Adios Kiddos!

I DID IT!

Finished my last day in Kiddy-Land today. Just in case you're in the dark...the last 6 months I've been working as a Speech-Language Pathologist at a Pediatric Clinic. Really it was quite a humbling experience and I learned a lot about myself. Most of the kids were amazing and I hope to remember their wise words forever...so I'm keeping track of them here!

My favorite kids really made my final week quite special.

A: It's my last day so you better work hard mister.

L: O you didn't hear? They closed Texas. I'm surprised they didn't e-mail you.

(then he proceeded to cast spells that glued me to the floor)

---

J: I'm just going to chain you to the chair. Then you can't leave and you have to see me.

A: How will I eat?

J: I'll bring you cereal once a day. Maybe twice. But you have to pay for it. I don't have much allowance money.

And other notable quotes...

A: Okay scoot back.

K: Douche Bag

A: What?!? Say "scoot back" again.

K: Douche Bag

The following week...

K: Douche Bag A**hole

A: I don't think you're saying scoot back anymore

---

A: What do you want to be when you grow up?

S: I want a big house, with a big t.v., and a sexy girlfriend.

A: S don't use that word. How will you afford this?

S: I'm going to create a show thats kid friendly during the day and sexy at night.

(then followed it with making his fingers kiss)

---

A: J you're a boy and I'm ______

J: My girlfriend!

A: No I'm a girl.

J: NO! YOU'RE MY GIRLFRIEND!

(then kissed me on the knee)

---

I will miss those crazy kids!

Out of Hiding

I've had 6 wonderful months spent at home with my absolutely super-fantastic parents. Contrary to everyone's beliefs - living with your parents as an adult is the bomb. I LOVED it and am pretty sure the only thing encouraging me to move out now is the prospect that I will end up 45 and single with many many cats lingering around the house. I mean that could totally still happen...but at least not in my rent's house. The one and only downside is that I completely reverted back to a teenager. I somehow forgot how to clean my room, do my laundry in a timely manner, accomplish anything after work or clean house...ever. I'm typically a very clean and neat person, but somehow that trait vanished the moment I moved back in the house. No rent, dinner on the table when I get home, not having to wake up early to take my puppy out (thanks Timmy), always having company, having someone take care of me when I'm sick....wait....do I really want to move out?!?

In one week I will be starting an incredibly exciting new chapter - at a new job, in a new city, in a new state. I'm not scared...yet, but just overwhelmed with excitement. My parents have been so supportive of this, which has made this such an easy decision. I have fought this next part long enough....years even...I'm officially going to be a....be a....be a....Texan. That hurt a little bit. I have flip-flopped between these 2 wonderful states quite a bit - grew up in Oklahoma, undergrad in Texas, grad school in Oklahoma, fellowship in Texas, next job in Oklahoma, and now back to Texas. Seriously...do I have commitment issues or something?!? Very possible. I'm very serious about setting down some roots this time...so serious I'm actually going to get a Texas drivers license! Woah I know I'm getting a little crazy here. One step at a time Ash.

So I have started this blog back up for my dear sweet momma so she can keep her eye on me. I love her very much and am so thankful she's allowed me to this 6 months to spend a crazy amount of time with her. First time we've lived together in 8 years and we didn't miss a beat. And mom - distance doesn't change a thing. We'll still be best friends :) And you are always more than welcome to come visit me when I'm ill...or want to shop...or you just miss me :)

Hey there Big City...Here I Come!!!

Week(s) in Review

There has been so much going on since I moved home and almost all of it has been great fun.

First up - Bachelorette party for Audra! Clearly Al and I were super excited. So excited we had to give a "thumbs up" pic.

Then...

On my way to the rehearsal dinner a sweet little old lady ran into me. She thought she hit a curb so she drove off. Really?!? I mean REALLY?!? Does that look like she hit a curb? Yeah didn't think so. Don't worry...I chased her down. Maybe it's time for her to stop driving.

The best part is she called me a few days later all mad because the officer gave her a "unsafe lane change" ticket. She was shocked. She said "How was it unsafe?!? I had on my blinker!"

Lady you RAN INTO ME! That would be the "unsafe" part.

Then....it was time for Audra's beautiful wedding! What was my favorite part?!? Glad you asked. It was the ice cream truck that kept driving around with it's music on. I think it gave the wedding a certain something that no other wedding can now compete with.

Took the plunge and got highlights again! I know...you're squealing with excitement!

Went to an AMAZING concert...

Taddy Porter.

You should probably be a fan of them.

Just sayin.

Yeah thats a fully grown man in a leotard. It's time for LUCHAPALOOZA!

Not gonna lie...it was super weird. I thought "Hey its a festival..thats gotta be great, right?!?" WRONG. Country Music and Mexican wrestling...now why did I think this was a good idea?

It's time for the Tulsa State Fair!

I haven't been in years. I forgot how ginormous the fair was...and how stinky people can get. Highlight....Red Velvet Funnel Cakes with Icing. Mmmmmm....Mmmmmm...Good!

A little enjoyment for you (but mostly for my mom and I).

HAPPY OCTOBER!!!

I'm Back!

So I've returned to my wonderful hometown...

I never thought I would miss Tulsa as much as I did. It's a wonderful place and it is home. It's great to be back around friends and family and just in time for Fall! The weather has been amazing ever since I came home. We have been blessed with storms and crisp, Fall weather. Add a Pumpkin Spice Latte and I am good to go!

I already miss Amarillo and the hospital. I have to get back into the medical setting! I'm going a little crazy...and it's been only 3 weeks. I'm currently a speech pathologist at a pediatric private practice in Owasso and the kids are great, but I really really miss my adults! I miss being able to work with pediatrics and adults - inpatients and outpatients. You can NEVER EVER be bored with all that going on!

