Thankful Thursday

I am linking up this week with Julia to tell what I am Thankful for. Head on over and link up yourselves!

1. I am thankful for mindless television. I know that sounds like a strange thing to be thankful for. But, lately I have had some stressful days with work and grad school. Watching some mindless television helps me to get my mind off of things and relax a little.

2. I am thankful for forgiveness. So often it is hard for many to be able to fully forgive. I am thankful for the times that people (and myself) are able to forgive. Some food for thought about anger/bitterness. "You're drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."

3. I am thankful for love. Not just the mushy gushy kind, but also the kind between family and friends. I have so much love in my life and it has been especially evident recently. I have so many wonderful people in my life, who I can say that I really truly love and who love me back the same. There's no better feeling.

Stop and think today about something that you have to be thankful for. You'll have an easier time than you think. :)

Pass it Forward

When I came across Kristin's blog here, I knew that I wanted to participate! I got my package in the mail a few days ago and I loved it! I planned on getting a picture of the package before I opened it, but the mail carrier put it into my little teeny mailbox and I had to rip it half open, so that I could get it out of the package. Ah well. 

 

This is what I got and I thought it was super cute!! I have taken it to work for my desk. :)

I love to get mail...who doesn't?! I also love the fact that my sending someone else a package in the mail could make their day a little brighter. SO! I am ready to pass it forward now to YOU! 

Here are the rules:

1. The first THREE commentators on this post will be my three "Pass it Forward" recipients. Stipulation: You must have a blog to participate.

2. I will contact the THREE commentators to get their home address, and then ship out a fun little gift.

3. You must then be willing to host a "Pass it Forward" on your own blog for THREE blog commenters.

Please make sure to include your email so I can contact you for your address.

To Infinity and Beyond!

My goodness! What a fun, exciting, busy weekend. I am worn out, fo reals...it will be a very long week, but it is worth being this exhausted! Friday when I got off work, I had to come home to let my brother into my apartment. His daughter had a cheer competition here in BG on Saturday and so he came to stay here. It was nice to get to visit with him if even for about 15 minutes. Just seeing him makes me feel like all is right in my little corner of the world. Do you have anyone in your life like that?

Matt got to my apartment and we packed up the car to head out. We stopped and picked up David so he could ride with us up to Paoli Peaks in Indiana. When we got there, we hung out around the cabin for a little while and then went tubing for a few hours. It was a lot of fun! I had never been before and we had a blast. It was hilarious watching grown boys act like they are 6 years old, giggling and laughing and screaming the whole way down the mountain! I didn't get a group picture and that makes me sad, but I captured some other moments.

I made my ear warmers...what do you think?

On Saturday, Matt and I got ready and headed to Louisville. We stopped on the way to visit with my cousin, Melody. It was great to get to see her for a few minutes. She is fostering a seeing eye dog. She got him when he was very little and she keeps him for a year. She teaches him commands and potty trains him. Then she will have to give him back, so that they can train him to become a seeing eye dog. His name is Baxter and he's just the cutest thing!!

We met up with Matt's step-brother, Adam and his girlfriend, Jenn for dinner and drinks. Then we went back to Adam's condo to get ready for the concert. I didn't take any pictures there. We were up pretty high in the arena and I was just enjoying it so much. Jerrod Neimann was just as good live as I had anticipated! LOVE LOVE LOVE! Darius Rucker and Brad Paisley were both amazing, as well. Great night! After the concert, we met up with our friend Clay, so that we could document him proposing to his girlfriend, Mitsy. It was neat to see and so sweet! I'm really happy for them.

I love that you can see Clay wiping away tears. That was one of the sweetest moments, I thought.

All in all, a really wonderful weekend away from BG. I can say, though...I can't wait for this coming weekend, so I can just sit on my behind and do NOTHING but school work all weekend! I need it. I hope that y'all had a great weekend, too! Anything exciting?

Run With Me Giveaway!!

