ashlynne12

Virtual Oscar Party

2007-02-24T15:32:41Z

My husband's friend Kelly used to have an Oscar party every year. I only went to one of these, but it was a lot of fun. She handed out ballots and everyone voted on what they thought the outcome of the Oscar nominations would be. But with everyone flung across the country Chris has decided to host this Oscar party online with everyone submitting their choices via blogs. Chris spent some time and choose who he thought should win verses who would actually win, but I'm not planning on putting that much effort into it.

Leading Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio -- This was an awesome movie, and he deserves more than a nod to his role.

Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin -- He stole the movie.

Leading Actress: Helen Mirren -- I've heard really good things about this movie, but I have yet to see it.

Supporting Actress: Adriana Barraza -- I want to see this movie still, so this is just a guess on my part.

Animated Feature: Cars -- This movie just isn't even fair to the others in the category.

Art Direction: Pan's Labyrinth -- Awesome movie and it should get every award it is nominated for.

Cinematorgaphy: Pan's Labyrinth

Costume Design: Curse of the Golden Flower -- Ok, so I just like Oriental styles.

Directing: The Departed -- Hands down, the best movie I saw last year.

Documentary Feature: My Country, My Country -- I know nothing about any of these, so this is as good as any choice.

Documentary Short: The Blood of Yingzhou District -- Again I know nothing about these.

Film Editing: Blood Diamond -- Great movie.

Foreign Language Film: Pan's Labyrinth

Makeup: Pan's Labyrinth

Original Score: Pan's Labyrinth

Original Song: "Our Town" Cars -- I love this movie, you can't go wrong with Pixar.

Best Picture: The Departed -- Did I mention this was the best movie I saw last year?

Animated Short Film: No Time for Nuts -- I like the title

Live Action Short Film: Binta and the Great Idea -- Sounds interesting...

Sound Editing: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest -- You can never go wrong with Johnny Depp

Sound Mixing: Blood Diamond

Visual Effects: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest -- Poseidon sucked, it had better not win.

Adapted Screenplay: The Departed

Original Screenplay: Pan's Labyrinth

For those interested you can see our other ballots at the following blogs:
Life Among the Natives
And so... frolic!
Here I Am... Yes, it's True

Weight Loss Update

2006-08-16T00:03:45Z

Slow but steady wins the race right?

Happy Days

2006-07-28T12:27:31Z

I have been at my new job for a week now. I love it. Working for the paper, things are always busy in the office. If there is some slow time, it doesn't usually last very long. Right now I'm still learning things, but I really think this was the change I needed. :)

On another note, we have been geocaching lately. It is really a lot of fun. We went to a "Meet and Greet" this week and came home with a very cool looking tracker bug. The SA Space Bear.

Pretty cool, huh?

So anyways, That's all I really had to say today. So I'll cach you again next time. :)

Finally some good news

2006-07-10T02:51:04Z

First of all, my job seeking has finally paid off and I got a new job at the local paper. I start on the 21st, and can't wait!

Secondly, I have finally crossed the weight plataeu and broken 220. Now to keep it going down.

I know it's not a very exciting post for other things, but I had to share

Not really much to say.....

2006-06-07T16:43:46Z

There's not much going on lately. I've been trying to walk 3 miles a day to see if that will help me get over the platuae that I'm on, and we'll just have to wait and see what happens on that.

Other than that things have been going pretty well. I'm not sleeping well, but that's about normal anyways *lol*

So, I really just wated to post an update on the whole weight thing:

Four Things

2006-06-02T02:42:13Z

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
     1) Babysitter
      2) Camp Counselor
      3) Photo Lab Technician
      4) Secretary

B) Four movies I would watch over and over:
      1) The Princess Bride
      2) Save the Last Dance
      3) Anastasia
      4) Monty Python & The Holy Grail

C) Four places I have lived:
      1) Cazenovia, NY
      2) Clarion, PA
      3) Toney, AL
      4) Fayetteville, TN

D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
      1) Big Love
      2) Deadwood
      3) Entourage
      4) Alias

E) Four places I have been on vacation:
      1) Orlando, FL
      2) Montreal Canada
      3) Washington D.C.
      4) Winter Park, CO

F) Websites I visit daily
      1) vallnet.com
      2) cnn.com
      3) msnbc.com
      4) reallifecomics.com

G ) Four of my favorite foods:
      1) Sauerkraut
      2) Spagetti
      3) Chocolate
      4) Coffee

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
      1) Gatlinburg
      2) Hanging out with friends
      3) At the ocean
      4) At the lake

I) Four friends I think will respond:
      1) Val
      2) Aimee
      3) Jason
      4) Jason

RETURN DIRECTIONS: Now, here's what you're supposed to do... And please do not spoil the fun. Copy this, delete my answers and type in your answers. Then post to your own blog. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known facts about those who know you. Remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you.

