I'm a Sneaky Little Rat

...according to Chinese astrology anyway.  I used to totally buy into the whole astrology thing - that stupid forecast just kept coming true!  Sure it was completely generic, but once every blue moon it would be spot on!  Like today, my horoscope said I would not be able to stop talking.  LOL - pretty sure that's true every day.  I'm only surprised it didn't also tell me that the world 'gullible' isn't in the dictionary...

I don't remember how it came up, but the other day we were talking about Chinese astrology and what our animals were.  Erin and I are rats, both born in the same year.  Here's a few of the comments that I will be internalizing a little later...

Rat Characteristics:
Smart, Magnetic, Well-liked, Affable, Quick-witted, Surreptitious, Selfish, Protective, Calculating

Rats are both charming and aggressive. They appear calm and well balanced on the surface, but underneath, they are restless and a little nervous. Rats are never without admirers. They are very appealing. They have a bright and happy personality.  Rats can melt hearts with their smiles.

Generally friendly and sociable, the Rat is one of the extroverts of the Animal Zodiac. Often, the Rat is lively and genial, and has a special gift for easing the minds of others. It is not surprising that Rats have a lot of friends. They are great speakers and intriguing conversationalists, and can generally find something to say on just about any topic or subject. To the people they love, Rats can be amazingly charitable, popular and supportive, and will go out of their way to be certain their loved ones are content. On the other hand, if the Rat does not like someone, he is considered fair game and can be used to achieve any and all of the Rat's desires. At the end of the day, though, the Rat is a loyal friend and will be there for his companions through thick and thin.

These are a few of my Favorite Things...

No literally, this is a list of some of my favorite things.  =)

Obviously not all inclusive as I am amused by the littlest of things.  But since we're getting into that time of the year where it's good to reflect and be thankful for all the awesome things in your life... I figured this would be my own personal way of kicking it off.  And in Tosh.O style, I'll probably create an "I Hate" list sometime in the not too distant future... but for now... *drum roll* Ashley's favorite things!!!  In one word or less... otherwise this would be the world's longest blog.

1.  Laughing
2.  Hugs
3.  Snow
4.  Blankets
5.  Family
6.  Friendship
7.  Penguins
8.  Movies
9.  Christmas
10.  Rain
11.  Vacation
12.  Dreaming
13.  Smiles
14.  Love
15.  Candles
16.  Surprises
17.  Sleeping
18.  Singing
19.  Relaxing
20.  Puppies
21.  Clouds

Just a few... I could go on.  Yay for whimsicality!

She Said Do Do...

Sometimes I crack myself up.  I'm pretty sure it's a gift... but I can't turn it on or off.  So it typically hits at an inopportune time...

Anyway, this afternoon I was able to laugh at just about anything.  Things like the junk email I got saying "Big penis is very cool!", snickering when a co-worker says "do do," or the bumper sticker on the car in front of me that said "I <3 DAR"...  I spent more than a little bit of time trying to figure out what DAR stood for... Daughters of the American Revolution?  Probably, but way too boring.  I <3 Dreaming about Ashley's Radiance... much more interesting!  That's actually not the first one I thought of... but I'm not going to post it, I'll let you try to guess, lol.

I also laughed at (with?) my friend Stephanie.  I'm pretty sure she and her stories get a little more awesome every day.  (Santa smells like sausage!)  So blog shout out - holla!!

Sometimes it's good to laugh at yourself... and at your friends.  I'm tired of taking everything so seriously, and laughing really is the way I'd like to spend 99% of the day...

I'm excited for the holidays.  We're decorating the house this weekend.  I missed Christmas last year because I was sick with the flu.  So this year I'm going to find the world's perfect gifts and spend a lot of time with family and friends, and hopefully get to play in lots and lots of snow.  I've got two weeks off work and it's going to be great, assuming nobody gets me sick again this year!

So, there's another random blog post for you.  To go along with that, here's a couple of really random pictures too.  The first one is of my hair after a hair cut (I try to take them so I can remember how to style it the next day), but I like the complete washed out, super pale look.  The second is my dogs. They're waiting to eat my goldfish crackers.  Yep, random, but that's all I've got for now!!

Hoses, Brackets and a Bedazzled Bump Cap!

So much to blog about, so little time!

Halloween happened over the weekend... as did my squirrel costume.  It turned out better than I expected... which is good since it took me about 5 hours to sew together (by hand).  But we had a good time at our house with some good friends and a bonfire in the backyard.  Below is a picture of me and my BFF and NUT, Krystal. Yes, I know, we're way too awesome for our own good!

This week has been really long and extra challenging.  I've been working in the shop assembling some giant tractors!  I know, I can't believe it either... I've been told I'm "too girly" and "too clean" and all sorts of other "too's" this week and it makes me very happy to prove them all wrong!  That's right, I got down and dirty with some massive pieces of cold steel between my legs... twss.

I'm learning to put together the front end of a tractor... installing hoses, brackets, fans, cores, etc.  I've learned all kinds of new words and I've even made some new friends... ok they're acquaintances.  And I can operate just about any power tool (pay no attention to the giant bruise on my hand)... not to mention a whole new appreciation for the people who do those jobs every day.  I've done it for four days and I'm exhausted both mentally and physically.  But I've got to say... I feel more than just 'kind of' a bad Ash!

Oh, and I bedazzled my bump cap. =)