Hodge Podge

Boy, this season seems to wear this girl out! I tell you...I am going left, right, here, and there and I still feel like I can't get everything done. So instead I have let blogging kinda disappear and I don't like that. Hopefully with one week of work left before a long break I can get back into gear with blogging. *keeping my fingers crossed*

I have lots of little updates in my crazy life! Number one...my class this year has been extremely difficult. I don't know what it is but, I was given a class that had behavior issues and the majority of them being boys was no help. Anyways, I had one little boy (we'll call him B) and he would cuss at me, hit other students, and basically make my life a living hell each day. Last week I was checking attendance and he wasn't there. Whew...a miracle right? So I go to mark him absent in our computer system and he was no longer listed on my roster. Hmm don't get too excited yet! I ran to the office asking about the computer problem and the secretary tells me that he transferred schools and is not longer in my class. Really?!?! She couldn't have been serious! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME! Can I tell you how relieved I am and how much better life has been since he has been gone? Ok, I feel bad just jumping for joy because this poor boy has now been in three schools in less than a year. There is more going on at home with him and I think about him often but, in my defense my class can actually learn now. They are focused now. It was an early gift to me and I could not be more thankful! Whew.
Another update! We have heard from our friends that we met in Antigua. Gosh I miss that place and I miss the fabulous friends we met while we were there. We were lucky enough to get pictures sent to us so, I thought I would share them with you!

Now I need some advice from you guys. I know this post is kinda all over the place...my mind is in a jumble. Do any of you have a friend or maybe even more than one that just feels like they are in constant competition with you? I have been extremely kind to this one girl, ever since she moved here, and I would go out of my way to make sure that she was never bored and never feeling like she had no body here. Recently, a bunch of our girlfriends have all been hanging out a lot and she has gotten more comfortable. She is now purposely betraying my trust by telling these girls things about me and not including me in activities that they plan. She tells them I already told her I didn't want to go, when she didn't ask me in the first place. I am really annoyed because she isn't happy unless she has a boyfriend. By God, if she doesn't have one she throws a pity party for herself and doesn't like to hang out with anyone that is married/has a boyfriend. She is just trying to exclude me from the girls we work with and I am not quite sure how to handle it...honestly I haven't dealt with a girl like this. My best friends (girls I don't work with) don't act like this. What would you do? or what do you already do?
xoxoxo
Ashley

Welcome Home!

As I sit here by the warm fireplace watching CSI: Miami I daydream of walking around in a bathing suit back in Antigua. Ahh the memories. Well, you might have guessed it! Antigua is one of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen. We have been to a few islands within the past couple of years and none of them have been as beautiful as this. We stayed at the St. James's Club. Our resort was approx. 30 minutes from the capital, St. John's. We actually went into St. John's on Saturday morning during the Market. It was a neat experience but also very overwhelming. I have tons of pictures from our trip but, I just included a few of them on this posting. In fact, on Sunday night we went out to a local bar, Shirley Heights, and John and I were having too much fun with our British friends that John dropped and broke the camera. Oops! Let's just say I was not a happy girl! Luckily, we met so many wonderful people that took pictures for us and they promise to email them when they arrive back home!

John and I spent a lot of time on the beach just relaxing and soaking up the rays! It was beautiful weather with not an ounce of rain falling from the sky! We both really enjoyed taking the paddle boats out into the bay area so we could see the views of the island! It was just breathtaking! Here we are on the paddle boat! Behind us is the resort! One of the coolest things about the resort is that is was all wide open. The lobby did not have walls and neither did any of the restaurants. Everything was wide open with the air blowing through. It was so cool! That was one thing that I didn't notice from the website and any of the pictures I had seen before. When we arrived I was so surprised!

Our room was on the Atlantic Ocean side of the resort! Above is the view from our room! It was just beautiful! We could watch the sun rise and set everyday from our room! (Even though we only did like once) We barely spent any time in our room because you just wanted to be out in the sun all the time! We would wake up by seven almost everyday and be outside by like 8 or 9 until the sun went down. It was amazing!

I had to get a picture while walking along the resort! So pretty! I loved getting to just be able to relax and enjoy the weather and views. We also did zip lining through the rainforest along with an obstacle course above the rainforest. We did some local shopping and local bars and we ate the most delicious food! If you were ever going to visit Antigua...def. enjoy their seafood! It is to die for! I had the "Catch of the Day" every night for dinner because it was something different each night. I just couldn't get enough of the fresh taste! And of course I'm blogging now while the hubby grills hamburgers....just not the same as fresh seafood!

