Home is wherever I'm with you.

The only thing keeping me from going completely awol is love.
If Ollie weren't here, this Christmas may be the saddest one yet. Without him, I'd be listless and dull. I love that he keeps me smiling. I need him.
It's kind of strange living with another family. No matter how much I care for them, this "situation" is taking its toll on my mind.
Hopefully, seeing my family (and my Stephen) will pull me out of this funk.
Oliver is my light, and he'll help me get through the dark.

X
a

Salvation Song

Listening to The Avett Bros... Makes me miss Winner Ave in Columbus, and REALLY miss my old friends.
Isn't Xmas supposed to be cheery and such? Maybe it's because I feel strangely out of place? I'm not sure. The people I care most about are in Illinois, and this time of year is just harder for that reason.
Not to mention the fact that I feel discouraged about living on my own.
Gosh...
"we came for salvation. We came for family. We came for all that's good that's how we'll walk away."
Oh well- gotta keep lookin up!

Parenting- a true story

It's difficult being a parent. Yes, it's rewarding and wonderful, but it's also very, very difficult at times. I can't tell you how many times I've cried from frustration, struggled with decisions, and held back much more when dealing with my son.
Example***
Ollie goes to his father's 2 nights/week. I've been struggling with getting him on a schedule and stabilizing his eating/sleeping habits since we moved. Trying to get his father on the same page, while trying to make it work for me, too, is like pulling teeth. I can't get a break, and it doesn't help that he doesn't have his own room. I'm worried that by the time we get a place, I'll be so rundown from trying to be a good disciplinarian that I won't be able to follow through (not to mention getting him adjusted, yet again, to a new living environment).
Another example**
His teacher told me today that she's worried about his speech, and I should look into getting him to a specialist. Now, I'm not 100% surprised by this. Most people have a hard time understanding Ollie (myself included at times). It just felt like a cold jab in my heart hearing it from his teacher.

I feel like a bad mother some days, and some days I feel okay about it. Sure, Oliver has good manners and can be pleasant, but he also has anger issues (I think) and hits himself when he's frustrated. Sometimes, I worry I may be doing something wrong, and it scares me to death!
All I can do is take advice when it's given to me, and do what I think is right for my son.
I just hope what I'm doing is right. It's all I can do with what I have right now...

X

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Golfing with The Finkledinks

Ahh, yes. Another glorious Saturday night in Tremont. We went to Duck island to see Dave Hammer play, and had! A! Blast! Duh, we're rockstars.
It's crazy how much fun we have when we get together! Seriously, you should meet us out next time. Totes.
****
Random thoughts:
I hate it when I lay down for bed, and realize the light was left on and I need to get oUT of my snug nest to turn it off. Lame. #justsayin
Also, I being without a vehicle. It's getting on my nerves, and I need to find/buy one asap. Now, if I could only find a decent one instead of some pos listing on Craigslist.

*le sigh* goodnight, universe. I'll catch ya later or I'll catch ya on another time...
X
A

Salon Happenings: Tuesday!

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Quotes and Salon Happenings

"Get the Shellac outta here!"

"I think he blew Mrs. Kopp's hair into my boot."

(Whispered) "good morning."

"How do you spell Glascott?"- Daughter
"Same as your last name, honey, G-l-a-s-c-o-t-t."- Mother

Not really a quote, but still funny:
Alli is on the phone with a client and randomly picks up the calculator... Then puts it back down. For no reason. *hilarious.

"Your last appointment cancelled, do you want me to close out your day?"- Me
"No- I want to work. I need money. I living."- #9

"Alice!"-Dorothy

"Thank you for chewing Palmieri Salon and Spa this is Ashley" (haha oops!)

MORE TO COME!
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Is this real life??

