The McNeeses Visit the ER...

So, a few weeks ago Jonathan decided to join our church basketball team. I was fine with it, even though the thought of my skinny slender husband playing a very physical sport with a bunch of big guys makes me a little squeamish. But, I didn't want to be the mommy-wife, so I went with it. I figured it's just kind of a friendly competition and how bad can it get? It's just church league basketball.

 Ha. ha. ha.

 On Saturday, our guys had the late game and since I am lazy and non-supportive did not wish to be out late on a Saturday night (because I'm old) I opted to stay home and avoid cleaning the house get lunch ready for Sunday, wash my hair, etc. Important stuff. It was about 9:30 when I got the call from Jonathan, who asked if I had already taken a shower and put on my pajamas. Of course I had... it was almost bedtime. (Again, I'm old.) He replied, "Well, you may need to get dressed because we're probably going to the emergency room."

 I knew immediately that my poor little string bean had been injured in the rather unfriendly, not-very-Christian basketball game. My heart sank when he told me it was his knee... my dad has had knee problems his whole adult life, and all of a sudden I pictured Jonathan at 50 with fake knees and a cane. Wonderful.

 Long story short, Jonathan had taken a charge from some big guy, whose gigantic kneecap had slammed into Jonathan's kneecap and knocked him to the ground. As soon as he limped in the door I could see how swollen it was, so I threw on a hoodie, tried (unsuccessfully) to make my half-wet hair look less ridiculous, and put my little cripple in the car.

 Thus began our ER trek... I guess every couple has to have just one. I'm just glad ours has taken almost three years to arrive.
Oh, and we stopped at McDonald's on the way there. Because isn't that what you do on the way to the hospital... stop for McNuggets? And no, I didn't track those points... don't judge me.

How I felt both about the injury and being in public with my hair HEI-nous.


Wince, grimace... yes. It hurt.


Let's wrap up that unpleasantness.

We got to the ER around 10:15 and walked to the wrong door... TWICE (our hospital has some very confusing signage, which I may be writing a strongly-worded letter about very soon since we were hobbling around the parking lot in the dark while Jonathan-the-Gimp tried not to pass out because his impatient wife was supporting his fragile weight/running to find a door because she is maybe definitely scared of hidden assailants.)

 Oh, and this was all while ear-splitting SCREAMS were coming from an undisclosed location... as they got louder and (!!!) closer we realized they were coming from an approaching police car, which quickly turned in to the ER entrance. We had literally been able to hear this woman screaming from a mile away. Terrifying. 

 So, we joined the other ne'er-do-wells injured people in the ER for about 1.5 minutes until the nice lady at the desk (perhaps sensing my discomfort?) sent us to the "Express Care" around the corner. Apparently a sprained knee is not considered urgent when others' brains are falling out. (I kid... I saw no exposed brains.)

 We only had to wait a few minutes in the express care clinic, although I was now further annoyed, having had to move the car for the FIFTH time since we arrived at the hospital. And, since Gimpy just insisted on being dropped off at the door (why?) I had to walk/sprint across the dark and vacant parking lot to the safety of the clinic. (Safety because I'm pretty sure the nurse that checked us out could have taken on a small guerrilla army.


Watching 24 while waiting on the doc. What better to lift your beat-up spirits than the violent justice dealt out by Jack Bauer? (Hence, I have a fear of hidden assailants.)


Our cool PA from Boston. Can't remember his name, but I want to say it was Bill. He looks like a Bill.


Very good? Why not just shoot for excellent or something? Sorry, the concise side of me was annoyed by the sign. 

After a quick exam (because Bill wanted to get home, I suppose) and some x-rays, we were sent home with crutches, a knee immobilizer, and some pain medicine. A quick stop at Walgreens for the medicine and an ice pack (because apparently a bag of frozen broccoli wasn't going to cut it... who knew?) and we were home just after midnight.

Cutie on crutches. (I'm slapping myself for you for saying that.)

