and Scene...

Christmas break is finally here! Headed to the movies (in the middle of the flippin' day) to see a film with the Cannon girls!?!  What What!?  Two weeks of relaxation, family, food, and fun await me. Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

Christmas fun

This weekend was one of the most busy, but fun weekends I have ever had. For me, the words busy and fun don't usually go together, but this weekend was definitely an exception.

Friday nght, Steven and I were invited over to Bryan and Bridget's for Christmas dinner. Linda, Bridget's friend and assistant, made us homemade lasagna, bread, and dessert. Everything was delicious. Mr. Ray even came over and joined us, so it was a real treat. Afterward, we all sat in the living room around the fire, talked, and unwrapped our Christmas gifts. Bridget and Bryan got me the most fabulous scarf; it was made in London. (Bryan's mother was born and raised in London, so it was really special to me). It was such a peaceful evening spent with a couple that has taken us in as their own. I hope they know how much they mean to us!

Saturday, we woke up bright and early and went to the church for our last Christmas play practice before Sunday's performance. It's always fun to get together with our church, even if it is early on a Saturday morning. Afterward, Steven and I went to Bojangles for breakfast and ran some errands in town. After returning home, the rest of the afternoon, for me, was spent baking and making goody bags for our church members and co-workers, while Steven FINISHED the t.v. built-in for our living room. For those of you who are curious, below are the before and after shots of my man's work. I think it looks fantastic!

Before: Miami-Viceish mirrored shelf

During: After Steven took all the mirrors off (It was actually a lot of work!).

During: Painting the new shelf

Finished: The new and MUCH improved tv built-in!

And here is a picture of my work...This year, I did a few different versions of goody bags, but the one I am most proud of is called "Snowman Soup." On the tag, I wrote a little poem I found which says,

"When the weather outside is frightful,

Snowman Soup can be delightful.

May it warm your spirit and your soul,

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

When you feel a chill or 'brrrr'

Use the peppermint stick to stir.

Add hot water and sip it slow,

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!"

The ingredients of "snowman soup" are as follows: hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, peppermint sticks, and I added some homemade cookies and candies for extra fun.

Later Saturday night, Steven and I went over to a work Christmas party hosted by the Yosts. We all brought something (I brought cheesey ranch potatoes) and ate a big dinner. Afterward, we played dirty Santa, which was pretty entertaining, especially when someone opened up a framed picture of Tom Scott, given by Tom Scott. It was pretty hysterical. Later, we played team Imagineiff before calling it a night. It was really cold outside, so it was nice to come home, curl up, and watch a Christmas movie in our warm house.

On Sunday, we were blessed by hearing a wonderful message from a special guest speaker at church. Afterward, we came home, ate lunch, and I continued making goodies for my students. At 4:30 we were back up at the church preparing for the Christmas program. We had to dress like villagers, which I found pretty amusing. The program went well, and all the children looked so cute! The best part was all the food and fellowship after the service. While we were there, Donna invited us to come with her family to see all the Christmas lights around town. We had a blast. We piled about 10 people in a mini-van and made our way around town. We even made a few unplanned stops, which turned out to be hysterical.

Only today and tomorrow remain until Christmas break!!! It cannot get here fast enough!

Workin' for the Weekend

These days, I feel like I am doing just that...I try to tell myself, "Don't wish your life away," but with every new Monday, I find myself trying to push through and make it until Friday. Here lately, I keep repeating over and over again in my mind, "Christmas break, Christmas Break, Christmas break..."

This semester has been a challenge, to say the least. Don't get me wrong, I love my school, and I adore all of my co-workers, but I have never felt so stressed out and physically exhausted in all my life. There has been a lot going on in and out of school, which has me turning gray before my time. Steven and I spent afternoons looking at house after house, until we finally found the right one. For the past month and a half, we have been slowly but surely putting things away, and making this house feel more like a home. It has been fun, but draining, and I think it had started to affect my attitude--a lot.

For one thing, it wasn't easy leaving the comfort and security that I felt at Opelika High. While there, I developed friendships that were so deep. During my first year, Kirstin, Summer, Bryan, and I were inseperable. We would sit in my room during planning and just talk, laugh, and share about our lives, our students, and ourselves. (Maybe that's why I always had to stay late that year). They became my family during my time at OHS. Every time I think about them, I smile and remember all the great talks, laughs, and rants we shared.

