Nicknames

Do you nickname people? If you do, do you ever refer to them by their real names again? Because I don't.

This is AC and I (AshHam) last week. She is a true love of my life, my spiritual stronghold, and as crazy and unstable as I am; we HAD to be friends. She and her husband stopped to see me on their way to Corpus. He is "The Hubbs." As in I have never referred to him as Shep or Sheppard since they got married. Literally. And I do this a lot! 

I prefer nick names because I adopt people into my life and heart and I feel like it singles them out as significant and necessary in my world. Also, once someone had a nick name you are forever bound. They cannot go away.

My boyfriend thinks this is very weird. Conversation after lunch with AC and The Hubbs last week:

G: How was your day, baby?

Me: AWESOME!! I got to see AC and The Hubbs!!

G: What?

Me: I had lunch with AC and The Hubbs.

G: Who is that?

Me: Ashley and Shep. I told you they were driving through.

G: Yes, I know that. But The Hubbs? I thought you went to see a band or something,

Me: No, his name is The Hubbs. I never call him Shep.

G: OK... do you ever call people by their real names?

Me: No. Why would I do that?

Examples:

My sisters: Kae and Mana

- Mana hates this. Kae lets me do whatever I want -

Roommate

S

G or Boyfriend

- I do refer to him as German sometimes. But he's still newish. - 

So there you go. When I assign people highly important roles in my life, they get nicknames... never again to be known by their actual names. It's a quirk. I have lots of them. 

Hello Again!

I didn't disappear, I swear. Only from the blog. Here is exactly what happened:
I got so busy living my life I just stopped taking the time to write about it. 

It's a good thing to have happen, really. A very good thing. But I've missed blogging. So here I am, trying to get back to it.

A few updates:

Being in your 30s is AWESOME! 

Seriously, it is. I love it. A switch really does flip in your brain and you care less- about looking perfect, acting perfect, living the perfect life. You sit back and just enjoy more. Sure, you want more. You still strive. But it's easier; more care free. I highly suggest skipping 29 and going straight to 30.

This is NOT old!

So not old. Not even a little bit. Everyone giggled at us when I first relocated to Texas and said we'd get used to having each other there all the time. Nope- not true. People are still giggling at us, but because we are still completely, ridiculously happy together and they just don't know what else to do. We still love going to the grocery together, we still love going for walks, we still talk at least 3 times a day regardless of whether or not we see each other, we still drive her husband crazy. It doesn't get old, people! Move to live with your best friend now.

This happened!

That, ladies and gentlemen, is a boyfriend! A real, live boyfriend. You never thought you'd see the day did you? Me either. But he just followed me home one night. Seriously. That's how it happened. His name is German (Her-Mon), he's Colombian (sexy, I know) and he's adorable. :)

This is gone...

No, I really am not OK. I'm better, but not OK. I miss her desperately! But her hip gave out completely and there was no chance of her walking again. So, as much as it killed me, I let her go. It was the right thing- but it was awful. It's been almost five months and I still cry, I still reach for her. She's buried at home in Florida under the same tree where my horse is buried. And yes, I buried her with a tennis ball. 

It's almost football season!

Not technically an update, but very pertinent information none the less! 39 days, people. 39 days until LSU kicks off the 2013 season. I...AM...READY!

Being an Aunt is still completely amazing!

It truly is. My friend Sally said to me the other day (about her nephew), "I never knew I could love someone so much." That explains it perfectly. I had no idea that my heart could contain so much love and joy surrounding four little people. Holy Moly- they are awesome! 

Louisiana Warrior Dash

I am so awesome, people!

Seriously. I don't even know how to tell you how awesome I truly am.

I did the Louisiana Warrior Dash with Niki and her family. And I was pretty sure I would
#1: die
or
#2: not finish.

But I did neither! I made all of the obstacles, finished in an hour and a half, and LOVED it! I was pretty nervous the week before. See, up until 3 weeks out I had no idea there were obstacles... or fire...or barbed wire... I thought it was a nice, fun, stroll through the mud. And I love mud! Nope- it has 12 obstacles and is described as 3 miles of pure hell on the website. I am a clumsy oaf, folks. I was scared!

And then they send the release form, which informs you that you must have insurance, the obstacles are extremely dangerous, there will be fire, barbed wire and other forms of torture (my words, not theirs), you have to swim through water of unknown sources, there may be harmful plants and bugs... and, of course, they are responsible for nothing that may befall you. It was a good read...

