Making My Boast

Mental Notes: inside the mind of this runner

Ashley — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:21:21 +0000

1 hr before run: [tired and considering skipping]

2 minutes before run: [excited and ready to go.]

10 seconds after warm-up is over: Ok, just start already.

1 mile: 7.5 minutes: Not so bad. I can do this. I’m doing great!

2 miles: 15 minutes: ugh.. I’ve probably only gone a mile. It’s hardly been any time.

2.67 miles: 20 minutes: Halfway? oh, wait… that was when I was running only 5 miles. Still, not so bad.

3.73 miles: 28 minutes: I wish I could say I was farther along, but I know I’d just be getting my hopes up for nothing. I have a while to go yet.

4.26 miles: 32 minutes in: This sucks! I’ve got 2 whole miles left to go….. 2/3 of the way there.

4.67 miles: 35 minutes in: Just about 10 more minutes.

5.33 miles: 40 minutes in: You can do anything for a mile. I can do this.

5.6 miles: 42 minutes in: Maybe I’ll only run 6 today.

5.87 miles: 44 minutes in: 4 minutes left. I can do this.

6 miles: 45 minutes in: Okay, a little over 2 minutes left. I can start counting seconds…. or should I sing Jesus Loves Me?

48 minutes in, 6.25 miles later, I’m done.

…. and this what I go through every time I run.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Ashley — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:18:50 +0000

There are only a few things in life that I can say I hate with a passion. Saying goodbye is one of them.
I’ve said a lot of them in my short life, most without my consent. However, in the last few years, I’ve said goodbyes out of choice. Now, mind you, they were not choices because that was what I desired, but those goodbyes were of necessity in order for me to continue to follow the Lord in the path He’s leading.
This week I’ve chosen to say a few more goodbyes. I chose these goodbyes, leaving Tim Horton’s to move on to Levine, Gouldin, and Thompson, from coffee shop manager to legal secretary, from hair nets and glaze-covered clothes to dress clothes.
It’s a good change, and I have the excitement of what lies ahead.
What boggles me, however, is that I can feel such a paradox of emotion in this decision. I’m leaving a job with 24-hr, 7-day responsibility, overnights, phone calls, call-ins, call-outs, 50+ hour work weeks. I’m starting a job where I can leave work and go home and leave work at work. I’ll work 40 hours a week, dress nicely, turn my cellphone off at night (or at least have that option), spend Saturdays and Sundays doing whatever I wish, and never have to worry about other people’s schedules. I’ll even get holidays off!
So, why am I wrestling with saying goodbye? Why have I avoided telling my regulars I won’t be there on Monday?
I’ve learned to love so many of the people I’ve come to know:
Joe, the guy who comes for coffee or hot chocolate 3 times a day and asks spiritual questions regularly
Paul, Shane, Ben, Mike, Billy, and Andy, who all work together and are some of the bright points of my day
“Small with one Splenda”, who tells me all sorts of random and unrelated facts about his life and “Hey, I got new glasses!”
My Fed-Ex lady who makes me miss delivering mail
Steve, a relatively new believer, who likes to update me on his Bible studies and share his excitement for the coming of Sunday
The most adorable older couple who comes in daily and lets me know if they did or didn’t go on their walk in Otseningo
All the police officers who come in on the job and get coffee (and don’t get donuts…. )
The young couple who just got engaged and told me I could come to the wedding if I brought the coffee
Our youngest regular who gets a “cinnamon waisin bagel with stwabewy cweam cheese” and his older brother who eats way too many sweets too often (I informed him he was eating half his daily calories at breakfast alone.)
Sonny, the sweetest man from my church, who always comes in and buys his dozen at the most inopportune times.
Doug Vail, Sr, who had a going record of insulting me in a new way every day (and not realizing it)… We won’t forget the senior discount.
My quiet friend who struggles to talk but wants two small double-doubles and a honey dip.
Sue, who is in so often her husband thinks she has a problem. She does; it’s working overnight.
The school teacher who gets a medium with milk and a plain bagel with butter… and always leaves $2.20 in change as a tip.
“Cranky pants”, as we call her, who always has a complaint about everything and we try to take her seriously.
Corinne, Dave, Jack, and Deacon (and the new baby on the way!), a couple and my favorite “little people” (their kids) who scream “Hi Ashley!!” through the drive-thru speakers and make me smile every time with just how adorable they are.

It’s not just the customers either.
Although there are stressful people above me in this job, I have learned to love the people I work with.