The pains of the sun.....

2006-05-30T21:50:30Z

We went to the RenFest on Sunday.

I had a really good time while there. Mom, Dad, Lisa and the boys were there, as well as Chris, Mike, Jason and Brian.
I had a chance to hang out with the family types while Chris got to walk around with our friends who all walk much slower than myself and my family. I thought that this worked out really well for both parties. I joined the guys after my family left due to the rain.

Now, I'm not sure if it was the rain or the sweat or a combination of the two, but my sunscreen didn't work very well during the day. :( Now granted, that I didn't even think of putting sunscreen on my legs, but MY GOD! My arm has been killing me since Sunday night. Had I known that the burn on my arm was as bad as the burn on my legs, they would have been getting doses of aloe every 15 minutes too that evening while having dinner with Lisa and company. As it was though, I only thought that my legs had the bad burn and didn't notice my arms until I got home from Nashville that night.

Let's just say that for someone who usually sleeps on their side, sleeping has been a very painful experience lately. :(

I've got one bottle of aloe for home, and another one for the office. Plus I've been taking asprin and I even stopped at lunch to get some ointment to put on the stupid thing. I simply hurt too much to even move right now, and I hate the fact that I'm trying to work and not be in pain! We'll just say that I won't be joining the guys at the gym tonight. I went last night, but even that was a mistake.

ashlynne12 @ 2006-05-21T11:45:00

2006-05-21T17:04:46Z

1. What time did you get up this morning? 11:30

2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? V for Vendetta

4. What is your favorite TV show? Big Love

5 .What did you have for breakfast? Yogurt

6. What is your middle name? Marie

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Chinese

8. What foods do you dislike? Cucumbers and Watermelon

9. Your favorite Potato chip? Barbeque

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Don't have one

11. What kind of car do you drive? 1993 Ford Tarus

12. Favorite sandwich? Tuna

13. What characteristics do you despise? People who don't when to shut up and go away

14. Favorite item of clothing? jeans

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Switzerland or Ireland

16. What color is your bathroom? Boring old white

17. Favorite brand of clothing? Old Navy

18. Where would you want to retire to? That's an awfully long way away... I don't know

19. Favorite time of day? Anytime I'm actually awake enough to enjoy it.

20. Where were you born? Syracuse, NY

21. Favorite sport to watch? None of them

22. Who do you least expect to continue this challenge? Jason

23. Person you expect to finish it back first? No one... all my other friends have already done this one.

24. What laundry detergent do you use? Whatever's on sale

25. Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi

26. Are you a morning person or night owl? Night Owl

27. What size shoe do you wear? 10.5

28. Do you own any pets? 1 hamster and 2 mice

29. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? Can't think of any

30. What did you want to be when you were little? an astronaut

31. Favorite Candy Bar? No candy bars for me

32. What is your best childhood memory? Fishing with Pa

33. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? camp counselor, food service, photo lab tech, secratary

34. What color underwear are you wearing? Bleh, I'm still in pj's

35. Nicknames: Ash, Joanie

36. Piercing? ears - twice each

37. Eye color? brown

38. Ever been to Africa? Nope

39. Ever been toilet papering? Nope

40. Love someone so much it made you cry? yes

41. Been in a car accident? Yeah, but nothing serious

42. Croutons or bacon bits? Yes please

43. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

44. Favorite restaurant? Chef Wang's

45. Favorite flower? Don't have one

46. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate

47. Disney or Warner Brothers? Disney

48. Favorite fast food restaurant? Sonic

49. What color is your bedroom carpet? Tan

50. How many times did you fail your driver's test? none

51. Before this what were you doing? Checking my email

52. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? No credit cards for me

53. What do you do most often when you are bored? read

54. Bedtime? about 11 most days

55. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? Like I said, no one else will do this

56. Last person you went to dinner with? Chris

58. What are you listening to right now? The birds outside my window

59. What is your favorite color? Purple and Green

60. Lake, Ocean or river? Lake

61. How many tattoos do you have? none

62. Which came first the chicken or the egg? the egg

63. How many best friends do you have? 5

64. What is it you fear the most? Failing

65. Do you secretly like/love someone that your friends think you hate? nope

66. Have you ever considered suicide? yes

67. Say the worst thing about your best friend? Can't really think of anything

68. Name something that you secretly find amusing, even if it shouldn't be? watching my mice fight about who's turn they think it is in their wheel

69. What is the most selfish thing you long for? finishing college

70. 1,000 of them for you or you for 1,000 of them? Huh?

