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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To Answer Your Question... 2012 in Review.

I found this idea on RA's blog and I'm totally borrowing it because it's way easier to answer questions about your year than to just spout off facts about the last twelve months. So, here goes... 2012 in review. 

 1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Started this blog. Directed a play. Cooked lots of homemade stuff.

 2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Eh... I kept some. I guess they weren't that life-changing since I can't remember most of them. One of the main ones, sticking to a budget, I've done pretty well with.

 3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year! (Well, family... some friends but there were too many to remember!)

 4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not family, no.

 5. What countries did you visit?
Just the good old US of A. I'd like to change that, though!

 6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you didn't have in 2012?
Better control of my schedule (or more organization in my schedule, I guess) as well a better cooking schedule.

 7. What dates from 2012 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
June 24, Jonathan's ordination, and June 25 was the day we moved to New Bern. 

 8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
This might be a little self-serving, but I feel like it was writing my Christmas play and seeing it performed. That was an unforgettable experience. Oh, and decorating my new house was quite an endeavor.

 9. What was your biggest failure?
Gaining back the weight I lost. Boo.

 10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Other than a black eye and a few bouts of yucky cold/sinus stuff, I've been okay.

 11. What was the best thing you bought?
Probably my iPhone.

 12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My 7th-9th grade English classes, whose choric speaking performance blew me away.

 13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The Newtown killer. And most of the media during the election.

 14. Where did most of your money go?
Target. =) No really, probably clothes and, during the summer, to new stuff for the house.

 15. What did you get really excited about?
My iPhone. My blog. My attempts at crafting. Moving to a beautiful town. 

 16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Hmm.... My Life is In Your Hands by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir or I Believe by Natalie Grant.

 17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) happier (or just as happy?) b) I think I weight the same but that's a shame since I did lose weight earlier in the year and c) maybe a little richer.

 18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing, reading, and trusting.

 19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing out over uncontrollable situations.

 20. How will you spend Christmas?
We were in Georgia with my family for most of the break, including a quick trip to Orlando for a magical day at DisneyWorld.

 21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Yes, with my husband a little more =) and with our town. It's beautiful!

 22. What was your favorite TV program?
Psych, What not to Wear, and Reba reruns.

 23. What was the best book you read?
The Hunger Games trilogy and Pearl in the Sand, a fictional adaptation of the biblical story of Rahab.

 24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I became slightly obsessed with Celtic Thunder and the Canadian Tenors.

 25. What did you want and get?
I wanted to start a blog and I did. I wanted an iPhone and got it. I wanted new opportunities for myself and Jonathan and we got them.

 26. What did you want and not get?
Not much, really.

 27. What was your favorite film of 2012?
Yikes... I hardly saw anything new. 

 28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I helped out at our school's fundraiser and went to lunch. I turned 23.

 29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time with my family. And another trip to New York City.

 30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2012?
Trying new things and (eventually) only buying things that can be worn lots of ways and that I truly love, not just because they're on sale. Basically, a uniform of simple shirts, cardigans, and scarves or belted dresses. The occasional statement necklace. 

 31. What kept you sane?
Jonathan. Disney soundtracks. Mountain Dew. Prayer.

 32. What political issue stirred you the most?
Ugh... too much drama in the election. And how it turned out, obviously. 

 33. Who did you miss?
My Papaw (mom's dad) and Mawmaw (dad's mom). We lost them both in 2011.

 34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
There is no perfection person, situation, or circumstance. If you want greener grass, water your own.

 35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"I know that I can take it; I know that I can stand. 
No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your hands."
OR
"Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand, but I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand."
OR
"Hakuna matata, what a wonderful phrase... Hakuna Matata, ain't no passing craze;
It means no worries for the rest of your days... Hakuna Matata." =)

 Well, that's a summary of my year. Lots of ups and downs, new opportunities, unfamiliar circumstances, and times of testing... but God has been so good through it all! We love where this year has taken us and have a pretty good idea that 2013 will be pretty awesome! 


Happy New Year!

 Ash

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