So, from this little crisis I've learned that Jonathan is soooooo much more of a trooper than I am. I'm pretty sure I would have alternated icing, resting, whining, rinse, repeat for the past two days, but he has for the most part just gone on. (Much to my annoyance, since he's supposed to be resting and I keep catching him hopping around on one foot.) Also, I didn't realize how much he did around here until he became "lame" (literally, not figuratively.) As in, he fixes lunches, he grabs things for me all the time, he plugs in my straightener in the morning before I get up, he drives (I hate driving), etc. 

Now I have to do it alllll and I am so thrilled to serve but I will be a little more grateful for my extra pair of hands once he is back up and around (which, I hope, is very soon. My Diet Sunkist isn't going to pour itself.) =)

Ash





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Head-Scratching Moments from an Old Favorite...



So tonight, on the rare occasion that I am at home alone with the remote all to myself (Jonathan has basketball practice) I decided to revisit an old childhood favorite of mine, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. (You know, it's an actual movie and not just the face of sarcastic memes.) In the time since I have been reminded that a) my favorite part is actually the opening credits when all the chocolate comes pouring in on the assembly lines and b) there are many puzzling moments that apparently did not phase me as a child but now have me bewildered.

 How, for example, did Grandpa Joe go from being a bedridden cripple to a jolly, dancing old man within a matter of moments? 

It's a miracle!
Why do all four grandparents stay in the same bed (ew) and, let's be honest... where do they go to the bathroom? (Don't act like you've never wondered this.)

If Grandpa Joe is perfectly healthy, who's to say that the other three aren't fine too and are just lounging around while Charlie's mom works her fingers to the bone doing other people's laundry (and singing melancholy songs in the alley late at night)? And really... take away Grandpa Joe's tobacco. Your family is poor and it's burning his lungs.

 I always wanted to taste the gum that turns Violet blue and I really wanted one of those everlasting gobstoppers. Now I buy them for $1 at Walmart and they're not the cool shapes that Mr. Wonka passes out. Boo.


Oh, and I never got it before when he added a coat to the candy that's too cold and a sneaker to the pot that "needs a good kick." Very clever.

 Am I the only person who now finds the moments showing different people around the world and their reaction to the tickets extremely creepy? I'm talking about the guy at the psychiatrist's office and the woman who won't pay her husband's ransom because it means giving up her Wonka bars. Um... really? Wonka Mania, indeed. I didn't find those scenes particularly disturbing as a kid but now they're so weird.

 Why did no one ever slap Veruca in the face? I mean really, just one good slap. Come on. She had it coming.

Talk about a bad egg.

 It did occur to me, when the part came up, that the scene on the boat was absolutely terrifying. Because I'm an IMDB junkie, I know that none of the cast knew what was coming when they started filming that part when Gene Wilder goes all nutso. At least they were as surprised and frightened as all us poor (23-year-old?) kids at home.

 Oh, and major letdown... finally noticing the rope that is attached to the Wonkavator at the end. So they weren't really flying around... wherever they are. Has anyone figured out where on earth this movie is supposed to take place? Oh well, I guess some questions are supposed to remain a mystery.

 Don't get me wrong... I still love this movie. I've just decided I have to get over the weird-o moments that I hadn't noticed before. And now I'm craving chocolate in a big way. Stupid diet.

 Have a childhood favorite that you've recently discovered was not what you remembered? Tell me about it!
Ash
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What I Wore Wednesday...

May I just say that one of the great parts of January is wearing all your Christmas presents (or things bought with Christmas money)? Hooray for new stuff! I have been tempted to, but so far have not given in, to wearing all 5 infinity scarves that I have magically acquired in the last month. Too much of a good thing? No way! Anyway, a few outfits from this week... linked up with Lindsey on this lovely Wednesday.