71. Survival of the Fittest or Equality? survival

72. What do you hate the most about yourself? my weight

73. Do you have a mortal enemy? no.

74. Married or single? married

75. Which would you prefer; Kids or a Dog? a dog

76. Paper or plastic? paper

77. Favorite vacation spot? Gatlinburg

78. Who's your favorite cartoon character? don't have one

79. What did you have for dinner last night? scrambled eggs

80. If you could relive any moment in your life, what would it be? don't know

81. Would you change any part of it? n/a

82. What would you have the outcome be? n/a

83. Name the best thing about your job. the people

84. Name the worst thing about your job. The boss

85. Favorite season? winter

86. What do you like to do on your day off? sleep and read

87. Favorite online resource? dunno

88. Diet or Exercise? both

89. Last book you read? The Da Vinci Code

90. How do you take your coffee? cream and splenda

91. How will you spend your next vacation? vacation?

92. Who is your favorite music group? The Troubs

93. If family wasn't an issue, how would you secretly like to spend next Christmas? alone with just Chris

94. What car would you most like to drive? something that isn't broken down

95. Have you ever taken money from your parents? no

96. Name something you've never done in front of someone else. that's a silly question

97. How many entires do you have in your cell phone list? cell phone?

98. Who would you like to see as the next President? someone who isn't into politics

99. What is your biggest pet peeve? Someone who doesn't know what they are doing

100. How much money would you need to win before you would quit your job? not money, happiness

Foods you know and love...

2006-05-19T19:44:17Z

So, I was recently surfing a news site from my hometown and discovered a link from the NY Times travel section: What to do with 36 hours in Syracuse: http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/05/19/travel/escapes/19hours.html

It brought back some good memories, both new and old, and I started thinking about all the great food that I left behind when I moved to Tennessee....

1. Grandma Brown's Baked Beans -- These wonderful baked beans are made in Mexico, NY and only seem to be sold in stores in the Central NY region. They are one hundred times better than anything else you can buy. Nice and thick and wonderful when made just right.... bacon, ketchup and a little mustard to cut the sweetness.

2. Salt Potatoes -- A Central NY classic and must have at any summer function. Boil these little buggers in salt water and let the butter melt on them for a taste of heaven.

3. Turkey Joints -- First, let me say that these are nothing like what you are thinking right now. Turkey Joints are a sesonal candy found around the Holiday times. We used to buy them for my father every year for Christmas. Chocolate and brazil nuts covered with a candy coating and shaped a bit like a bone.

4. German Sausages from Liehs and Steigerwald's -- Anything that we bought there was good, and they had the best bologna samples for the kids.

Updates about nothing.....

2006-04-20T21:09:34Z

I know it's been a while since I last posted. I've just been so worn out lately... :( I was feeling sick on Tuesday and skipped the gym altogether and simply went to bed. I was asleep by 8pm and slept most of the night through. I haven't felt sick since, but I'm still feeling pretty tired.

Plus on top of being really tired all the time right now, I keep feeling like I'm going to cry... You know how your eyes get when they hurt really bad from sinuses and things, well it's kinda like that.

I was going to post here yesterday, but I forgot what it was that I was going to talk about.

I'm still on a plateau on my diet, even with the exercise, I can't seem to drop any further. :( I did manage to get 10 miles on the bike last night though, that felt pretty good.

On the upside of things, Peabody was captured successfully last weekend. He was coated with peanut butter, much to the amusement of his brother who has spent the week trying to eat him. He has begun to smell a bit less of the peanut butter finally and I think Sherman is a bit put off by this little fact, as Peabody has been taking back his rightful place as the more aggressive mouse finally. *chuckles*

That's about all I've got to say right now in my life. Hopefully things will start looking up soon.

Walking Across Tennessee

2006-04-12T23:34:37Z

Week 6:

Walking Across Tennessee

2006-04-09T19:37:43Z

Week 5:

Sleepless Nights

2006-04-03T07:18:38Z

The city mouse eats bread and cheese;—
The garden mouse eats what he can;
We will not grudge him seeds and stocks,
Poor little timid furry man.
--Christina Georgina Rossetti

I can't sleep tonight. I'm not sure if it's because I'm hungry, can't get comfy or some other reason that I just can't figure out. So I sit here and watch the mice running around their cage. Sherman and Peabody are goofy. Sherman has spent the night moving and then removing his TP roll into his toy log and back out again. He has tried to take it both upstairs and into his wheel, both with no luck at all. He can be a smart mouse as far as some things are concerned.... But give him that cardboard roll and he forgets everything he may have learned before.

