They grow up too fast....

For a few years now I have been doing the Annual Auntie trip to the James J. Hill Days in Wayzata. It's a tiny little street "festival" with a few games, a few booths, a few hundred weiner dogs, yes I know they are called dachshunds but for the day they are referred to as "weiner dogs". My niece and nephew get a kick out of counting them. They are rather popular at this event because they have the Dachshund races. Cruel I know, making little short dogs with even shorter legs scurry across the grass for our amusement. We have never made it to the races but some year we will...we need to save something new for each year!!

I have been documenting their growth over the year so I wanted to share with you...see how big they've gotten?!?! You will notice the one major change in this year's photo...Anna's cast. What can I say, it's a hard life as a backup dancer, she must have really given it her all!

Jake & Anna 2008

Jake & Anna 2009

Baby Bodhi

My dear friend Marissa delivered a beautiful baby girl 9 days ago, baby Bodhiana. During Marissa's entire pregnancy (and I do mean entire, she called me once she found out) I have pretended this child is mine. While I have always loved children and do want some of my own some day, that day is not now (or in the near future).

I was chatting with Marissa when the contractions first started. I looked over at Zach with a huge grin and said "We're having a baby" he quickly corrected me saying "WE'RE not having baby, Marissa is." When I told this to Marissa she said, "Someday I will be to blame for your children!" I sat impatiently by the phone for the next 36 hours waiting and waiting to meet that baby. I felt connected to her in some strange way. It was like watching her incubate for 10 months made me feel like I was partially carrying her. (I know I'm weird.)

So here we stand today, Bodhi is a whopping 9 days old. I had the pleasure of visiting her for lunch. Marissa was a great host asking "do you want lunch?" All I could say is "I want that baby." So I held her for a good hour. Talking to her, playing with her little feet, playing with her extremely long hair. I was in awe as I watched her experience life through her eyes. Everything seemed so new and so big. It made me feel a warm sense of appreciation for all I have around me. Having held such a small, innocent, beautiful baby it was almost as if she calmed my soul.

My sister in law called while I was holding her, when I told her what I was up to she said "you are making me so jealous" I said no Baby Bodhi is making me want a baby. Her response, "I like this baby Bodhi, she is doing great things!"

While we are not going to be making a family anytime soon, let's try to get down the aisle first! Bodhi is doing great things, she is helping me realize to slow down and take each day. While I was there my phone rang about 6 times, and I ignored every call, because holding her and just being was what mattered at that moment.

Thanks Bodhi!

Ever get so sore it's painful to squat to go to the bathroom??

One year ago today I was able to run 20 miles with the nerves building to run my first marathon. (Check that off the bucket list!) Yes 26.2 miles! I can't explain the feeling that comes over your body when you are running and running and running and running for hours and you know that your body will carry you over that finish line. I fully understood at mile 18 that it is mind over matter, at this point it's all mental. I ran with the charity Lungevity, in memory of my Fiance's mom. I was fortunate to not only have my body to carry me but the wings of Deb's angel carrying me along. Whenever I would feel tired, or that I couldn't go on I would remember that my feet were pounding every step of the way for Deb. It was the greatest experience of a lifetime.

After all this running, which is not normal for the human body, I injured my knee. My Doctor informed me that I had "runner's knee". What?!?! After all the tears and frustration I decided to follow Dr. orders and REST. Running for me is like a drug, I need it at the end of each day to de-stress. It is my one time a day where I am free, I am alone and I can meditate! I started to notice in the past few weeks that I was rather crabby, irritable and stressed from work. So...I decided it's time to get out there and pound the pavement again.

My first day was Sunday and I am feeling better than ever! I am taking it slow, not running more than one mile at a time, icing..blah blah blah. I have gotten over the fight with myself that I was running 20 miles one year ago and am only doing one mile now. I have realized it's not the distance it's that I'm doing it!

I'm getting out there to think and be free....it's an amazing feeling knowing I can put on my sneakers, lace them up and just go!

So as I sit here and ice my knees while watching TV and eating dinner I feel rejuvenated and like I can take on the world!

They didn't teach me that....

Just another day.....