Sheeeewwww! Long day at school, packing, eating, Jersey Shore, fbstalking, homework, trying to figure out HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU PACK NECKLACES?! I'm starting to hit a wall. And I'm not even done. I had to get on and give a big ol' shout out to my girl, Ashley. She's doing a pretty awesome giveaway and to top it off, she's one of my favorite bloggers ever. Pretty clever girl and super cute. Anyway...I suggest you get your booty on over there to check her out and enter (if you must give me more competition)! Part of the giveaway rules is to tell her something funny. When I first read that this morning, I seriously was at a loss. If you really know me, then you know that crazy, horrible, hilarious things happen to me constantly. On a daily basis. Plus, I teach kindergarten and they are full of funnies. I had to think allllll day, but finally decided to share with her the story of the time I split my pants while dancing at a bar. Yep, it's sad, but oh, so true.

Can't wait for my weekend getaway!! Gonna be a pretty great time! Okay, back to packing now. :(

Happiness

Is...these shoes


Spring-like weather.
Outdoor recess.

I'm alive...or back from the dead...

What a past few days I have had! It's actually been sort of a whirlwind, I guess. Monday, Valentines Day was wonderful! I got to spend all day with my little Valentines. Getting all that candy and love from my students was just wonderful. That evening, Matt came over and I cooked dinner and we spent some quality time together. It was pretty perfect.

Tuesday morning between 3 and 4 sometime, I woke up so congested and my throat was huge! I was out of school Tuesday and today for having strep. UGH! Can't I just have a normal week at school with my students?! One without snow or a training or sickness?? I guess an upside to it, is that I got to sleep a lot and watch a lot of movies. I watched The Notebook for about the billionth time. It just never gets old for me.

I am glad that I am finally feeling better and will be going back to work tomorrow. I can only sit at home for so long. I have so much to look forward to starting tomorrow night! Matt and I are going to The Band Perry concert here in BG. We are actually going to be sitting in a box with some of his family. His cousin plays in a band that is getting to open for them. I'm super excited!! If you haven't heard much of The Band Perry, start by downloading "You Lie", "All Your Life", "Postcard from Paris", and "Walk Me Down the Middle". GREAT stuff!! My favorite lyrics from Walk Me Down the Middle is:

"I was meant to be by your side,

and I have waited here a long time.

For you to turn around and notice me,

but now you're here,

holding hands with me.

Walk me down the middle of the county fair,

walk me down the middle like you don't care,

walk me by the ferris wheel,

and make sure that she sees,

Let the whole world know that you belong to me."

OH I CAN'T WAIT!!! Then Friday after school, I am heading up to Indiana (Paoli Peaks) to do some tubing with a group of friends. Matt and I are going up after work to meet everyone at the cabin for dinner before tubing. I haven't ever been tubing, so I'm way anxious! Saturday everyone is going to go skiing. This was my original plan, until Matt asked if I wanted to go to see Brad Paisley. My man Brad wins over skiing. Fo reals. Plus, Darius Rucker and Jerrod Neimann are opening for him. I'm really, really happy about this. When I say I can't wait, I mean I reeeeeeeally can't wait! Matt's step-brother, Adam and his girlfriend are going to be going with us. I just adore Adam. He and I became pretty close while Matt and I were together the first time and have kept in touch somewhat throughout these past few years. Needless to say, this weekend is going to be legendary (to quote the great Barney Stinson). YIPPEE!! I'll give updates soon after.

Love is All Around

Linking up with http://teachinginheels.blogspot.com/. She's one of my favoritest blogger, if you haven't made it over there, yet, you sure should! :)

1. What is your favorite romantic comedy?  

It's really a toss up for me. I LOVE Gone with the Wind and I LOVE When Harry Met Sally. Both of those movies make me *sigh* each time that I watch.

2. What are your favorite flowers?

I really love peonies.

3. What is your favorite Valentine's Day treat to eat?

I love the conversation hearts. They take me back to my childhood days. I HATE getting boxes of chocolate. It stresses me out, because there are too many unknowns!!

4. Describe your best Valentine's Day.

The best Valentine's Day that I have had was the first one that Matt and I were together. We hadn't been together for very long at that point. He gave me a pair of pearl earrings that I cherish so much.

