Never flying standby again.

My trip to Indianapolis came to an end last night. I say last night because I had to get up at 4:30 (3:30 Houston time) this morning to catch a flight, or try to.

The 6:45 flight looked promising the other day when there was 20 open seats.

This morning, booked full. 2nd flight at 9:05, booked. & I didn't even attempt to catch the 12:10 flight due to the flight being booked & a shit ton of people already on standby, my chances were slim.

I checked Expedia and ended up getting a Delta flight for 200 bones. That was money I wasn't planning on spending today but I couldn't take the chances of not getting a flight home. So, there I was in the airport at 7am waiting for a flight at noon. I was that person who slept awkwardly in a seat & woke up every time they would call for someone over the loud speaker. Around 9 I decided to get some coffee and treated myself to a half hour chair massage for what I was going through. It helped me relax for sure. After that I picked up some

Pretzel bites and the new People Magazine with juicy topics about people I don't really care about. But it helped the time pass.

Since this flight was so cheap I have a 2 hour layover in Detroit & will finally be back in Houston tonight around 6. What a freaking day. 

I keep reminding myself I did this for Jace. He is the coolest kid. Last Friday, my step mom told him they had to go to the airport to pick up a fed ex package.. When I walked up he was shocked. It was perfect. So sad to leave him.

On a plane

Holy cow, thank you Jesus I got on a flight. I am off to Indianapolis.

This morning my alarm went off at 4:30. With this new sales job I am used to waking up around 8 so I am running on coffee. 

I arrived at the airport at 5:45 with my carry on bag and a book. Got checked in and waited patiently at terminal B. Flying standby gives me tons of anxiety. I constantly check the seat map and booking totals to see my chances of getting a seat. I try to pick out the other standby'ers. Just trying to size my competition. I kid. 

While they board, I proceed to get sick to my stomach and count each person boarding. I know there are 66 seats and 3 people on standby & I am the second person on the standby list (it has to do with some ranking system they have). I hear the lady say she has two open seats and my heart starts pounding because I know I have ths second ticket. She calls my name and issues me seat assignment. 

As I am boarding, I call my dad to let him know I need someone to pick me up in 2 hours. He thinks I am kidding. This is no joking matter, getting a seat while trying to fly standby isn't easy. The last time I tried this, I didn't get on and it was a sad day. I didn't want to let him know I was trying to fly up because there is no need in getting everyone's hope up.

It has been 16 months since I have seen my little brother, Jace (dad and step mom too but let's be honest, Jace is the only one I'm worried about seeing). They came to Houston last February and with two job changes I haven't had the time to get away. ( besides the one weekend I tried and I didn't get a seat, after that I was discourgaged to fly standby.) 

Jace just finished 2nd grade. He is growing too fast and I can't wait to see how much he has changed in the last year. We were pen pals for one of his class projects. It was the sweetest and coolest thing. Each letter said, "I love you so much sissy and miss you, can you come visit soon?" I am going to ask him if he still wants to write letters back and forth. I just love getting his letters with his sweet handwriting and misspelled words. 

Bo is at home, he has his cousins graduation this weekend and will probably be working. His schedule is very unpredictable & being a supervisor for a very important/ large job right now it's not a good idea to take vacation. & he isn't dying to meet my dad. I cannot blame him and I am totally ok with his decision. The only thing he knows about my dad is that he moved away while I was in college & it makes me very sad still (even though it's been 7 years). He doesn't understand (nor do I) that my dad moved to Indiana because he wanted Jace to have grandparents. My step moms family lives there...grandparents are important, But what about his brother and sister? Corbin and I were in college and always on the go, didn't have much time for family (you know that stage every kid goes through). My Dad didn't think Corbin and I needed him anymore. So now, they live in Indiana and we live in Houston. Also my dad has never offered to buy me a flight, I always have to ask if he will split it. Bo thinks if he was to move away from his child, he would be paying the bill for travel & I agree. (Thankfully bo doesn't have a kid so I don't have to deal with baby mama drama :) 

Family is super important to me & I wish Jace was close. I think it is finally hitting my Dad that he might not have made the best decision but won't admit it. What happens when I get married, have kids & they have kids. Unfortunatly, he will miss out and so will my kid (I think I want only 1). Who knows, one day when Jace can make his own decisions maybe he will want to live in Texas. I can't wait until he is old enough to fly down and spend some time in the summer or maybe even go to college in Texas. 

Ok the rant is over. 

