WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

What exactly can I offer you?
I can offer you an identity.
Nothing illegal! What I mean is, I can help you build your business identity. I can help you draw in the crowd, bring in the money, and keep them coming back for more. I am your graphic designer, and I am here to help you create your brand.

What is it that I do?
I create! I create the sign above your door that people can see driving down the road. I create the watermark for your photographs to keep them yours and to gain you exposure (see what I did there!). I create the menu for your small business, the business card you will hand out whenever the opportunity presents itself, and I create the design that will be your money-maker. I create the graphics you will post on your blog, website, and social media accounts.

Thank you www.asenathhorton.com

THE BEGINNING: DAY ONE

[1]

Family above all else. My siblings are the most helpful, selfless, generous people I share this life with and I’m very blessed to have them. They help each other (and me) in anyway they are capable. I love my siblings immensely and thank my stars that we were raised the way we were.

[2]

I lost my mother at 25. I guess 25 years is better than nothing, right? But with my mother, no amount of time would have been enough. She was just a classy, funny-as-hell broad that you loved to be around. I miss her excruciating amounts.

[3]

I cried when I found out the child was a girl. Four months after losing my mother, we found out the gender of “nugget” and I said “It’s still early, though. She could still grow a penis!” It wasn’t until I was driving home, missing my mother, and thinking about the incredible relationship we had as mother and daughter, that I realized I was beyond ecstatic to have a girl. I didn’t realize I wanted a daughter so bad until it was confirmed that I was building one. So when people tell me to wait for those teenage years when she hates me and I’m wrong about everything- suck it. My mother was my best friend no matter what age I was, and I have complete confidence that while we will fight, the child will feel the same towards me.

[4]

I have no self discipline. I do what I want, when I want to do it, and that is why I am still not back to my pre-partum weight. I don’t bargain with or restrict myself from the things that I want and enjoy because life is short.

[5]

I want to own a home more than I want to be back into my pre-baby clothing. I want to be a home owner and enjoy the struggles and hassles and the yard! Oh, the yard!

[6]

I loathe ketchup. Get that nasty away from me!

[7]

I unapologetically love TV, movies, and fiction books. I love getting away for a while in the comfort of my home, wrapping myself in their story and being enveloped. I can’t afford to travel so why not?

[8]

My mom called me Poopy my entire life. I believe it came from my unyielding love for Winnie the Pooh. I used to cry when it (and Gumby) was over and the credits rolled.

[9]

I love to clean late at night. (Another reason I want my own home instead of an apartment!) If I could clean at night without disturbing anyone, my apartment would always be perfectly organized and gleaming.

[10]

I can spend 12 hours on my computer without a 2^nd thought. I haven’t in a very, very long time, but I could.

[11]

I am not a morning person. I do not enjoy coffee. I will have a morning conversation with you and not remember a single word of it. It is best to leave me alone until after 12pm, just to be safe.

[12]

I am terrified of birds. However, I love owls. They are a special little fowl that I enjoy and would probably even pet. All other birds should just go away, though.

[13]

I am also terrified of spiders, thousand-leggers, and any bug that jumps. Screw it, bugs. I’m just scared of bugs. I also wouldn’t want to come face to face with bears or sharks, because I’d pee all over.

[14]

I gnaw my nails off when I am stressed while reading, and I won’t realize I’ve done it until I’m finished and in pain.

[15]

I take 600+ pictures and videos with my phone in a 2 week period.

FUNKY FABRIC SHIRT TO DUST COVER: MINI-TUTORIAL

Hey there! I wanted to post a really simple, fast, and useful tutorial for you. I made this Thursday between the time I put the child to bed, and before she fell asleep. Super simple! Now here's the backstory and tutorial!

7/2010. Me at 24 in my awesome shirt from Target

So once upon a time before I became a mommy, I was thinner and wore cute tops like this. (Big ups to my sister-from-another-mister Ryne over at 1, 2, 3, 4, Kids, Bacon, Coffee, More. for this photo of outstanding quality and character!) I saved this top hoping to fit into it again once I've reached my weight-related goals, but when I pulled my Al Borland shirt at the beginning of summer I noticed a small-yet noticeable-hole right on the stomach. After weeping for a few moments, I tossed aside my old plaid friend and awaited inspiration.

Being the mother to a toddler, a student, employed, and book lover, I really don't have the time or the space I need to use my sewing machine often. So after dusting off my sewing machine for the 70th time, it dawned on me. Use my funky fabric for a dust cover! It will allow me to peer over at the colorful plaid, and keep the dust off of my lovely, barely used machine. Let us begin.

Step 1: I cut the bra top and elastic off, and place on the child to wear. (That’s not mandatory.) Because the top is an empire style top which flares out at the bottom, I didn’t need to neatly rip my seams apart. I cut the seams off and folded the two pieces- good side together/insides out-and making sure I had the needed length, cut the flared excess fabric away. I was left with 2 squares of fabric.