John, the Mirabito manager that has me in stitches multiple times a day. He tries to be tough, but he’s really bad at it.
Jen, who works every day with a smile and the sweetest laugh.
Tammi, the one who runs in circles and talks to herself incessantly but tries her hardest.

Val and I on our last day working as the morning pair.

Leah, the most-hilarious and fun person at Subway. Such a hard worker with a great sense of humor and fun personality.

and my people…

Sarah, my assistant manager and friend. I’ve grown to love working with, hanging out with, and discussing life with her.
Val…. oh Val. We’ve had some great times working (….well, I was working, Val was probably talking to a customer..hehe), talking together, laughing, sharing stories, venting, etc. I’m gonna miss that.
Pete, my quiet steady worker who’s gained the reputation as “the tall one” and “a great kid” with both workers and customers.
Fred, my energetic passionate one, who never ceases to call me at least once a shift to find something as simple as coffee filters. However, with him, I never mind.
Jared, my rocker overnight, who’s kicked butt in every way.
Emily, the absolutely sweetest, most-hard-working doll. Such a smile, such initiative–love it!
Nikki, my new hardworking but shy one. It’s been too short a time.

Maybe this means nothing to you that I went through all these names. Maybe this was boring —maybe you’re not even still reading — but for me, this has been the realization that, although I’m so happy to be moving on to a new career, I really do have many sweet memories and relationships with those I’m leaving behind.

See, Soul, all the frustration, mourning, tears, and sleepless nights were all worth it for this, for the work God has been doing in and through me, and for the friendships that were built here.

Lord, help me not forget this lesson… for what seemed like wasted time and effort was not that at all…just seed sown in a new field.

Product Reviews: Health Valley Organic Toaster Tarts

Ashley — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:09:45 +0000

If you’ve never seen Brian Regan’s comedy, you might not appreciate that when I ate this product, I thought of his routine on serving sizes and Fig Newtons.

Okay, fine. Here it is.

On that note, check out the following product that allows you to enjoy just one of these without the necessity to have more than the product’s serving size and still enjoy the great taste!

Allergy-Related Information: No Trans Fat, Artificial Flavors, etc. Organic

Appearance

Pros: I love how these bars look like any other bar you might find in a package in a grocery store. Why? Sometimes convincing someone to eat healthy is hard to do when the product looks like it was chewed and swallowed before packaging. This is a great looking product.

Cons: These are advertised as “toaster tarts” but I have to say, I think they’re too small to fit in my toaster. I used one at work (in the nearby Subway) and …well, more to come on taste later.

Taste

Pros: Okay, phew…we’re in the taste section, so I can finish my story. I have eaten these multiple times without toasting, and they remind me of Fig Newtons. A-mazing! However, they’re just as good toasted! I toasted them in the nearby Subway at work, and the extra crunch and warmth kind of accentuated the sweetness. Great toasted or not!

Cons: No cons here!

Moisture/Texture

Pros: I love love love the texture of these bars! They don’t have the texture of a granola bar or a traditional crunchy breakfast bar. These tarts are thicker than a Pop Tart but in all the right places!

Cons: The moisture of these is great! They’re not soggy at all; however, sometimes they’re a little too moist for toasting (in my opinion), because (not only are they too small for my toaster) but I’m pretty sure the tart would break apart in my toaster.

What I Love

There’s something about eating “junk” food that’s actually good for you that excites me! Also, not only is this good for you, but it’s only 150 calories! That excites me! Healthy and low-calorie enough to even qualify as a snack or dessert if you eat all your other meals and still want one.

What I’d Improve

I would have to say the biggest complaint I have is the size. I know, I know. I’m always wanting more food. However, if you advertise these as “toaster tarts”, I feel like they should nicely fit into the toaster with easy retrieval without risk of falling apart. Just a thought.

… and P.S., unlike PopTarts, there’s only one in a package—slightly disappointing.

Overall Rating: A

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Check out these awesome “Fig Newton”-style toaster tarts here!!

Confessions on a Tuesday Night

Ashley — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:06:40 +0000

Confession #1:
If I can’t fall asleep, putting the blankets over my head works every time.

Confession #2:
I like eating breakfast food at other meals and dinner at breakfast.

Confession#3:
I love the concept of couponing, but it confuses me more than anything.

Confession #4:
Of all the types of fruit I’ve tried, papaya was my least favorite.

Confession #5:
I live how Indian people smell–curry!

Confession #6:
I’m dreading having red-headed children.

Confession #7:
I hate running with other people. I’m kind of a loner in that sport.

Confession #8:
I could probably live on popcorn.

Confession #9:
I can’t remember the last time I had my cellphone off for a whole night.