Why?

2006-03-31T22:50:37Z

Can someone please tell me why I'm so tired all the time? I try to go to bed early enough to be sure and get enough sleep for the night... But somehow it never seems to be enough. I wake up in the mornings and all I want to do I roll right back over for a few more hours. Last night I even dreamed that I was late to work because I had overslept and missed my alarm. *sighs*

Of course, I might still be worried about the whole breast issue right now. The doc wants me to have a mamogram done on it since the ultrasound didn't find anything. So, I've got that appointment set for next Thursday. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me that it's nothing.

I didn't make it to the gym yesterday. I think that's the first time I've skipped out on the guys.... but I had a good reason. Let's just say cramps from hell and leave it there. Of course today my foot is hurting for some reason and I have no idea why. Walking will not be very probable tonight. I guess I'l just have to stick with the exercise bike. I'll take a book with me to help pass the time.

Exercise alone provides psychological and physical benefits. However, if you also adopt a strategy that engages your mind while you exercise, you can get a whole host of psychological benefits fairly quickly.
James Rippe, M.D.

I like weights. You know where you stand with them. Well, sometimes you're lying under them, trying not to let them crush you, but you see, you KNOW they'd crush you if they could. There's honesty.
T. Campbell and Gisele Lagace, Penny and Aggie, 09-12-05

Walking Across Tennessee

2006-03-31T22:38:49Z

Week 4:

Walking Across Tennessee

2006-03-29T14:36:28Z

Week 3:

Musical Magic 8-Ball

2006-03-24T17:42:42Z

Stolen from Chris' friend Kelly's blog. Here’s how it works: you ask your iPod a question and hit shuffle for your answer.

How does the world see you? "Celtic Warrior" by Steve McDonald

"A warrior stood with his sword held high,
To war he would go."

Hrm.... Interesting. I'm a warrior :)

Will I have a happy life? "Thank You" by Page & Plant
"If the sun refused to shine
I would still be loving you
If mountains crumble to the sea
There will still be you and me"

Well, that seems promising at least.

What do my friends really think of me? "Baby Mine" on the Dumbo Soundtrack

”If they knew sweet little you
They'd end up loving you too”

Awwww, my friends love me.

Do people secretly lust after me? "Where Was I?" by Paul Thorn
”Where was I when you stopped loving me?
When did I become history?”

Ummm…. Ok…. That’s not very comforting

How can I make myself happy? "Lonely Stranger" by Eric Clapton
” ’cause I’m a lonely stranger here,
Well beyond my day.
And I don’t know what’s goin’ on,
So I’ll be on my way.”

Ok, that’s just depressing.

What should I do with my life? "Sally Reilly" by Danny Doyle
”And I might have had a chance
If I'd asked her up to dance”

Right, don’t waste my chances… got it

Will I ever have children? "Got to Choose" by Kiss
”Baby, you've got to tell me yes or no
Alright, alright, come on and tell me”

Well, that’s helpful

What is some good advice for me? "Endless Column" by Blue Man Group

Ok, so no actual advice since the song has no lyrics…

How will I be remembered? "John Gunns Anniversary" on the Folkmusic from Scotland by Various Artists

Figures, another no lyric song… Apparently I won’t be remembered very well….

What is my signature dancing song? "You" by Queensryche
”I'm upside down, inside out for you.
No matter what goes down, I'll still be there for you.”

That’s pretty true, I feel inside out when I dance…

What do I think my current theme song is? "Be Prepared" on the The Lion King

Well, the lyrics don’t really fit, but the title sure does. Be prepared for anything.

What does everyone else think my current theme song is? "Walkin' One and Only" by Tuck & Patti
”You might see him on the street
He walks with a rhythm
Cause he’s got some kind of beat”

Well, I don’t think that really fits, but what can you do?

What song will play at my funeral? "Heartbreaker" by Led Zeppelin
”The best years of my life gone by,
Here I am alone and blue.
Some people cry and some people die
By the wicked ways of love;”

I could see that being played, but it’s a little depressing. Plus Grams won’t like it one bit.

What type of men do you like? "Happy Jack" by The Who
”But they couldn't stop Jack, 'or the waters lapping,
And they couldn't prevent Jack from being happy.”

