asheleywoodruff

[asheleywoodruff]

Passing Us By

Don’t wait for me

I can’t wait for you

My need for perfection

In this life or the next

Cannot allow for sorrow

Or guilt or delays in loving

What could be known

In the core of our understanding

That place where knowing

Lies beyond the veil of seeing

immediate

In the revelations of purpose

And drive

Of connection in and with

Our greater selves

Our greater lines

Intertwined beyond our

Reach and vibrating

With each connection

Each yearning

Each transcendence of our spheres

Into another’s

There is no patience

In waiting for life

When it is so clearly

Passing us by

[asheleywoodruff]

Autumn: Soup season! Tonight is Brooklynn’s Italian soup, herb bread, and Caesar salad. #vegetarian #soup #autumn🍁 #fall #soupsandstews https://www.instagram.com/p/BoVHLquFA49/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1c53wgvrb6ybm

#vegetarian #soup #autumn🍁 #fall #soupsandstews

[asheleywoodruff]

The ages are as follows: 4, 15, 16, 17, 36. Not necessarily the exact ages I am in these particular photos, but pretty close. Why does this matter? Because I was sexually assaulted by someone I was acquainted with at each age. Sometimes more than once. Each time I've known my assailant and each time I chose to keep the matter private. Until now. My reasons are my own and were different with each situation. Shame and fear were huge motivators at the time. It's not about politics. I personally believe Brett Kavanaugh has the right to defend himself and should do so. That is the basis of our judicial system. But I also believe that those who come forward to speak their truth should feel safe to do so. For me, it's not about politics. It's about breaking a silence that for far too long has been held by far too many women. And men. It's not about revenge. It's not about politics or even justice, per se. It's about freedom. Freedom from guilt, freedom from shame, freedom from the fear of what will happen when people find out. It's about being brave and courageous enough to stand up and say "this happened to me and it was awful. It's not okay." And yes, this is the first time I'm going public with 95% of this information. I've held my silence for 32 and 20 years in regards to some instances. That's a long time. But it's the time I've needed to get pretty damn sick of being afraid and to find whatever courage I have in me to finally speak out. And I think a lot of women, maybe even Dr. Ford, feel the same way too. #metoo #speakoutnow #ibelieveher https://www.instagram.com/p/BoTDccOlCW6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nt16qhnt7w3f

#metoo #speakoutnow #ibelieveher

[asheleywoodruff]

Who Are You to Decide?

I generally try to avoid anything political on my feed, for the main reason of despising the toxicity to which people appear to default to when expressing their opinions. But on the issue of sexual assault and it's current role in our politics, I feel I must speak out.

I find deplorable the fact that certain types of sexual assault are without question, such as students accusing children/coaches of assault or church members accusing church staff of abuse/misconduct. We, as a public, do not question those allegations, even when they come 10, 20, or even 30 years after the events took place. We easily direct our sympathy toward the victim.

However, if the alleged assault is between peer-aged groups, such as a worker and boss, or two teenagers, then we turn our anger on the victim and demand a full accounting of events. As if the role of victim somehow makes them complicit in the assault or they themselves orchestrated the events of their trauma.

I CANNOT for the life of me comprehend the duality and incredible hypocrisy of this type of thinking. How does this logic develop and how on earth does someone justify the two in their mind? It is beyond my understanding. We, as a society, are not that Holy or Righteous that we have any right to make such judgement calls. Ever.

I don't care which side of the political spectrum you sit on, I don't care what religion you follow. I don't even care if you agree with me. No one, and I mean NO ONE, 'asks for it.' An assault is an assault, is an assault. Regardless of the situation, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the people involved and the positions they hold, there is no moral justification for hurting someone to obtain personal gratification. PERIOD.

Thanks,

#MeToo

[asheleywoodruff]

I think this is cat-ese for “screw you, for letting the dog try to eat me.” (Not really, we let him sniff the carrier and she had a fit.) In any case, this is Miss Lily and she’s northern-bound to my sister in Wisconsin next year. I feel like the crazy cat lady right now. #catsofinsta #catsofinstagram #kittenlife https://www.instagram.com/p/BnphelGgsE8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1s8me7ezqpxnh

#catsofinsta #catsofinstagram #kittenlife

[asheleywoodruff]

Made myself dinner, after doing the whole Mom thing of doing five other things before remembering I was in the process of feeding myself. Who can relate? Dinner is 1/2 medium avocado with onion powder and lemon juice, 1/4 cup peas, 1 1/2 homemade veggie burgers, and about 1/2 cup mixed fresh berries. This is more than enough to fill me and it alllll fit on a salad/dessert plate. Because portions make your meal. #eatright #eathealthy #portioncontrol #vegan #vegetarian #dinner #supper #forgotiwasmakingthis https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnm0NX0gXCd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vqzt6e8j0u8z

#eatright #eathealthy #portioncontrol #vegan #vegetarian #dinner #supper #forgotiwasmakingthis

[asheleywoodruff]

Playing personal chef for my mom while she recovers from foot surgery. She likes beets. Weirdo. Lol #personalchef #momsareweird #familyvisit #cooking #salads #vegan #vegetarian https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnmi_BLAdrL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16med4hkj1kbu

#personalchef #momsareweird #familyvisit #cooking #salads #vegan #vegetarian

[asheleywoodruff]

