Anniversary of Getting Burned

Day 1

One year ago yesterday, my body went into shock when I suffered 2nd degree burns on my hands. I am pleased to report that though I can still where my skin color differs, nobody else notices unless I point it out. The cold weather is coming soon, so it'll be interesting to see if that part of my hand still turns purple when I get really cold. 

Day 3

1 Week

1 1/2 Weeks

1 Year Later

In other news, Adam is 1/12 of the way done with his MBA and his team won stake basketball this season! 
In even better news, Rachael had her baby and I CAN   NOT   WAIT to meet baby Annika in December!
Finally, I realized in September that I could finish reading the Book of Mormon by the end of the year if I read 1.75 chapters per day, so I'm doing it! BTW - Ammon is pretty awesome. This will be the 2nd time that I have read the whole way through from start to finish. A few weeks ago, actually, someone at church mentioned a site called ReadTheScriptures.com and it is awesome. It emails me my "reading assignments" every day as I have assigned myself to read by the end of the year. There is a phone app for it too which would make it even MORE convenient, but I'm not ready to pay for internet on my phone just yet. Not while "the process" still continues...or even probably for a while after "the process" has ended.

Aligning MY Path with THE Path

SAG Awards Truck 2011

It's the last day of the month so I figured I should get a post up before I look like I've gone completely MIA. I just don't like making posts without pictures to support it. My camera flash has been dead for over a year - still haven't gotten it fixed. Also, I'm not impressed by the red carpet anymore which means I do not effort to get out there and take pictures by "The Actor" statue, etc. But I know my girl Megan took a few pics, so maybe I'll post a couple of those up here later.

That should give you a clue about what I've been up to and why I've been so busy...yes, Award Season 2011 is under way and I'm just starting to crazy from it. We've already completed four shows between the Golden Globes and SAG Awards and I've realized just how specialized my job is in the way I've accumulated functions and responsibilities that no one else really knows anything about. They couldn't just bring someone in and expect them to pick up where I left off if something happens to me...I'm trying to help them realize that. 

Meanwhile, classes started for me again today and I'm nervous about balancing my extensive lab requirement hours with the heavy end of Award Season still in motion. The Grammy Awards is the hardest show (Feb 13) and the Oscars is expected to be the best because it's last and there are more sponsors tied to it which means more money at stake which means it's more stressful for me because I have to make sure certain sponsors are paid off appropriately with our programming. The Oscars takes place my birthday weekend. Happy 26th, Ashleigh. Go ahead and work another 12 days straight for us. You got it.

But really, I just miss church so much on show weekends. I miss how church feels, taking the sacrament, the spiritual uplift, the love & community there, and especially the kids. Though they are sometimes difficult, they have a special something that adults cannot match. Matthew 18:3 says, "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Even Jesus tells us they're special. 

A few new things going on...we made an offer on a little condo but it's a short sale, so there is no follow up with that tidbit. Sister Hughes taught me how to crochet when Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Twelve Apostles came to our Stake early in the year. I've made two half pot holders...the yarn didn't match, that's why there are two. Now I'm working on a scarf which everyone is teasing me calling it a baby blanket. I teased Adam too that by the time I finish the "baby blanket" I want to be pregnant. It seems that the timing has not arrived for that yet though. It was really awesome to have Elder Cook visit us. Some of my favorite nuggets of gold from him include: 

Elder Quentin L. Cook

*"Have Faith and Teach It"

*"Peace is the Reward of Righteousness"

*He promised us we will see a path

*He blessed us that we'll be able to provide for our children

*He let us know that not all will be successful, but that we will not have "empty chairs"

At this time, I'm desiring to see a path. Well, the thing is that I see one...so the promise is fulfilled, but of course I want to see what's ON the path...but I'm working on walking that path, keeping it fully in sight as the Lord reveals what's on the path when the time comes. I feel calm in this moment...something I haven't felt for the last two weeks. I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know They love me and they want what is best for me. They send Their angels to bear me up in their hands.

Read Psalms 91:9-15

PS - On a side note, we shook hands with Elder Cook and when I looked in his eyes I felt like he was looking right through my eyes deep down into my soul with loving kindness. He asked Adam if he was a football player. Adam revealed he plays basketball. Elder Cook responded, "Well, you have to be built like a football player to play basketball these days."

She's on Fire

Literally. 