Still thinking positive, even though it's pretty crummy right now.
The car didn't work out (transmission=poo), so I'm currently on the prowl for some decent wheels.
KT came over and I tried giving her a guitar lesson. I don't know if I'm a good teacher, or if I'm completely spazzy and annoying. Tough call.
My son has an ear infection, so... There's that. Aahhh.. Hmmm! Gosh- what else? ...
I am thinking about giving this blog some kind of "pow" or zing. Something that might stand out or get people to read everyday. How about having a funny/fun quote for the day? Something I made up or heard in a film? Hmm, we'll see!
Party on, Wayne-
X
A

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2L2Q (Too Legit To Quit)

I am officially SET to drive my precious! Now, I just have to master driving a manual! Eep!
X
A

'We used to wait'

Sundays are my favorite. Most of the day is spent laying around, but I think that's what's so great about Sundays. Ollie and I had some quality bonding time, and we colored and played "Simon says" for a bit.
Family dinner tonight was delish! Flat dumplings and chicken! Yumyumyum!
Family gatherings usually means family spats. My roommate's kids argued (as siblings do) and I felt wedged in the middle. *ugh* It wasn't that bad, I just felt strange. And it made me miss my little sister and brother.
I'm hoping to see my family soon! I was able to find a car yesterday (thank you, Eric! thank you, Paw!!), so I should be able to make the trek to see them sometime soon! Woop! Woop!
I'm currently looking for an apartment. Holly helped me make some sort of budget, and I'm thinking I'll be fine. I'm interested in housing near Coventry- so, like, Cleveland Hts area.
Wish me luck!

X
A

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The Pumpkin Cake

Totally delicious

Left Out of Tee Time

Tonight was full of family visits and good food. Holly made kiniflis (spelled however) and pumpkin layer cake! Delish! Savannah and Jason left to meet up with Heidi, and I'm stuck staying in. At first, I was already sort of sleepy, so I didn't care. But now that Ollie's sleeping, I wish I'd been able to go. Oh well. You can't always get what you want...

Having a toddler is full of surprises. One minute I'm completely content, and the next he's fussy or annoying in some way and I feel slightly bipolar. There are moments when I just want to walk away from him and lock myself in a room and sit in silence. And there are times when I wouldn't want to be any place else but on the floor playing Toy Story games together. It's a roller coaster of emotions, and I can never predict when the ride will go up or come down.

Ollie's in bed now. He looks so sweet and peaceful when he's sleeping- it almost breaks your heart. I just love this little guy to itty bits, no matter how much he gets on my nerves.

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A

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Sleepy time

Mommy loves Ollie

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Friends For Dinner

Dinner: Chipotle
Friends: Jeskuh, Justin, Sammy, and yes..Patches

After spending most of the day working at the salon, it was quite lovely to hear from my pal, Jessica Swann. She is great for cheering up/good times. Sooo, she came to get Ollie and me for a fun night in! Woop! Woop! We grabbed some Chipotle, and headed to her place! Magical times would ensue!
I always enjoy our little visits. Although, I wish they would occur more often (hmm- WHEN WILL I GET THIS FLIPPIN CAR?! rats!). I really do love how I can just be completely, 100% at-home with her and Justin.
One of the many set-backs to being a young, single parent is being able to "hang out" or do ANYTHING without worrying about your child. Jessica is always welcoming to my son, and she never makes me feel like a burden or unwanted. She makes me feel just how a great friend should make you feel- loved.
So, like I said, she's pretty much the coolest.

Oliver has been so defiant lately. He says "no" to everything I say, he wants to yell more and more, and it's like pulling teeth trying to get him to bed. I think a lot of it is his age, but also the moving around and situation. I can't wait to get my own apartment. At least then he will have his OWN space, and I will establish some kind of stability in both our lives.

Well, I am off to enjoy tonight! Thanks for reading!

X
A

Freshy Fresh

I am about to embark on a new adventure in blogdom. Needless to say, I am psyched to write about whatever as often as possible!
Possible/Probable topics to blog about:
*Salon happenings
*Mommy-ness
*Deligating
*Time management
*Partying/Getting "golfed" (to be explained at a later time)
*Acronyms, oldies and newbies
*Trends
*Love

I would like to thank a friend, Ryan, for reminding me to blog and getting this ball rolling.
Comments/Critisms are always encouraged! Suggestions for blog topics? Please let me know!

xo/many thanks,

a

Hat.

Puzzles

Fishies

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my rockstar

It is soooo nice outside :)

xo

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Pumpkins!

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Autumn graces me

Dear RSG,I can only spell it out for you so many times before it's annoying... Why are you torturing me? ... Stop complicating things, please.

Some days I hate how much I let other people and their feelings affect me...

The Light!

I am starting to see light at the end of this tunnel! Feeling good about where I am, and so thankful for my friends!