Step 2: (not photographed) pin. I didn’t care if the patchwork matched up-the patchier the better-so I didn’t line anything up. I pinned one side, sewed it using a straight stitch size 3, checked for any gaps. Pinned the second side, sewed it, and checked it. For the top, I threw it over the top of my machine before pinning, because I didn’t want excessive fabric drooping below the machine. I gathered the fabric, pinned one on each side, gathered the fabric on the edges, continued pinning on top of the gatherings, and then finally sewed the top.

Step 3: Simple hem along the bottom. I saved this for last because if I accidentally made it too long, I could cut and hem to make it fit even better. Luckily all I had to do was help the raw edge.

It isn’t fantastic, but it fits and it works! It only took me about 15 minutes from start to finish.

Show me your dust covers-bought or made! Help me make better tutorials, comment below and tell me what I could have added to make this more helpful!

ABS & ASS: BACK ON TRACK

For about 2.5 weeks I've been super demotivated. My body has not come back fast enough and I was going to punish the gym by not using it.
So, I just wasted my money and my indulgences, because I didn't even attempt to burn to calories off! Well, I saw some results today in my most unflattering pants. That motivated me all over again! Also in the time I had not gone to the gym I lost 1lb, and that makes me even happier.

 

So I need to really get on track with my stomach. My abdominal muscles (or lack thereof) is straining my lower back, and that doesn't feel good at all. Tomorrow I am starting an ab & squat challenge, and I am going to repeat each set 3x through out the day. A bit after breakfast, a bit after lunch, and while at the gym with weights (for squats). The more, the heavier, the better!

Found it over at 30dayfitnesschallenges.com!

 

 

Also, I will be posting some freebies here in short time! I'm so so excited about it!

 

(Slow Cooker finale is coming up, soon. I'll explain why this time it took so long when it's posted. Well, Ill just tell you now. It's your fault for not giving me delicious recipes. I hope you're proud of yourself!)

 

 

 

DOMESTICATING MYSELF WITH FRUGAL LIVING

Before Friday night, when I took my family and in-laws out to eat because I did not feel like cooking- we had not been out to eat in quite a while. I've been really trying to cook more, buy more produce, and keep up with my kitchen duties. I cannot-and will not-lie to you... Cooking just isn't fun for me! It's very stressful! The dog under my feet, tripping over the car, kicking toys and magnets, little hands pulling food off the counter- onions burning my eyes, the heat, splatter, waiting, tasting.... It's too much!

Now baking: I LOVE to bake-when there isn't a 2 year old running around who thinks the oven-glass door is a mirror for her to sit in front of and watch herself make awesome faces. So baking doesn't actually happen too often, but when it does I enjoy it!

 

Yes, I attempted to do a slow-cooker-week a while back but life got in the way. This week I am serious about it! I made some meatballs last week that we're so delicious, they were immediately requested for this week and claimed as a new favorite dish. That's motivation!

 

I'll figure out dinner first thing in the morning after I take note of the pantry and freezer inventory for my shopping list. After that I will meal plan the rest of the week. Through out the week I'll post my meal plan, ingredients, prep, cook time, and results of the meals.

 

No pizza or perogie dinners (favorite go-to's when we come home late/are tired) this week, ONLY meals that have been slow cooking.

 

 

Send me your favorite recipes to try out! Post them below if you'd like them to be public of private email me!

WEIGHT LOSS: FACIAL PROGRESS

 Before: 9/2011  During: 6 & 7/2013

I didn't realize how heavy I had gotten. This wasn't due to pregnancy. This was 2 months of a crumb-cake and Pepsi diet. Trying to keep myself awake with a new born, eating something that would fill me up quickly. How incredibly fast the weight came on, and how incredibly slow it is leaving! But, IT IS LEAVING. The first progress pictures I am sharing, and I hope I'll have more soon. As nerve wracking as this is, it's also liberating and motivational to me.

I owe thanks to my family and friends who are endlessly supportive (and patient with my constant blabbering's of weight loss)!

My current short-term goal is to lose 8lbs by 8/28. 15 Days. :)

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

I've been very neglectful of my blog this month. With The Queens birthday, keeping up with school, adding on an additional short course to expand my Illustrator knowledge before I actually need it in a class, and going to the gym, I haven't had any ideas or desire-honestly. I'll be better now, I promise.

From May 15 - June 15 I lost a total of: 4 pounds.

I want to scream when I write that. 4 measly pounds in a month! How discouraging!

However, from what my close family members have told me, they have seen changes in my body, face, and my overall being. I am more active and much more happy. I am energetic and enthusiastic-not that I wasn't before-but now it's become annoying! I am encouraging everyone to come with me because it makes me feel SO GOOD everyday I go, I want the people I love to feel good, too.

So, they say it takes 4 weeks for you to see the changes in yourself, aaaaand I see some. Not as much as I'd like to see in a month, but I see them. Mostly, I feel them, and that may be even better!

