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. :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Linking up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday again! I have SO been looking forward to this opportunity this week. I have so much in my life to be thankful for and I need to concentrate more on it during stressful times.

1. I am loving my students this week. It took me a little while to feel the love for them this year. They are a different group than what I have ever had in the past. I guess I have known this all along, but they are just little people. They cannot take up for themselves. I am not only a teacher, but I am an advocate for children. And I love them. I really, really do.

2. I am loving my kitty, Addison. She's got herself a little limp going on right now. I'm a little worried about her, but she will be okay. She is 7 years old and she is overweight. There are lots of factors involved here. Good news is that when I touch the leg that she is limping on, she doesn't act like it bothers her. She's got a vet appointment today, so thoughts and prayers are much appreciated!

3. I am loving my friends. I am SO glad to have friends who know what they believe in and what they want/like. There is not one of them that is "wishy washy" and is one person with one group of people and another person with a different group of people. All of my friends are so proud to be who they are that it warms my heart.

4. Remember my new boots? Yeah, I'm still lovin' them. I can't stop thinking about them, actually. :) I cannot wait to wear them again. Perhaps one night this weekend.

5. I am loving the boy toy. Yep. Just super, crazy, happy right now. We got to hang out on Sunday for a little bit and as of now, no plans to see each other again anytime soon. Sound crazy? Probably. I like it this way. I have had a crazy beginning to the week, remember? Pulling looooong days and have been a little stressed. Tonight I have plans and every Thursday is my girls night. Sammi will be here this weekend. I like that things are going slowly. I get butterflies everytime I see him. I'm in a really good place with this. Old school pic, btw.

6. I am loving that I get to spend some quality time with one of my absolute favorite couples tonight! Bryan and Candice invited me over for dinner and we are going to watch "The Other Guys". I am fo reals in love with Will Ferrell. Sorry, Matt....Guess I should warn you now. When he comes for me, you'll just have to share. Seriously excited to spend time with these two. Also, loving that I get to be in their wedding this summer! I really expect tonight to be like old times, when Candice and I lived together. She will fall asleep on the couch and Bryan and I will laugh at the movie together. Can't wait!

7. I am loving that this weekend I get to see Sammi again! TWO weekends in a row! YEE YEE!!! Big plans, too. We will have a girls night on Friday with some of my other friends. Saturday, maybe a pedi {MUCH needed}, and then...we are going to brave going to watch Matt and the band. Could be a mistake, but I'll have Sammi with me if things get hard for me. She will be willing to leave whenever or will say/do something to make things better. Now, talk about an OLD SCHOOL picture! This is way back from our days in the sorority. Geez.

I truly hope that each of you are having a fantastic Wednesday! We are halfway to the weekend!!! What are you loving on this Wednesday?!

Weekend Update

Great weekend! I got to go visit Sammi in Jackson, Tennessee. We both needed this visit something awful. I had a blast and I hope that she did, too. Friday night when I got there, we got ready and went to dinner and then to another bar for a couple of drinks. It was a pretty low key kinda night. Saturday we went shopping and I bought the most awesome pair of boots at this cute little boutique that is in Jackson! Every time I go back to visit her, we have to go back to this shop! Such cute stuff. Then, we got ready and went out with some other girls to dinner and then to the Downtown Tavern. The band was really awesome! It was such a fun weekend. I'm excited, because she will be coming to visit me next weekend! YAY!



Sammi and I




Rema and Sammi. This girl was adorable and super sweet!



There's those new boots! I'm in love.



Bethany and I. Love this little chick.



Love Your Guts!

I've been thinking a lot about friendships lately. Girlfriends in particular. Where would my life be without these special ladies? I have amazing girlfriends who have helped me through the worst in my life. Some are friends that I have had for a long time. Others have only been in my life for a few years. They are all so special to me.

I talked with my very best friend last night. She is going through a rough time and was really upset. Listening to her, I began to cry, too. I have never really put much thought into it before. Her pain is my pain. That's when you know you have a good friendship. If your friend is happy, you are happy. If your friend is pissed and wants to beat someone down, you wanna knock someone out for them.

I take my friendships with the ladies very seriously. There are not many girls in this world that I trust completely. So, when I find these girls, I hold on tight and have their back above anyone else. 

This is my tribute to my girlfriends and the many "Girls Night Out".

Love your guts!

My Last Night With Long Hair

So, tomorrow is the BIG day. I have an appointment with the wonderful Heather at Tanglez. I am going to go through with it and cut my hair. Tonight was an impromptu girls night. In my head (cause it's all about me, afterall, right?!), it was "Ashley's last night with long hair outting".

Sarah, Erica and I went to Double Dogs, had a few drinks. Vodka tonic for me. Beer is too many points for weight watchers. :(  We talked and had a great time. Conversations with these ladies are never boring and there is nothing off limits. Just a small list of topics included: poop (of course), shrimp, boys, hair, weaves, blogging, and other girls. That's a SMALL taste. We also did a little people watching and laughed at others. Example:

No idea what the front of this shirt says and quite frankly, I don't care. What a great last night with long hair. I'll post more tomorrow after the big appointment!