Forming {and breaking} a Habit

I've been thinking about deleting my FB account for a while. At least until I can get myself under control. I know that it's normal to do the whole "FB Stalking" thing...I know so many people who talk about their stalking experiences all the time. But, at what point does it become masochism? Lately, I'm starting to feel like maybe I enjoy the torture of looking up certain people that I should just stay far away from. It only makes me sad, mad, upset or flat out hurts my feelings. It's really not healthy.

I've tried thinking of other alternatives to deleting my facebook account, because let's face it. I'm addicted. I started to research habits. Something becomes a habit when you do it without thinking and without self-control. That's the point I'm at. I find myself on these people's pages without even consciously typing their names into the search bar. I am looking through their pictures and reading their posts before I even have the chance to talk myself out of it.

So, how long exactly do you have to do something for it to become a habit? I have always heard 30 days, but when I googled it, I saw several answers. The most common was that your habit becomes thoughtless after about 66 days. That's a long freakin' time to be doing something so pointless everyday. Sadly enough, I would absolutely believe that I have searched for these stupid people everyday for about that long. Pitiful, I know. Also pathetic.

So, how long does it take to break a habit? The answer that I found to be the most common was 30 days. So...now the dilemma. Do I delete my FB account for at least 30 days?? Or do I try to muster up enough self-control for at least 30 days, so that I can break this God-Forsaken habit?? Who wants to volunteer to be my sponsor? Hi, I'm Ashley and I'm a facebook stalker.

Which would you choose??

Weekend Update

I hope that y'all had a great weekend! Mine was actually good. I was worried that it wouldn't turn out that great, because I had been invited to the lake and had to turn it down. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love a good trip to the lake! {Totally beside the point}

On Friday, Sarah, Erica and I went downtown to 440 for dinner and drinks. I enjoy 440, because they have a lot of outdoor seating and a live band. We ran into Sarah's brother and friends, who joined us.

Our waitress had apparently never opened a bottle of wine before. She struggled at our table awkwardly with it for, I kid you not, close to 5 minutes. Finally, she gave up and went in to have the bartender help her.

A highlight of our night was seeing the "leprechaun". This is a woman who we have been seeing around BG for about a year now and we have nicknamed her appropriately. The first time we saw her, she had on some leggings, short boots and a top that was sheer and you could see plenty. I'll have to dig up that picture for another post!

I was at home and in bed by 11:00pm and I have to say that I couldn't have been happier about that! I put on my pajams and read some more in Something Blue.

On Saturday, I woke up early to get ready for Candice's Bridal Shower. I had a 2.5 hour drive and I arrived riiiiiiight on time. I literally stayed for the shower and drove back to BG. It was nice to see her and my other friends.



That night, when I got home, Sarah and I went to see Bridesmaids. What a funny movie! I like funny movies. I like to watch funny movies with good audiences. I would laugh at something and then would laugh harder at other's reactions. Like the older gentleman who was sitting beside me and couldn't catch his breath. Or the lady who was heard from rows away laughing above everyone else. Or the lady in the row in front of us who let out a big snort mid-laugh. Sarah even said that the same row of ladies in front of us were clapping above their heads at the end when Wilson Phillips came back on for the second time. They were having a good night! The movie was hilarious. A definite must see with a girlfriend or two. I think it would actually be a good date movie for you and the boy, too. All in all, it gets Ashley's stamp of approval.

Sunday was uneventful. Full of naps and being lazy. I managed to get at least one thing marked off my to-do list. All in all, an okay weekend!

What did you do this weekend?

East Bound

I'm so excited about the weekend! Not only is it a little break from the craziness at school, but I am heading East to Lexington for my close friend, Candice's Bridal Shower! It is at Talon Winery and I have never been, so I am really looking forward seeing it.

Candice and I lived across the street from each other starting in 7th grade. We have been best friends ever since! We used to carpool to school and dance team practice everyday. We also then were college roommates. She has now asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding this July!

I love you, Candice and am so happy for you and Bryan. I am honored that you have asked me to share your day! Can't wait to see you and all of our other friends at your Bridal Shower this weekend!

Thankful Thursday

I'm linking up with Julia and Jamie for Thankful Thursday!!

1. I am THANKFUL for my literacy. Silly? Maybe to you...but I don't think so. I love reading. It's so often my escape from my own life and my own problems. Currently, I am reading Something Blue by Emily Giffin. I loved Something Borrowed and heard good things about this sequel, so I'm trying it out. So far, so good!

2. I am THANKFUL for my BTF {Best Teacher Friend}. I am especially thankful for her during the end of the school year. She just kinda gets me and the stress that the months of May and August always bring. She wouldn't judge me if I just ran down the hallway of our school screaming at the top of my lungs, like I so often feel like doing. Heck, she might even join me!

3. I am THANKFUL for music. Yet, another escape. Is there a theme I see here?? A need to get away, perhaps? *Sigh* Right now, I am really loving me some Adele and Mumford & Sons. Seriously, you should download them NOW if you haven't already. You will not be disappointed.