School:

Target, head to toe


School and family dinner:
Top, cardigan, shirt: Target
Skirt: Ann Taylor
Boots: Nine West


Scarf: Target
and the shirt was a gift from my sister =)


Roll Tide! Wore this to our friends' national championship party!


School: 

Shirt: Nine West 
Cardigan: Old Navy
Skirt: Belk


Saturday: 

Cardigan- Target
Jean skirt: Ann Taylor
Boots: Nine West

Hope all you pretty ladies have a wonderful Wednesday! Thanks for stopping by here every week... it makes my day! 

Ash

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Letter to Me...

I've toyed with the idea of writing a post like this for quite a while. Haven't we all, at some point, wished that there was a way to somehow communicate to our younger selves that everything would be okay, a la Bruce Willis in The Kid? Well, I have, so I'm going to dole out a little advice to teenage Ash. Hope you don't mind.



17... and knew it all. Right?

*********************************************************************************

 Ash,

 Oh, little girl. You are a trip. It's funny how outgoing you are while being painfully insecure at the same time. (Sorry, that never completely goes away.) While you are stumbling through the scary abyss that is your teen years, I guess I should warn you of a few things. After all, I've been there. 

 Don't be scared to start wearing makeup. In fact, take it easy on the eye shadow there, tiger. You'll be so excited about FINALLY leaving your tomboy roots behind (kind of) that you'll get a little heavy-handed. It's okay... everyone else is breaking out, too. The zits eventually clear out, mostly. 

 You know that group of boys that loves to torment you at school every day? Believe them when they say they "only do it because you can take it." It just feels cruel (and it's a little mean, yes) but they, in their dumb boy ways, actually like you. I think. Just tell yourself that, anyway. It's not as malicious as it seems. And don't you let them make you feel like Princess Mia, pre-makeover. That part is mean, I admit.

 Don't feel like a loser because you're the only one who doesn't "get" the conversations going on about stuff you really shouldn't know. I don't blame you for playing along, but just be glad that you're faking it and hold onto your innocence a little longer. A lot of those kids wish they had.

 Take notes in English class. It'll come in handy pretty soon... and your teacher is a master. Learn her ways.

 PLEASE... for my sake, enjoy the size/weight that you are. You're active, healthy, and VERY SKINNY... enjoy it. Say hello to all those size 4's for me and chug Mountain Dew whenever you want. It will all come crashing down around you soon enough. And while we're on the subject, take better care of yourself. Metabolism is a fickle woman... and she'll turn on you before you know it. Let exercise be your friend. (HA.) 

 Hide your retainer... Mom's going to go on a cleaning spree in your room and throw it away. Your teeth will become crooked and all the pain of braces will be a total loss. Just a head's up.

 The time you spend teaching yourself to spin the basketball on your finger is, believe it or not, a pretty good investment. It will impress the boys you teach for years to come. 

 Listen to Mom and Dad. Even though you are just soooo misunderstood and they are seem soooo clueless about your angst.... in a few years, you genuinely won't even be able to conjure up the reason for one single argument. So, obviously none of them really matter. And (irony) you'll end up talking to Mom a LOT... like, multiple times a day. So just work at being a little more pleasant.

 PLUCK YOUR EYEBROWS. Oh, honey... just do it. The pain gets better, and your eyes won't be hidden by the bushes growing on top of them. 

 A few things are going to be really, really hard... like moving across the country, then another 400 miles away all within a few months of each other. Some friends won't stick. That's okay... be thankful for the time you did have. And the ones who do are still your best friends today. Keep smiling! 

Even when it seems not that cool, or just plain dull, stay on the road you're on. I promise, no experimenting or testing your limits is worth it. You'll thank yourself when you turn around and see those who went the other way. Not pretty. (By the way, you'll grieve for those friends... and pray for them. Because no matter what, they're your friends and you love them.)

 Try (a little) not to fight so much with your sisters. None of the clothes you're fighting over are that cute, anyway. One day they'll all live far away and you will miss them tremendously. But, fight or not, you'll always send them a Christmas card and their children will love you, no matter what April says. =)

 Go ahead, be the class clown... you'll be paid back plus interest by your future students. 