Antigua was just the most gorgeous place I have ever been! I used to think that St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands was my favorite...but now it has been replaced! I would def. recommend going there and staying at the St. James's Club! It won't disappoint! More pictures to come in later posts!
Oh and I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with their families and friends. We arrived home on Thanksgiving and quickly went to both of our parents house for some delicious turkey and other sides. We also had a more elaborate meal last night at my parents house, which was more detailed and not rushed! I just love Thanksgiving and I love family togetherness! Makes me look forward to Christmas already! :)

1 year anniversary!

Guess what?!?! It is that time....the time that I have been looking forward to for months and months and months. It is time for the hubby and I to celebrate our year anniversary! I can't believe that it has already been a year? Where does the time go?
Since it is this special time....we are headed off to ANTIGUA first thing in the morning!

We leave at like 4:15 a.m. and then we are off to the beautiful island for a week! A whole week in such a beautiful place...gosh I can hardly stand the wait. I must say that it is the perfect time for this vacation. Work has been extremely tough and my students have really pushed my buttons lately...it is time for a break. There is no better place to take that break than this beautiful island!

This is a picture of where our actual resort is! It is right on the peninsula with the Carribean Sea and Atlantic Ocean on either side. *sigh*
The only thing I am dreading is the whole flying bit....are you a big airplane fan? I am so not and in fact flying terrifies me so much that I have anxiety typing about it. whew. As soon as that is done...then we are smooth sailing!
So, as I say goodbye to blog world for a week...I will miss my fabulous readers! Well, I am actually going to have my computer with me so I am not bored on the airplane....soo if I am bored (doubtful) while the hubby is showering or something on the trip...I might just have to give you a sneak peek at what we are up to on our trip!
Oh...and Happy Early Thanksgiving!
XOXO
-Ashley-

Mason update!

YAY there is no school tomorrow! I must say that is one of the most exciting parts of this week! Happy Veteran's Day! :)
I thought I would give you ladies a little update on how little Mason is doing! He is growing sooooo much and we have only had him a week today! That would make little Mason 8 weeks old now! Ok, so if you have gotten a puppy ever you know that puppies chew on everything. I had forgotten alllll about that aspect of a puppy. Our other two dogs were already adults so, the whole teething thing wasn't a problem. But, OH MY GOSH.....the teething deal is driving me insane.

I came in the door from work today and of course it has been pouring allllll day. He still had to go outside. I take little Mason outside and he does his business. I must say he is good with the whole potty training thing. One point for Mason! Back to the story....I was wearing my favorite pair of Victoria's Secret slippers around the house and Mason grabbed a hold of the little poofy balls on top of the slippers and actually ripped them off! WHAT!?!?!? I was sooooo mad!

(This is what Mason looks like when he is reprimanded!) Almost too cute to resist, I know! So not only did he chew on my shoe. He got my towels that hang from the stove off and decided to start tearing those apart. Really? I didn't need those anyways, I suppose. I am having trouble even walking into the kitchen without him attacking my feet and thinking those are his chew toys. What is a girl to do?!? The hubby thinks this is funny and says "He's just a baby!" But, this little baby can't keep doing this mess....its sorta getting on my nerves!

We have gotten him a zillion chew toys and little bite size bones. Whenever he goes to chew on me or something else, I usually stuff one of those in his mouth. Any other suggestions?!?! Do little puppies grow out of this? How long does it take? HELP! hahaha!
I'll keep you updated on the little booger and we'll keep our fingers crossed he doesn't bother me TOO much!
XOXO
Ashley

New Additions!

Fall is here ladies and I must say I am just lovin' this weather! I love that the weather is perfect...ya know not too cold and not too hot! If the weather could stay like this year round I would be in heaven! So many things have been going on with Mrs. Pinkture Perfect lately. I honestly think that the fall season always finds a way of being the busiest season of the year. Is that true for you too? Whew...I'm telling you that the weeks/weekends FLY by because of everything that is going on. I'm ready for life to slow down a little bit!
I hope all my fabulous readers have had a great weekend! This is my weekend recap posting because I have been a blog slacker lately. I need to be better at blogging. Gosh! I keep saying I will do better and then five thousand things pop up. Here is my plea...please don't stop reading because I promise this is just a little bloggy phase. Nothing major!
So last night was my friend Pam's 24th birthday (middle girl in the pic.) Her boyfriend had people over to his house for a little party! This sounds so strange but it has been sooooo long since I have been to a house party. It seems like I used to always go to house parties and now people don't do that anymore. hmm. Anyways, the girls in the pic. are my "Charlotte BFF's." These are the girls I roll with and I also work with them. Super sweet girls and I love them to death!
Now for the big news...on Tuesday the hubby and I headed to Chili's for the "two can dine" deal that is oh so fabulous! On the way home (to make a long story short) we ended up with a new puppy!