Let's review:
It started off as about a mile of trekking through knee to ankle deep, slippery, sliding, mud or muddy water. That alone was quite an accomplishment. Then there were 12 obstacles and more running (walking in our case) through sand and mud:

Capsized Catamaran:
We had to jump into muddy water, swim up to, and climb on some floating plastic "stuff". Then you balance your way across and climb down.

Teetering Traverse:
This was my first big challenge. It was a (muddy) balance beam about 8 feet off the ground. Sounds easy, but I am afraid of heights. Almost barfed, but I made it. This nice girl named Kathryn held my hand. :)

Trenches:
A crawl through a dug-out trench with barbed wire. The bad part was you were crawling over pebbles. My knees have scars to prove it!

These nice people got hay to crawl on!

Warrior Wall:

I dreaded this all week! I have zero upper body strength and I am petrified of climbing and heights. But I wanted to at least try. The guy in front of me saw me quaking in fear and told me to use my arms only to hold on, and push myself up with my legs. I made it!! I was ridiculously proud and Niki and I hugged and jumped in circles after we both made it. 

The little "steps" are not even half an inch deep! And our wall was taller than this. 

Storming Normandy:

This was more under barbed-wire and net crawling. 

Barricade Breakdown:

This obstacle was under/over hurdles. Which doesn't sounds too hard until you remember you have been going for a while and your legs really don't want to push you over!

Hard Rain:

A wall to climb up with water pouring down on you the entire way. The worst part for me was having to jump 10 feet down on the other side. I almost crawled back down and walked around.

Tipsy Tightrope:

This is two ropes, one about your head and one under your feet. You have to shimmy along the rope to the other side. 

Cargo Climb:

This one was fun! Climb up, over and down a cargo net. There was a camera projecting to the finish and waiting area so I took the opportunity to wiggle my mud covered booty at everyone!

Junkyard Jump:

Run through tires and climb over junk heap cars. This is pretty fun because, really, when else do you get to jump up and down on the top of a car?

Warrior Roast:

Poor Niki almost didn't go for this one- you jump over fire. We held hands and screamed the entire way. Luckily, there were photographers at this one so I'll be sure to post those lovely shots when available. 

Muddy Mayhem:

You have to scramble/swim through muddy water under even more barbed wire. These people loved their barbed wire. 

This is our post race victory photo!

The Pink Warriors: Niki, Ashley, Mama Ruth and Staci (team captain)

I have never done any kind of a race (and seeing as I hate running, I don't plan to)- but this was an absolute ball! It's a great thing to do with friends and go it together for some laughs. I was a little sore the next day, and I think it was three showers later before I got all of the mud, leaves and grass off- but it was completely worth it! 

As one lady behind us commented: "This is just an excuse for adults to play in the mud."

Yep! 

It's All About the Value

Niki and I were on an ice cream date Wednesday having a very serious discussion about relationships. DQ is where we do all of our serious talking... DQ, the kitchen, the trails in The Woodlands, the kitchen table... Anyway, we were talking about romantic relationships and friendships- all of it. She just lost a close friend to some misunderstandings and as I am single, we regularly discuss romantic relationships and what I want, etc. We always go back to this thing we learned in college: Value. Value is critical in any relationship.

When we were talking about losing a friendship and how often, other friendships don't work like ours does I told her I thought it might be because we both truly value friendship. Niki's practically my soul-mate, but aside from that, I also hold my other friends close. Because they are valuable to me. They add things to my life that I would not have otherwise and each of them is vital to me.

In a marriage, value is necessary. To be happy, to be the right match, for it to really work- a couple needs to truly value each other. Are you with them for a reason? Do they add something to your life?

Guys- remember that you must demand to be valued. And you must value in return. Make sure people add to your life- because it is about you too. Love, whether it be in friendship or romantic, is a two way street. Be sure to require that you are valued.

This is How You Know

Niki and I comment regularly on how people just don't GET it. It seems like there are very few other women out there who have as great of a friend as we have in each other (or at least I have in her). I hear people call someone their "best friend" and then tell stories that make me put my head in my hands... people, she just may not be your best friend!

At least once a day I make a comment along the lines of, "You know it's your best friend when..." So I have compiled this list for all of you to reference. If these aren't true, you need a new best friend.

You know she's your best friend when...

