Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving can be really scary stuff!!!

Even when you think it's the perfect moment to send a quick text and no one is around... THINK AGAIN!

You are driving down the street, no cars or anyone is in sight, you think you have 2 seconds to 

spare to type a quick word. ...You don't! Anything can happen when you take a 

chance like that!

I want to share a story that I have told only a few people. This story is hard for me to write but I think it is one that needs to be shared. About a year and a half ago I was involved in a car/pedestrian accident. I was driving through a bare parking lot and it was dark outside. I was reaching for my phone that was in my purse that was right next to me. I didn't have a plan to send a text, I just wanted to hold it in case it went off. I think I looked down for half a second to grab it. As I was looking up there was a guy on a bicycle right in front of me. I slammed on my brakes but I hit him. Mind you, this was a parking lot - - I was only going between 5 to 10 miles an hour. I hit his bicycle, he rolled up on my windshield and fell to the ground in a matter of seconds. 

My heart dropped, I was in a panic, I put the car in park and ran out to check on him. The guy was okay but was so shaken up. He had some cuts and a severe headache. I felt horrible. I was in a state of shock that wouldn't even allow me to cry one tear. My heart ached for this man and if I would have given up that one distraction that didn't cross my mind as being big deal, this wouldn't have happened.

I have not been able to forget about this story. My heart still aches when I think of the situation. It was my fault, I take full responsibility for that. The main reason I share this story with you is because just maybe it will make you aware of how important every second is when you are behind the wheel. I pray this story can maybe save one life! I believe Heavenly Father blessed both of us that night because things could have been a lot worse. 

NOTHING is that important that it can't wait. Even if it was that important, I was in a parking lot...I could have parked to take out my phone and check on it. When you are driving and your phone goes off - PULL OVER! If you are getting on the freeway - let those you may be tempted to text know that you are on the road. You have the power to save the lives of others and to save your very own life! 

On the Today show yesterday with Kathy & Hoda they showed a girl who lost her eye in an accident from being distracted while driving. Go here to watch this clip.

I want to make it clear that it is not JUST texting and driving 

.... it is DISTRACTED DRIVING!!! 

Doing ANYTHING on your phone: emails, music, apps, talking to siri, talking on the phone or via speaker phone and even changing the radio station can be scary. These things are all dangerous if your eyes and hands have to leave the wheel even for just a second.

If you need to use your GPS - set it before you start driving and then turn up the volume, this way you won't be tempted to touch it or look at it.

There is an incredible website and pledge HERE! Please go check it out. I took the following facts from this great site!

Facts:

 - Those who send text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.

-  In 2010, texting while driving increased 50 percent in one year, and two out of 10 drivers say they've sent text messages or emails while behind the wheel - despite a rush by states to ban the practice.

- When drivers read or send a text message, their reaction time is doubled. When asked to respond to a flashing light while texting behind the wheel, drivers were more than 11 times more likely to miss the light altogether.

- 75% of teens say texting while driving is common among friends.

Be the POWER OF ONE that makes safe

 choices for you and others around you!

Dear Michael Jefferies, CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch

Michael Jeffries
Abercrombie & Fitch Home Office
6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio 43054‎



Dear Michael,

For the last couple days you have been scrutinized for the way you are discriminating against size. As I was reading remarks you have said regarding your company, one particular phrase hit me like a ton of bricks, "I really don't care what anyone other than our target audience thinks". Well I just happen to be your target audience, so I guess it is time that I speak up and stand for what I believe in. I am the girl that wears a size 0/2. I am the girl that loves making friends and getting to know people. But I am also the girl that struggles putting weight on. I am the girl that believes size isn't everything. I am the girl who has been teased because of how petite I am. I am the girl that will stand up for discrimination every opportunity I get.

Beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes. Beauty is found in imperfections and flaws. Beauty to me is standing up for what you believe in. I believe in embracing everyone for the person they are inside. If beauty only came in one category then why are we all born with different colored eyes, different colored skin, different hair and different sizes? There is no cookie cutter mold that we are supposed to follow or we would be placed on this earth all identical.

If being cool means I have to pay $78 for a pair of jeans that supports discrimination, eating disorders, low self-esteem and possibly even suicide, then I don't think I can ever support being "cool" again. I own clothing pieces from your store and I can't picture myself wearing them ever again. Being exclusionary is not okay to me. 

Who are you to say that a waist size is what determines if a person is "good enough"? Who made you the leader of popularity? I don't respect your company or the messages you are sending the youth today. The youth in the world today are our future, they are at a very vulnerable phase in life right now and the messages and beliefs you are passing on to them are unacceptable.   I can no longer support your Abercrombie brand until something changes. 

Mike, I don't know you personally, and I'm a girl that tries really hard not to judge others because we all have a story and I know I am not perfect. I don't know your story but I pray for you. I pray for your heart to be aware of the message you are sending youth. I pray for your eyes to be open to the damaging effects of low self-esteem that has been created and the eating disorders that have occurred so youth can fit into your brand. I pray for your soul to have a deeper love for humanity. I pray for your heart to be accepting to the ones you have hurt and forgotten.