Apparently I like happy men…… You hear that Chris? Start being happy J

What is my day going to be like? "I Dig Rock and Roll Music" by Peter Paul and Mary

”I think I could say somethin' if you know what I mean
But if I really say it, the radio won't play it
Unless I lay it between the lines”

So I shouldn’t actually say what’s on my mind?

ARGH!

2006-03-22T17:29:56Z

I had a really good post just about finished and the stupid thing crashed on me. You get nothing right now after all. So there!

People find life entirely too time-consuming.
Stanislaw J. Lec (1909 - 1966)

Walking Across Tennessee

2006-03-16T18:57:21Z

Week One:

Week Two:

Yea!

2006-03-16T17:11:49Z

Everything went fine at the doc. The radiologist couldn't find anything abnormal, and thinks that the lump is being caused by fiberous breast tissue.

ashlynne12 @ 2006-03-16T08:53:00

2006-03-16T15:02:05Z

You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It's called perseverance.
Lee Iacocca

I'm feeling pretty good about myself today even considering things that have yet to happen. I noticed last night while I was walking that my shorts seemed very loose on me, almost like they wanted to fall off... :(

So when I got up this morning I checked the different sizes of my pants and tried my jeans back on... noticied that they were a little bit, so I go to my dresser and pull out a pair of pants that I haven't beena ble to wear ina couple years.... Lo and behold! THEY FIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited about this!

But anyways, I've got a hour more of waiting before the ultrasound this morning. I'll post an update on that when I get back in from it and know something.

Words you never want to hear......

2006-03-15T16:39:36Z

Yesterday I heard something that I never wanted to hear. At my annual doctor's physical, she tells me that there is a lump in my breast.

You know how things like this go... You immediately think the worst possible things. You can't help it, it just happens. Tomorrow I go in for an ultrasound to see if this lump is benign. Hopefully everything will come back as realatively normal.

Troubles staying motivated

2006-03-03T17:35:07Z

Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space.
Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

I'm having a hard time getting myself up and walking lately... as I've been having some ankle/foot pain. I've got a Doc appointment on Monday for the foot problem... hopefully it won't be something too horrible. I found last night that I was struggling even before I reached the 1/2 mile mark, so I pushed for that mark and then went and rode the bike for the rest of my exercise time. I managed to get in 7 miles on the bike in 30 minutes. Not a bad ride I'd say, but not really as good as walking. Hopefully I'll be able to walk farther tonight with the guys.

Since I've got to work till 7 tonight and the Patrick Center closes at 8, I think I'm going to go during my lunch today and get my strength exercises in early today. That will give me plenty of time for walking tonight instead of splitting my time up.

I'm sooo tired today, I don't know why I didn't sleep well last night and I woke up with a headache on top of everything else...*yuck* Oh well, that's life I suppose.

Walking Across Tennessee

2006-03-01T22:01:21Z

So today starts a group challange to walk the 500 miles across Tennessee from corner to corner. From my understanding, the 500 miles is like walking from Memphis to Bristol. Each team member keeps track of their total miles walked and at the end of each week we see how far we have walked as a group. It's basically a good group motivator to get out there and get some excersizing done. If I think about it, I will try to post our progress each week towards our goal.

Uncle Billy... My Memories

2006-02-22T18:26:52Z

Things that I remember best about Uncle Billy:

One year growing up, he forgot my birthday. He came in a few days later and gave me a card with the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz on it that said, “I’d have remembered your birthday card on time if only I had a brain.” He was great like that, always finding the funniest cards to send out for different holidays.

He had great musical taste. He liked to listen to The Beatles and The Who and a number of other bands that I can’t think of now. Once he made me a mix tape that was wonderful. I tried to find the tape last night, but it has gone missing. The only song on it that I can remember is Blackbird, and it’s been stuck in my head since yesterday.

Billy was always a joker. He had a ready smile and a laugh for everyone and everything. I’m not sure that there was ever anything that got him down…. Not even when he turned 40 and we had this huge surprise “Over the Hill” birthday party. That was a lot of fun… we had finally pulled one over on him.

He may have been a big guy, but he was always active. He loved to run in the summertime up at the lake. He would take Ginger and Buddy and Willie with him as he ran. The dogs all loved him. He would go swimming and bike riding, and volleyball was his passion. He was a volleyball coach as long as I can remember. He even worked the summer season sometimes at the volleyball camps. He loved coaching.

I remember when Pa died, Billy came home from Ohio that year with a puppy for Grams. She didn’t want a puppy, but Billy wasn’t going to let her be alone. She grew to love Buddy with a passion. There never was a more well behaved dog in the world.

He loved good food too. He always got cashews for Christmas, and Grams would make him party mix and sauerbraten to take home with him.