All things stressful

Hola... in case YOU were unaware, that means hello in Spanish. 

Now that you have been schooled a little for today, let's move on shall we?

Last time we talked, I was knee deep in car shopping, getting insurance straightened out and transitioning into my big girl job and mentality. I have since gotten a brand new car, whose name is Pearl and you will find out why a little further down, and put in my two weeks notice at my current job. Currently, all signs point to success for me as I begin this long and scary journey into adulthood.

Here she is. My new ride. She is easy on the eyes and the pocketbook. It only cost me $49 to fill er up the other day. No freakin way. My little explorer costs me a staggering $70 and tat was on a good day. I am mildy obsessed wit her color and everything she does. Her and I are going to be spending a lot of time together because my new job requires a ton of traveling. I ain't complaining yet, but gimme a few weeks. :)

It took me 2 weeks to decide on THE car for me. I don't do well with the whole decision making thing so I needed a good bit of help, which I received. I think that the biggest decisions should be taken seriously and should involve everyone that matters to you. I mean, buying a car is no joke. I would like to go on record now and say that I pray I never have to go through this again...at least not for a long long long long time. It was exhausting, but in the end,  I think I did pretty good. I love her!

WE got this baby for a steal. I love it and I don't wanna brag or nothing but I think we look right cute together. 

I think I finally have everything I need to get started at my new job. Except a GPS, a fax machine, a printer, a bag to hold all of my junk.....well it looks like I need to work on more stuff huh? I can't understand why I am spending money before I even start working. #whatswrongwiththispicture

I leave in the morning for a glorious, much needed girls beach trip. I can't wait to get out of this town for a few days and relax with my best side kicks!!

I will post all about my trip once we arrive back in this God-forsaken lovely town!

Hope you all have a great week! I will post plenty of pictures to facebook, twitter and instagram until then to tide you all over and rub it in your faces. Just kidding...

Follow me on one or all 3 to stay in the loop. No pressure!

Adios, that's goodbye in Spanish in case you didn't already know! :)

99 Randoms

It's Monday not so Funday! 

I stole this idea from my sweet "soul mate" blog friend Heather over at Chasing Butterflies! She is one of the first bloggers that I didn't know that I became friends with. We stay in touch pretty regular whether on Facebook, Twitter, email or blogging! One day, I hope we can meet. I think she would be pretty lucky to meet me! Kidding! She is a sweet friend who has a great blog and is always positive and uplifting. She also made me my FIRST blog button. Hit her up because she does some cute stuff, y'all!!

Anyways, here it is! Enjoy and feel free to copy and paste it yourselves. I find that it's always nice to do a little something different on my blog to stay fresh and keep all my lovely readers interested Plus, it's fun to learn new things about fellow bloggers, no matter how much we already think we know!

Here is a list of 99 random things, and you are supposed to bold the ones you have accomplished.


1. started your own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band  
4. visited Hawaii
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to disney world  
8. climbed a mountain
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo (does karaoke count?)
11. bungee jumped
12. visited Paris
13. watched a lightening storm
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. seen the mona lisa in france
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden in a gondola in venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen niagara falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors (well, some at least)
35. seen an amish community
36. taught yourself a new language (Does broken Spanish count?)
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the leaning tower of pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. seen michelangelo’s david
41. sung karaoke
42. seen old faithful geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. visited africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had your portrait painted
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the sistine chapel in person
50. been to the top of the eiffel tower in paris
51. gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud (Gotta love living in the South. It's just like a mud bath..)
54. gone to a drive-in theater
55. been in a movie 
56. visited the great wall of china
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold girl scout cookies
62. gone whale watching
63. gotten flowers for no reason
64. donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. gone sky diving
66. visited a nazi concentration camp (It's a dream of mine to do it one day tho!)
67. bounced a check
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in times square
74. toured the everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guards in london (I've seen the one at Arlington in DC, its something everyone should experience)
77. broken a bone
78. been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. seen the grand canyon in person
80. published a book
81. visited the vatican
82. bought a brand new car (Coming soon)
83. walked in jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. kissed a stranger at midnight on new year’s eve
86. visited the white house
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating (again, I live in Georgia. We eat deer. )
88. had chickenpox  
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. got a tattoo
94. had a baby
95. seen the alamo in person
96. swam in the great salt lake
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee  

Copy and paste this to your blog. I think I need to get out and live a little more after doing this!