The other day Bo and I were walking into Academy to buy bikes & I said "omg the heat is here". He replied with,"you take everything to the extreme, it feels good outside". It was 92 degrees out, warmest day so far. He cracks me up. He is definitely the funniest person I know.

You can't really tell but Bo got the manliest bike I have ever seen with huge tires & I got an oldie cruiser with a cute little basket. We rode to smoothie king & I stayed on watch while he ordered drinks.

2 things:

1. I told Bo my basket was for snacks and water. He said, "damn how long of a bike ride are we going on".

2. When bo got our smoothies, he handed me one not knowing which was which- i took a sip and said this is mine!! He drinks his then we go home. Mine is in my cup holder.. We get home and I tell him he can have the rest of mine. He takes one drink and goes "this was mine!!! It's straight banana how did you think this was yours?" (Mine was strawberry only) I took another sip & said oh yea, that does taste like banana. Oops.

Trying to think of anything else exciting that has happened... 

Went to a friends wedding in Austin! It was like a Zeta reunion & I actually loved it! We all had a blast & woke up with hilarious stories and hangovers.

Btw- hangovers are lasting about 2 horribly long days now.

My favorite show of the summer starts this month!!!!! 

& I found some old gems while I visited my great grandparents a few weeks ago. 

Did everyone gets glamour shots back in the 90's??? The hair and outfits are just too much. 

& my brother and his girlfriend are getting married, September 2016. 

& finally I am going to toot my own horn and let you know I got 1st place last month- out of the entire sales team I sold the most! I was SOOOO excited! This new job is just amazing and perfect. 

Have a great weekend!!!! 

The time I ran out of gas.

So it was my 4th week here at my new job. Just driving down the road, normal day. All the sudden my car starts slowing down. I press harder on the gas and nothing. Still coming to a stop. I yelled- what is wrong with this car??? Oh that little gauge that tells me if I have gas or not, well it was on empty. 

Thank god I was close to a gas station because I proceeded to get out and ask the sweet man behind me if he could "bump" my car to the gas pump. "Bump" as in he just hit my car with his car and I steered until we got close to the pump then we pushed it. The whole time I was dying laughing. I'm sure everyone thougt I was nuts but when something bad happens, I laugh. 

My family and friends were really questioning how I proceeded to run out of gas?! "Who does that??" 

I feel like I have a valid argument because this car doesn't alert, chime, blink when the gas is low. Now it does have a small gauge that I obviously didn't pay attention to. 

I really hate stopping for gas. The day before this incident I noticed I had 1/4 of a tank and thought- eh I'll stop tomorrow. But now if I get down to 1/4, I stop immediately. Lesson learned. 

People at work did find out because my bumper isn't in the best shape after being "bumped". I didn't get in trouble.. I think they felt bad for me. 

Oh hey it's me.

Loving my new job, sales life is where it's at.

I just drive everywhere all day long. 

Delivering goodies and chatting it up with my referral sources. 

Thank god I have a work car because I would be putting tonssss on my own.

This is my "desk" area. Real organized. You don't want to see the trunk. 

ITS FRIDAY!!!! & it's rodeo time in Houston. Time for some beer and barbecue. 

Blogging in bed

Good news first, I start a new (medical sales) job January 5th!! This is something I have wanted to do since college but the opportunity was never my ideal position and companies wanted to start me out making very little money. My mom has worked in the industry for 10+ years and now is starting her own business. When she put in her two week notice her boss said "do you think Ashten will be interested in taking over your position & accounts?".

OF COURSE SIGN ME UP COUNT ME IN WHEN CAN I START?!?? 

Had a little interview/ beer with the bosses, discussed benefits and money. Bam, the job was mine. 

The hard part is always notifying your current employer. I have worked for this company since February- it was a start up company with 5 employees. I took care of everything from insurance- payroll - HR- AR - AP - contracts. Keep in mind I was hired for marketing... Didn't have time for it. Currently the company has 72 employees. It was insane but I learned so much. Since I am responsible for so much I gave a months notice and surprisingly made it 8 days before telling them all to F off. 

Of course when someone quits everyone whispers about the reasoning why and it always gets twisted. 

My boyfriend Bo decided to step away also and return to our previous employer. Which I got blamed for. Who knew men can be so nasty to each other. The amount of gossiping and back stabbing that goes on at that office blows my mind. We are both leaving at the right time and walking out of that office yesterday gave me such great relief. 

