The Sunday Social, Week 50

Hey y'all!

Can you believe it's week 50? Crazy right! Neely and I are so excited and thankful that y'all have stuck with us! We've got something fun planned to celebrate a year, so be looking for that.

Alrighty, here are this week's questions!

1. What is your favorite kind of surprise?

Good ones :) I really enjoy fun surprises.

2. Flowers or chocolate?

Chocolate, duh! Preferably dark or combined with mint :)

3. What is your favorite summertime activity?

I love going to concerts! The best ones seem to happen during the summer. So far this summer, the only one on my agenda is NKOTB/98*/Boyz II Men with my besties!

4. Do you have any vacations planned this summer?

Nothing yet, but I'm hoping for at least a Dallas weekend or a meetup with my faves!

5. Favorite summer holiday?

I love 4th of July! I love spending time with my family and going to Jessica's family's party! I've gone nearly every year since we've been friends :)

6. What is your dream vacation?

Europe! I want to go to London, Paris, and several places in Italy. Someday...

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week's questions

1. What is your best summer memory as a kid?

2. What is your favorite summer drink?

3. What is your favorite summer TV show?

4. What is the best outdoor summer activity?

5. What are your summer vacation essentials?

Have a fabulous Sunday!

What I've Been Up To

Hey y'all!

I feel like I haven't been around here very much lately. Work has been crazy, and when I've actually done things outside of work, I haven't had the energy or time to blog them.

Today is my catch-up day! I'm FINALLY going to write about the things that have been going on around here :)

A few weeks ago, Regina was in town a couple of weeks ago, and we got to go to dinner and hang out for a bit!

My goodness, I love this girl! We spent an evening at Cheesecake Factory and had a great time. So thankful for her!

Thankful for cheesecake too :)

A couple of Sundays ago, Colby and I went with Wade, Joyce, and the Littles to an OKC Redhawks baseball game. We had a great time, and the Redhawks won!

Love these two!

Colby and Little Man

After the game, we walked over to Bass Pro Shop. I took Little Man and Little Girl to look at the fish tanks. They loved seeing the fish!

I've been Facetiming a lot with momma lately, and she lets me talk to the dog and cats too :)

Sandy doesn't usually look at me, but she was cornered. She's so sweet!

Hershey wanted in on the chat too!

I teach a class of almost-three year olds on Sunday mornings at church. They are tough, but they are a fun bunch!

We're studying about Joesph right now. He's having a rough time :)

A few more randoms...

Colby and the kitty bonding. Jack hates him. Don't know why, but he does.

Stephanie, one of my fabulous #bestiesfolyfe graduated from college! Sooooo proud of this girl!

Hope you all have a great week!

The Sunday Social, Week 49

Hey y'all!
Before we get into today's questions, I want to say a big Happy Mother's Day to my fabulous momma! I love you so much, and I wish I was home with you today!

Now, on to today's questions!

1. 1 year ago I was doing...

I was just starting my new job at The Vintage Pearl!

I was watching the OKC Thunder play in the NBA finals!

And, I was spending a lot of time hanging with these fabulous ladies!

2. 5 years ago I was doing...

I was graduating from college!

I was starting my new job in adoption, and I was thrilled to be finished with school :)

3. 10 years ago I was doing...

I was finishing up my junior year of high school! I was going to prom with my friends and getting ready for a fabulous summer! I also was being chosen as flag captain :)

4. 1 year from now I'll be doing...

I'll be working and having a fabulous time, and I'll be blogging it all!

5. 5 years ago I'll be doing...

I don't know! Maybe married? Have a baby?  Not sure what I'll be doing, but I'll be happy!

6. 10 years from now I'll be doing...

I'll be living a great life and being totally nervous about getting dangerously close to 40 :)

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week's questions

1. What is your favorite kind of surprise?

2. Flowers or chocolate?

3. What is your favorite summertime activity?

4. Do you have any vacations planned this summer?

5. Favorite summer holiday?

6. What is your dream vacation?

Have a great Sunday, and Happy Mother's Day to all of the fabulous mommas in blog land!

