Bits of April
hello my name is ashlee and this is what u missed in april!
First things first, I would like to say that I am writing this on April 30th, my one year anniversary of marriage, while I am sick on the couch, and my husband is playing Foo Fighters songs on the guitar very loudly. Please take this into consideration as u read. My brain is unwell.
April started with literally the most insane terrible allergies of my life. I used to pride myself on not getting allergies. Feeling superior when my sister or father would complain about theirs. But then, for some SICK and TWISTED reason, seasonal allergies have found me. I was at work and they were so bad everyone told me to go home. It is very awesome when everyone at work tells you to go home. Like, why yes I will!
On this very same day I had to go to monster jam with my man and his work people. After a nap and some allergy pillsdddd I was hoping I would be okay but, I brought a box of tissues I stole from work just in case. Sometimes you have to bring a whole box of tissues to the function. It was like my clutch. Just wait, you will see tissue clutches in Vogue in a couple years (you’re welcome).
One more thing to say about this day: at monster jam there was randomly a robot dog thing that was hanging out in the corner of the arena. I was very confused and afraid of this. But also felt maternal towards this robot dog thing? Why was it out there? Why was it doing tricks? Why am I crying? I would say it was a hallucination due to my allergy medication cocktail but other people saw it too.
MOVING ON- Mikey went back to his homeland for a week and I got the house all to myself! This was very exciting because when I am home alone I get to be a little naughty (eat too many treats). I decided to take advantage of my man-free home and have a slumber party with all my girlfriends. I made an invite on Canva, got sooo graphic design with it, and bought fairy lights for some pizazz. It was very fun but I think slumber parties are better when you’re 9 because you don’t drink alcohol and you don’t get hungover and sleep in too late and miss McDonald’s breakfast.
Due to me planning a fabulous party, it was decided that it was time for me to get a Costco membership. This was probably one of the best days of my life, and I say this on my wedding anniversary. My bestie and I pulled up to Costco ready to take over the store. I got my card, headshot gorgeous, and danced my way through the entrance. We gushed over blenders we didn’t need and the killer deals on toothbrush heads. (I really needed new toothbrush heads but at Target they are $40 for 4 of them, while at Costco, they were $40 for 10. WHAT A STEAL!!!!!!!!!!) I bought too many things for the party and ended up spending $200 on god knows what, a Costco rite of passage. To end the trip, I got a hot dog and bestie a chicken bake and it was beautiful. Also got gas which was also beautiful because it wasn’t $6 a gallon.
The saying typically goes April showers bring May flowers, however, this April brought flowers too! The previous tenet of my home, Tom, who has now passed, was big into gardening and unbeknownst to me, had planted sunflower seeds. They began sprouting to my surprise and the first one bloomed this month! I was so excited, providing updates on my instagram story on the blooms progress. How special that although he has passed on, Tom’s garden can live on and thrive. Life is beautiful.
Dance continues to stay a constant in my life. I decided to branch out and try a different type of class, Heels, as opposed to my tried and true Modern. I brought my snake skin stilettos and had so much fun stepping out of my comfort zone and into my sensuality. I’ve even started wearing my heels around the house. I think every woman should do this, it engages your core and is also very sexy and fun.
There was a street fair right in my neighborhood. I invited my parents to come, as they hadn’t even seen our new place, and we had a wonderful time walking around my neighborhood and visiting all the different vendors. Ate good food, saw cool art, I love my community!
The biggest thing that happened this month will be made into it’s own post all together. So I will just tell you this: I am a mother now, to a beautiful daughter named Grace. And she is perfect.
April Media Round Up
READING
Little Weirds by Jenny Slate~ I listened to this and devoured it!!!. Obsessed with her writing and the way she narrates. Once I finished it I bought a copy and a copy of her other book, Lifeform, which I am currently listening to. Little Weirds also inspired my last post, which you can read here if you missed it.
Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut~ I have been wanting to delve into Vonnegut’s work for a while now. I remember I read Sirens of the Titan in high school and really enjoyed it. Vonnegut is a quirky guy. Really enjoyed, look forward to reading his others.
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion~ If you have read any of my previous work, you know I am quite familiar with the experience of grief. I picked this up hoping to get some insight on the experience, especially considering it is The Joan Didion. I read this quickly. It read more as a memoir and her experience dealing with her daughter’s illness alongside her husband’s death, not necessarily dealing with the grief itself, so in that case, it was a bit disappointing to me as it didn’t give me what I was looking for. But we love Joan nevertheless
WATCHING
With my husband being gone for a whole week, this gave me a fabulous opportunity to watch some more “girly” stuff. This included the entire show of Broad City. Created by Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, this hilarious show follows two besties taking on New York City. It is very exciting when you get to see where a meme originated, like “In da clerb we all fam” or “I’m only 27, what am I? A child bride?”. Iconic.
LISTENING
After witnessing Bieberchella via the internet, Justin Bieber was playing for several days. Most importantly his older catalogue. What do you know about U Smile???
Moon Safari by Air was on rotation. This features a favorite of mine that I love to use when I teach dance or during improvisation, fully instrumental- La femme d’argent.
I had a moment of listening to some 60s and 70s folk music while I worked, Neil Young, Nick Drake, and the like.
During my slumber party, we listened to the classic y2k pop including Britney Spears and Kesha along with some current pop like Charli xcx, Addison Rae, and Chappel Roan.
This Music May Contain Hope by RAYE came out this month. Her highly anticipated second album. I love everything she does. I need to spend more time with it to give it a proper review, as I listened to it while I worked, so I couldn’t fully pay attention.
The Great Divide by Noah Kahan also came out this month. My husband is a huge fan, so I was basically forced at gunpoint to give it a listen. Although I am not as big a fan as he, I did quite enjoy it.
The end of the month has brought me revisiting artists like Jimi Hendrix and Aretha Franklin. My mom and I saw a dance show the other day and onre of the pieces featured music by Aretha. I put on her album Young, Gifted, and Black on the ride home. Rock Steady stays a banger.
ok that’s all, byeeeeeee