While you have every right as the CEO of Abercrombie and Fitch to market to whoever you would like to, the remark ""In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids" "Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don't belong [in our clothes], and they can't belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely. Those companies that are in trouble are trying to target everybody: young, old, fat, skinny. But then you become totally vanilla. You don't alienate anybody, but you don't excite anybody, either."  sends a message that I can not support and will not support.  I see your business going in trouble real soon. Also I happen to love vanilla.

Sincerely,

Ashley Frederickson

Ready for Love - Episode 3 Dating Advice

Okay are you ready for dating advice from episode # 3?
I'm really LOVING all this dating advice!

Advice from Tracy McMillian:
 You can't really connect with somebody until they have seen your flaws!

When somebody says something positive about you, you respond with yes, thank you and I'm willing to embrace even more!


Advice from Matt Hussey: 
If you don't get the reaction that you want, become more positive, don't shut down.

Touch is one thing you can use for connection, like a simple touch on the elbow or spine of the back.

When he shows you that he would be uncomfortable with something, be willing to compromise. If you don't communicate that you will compromise, he is thinking what else am I going to have to give up?

You can have your excuses or you can have the guy but you can't have both!

There is nothing sexier than a sense of certainty.

Be B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L to God

After reading Brooklyn's post over at this little blonde, I was inspired to write this post.

Brooklyn is helping to host an amazing giveaway/linkup about "REAL BEAUTY".
She is a true example of what real beauty is all about!

Beauty is defined as: the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).


Did you catch that? - A personality in which high spiritual qualities manifest

I believe beauty comes from God and the way we VIEW beauty comes from the world.

Beauty has so many different meanings and I 
think EVERY single pair of eyes views it a little bit differently.
Even I view beauty a little bit differently every single day
through my very own eyes.
The thing with beauty though is no matter what you think is beautiful,
it doesn't last. Styles fade. Skin ages. Icons come and go.

Want to know what does last though?
INNER BEAUTY.
When we try to change our beauty to what God thinks is beautiful,
that is when it really counts.
Being beautiful to Heavenly Father is when kindness and love starts
shining through our hearts.

There are a few people that stick out in my mind when 
I think of beauty.
Not because of the clothes they wore or the way they 
did their makeup that day,
I think of them when I think of beauty because of the way
they made me feel.
They had belief in me. They made me feel like I was the most 
important person in the world. They made me feel like I was
a girl that had so much worth and power within my soul.

That kindness was all it took for me to view these people as the
most beautiful people in the world.
And I am sure God viewed them as very very beautiful people
because they only cared about being beautiful to him 
and not to the world.

God doesn't view beauty as perfection. He views it as kindness.
He views it as integrity, faith, desire for good things, a selfless heart.
God views beauty as virtue, making decisions that are good, honoring covenants.
When we are beautiful in his eyes, nothing else matters because that is where 
we find peace, hope and an endless love that will never ever let us down.

Beauty comes in the simple principle that I am a daughter of God!


Let your beauty come from within! Be the girl that doesn't care 
about the perfection this world demands, be the girl that strives to be beautiful 
to Heavenly Father and your beauty will never fail.

You are amazing. Rock of that beauty of yours that God has blessed you with
and try and see everyone you cross paths with today as someone that
is a child of God and God thinks they are beautiful.


I am linking up with www.wespeaknow.org - they are on an incredible 
mission to change the world for good!!!

Dear Ashley Marie

Dear Ashley Marie,
I hate wearing makeup because after 2 hours of applying it, I feel like it has started to melt away and seeps into lines I didn't know existed. Am I the only one this happens to? What am I doing wrong? Any advice you can offer me would be great. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Liz


Dear Liz,
Great question and no you are DEFINITELY not alone. I know exactly what you are talking about and I am SO EXCITED to share my secret with you! My secret is a foundation primer. I used to think this was a completely unnecessary step that was made up for cosmetic businesses to sale me more products. Guess what? I was WRONG! Even if I have applied every possible step of skin care before my makeup I still NEED this product. 

Mary Kay makes a great one and this is what it looks like:

You can buy it HERE!

It has an SPF 15 in it, which is desperately needed in the summer time.
This foundation primer is a lightweight gel that glides on easily to fill in imperfections
and dries quickly to create a canvas for a flawless foundation application 
and helps your foundation last all day long.

• Oil free formula with SPF 15* is mineral-enriched to absorb oil and diffuse light to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores.
• For all skin types, including sensitive skin.
• Fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic.
• When worn alone, it still provides these skin-perfecting benefits:  helps even out skin texture and improves skin's complexion.

Love, 
Ashley Marie



Dear Ashley Marie,
With Mother's Day coming up do you have any ideas of how I can really grow a stronger relationship with my mom and let her know how much I love her?