Remembering Jeanne Cooper

Yesterday, the daytime television world lost an icon.

Jeanne Cooper, best known for her role as Katherine Chancellor on The Young and the Restless, passed away at the age of 84.

via

I have been a soap opera watcher my entire life. My momma has watched Y&R since the beginning, so I grew up watching it with her. While I've taken spells of watching nearly every soap opera on the air since I've been alive, The Young and the Restless has always been the one I love most.

Jeanne played Katherine Chancellor for 39 years, making her the longest-running cast member on the 40 year old show. I think it says a lot about her talent and her connection with the show's fans.

The character of Katherine Chancellor has always been a favorite of mine. Her feuds with Jill Abbott, her friendship with Nikki Newman, and her wacky storylines made her such a fun character to watch! She was the character everyone loved and everyone rooted for. On our trip to Tennessee in 2009, my momma, Mom-Mom, and I even nicknamed Mom-Mom's GPS Katharine :) Watching her every day made me feel like I knew her, not just the character, but Jeanne herself! The Young and the Restless and daytime television won't be the same without her.

via

We'll miss you, Jeanne!

Why I Started Blogging

Hey y'all!

I'm linking up with Neely and Samantha today to share why I started my blog!

I started my blog in January of 2010. I had been reading blogs for about a year, and it was so much fun! It got me thinking about and finding little "bloggable moments" in my life, so finally, I decided it was time for me to start my own.

Back then, Ashley Lately was Ashley's Carnival Ride, named for my favorite line from Carrie Underwood's "Wheel of the World".

'God put us here on this carnival ride. We close our eyes, never knowing where it will take us next."

I always thought that was such a neat way of looking at the journey of life, and it fit me perfectly!

My very first post was January 27, 2010. It was called "Wow". Attention-grabbing stuff right here :)
Wow

My second post actually had a little bit of substance, so I like to think of it as my real first post!
I love snow days because..

It's been a pretty awesome three years in Blogland! I've made some fabulous friends and had some awesome experiences. I'm thankful I finally jumped in and started this fun journey.

Why did you start blogging? Share your stories with Neely and Samantha!

The Sunday Social, Week 48

Hey y'all!
Hope you're having a fabulous Sunday!
Today's questions are all about 4s!
1. 4 favorite things to do on a weekend

1. Sleep in

2. Lay in bed watching Army Wives/Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice

3. Hang out with the Littles

4. Snuggle with my cat

2. 4 favorite things about your best friend

1. They love me for me.

2. They know me better than anyone else and still love me :)

3. They are there for me any time I need them.

4. We may not live near each other, but when we're together, it's like we've never been apart! Distance hasn't changed us at all!

3. 4 things you would do with $100,000

1. Pay off my student loans

2. Travel somewhere fun

3. Put most of it in savings, but keep out a little to have fun with!

4. ???

4. 4 favorite books you've ever read

1. Redemption by Karen Kingsbury

2. A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks

3.  A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury

4.  The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

5. 4 favorite snack foods

1. dark chocolate mint M&Ms

2. dark chocolate M&Ms

3. Greek yogurt

4. um...chocolate? :)

6. 4 things that you must do daily

1. Have a DP

2. Brush my teeth

3. Talk on the phone with my momma

4. Put on mascara

Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week's questions

1. 1 year ago I was doing...

2. 5 years ago I was doing...

3. 10 years ago I was doing...

4. 1 year from now I'll be doing...

5. 5 years ago I'll be doing...

6. 10 years from now I'll be doing...

Have a great day!

#thunderup

Never Ever Ever...

Hey y'all!
Linking up with my bff Neely for her fun linkup Never Ever Ever!
Never ever ever will you hear me say...
...I think I'll skip my Dr. Pepper today.
...I have enough headbands and scarves. I don't need any more.
...Facebook is sooooo much better than Twitter.
...This would look better if it wasn't pink.
...I'm over country music.
...No chocolate for me, thanks!
...I'm tired of watching reruns of Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice/Army Wives.
...I miss my flip phone.
What will you never ever ever say? Link up with Neely and share with us!