I'm so needy lately

Thank you all for your sweet comments yesterday in regards to my new job! If you didn't read it yet, shame on you. No just kidding, you can check it out here! All of your sweet congrats and well wishes mean a lot to me. I promise to try and not let you all down and hopefully gain some funny stories to tell you about along the way! 

Now, on to the title of this post. I have been asking you all for thoughts and prayers for like a week. Two separate posts I asked for them, which brings me to the reason for this post. 

Now that I have a job with appointments and a lot of travel, I am going to need a really amazing planner that helps me keep my life together. Before, I have always had to cheap Wal-Mart planners because, let's just be serious shall we, my life was not crazy or hectic like I like to think it was. I could get by with those cheapo affordable $7 ones and it was fine.

While I can probably get by with one for a short time, I want to go ahead and invest in one that will help me stay organized. Y'all know I am super organized and can't function in chaos so a planner is a very important part of this for me...

What are some of you favs that you use and swear by? 

Here are a list of my wants for the planner:

1. It has to have a monthly glance at the beginning of each month.

2. It has to have enough room on the daily blocks that I can write a good bit of stuff. (appointments, meetings etc.)

3. I need a place for notes and phone numbers.

4. It needs to be good quality, meaning it won't break or tear within weeks.

5. Finally, it needs to be cute. Monogramming is always a plus, but not a deal breaker. Just that it looks cute yet professional.

I have looked at the Erin Condren planners and am currently drooling but they are sold out until August which doesn't help me all that much since I start in like 2 weeks. So, help me one more time, please?!

I need one that isn't too expensive but I am willing to pay a fair amount of money. $30ish is probably the most I would pay. Anything more than that is just a little ridiculous I think!

Think about it and let me know! Happy Sunday Bloggers buds!

BIG news!

Happy Weekend all!! I seriously hope that you have been out enjoying this beautiful weather. In Georgia for the past 2 days, it has been absolutely gorgeous! Mid 80s but with a breeze that makes me feel wonderful. If you know anything about this southern heat, you know its brutal. Mid 80s sure feels good right about now! 

Anyway, on to the title of this post. I have big news. If you remember last Tuesday night when I posted a short post asking for some prayers and thoughts as I was about to have one of the most important days of my life thus far.

I GOT A JOB!

Like a real-life, big girl job with real money and real benefits! As some of you may know, I work in a small gift shop here in town. I LOVE it. Everything about it. The customers, the selling, the ordering the whole nine. I was given the opportunity to apply for a job that wasn't going to be listed for one of the companies we actually order from in our store. 

I sent in my resume back in March and got a call from the company the very next day. They were in the beginning stages of the process so they told me that I had made it to the next round, for lack of a better term, and that if I was going to hear back it would happen sometime mid April.

Well that month came and went and I was humbled that I even got the chance to speak with anyone and I assumed that since I had not heard, I had not been selected. I wasn't terribly disappointed, but I was a little bummed because I had begun to think about how fun the job would be. 

I started applying for other jobs in my field and then focused on graduating college. I did both of those and then I have been living day to day ever since just applying for any and every job I can.

2 weeks ago I received a call from the company again asking if I would be interested in coming up for an interview. I, of course, accepted and drove up last Tuesday night for it which is why I was doing a little late night blogging asking for some good thoughts to come by way by all my lovelys!

Tuesday I had the interview and Wednesday I had the job. I am now a regional sales rep from the Atlanta area all the way down to Savannah for Mainstreet collection! If you are not familiar with them, check out the stuff. They have some cute and affordable gifts and I am beyond excited.

I went from working a barely above minimum wage job to having making a pretty decent salary, commission, benefits and money for gas every month job. I feel so many emotions but overwhelmed is one of the major ones at this point. 

In between filing out paperwork, I also have to find a new car. I know most of you have been there done that, but this is the first time I have actually had to do this and its a lot. I am trying to find a good deal and still have low payments while getting a great car that I want. 

SO far, I am sold on the Accord. I looked at one today and I may just be in love. Coming a close second is the Camry. I didn't think I would be into them, but I gotta tell ya they are nice. Hopefully this time next week I will be the proud owner of a new car. Fingers crossed and God-willing.