Monday November 1st, 2010 - I walked to Fresh & Easy with some coworkers, bought some Pumpkin Spice Soup (seasonal flavor!), and walked back to heat it up. It was a hot day, but the flavor sounded so good! Directions: Place container on microwaveable plate. Remove lid. Replace lid lightly back on container. Heat in microwave 100% for 3-5 minutes...what is 100%? Anyway...when I pulled the plate out of the microwave, it folded. The container of soup spilled all over my hand and wrists, jeans, and the floor. I thought I went to wash it off right away, but my coworkers say I stood there staring for a short bit, then I went to the sink for cold water. There was no ice in the freezer, a bunch of people helped clean up the soup...I wanted to help but when I tried to dry off my hands, they burned so painfully! John opened the burn gel for me and Rick gave me his frozen vegetables. I sat down in the kitchen since I felt weak and then I felt nauseous. Erin suggested I let her help me to the bathroom. There, she turned a small trash can upside down so I could sit by the toilet. My breath was short, my body started to really sweat, I was dizzy, and I felt like sleeping. A couple other coworkers called 9-1-1 and asked me questions - all of which I was experiencing - and that is when I realized this was worse than I thought. The LAFD checked me out and approved for Erin to drive me to the hospital in lieu of taking the ambulance. Erin spent the rest of the day with me in the ER until they released me and gave me prescriptions and wrapped my hands. First and second degree burns, a few days off work recuperating, and paperwork. Thank heavens that Workman's Comp is covering it! Hallelujah!

Day 1

Day 3 - so much better

Adam's Truck

To add to the insanity, Adam's truck was hit in a parking lot on November 3rd and my kitty cat Bailey was attacked by some crazy animal late that night. After her ER visit, she could barely walk and refused to eat or drink. Poor baby! On top of that, my grandmother is very very sick.

In attempt to preempt any questions:

1 - No Adam's accident was not a hit and run. He is in talks with the insurance company.

2 - Bailey got some pain killers and she is eating, drinking, meowing, cuddling, and recovering...

3 - My hands are getting better. My left wrist is almost healed - I'm guessing it will be close to gone by the end of the week. The back of my right hand looks gross, but like it's healing. I would give it maybe two or three more weeks of Silvadene cream and bandages before it goes away. That one might scar. My right palm is pretty much healed now as is my right wrist with the exception of a few small circles. The worst part is the itching and occasional stinging.

Day 5 - Skin doing weird things, but healing

Luckily I have had people to wash my hair and give me baths. My mom will be washing my hair tonight and feeding me delicious Chicken Tortilla soup leftovers. Soooo yummy!

Another positive note - I got a new calling teaching the Sun Beams, a.k.a. the three year olds, at Church. Not only is this perfect because I am studying childhood development, but also because I love kids! I taught my first lesson yesterday and it was about the sacrament. Basically, I tried to make sure they get it that when we take the sacrament every Sunday, we need to be quiet and reverent and think about Jesus. This was the gist of it and I tried to say the same info over and over in different ways and with games and a story. To finish out the time, I had them color a picture of two children reading the scriptures. It said, "I love to learn about Jesus." When they finished, the parents still hadn't come yet, so I told them if they sat nice and reverently, I would call on them and I would draw a heart for them on the back of their coloring page. As each one came up, I asked if they want a heart because they love Jesus or a smiley face because Jesus makes them happy. Here is the sweet part: this little boy Jake asked me to write on his paper, "Jesus, I love you." That made my heart flutter a sweet symphony reminder that we are to be as the little children. It was the most endearing thing. LOVE.

Oh! And Shane & Ashley Harder's sealing was so wonderfully beautiful! I loved seeing an easily excitable man like Shane get more excited and joyful than he's ever been! Congrats you two! 

A Case FOR the Mondays

In yesterday's blog I forgot to mention the funniest thing that happened over the weekend. You may not think it was funny, but if you were there - the timing was perfect for a nice long deep-bellied laugh.

Adam was irritated with traffic on the way to Uncle Carlos' house. We saw that in the far right lane, they were much slower and we saw two guys on motorcycles that looked like cops. Adam grew frustrated and expressed that he does not like it when people try to look like cops...especially in pairs or packs. I asked why they do it. He responded, "because they're morons." As he was finishing, I read aloud, "Funeral Security." Sure enough we passed them and saw a procession of cars including a hearse. The funeral is not funny, of course, but it was funny that Adam thought they were fake cops and he was not happy about it. Hahahaha...we had a good laugh...especially me. 

