Friday night we went to Longwood Gardens for a fountain show. It was themed around the silent vampire movie from the 1930s, with the organ music played live for the audience. It was done well! Really. Ricky absolutely loved it. He clapped. He screamed. He was completely captivated. Mom and I mostly looked at theContinue reading “The Disney Problem, Sorry Longwood.”
Author Archives: Ashly P Ash - crutchprints
Good Thing Someone Hit Record
A week before my fall, my mother-in-law took a video of me walking on my crutches. It was at my son’s fourth birthday party, where I was rushing around trying to organize a sack race. There was a lot of bouncing, hustling, and general chaos. It was not my most flattering moment. At the time,Continue reading “Good Thing Someone Hit Record”
The Fall Festival of Questionable Characters
Taking a four-year-old to a fall festival is a reminder that children operate according to an entirely different set of rules. Unfortunately, they don’t distribute a copy of the handbook. At our local fall festival, Ricky was frightened of Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Why? Because they were scary. I asked no further questions. Instead, IContinue reading “The Fall Festival of Questionable Characters”
A Very Responsible Parenting Guide to Gaslighting
I am starting to believe gaslighting gets a bad rap. Now, hang on and hear me out. It’s generally defined as manipulating someone into questioning their own perception of reality. Obviously, doing that to another person is not great. But I’ve discovered that a little self-inflicted gaslighting can occasionally make life better. Call it self-deception.Continue reading “A Very Responsible Parenting Guide to Gaslighting”
Walking the Plank
Lately, my son has been watching Peter Pan on repeat. He loves the flamboyance and eccentricity of Captain Hook. Apparently he has chosen the pirate with dramatic feathers and questionable judgment as his role model. I wish I could say I was different as a child and teenager. The other day, I happened to glanceContinue reading “Walking the Plank”
Keep or Toss, no stories.
My 30-year-old sister recently came and did something no one should attempt without a strong relationship: she helped me clean out my closet. By “helped,” I mean she took everything out and then proceeded to ask questions I apparently wasn’t prepared to answer. “When was the last time you wore this?” “Why are you keepingContinue reading “Keep or Toss, no stories.”
I am Still Here
Four Years. That’s a long time to be quiet. The last time I was regularly writing here, I was dreaming about becoming a mom. Then, in June 2022, my son arrived—and suddenly life became very, very busy. Somewhere between diaper changes, toddler years, doctor appointments, family life, and simply figuring out how to do motherhoodContinue reading “I am Still Here”
Sentimental Surprises
One of the messages that I have so carefully guarded on Crutchprints is the fact that there are times God chooses not to answer our prayers, for whatever reason, and that is ok. There are times that no matter how much we pray, fast, read scripture, believe, and cling – the answer is no. UnderstandingContinue reading “Sentimental Surprises”
The Space Between a Heartbeat and Heartbreak
“I’m not finding a heartbeat.” The five words I am now certain every expecting parent finds tosses their joys, their hopes, and their excitement as effortlessly as one flipping a coin. Those five words existed between expecting a heartbeat, and experiencing heartbreak. It didn’t make sense to me. My body was still acting like IContinue reading “The Space Between a Heartbeat and Heartbreak”
Self Reflection Workbook: Fires and Burnout
This workbook is for a four-week look at fires and burnout in our lives. This is an opportunity for self-reflection, gaining new skill sets, and analyzing the things in our lives that may be consuming too much time, relationships, our health, or our careers. This printable four week study guide is packed with exercises toContinue reading “Self Reflection Workbook: Fires and Burnout”