I know that this is all happening because of God. I like to think that my sweet mom put in a good word for me too up there. She knew I was worried and she did what she could to help me out. Always running her mouth, that one! :) The only thing I can say is that this whole situation is a God thing. Really. I have been out of college for 2 weeks and I have a job. I feel lucky because people twice my age with twice my experience have no job. I feel humbled by the chance and I just pray that I don't let anyone down or fail. If I do, I will get back up and go about my business. Live and learn!!

I can't wait to share with you all the new things that I get to experience. Thank you all for being supportive. 

I DID IT!!

Signed,

humbled, excited, nervous, anxious, dedicated, shocked Ashley

A little help from my friends..

Sorry for the late post tonight, y'all! I originally hadn't planned to blog tonight because I have had a long, busy day. BUT as I am laying here in this bed, I have so much on my mind and I know all you sweeties will help a sista out!!

Tomorrow is a big day for me. I can't disclose too much more info right now, but it is coming, I promise!

Send me some lovin' would ya? Good vibes and energy. 

Whomever you pray to (Jesus, Buddha, coffee, shoes etc.) , pray to them to get me some courage and strength. No, its nothing life threatening, so not to worry!!

I hope Tuesday treated you all well!! I can't wait to fill you in on my little secret, no matter the outcome!

 

 

miscellany monday

It's Monday. I wish that I knew why Monday always comes so fast. Seriously. 

I hope you all had a great weekend and enjoyed some quality time with your mama mia's. I spent the day with my sister who is like my mom since we couldn't spend it with ours. It was pretty low key. Around these parts, we don't make a huge deal out of holidays and such. We just spend good time with family and enjoy each other. I like it that way, I have to say. 

Anywhoooo, I am linking up with carissa for a little miscellany monday! It's probably one of my fav new link ups because sometimes a girl has no direction for her post and she needs an excuse to be random.

1. I laid in bed yesterday and blogged, pinned and stalked people on facebook. It was a rainy day in Georgia (much needed though so I'm not complaining) so it was only fitting to be lazy. I mean, that IS what Sunday's are for right? Done. 

2. I have some exciting things happening this week, one of which I can't inform you of just yet and believe me its killing me. I guess you'll have to come back and see what all the fuss and hype was about later this week. Also, I'm going to the first Braves game of the season. THANK YOU LORD! The Braves are my peeps. We love them around these parts. 

3. I may or may not be making a poster that reads "Just graduated college. Someone please hire us!" for said Braves game. You should definitely watch now because what IF we make it on TV? It could happen. 

4. I wish that my eyebrows would stop growing. I feel like I pluck them literally every day. It's getting annoying. I wouldn't mind if they just quit..or if we didn't have eyebrows at all. Don't judge me until you have to pluck your eyebrow errrr day. 

5. I miss Beezy. For those of you who don't follow me on twitter or instagram, I dog sat this sweet dog for one of my friends while he was at the Masters. Then I kept her again when he was out of town after that. I will be honest, I'm usually not a dog person, but this dog is the best. She is soooo sweet and cute. I just love her!

 I call her Beezer because every dog needs a nickname.

And its hard to see, but that is a pink collar with white polka dots and a turq monogram thanks to her godmother...me. I couldn't send her home with the same boring orange one she had before, duh.

Stay tuned for more info on my somewhat, possibly exciting news. Send some prayers my way though y'all! Hope everyone has a greattttt Monday!!

Mom

Today is Mother's day and one of the hardest days of the year for me and my sister. I usually try to keep my blog fun and light-hearted because, lets be honest, no one wants to read a blog that is a debbie downer all the time.

With that being said, I am taking time to be somewhat of a debbie downer today, friends. The purpose, though, behind my post isn't to be such. It is just the opposite. It is to show you all that taking people for granted is for the birds and that it shouldn't be done and also to remember my sweet mom who is the strongest person I have ever known.

I haven't shared a whole lot with you about this, but we are all friends and I value each and every one of you. Also, please DO NOT feel sorry for me. That is the last thing I want to come out of this post. This is for my mom.

Dear Mom,

It is so hard to believe that it has been over 4 years since you passed away. First of all, breast cancer sucks a big one, yeah? I think we can both agree on that. Speaking of that, I got a tattoo. Don't be mad. It was all for you. A lovely pink ribbon on my foot that I display proudly and tell of you every time someone asks about it. I almost feel like you left us just yesterday because seriously, I can remember everything that happened that day and then remember nothing all at the same time.