Light Pizza

I made another meal last night! The meat we bought for one of the other meals went bad...we kept thinking we were about to make the meal and then something would come up where we were going to eat at a birthday or a wedding or my mom's. So that recipe went away. But last night I did make a REALLY easy recipe. It's called Light Pizza and I really liked it! It was just a small whole wheat pita, pesto, fresh basil, tomato, and mozzarella. But I added pepperoni, so I'm sure it was more than just the 350 calories which the recipe estimates. I was still down two pounds this morning though! I think I had something bad for lunch yesterday though...maybe the hot chocolate, maybe the spinach, but my stomach was very upset. So Adam and I both didn't feel well last night, but we still managed to enjoy a Family Home Evening reviewing Elder Uchtdorf's latest conference address, singing a hymn, and going over our Patriarchal Blessings. All of it was very needed after the emotional week I experienced last week. My Heavenly Father loves me. I need to slow down and focus on what is important. Doing more won't help me get through these next two months faster. Just focus on what is best and let the Lord help me with the rest.  Mondays can be a really great day of the week if you let it!

And Happy Birthday to one of the greatest friends anyone could ask for - Jason Ohlwiler!

Jason & Ashleigh in Lake Powell 2008

All Is Well, All Is Well

Though I've read it before, I am starting again to read However Long & Hard the Road by Elder Jeffery R. Holland. It seems lately that though I am generally happy, I have been challenged by various factors. When a new unforseen challenge strikes, my response has evolved into, "What this time?" "How do I go about this one?" "Will they ever stop coming?" The truth is, the challenges will never stop but the types of challenges will be different. Some exciting and some dreadful. I suppose I should be thankful that mine are somewhere in the middle. Elder Holland says in his book that no one in mortality is spared pain and sorrow and difficulty...but we must never let it get us down or discourage us. In my reading today, Elder Holland quoted two versus that particularly comforted to me:

"And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along..." D&C 78:18

"...I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88

I have big plans. I know they are righteous desires. I often feel hindered from accomplishing them. I know all things in God's plan are according to his timing. He will go before me. He will lead me. He will send His Spirit. He will send His angels to bear me up. I've known His angels to bear me up in the past and they will again. I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and for the love He provides especially when I could be discouraged the most. All I must do is endure with a brightness of hope.

Thinking about work, the future, and my happiness, I experienced a confirmation of sorts today. One of my biggest displeasures with my current profession is the lack of hands on or even deffered positive impact on people. In my Child Development reading material for class, the book challenged me to think of times when I felt empowered as a child. I couldn't think of one single thing. Suddenly two experiences came to mind:

1 - When I was in fourth grade, my class was having a party in and outdoors. I think it was a fiesta of some sort. Anyhow, everyone was outside playing and I saw a boy fall and scrape his knee really bad on the black top near our classroom door. I knew exactly what to do and ran into the classroom to grab the first aid kit without really thinking. When I rushed back out to him, the teacher or a parent helper was kneeling by him and I immediately began to clean him up. She allowed me to proceed, cautioned me not to touch the blood with my hands, and I felt very empowered.

2 - In a similar situation only at home, I was playing with my sister and some of the neighborhood kids that were all older than me. One girl got knocked hard into tough and scratchy bushes and couldn't get out. While everyone else stayed to watch and wonder and stress, I immediately ran full speed to her house and calmly alerted her mother what happened and where to find her. She had some cuts and scratches, but was not in danger of major blood loss or anything. Later, her mother through a pizza party and thanked me for how I remained calm and helped. Again, I felt empowered.

The moral is that I feel most happy and empowered when I am helping someone who cannot help themselves in a way I can. I think childhood education could offer that satisfaction in my work as I help children learn, grow, develop skills, and problem-solve.

Veggie Polenta

On a side note...my healthy recipes experiment had its first flop. The Polenta I made was not tasty. Bland would be the word. It certainly looked tasty, but no where neared the delicious Polenta Adam's mom made us in Santa Barbara! I'll have to get her recipe! The recipe I made was only about 190 calories and the vegetables were cooked just right...tender-crisp...but the meal was not the best. Good to know! One night of leftovers and on to a new recipe!



Just remember Hymn #30:
Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
'Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins, fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake.
And soon we'll have this tale to tell - 
All is well! All is well!