I have made one goal since moving home (this is the millionth time I've set this goal)...to learn how to cook! I know, I know...you're thinking this is an impossible feat and you might be right. But so far so good. I immediately went out and purchased a REAL cook book!

And I'm obsessed with her. 60% because she is from Oklahoma, 40% because she is straight up the bomb. I'm only on week #2 of cooking but I'm 2 for 2 right now. Pretty sure the rents wouldn't tell me if it was bad. They don't want to deter me from this challenge!

Week #1:

Chicken Spaghetti

This dish is the super amazing and it gets better as you re-heat it. Pretty sure my step dad lived off of it for a few days...but that must mean its good, right?!?

Apple Tart

(Mine was not nearly this pretty, but it was sure delicious!)

I actually hate cooked apples. Well...I thought I did, until I had this. O my it is wonderful. And nutritious...well kinda. Come on it has apples in it!

Week #2

Cowboy Calzone

(Not gonna lie...I bought Pillsbury pizza crust. Don't judge me.)

This was great and for some reasons my calzones were ginormous (yes thats a word). This was great for dinner, but even better for breakfast! It's like super awesome sausage roles.

Hopefully this week I'll be 3 for 3!

One Side Note:

How about those Bears?!? Ranked 15!!!

Sic 'Em!!!

Random Smorgasbord of Sorts

Things I'm lovin at this moment...but hey it could change in a matter of seconds

My Scentsy Scents...O my goodness I'm obsessed.

My favorite scents are boy smells (go ahead and crack the single girl jokes....I can take it!).

Here are my top favs:

1. My Dear Watson

2. Simply Irresistible

*And I love this adorable warmer

My sweet friend Christie has opened my world to God's gift to organizationally psychotic people. The MAC 15-set palate. O my goodness gracious it's the best thing ever. I have officially filled up 2 palates and working on a 3rd. And they're only $10 at MAC stores. Now you can't get them from the MACs inside of Dillards. I know, bummer right?

And if you drop it....then...okay just don't drop it. I can't bare tell you what happens.

It's horrific.

For Easter I made my mom a Creepy C.D. b/c we both LOVE eerie songs.

Here are some of the best songs:

1. Hawaii by Meiko

2. Strange & Beautiful by Aqualung

3. The Funeral by Band of Horses

4. While You Wait for the Others by Grizzly Bear

5. Like a Song by Lenka

6. The Garden by Mirah

7. John Wayne Gacy, Jr. by Sufjan Stevens

8. Secret by The Pierces

9. Three Wishes by The Pierces

10. Grapevine Fires by Death Cab for Cutie

Just read this book and I'm absolutely in LOVE! Go read it. Seriously....go get it right now. You won't regret it. And come on....there is an Elephant in it! Now what could top that?!? You're right....nothing could.

Some recent CDs I've picked up and did not regret:

1. Vices & Virtues by Panic at the Disco

2. The Clarence Greenwood Recordings by Citizen Cope

3. Fate by Dr. Dog

4. Mine is Yours by Cold War Kids

5. 19 by Adele

6. Lungs by Florence & The Machine

7. Supply & Demand by Amos Lee

8. Crash Kings by Crash Kings

9. Miike Snow by Miike Snow

10. Night Train by Keane

Some recent CDs that I don't fancy as much and

I would NOT recommend buying:

1. My Best Friend is You by Kate Nash

2. Ritual by White Lies

3. High Violet by The National

This was just like Oprah's BIG gift give away episode except you didn't get anything.

I'm Thankful For....

So much to be thankful for I thought I would share...

1. Sleep...I love it. I do it often. Lets face it...I'm thankful for it.
2. That my sweet friend Emily Dupuis Powell has made it Full Term without any complications. God is Good!
3. That the Easter Bunny AND Santa still visit me even though I'm 25.
4. That I have 4 parents and they all offered me major HELP during my job search time just so I could relax and pick the job thats right for me without rushing into anything. Thanks rents!
5. Obviously Ruby...you knew that was coming.
6. That God has a plan and the plan is in His hands. Somehow it just takes ALL the worry off your shoulders.
7. Having the BEST best friends a girl could ask for.
8. Laughing...funnest thing ever.
9. Having the boss let me have Friday off so I could get home (Tulsa) sooner...15 minutes after I drove in a horrendous storm hit Tulsa. Thank goodness I just missed it!
10. Crushes...they make life REAL fun even though I'm incredibly awkward around them. For example (and this may or may not have really happened): seeing my crush walking down the hall in the hospital and literally running (yes running) down the hall in the opposite direction so he couldn't tell I was blushing. This also might have happened on more than one occasion. But like I said...this may or may not have happened :)

Still On The Hunt

I'm Back!

I know I fell off the face of the earth for a little while, but fear not I have returned.

Well I made one BIG decision and I honestly feel it was the right one. I decided not to take the job I was considering taking. It just wasn't sitting right with me and I thought that might be God's sign that it was a no-go. Sometimes He has to kick me in the butt to make me listen.

Now what I think I want changes on a daily basis and often times changes a few times within a day. As of now I want to work in a pediatric clinic in Tulsa and I'm really excited about that possibility! I miss Tulsa dearly and thats where my family (well most of them) are. As much as I love the BIG cities with all the excitement that goes on in them, family truly is more important to me. Hey I can always visit those places, right?!? Hopefully one of these days I'll meet a sweet little fella and will have a sweet little family and I want that family to be in Tulsa.

So for now I remain in Amarillo job hunting. Sheesh I hate job hunting. It's the pits. I really will miss Texas when it's time to go, but I'm ready to get back to Tornado filled weather and humidity that melts your face off.

Texas it was nice knowing you.