2,011 Miles

Growing up, I was constantly teased about being a "big girl" - even though my family always reassured me that I was just "big boned." Let me tell you, if I had a quarter for every single time I was called "big boned girl" - I wouldn't have to work right now. And I probably could have paid my way through school without taking out student loans.

But today, I've finally become a BIG girl. I've topped the scales. Reached an all time high. Never before seen this number on the scale. 229. Yes, 229 lbs is how much I weighed yesterday. I almost didn't want to tell anyone. Not even Justin. At first, I tried to say I was bloated because I'm supposed to have a visit from mother nature this week. But I realized that number does not define me. My name is Ashley- not 229. And I shouldn't live my life by the scale- that obsession will just lead to old, unhealthy habits.

I also realized that I was always try to workout "to be skinny." I wanted to "look good" -- but working out is more than just looking cute in a short skirt. It's about being healthy. FEELING good.

I've decided to set an extreme goal for me. And since this goal is so extreme, I will feel like I will concentrate on the goal - rather than a pant size or a number on the scale. I will focus on completing my daily run rather than obsessing over my butt looks in a pair of jeans. Although, that will be nice too.

I will run and walk 2,011 miles in 2011. Yes, that's an average of 5.5 miles every single day. 365 days a year. But I can spread it out. So maybe one day I run 4 miles and the next day I run 6. Or one day I run 2 and I'll make up for it the rest of the week. Plus, I plan on running two half marathons in 2011. There is another 13.1 miles in one day.

I can do this.

I will do this.

I won't be like Forest Gump and run across the nation. I won't get picked up by any news station. But I know I have an amazing support team. And you are a part of it - yes YOU - reading my blog right now. You are a part of my drive- you give me a reason to accomplish this goal.

And maybe I'll weigh 228 lbs by the time I'm finished or maybe I'll weigh my goal weight of 185 lbs. Who knows! But the only number that will matter for me within the coming year is 2,011.

But I will tell you one thing- if the world ends in 2012 like Justin Semon constantly tells me - I will be extremely mad if I get skinny and then die. Just kidding, but really is the world going to end in 2012?

Much love,
Ashley

Like a Starfish

I was flipping through the pages of a Premiere Jewelry catalog when I spotted the ring that summed up my outlook on life. One of my best friends, Kelly Gebhard, recently started selling Premiere Jewelry. I didn't ever consider myself a jewelry person, until I opened that catalog. I fell in LOVE with everything. Literally, I found 2-3 pieces on every single page that I wanted. If you are interested in booking a party, please let me know and I'll give you Kelly's contact information. Plus, if you book a party, you get free jewelry. I got nearly $300 in free jewelry and I'm ready to host my next party after the first of the year. Anyway, back to my regularly scheduled story...

What really caught my eye when I was looking through the catalog was a the Starfish ring. I've have always loved Starfish. They are simple creatures; they don't even have a face. But I love what they represent.

"I want this ring," I said to Justin. "I'm absolutely in love!"

"It's a Starfish," he said confused.

"I know, but don't you know what a Starfish represents?" I asked. "All of its little arms are reaching for the sky. It's the dreamer of the ocean!"

Sure enough, I got my Starfish ring and I wear it when I need that extra boast of inspiration. A reminder to dream and always reach for the stars.

"Dreams are like stars, you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny."

Much love,
Ashley

Little Miss Sunshine? Not Every Single Day

I haven't wrote a blog for a while because I have been doing a lot of writing in my personal journal. The place where only my brown eyes and tears fill the pages. You see, I felt like I had reputation of writing uplifting, inspiring and moving blog posts. How could I let people know I have a different side? Let them know, I'm human?

I haven't felt anything inspiring or moving lately. I stopped running after work and starting drinking. I went right to tequila bottle and margarita mix. I was depressed. I felt overwhelmed with life. Student loans are up to almost $500 a month. My car is on it's last leg. My weight has sky rocketed, reaching an ALL TIME high. I wasn't sure how I was doing at work and I had a huge presentation that was consuming my every thought. I could cry.

I did cry.

I cried a lot.....


****

And I broke down today. I literally sat on the edge of the bed and just cried. And started praying for patience and courage and strength.

My presentation was today. It brought back horrible flashbacks of the last research presentation I did in college where an un-named client treated us with complete disrespect during our presentation. He even answered his cell phone during the middle of me talking and once he hung up, he interrupted and demanded I go back since he missed the previous three slides. Yes, that really happened. Yes, I tried to remain calm. And yes, it left a presentation scar in my mind.

This morning before Justin left for work, he told me that I would ROCK my presentation.

"Uh huh," I said back with little confidence.

Who is this person? I thought staring at myself in the mirror.

Where did you go? You used to be so happy and courageous and inspiring? Where are youuu!?

Tears filled my eyes.