5. What has been the most romantic night of your life?

Honestly...I haven't had that much romance. I'm not a big sap...all the time. ;) I'll just say, one of the most romantic things that someone has done for me was when Matt planned a trip to St. Louis to go see The Black Crowes and Dave Matthews Band. We were in the Busch Stadium with the Gateway Arch in the background. It is such a special memory for me. 

6. What's your go to date night outfit?

Usually a nice pair of jeans, heels, and a black top. I really like to wear black when going out for some reason...maybe I should broadden my choices!

7. Where is your favorite place to go on a date?
To a concert or somewhere to listen to live music. I am SO looking forward to mine and Matt's date this Saturday. Darius Rucker, Jerrod Niemann, and Brad Paisley?! Don't mind if I do. I've gotten to see Darius and Brad before, but never Jerrod and I LOVE him! :) Not to mention the handsome man that I will be sharing the night with.

8. Store bought Valentine's or homemade?

I have never gotten a homemade Valentine from anyone other than students in my class. I have to say that it would definitely make me swoon!

9. What is your favorite love song?
I'm strange when it comes to my taste in music. It's fo reals all over the place. I will say...several years ago, Jason Mraz came out with the song, "Lucky" with Cobie Calliat. I love both of them and this song is just the sweetest thing ever!

  

10. If you had to pick a date for Valentine's who would it be?

Matt is my Valentine again this year and I couldn't be happier. There's noone else that I would rather be with tonight.

I wish all of you a wonderful Valentines Day with your loved ones. I, myself cannot wait for tonight with Matty. I haven't seen him since Friday night when he played...and then we just got to make googly eyes at each other from across the room and only really spend time together during their short breaks. Goodness...Can I just tell you, I want this feeling to last FOREVER. 

Ramblings

I was so excited to have my cousin, Nanci and her husband, Walter come visit me this weekend! They came on Friday and decided to stay last night as well. Friday night, we went to dinner and then to watch Easy Street play. Erica came with us and I was so excited to have her join! Saturday, we were so lazy all day and I loved every minute. We watched UK play and sadly, they lost. We went out and rented 3 movies and stocked up on junk food. A Saturday night at home was one of the best nights I have had in a looooong time!

Since we have had all of these snow days, I have been doing quite a bit of homework. I have spent HOURS working on homework this week and I am not finished with what is due on Monday and Tuesday. I don't want to feel guilty about my fun weekend, but I'm afraid that it might bite me today with all the catching up I have to do. I feel like I am drowning already this semester and it's only week 2. I am taking 2 graduate courses on top of teaching (well...when it's not snowing). Seriously, if it weren't for these snow days this week, I'm not sure I would have any sanity left or have gotten any sleep at all. There are 12 more weeks of this. Y'all pray for me!

Tomorrow is Valentines Day. We have our party at school and it's going to KILL me!! This is my least favorite of the parties. The kids all bring Valentines and we have to organize how to get them passed out. I don't have a whole lot planned this year, because we were out pretty much all last week because of snow. The better news is that I have a Valentine to celebrate with this year! I can't tell you how happy I am...even though we aren't doing much. I am going to cook dinner...maybe get a bottle of wine and a movie. I will not make him suffer through the Bachelor. I'll just have to DVR it and catch up later. I have some ideas for what to cook, but any other suggestions would be welcomed! I hope that you have a great Valentines Day tomorrow, whether it be with a guy you love or some good girlfriends or even a furbaby. I hope that it is filled with love.

Be a Miracle to Me

So, I've been saying for a while that I will write to tell you all about mine and Matt's story.

Let's start with how we met back in the early part of 2006. I had made some friends my sophomore year of college and instantly bonded with a guy named Andrew. He and I became really close friends. We did a lot together...concerts, lunch, dinner, movies...all as only friends. He and David, another one of our friends liked to play music and they would call me at night {on my dorm phone}, put their phone down and play Garth Brooks songs for me. Those are some of my fondest memories from college. They started a band called Durty Walrus and Matt happened to be the bass player. The picture below really, really makes me laugh, but I have to show you. Sammi and I used to go out on Thursday nights to watch them play...that's when you could go out for $5.00 all you can drink. That was our spot through college!