I gave up on the nursing dream because bloods makes me queezy...red flag Ashley! I can just hear it now. I did find something that I love to do and just last weekend I graduated college. Can you even believe that? I know that I can't. Everything about that day was great except you were missing. But there was this one time during the ceremony (I had zoned out bc it was like 768 degrees and we were on about name 114 of 1600) I remember the wind blowing. It was one of the only times it happened during the entire 2 hours..btw thanks for the help. You could have thrown out a little wind that day. I remember thinking as soon as that breeze came that it was all you. You were there and I believe that.

Mama, I want so badly for you to be there for all the milestones that I have to come in the future. My first house, my first big girl job, my wedding day, my first baby being born. I feel almost cheated in a way that you weren't granted that chance and neither was I, but then I feel selfish for thinking such things. I know you would tell me to just move on and live the best I possibly could and I so hope that you would be proud of me so far.

Everything that has happened and everything I have done has been for you. I wouldn't and couldn't have done it without your support even now. I know that you still support me in everything I am doing and will do. Just the thought of that is comfort enough.

As much as I wish that you were still here to celebrate birthdays, holidays and milestones, I know that you are resting peacefully and without pain now. It doesn't make it any easier and when people tell you time heals all things, they are wrong. It never gets better. It gets bearable.

I have always known that a little girl needs her mama more than anyone else in her life. Someone she can look up to, learn from and cry to when times are hard. I got to do all of those things for 18 years and I am so thankful. I know that you are watching me and praying for me to make the best decisions I can while still backing me up on the not so great ones, and you know there have been a few of those. Like all the times I thought it would be a great idea to go out on a Sunday night before a test on Monday. Or the time I thought it would be alright to back up my long driveway at night and backing right into a tree. Yeah, you get the idea. 

I hope that I make you proud and that one day I grow up to be just as strong, courageous, hard-working, loving and compassionate as you were. I have some big shoes to fill.

And just one more thing... do you think you could send a man my way sometime soon? I mean I kinda have that same one I have had forever now and he's not making any moves, so if we aren't right together could you just send me a new one and lets start over from scratch? I would like for him to already be trained...it takes too much time to train one properly. I don't have time to do all the dirty work. You know the kinds I like. :)

I love you always. Happy Mother's day, mama.

And to all the mothers celebrating today. Don't take your moms for granted, y'all. Tell them everyday that you love them and call them back after a silly fight and tell them you are sorry and that none of that nonsense really even matters.

Take it from me. A girl who would give anything and everything to go back in time and change a million things.

Hope you all have a blessed day and enjoy your families!

Peace out, girl scouts!

MidWeek Confessions

Happy Wednesday (almost Thursday) y'all!! I had my whole OHP link up started then I just scrapped it for now because I haven't really been on there enough to show you anything good. Hopefully by next week I will have some good stuff prepared for you to lust over!

 In the meantime, I have stumbled across this lovely little link-up and I think I just may have to participate in it!!

I am linking up with E, myself and I for a little midweek confessions!

ENJOY!

1. I have not counted carbs since before graduation and I am deathly afraid to get on that scale and see what the damage is. Now, let me say that I haven't been eating terribly, but I haven't been as strict on myself as I was. Gotta get back on it. 

2. I tweet toooooo much, me thinks. I mean what is the appropriate number of tweets one can tweet in a day? I mean those celebs and junk that I follow tweet constantly. I'm no celeb, well maybe in my own mind, but IDK what constitutes as TOO much. Hmm...

3. I have checked the mailbox so much this week hoping that a little bit of leftover graduation money will still trickle in. So far, its a no go. Selfish much? Nope, I just want a new outfit for myself thanks to anyone who sends me money. Email me for an address :)

4. I may have told a small lie to one of my friends in an effort to surprise her with a little party in the next few weeks. Details to come. 

5. I almost got in bed at 7pm tonight with my book but then I felt like a massive loser whose 23 and wants to go to bed at 7pm. Listen, don't judge me haters. Don't even do it. 

What are your midweek confessions? There is no judgement here...not directly anyways :) 

Go link up and join in on this cute link up and read her blog. It's totally cute!!

Graduation

Hiiiii-o!! Yesterday, I officially became a college graduate! The typical kind- no job, no prospects, and no money. Even with all that, I still feel so happy and proud of myself for making it this far and finally finishing. It was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I have done so far. 

