It's cold, hard facts rainin' up in here...

Momma, in a recent tiff, told me that I should call Grandma more. Truth be told y'all, I love my Grandma more than my own life. And after I lost Daddy, I just couldn't stand the thought of losing anyone ever again. I didn't call her as much as I should. Mostly because I couldn't be reminded of the love I have for this woman. She is everything I have ever wanted to be, and is proof of everything that is beautiful in this world. I couldn't stand to feel such love and closeness for someone who will not live as long as me.
When Momma said this to me, I almost died, then promised my only New Year's Resolution would be to call my Grandma, at least 2 times a week. I called her today, and we talked for at least 2 hours. At the end of the conversation she said, "Ash, I was feeling down, and I wondered what 2012 would bring. Then you called me, and now I know that this New Year will be great."
What a blessing y'all, and how damned selfish have I been by not just calling when I missed her so much I could die? I love my Grandma so much...she is truly my soulmate. I promise I will never make the mistake of not calling again. I'm no longer scared to live life..I'll live it as long as the good Lord has me on this Earth, and I promise I'll call my Grandma every week. I think Daddy would be proud.

An open letter to the madness of housewifery,

Dear 10 loads of laundry,
you are freaking KILLING ME. No really. KILLING ME. Who in the HELL wears this many sets of outfits when they're at Aunt Lisa's house? Apparently my family. That's who. And who has "special consideration" pieces like us? Tutus, only cold water pants, only dry clean, only have to sneeze once before you wash, etc. Again. My family. If this is servitude then servitude can kiss my a%s! I bet honey badger doesn't have to do this.
love,
me

Ah hell..Momma's home!

Went to hell and back again (that, in a metaphor, means I lived in Iwakuni, Japan, on an air station, and lived to tell the tale when I left)--This is a truth to be sure, that place is a hell hole of ugliness and horrible energy. Quite possibly because the Marines there are air station Marines, which makes me hate them. A Marine handles shit. He isn't a flier of planes nor is he an officer that is a dick. Just sayin' And he ALWAYS, ALWAYS, has a proper high and tight. I knew I was in trouble when I saw Marines with Air Force hair cuts and sweat pants out in public. Idiots.
So glad I'm home now, and Marine is retired. Because that means I have no constraints on me whatsoever when I post on my site. Ahhh hell y'all..things are about to get interesting.

Letters from home...

Love Letters from Kchan
Of course I had to get in the act. Translation - We love you!


Sending donations to Fukushima and Kchan said that she had something she had to include. We spread out a piece of poster paper across the kitchen and she started writing her "Love Letter" to the Emergency Center. Afterward, she asked me if I could please box up her toys and also add her bed to the box of supplies. She said, "Momma, I can't stand the thought of them sleeping on the floor, can you send my bed to the children too?". I sat down and counted our blessings. The tears were finally ones of joy for the first time in 2 weeks.

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Very heavy heart today. Things in Japan are not good. The destruction is widespread and all encompassing. If you'd like to help from where you are, please click HERE and see how you can help.

Happy Valentine's Day honey!

Make your own postcard design

Oh the tangled webs we weave...

Sitting here thinking about how crazy life can be. Not a very life-changing statement for sure, but one that is certainly moving my life in the direction that it is going. Because, as all us good Southern Baptists know, if you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.
My life has led me in many directions these past 5 years. To Okinawa, Japan...to mainland Japan (which...GOD help me)..and who knows where next. One thing is constant. My love for my husband, my daughter, my family. I found, in all my study, that there's a reason there is even a phrase for it in the most dead of all languages..Latin. Amor Vincit Omnia (and not the crazy painting with a half cupid and a broken violin on the floor, nor the painting by Michaelangelo...so maybe Omnia Vincit Amor for those of you with a passion for the Spanish lean to the word). Love Conquers All.
Here's to a year of new beginnings, new homes, new places to explore..and a world where truly love does conquer all obstacles. Blessings to you and yours!

Well hello there!