Now that that is behind me I am so excited for what this new job has in store. I can't wait to be out & about instead of sitting at a desk all day- change of pace for sure but I think I will do great && I am so thankful this opportunity came along. 

Me and Bo both start our new jobs on the 5th so we have a little 2 week (low budget moneyless) vacation that starts today. I have to keep reminding myself that I won't get a normal paycheck until the 3rd week of January. Scary. 

Holiday decor.

I have never put up decorations in my apartment. Doesn't matter what holiday, I'm not doing it. I have considered it a few times but then the thought of having to pack that shit away in January changes my mind. Bo on the other hand cannot wait to have our own house so he can put lights up and the whole 9 yards. This year, since we are in an apartment, he decided that just a tree would do. 

We had a discussion about what kind of tree and who was going to decorate it... Blah blah blah. I wasn't feeling it but he pressed on and said "it will be fun". 

Sure, it will be fun..... Well you know what is fun. Doing something nice for someone and surprising them. 

Last night I drove my happy ass to Walmart for a cheap pre-lit tree because I needed to make this as easy on myself as possible. I was so determined to get this damn tree I had to visit 2 walmarts due to these fancy trees being a hot commodity. Well, I got it and put this bad boy together all by myself. Feeling super accomplished and my work is done. Not really, Pinterest has taken over my evenings and now I get to buy decorations.... $$$. I'll use Bo's credit card and tell him "it will be fun". 

Pups are scared to death of it and won't get off the couch.

TGIF. 

I can't wait to see how excited bo is. 

Oh and next week we at both off ALL WEEK! 

We have a little road trip planned with family visits along the way. So pumped! 

Living solo Monday- Thursday.

When bo is gone,

I get to watch all the Bravo TV I want without any interruptions.

And drink wine out of a fancy cup. 

And have long chats with Ashton who now lives in Colorado.

And eat leftovers. (Because he cleans out the fridge with his appetite when he's home)   

And ace and cash think they are king of the castle. 

And Ace & Cash just live it up.

Monday Monday Monday

So today is a payroll day, which means I am swamped, so I typed this little bit of randomness last night...

Friday Bo got home late so I had a little dinner prepared.. = me seeing Papa Murphy's and getting us my favorite pizza. He loved my fancy candle lit dinner. 

We headed to his house on Saturday morning, he had every intention of cleaning out his boat/ getting it ready to sell- but we ended up spending the day with his grandma because it happened to be her 69th birthday. 

We walked into her house. 

Me "Bo, look at those flowers (With one of those little plastic "happy birthday" signs), when is her birthday?" 

Bo "I don't know... I guess this week some time"

Grandma enters the room... "Hey what are yall doing here"

Bo "Just came in to see you and take you to lunch for your birthday" (nice save)

She bragged all day that we came in town to surprise her for her birthday. 

Bo = "grandson of the year" on accident.

Also bought Bo some youth XL under armor pants and a Large hoodie because the hanger posted different sizes. Note to self: I will never buy something without looking at the tag from here on out. Good times. 

Oh and fancy new glasses are in. They make a world of difference. #officeselfie

Jiffy Lube

To the entire noon staff of Jiffy Lube,

Thanks for taking your sweet ass time today when I stopped in to get a quick oil change. I had one precious hour to break from work and I had the pleasure of dealing with such kindness. I realize it is cold outside and you would rather be at home, as would I, but everyone has a job to do. After the treacherous experience is over, you want me to rate your services from 1 – 5 as one of you stood over my shoulder and apologized for the wait. Not going to lie, these places are always a little sketch to me so I gave all you assholes a 5 because you scare me.

TGIF

 

Bocita comes home today! & I have a secret mission this weekend. I will fill you all on Monday.

I was in the spending mood...but then remembered I already spent $200 on glasses.

 

I finally made it to the mall last night. I had never been to it before so I wasn't sure what stores it would have but it looked huge from the outside so I assumed it would have my go-to stores.

 

I was on a hunt for those jegging/leather pants from Limited. This mall doesn't have a Limited.

 

Then my hunt changed to Mac for more make up. Dillard's didn't have a Mac. At this point I was a little annoyed.

 

Since I was in Dillard's, I hit up the shoe department. I thought I needed some new black boots but after trying 3 pair on I decided I would wear flats more.. but of course I didn't see any flats I had to have... I felt bad for the lady that put up with my indecisiveness. Wasted her precious time. 