I wouldn't have made it without the support of my wonderful family and friends. I don't feel like I graduated from college, I feel like WE graduated. They have been there to listen to me cry, vent, complain and so much more for the past few years and I couldn't be more appreciative for them. Thanks guys!

The ceremony...long and hot. I think I sweated out all the liquids I had drank for the past week. It was hot, but it could have been a lot worse. Thanks Georgia summer for making the sun hotter than ever and allowing no breeze to come thru front campus between the hours of 8:30 and 11. 

I have to admit that I was in diva mode all week because I THOUGHT my family had planned a baseball party for my nephew on the same day as my graduation. I was kinda ok with it at first, but then once it got closer I realized I wanted to spend the day with my family, but that they would be rushing home to prepare for the party. 

Ian aka (not so) mystery boy drove 8 hours on Friday to be here and he pretty much took me away from them right after. I thought he felt bad for me since I had cried to him the day before about how no one seemed to care about being with me on graduation. So he took me to lunch and a movie then kept suggesting things to do because "he didn't wanna go home because it was boring." If you know him, he loves being home. He is such a home body. Finally I was released from his care and I came home. 

Long story short, around 5pm I see people starting to arrive at my sisters which is right next door to my house. I assumed it was people from my nephew's baseball team....wouldn't you know it....

They were all my friends. My silly and crazy big sister had been planning this whole graduation party behind my back and ALL my friends were in on it for at least a week prior to graduation. 

My immediate feeling was digust..with myself for being such a rude little brat all day. I had to then apologize to my family for being so snappy. She got a kick out of my anger I think because deep down she knew I was going to regret it in a matter of time!! Ridic.

It was a great time with all my closest family and friends and as I sit here and type this blog and think about how things are about to change for everyone, it makes me emotional. Two of my best friends are moving 2+ hours away and it makes me happy for them to be moving on with their lives but makes me sad because I am going to miss them like crazy!  

Congrats girls. I know you are going to be awesome and are going to do all the best things in the world and I can't wait to be cheering you on every step of the way!

And now begins the picture overload! :)

 Two of my best friends. They have been my sidekicks for over a year now and 

I can't imagine them not being my besties!

 I was forced to take this picture with the cake. You know, like all the cool people do!

 He's gonna kill me because he was sweaty, but isn't he just so cute?! I miss him like crazy.

 Me and the Hannah! Known each other for a long time now and I am glad we are getting close :)

A little private gift opening. They gave me alcoholic items that couldn't been seen my all my guests. 

My two best girl friends. I don't know what I would do without them. Seriously.

 Me and Shelby aka my sistawife

Me and Kevin have been friends since 7th grade. I still consider him one of my besties. 

 

WE DID IT!!!!!

How cute is that one in his bowtie!?  ow owww.

Thanks for all your kind words and support this semester bloggers! Some of you have been there a lot for me and I can't say thank you enough! I am officially back and I know you are so excited!

Also, for those 2 people who unfollowed me, I hope you feel bad. I was trying to graduate college and couldn't blog that much. Sorry I was no good but you should be ashamed :)

Just kidding....maybe.

SurREAL life

So, if any of you have even noticed, I have been MIA more than I care to admit over the past month or so. I have been so busy with school and life that blogging hasn't been number one. I really do miss reading blogs and getting sweet comments on mine!

Not to worry, I will be back sooner than you think. I officially finish my college career tomorrow and then I graduate this Saturday which is oddly enough, cinco de mayo. Big partying in my near future.

I can't even believe this is happening. It is all just bittersweet. I am excited to have a break and have no papers to write and no studying to do, but if it meant that things would stay the way they are right now, I would continue with all that nonsense.

Two of my best friends in the world are moving. Granted, not far away but still. I will explain more later when I am time. I am so happy for both of them starting new chapters in their lives, but I am selfish and I can admit that I hate to see things change.

Anyways, two finals away from being donezo! I am nervous, scared, anxious, excited, worried, overwhelmed, appreciative and a whole host of other emotions that you can think of.

 I will be back in full swing next week and I plan on overloading you all with recent pictures and stories!

I hope everyone has a great week. I can't wait to read about your lives again. WE have so much catching up to do! Say a prayer that I don't fall when I walk across that stage on Saturday and that I don't have a complete meltdown because I am so overwhelmed...

..oh and that my hangover isn't too too bad on Sunday! :)