Nutshells and Acorns.

Gosh I miss blogging! Well writing in general to tell you the truth. Sometimes it really is the most simple things that make us the most happy. A cool breeze when you open your front door. A good book on a rainy day. Your favorite song on the radio. Or that winding road surrounded by trees that makes you feel like you're on the set of Twilight. Okay, maybe that last one is just me....

A lot has happened over the summer and fall is in full force. The weather has gotten cooler, leaves are starting to change and OU/Texas is just around the corner. This is my favorite time of year. Of course normally fall is a relief from the Oklahoma summers of 100+ degrees, and while it definitely didn't reach that heat in Pennsylvania, I'm glad summer's over.

I've been at the salon here for 8 months already. Man that time certainly did fly by! I've accumulated quite a few clients and I'm slowly gathering more. The owner is about to celebrate the shop's 25th anniversary, which is pretty cool. We'll have a big party, so if you're in the area and want an invite let me know.

In addition to the salon, I've decided to become a PartyLite consultant. It has been so much fun so far. I've met a lot of really great people, made some extra money, and who doesn't love candles?! I've always had a bunch of candles in my room as long as I can remember, so it seems only fitting that I now sell them. Nate and I just got in our Ginger Pumpkin scented tealights tonight and they are definitely one of our favorites.

The other big news is that I was published in a magazine! It's two full pages of Ashley Rachelle, which includes three photos by two different photographers. A huge thanks to Pamela Kay for putting on the photoshoot last December. All the models and photographers involved are awesome, and in my case the gift just kept on giving!

I'll post links, photos, and additional tidbits on everything later, but for now that's an update in a nutshell. It's definitely my bedtime...

Blog Titles and Updates

I had previously mentioned having trouble thinking of how to focus my blog. At one point I thought it'd be neat to talk about the struggles and benefits of being a military (Navy) girlfriend, but seeing as how my darling Nate is taking a little break from that to go to school, there's not much to write at the moment. I'd love to have a modeling blog like one of my favorites, Ulorin Vex, but work seems to be few and far between right now. I have been trying to be a successful hairstylist for a while....and I'm training for my first big race, a marathon...so the notion behind my blog title is that you have to do everything one at a time, like the sayings one step at a time or one day at a time. Only for me it's taking everything one photo, one mile, and one haircut at a time when the big picture seems daunting and success seems far away.

I finally got a job in a salon. Apparently getting a job up here is like winning the lottery: it's really hard to do, hardly happens, and a lot of it is luck. The girls are nice and it's just down the street from Nate's parents' house. I'm only an assistent at the moment, which feels like a huge step backwards, but I think it'll be worth it in the end.

My marathon training has been put on hold for the moment. After my 12 mile run the other day my ankle started hurting. I only did about half my scheduled training last week and it hurt worse this week, so nothing there. I'm bummed about it, but I think I'll probably hit the gym tomorrow and try the elliptical or bike so there isn't as much strain or stress on my joints, but I'm still working my muscles. It's a weird feeling training 3 or 4 times a week and then having a week off. Anyone that knows me or has seen my modeling photos knows I'm anything besides overweight, but I feel icky not going to get some physical activity. Besides the PA marathon is May 6th and I'm running out of training time. It's hard to believe I only started seriously running in October and I just did 12 miles two weeks ago...

One Jumbled Week, Marley and Me Style

Slow times at the Salon. Got discouraged. Ate dinner with the new neighbors. Stayed home watching TV, unpacking and doing chores. Really like my neighbors upstairs. Did a photoshoot at Lake Hefner with Cooper of GreenGrass Photography. Had a blast doing said photoshoot. Tried booking photoshoots in Tulsa. Worried about how I'm going to pay my bills. Missed Nate. Went to the gym by myself. Found out some surprising information. Realized I was actually ok with that information. Watched too much Grey's Anatomy. Missed Nate some more. Got an apology swirl. Had a second swirl just because I could. Found out more truths. Scrapbooked with my best friend Sabrina. Ate more food than we actually scrapbooked. Was surprised to see Nate come home early. Was even more surprised to know where he went. Worried about money more. Got a photo from the shoot. Loved it. Worried about my parents and their money. Edited playlists. Went to the gym with Nate. Watched documentary on where our food comes from. Drank wine. Listened to old playlists. A lot. Made plans for the future. Played Words with Friends. Played with Eddie. Found out crazy ex-boyfriend still isn't done being crazy. Thought about it and don't give a damn. Made more playlists. Did bridal hair. Did bridal hair again. Loved it again. Talked about how I love my job. Unpacked boxes. Bought groceries. Ate said groceries. Waited on photos from shoot. Took Edward outside. Played with Edward. Ignored money problems and had good cheap fun at the lake with awesome people. Went tubeing at the lake. Woke up ridiculously sore two days later from tubing at the lake. Went to my second summer scrapbook retreat of Vicki's. Worked on Grandma's memorial album. Caught up with old friends. Had an amazing money day at the salon. Waited for more photos. Spoke with more photographers. Thought Edward was crazy for wanting to lay in the hot hot sun. Let him anyway. Missed Nate more. Did laundry. Almost survived another deployment. Worked on two lists of fifty. Watched Easy A. Thought it was pretty dumb but liked the end. Realized maybe I don't want a fairytale but want a cheese 80's ending. Listened to more playlists. Snuggled with little Eddie. Agreed to take new neighbor to the airport at 530 am. Got pictures from the lake. Posted said pictures. Felt really lucky. Played Words with Friends. Started a playlist for my 80's ending ;)