Looking forward to figuring this out and having an adventure :)

Home

I can't say what home is to me. I've moved too much too quickly, and it has made me forget the feeling of "home."
Mom's house feels like Mom's house. Steve's house is a bachelor pad. The Rolfs have their own home. And I'm just... Transient.
I feel lost and unsure, but hopeful? I know it will get better. I have to make my own home for Ollie and myself. Someday... It will happen.
Until then, I hope this anxiety wears off
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Sunday with Edward Sharpe

"I've been sleepin for 60 days and nobody better pinch me, bitch i swear i'll go crazy."

It's been a good day, I think. Ollie and I played outside a lot, and Chloe came over and let Ollie drive her Power Wheel! Too fun! The Rolfs left for a party, but Jass and I made dinner for Gma and Gpa... yum!

Gonna watch some more Stella, and then off to the Grog shop with CAS and friends!

*happy*

x

a

Grr and Rar: A Phrase I Know All Too Well

So... Moving in with The Rolfs on Tuesday went swimmingly. Holly, John, Jack and Savvy were very sweet, and made Oliver and I feel so welcome.  Our things are put away, we're getting settled in, and I'm loving this environment for Ollie.  I just wish this nagging in the back of my head would cease. I can't stop thinking about my "rash decision" and if it was the right one.  I still have feelings for Stephen, but I don't think he's ready for this relationship right now. *le sigh*

Hopefully, once I start working, everything will fall into place.

Men

I hate how I always feel like a crazy person. A crazy woman incapable of a long-term relationship. You know the story...
I just wish men weren't so stubborn and unthoughtful.
I have made sacrifices moving to Ohio (in March), and I have loved with my whole heart. Can't a man SEE that?
Ugh... I suppose I'll have to handle this situation with extreme ease as to not hurt anyone's feelings.
I just wish my heart didn't ache this much... Makes it hard to concentrate.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

I need to occupy my time with something. So I'm not constantly reminded of how much I miss him or "what if I made a mistake?"

So this is the hard part, eh? I think I can handle it. At least, I hope I can.

i heart my curling iron

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le sigh

my body is tired, but my mind keeps going.
a little blog on long-distance relationships:
Nev and I have been together nearly a year, and have spent less than 2 months with each other (in person). This is exhibit a. Nev texts me half as much as i text him, and rarely calls to tell me wonderful nothingness. This is exhibit b. Nev lives 400+ miles away from where i am "stuck" without a vehicle. This will be exhibit c.
Exhibit a is key as to why we miss each other so much and stay infatuated with one another. If we only see each other once or so a month, we maintain the butterflies-in-my-tummy feeling EVERY time we see each other. So, every moment spent together is special and precious because it will end and not return for another 4+ weeks.
Exhibit b is probably the MOST important part of any relationship: c-o-m-m-u-n-i-c-a-t-i-o-n. Nev and I are open with one another. i am honest about my feelings, but he rarely shares things with me (besides the mushy "i miss you and love you" bits). and the bottom line for me is KNOWING that he thinks of me as much as i think of him. he knows how hurt i am when he doesnt text me a goodnight message or a good-morning message. those messages may seem silly to YOU, but they let me know he is thinking of me first thing when he wakes and last thing before he sleeps. *comfort*
Exhibit c is something i am working on. i need a car anyway-regardless the drive it takes to get to Ohio. Having/not having a vehicle effects every aspect of my life. He does, however, come to visit me sometimes and meet halfway when i get a ride, so...there's that.
BUT THIS STILL STINKS.
Who wants to be in a serious long-distance relationship? no one. if you want to be serious about someone, make it happen. at least don't wait a whole year...it's upsetting, really. If i were to break up with him (which i have thought about), it would not change the fact that i'd miss him immensely and want to write him letters and hear form him and kiss him...it just wouldn't. So...for now...this is the way things will be. But if i have to wait another 6 months like this, i will break it off. there's just nothing else to be done at that point.
ok...i'm done ranting.

blogs are taking over America

it is amazing to me the effect blogs have on today's society. someone with no credibility whatsoever can write a blog with profound emotion and ideas, and BOOM! it spreads to every social network via link and such. I intend to become one of these not-so-qualified bloggers, and my works shall be known. i will write something clever. provocative and cunning. smart and humorous. it will be wonderful, and everyone will love it.

it's going to happen.
just not today.