4. I am THANKFUL for this stud of a boyfriend I've got!

LINK UP WITH JULIA AND JAMIE TO TELL ALL OF US WHAT YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR!!!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm linking up with Jamie to tell you what I am LOVING on this Wednesday!

1. I am LOVING the fact that there are only 12 more days of school left this year! Can you say SUMMA SUMMA SUMMA TIME?!?!

2. I am LOVING all my Twitter friends. If I don't follow you, or you don't follow me, let's be friends! Sometimes it's okay to be a follower...

3. I am LOVING my parents. They recently celebrated 38 years of marriage! They have always set such a great example of what a great, loving marriage should be like. I haven't settled with anyone, because of their example. I always compare my relationships to theirs...could be good or bad. I think so far, it has been good for me!

What are you LOVING today??



The Time I Split My Pants

I've gotta say that I have done a LOT of stupid things in my life. I have done so many, in fact, that it takes SO much to make me even slightly embarressed. When I am asked, "What is your most embarrassing moment?" My mind begins to race...from the time that I fell in the health building in HS (as a sophomore) in front of the seniors on the basketball team and several other students and BTA (busted that ass)...to the time that I farted on my boyfriend's leg (skin to skin) without meaning to...then there's those times in college that I was just drunk and acted a fool and woke up the next day thinking, "Whyyyyyyyyyy, Ashley????"

A couple of years ago, my mind had to stop racing when asked that dreaded question. I definitely have had a most embarrassing moment now. Luckily, several of my best good friends were there to witness the beauty of that night and it is all well-documented with pictures.

My friends, Sarah and Anthony and I went to the Kentucky Derby a couple of years ago. As in REAL seats! No infield for these suckas. It was such a fun day and we really enjoyed ourselves. Friends, horse racing, gambling, big hats, mint juleps....what was not to love (besides the fact that it was rainy and cold)?!

As if all of that is not enough, my really good friend, Daniel proposed to his girlfriend (now wife), Katy at the Derby! They came over to our seats to tell us the exciting news!

After the Derby festivities, in typical Ashley, Sarah, Anthony fashion...we went to MacDonald's for dinner, changed and went out on Bardstown Road. We met a few other friends down there and we were having a really good time! The place we went to had 2 sides. One of them had live music and the other played rap music and everyone was dancing. We went over to the dance side of the bar for a while and there seemed to be somewhat of a dance-off occuring. My friends have ALWAYS told me what to do and for some terrible reason, I am gullible enough to always do what they tell me to. At this point, my friends tell me to go get in on the dance-off. So, what do I do?? I march out to the dance floor and start getting my dance on.

So, there I am shakin' it on the dance floor with my new friends. I decided that it was the part of my dance where I should "drop it like it's hot", because let's face it...I was feelin' hot. So, I did just that and heard a giant riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip. Yes. My jeans ripped in the butt. Not just a small hole. No, No. I felt quite the breeze. Immediately, I ran off of the dance floor and over to my friends who had no idea what had happened. I actually have a picture of the nice rip while I'm wearing the jeans, but we will just keep that one top secret. I did, however capture the beauty of the rip after I took them off. Stupid Gap jeans!

We had only been there for a few minutes at the point of this happening. I looked at my friends and said, "We have to leave. I can't stay here!" But, Katy, bless her soul, had a jean jacket that I tied around my waist. I was a little too embarrassed about the fact that I now had not only ripped my pants, but now I have a denim jacket tied around the waist of my denim-ripped jeans. And the denims didn't match, which makes it even worse, if that is a possibility. My friends and I headed on over to the live music side to sit in a booth for the remainder of the night.

 My wonderful friends went to get my drinks for me while I just sat and enjoyed the musical talent of Josh Carol. Katy and Daniel were going to leave, so guess who had to give up her jean jacket that was covering her bum? Yep, me. I stayed in the booth just sitting and feeling a little awkward. But, then the worst thing of all happened. I finally had to go to the bathroom. Anthony was nice enough to take off his button up, so I could tie that around my waist and make it to the bathroom. I went in, did my business and came back out to wash my hands. When I got to the sink, there was a pink scarf laying there. I looked all around the bathroom and noone was in sight. I snatched that sucker right up and guess what? Problem solved!

Even though, I stayed and had a good time the rest of the night. Even though I was covered the rest of the night. Even though I found the "sisterhood of the traveling pashmina". This is still, to date, my MOST embarrassing moment.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Light at the End of the Tunnel

I can see the LIGHT at the end of the tunnel!! I'm finished with grad school and now I only have 12 days left of school. That means that things are super busy for me right now and I hardly have much free time. I promise not to keep disappearing on you, though!

Now that grad school is over for the semester, I have a little bit of extra time to catch you up on my life! Things honestly haven't been all that exciting here in Ashley Land, though. I did get to spend some time with my best friend, Nikki. She was in BG for a couple of days for work and when she was finished for the day, we got to hang out. Even though it wasn't a lot of time, it was awesome to get to see her!