How precious is he?!? And to think that the lady was going to put him to sleep on Wednesday! We HAD to save his life! That is the hubby's big passion....rescuing dogs. This now adds up to having three rescue dogs in our house. I am a huge supporter of saving dog's lives...esp. when they are from really crappy situations. Aww....goodness he is adorable and one of the most well behaved dogs (keeping my fingers crossed) that we have worked with.

He is 7-8 weeks old and we decided to name him Mason. Although we call him Mase for short. Do you think that's cute?! Gosh he is adorable and he's currently napping with the hubby.

Even though I think us having three dogs is a little much, we just couldn't resist this cute face. So, now the number of dogs outnumbers humans in our house. Something doesn't seem right about that. :)
Well Pinkture Perfect readers, I'm off to do some grad. school work and have a ME day of relaxing and resting! Have a wonderful Sunday!
XOXO
Ashley

Quarter Life Crisis

Don't you think that top is too cute?!?! That's the problem. I think I am going through a quarter life crisis. I have become completely bored with all the clothes in my closet. And when I say bored...it's like I open my closet and just want to close it again because I really dislike the items hanging up in there. This is a problem for me. What do I do?!? I went shopping this past week with my mom and we walked by Guess. I couldn't stop staring at the window because I decided I wanted to change my style to be more "biker chick" or "punkish". Just like the clothes at Guess are. Oh my. This has never been my style so, what in the world has gotten into me?!? Here are a couple of the things from Guess that I think are precious!

So, while shopping I bought a new pair of funky black heels that are totally not my usual style. I wore them out on Friday night and got a zillion compliments so I couldn't be more excited that I bought them. Then I bought a pair of tights (just like in the picture above). I can't wait to rock them out but I haven't had the opportunity yet! Ok, so here is where I need your help. Where do I go to find more of this new look that I am just lovin?!? Should I just get over it and stick with what is my closet?! Do you go through clothing crisis'? I know I am not alone.....so what do you do to push yourself through it?!?!
XOXO
Ashley

Boo Bash Winner!

Today was the third annual Boo Bash right around the corner from my house! This is only the second October we have lived in our house and we haven't been to the Boo Bash before. The hubby and headed over around 2 to see what the hype was all about! It was CRAZY busy with kids getting face painted, painting pumpkins, a live band, free food, and free giveaways! I decided to enter my name into the free giveaway basket that was FiLLeD with tons of names. Ya know...one of those might as well do it kinda things. So, around 4:30 I got a phone call from a lady at the Boo Bash saying that I HAD WON!! Are you kidding me?!?! I won out of all those people who had entered! Holy Cow!
I went back to the Boo Bash to claim my prize and I had to choose a bag out of the three that were remaining. Here is the one I chose:

I figured that I would open it and find just a couple coupons and maybe a gift card. Who would have known that I had won $125 worth of gift cards to some of my favorite places in the shopping center!

I was wayyy too excited because let me tell you....I don't win anything! I always enter but, never win!
Not only did I get lucky at the Boo Bash today, we headed to IKEA today to find some other things for our formal living room! I still can't believe how expensive it is to own a house. I mean....who knows how long and much money it is going to take us to furnish this dang house. Does everyone take a long time to furnish their houses or is it just us?!?!
One of the home decor items we bought today was the print above the couch. I saw it and I just had to have it. I loved the yellow in it because it matched the curtains that we have on the two windows in the room!

Here is a better pic. of how the print looks above the couch. What do you think?!?! It totally matches my personality and I love that every room in the house has its own personality. This room I am claiming as mine! :) It's totally girly and has everything that I love in it!

I also bought these flower prints today! They are precious and were seriously dirt cheap. I couldn't resist! I am going to hang them in the formal living room too. The only problem is that I don't know yet where to hang them. I need to wait to put the chair(s) in their place before I hang them.

We also bought this shelving unit from IKEA. I really like it but, I am not sure I like where it is placed in the room. We are going to fill it and put cute frames and accessories. Today we were exhausted just having to put it together. The room is slowly coming together and I love it!! It has become one of my favorite rooms! Do you have a favorite room in your place? Why is it your favorite?

Ok, so I know all you bloggers have fabulous decorated houses, apartments, etc. Fill me in on some of your hot spots to find cute accessories for the house! I would love to continue to move further with my house but, I am trying to find places that aren't Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. I'm telling you...those places are eating the bank account! :)
Until later,
XOXO
Ashley