Ashley

I finally finished Don't Talk to Me. Possibly my last dive into the world of Anne and Gilbert. I hope you enjoy it!
archiveofourown.org/works/533010...

I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day, but I really love my friends.

I have a new friend at work. It's a small thing, but he makes me smile, and we need all the smiles we can get.

It has been months but I finally finished my... my saucy fic. Enjoy. Or don't. I'm just proud of myself for finishing it, even though it was incredibly difficult to figure it out.
archiveofourown.org/works/549663...

That's a really good point. I assembled it a while ago and I'm so happy to finally have it on display where I can look at it and have it bring me some joy. It was a bit of a splurge, but I have no regrets with that one.

It's coming along! I really want C to come finish my window, but life is lifing for him. In the meantime I love what I've been able to accomplish. I even sit here sometimes when I'm not working. It's WILD.

I'm not going so far as to be optimistic about 2025 being a good year, but if we make our dreams very small, they can be achieved. Like this duck lamp. Between him and a new office chair that doesn't hurt my back, I must admit I am thriving.

I didn't get a picture until they started burning out at midnight, but I love that our neighborhood does this. Just sand, a candle and a paper bag, but it makes it so magical.

Thank YOU!!!🖖

Day 7 of good things:

Oof. I was on the struggle bus today so it is hard to find a good thing. As I run out of time, I'll go with pushing myself outside my comfort zone with my writing. Far outside. I'm trying to get this finished up by the new year, but we'll see if I can pull it off.

Omg the arguments El and I have about that heart. I feel like I'm possessed by a demon when I try to do it her way. 🤣

And of course I love it! I can't believe you would doubt that.

Indescribably so! It's amazing!

Day 6 of good things:

Gifts that make me happy cry and friends who care about the details as much I do. This thing is STUNNING.

Day 5 of good things:

Ballet. If you've ever wanted to try it, just do it. I started dancing again this year after a 20-year hiatus. It has been both humbling and invigorating. My strength is coming back, but my flexibility is taking its sweet time. New goal is to be back en pointe in 18 months.

Day 4 of good things:

Sunlight on the shortest days of the year. This picture was taken a few days ago when it was brutally cold. Today, it was gloomy as can be but pretty warm. We're good at finding silver linings here.

Small cabin incense burner made from clay.

Day 3 of good things:

This tiny incense burning cabin that was a gift from one of my oldest friends and gives my husband 'kid in a candy store' levels of joy.

I know! I added them both to my wish list as soon as I saw that! I loved using the library, but occasionally, I come across one I really like to own. This is definitely one of those.

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop book on a wooden coffee table.

Day 2 of good things:

THIS BOOK.

I know I'm late to the party, but Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is the coziest book I've ever read. A short yet beautiful exploration of grief, growth, perception and relationships.

However, the cover is deceiving. There are zero cats in this book.

Two weeks until Christmas and I'm a little overwhelmed, so, in a world where it's all too easy to find things to complain about, I'm going to try sharing only good things.

I didn't know this was a thing on AO3, but I have to admit, it kind of made my day yesterday. 🥹🥰

If a label has been created for a shipment but has not been received by a shipping company, that does not count as "on the way."

STOP LYING.

We just bought a legit *new* car. I have to admit, it's really nice not having to pray to all the gods, old and new, when I'm accelerating to get onto the freeway. I no longer wonder if my car will just... not go. It goes. Really easily. Without lurching or additional stress or anxiety. I'm in awe.

I hope you like it! (Or at least don't hate it...)

Lol, yeah, you probably should. I liked that there was no stupid tension, if that makes sense. And the plot wasn't based on miscommunication, which drives me absolutely nuts. I think they didn't take themselves too seriously and that just made it really fun and light.

I hate that I legitimately enjoyed Hot Frosty. I might even watch it again. I don't know who I am anymore.

Between this song and finding out that I work with a Gilbert, Lyudmila and a Moody, the AWAE vibes are hitting hard lately.

Well, I suppose I'll just start posting here like I do over in the bad place.

Don't Talk to Me has finally been updated- and it only took me 4 months! 🙄 archiveofourown.org/works/533010...

May, out of context: