General musings on the ups and downs and ins and outs in the life of a 30 something, unmarried, life loving, some times interesting and sometimes not, mostly happy girl just trying to figure it all out!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

You're Welcome

I usually don't listen to celebrity gossip or even pay attention to it because, to be honest, I don't care. But this morning on the radio I heard chatter about this little piece of body art and felt the incredible urge to comment:
Eva Longoria-no-longer-Parker is divorcing her husband and now has to have the wedding date she had TATTOOED ON HER BODY removed. That just sucks. I mean, can we say insult added to injury here??

Second thought I had:
Umm, he really isn't that good looking! He actually looks kinda evil here, which apparently he is.

Third thought:
If a man can cheat on THIS, the rest of us don't stand a chance.

Lessons to be learned:
1. Ladies, don't ever, ever, EVER tattoo a man's name or anything representing him on your body. It's just not classy (Sorry, Eva) and it's not a good idea.

2. Don't marry a man who is not as cute as you. (OK, you can ignore this one if you want to- just a thought...)

3. I mean this one: Do not marry a man that can't handle it when you succeed and do well. Because we all know that the real issue here was that she was more successful and more popular than he was. When did he ever make the news outside of ESPN before he started dating her? He didn't. He cheated because he needed to prove to himself (and a certain member of his body) that he was big and bad and all that jazz.

Choose wisely, girls. You deserve better than this. Eva deserves better than this.
And don't marry a celebrity- it's just not good odds.
And don't tattoo things about men on your body. I don't care how perfect he is, he does not warrant permanent ink marring your beautiful body.

You're Welcome

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Words to "Enjoy Yourself" by...

I stole this quote from Enjoy Yourself, a blog I am now following religiously. Because who doesn't need to be reminded to enjoy yourself and live the life you want to??


D's (actually, Mark Kelley's) words to live by for 1/11/11 (which HAS to be lucky somehow, right??):


"Do not waste your life, because life is there-all you have to do is reach out and embrace it. Anything is possible. Whatever your dream is, make it happen. Have courage. Start today. You will be amazed what life will give you in return for a little bit of courage.
Courage is a choice.
Be certain of one thing: The measure of your life will be the measure of your courage."

And guess what? I'm working on it!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Monday Book Review

Since I am an avid reader that feels insecure if I don't have a book with me at nearly every moment- I decided to start doing a book review post. Because, really, I like talking about books. So it's selfish.

In addition, I took a recent book rec from Kendall and read one of the best books I have ever come across. So maybe this will help you find a great read. And if you have comments, dislike my take on the book, or want to recommended something for me to read- bring it on!

A Little Bit Wicked

I have actually been wanting to read A Little Bit Wicked for a while now, just because the cover pic of the author was so cute (what? This is how I buy wine too, OK?) and because my friend Shannon is a stage actress, so I was kinda fascinated by the lifestyle. About two weeks ago I found it on the bargain table at Books-a-Million for $6 (no clue why) and grabbed it.I was nearly half way through it the first time I put it down, and would have finished it immediately if I hadn't had to be at work early on Friday. I am almost finished, but not quite. So I probably shouldn't write a review. But this is my blog- so whatever.

The book is an autobiography of, and by, Kristin Chenoweth, a Broadway actress from Oklahoma that has also made it to the TV screen. She writes in a fully honest, and even self defecating at times, style. She's open about her adoption, life, emotions, assets, strengths, AND faults.

But what I think struck me the most was her openness about her Christianity and how it guides and effects her career and life. It's beautiful to read about a strong Christian working up the entertainment ladder and remaining truly human while relateable in her faith.

Kristin is also remarkable hilarious with her Southernisms, which I find completely endearing.

One of my favorite excerpts thus far:
(In conversation with a particularly irritable and evil flight attendant -aka- Turtle Lips):
Kristin: Your name, please
Turtle Lips: Why?
Kristin: I'd like to pray for you
Turtle Lips: I don't need your prayers
Kristin: Oh, honey, we all need prayers. And I am fixin' to talk to God about you specifically.