I got to watch them pretty often, because, let's face it. It was college and we went out. a. lot. That's not the only connection that I had with Matt, though. Insert, Lo. Just because we are thinking of old times here, I had to use an old pic.

So, Lo and I were and still are very close friends. She is a friend that will always be near and dear to my heart. At the time, she was working at Applebees. Guess who else was working at Applebees?! That's right...Matt! While I was engaged, Lo kept telling me, "There's this guy at work, Matt and you need to be with him." I didn't listen to her, of course. Nothing EVER happened between Matt and I while I was engaged. Let's set that straight. All of this happened within a couple of weeks time span. I was very unhappy in my engagement and my family and friends hated disliked my fiance. I did something that was difficult, and I decided to end my engagement. We hadn't been engaged for very long and had been together for a total of less than a year. Yes. I could write a whole other blog about that situation....but I won't.

After my engagement was broken off, I continued to go out with the girls. Wednesday nights to a place called Betty's and then Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights downtown. It was college. I can't do that noooooo mo'. I kept running into Matt, whether they were playing or not. He was going out all the time, too and Bowling Green is a rather small town.

The next little bit of our lives was a whirlwind. We started seeing each other and his band would travel to Owensboro to play, we went to concerts and sporting events together, I watched him play in his band at bars, we went to watch other bands play. It was honestly such a fun time in my life.

In the Fall of 2007, we rented a cute little yellow house and moved in together. Shortly after, we got a dog, Hurley together. Things just seemed all so perfect. Matt had so quickly became my very best friend in the world.

Like with all things good...there is bad. We had our share of fights, let me tell you. Nothing like Ronnie and Sammi on Jersey Shore and things never escalated to become out of hand, though. I really feel like our fights were normal relationship fights. They happen and you grow and learn from them. Relationships take a lot of work. Right before we moved in together, my roommate that I had for several years had decided that she was going to live with her boyfriend, Sammi, Lo, and the rest of my friends had moved away and I had started my teaching career. There was a lot of stress on me at once. I was always smiling on the outside and never showed anyone how much I was hurting inside. I was in a deep depression. I constantly cried and there were so many days that I didn't want to get out of bed. It had gotten to a point where I knew that I was being toxic to myself, Matt and our relationship. I had so many long talks on the phone with my Mom about it and she actually begged me not to break up with Matt. She knew that it was a good thing and that I wasn't going to break up with him because I didn't love him {By the way, she didn't do that with the engagement if that tells you something}.

In August of 2008, Matt and I were lying in bed one night going to sleep and I said, "Please don't propose to me any time soon." We had talked about marriage and I think that is what we both wanted at the time. He took me on a surprise weekend away a few months prior and I remember hoping with all my heart that he would propose to me. The statement that I had made shocked him. We talked only a little bit about it and then let it go for a while. About a week later, I broke up with him. It was the hardest decision of my life. At the time, it was completely what was right for me. It was never that I didn't love Matt. I had to finally be selfish, so that I could get better and get my life on track. The day that he packed up and left our house, I laid in the floor and cried for over two hours. The pain is still so unbearable and I cannot describe to you what it even felt like. I avoided the places that I knew he was playing at so that I didn't have to face him. I knew that I still loved him, but in order to heal myself, I couldn't see him.

As in any situation, time heals all. I can honestly say that my heart never completely healed from that day that I was laying in the floor crying, though. Even to this day, if I think about that too much, I can't hold back the tears. I tried moving on with my life. I dated other people, but never felt the way that I did with Matt. I never had as much fun with anyone as I did with Matt. I swear, that boy and I can have fun with a piece of string and talk about anything and everything! Throughout the past almost 3 years, there were so many times that I wanted to call him and tell him how much I still loved him and how much I missed him. I was ashamed to. I knew that I hurt him and I was scared of rejection. Several months ago, I was eating lunch with my friend Gina Marie and talking to her about Matt. I opened up and told her how much I missed him and that I would want to try things again, but I didn't know how. She, of course was all about it and told me to go for it! I just never could. I started getting this gut feeling that Matt was dating someone, so I texted her a few months after our talk to ask her, and she confirmed that. Even though I had dated other people, my heart hurt so bad knowing that I might have thrown away our relationship forever. Finally, I could not take it anymore and {with lots and lots of coaxing from Anthony}, I lamely wrote him an email telling him how much I missed him...I knew that if it came to doing it face to face, I would chicken out. He called me and said that he would like to come to my apartment to talk about it, but he never told me how he was feeling. We made plans and he got sick. We made plans another night and something came up. I was DYING. I just wanted to know...did he still care about me or not?! The night that he came over to talk and I was a nervous wreck. I kept telling myself that if he decided that he didn't want to be with me, that I probably deserved that. But, he walked in and kissed me right away. It was something that I had wanted to do for so long and something that I had waited for. He said that he wanted to try to see where things went and to take things slowly.

Let me just say. It has not been an easy road to where we are now. Matt was here last night for dinner and to watch some basketball with me. At one point he looked at me and said, "You are so incredible." It made my heart melt. I want to just look at him and scream, "I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!" Every time that I see him. But, then I remember that there's that whole taking things slowly stuff.

I am SO grateful for my second chance. I honestly can say that I love him more now than I did so many years ago. I get butterflies when I look into his eyes. People at school have asked my assistant, "What's up with Ashley? She seems so happy!" I said it once in another blog, but I have never loved anyone the way that I love Matt. It's so true. I want this to work this time so badly. If it doesn't, I know that I will be heartbroken and I will regret that decision that I made all those years ago. As of right now, there's not a whole lot of regret. I grew into such a better, stronger woman. I have experienced so much and so has Matt. I pray everyday that the past can stay in the past and that he and I can continue to look forward. He is my miracle.

{Commence Barfing}

Thankful Thursday

I am linking up today with Julia for Thankful Thursday! The theme is a Valentine's Day edition and we all have something to be thankful for.

1. I am thankful for a second chance with the love of my life. I keep talking about it, but I can't tell you how grateful I am that he still has feeling for me and was willing to give me a second chance. I haven't gone into exact details, yet as to what happened, but I promise that a post will be on the way soon.

2. I am so thankful for the students that I teach. I haven't gotten to be with them much since Christmas break, because of all of this snow, but I have really grown to love them. My group this year is so different than any group I have ever had. I was thinking this morning about them and how I give them each a hug as they leave my classroom in the afternoons. That very well may be the highlight of my day. I hope that it brightens some of their days, as well.

3. I am thankful for my sweet friends. They have really made not only this week for my birthday special, but the past several years that I have known all of them. I know that I can always count on them if I have something going on or even just to have fun with! There's never a dull moment with my friends.





Broken Hearted

For all you ladies out there who has ever experienced heartbreak. Just a few of my current favorites. By the way, I am not currently feeling this way. However, I know that many women can relate to heartbreak.

Love Sara Evans and this song just pulls on my heart.

This lovely lady is my ALL TIME FAVE country music singer. Martina McBride. I was so lucky enough to get to enjoy this song from the FRONT ROW at CMAFest. :) Made my year, fo sho.

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. Her bitter music makes my heart smile. As horrible as that sounds. She just belts out everything that I am feeling inside. If you have not downloaded any of Miranda Lambert's music and you like country, DO IT NOW!!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Today, I have had to really think about some things that I am thankful for and loving. I have so much good in my life and am a happy, happy girl.

1. I am loving my wonderful parents. They sent me a birthday card in the mail yesterday (with just a little money). They are always so thoughtful. Momma and I also had such a wonderful, meaningful conversation yesterday evening. Momma and I didn't really always get along. Through middle school and high school, we really didn't get along at all! We are so much alike and we constantly fought. Since college, she has become one of my best friends. I can always talk to her about anything and she is always honest with me and never judgemental.

2. I am loving that I am all caught up on laundry today and have gotten some homework completed today. It's been a productive little snow day. The snow is coming DOWN right now. It's been so beautiful. I am ready to have a normal routine and schedule back, but I also will never complain about the beauty of nature.
This picture is not one that I took. I'm not gettin' out in this cold!

3. I am loving that I have a Valentine this year. It's been a while since I have had someone to celebrate this day with and I couldn't pick anyone better. Have I mentioned to you lately that I am in love? Really. I have never loved anyone the way that I love Matt.

4. I am loving these dresses from Francesca's.

Also, loving these jeans from Francesca's.

5. I'm still loving Emily from The Bachelor. I don't want her to win. I'd rather her get sent home and then become the Bachelorette. She's so stinkin' cute and WAY too good for sleez-ball, Brad.

Link up with Jamie to tell me what you are loving on this blustery Wednesday!

Feliz Cupleanos A Ti!

Just a little fb message that I got from my old high school boyfriend. I absolutely love the fact that he still thinks enough of me to write me and tell me happy birthday. I was feeling a little sappy today and responded telling him that he will always hold a special place in my heart. And he will. He is my first love. The person that I confided so much in. We have never lost touch and things have always been so good between us. Love that boy, still.

So, the big birthday today. I was not happy for today to come. I turned 28. If you are older, stop rolling your eyes. This has been by far the most difficult for me. I am still single. No kids. It's been a hard one. I keep beating myself up over the fact that I could have married Matt by now and be with the man that I am supposed to be with, but I threw all of that away 3 years ago. It's been a hard day. I tried to make the best of it. My family and friends made sure that things were good, though! So, let's concentrate on the celebrations, rather than the sad part of my day.

I tried sleeping in, but started getting Happy Birthday texts at about 7:30. The first one was from Matt. Just a simple "Happy Birthday!" this morning was all that it took for me to get a smile on my face. However, then I turned my phone on silent and went back to sleep. I got up a little later, got ready and went to lunch with my friend, Gina Marie. We kinda have this snow day thing with going to eat at Kyoto's. She and I have been friends for such a long time. She is married and they live a little out of town, so it's a little bit more difficult to get together now. So, while she is in town for work and I am off, we like to meet up and have a nice Japanese lunch. :)

After lunch, I went by my hairdresser's to pick up a product that my bestie, Sammi told me about. They didn't have it there, but I went to our Trade Secret in the mall, and they did! This stuff is a mousse type substance, but doesn't make your hair crunchy. It just gives you a nice lift around the roots. It's Pureology Root Lifter. I've heard great things about their other products, but have yet to try any of them. Has anyone else tried any???

I also made another trip to F21. This time just 2 shirts and 1 necklace. Maybe I'll venture back there tomorrow. I also bought some OPI nailpolish. The kind I got is from Katy Perry's line. So pink and sparkly! Every girl deserves a little shine on her birthday. :) The color is called "Teenage Dream".

After my shopping, I came home and relaxed a little while. Then off to dinner with my friends Sarah and Mark. We went to eat some Thai food at a new restaraunt here in Bowling Green. I have only ever had Thai food one time prior and loved it then. It was so great this time!! We had a great time. Good conversation and good company. What more could you ask for?! After dinner, Sarah and I went to meet Erica and her son, Braden for their dinner time and a drink or two. Highlight of my day was when Braden wanted to sing Happy Birthday to me. Such a sweet child. I also loved the heart to heart that Sarah and I had on the way home and in her driveway. Love you and thanks for being the second half of my brain! :)

Life is so different this year than it was last year...in so many BETTER ways! I love that I know what I want this year, whereas last year, I was pretty lost. I have so many more goals and a better understanding of who I am. I love that I know who my good friends are this year. None of this pretending to like other people business. Last year I invited people to help celebrate my birthday that I didn't really care for. How silly?! This year, it was spent with those that I love and adore, respect and trust.

In a conversation with my friend, Laura tonight, she said, "Think of it as just another year and you're working on getting what you want in terms of a relationship. You know what you want and he knows it." Thanks for being a wonderful person, listening to me complain, and making me laugh. A true best friend.