I'm not gonna lie, it's been a little tough learning the ropes at the new school, but I am beginning to feel more and more at home. My co-workers at West Craven High have taken me in, and make me feel so welcome. I find myself looking forward to lunch every day because I get to share a laugh with some of the most down-to-earth and funniest women I have ever met.

With all the different things going on these days, I had started to lose sight of the reason that I chose teaching. Last week, I hit a brick wall. I felt like I had been grading research papers every night for a month (which is actually correct) because I told the students I would allow them to revise their papers before I gave them their final grade. I was exhausted, and to be honest, I was tired of teaching, reading, grading, talking, explaining...you name it, I was tired of it. And then, yesterday, something happened that put a smile on my face and made me literally tear up while sitting behind my desk. As the bell rang, and the students filed out of the classroom, a student who started the semester out with a bad attitude, who didn't try at all, and who frankly seemed to care less, came up to my podium with a Christmas card in his hand.

(Quick backstory: About a month into the semester, I sat this kid down, and we had a heart to heart. I asked him why he didn't seem to care about my class. He explained that he didn't think he was smart enough to pass, so he didn't think there was any point in trying. He went on the say that his mom worked two jobs just to keep food on the table, and that he had been thinking about quitting school to help out with money. From that moment on, I tried to make it a point to encourage him in some way every day. And slowly but surely, he started doing his work and even stayed after school for extra help. By the end of the first nine weeks, he had a 90 average, and had quickly became one of my favorite students.)

As he handed me the card, he sheepishly said, "Thanks, Mrs. Meadows, for everything," and walked out. I went over, sat down in my desk, and opened the card. On the inside he had written, "Thank you for believing in me, Mrs. Meadows. You may be the first person who ever has. Have a great Christmas."

I literally choked up. That is why I teach. That is why I grade, explain, answer questions, read, listen, and answer the same question again. It is for one moment like that...one moment that I feel like I impacted someone. That card meant to world to me, and it has made this tough semester seem like a joy.

xoxo,
Ashley

Graduation Project Presentations

Tonight and tomorrow night the senior English students will present their graduation research projects to a group of teachers, parents, and community members which will be the last step of this seemingly endless process. I am supposed to judge tonight and be in charge of a holding room tomorrow night. Since I have never done this before, I honestly don't know what to expect. I know that most of the students work really hard on their papers and projects throughout junior and senior year, so I am sure they will be happy when this is all over. I know I will ;)

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Cammy Baby

Cam Newton won the Heisman trophy last night. I was a nervous wreck. Steven was sitting beside me holding my hand as we both repeated "Cam Newton, Cam Newton, Cam Newton" over and over again until the announcer finally said "And the 2010 Heisman trophy goes to CAMERON NEWTON!!!" We were thrilled!

xoxo

Oh, and speaking of flooring...

We ended up going with African Mahogony. Who knows if we will be fully satisfied with the result, but all the pictures in the catalogs looked really nice. I didn't want wood that was too dark or too light. Oh well, it's our first house. We'll live and learn. Happy Friday everyone!!!


Disclaimer: This is not our home. I just wanted a picture of the flooring that was more interesting than it sitting in boxes (currently all over the house); but wouldn't you just about kill for that view.
xoxo

Zaxby's

Yesterday afternoon, Steven and I went to Greenville to pick up our new flooring from Lumber Liquidators. Greenville is about a forty minute drive from our house, so we only go on special occasions. Although we were excited to get our new flooring, the thing that made the trip more fun was the fact that we could eat at Zaxby's on the way home. That's right--the closest Zaxby's is 45 minutes away!!! For all of you who know us well, you know that we are die hard Zaxby's fanatics. I honestly believe that we could eat Zaxby's every day, and sometimes did while living in Auburn...While we were sitting at the booth eating last night, Steven said, "Babe, Being here just makes me feel more like us. Like home, I guess." It made me laugh because it's funny how some things instantly take you back to a past life, or a person you used to be. For us, I guess, that place is Zaxby's...

P.S. We actually looked in to opening up a franchise in New Bern, but you have to be worth 950,000 dollars and have 500,000 dollars to pay up front...We can't even afford tickets to Glendale, so that answered our question right then and there ;)

xoxo

10 Things

1. Christmas music around the clock makes this girl happy. I can't help it. Listening to it makes me feel like a little kid again.

2. Grading graduation research papers is stressing me out big time! Oh well, only 30 more to go...

3. I am completly finished with all of my Christmas shopping and have been since black Friday. What a relief! Right now they are all wrapped and sitting under the tree waiting to be opened. I can't wait!