Though many of the stage-references go straight over my head- I am captivated by honestly told stories of rescuing a ballet as a bunny, grappling with loss, cohabiting with co-actors, failure, pageants, coming to terms with a gay bff, and family. The book is beautifully written, honest, and funny.

I highly recommended- read up!!!

On the other hand- I recently tried reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog- which was on the NYT best seller list for over a year. I just could not get into it. I hated it. I put it down. Something about a nine year old kid that thinks she's such a genius she needs to commit suicide and a miserable concierge just didn't resonate with me.

Should I keep reading? Did I miss the point? Guide me here.

Friday, January 7, 2011

What I Want to Wear This Weekend

In case you're lost in space and didn't know: Tonight is the Cotton Bowl and LSU plays Texas A&M. Obviously, I'm a huge football fan- LSU, specifically. So here's what I want to wear this weekend:

I think I was at this game!!

Love the hood.

I'm not even sure what this is!

Holy crap- SERIOUSLY??? OK, I don't think I could pull this one off! Only at LSU...

I'm actually going to wear this with a purple wrap. But it seems kinda boring now...




Thursday, January 6, 2011

What life is about

A few pics of my New Years trip.
I almost didn't come home. When Niki dropped me off at the airport Nathan burst into tears and cried, "Auntie, please don't leave me!"
It was heartbreaking.

Teaching a 3 year old about fireworks!!

I love sparklers

Niki and I had much more fun with the sparklers than Nathan

No explanation needed

My Roommate & my Roommate-in-Law
(When they got engaged, he told me not to worry because he knew Niki and I were a package deal)

Niki double fisting- a one in a lifetime photo!!

This is Niki's friend Kim's baby boy and I think his face is so priceless

Lorelei's New Year bling. Don't you love it???

Wrapping up our evening. Jade and I were quite happy at this point!

At the park a few days later

Once again, I am having more fun than the kid

The sweetest face. How could I leave him??

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

In this house...

I love this idea!


Saw this on Loving Fast (fave new blog!) and I just had to repost. What an amazing idea!
I will definitely have this in my next place, even if I have to figure out a way to do it framed somehow. 

I'm thinking something like this:
In this house...
Van Geaux is Queen.
Wine is a Must.
We read great books.
We love dog kisses.
We go to bed early.
We sleep in.
We believe in angels and fairies.
We play a lot. 
We love Margaritas.
We believe in love above all else.

Your turn!!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Rip-Van-Ashley

I seem to have decided to start my New Year off well rested. Borrowing my MO from Rip-Van-Winkle, after sleeping until almost 10 on New Years Day I proceeded to take three naps. It was glorious.

Starting of 2011 with the best this world has to offer- and praying for a continuance!

The new year also marks a full yearI have managed to make it through without this sweet face. Last year at this time we were heading home from Louisiana and Gran's funeral. It was an incredibly rough way to start the year and we have all felt the loss daily.
Here's a little prayer hoping we all move a little farther past our grief in 2011 and learn to treasure our memories with joy.

All About Ashley

My photo
Spring, TX, Southern, United States
Playing with and keeping up with my nephew and niece take up a lot of my time. Van Geaux takes up the rest of it. Work is an afterthought most days! I like to be outside- but not when it's too hot. I get bored at my desk all day. Niki keeps my world spinning and without her and AC I'd lose it. My work ethic crashes at 4 p.m. daily and I live my sweet puppy and my hedgehog whenever I am not at Niki's. I truly believe naps are quality pass-time events, and sometimes I say bad words at work. I'm pretty sure I'm insane on multiple levels and I believe rules don't apply to me.
It seems that my life is quite entertaining. I didn't realize this myself, but was informed of it by my friends- who are rather entertained by tales of my life occurrences.

I'm far from a professional writer. These are just stories, comments, and other items for simple amusement. Hopefully it's a fun read, as Shannon plans to edit it into a book one day! Maybe we'll become famous, and maybe we'll just have some good laughs at my expense (and some other characters in my life). Either way, happy reading!