Confession #10:
I would love to race cars.

Confession #11:
I don’t mind the smell of skunk spray.

Confession #12:
I have a soft spot for stray animals. They need love!

Confession #13:
A woman’s back is one of the most beautiful parts of the body.

Confession #14:
It’s hard for me to eat a banana without also eating cheese.

Confession #15:
I could probably live as a vegetarian if need be, but I couldn’t live as a vegan.

Confession #16:
Sometimes, as I’m flipping through radio stations, I’ll start thinking about something else in-depth only to find out minutes later that I’ve been listening to classical. Yes, I love classical.

Confession #17:
If someone says a word, I don’t see that item in a picture in my head. I see the word spelled out.

Confession #18:
I love giving surprises to other people. However, I am awful at keeping those surprises!

Confession #19:
If I had a million dollars, I’d get laser surgery so I’d never have to shave/pluck again.

Confession #20:
I’ve lost my hair brush for a week straight and survived without looking like a rastafarian. Score. (Ps. I just found it today. hehe)

Confession #21:
Sometimes I think I’m a member of the fire company merely to have access to the exercise room.

Confession #22:
This was my basketball number only because someone else took #25.

Confession #23:
I detest the feeling of uber-soft hands (on adults). It raises the hair on the back of my neck. Callouses are cool.

Confession #24:
I feel defeated if I get to bed later than 10pm on a weekday. However, I feel lame if I go to bed before 10pm on a weekend. I do both regularly.

Confession #25:
I hate milk except fresh from a cow or of the chocolate variety.

Confession #26:
Crowding others in line is one of the rudest, most selfish things ever.

Confession #27:
I’m writing a list of must-do’s to accomplish before I’m 30.

Confession #28:
A friend of mine is helping me design my own tattoo.

Confession #29:
I wrote my first song when I was about 8. It was called “Stars in the Night”. Yes, I still remember the lyrics/tune.

Confession #30:
I hate talking on the phone…. even to people I miss a lot.

Product Reviews: No-Nuttin Berry Delight Trail Mix

Ashley — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:13:49 +0000

Call it a health kick, a lifestyle change, a New Year’s resolution, whatever you will. I’ve been running faithfully and eating with purpose. That means I eat with intention, focusing on nutrition and balance.

Sometimes, with that new decision, comes a need for some new foods to help us stay on track.

Allergy-Related Information: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Peanut- and Nut-Free, Egg-Free

Appearance

Pros: If you like dried berries and sunflower seeds, this mix is perfect for you! I love the dried blueberries! What a combo!

Cons: Because this mix is nut-free, you kinda miss out on the traditional look of trail mix, because there’s no peanuts, almonds, or walnuts.

Taste

Pros: I really loved the combination of cranberries, blueberries, seeds, and mini chocolate chips. The taste left me desiring more! I like that this isn’t a heavily sweet mix as well!

Cons: Amazingly, this mix, although low in sodium, tasted kind of salty to me! There’s only 50mg (5% of your daily value) of sodium in it, but he cranberries are a little extra tangy, offering a mildy salty/tangy/sour taste that unfortunately, leaves the taste a little inbalanced.

Moisture/Texture

Pros: I am really happy with the moisture/texture of this mix. Although the mix is made up of seeds and dried fruit, it is a moist (but not sticky) mix that is enjoyable, not messy, and a perfect snack on its own or addition to yogurt!

Cons: No cons here!

What I Love

I love that this mix has a variety of fruits in it. Not only is the flavor richer as a result, but the combination inspires me to dried a variety of dried fruits in other recipes as well.
I also love how small the chocolate chips are. They’re not overly sweet but offer a traditional accent to this snack.

What I’d Improve

I would have to say that the biggest complaint I have is that this mix only offers one kind of seed. I would have loved to see pumpkin seeds or another accenting texture/flavor instead of just one seed (sunflower) option.

Overall Rating: B

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Check out this tasty allergy-free trail mix (and their other great products!) here!!