I also took my class on a field trip to Kentucky Down Under. There were supposed to be about 300 kids there that day, but when our 4 kindergarten classes arrived, they let us know that miraculously, we were the ONLY school group that day!! It was a wonderful, wonderful trip. Not very stressful at all!

Friday night, I got to spend time with this lady, Gina Marie...

Down in Nashville at Cadillac Ranch while the boy played some country tunes...

Saturday, my parents came down to visit and my aunt, Betty decided to come. We drove up to Owensboro to watch the boy play at the BBQ Festival. My family had never seen Matt play music before, so it was a treat! The weather didn't really cooperate. It was cold and rainy all day, but we managed to have a good time. You can't go wrong with good BBQ, a funnel cake and good music.

I need some advice about something, but I guess that's a seperate post in itself...I am trying to be careful how much I post about this specific situation, in fear that the wrong person will read it. This is my little corner of the world to write about anything and everything. I try to be careful to only write what I would say to someone's face, though...and nothing that will put my career or close relationships in jeopardy.

How personal do you get on your blog about sticky situations?

Oh. My. Word.

I am flippin' done with grad school until August!! I turned in my final paper and danced around my apartment for a little bit. Then I realized that it was indeed 3 am and that I had to get up early. I am just so dang excited....excited enough to be running on only 3 hours of sleep right now! 

I'm so happy that it's the weekend. I am getting ready to head down to Nashville, because the boy plays on Broadway tonight! It's a pretty big deal for them, so I'm pretty happy about it. My parents are coming to visit tomorrow and we are going to hit up the BBQ Festival in Owensboro. Should be a good time. The boy plays again up there tomorrow night. 

I'm looking forward to a fun-filled weekend! 

OH! And also, I bought myself some Toms. I wasn't so sure about them at first...actually I think I even have said that I don't like them. I tried a pair on and instantly fell in love. What do you think about them??

Happy Weekend!

OH HAPPY DAY!

MY BEST FRIEND IS COMING! MY BEST FRIEND IS COMING!! I just want to shout it from the rooftops!! Screw this paper and homework for the time that she is here. I am ready to spend some time just talking and probably laughing till it hurts...with this girl.

Note to self: Take a picture together while she is here...because, yes. That IS a stylish macaroni necklace that yo girl is sportin'. Classy.

Nikki and I have been best friends since about...8th grade. We had to complete a family tree for school and wouldn't you know, we BOTH had the same Polly Feltner on our family trees. We are related somehow. Still not sure exactly how...actually I think our Moms figured it out, but I forget. Probably something like third cousins twice removed or something ridiculous like that. I digress...

She is going to be in the great land of BG for work for the next couple of days and I couldn't be happier to spend some time with her. The only thing that would make it better was if she could have packed up her little babe, Henry and brought him with her.

Disclaimer: I'm a thief and totally lifted this from your fb page, Nik. I can't help but steal them and save them on my own computer for my selfish soul. I love him to the moon and back!

I will leave you with one of my favorite memories from the old days with Nik. We used to drive around listening to music BLARING and singing at the top of our lungs. Mainly when we were mad or upset with a boy. More often than not, the song of choice was something by GNR or....Luda.

Yep. That's my Boo.

3 post pity party

Readddddddyyyyyy GO!

1. I don't wanna write this paper!!! I'm only on page four....of FIFTEEN-TWENTY!

2. I hate being a woman...well, not really. Just the monthly part of it.

3. Why did the weather have to go from frost advisory to 1,000 degrees in just a short week. Why, Kentucky? Why can't you have seasons like normal states?

K. Thanks for listening to my pity party. Back to work...maybe...

This is where I've been...

Alright y'all. I've been a little M.I.A. AGAIN!!!! Trust me, I have good reason! It's crunch time for grad school. This post will be short 'n sweet, so I can get back at it. So, let's get down with the get down! 

I've been...

1. Schoolin' Them Children

2. Gettin' My Read On

3. And Then Watchin' The Movie

4. Cinco De Mayo...'Ritas and Spillin' Salsa on Myself Within the First Five Minutes of Arrival

5. Getting a Sweet Package on My Door Step From the Boy! 

Filled with flowers, a sbux gift card, a Mariah's (local restaurant) gift card, a Diet Mt. Dew and a Hershey's Bar. The best part?! A sweet, thoughtful card letting me know that he knows how much school can suck, so he wanted to give me a "survival kit". :) Sweet, sweet boy. I definitely do not deserve it. 

6. HOMEWORK, HOMEWORK, STINKIN' HOMEWORK!!!

Too much....and still too much to do.

7. Loving my special turtle. Yes, he sits like this on his rock often. I guess he's stretching his back leg or something. Love him!

My last paper is due this Friday by 5pm and then I will be freeeeee until August. I promise to be more of a regular blog friend by then. I've been missing reading about your lives and updating about mine. I hope that you had a wonderful weekend!