So you are probably thinking - okay Ashley it was just some rain, why the heck didn't you blog? Well you see, what else is a girl to do on a rainy day? SHOP!!! But not just shop, but head to the USA to shop!! Yup I went to Port Huron with my sister! I think I actually out shopped my sister for ONCE!

Wonder what I bought? You are in luck, I thought a head, knowing I would be blogging from the office I took some poor quality pics late last night!! Here we go:

Scarf, Belt, Strawberry Slicer!!

Tank from Vanity, T-Shirt and Cocoon Sweater

New Curtains for the Dining Room from Target - which let me down massively!! No maxi dresses!!

I bought 2 maxi skirts (striped and black one), 1 maxi dress but is not fancy, lace short sleeved cardi, and a tank.

This fabric (which I LOVE) will be seen later in a surprise DIY project!!! Can't wait!!

More fabric!!!

I am not sure how I ended up with this - it must have just jumped in the car... because I DO NOT need another bedding set! M thinks I may have a problem and for once I think he is right! I cannot fight the urge to buy new bedding!!

Now for some letters:

Dear Blogger: I really don't know what is going on with you - but you have really screwed up my last post on my photo wall and now I need to figure out how to fix it or I will have to rewrite it - thanks!

Dear M: Your birthday is coming up on Sunday!! Soo pumped!! Oh and sorry for buying another bed set - at least if something ever happened and we had to live on the streets, we will be warm - trendy and warm - or we could sell it for food!!! (Yes this is how I just justified another bedding purchase.) I also want to thank you for my lunch today!

(Our conversation went a little something like this: A: What are you gunna make me for lunch today? M: I don't know - we didn't do groceries. A: Okay but seriously what are you gunna make me? M: Well I decided that the money I make is going to buy you lunch today. A: Okay, where is it? M: In the bank card.)

Dear Rain: Nice to see you, thanks for making things green again! No offense though, I am ready for the sun again!

Dear Target: You really let me down!! I looked on your website and saw all this kick ass clearance and you had pretty much NONE! What is up with that? You did have the curtains, but no table cloths. M thanks you for not having the yellow and gray bedding set though, but I am still a bit bitter in all honesty!

Dear Hair: I hope you are having fun doing yourself today, try not to be too frizzy! Okay? Okay!

Dear Skin: Seriously let's call a truce and be friends! I am sick to death of this acne BS and now dry skin! I don't even know how to correct this, although coconut oil seems to a partial remedy for the dry skin at least!

Have a great weekend!