Dress Shoes, Earrings, and Nail Polish too

Ashley — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:05:13 +0000

God has a sense of humor, because these last few weeks at work have been great. People have been showing up, business has been steady, I’ve been sleeping through the night.
Something else has been happening these past few weeks. I’ve been in discussion with Levine, Gouldin, and Thompson regarding a position they’re offering me as legal secretary to one of their litigation attorneys.
Last Saturday, I officially gave my two weeks to Tim Horton’s and Mirabito in faith that the offer I was receiving from LGT would be favorable. Since then, work has been a busy whirlwind of long days (even an overnight). I’ll admit. Even with the end in sight, keeping a good perspective and attitude has been hard. (hmmm…kind if makes me think of eternity and how, despite knowing that this world is not all there is, perspective is hard to keep.)
It’s been a hard week of trying to tell my regulars that I’m leaving. The word is slowly getting around, but I’ll admit I’m having a hard time letting them all know. Yes, I don’t want to disappoint those people I see every day, but in a weird way, I don’t want to say goodbye (Would you believe I actually considered still working Saturdays, so I can still see people???)
I’m excited for this new chapter in life. Despite these irrational thoughts, I’m ready to say goodbye to smelling like coffee and donuts and to trade in my visor and hairnet for some dress clothes!
My hours at LGT are going to be regular (The plan is 7-3, although I have to confirm those with my new boss), and without weekends and possible overnights, we’ll be able to sleep soundly and even *gasp* get away for the weekend if we want. I’ll get holidays off too! Wow!! This is the life!
There are downfalls to this position as well, like insurance too expensive to have and a 20-minute drive to work that I’ve not had in a long time. However, even with those, I’m thankful for this perfectly timed change. (God has a way with all that timing stuff, huh?)
So, thank you to all who prayed for and with us for God to open up a door to something else for me. Thank you to all who supported us with encouragement and even dinner now and again. Please continue to pray for us and with us as we take this next step in God’s plan for us.

Here’s to all those things in the title: dress shoes, earrings, and nail polish too!

You Lied to Me.

Ashley — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:12:29 +0000

I’m beginning to hate this.
I know, I know.
Those are strong words, right?
But I do! I hate the way you’ve been…. for how long? All the time I’ve known you!…forever!
I can’t remember you any other way. You’ve sworn to me over and over that you would change. You’ve set goals–you’ve even held to them for about 3 weeks flat–but you never reach them!
You tell me over and over that this time will be different.
I can’t say I believe you anymore. How could anyone after how many “commitments” you’ve made… and then broken?!
It’s not about the actions, my friend. It’s not about the things you said you’d do and then did, or the things you said you wouldn’t do and yet did anyway. It’s not that. What hurts me most is the heart behind it.
You’re selfish in what you’re doing.
You’re uncaring in what you’re not doing.
You’re short-sighted.
Don’t you care about me?
Don’t you care about what I’ll face tomorrow?
Don’t you realize my busy schedule?

You say things will change before you have kids? Yeah right…
If you don’t change them now, you’ll never change these actions.
More importantly than just changing those actions though, where is the change of heart that you swore was there?
What motivates you to avoid doing what you know you should?
Laziness? Selfishness?
What excuse will you use this time?

That’s it.
Change needs to happen.. but real change.
I’m done with these “resolutions” that you’ll be someone you’re really not.
I need you to change.
I need you.

-Letter to my unorganized self

You paid for that?

Ashley — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:45:40 +0000

I love watching shows on couponing. I read a newspaper article on dumpster diving. I love do-it-yourself websites and ideas. I have to say, I’m slightly miserly.

Actually, in defense, saving money is not a bad thing. We all live in a financially tight world. We’re all looking for a way to save a buck.

Fashion is one of those areas. What I love on a rack and in a tv show and a catalog, I most-definitely can’t afford. Pssh..some things I wouldn’t even want to buy, but some things are so cute, so neat, or kinda worth trying out… but not for that much money.

I have this pair of jeans. I love them. They fit nicely.

However, I’ve gotten a little tear near the knee on the left leg. Since I’ve been checking out Pinterest lately, I’d bookmarked a craft/DIY/project I wanted to try, “saving” my jeans and revolutionizing them into a wearable pair of jeans once again. Of course, they were still wearable before but this way, I would at least appear stylish as I wore them.
Did I grab a pair of scissors? Nope.
Did I need a sewing machine? Not this time.
I grabbed my cheese grater and set to work “distressing” my jeans. About 10 minutes and a pile of lint later, I have a new pair of jeans.

What do you think?

Any other creative ideas?

Same Recipe, Different Ingredients: Product Review: Gifts of Nature vs. Better Batter All-Purpose Flour

Ashley — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:53:39 +0000

Last night Adam needed some hot-tub time. So, he headed to hang with his brother and talk fire department and work (I’m sure) and enjoy the 100-degree temperature difference in the hot tub. I decided that my hard-working husband needed some chocolate chip cookies. However, I only had half the amount of gluten-free, all-purpose flour that I needed compared to the number of cookies I wanted to make. So, I used two kinds.

Gifts of Nature: Allergy-Related Information: Gluten-Free

Better Batter: Allergy-Related Information: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian/Vegan

Appearance

Pros: Overall, flour looks like flour. I didn’t see much of a difference in these two flours. They both looked fine, although slightly dry for a cookie dough. The Gifts of Nature cookies turned out looking fine.

Cons: The Better Batter cookies didn’t spread out! I was so confused, but despite following the directions on the cookie recipe, the cookies stayed in their perfect 1 Tbsp balls. Bummer.

Taste

Pros: I like cookie dough. I know, I know. Salmonella is a dangerous killer. However, you can tell a lot about a flour by how the uncooked dough tastes. Although the Better Batter looked dry, it tasted moist and addicting (yes, like most cookie doughs).

Cons: However, the Gifts of Nature was not so tasty! I was highly disappointed because of the bitter, grainy nature of the dough. I almost didn’t make the cookies, but that bitterness seems to lessen when the dough is cooked.

Moisture/Texture

Pros: I was very impressed with the moisture of the Better Batter cookies. They were soft and pliable and great fresh!

Cons: Unfortunately, the Gifts of Nature cookies crumbled while even hot from the oven on my cookie sheet. They were dry and although tasty, not anything I’d like to bake again. Bummer.

What I Love

Cooking two flours side-by-side was a neat way to analyze both flour mixtures. I loved that flexible use of the Better Batter flour–I used it for a flour coating for some other cooking as well and found it just as usable as a regular Bisquick or Pamela’s.

What I’d Improve

I would most-definitely improve the moisture of both flours. However, the Gifts of Nature flour needs more work than just moisture.

Gifts of Nature: Rating: F

Better Batter: Rating: A

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Check out these all-purpose flours here!!

Better Batter

Gifts of Nature

Resolved: 3 Reasons I Hate New Year’s Resolutions

Ashley — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:39:53 +0000

New Year’s brings with it a sense of fresh beginnings. Although I’ve been quite the enemy of “New Year’s resolutions”, I decided to let you all know that I have resolved to make a few necessary changes this year.

Why now?

I hate “New Year’s Resolutions” for 3 reasons.

A few years ago, at this time, I began the following post, which I had labeled, “A New Year and the Same Old Resolutions???”

1/20/2010

I have an interesting question for you today, for you and myself. It’s a new year. We are all planning for the events of the year, transferring birthdays and anniversaries from one calendar to another, and writing our own lists of resolutions for this upcoming year of 2010. (and wow… that feels weird to type)….

The destination of that post–the question I never ended up asking because life ran away from me, and here I am two years later, in 2012–is this: Where are you today that is different from last year…. or are you here again, making the same decisions, making the same commitments, swearing to make those necessary changes you knew you needed to make last year but never got there?

….I find myself humbled by my own question.

Am I different person this new year? Did this past year change me, and if so, was it for the better, for the glory of God? Did I hold to my commitments, to those serious things I resolved to do, to accomplish, to avoid, etc?

And what about New Year’s makes this day so special, that I should now suddenly commit to a few things I couldn’t get myself to do yesterday? Will a new year really give me the strength to make those changes, avoid those foods, get up and be active, and love the Word of God and prayer the way I did yesterday? No.

That’s the second reason I hate “New Year’s Resolutions”. If I see change in my life that needs to happen, if I see sin/lack of self-control/issues/lack of discipline, why does it suddenly change because some digits on my calendar do? To me, that is the greatest sign of a failed resolution, that I wait for a date to make these changes.

So, here I am… about to make resolutions. I do so, not to join the crowd of people who write lists and forget them by the month’s end (myself in the past included). I record these here, because today–not yesterday and I waited ’til today–I decided that my life needed some significant change.

Spend at least 20 minutes a day in the Word and in prayer.
Read through 5 non-fiction books.
Dedicate time each week to reading fiction and to writing, both here on my blog and creatively.
Continue to run regularly and run at least four races this year–I’ve already started scheduling them.
Learn to coupon.

Another reason I hate New Year’s Resolutions, and I know I’m going a little overboard, is because people–myself included–have a tendency to set unrealistic goals. If being realistic had nothing to do with it, my resolutions might look something like this:

Read through the whole Bible twice.
Read through the pile of old fiction Grandpa has in the guest room (Note: The “pile” is 5′x5′–a large bookshelf)
Write my book
Run a half-marathon and place in the first 50.
Pay for all our grocery bills through couponing.
….
….
….
…
….
and so on….

I hope that my goals have been more realistic in the first list than in the latter.

What about you?

What are your feelings toward resolutions, and what, if any, changes are you making in 2012?