first things first

Well, here it is.. the first blog post.

Growing up, I wanted to be an author and even penned some short stories when I was in elementary and middle school. I went into college pursuing an English degree in hopes of one day writing books. As time went by, though, my love for writing dwindled to journaling occasionally. (High school & college papers will do that to ya!) But sometimes it’s fun to think of your future kids and grandkids reading back over your old journal entries and seeing what a crazy kook you were.. or maybe that’s a scary thought.. maybe I’ll arrange a bonfire for those before that time comes! Journals are great because all your private thoughts are just that – private. Nobody needs to read it, except maybe God, because He’s probably the only one who cares. #amirite? I hear a Relient K song in there somewhere..

But a blog? Here are some thoughts: 1. Everybody can see it. 2. Do people actually care to read what you have to say in a world where 160 characters is the new norm of how much people are willing to pay attention?

Oh well. Here we go.

Here’s a little about me:

1. I’m Ashley, I’m 27, and I moved to Indianapolis 4 1/2 years ago to pursue a teaching job at an inner city school. Kids are great, guys. My class is hilarious & sweet all at the same time. They’re always teaching me new things and stretching me in ways I didn’t know I needed to be stretched.
2. I got married to my awesome, silly, tattooed, music-adoring husband, Andrew, a year and a half ago. Fun fact: We met at summer camp when we were 17, lost touch for 7 years, then randomly reconnected on Facebook and met up for coffee a few summers ago. Life lesson: Don’t delete those Facebook friends you haven’t talked to in a few years because one of them might end up becoming your husband. 
3. We bought a house this summer. It’s been both a joy to own our first home together and the bane of our existence. (i.e. that time our kitchen sink flooded to the basement or the current state of our furnace.) What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! We hope.
4. In college I developed a love for thrifting, especially for things that seem like they’ve seen the last of their days, and giving them new life. Ever seen those bumper stickers that say “I Brake For ______”? Mine would say, “I Brake For Garage Sales” or “I Will Go Out Of My Way To Turn Around And Go Back To That Yard Sale With The Furniture #YesPlease!”
5. I’m OBSESSED with the Pioneer Woman. Seriously. She knows what she’s talking about. I have never used any of her recipes and left disappointed. (It’s probably the butter. Who is disappointed once they’ve had butter?)

These are probably the things I’ll be writing about the most because they’re the things I like the most. So if funny 3rd graders, crafting, homeownership, baking, & cooking don’t strike your fancy, you might be bored. (Sorry.)

I hope you stick around to see what’s coming!