Ashworth Alcove

We went to Tennessee for a few weeks. When we got there we found ourselves amidst a brutal ice storm. When we left it felt like full-blown spring time. Weather, a fickle friend. Violet spent much time playing with mine and my sister's childhood cook stove, which is approximately 25 years old. We had a small early birthday celebration for Violet since we won't be there for the real thing. Violet even lucked out and got time with her only cousin who came in from Texas just one day before we left. They played in the dirt and found worms. Tennessee, you'll always be my number one.

What are five things that make you happy right now? 1. Violet Eliza - Her energy dissipates the stagnant air that most adults leave hanging around. She keeps me grounded and focused on the little things that I often neglect. She's a special source of joy. 3. Gardening - There's just something about digging in some dirt and getting dirty to make something beautiful. It feels elemental. It's a sensory experience that connects me to a primal state. It's guaranteed to put me in a good mood 3. Photography - I take photos because I have a desire to distill precious memories and because, quite honestly, I think photographs are important. They are our legacy. Most photographs outlive the people in them. I photograph what is important to me and it makes me happy to share the things that I find beautiful with others. 4. Music - I struggled to pick either reading or music for this one. Music prevails because I've been doing a lot of listening lately. Most of the time i...

List ten things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could. 1. Let no one damper your spirit. 2. I know you really like some of the quiet "weird" people at school. Talk to them more. A lot more. 3. Ditch a weekend with your friends to hang out with your grandmother. 4. Pay attention to your mother when she's cooking, so you'll know what the hell you're doing. 5. One day you will move away. You will come away from high school with few lasting friendships. Always remember to maintain those few friendships and never neglect them. 6. You're different and your beliefs won't always be popular. Recognize this and know that it is okay. Don't follow the crowd. You hate crowds. 7. It may not be easy to stand up and speak out for what's important to you, but you will be amazed how empowering, and important, it can be. 8. Listen to your parents. You've got some good ones. 9. You will have a tendency toward complacency. Resist thi...

Describe your relationship with your spouse. He is fun and likeable. He seems to know everyone and has many stories to tell. I watch him toss Violet around in the air with ease and her joy overflows. I always knew he would be a good dad.     When we were young and first met, we became our own little family quite fast. I fell head over heals in love with him only two weeks after we officially met. At the end of our first date we sat in the car and talked for hours. Literally, hours. It always felt right and good.   He gives me good laughs, even though sometimes his jokes really aren't as funny as he thinks. He's a lighter person than me (most of the time.) He likes to socialize and laugh, while I'm over building castles in the sky and lost in deep contemplation. We are good at reigning each other in. He is the constant, I am the variable. He is strong, practical, and reliable. I am strong, emotional, and fickle. Our relationship is often intense. Because both o...

We don't make a huge deal about Valentine's Day around here, but this year there were some extra flowers around the house. Ben gave me some roses and my favorite, tulips. He also surprised me with cheesecake. I surprised him with how quickly I made it disappear. That evening Ben got ready to take Violet out on a date. He snuck out to go get her a "boon" (balloon). While he was gone I got her ready to go. We put on a special dress and some tights, then we waited for him to pick her up. When he rang the doorbell she slowly poked to the front door wondering why I insisted on her answering it. He was waiting with a balloon and an obnoxiously large flower. She giggled and made it clear the balloon was most favored. He came in and gave her a few goodies and then they were on their way. I wasn't invited, so I spent the evening grocery shopping. Who knew grocery shopping by yourself could feel like such a treat? They ate mexican food, so upon their retur...

Growth & Appearance: Bye bye baby, hello little lady. Your hair is well past your shoulders. It's the perfect shade of brown and very fine. If your hair was a hair dye color it would be called something like warm pecan. It's straight mostly, but the back is sometimes wavy or flips out. I try to keep a clip in the front of it or pull it up into what your daddy calls a whale spout. You weigh the same as you did at 18 months, 30 lbs. You're 34.5 inches tall. You wear 2T-3T clothing, but 3T seems a bit more comfortable. Size 5 diaper. Size 6-7 shoe. You look really long when I'm carrying you. So much so, that sometimes strangers make comments that you're about as long as I am. Probably why I can't carry you for very long without needing a break these days. Fortunately, you don't want to be carried much anymore. I was about to have to start lifting weights. Teeth: Sixteen. You like brushing them, but won't allow anyone to help you. Talki...

Describe three legitimate fears you have and how they became fears. I'ma start off by saying my legitimate fears aren't something silly like spiders or some animal. Though, bats legitimately freak me out. When I think of legitimate fears, I think like life-ending, terrifying, heart-stopping fears. 1. Bad news - I have a strong fear of answering a call to hear terrible news come from the other end. Things like my family being in a car accident. This didn't become a fear until the last few years. I think general adulthood and cherishing my loved ones created this fear. Living far away from family worsens the fear. 2. Burglars - Someone breaking into my home, raping, and murdering me or my child. A part of me thinks that if this fear ever happens in real life I wouldn't be able to defend myself at all. Another part of me thinks of someone breaking in and coming after Violet and me turning into their complete and total nightmare. I mean, I can see myself doing some cr...