"Babe, you just have to believe in yourself," Justin said. "And by the way, you are the one who makes all the plans. You are the dreamer here, Ashley. Why don't you start planning life if you aren't happy? Start doing something about it. Making plans for YOUR life!"

He was right. I wasn't doing a good job at planning life and taking control of my emotions.

I e-mailed him when I got to work and told me I drove to work repeating what he said in my head. I will rock it. I will rock it. I will rock it.

" Good, because I just want my dreamer wife back. The one who believes in unicorns and rainbows and loves small animals and dreams big!" Justin replied.

He is simply amazing. The last few days he was randomly sent me inspiring quotes. He knows how much I love quotes, inspiring ones at that- and he took the time to find perfect ones to fit my mood and situation.

***
I was really nervous, but my boss calmed me down. She gave me some professional tips and told me she believed in me. I will be fine. And my co-workers were there to smile and support me.

Before the presentation I listened to Glee Christmas music (Thanks Sam). I ate a peppermint candy cane so my breath smelled good. I made my butterflies fly away, Miley Cyrus style (Thanks for that one, Gina).

And I pictured this as my presentation to re-deem myself from the snarky un-named client from my past.

So, the Cinderella story goes on...the presentation went very well! I couldn't explain the feeling I felt while presenting. I loved it. This is what I went to school for - why was I so nervous? Why didn't I believe in myself?

You see, confidence is golden. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible.

Life happens. You can't prepare for it, but you have to anticipate the rush of bad events. It's just part of life and feeling sorry for yourself or drinking your sorrows away does nothing.

Justin actually inspired me to write this post. I was really afraid to let you all know how depressed I was, but Justin encouraged me to tell my true story. Let you know that I am human. I break down. I cry. I loss faith. I struggle.

So here you have it, the truth. I'm not little miss sunshine everyday. And as much as I want to be, I will still get rained on and feel discouraged. I will still fall down. But that doesn't make me a weak person. It just means that I'll be stronger for it later on.

Much love,
Ashley

It's A Sippy Cup Thing

"I'm really sorry that you have to wait on me to get change," the young cashier said. "Here, have a free drink."

I wasn't even mad about waiting. There was nothing I could do about his change drawer being short. I always try not to worry about these sort of events. The uncontrollable - only sometimes predictable- events that shape the hours of your day.

"Oh that's okay," I said.

And then I changed my mind, "Okay thanks!"

***

I decided on Raspberry Tea. I reached up for the lids.

Hmm, only one size.

Perhaps "one size fits all." Just like the free underwear I got from Victoria Secrets this weekend - which nice try- I saw those models last night and I'll be the first to object that "one size (of underwear) does not fit all."
 
I couldn't get the lid on me for the life of me.

I was pushing down hard.

I literally tried five different lids.

The lady next to be was smiling and I realized I looked like a fool.

"So do you think I have too much ice in here or something?" I asked.

She smiled.

"No, mine went on just fine," she said.

Of course, I thought.

"Here, let me try," she said.

She grabbed one of the five lids I had tried and put the lid went right on.

Slid her fingers around the rim and said, "Yup- it's a sippy cup thing!"

"You must be a mother," I said.

She smiled proudly and said, "Yes- yes I am. Mother of two."

She was probably 10 seconds away from showing me pictures of her children when my name was called for my order.

"Well, nice to meet you. And thanks for the sippy cup tip!"

***

Mother's have remarkable talents and instincts. I'm sure her children were only toddlers, but she saw the struggle in my eyes. The hostility in my movements. And she helped me. Mother's nature, help a child in need.


I am not sure that I thank my mother enough for all she has done for me. My mom has taught me the importance of helping others and sharing your love. She taught me to always share my heart with others, which is probably why I love writing and sharing my stories. She always encrouaged me to believe in others, especially when no one else did. It only takes one person to change a life.

You smile at people, hold the door open for them and always open up your arms for those in need of a hug or shoulder to cry on.

Her love and instincts are also part of the reason why I can't walk downtown Indy without wanting to give away all my change or leftovers to the homeless people. Absolutely heart-breaking. Makes me wonder if they had a mom to teach them these wonderful life lessons.

And when I look back into my life, I see many mothers who have shaped my life and taught me valuable life lessons. Like these beautiful ladies below....

Grandma's and aunts and cousins within my family and my new Sieb and Lahman family, my friend's families, my sister....and all of the coaches, counselors, teachers, bosses and complete strangers- who help you put on sippy lids or share a loving smile as they walk past...

I hope my children think about me like this one day. Little Copper and Avery, should you ever have a blog, I hope you can write about me in such a loving way -- that's a true dream of mine. And maybe I'll get cool points for playing video games to determine who will do the nightly chores. Just a thought. I think Justin will approve.

Thank you to my Mom & all the other mom's in the world who make such a difference - by doing the simplest things and teaching the sweetest lessons - your love and support does not go unnoticed.

Picture: My Mother Theresa and me, being silly- my favorite.