 You'll try out for cheerleading, and, shockingly, you'll make the squad. You'll also be the only one on the squad who knows what's going on in the game or wears a size 9 shoe. Yes, you'll feel really stupid and you won't be the best one out there, but you're not terrible. Promise.

 ... however, a better use of your time will be becoming the statistician in 8th grade. It'll come in handy when your husband (!!!) coaches basketball in about 10 years. 
Every single guy you like up until that adorable one you fall for at 16 is going to be a big fat waste of time. Well, not entirely... but all the heartache is definitely not worth it. No offense, G, S, or A. (And yes, everyone knows... so don't bother trying to hide it. He knows, Ashley. Your attempts at subtlety are fragile at best.)

 But, when you do meet the guy, you know it. He flashes those big blue eyes and that smile at you and you are going to be a goner. Don't worry... this one works out... and this

Becomes this...


.... which turns into this:


Not bad for a girl who could never "get the guy" and was the one all the boys came to talk to about other girls. The "pal", if you will. Go ahead... drool a little and then smirk for a while. I give you permission. 

You crazy kid. I envy your endless supply of energy, your ability to be excited about another day, simply because you think something fun might happen, and your (endearing if misguided) belief that you know exactly what you'll be doing "when you grow up." Your plans, if I remember correctly, aren't really that far off... teaching, married to a wonderful guy, serving the Lord, etc. And while the guy in your dreams changed a few times and you weren't sure when or where everything would work out, it does. And what you get is better than what you planned. Pretty cool how that works.

Chin up, Squints. Everything turns out just fine... I promise.


Love, 

Me



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We Are the Champions...

Not much going on here today...

....just reveling in the victory of my NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

If you're a Notre Dame fan... sorry. It was just too much for the Irish last night. And, well... winning national championships is just kind of what we do. 


There... my one gloating football post of the whole season. I promise I won't do it again until next year. And while I was a total zombie this morning after staying up to the nail biting finish and intermittently cheering/gasping with friends, it was (obviously) totally worth it. Thanks, boys, for securing my bragging rights for another year... pretty swell of you.


Have a great Tuesday... oh, and ROLL TIDE!


Ash

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SMART Resolutions...

I guess I'll be kicked off the internet if I don't do some type of New Year's post (even though I did a 2012 recap, but that is so last year. har. har.) I asked my classes today what all New Year's resolutions have in common, and their answers were all basically the same... "They get broken." My favorite definition was from one of my third graders last year. When I asked the class what a New Year's resolution is, he said "Something grown-ups say they'll do and then don't."

 Bingo, little man. Truer words were never spoken.

  Don't worry... I'm preaching to myself here. I am the world's worst about making New Year's resolutions that don't stick. I don't break them as much as I just forget about them entirely. This is especially true of any personal-type goals... like devotions or "attitude adjustments", etc. But, it also applies to things like my spending (even though I am doing better in that area, much to Jonathan's relief) and my diet (you know how I feel about those.) January is famous for its record sales of gym memberships, workout equipment, weight-loss pills, organizational material, etc... all the things that people want for a "fresh start."

 So, why is it soooo difficult to stick to these things? Why can I hit the ground running, chugging water like there's no tomorrow, and by February be up to my ears in Mountain Dew (again?) Why is it that it only takes a few weeks (or a clearance sign) to "make" me break my budget? And how come we say we'll get better at _________________ (you name it) and then fall off the bandwagon? 

 I don't know about the rest of you sloths, but one of MY excuses reasons is probably that I'm a teacher and live on a school schedule, so January doesn't feel like a new year to me. August feels like the start of my new year, because it's when school begins. January usually just feels cold and depressing since the wonderful-ness of Christmas is over and it's back to business as usual. It's hard to feel like a "new beginning" when you're in the middle of something (in my case, a school year.) Oh.. that, and I'm lazy so keeping to my lofty goals is kind of hard to do. 