Remembering the lost on 9/11 and those who sacrificed everything in the days and years after. I am still broken-hearted over what happened to our country that day, to a proud city I called Home for ten years, and to the first responders and countless victims (my dad among them), who experienced a trauma they cannot unlive. For the sake of our nation, for those we lost, and for each other, I hope we remember and honor the lives lost, as we ALWAYS should, and not just remember the pain. Let’s keep moving forward toward healing and wholeness, together. https://www.instagram.com/p/BnmQELUgMYg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9eb5ob5jw019

[asheleywoodruff]

Goal!!!!!!! This is my FIRST (!!!!!!) Sphinx to Cobra pose transition since my back surgery. It feels so awesome to make this one little change in my position. I am going slow because I can feel how tight the muscles in my back are and I’m not wanting to tweak anything at all. I took several minutes to warm up prior to doing this. For me, stretching requires just as much patience and conscientious movement as an actual exercise I do for strength. But details aside, I did it!!! #goalreached #littlegoals #yoga #littlegoalsaddup #slowandsteady #backsurgery #backsurgeryrecovery #cobrapose #stretching https://www.instagram.com/p/BnaL53ugQNc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1x4eqkhbdcqz0

#goalreached #littlegoals #yoga #littlegoalsaddup #slowandsteady #backsurgery #backsurgeryrecovery #cobrapose #stretching

[asheleywoodruff]

Cleo didn’t like cat detention. We didn’t like her being up on the mantle knocking things over. #cats #catsofinstagram #nothavingit https://www.instagram.com/p/BnaC57YAyFS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ghaku1bkk5g7

#cats #catsofinstagram #nothavingit

[asheleywoodruff]

Two years after starting my health journey I find I am back at the starting line. Flattering? Nope. Real? Yep. One major knee injury and one back surgery later, i have regained the 25lbs I had once lost. Which sucks and is incredibly frustrating. Not to mention I hate that I can only manage 5lb weights before my muscles start screaming at me and simple movements feel like Olympian feats due to all the modifications I’m needing to make right now. BUT, I have always believed that there is no shame in starting over or having to start small. So instead of hating how unfit I felt in this picture, I’m going to focus on this being a photo of where my fitness and health journey restarted. So look at me being all creative and finding workarounds for my exercises!! I’m going to keep plugging away and one day soon, preferably next spring, you’re going to see a picture of this outdoorsy fiend back climbing rock walls and hiking/biking all over kingdom come. In the meantime, I’m profoundly grateful my body is healing and I will never take walking for granted ever again! #backsurgery #healing #beginagain #restartyourlife #fitnesslife #easydoesit #modifiedworkouts #day3 #icansoiwill (at Lincoln, Nebraska) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnR657gl5ou/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p6vvaqflp5q2

#backsurgery #healing #beginagain #restartyourlife #fitnesslife #easydoesit #modifiedworkouts #day3 #icansoiwill

[asheleywoodruff]

Proof I’ve been baking since I was old enough to hold a rolling pin! This photo was taken shortly after my first birthday. Some of my earliest (and favorite) memories are of rolling dough in the kitchen with my grandmother and great grandmother, while they told me stories of our ancestors. It wasn’t just about baking, it was about being together and being family. #baking #cooking #childhood #memories #family #rollingdough #childhoodmemories #pietime https://www.instagram.com/p/BnP1X7QAyab/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lekn22kevcza

#baking #cooking #childhood #memories #family #rollingdough #childhoodmemories #pietime

[asheleywoodruff]

Day 17 in captivity: Help! Mom? Dad? Anyone??? #catsofinstagram #cats🐱 #catsitting https://www.instagram.com/p/BnF6rDYgeYR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1b2sxvonfyjol

#catsofinstagram #cats🐱 #catsitting

[asheleywoodruff]

Contemplating using this for my work photo. It would be an honest representation at least! #goofy #backtoworksoon #totallyme https://www.instagram.com/p/BnE0E8ogznO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9to0ue9ifdeo

#goofy #backtoworksoon #totallyme

[asheleywoodruff]

When you, the driver, really needs coffee, are 100ft from a Starbucks, and the daughter is worried you’ll miss it... #weneedcoffeestat #starbucks #longdrives #tiredfromdriving #sideseatdriver😂 #didntmissit https://www.instagram.com/p/BnCwgU2ARsd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t9w0qjguhfjp

#weneedcoffeestat #starbucks #longdrives #tiredfromdriving #sideseatdriver😂 #didntmissit

[asheleywoodruff]

Fooooood!!! #vegan #vegetarian #foodie😋 #nomnomnom #montysblueplatediner #greatdanepubandbrewery #madisonwi #alltheeats (at Madison, Wisconsin)

#vegan #vegetarian #foodie😋 #nomnomnom #montysblueplatediner #greatdanepubandbrewery #madisonwi #alltheeats

[asheleywoodruff]

Accomplished today: (2) 45 second planks!! Since having back surgery I’ve had very little physical activity, aside from walking. A couple weeks ago I was given the green light to start building my core muscles again to support my back. I started with just two 15 sec planks, which made me cry because they were so hard to do. But TODAY I am at 45 seconds! It still isn’t easy, but I’m LOVING that my body is once again able to do the work and that I CAN and WILL get stronger with time and effort. #slowrecovery #backsurgery #backsurgeryrecovery #strengthening #corework #personalwin

#slowrecovery #backsurgery #backsurgeryrecovery #strengthening #corework #personalwin