she's a pretty girl: August 2010

Have you ever had one of those days where something was almost perfect...but not quite? It almost made sense...but not quite. You almost had a perfect day at work...but not quite. You almost paid all your bills on time...but not quite. You almost didn't get in an argument with anyone today...but not quite.

Or....maybe you're one of those where everything seems to go wrong. You have a perfect driving record but it's the guy behind you that rams you, pushing you into the car in front and beside you, then drives off. You had time to pick up Stabucks for you and your coworkers but because of the jerk behind you is now covered all over your new pants, in the floorboard of your newly washed car and of course you have a presentation that morning at work...but you left your cell phone at home. And all you can do is throw your hands up in the air and scream (maybe with a few expletives) "MAN...story of my life?!?!?!?!"

Anyone? Sorry if I have brought up any hidden memories...

Well...I do have days like both of these...sometimes months long...the other night was one such night...but it fell in the almost perfect night...

Last saturday the girls and I went out to celebrate Allyson's birthday in Dallas (Happy Brithday Joe!!!! - sorry that's my nickname for her, don't ask me why, just is). Ally likes to celebrate month long fiestas so we were kicking b-day weekend off right by doing some shopping at the lovely Northpark Mall and then grabbing dinner.

After a most enjoyable day at the mall and hitting one of my all time fav stores...MAC...(where you get to play in makeup for hours and of course play guess the sex of the makeup artist. Not gonna lie...always a blast. And after several years in the makeup industry I usually win...) we headed over to The Cheesecake Factory.

While waiting for a table we hung out in the bar area where you not only get to watch the baseball game but do some entertaining people-watching. We like to play 1st date or last date...anyone else enjoy that?! So much fun!!!!

Finally a table opens up and we make a run for it. We throw our purses down and start climbing in our chairs when the guy at the table next to ours leans over and says, "Ummm...you know this table is taken right?!" I'm like, "What?!?!" (not a patient person in general but lack of food makes it worse) He says back..."Just kidding!" and we all laughed. A few minutes later he leans over and asks for contact solution. Random...or pick up line??? Wait and see...

Throughout the entire night we totally hit it off with this table of guys. There were three of us and three of them...perfect right?! Wait and see...

They kept chatting with us all night...they drank their fruity froo-froo drinks dressed in all white (not even exaggerating) while we enjoyed our sweet tea and red velvet cheesecake lookin mighty hott in our cute dresses (again...not even exaggerating). We cheered for the Rangers while they took pictures of themselves and giggled...

They busted a move when Last Dance came on while we...who am I kidding...while we busted a move too!

Anyone seeing a pattern here????

Yep...all three played for the other team...and I don't mean the Boston Red Sox!!!! Apparently girls night out was a common theme that night...

I'm tellin ya...it was soooo close...would have been perfect...right?!?! But nope...story of our lives. However it didn't stop us from having a good time with them. We had an impromptu dance and picture party and somewhere floating around out there are pictures of us...altho we're pretty sure they took our picture only to pick our outfits a part when they got in the car. :)

Someday it won't be an almost...it just will be...

Oh my goodness…where did summer go?!?! I feel horrible that the last time I actually blogged was almost 2 months ago. I don’t know about you, but July just about did me in. August hasn’t been so grand either, but I feel that my head is at least staying above water regularly. And I have officially decided that I am over 100 degree heat. I’m ready for fall. I thought I would at least like to be in a swimsuit this summer, but nope, no way. I’m ready for cooler weather (in Texas that means I’ll be quite happy to see 80), pumpkin spice lattes, running outside without feeling the need to pass out in my neighbor’s yard, seeing the leaves change colors for a day…green to brown—you know Texas Fall. :)

To give you a recap, back at the beginning of July, I did something some might say is a little out of character for me…when in all actuality, if you know me at all, it’s most definitely me. Let me go ahead and forewarn you the pictures below aren’t very pretty…but very much a “she’s a pretty girl” moment.

So back at the beginning of July, I went to my church’s Jr. High camp with my roomies. Britt, being in charge, was already down there, so my sis and I headed down Friday night after work. I guess I should say up since it’s Oklahoma—never do get that right! Unfortunately, on the ride up, I wasn’t feeling the best, so I was kind of on the blah side most of camp. By around Sunday night I started feeling back to myself, but was bummed because I hadn’t really had a chance to bond with the kids, or experience any of the game time with them. What to do…what to do…

Monday afternoon I’m sitting in the lodge with the other staff members enjoying some chips and salsa, when our Jr. High pastor and his intern start talking about the “Gallon Challenge.” For those that aren’t aware, this is where you chug a gallon of milk in an hour. It’s virtually impossible to do without it making a magical reappearance…if you know what I mean.

Anyways, Marshall (intern) has already nominated himself and they are trying to figure out who would do it against him. Keith (Jr. High pastor) nonchalantly asks me, “Hey Ash…wanna do it?” (insert laughter as a “yeah right” from all the other parties). As I’m stuffing my face, “Sure.” “WHAT?!?! Are you serious?!?!” “Why not?” “You do know you’ll throw up, right?” “Yep…kinda regretting the chips and salsa right now, but hey…why not…just let me change clothes.” After getting over his shock and verifying over and over again that I was serious, we move forward with the challenge.

My sister, who has learned not to be surprised over these kind of things says, “First of all, you have never been more like your father in this moment (my dad was a youth minister and has been known to do quite a few things for shock factor) and second of all, I have never been more proud of you in my life.” I told you my family was a bit sick and twisted.

After changing clothes, I go outside for the challenge, and there are like 10 kids. I tell Keith, “You had better get a bigger crowd than that because yes, I’ll do it, but there ain’t no way I’m doing it without a crowd…because throwing up for the sake of throwing up…nope…ain’t happenin’.”

They gather a crowd and on the count of three the challenge begins. I should probably tell you at this point, I’m lactose intolerant. Yep, not my smartest move…but there’s something in me that just can’t turn down a good challenge…especially against a boy. Underneath all this class and style is still the tomboy that played soccer with the boys, caught salamanders in the gutter, climbed trees and went fishing. At one point, when I was about 10, covered in mud with band aids all over my legs my dad just rolled his eyes and said in exasperation, “You’re never going to be able to wear a skirt again, your legs are going to be scarred for life!” Naw…I turned out quite fine, and can still rock a mini :)

Oh, and yes, I did beat the boy.

The responses I received after it was all said and done included:

• “OMG…that’s disgusting!”
• “I have never had more respect for you in my life!”
• “I am so proud of you!”
• “You do know people on Facebook will see this, right?”
• “And you’re single, why?”
• “I am so in love with you right now.”
• “I have never seen someone throw up with so much class.”

Why you ask would I do something like that? Well…shock factor mostly, nobody expects a classy, 30 year old, 5 foot 3, 100 and something pound woman to do something like that (little did they know I’ve won my fair share of burping contests). Second of all, makes a great experience for the kids…teaches them to not take life so seriously, to get out there and take risks…and more importantly…LAUGH AT YOURSELF!!! And wouldn’t we all like to go back and repeat Jr. High with this knowledge? Ok, maybe not. I just broke out in hives thinking about going back.

Go take some risks this week…and more importantly, when you trip and fall, dribble a little water down your chin, shoot coffee out your nose or enter yourself in a Gallon Challenge…be sure and laugh at yourself! : )

WARNING…pictures and video might cause nausea...