... You move into your new apartment sight unseen because she picked it out. You have no qualms about this.
... If you don't talk to her for two days, you're pretty sure it's really been two weeks. Also, you both start telling each other stories you already know because of this, some of which you were actually present for. I think this may be called separation anxiety.
... You do each others grocery shopping.
... You don't even like babies until she gets pregnant. You are instantly obsessed and begin purchasing all the Auntie paraphernalia you can find.
... People automatically assume you're lovers, not just friends, because of the way your lives are so intertwined.
... You steal a banana from her house only to drive it around all day in your car and return it to her house.
... When her husband proposes to her he informs you not to worry, he knows you are a package deal.
... Your other friends assume you actually live with her and her family.
... When she's tired of telling her kids the same thing over and over, you automatically pick up the line so she can have a break.
... She lets you put her kids in time out.
... She lets you steal her children when you want to and has no problems with you pretending they are your own.
... Your dog isn't even sure if you live at her house or in your apartment.
... When your GPS breaks, she drives you into Houston because she knows you'll never make it by yourself.
... She is absolutely and completely opposed to mud, but she lets you create it in her back yard anyway.
... She holds your hand in church.
... You voluntarily change her children's poopy diaper. (This may also signify insanity)
... You have been together all day, but when separated you pick up the phone, call, and have a 41 minute conversation.
... "I talked to my mom," is all the explanation she needs in multiple situations.
... Her kids assume you are their third parent.
... You are really and truly obsessed with her, as she is with you.
... She knows what you are about to do in any given situation and stops you or urges you on before you begin doing anything.
... You have never, in 11 years, once complained about her to anyone (seriously).

There are hundreds more. I'll start keeping a running list for you. But really, I know what a best friend is and not many people really have one. So if you need to know whether to keep looking, just ask.

My Little Flashers

As an Auntie, you hope to make an impression on your nieces and nephews. You want so much to be a part of their lives and teach them things. You want to leave them with something.

Well, today I find I may have overdone things. Niki sent me a message this morning after letting the kids decorate their Mardi Gras trees for their rooms. She went to take their picture and asked for smiles and "cheeses." Instead she got this.

They pulled up their shirts and flashed her. Unprompted. I mean- check out Lorlelei. That is a straight up, "Throw Me something Mister!!" pose if I ever saw one. 

Niki and Jade are pretty low key. And Niki would never in her life flash anyone (except maybe Jade on occasion) for beads. There is no way they learned this from their parents. And so, it makes me wonder... Am I really just the Auntie? Or are they actually MY children???

4th of July - Take 1

Of course, when I got to the airport to catch my 8:30 flight Friday night it was delayed until 11:15! Can I tell you why? They didn't have a stewardess! Both pilots were ready to go, but no stewardess. Look- it's an hour and 15 minute flight. I can do without my beverage- just get me out.

Luckily, I have the greatest best friend alive (seriously, Katie calls her Niki-Jesus) who came and picked me up for the 2 hours before my flight. Nathan wanted ice cream, but there is a surprising lack of food around Bush Intercontinental. So here is where we ended up:

Yes, we gave a 3 year old ice cream and lemonade at 9:30pm.

R2D2 Drawing. Nathan is obsessed with Star Wars.

Ice cream and fried cheese. Disregard Nate's face.

My cutie nephew

Mmmm. Nasty breakfast food at night! And coffee, seeing as my flight wasn't scheduled to arrive in P'cola until 1am.

Eventually I did get on the plane and we landed at midnight. I was greeted by my Daddy, Amanda, Lucas, 2 chihuahuas and Krispy Kreme Donuts. 

Hamlin Family pics tomorrow!

Time Management is Hard!

Lately, I've been totally stressing about fitting everything in. It is HARD, folks! I have to keep up some ruse of an exercise routine because of my hormonies, my sweetie puppy girl is perfect all day wile I work and must get out to exercise, work takes up TOO MUCH TIME, I need to eat healthy which takes some type of preparation and not a drive through window, I haven't been reading as much (until I picked up Unbroken) and I miss books, I need to get out and network and make new Texas-type friends, I don't want to be alone forever... and did I mention work takes up too much time? All of this is weighing on me while the truth of the situation is that I really just want to spend my time with my BFF and her two kids because I am obsessed with them (in a good way).

I can not fit it all in. If I keep up the work-out routine I did in P'cola I come home, work out (leaving my dog alone again), take Van for a swim, eat something quickly, shower, got to bed. Did you see anything fun in there - because I did not.

After much stress, prayer, and self berating I decided to make some priorities.

#1 is a tie between The Kickels and Van. (Don't judge. My dog is my child)

#2 is exercise for the sole reason that it keeps my hormones balanced. If it didn't I would ditch it.

#3 Is work. It kinda has to be a priority because it pays the bills

#4 Reading (I heart books, OK??)

I have condensed my workout. I don't need to be buff- I just need to be me. Time with Van and Niki keep me balanced and happy and was the purpose of packing up my life and moving to Texas. Though I would one day like to work part time or from home and have horses and cows and pigs and chickens and a duck- for now work is an office and a desk and a necessity so I may as well not fight it. I've been spending more time reading and it really does make a difference for me and my mental state.