 

I was going to post before and after photos at 1 month, but the change is so miniscule that it would be more of an embarrassment to show my bare body at the moment. I am really hoping to get to my birthday goal. For that, I need to lose 13 pounds in 2 months, 1 week. 1.5 lbs a week. Possible? Yes. Difficult, immensely at the rate I am going!

 

I flaked a bit when it came to my FITplan book because I've been so busy and so much more active than the book tells me to be. I enjoy writing it all down at the end of the night but I am usually doing homework until 3am. By that time, who wants to write more and prolong going to sleep? Not I!

 

I also got new sneakers today from Zappos.com and I have to say, I love them. I love their variety, their free shipping both ways, and their service. I am unsure about the shoes I ordered ONLY because they are not as bright in person as they are online, but they feel great. I'll decide tomorrow. I'll be ordering from Zappos again within a few days for some slip-on sneakers for The Queen. :)

 

I want to post some freebies here, but I don't yet know how to! Help! Teach me how to bloggie, teach me- teach me how to bloggie! Ha!

MOTIVATION.

LEG PRESS: (unknown weight. 6th bar.) 5x8

CALF RAISES: (same machine, same weight) 5x8
CHEST PRESS: (unknown weight. 4th bar.) 2x6  (3rd bar): 1x6 1 1x8
LEG EXTENSIONS: 78lbs 2x6  66lbs 2x8
MID ROW: 115lbs 4x6  135lbs 1x6
SEATED DIP: 99lbs 1x6  86lbs 1x6  72lbs 2x8
BICEPS CURL: 70lbs 2x6  62lbs 2x8
SHOULDER PRESS: 76lbs 1x4  69lbs 1x6  62lbs 1x8 55lbs 1x8
LAP PULL DOWNS: 117lbs 1x6  102lbs 1x6  85lbs 2x8
LEG CURLS: 115lbs 2x6  97lbs 2x8
OUTER THIGHS: 140lbs 2x8  120lbs  2x8
INNER THIGHS: 120lbs 1x8 90lbs 2x8 100 1x6
CRUNCHES: C 2x8  R 2x10  L 2x10  C 1x10

SQUATS: 45lb bar 2x25lb weights = 95lbs 3x8

TREADMILL: 31.5min 2-3.5 walking & power walking, 1:30 5.5 jog.

BIKE OF DEATH: 26.24 minutes (I aimed for 250 calories/6 laps.)

 

 

 

There came a point in my life very recently that I whole-heatedly decided that enough was enough. The Queen is almost 2, and I am still the same weight I was when I gave birth to her. That is unacceptable. Women pacify it by dealing out comforting thoughts such as "It usually takes about 2 years to get the weight off!" and "Well you have no time- it'll come off on its own!" Thank you, but that's not the case.

The case is was that I wasn't trying to get the weight off. It's that simple! I'd get into these super-overdrive-motivation modes for 3 days, just to give up as quickly. The work outs were too hard, I couldn't keep up, my joints, my lungs, no time, no energy, school is in the way, it's the holiday-- how many things can get in the way of me?!

 

The answer then: a lot!

The answer now: myself.

 

I've stopped trying to find the time to go to the gym, and now I make the time to go. I feel so good each day I go- it's motivation that carries me through the day.

 

I have friends that have been in the same boat that I was/am in. The only thing that I can do is encourage them. It is SO, INCREDIBLY HARD to get out of the rut you can get stuck in. Not only for mothers, either. Women in relationships that put the comfort pounds on, college freshman 15, birth control weight gain, health issues- whatever the cause and case may be. It is hard to find the motivation and to hold onto it. I know- I did it for 2 years now!

 

I started this blog as a way to keep up anonymously with my progress, but lately I've realized that not everyone is as verbal about their insecurities as I am- but they are still struggling with the same thing I am. So, here I am. Accountable for my actions and inaction. Putting myself out there like my friend did for me. I am on a mission to get my old body back, and then improve it. I am on a mission to show my daughter that I can keep up. I am on a mission to improve my health so I can be her superhero. I am on a mission to chase my dog around the block every time he runs away, and not feel like I am about to implode. I am on a mission to skinny jeans and pretty tops, wearing tank tops and lifting my arms, stepping out of the plus size section and getting back into my favorite stores. I am on a mission to feel confidence, to walk with my head high again- because I've been teaching my daughter to look down at the floor. No more.

NO. MORE.

I'm on a mission to becoming A MILF. Yeah. I am on a life changing mission that started with a realization, baby stepped into quitting soda, tumbled into joining the gym, and is snow balling into working myself 110%, sweating without caring, and eating with purpose.

I am on a mission to be proud of myself-inside and out-because I am working for it.

<3

Peace, Love, Sweat, & Happiness.

 

 

 

A Clueless moment from me to my friends:
My machine just started inclining without letting me know and I yelled out "what the F%#$ is happening?!" in a panic. It was like an earthquake. I shouldn't be allowed here.