Bees

I have a client who has a pear tree. Pear trees are a beautiful thing except for when you have golden retrievers who like to eat them as they fall, then you have bees who like the half eaten pears lying on the ground. For fear the dogs would bite into a pear and get a bee it was my job to hop to it and collect the fallen pears. Being the brave woman I am, and willing to do anything for my clients (within reason), I marched out there with leather gloves on and a bucket and fought the 15 bees gathered on each pear and threw them in the bucket. Meanwhile I was screaming and hopping "feeling" the bees flying up my pant legs. After I had gathered all the bees/pears and put them in the trash I was off to my next task. I had to head off to the vet to get some medicine for the dogs, when I walked in there was none on the shelf. The vet gals who know me by "P.A." saw the look of shock on my face as I noticed the shelf where the meds usually sit was now sitting empty. They explained tome that the meds were taken off the shelf because the company who supplies them is currently under investigation by the government...explain that one to your client.

Jesus carrying the cross...

I have another client who's house is on the market, as of today it is officially off the market. It was my job to make sure the sign was removed from the lawn today. If the realtor didn't come by to do it, it was up to ME! It was up to me and all my five feet six inches to pull this seven foot wooden sign stake that is 12 inches into the ground. IT was quite the feat and took some time but after lots of wiggling and grunting I was able to remove the sign. Then to carry this sign that weighed I swear 50 pounds across the lawn was rather amusing. This is where I felt like I was Jesus carrying the cross. As I trekked across the lawn, metal sign swinging with every step I finally made it to the final destination. It was a rather interesting task but was followed up with a "You're unstoppable and amazing" from my client. No worries, I did take a photo while walking down the driveway, I will post that soon!

All in a days work!

New stages in life...

Wedding bells are chiming! I recently (7 months ago, I know I'm a little slow) got engaged and it has made me realize a lot of things in life.

My mother always told me:

"Ashleigh we will always be your family but at some point someone will come along and you will start/gain a new family."

I think she made this easier by moving to South Padre Island, TX and forcing me to fend for myself but I truly understand what she means. Zach and I have started our own family here in MN...no I'm NOT pregnant! We have surrounded ourselves with friends and the family we have and I truly have to admit I may be the happiest I have been in a long time. Whether we are helping watch a friends baby, celebrating birthdays, playing Apples to Apples, hanging out at the Cabin, playing Cribbage.....

As we start on the planning of the day I have really kept in mind what the day is about and what it means. We want this to be a fun, lively, happy and remembrance time. Remembering and paying tribute to all those people and lessons that have made us who we are today. I feel this day (10.2.2010) will truly be a reflection of who we are and a glimpse into the life we are so excited to start together.

I have to thank Zach because he has truly kept me grounded during this time and helps keep me from getting sucked into wedding planning craziness! His one request..."that the wedding is fun and light hearted"

I think I can promise that!

Time to start up again!!!

So...after getting a "threat" from a fabulous friend (hmm...Tabbi) to continue blogging or she will remove my blog from her facebook, I have decided now is the time. I have been slacking a little so thanks Tabbi for lighting that fire under my tush!!

I have been toying with the idea of writing a book for some time now due to my interesting job of being an Executive Concierge. Now, while you may think, concierge in Minneapolis being interesting?? I have to tell you it is. I have shared many stories with friends, family and the such, leaving them all rolling with laughter and saying "You have to write a book". So I'm using this blog as my outlet, hopefully it will inspire me to continue along and give all of you a sneak peek into my book. If anything it will be a great spot to write my thoughts, reactions and a chance to de-stress from the day! After all Zach is a little over the idea of listening to me "talk" about my day!

Of course I will write about things in my life a the same time, because you know, it's interesting sometimes! And I have to stay loyal to my Grandma who inspired this blog in the first place and passed away in February...I can't let her down! Now if only she could make my wishes come true and give me 36 hours in a day to get everything done!

Oh the Lovely Marathon...

So Whitney and I decided a few months ago we were going to train for the Chicago Marathon. When we first started the training we thought it was a great idea. Then when we had to register and pay $110 to run 26.2 miles I kind of thought we were out of our minds. So we decided to both find a charity to run for to make it worth while. I'm running for team LUNGevity, a lung cancer foundation and Whit is running for the Cancer Research Group.

So we are following a book called "The Non Runners Guide to Running a Marathon". After our long run last week I had blisters on my arches and realized this is turning out to be not so much fun. I will continue on though and just wear bandaids. Whit and I can use all the support we can get as the days get hotter and our runs get longer!! Thanks to all of those who have donated to us so far!!