Love,
Mommy's Girl

Dear Mommy's Girl,
I am SO HUMBLED by your question. Your mom is so lucky to have you as a daughter just for thinking of that question. I have some great ideas for you! 

You may already do this but give her a peak into your life. Tell her something that you don't share with anyone and trust in her to be the one you turn to no matter what. Tell her something you are struggling with and ask for her advice. Tell her something embarrassing and share in that "moment" together. Let her into the part of your heart that you don't open very easily.

Also every mom wants a letter reminding her of the things she is doing right. Write her a thank you letter, an I love you letter, a you-are-my-best-friend-forever-letter. Just let her really know you care.

Another thing moms love is SERVICE! Find something to clean around the house you never do, she will love it and it will make her life so much easier. Do the dishes, clean the living room, make her bed, take out the trash, ANYTHING! Just give her brake from it all for just a little so she has a moment to herself.

Good luck and can't wait to hear how it turns out!

Love, 
Ashley Marie



Dear Ashley Marie,
I didn't get asked to senior ball last week while all my other friends were off having fun. I was so hurt and stayed in my room crying all night long. This dance meant so much to me so now I feel like no body really cares and I am not pretty enough. I can't shake these thoughts away and don't know what to do.

Love,
The girl without a date

Dear girl without a date,
I can't tell you how often this happens. I never got asked to senior ball either. I'm going to let you on in a little secret, dances do not define your future. Guys are often so scared to ask girls to dances even though they have had their eye on you for a while. You have to feel the pain for a little bit, then get up brush it off and show the world what you are made of. You are worth so much more than a silly ball that only lasts 3 hours of your life. You are a beautiful girl and the right guy will come along, I promise! Make the most of the remaining month of High School and then celebrate than you have grown enough to go out in the real world and change lives and be the girl that God has been helping you to become all along! You are worth more than you think. You are so very loved! I believe in you!

Love, 
Ashley Marie

Dating Advice from Ready for Love - Episode 2

Have you guys heard of the TV show 'Ready for Love'?
It premiered on NBC but now only plays online on hulu.com.

I am IN LOVE with it!

So I have a confession to make - I have NEVER EVER seen the bachelor. Like EVER. 

So I can't tell you how this compares to it.

But what I can say about this show is that I LOVE the guys - they are such good good guys! 

Family is important to them. They give back. They are hard working!

What I also LOVE about the show is getting such great dating advice for free!

It's incredible advice too! 

So I am going to start posting the advice I take away from every episode. 

I want it written down and figured you guys might not mind to receive it as well!

I am going to be playing catch up on all the episodes that have been on up until this point.  
(And I'm sorry but I am skipping Episode #1 for now)

 Episode #2 where we meet Ernesto and Ben:

(It is SO EASY to fall for these guys - they have their lives so put together.) 
I am really in love with Ernesto because of his passion for making the world a better place
and his love for having a strong family!
Ernesto and I could serve together all day long together and I wouldn't mind one bit.

Advice from Matt Hussey: 

What makes a girl attractive is her standards
 (HELLO! - I LOVE THIS!)
Standards are what makes you a strong, confident and happy girl!

Guys gravitate to women that make them feel like men! - If a guy offers you his jacket when it is cold outside and you say no because you are thinking you don't want him to be cold, he feels diminished as a man, just take the jacket!

99% of people allow the quality of their lives to be determined by the thoughts of others - NEVER EVER EVER be one of those people!

When a guy figures out a rubix cube, he puts it down. He wants something endearing for a lifetime.


Men value what they earn! You don't want to focus so much on proving yourself that you don't give him a chance to prove himself to you.


You can't go to a bad attitude when something awkward happens or he is going to think, I have to put up with this for the rest of my life every time something awkward happens.

Advice from Amber Kelleher-Andrews: 

You are YOUR brand - discover it and work on it!

Advice from Tracy McMillian: 

You aren't available for a connection when you are constantly  thinking about how you are presenting yourself, what to say and what he is thinking.
Be in the moment!

 Be vulnerable! Practice being in that emotional vulnerable energy.

Trust in God's timing

This week I have been so caught up with the girl that I am trying to become.

I keep thinking I should be more organized by now or I should be completely

 independent or I should be serving more or why I am struggling with faith when it is 

something I have known all my life.

 I think I just get too caught up in the things that aren't working out when Heavenly Fathers timing really is perfect and my life is right on track with the lessons I need to be learning and

the plans that Heavenly Father has for me. 

I am so guilty trying to move ahead when it isn't what is supposed to be happening at 

that moment.

I want to be the best Ashley I can possibly become! And with God's help and his timing I can.

Faith and patience is the absolute best principles I can possibly live by this week.

I love reflecting on Sunday about how my week went and ways I

can better myself, my life, my faith and everything

around me. I love self improvement and I feel Sunday's 

are the perfect day to stop and think about where I am in my life.

What have you reflected about this Sunday?