4. I love love love Christmas cards. I ordered ours two weeks ago, but they still haven't come in yet. I'm starting to get worried. Call me crazy, but I think it would be nice for everyone to get their Christmas cards BEFORE Christmas.

5. I am so happy about our Christmas tree. I love the convenience of a artificial tree, but there's just something about a real one that makes me smile. It makes the whole house smell fresh.

6. I've lost three pounds...I believe in celebrating the small victories in life ;)

7. I miss home so much it hurts sometimes. I can't wait to see everyone at Christmas!

8. Auburn is going to the National Championship in Glendale, but unless "Santa" gets a huge raise this week (not likely), it looks like Steven and I will be watching it from the comfort of our own home.

9. It's 24 degrees outside, and we had no heat in our house this morning. It keeps freezing up. The heat guy was supposed to come out and take a look at it on Friday, but he never showed. He should be there today, otherwise we're buying some space heaters (I can't handle being cold). Oh, the joys of home ownership...

10. The English Department Christmas social is tonight at Persimmon's on New Bern Riverfront. It's going to be a lot of fun!

xoxo,
Ashey

Friends+ Food+ Snow+ AU SEC Champs=One Very Happy Lady!

This weekend has been non-stop, but I wouldn't have them any other way. On Friday night, Steven and I subbed in for another couple, and attended Bryan and Bridget's Christmas supper club social. It was one of the most enjoyable and elegant dinners I have ever attended, and of course, the food was delicious!

On Saturday, I woke up early and started to prepare the food for our SEC Championship get together. I made some of Steven's favorites since I never got to cook for him on his brthday, which he shared with Thanksgiving. Later, I did a little more cleaning, while Steven frantically tried to get the built-in complete so our t.v. would have a place to stand. At 4:04 it was finished and the satalite came back on right in time for us to see the opening kick-off (we were more than a little nervous).

Brandon, Emily, Justin, and Kayla got to the house around 4:00, so we ate snacks and hung out while watching the first half of the game. The best part (other than Cam's 6 touchdowns) was that during the first quarter, we looked out the window and huge snowflakes were falling outside! I can never resist the urge to go out during even the smallest snow flurry (we don't get too many of those down in Alabama), so we walked outon the porch and took a few pictures. The rest of the game was a lot of fun to watch. I can't remember the last time Auburn went into half time ahead, so it was a nice change not to have to check my blood pressure after the game :)

Sunday Steven and I were both blessed by the youth who were in charge of leading worship. Many of them stood up and prayed, sang, played instruments, and made introductions. It is awesome to see God working in the lives of so many young people in our area. The youth have formed a band called FMJ (For My Jesus). They are really, really good! I can't wait to hear them again. Also, we were so touched by the message Emily presented. She is truly blessed with the gift of speaking from her heart. Later, I attended a Christmas shower that a lot of the ladies from Asbury threw and had a great time. Overall, great weekend!

If I wasn't so busy, I would be cuddled up on the couch watching a Christmas movie by the glow of the tree. I plan on doing that one day...

xoxo,
Ashley

Projects, Projects, Projects

Steven and I have been doing many little project/renovations/decorating to our house since the moment we moved in, a little over a month ago. After unpacking all the boxes, we sanded, primed, and painted the cabinets; worked on the heat pump; demolished a mirrored shelf and updated it with painted wood; fixed the toilet in the downstirs bathroom; unclogged the drain in the kitchen sink; and last but not least bought new flooring. After weeks of not being able to enjoy the house because of all the little projects, we have decided to take a much needed hiatus from all the work and enjoy the Christmas season in our new home. Pictures will be come later, promise ;)

Projects still on the to do list (after Christmas of course)...

- pull up all the carpet and put down new wood flooring

- strip all the wallpaper off the walls in the kitchen and dining room

- repaint the kitchen and dining rooms

- remove the popcorn ceiling and replace it with something more modern (haven't decided yet)

- repaint the bathrooms and replace hardware

- rip out a lower cabinet and install dishwasher (I can't wait until this glorious day!)

- Paint door, swing, and rockers on the front porch

- plant shrubs, bushes, flowers (something, anything to go in front of the house...suggestions needed!)

- finish off basement (Steven has dreamed of a man cave since he was a little boy...)

All of this sounds do-able, right? May take a little time... :/

xoxo,
Ashley