 

Since I was at the mall I decided to mosey around... Bath & Body Works always gets me with their "buy 3 get 3 free" deals. I am going to give these away during Christmas. My plan is to start shopping early this year and so far I have a new "filler" items. Its a start. Oh and I always need a nail file so I grabbed a small travel pack (they are on the left in the pic).

 

Walked passes Aldo and found those gloves I couldn't pass up. It is getting a little cold in the morning and I needed these for walking my dogs! My whole body is warm except my hands since I have to carry their little leashes.

 

& Since I parked at Dillard's I had to walk back through and BAM. Leather leggings I have been wanting for months. These bad boys just so happen to be spanx brand which is only a plus. I didn't get up early enough this morning to coordinate an outfit with these but a post about these leggings will appear soon. I can already tell they will be my go-to pants all winter.

 

 

These are the leggings that you cant even
see in the photos below. Love them.
buy them here.



They were dying to jump on everything.

That is a sweater vest in the middle... I wasn't 100%
sure about it but it is lined with leather so I am thinking
I can pair it with those pants paired with a
red long sleeve top..or any color top + jeans...
 ideas are flowing- ill post pics when I come up with a good combo.

& that beige V neck on the right is super long and comfy.
& only 17 bones. Had to buy it.

 

the inside of these gloves feel amazing.
best $15 spent last night.

I was in the shopping mood but only found a few items... probably a good thing because I spent $200 at the eye doctor earlier in the afternoon.

It is hump day & I MUST make it to the gym tonight!

& catch up on some TV. Vanderpump Rules is back and I am obsessed.

Tuesday Snoozday

Yesterday, work was a killer. I was busy from the minute I walked in the door and I was dreading my workout all day. 2 ladies were in my office and I told them that I really wanted to ditch my workout and go to the mall & I needed them to change my mind. One replied with "I'm not going to the gym tonight so I can't tell you to go" and the other said "go run for the both of us".

I sat and had a small debate in my head for a few minutes then I walked to the bathroom and the lady across the hall, not knowing I had walked out said, "go in the bathroom, lift up your shirt and then make up your mind, that always helps me." 

I returned from the bathroom and said, "I decided that I am going to the mall!!" And they all started cracking up and informed me about the whole "lift up your shirt comment".

I am sure I butchered the story trying to put it down in words, but it was hilarious. Honestly, I looked in the mirror and remembered I needed to go to Mac plus I need a good shopping trip.

On the way home from work my my sweet Pepaw called and asked if I wanted to go to dinner since he would be on my side of town. Girl doesn't turn down a good meal with Pepaw. He took me to Italiano's, which is a little gem, and I cannot wait to take Bocita there. I had eggplant parm & it was delish. I still need my shopping fix though!

Oh also, I had an eye exam this morning. I have been squinting more than usual recently and I hadn't had my eyes checked since 2011. It. Was. Time. The doc said I just need a light prescription for reading/ computer work. Which is the same thing I was told in 2011 so good news, my eyes aren't going down the drain at a fast rate.

To go to the gym tonight or mall..

Wish List

I need to go shopping... or better yet, put this on my Christmas list. 

These are the cutest pants/leggings from the Limited.
A friend had them on the other day
and she said they are so comfy. 

& these would be perfect with those pants....



Who wouldn't want these?!

Currently my tan flats are wrecked and I need these bad boys.

Love. These.

& these.

These have a stretchy lining on the back = great for larger calves!
 

If you cant tell, I haven't got new shoes in a while. I wouldn't mind adding a few new pair to my collection.

Shoe shopping (minus actually buying anything) made my Monday a little better!







The laundry basket.

I wonder how many hours a year are spent in waiting rooms. I am sitting here waiting for that one visit a year that all women dread. Yep, the Gyno. Fun stuff.

Anyways, let's rewind to the beginning of Bocita. When we started dating I was wondering how it all would work because he owns a house about 1.5 hours outside of Houston. Yes, that means he would drive that far to and from work daily. Well, in the beginning he spent 3 weeks in Canada. In my eyes this was a test for me to gather my feelings. If I really missed him, then something was there. Well I really really missed him and counted down the days until he returned. 