So, this year, TWENTY-EIGHT. It's going to be the year of ME. I so often concentrate on others and what other's feelings are; how I treat other people. I need to be selfish for once. Not in a horrible way. But in the way of figuring out what I need in my life and taking advantage. Anyone else understand what I am saying and where I am coming from?!

Weekend Update

I had been looking forward to this weekend for a month or so now. Sammi and I made plans for her to come up and visit. Just the two of us. That is rare and I love getting time with the bestie. You know those girlfriends that you can just sit in silence, talk non-stop, cry with each other, laugh and make fun of each other, talk to about anything...this is my girl. Has been for years now and will be forever. A forever friend. Those kind make my heart smile. The kind of friend that is there for you, doesn't judge you, doesn't think that they are better than you at any point...Sammi. She's my girl.

When she got here on Friday, we went to Sarah's for a girl's night. How fun! There were several of us there, hanging out, talking, drinking wine, lots of giggling. Perfect night. Sammi and I had thought that we would go out for a while afterwards, but time got away from us and we just stayed at Sarah's till bedtime! I actually have no pictures from this night, which makes me sad.

Saturday, we had a shopping marathon! I love shopping with Sammi. She is so patient with me when I go into F21 (my FAVE). She just looked around as long as it took me and never complained. At the end, though, she said, "That was exhausting!" Our F21 here is a mess, ladies. A. Hot. Mess. Stuff is crammed in nooks and crannies, everywhere you turn, there's another rack full of goodies to peruse. We spent a good hour or more in there and I walked out with 2 shirts and 3 necklaces. Good trip if I say so myself. I was looking for something to wear out to watch Matt and the band play as well as to the Brad Paisley concert in a couple of weeks. SO happy about that, but I'll tell you more another time. We couldn't go shopping until after the millions of ducks went from one side of my car, behind it, to the other side of my car. Seriously. Trapped for about 10 minutes just waiting on ducks. Redic.

After shopping, we came home and were lame...Sammi teaches a nutrition course at one of the colleges in Jackson and I am in graduate school. We took some time out to do some work. I wasn't happy, but it's a necessary evil in my life at this point. We got ready, went to eat at Mariah's downtown and then over to Tidballs to watch the band. Love these boys. All of them. The rhythm guitar player and I have been friends since I was a sophomore in college. He's actually part of the reason that Matt and I ever really met. I give credit where credit is due and he and my friend, Laura deserve it. Anyway. I had a good time until close to the end of the night. Remember me telling you that girls are evil? Well...they are. Fo reals. This girl kept sitting at our table (which would have been fine), but she kept putting her cigarette right in my face. Lordy, I can't wait for this smoke-free BG. I later found out that I was also called a groupie. Nice...Not quite, girlie. I was dating Matt before this band even existed. Dumb girls. Matt, however was great that night! He is thoughtful at all times. He came over to talk to Sammi and I on every break for a few minutes, but not over doing it. I was with my girl, afterall. I'm so in love. More on that later, too. Sammi and I had a great time.

Sunday, we got up and met Anthony for lunch. He came to BG with his girlfriend Maegan and while she was in a meeting, he wanted to see us. Love him so much! It made my day to get to see him. There definitely is never a dull moment with this boy. Seriously the one of the best guy friends that I have ever had. This is Sammi and Anthony at lunch.

After Sammi left, I went to Matt's to watch the Superbowl. They weren't having a party, which is what I was down for. Just some quality time with him and Brent, one of the roomies/bandmates. Matt made some of the best chicken that I have seriously ever ate and we actually fell asleep in the chair watching the Superbowl. Not before I got to see Christina's complete mess up. I cannot believe that I was in the room with a lead singer of a band and I was the one who really noticed. Was anyone else just oblivious to this or what? My goodness. For the girl who has a killer voice....really?! My kindergarteners know the words to the National Anthem. Fo reals. They might have some silly words thrown in here and there like so many kids I often do, but they could have belted it out better than Christina.

Well, goodnight, lovelies! I've got yet ANOTHER snow day tomorrow. Not so sad about it this time...it's my birthday. :)