Is there any reason, in particular, that I've neglected my blog so much that I had to come in with a team to "flip my blog"? No..there is no reason. Other than I left my beloved home, Okinawa, and came suddenly and violently to Mainland Japan. It has been quite the transition for me. Marine and Doodle seem to be getting on amazingly well. I'm the only one who had trouble.
I've since taken to teaching at the school (finally giving this Master's Degree JUSTICE!), and have subsequently decided to learn Italian. It just SOUNDS romantic doesn't it?
My precious little sister is expecting, and everything here on the home front is gearing up for retirement. Can't wait until this Marine's wife is celebrating all manner of holidays with my family.
So..for Thanksgiving..I am thankful for such a beautiful soul to be married to. My husband, Marine, is more of a soul mate than I could EVER have dreamed of to be mine. I'm thankful for a beautiful, intelligent daughter, who, incidentally, won a writing contest this week (proving she is SO much like her Momma), and I'm thankful for the absolute most precious family anyone could ever achieve. My Momma, my sister, my Grandma, my Aunt Lisa...they all keep nudging me even when I'm 10,000 miles away. How blessed am I that I can pick up the phone and literally FEEL their presence all the way over here in Japan? :) And last, but not least, I'm thankful for my daughter's God Father Dustin. We love you SO much and can't wait until we get to be within driving distance of each other!
All in all, this is a year of many blessings. Lil Bean (my sister's baby) is sure to come by February..retirement comes in June..and in between there is nothing but love. Just as Daddy would want it to be. Have a blessed Thanksgiving all. Remember your blessings...and as Bing sings in Holiday Inn..."I've got plenty to be thankful for"..

My Momma's Day..as a Momma, not a daughter

Most of my existence before Doodle was, as some pre-children women's lives were...I laid in bed until I wanted to get up..if I wasn't in the mood for breakfast, well, forget it..lunch could be sometime. Either that or I would dig the leftovers from last night's rockin dinner and down them with a flat glass of wine. Let me say this, I'm not trying to be the spokesperson of how childless women live, so save yourself from composing the hate mail. I'm telling you that is how THIS momma lived.
Now, well, now life is different. Still a cynical Momma at heart..I'm always taken aback at these undying professions of love lured my way. Like, what could I have POSSIBLY done to deserve the love and devotion of this precious little girl?? Today, Doodle gave me a card she made in school. It said, in her handwriting, "Momma, I luv you becus you make my bos and you always make shur my nals ar painted...and u are so kool". AHHHH...Ladies, may you all be blessed with such accolades.
Hubby woke me with a happy plate breakfast in bed :).

And because Marine knows me...my coveted pair of Coach sunglasses...
Then, went to take me to get a proper Japanese pixie cut. Then...cho expensive sunglasses to shade these eyes from that there sun. I posted those pics mostly because I look SO MUCH like Momma.

Then tonight, he wanted to know what a queen would eat on her special day. Of course I told him, Ribs, BBQ Beans, and Potato Salad.

I ate like a queen..and I sat down in the floor and I blessed the good Lord for bringing me to this point in my life...with this man, and this little girl. We're so blessed y'all. We're so blessed.

To my Momma..

You may be wondering about the picture of potato salad that heads this story. You shouldn't. It's the same recipe that's made it through countless years of family reunions, and many good years of 4th of July celebrations. Just like my Momma, this recipe is tried and true. And I thought, a pretty good way to show how Momma really does just make everything taste/sound/feel better. When you see Mother's Day cards in Hallmark, they say things thanking Mommas for "loving me", "helping me grow", and "just for loving me". For me, Momma's Day means so much more.
Yesterday on the phone my Momma and I were "solving the world's problems" and near the end of the conversation she told me..."Ash, I know that you're 8,000 miles away, but I feel like you're RIGHT here beside me". I told her I felt the same way, got choked up, and we said our I love yous. I've been thinking about that a lot today. But..it's more than just a passing phone call. With one ring, and 10 seconds of conversation, my Momma knows if I'm happy, sad, or indifferent. And, if sad or indifferent, we work that out before I hang up. Momma has always been that way. Able to read me just by hearing me.
And that's why she is a true embodiment of what Mother's Day is. She is my protector, my comforter, my shielder from anything bad that might happen, and my very best friend. And when she tells me during a phone call that she loves me...I feel that all the way to the bottom of my feet and up again.
Momma, I love you too...and I pray that I can one day be the same influence on Doodle that you are on me.
Happy Mother's Day - to the BEST MOMMA EVER!!!!

A Momma...and the two daughters she raised JUST right :).