Much love,
Ashley

How To Save A Life

"Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life"

The lyrics above are from the song "How to Save a Life" by The Fray. I always think of my dear friends Corey Shaffer and Rick Girod when I hear this song. It reminds me of the importance of doing all I can to help save a life.

I've written about both Corey & Rick before. Quite a few times actually. Their deaths changed my outlook on life. The way I view daily interactions with people. The way that I believe in second chances. The way that I value the simple things in life. I'll never forget both of their smiles and love for life.

They were both in car accidents, which ended up taking their lives. But before they passed on, they recieved blood units in effort to save their life.

***
Did you know that one pint of blood can save up to three lives?

Less than an hour of your day, and you can save three lives.

Three mothers have their child back. Three brothers have their sister back. Three friends have their best friend back. Three dads have their little girl back. Three wives get their husband to wrap in their arms around again. Three children will get their parent back.

You can do it. With just an hour of your time.

If I still haven't convinced you to donate blood yet, then consider this:

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every single day.
• More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.

And lastly, the final statistic is why we do a blood drive every year in honor of Corey & Rick.

A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

For the last five years, Abbey Foster & Ashley Brune have graciously organized a blood drive in memory of their former boyfriends and best friends. With the help of family members, friends, and even complete strangers, they have helped the American Red Cross collect:
2006--92 units

2007--88 units

2008--87 units

2009--97 units

Doing the math, that is 364 units. We have potentially saved 1,092 lives. Unbelievable. One small event can have such a lasting impact.

Our hope to recieve more than 100 units this year. A lot more. We can do it. Let's break 100 this year!!


***

The blood drive is Saturday, December 18 · 9:00am - 3:00pm. The blood drive will take place in Zion Lutheran's Gym 1010 W. Monroe St. Decatur, IN 46733.

If you have questions about donating, please visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/. Or please feel free to contact me, Abbey Foster, or Ashley Brune directly. We will be happy to answer any of your questions.

You can also sign up for an appointment by sending a message to Ashley or Abbey through the Facebook event, 5th Annual Blood Drive in Memory of Rick Girod and Corey Shaffer.



I hope you will save the date to make a difference. To save a life.


Much love,
Ashley

Traditions

Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite holidays. You get to eat amazing food, watch football, visit with family and don't have to worry about a gift exchange. But mainly, I love the holiday because it makes you realize the importance of traditions. Family traditions.

***
Growing up with divorced parents, I never really felt like I had a "tradition" - as one holiday was with my mom and the next was with dad. I never went to the same place. I didn't sit in the same chair and play with the same kids. I didn't eat the same food and I didn't hug the same people. It was different. Every year.

***
Now that I am grown up, I realize that the rotation was my tradition. The change of scenery, food, and people was my tradition as a child. Which probably explains my ability to adapt to change well. I don't hate change. I embrace it. I love doing new things, meeting new people, and eating different foods. It also taught me to be thankful for people you see once a year. Because odds are you won't see them the next year. So hug them hard and long. More importantly, laugh every second you get.

I learned all of this through my tradition.

***
When I met Justin, his family was full of traditions. One in particular was eating oysters at Thanksgiving. Um, oysters? Last time I checked they looked like giant snot bubbles. No thank you.

"You aren't going to get welcomed into the family unless you eat a raw oyster, Ashley," I remember Justin saying. "We do it every year, and you don't want to be the only one who doesn't eat one."

Oh no. I am toast. I've only been dating this boy for three months and he wants me to eat an oyster? And a raw one at that? I'm definitely out of the family. And I am hardly in yet.

"And really, you just open up your throat and let it slide back," he said. "You don't have to chew it."

"Well, I won't be chewing it or swallowing it," I said. "Because I am not eating one of those giant boogers!"

Four years later, I am addicted to oysters. Eat them every single year at Thanksgiving. In fact, we even just bought some for my family's Thanksgiving meal.

***
The best part about traditions is sharing them. So whether your tradition is eating raw oysters or changing places each year, I hope you embrace your traditions, even if you don't realize they exist yet. You will one day.

Travel safely and love graciously.

Oh and, GO COWBOYS! =)

Much love,
Ashley

100th Post = Sneak Peak: Cierra's Senior Pictures

My baby sister is almost 18. It's hard to imagine that she will be going to college next year. She is growing up before my very eyes. Justin & I took her senior pictures on Saturday. Justin was the photographer pictures and I was the scene director & fashion director. Cierra was a fabulous model, completely beautiful. We made a great team.

So my darling, my 100th blog post is dedicated to you. I am so proud to be your sister.

Can someone say model?

Proud Wes Del Warrior! =)

Adorable.

Of course, Ashley had to jump in on a few.

She is obsessed with Monster!

I made her laugh. So cute.

Monster, do you need another model?

"The best part about having a sister is you always have a friend."

You are beautiful. I love you very much Cierra. I wish you all the success and happiness in life.

Much love,
Ashley