 While in the past I have actually sat down with a pen and paper and written out the infamous New Year's resolutions, this year I just had kind of a mental list. There is a difference, by the way, in resolutions and goals. Resolutions, to me anyway, have the idea of a change that is more intangible (I resolve to be _____) and goals feel more like an actual thing (I will DO _________.) Whatever. I guess it depends on what you're going for. But since I wanted my students to make some resolutions/goals for themselves, I had given it some though and came across this acronym that I felt was super helpful.

(source)

I love this as a litmus test for your goal-setting! Is it specific? Not "I'm going to lose weight" but "I'm going to lose 5 pounds by Valentine's Day." Or whatever. It is measurable? Not "I'm going to be an encouragement to others" but "I'm going to write one encouraging note a week." Is it attainable? If you JUST bought a treadmill, maybe you should work your way up to say, a 5K rather than shoot for a marathon in the next six months. Is it relevant? Will it make your life better NOW... or in five years? (I'm talking near future, not distant.) And is it time-bound? Can you achieve it (reasonably) in the next year? You might not be able to get out of debt this year... but could finish paying off one car? 

As an education major, I learned a lot about goal-setting in your classroom, and my professor (hi, Mr. Moots!) stressed, more than anything, that the best goals are short-term. If you set a short-term goal, it's far easier to make it SMART (the words above) and actually achieve it! The goals that never get reached are usually the ones that can't get reached because they simply aren't very practical. I'm not talking about your pie-in-the-sky, late-night-talk dreams for the future... just basic stuff that needs to get done now (or soon.) So don't give yourself the WHOLE year to do something... try one month (or week) at a time, since checking things off feels great!

 I didn't intend for this to get so serious or advice-filled, but I guess it was more for me than anyone. I WANT (like you do) to make improvements in my life... in teaching, in my friendships, in my marriage, in my walk with God, in my finances, even here on my blog. BUT unless I make SMART goals and choices over the next few months, I will end the year how I started it... same weight, same financial frustrations, same unfinished projects, same pile of stuff covering my treadmill. (Okay, now I'm tattling on myself!)

Par-tay.


Happy 2013 to ya... I'll keep my resolutions if you keep yours, agreed? Accountability is the best ability. (Okay, it's not... but that sounded good.) 




 Ash

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What I Wore Wednesday...

Well, winter has finally decided to arrive in North Carolina and it's COLD... but that's how I like it. Nothing is more annoying than bundling up when it feels like spring outside. Anyway, am I the only person who is on the verge of depression about Christmas being over? This happens to me every year and even the hoopla of New Year's resolutions and all that isn't enough to pull me out of it. Oh well... such is life, and I guess the sooner I get back into a routine, the better.

DisneyWorld morning! That little man is the cutest!


Me and my love at Disney!
I got the shirt at the Disney store at the mall and the shorts are my sister's. I'm sure you're all eager to run out and purchase your own Mickey and Minnie shirt.



Family Christmas morning:

Shirt: Old Navy
Skirt: New York and Company
Cardigan: Old Navy
Scarf: stolen from sister
Shoes: Sperrys from Belk


Traveling/Errands on Saturday:

Skirt: Target
Top: Target
Vest: Sears
Boots: Belk


Cowl/Scarf: Old Navy


Necklace: Target


Church: 

Dress: Loft
Sweater: Target
Tights: Loft
Shoes: Target


New Year's Eve:

Skirt/Cardigan/Top: Target
Necklace: Belk
Earrings: New York and Company (gift from sister)
Shoes: Target (aren't they the greatest? I've been coveting admiring Molly's for weeks and finally got my own, on clearance of course.)


Husband: mine

Hope you ladies all had a wonderful holiday season and aren't too exhausted/depressed about heading back to real life. I am, but I hope you aren't. =)

Ash
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