It ain't perfect, but it's working.

Am I the only one? How do you guys balance things?

Birthday Take 2 + Fashion!

Friday night Jade kept the kids so Niki and I could go out and have a girl's night. LOVE HIM!! We shopped on Market Street and had tapas for dinner. It was awesome to be together, just the two of us. And the food was delish.

Niki and her sangria. I'm sorry- is she note perfection?

Katie and I were talking about her on Friday and Katie informed me that Niki was completely perfect- Niki and Jesus. We got a good laugh out of it- but the general consensus is that Niki is, actually, perfect. 

I had champagne since it was my b-day! Mmmmmmm

Hot pink limo! Uh, hello!

Goat cheese over fresh tomato topped with figs. Oh so yummy!

Hehehehehe. Oops!

OK, can we take a moment to talk about this outfit? I have been dying to wear this skirt, but haven't been brave enough. I didn't think I was quite stylish enough and the tops I kept trying it on with didn't seems right. But then I found this one in my closet and decided to try it out. I was so proud of me! Loved it!!

Top: Banana Republic

Skirt: $3 from the Goodwill

Necklace: B-day prize from My AC!!

A Day of Blessings

Birthday Party, Take 1

So the deal is- for the past three years I have had to fly to Texas to spend my birthday with my best friend. This year I was already here! So Niki , the kids and I had a little party after work. It was a ball! There is nothing like celebrating with a three year old to make it really, REALLY feel like your birthday.

Best Friend Ever Reason #1: Niki sprayed Nate's hair with Lime green & glitter. It was completely and utterly awesome!

Purple & Lime Green cake. These are the colors of mine and Niki's room in the sorority house senior year. 

Being the amazing Auntie I am, I just let Nathan dig in.

Cake face!

There's not many things as cute as babies eating cake.

Best Friend Ever Reason #2: She took me to Coldstone to have ice cream for dinner.

Birthday Cake Remix

Birthday girl!!!

Best Friend Ever Reason #3: She also bought Coldstone ice cream for Van, as in her very OWN ice cream.

People inside the store: She's feeding her dog her ice cream!

Niki" Oh no, that's HER OWN ice cream! 

It was a completely great day! I am so completely in my bliss here. 

Tonight Jade is keeping the kids and Niki and I are hitting the town for tapas! Then Monday is indoor bouncy castle fun. Can't wait!

Texas Bluebonnets

Niki and I took the kids to see the Bluebonnets last night. It was incredibly beautiful, and a great afternoon! Sunny, 70 degrees, my kids, my Roommate, Van Geaux. I even brought Little Brown Noser, but she totally hated it. Note to self: she is an indoor hedgehog!

I had the hardest time choosing photos! I literally just has 60+ printed at CVS. But here's a few collages.

How amazing is my sweet Vannie G?

I don't even know what to do with how cute Niki and her kids are!!

The entire afternoon truly gave new meaning to God, "clothing the fields of grass." Wow! Post photo shoot, Nate played on the playground and Lorelei and I played in the grass. Van did this:

Can you believe my dog? I don't know one of those kids! They were riding by on bikes, stopped, dumped the bikes, and ran over to cuddle Van. This happens to her everywhere we go. Seriously. She's a ham! 

Hope your Thursday was as amazing as mine! 

A Big Change

Alright everyone... it's finally happened! I'm moving to Texas.

How exciting is that? It's over 2 years in the making. Niki and I had this life plan in college where we would live in the same town and have families together. Obviously we got off track for a while there. But seeing as we have remained "Roommates" (BFF) we stuck to our dream. And since she has the kids, and I never intended to settle in P-cola in the first place, I am the one getting to move.

Although, in all fairness to her, she's doing a lot of the work for me.And she's been putting me up for a year during interview trips and giving me her car. And she drove me around for 4 hours last weekend apartment searching. In the end I got totally overwhelmed and quit and she totally found my new apartment and booked it!

So I have turned in my notice to the DIB, driven AC, Roommate, S, and my poor little Mommy insane with my panic attacks, and started packing. Kind of.

Truth be told, I am scared out of my mind. Really, truly scared. It's overshadowing the excitement. I am packing up a safe, sound (and fairly lucrative) life and moving it to the land of uncertainty. But guess what- I don't like this safe little life!! So off I go.

PLEASE feel free to provide moving tips of any type!

PS- I will not be becoming a true Texan any time soon. I am a Louisiana girl at heart and a Florida beach bum second.