He returned on a Friday night at 2 am, we stayed at my apartment then drove to his house on Saturday to visit his family. While we were at his house he proceeded to do all his laundry (first and only time I have seen him do this). On Sunday we loaded and headed to my place since I lived 40 minutes away from work and no way would I survive a 1.5 hour commute! So when we loaded up the car he grabbed his laundry basket full of clean clothes. I'm talking 3 weeks worth of clean clothes. I laughed to myself but thought..."Ok. This is happening." There was no discussion, it just happened. If I would've had a problem with it I would have spoken up then. But I let it be and got him a key made. 

After a few weeks of him living out of that laundry basket posted up on my kitchen table I decided it would be nice if me to clean out the hall closet. So I did and then he had a spot for all of his shit. Oh and he is used to coming in and emptying his pockets on the counter, so I got a bowl for that shit too. His things had their spot and everything was going great.

My lease was up in September and the discussion of us having a place together began. Anything with more space would be ideal. We went apartment hunting and found the perfect little place we call home today. 

It's crazy how this life of mine has played out. There I was being single soaking it up and in a blink of an eye I have the most amazing man in my life. We have had discussions about marriage and kids and buying a house, grown up things. So crazy.

Happy Thursday!

Just like Christmas.

My new phone came in. It was something I have needed for a while. I was working with the 4S and let me tell you, it was on its last leg. I was ready for an upgrade. Last night I made a pit stop on my way home for a fancy new case and got it all set up. It's so pretty, if a phone can be pretty? 

And apparently when I was transferring all my music I accidentally downloaded the new U2 album. Never listened to them in my life but I guess I will now... I will get it a shot at least. 

And my new "lock screen" pic. Just me and Bocita at NASA a while back.

Tonight is counting as one of my off nights from running this week. I have 2 off nights a week so I am taking one today and probably one Saturday. 3 miles on Monday and Tuesday left my legs pretty tight. They need a break and a good stretch. 

Happy hump day!! 

Weekend Recap on Tuesday

Payroll ruined my life yesterday..so here is my weekend in iphone snaps. I need to get better at taking pictures again... I know this.

Got my nails done

went to the driving range next to the airport

The weather was amazing

Bo got me this drink, it was good until I found out how unhealthy it is.

Sunday we played golf too and I beat Bo on the front 9. All the sudden he wasn't interested in keeping score anymore. :) Oh the attitude of men. Sunday Bocita went back to Louisiana around 3:30 and I went to get a massage. We had a nice relaxing weekend!

Last night I ran 3 miles on the treadmill and it took me 35 minutes. I will admit I had to walk some, but I ran at a faster pace than normal to push myself. I have to do another 3 tonight and my legs are a little tight today so we shall see how that goes.

Happy Tuesday!!!

 

I am spending Halloween weekend like a grandma.

Halloween isn’t my favorite holiday of the year. I don’t dislike it, but I don’t love it. It’s just ok. Every year I am scrounging around last minute for a costume and let’s be real- none of them turn out that great. This year, none of that nonsense is taking place. Bocita is coming home tonight and we are having a relaxing weekend at home. He will be home late tonight, tomorrow he said we can do whatever I want to do.. so I need to give that some thought and Sunday he wants to play golf in the morning before he heads back to Louisisna. Funn stuff.

Why isn’t Bo home? He is a crane supervisor and work takes him several different places. Right now he is on a project in Louisiana that could last 2 months (time frames can always change). For the most part he will have weekends off so we can see each other. Last weekend I made the 5 hour drive and let me tell you, it was horrible. Driving that far for less than a 48 hour visit was exhausting. I had a few meltdowns on the way there and on the way home. I will invest in a flight next time, it is worth keeping my sanity.

Since I am on the subject of him working out of town, I will state that for the time being I am ok with it. For the first 6 months of this relationship (since April of this year) he was working in Houston which was perfect because he was home every night. This is the first time he will be out of town for longer than a week. And I will be honest, a week apart every once in a while, is not a bad thing. But 2 months, we shall see how this goes. Stay tuned…

Oh and ½ Marathon legit training starts next week. Tonight I plan on running 2 miles and Sunday I need to push for 3 to get a solid base under my belt. I need to download some good jams to get pumped because I just want to sit around and eat candy this weekend, but I will NOT.

 

Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!!!

I am back.

I have great news for you guys/ whoever reads this gem of mine, I have time to blog again! We have hired more help at work so I am no longer everyone’s / for lack of better words/ bitch. It is just great.

This life of mine is turning out pretty great.. just some things to get you caught up.

Little sister started high school. She is just so grown up!

 Look at that transformation... and thank God our mother no longer dresses her. :) #bluejeanbaby

 Bo and I spent the weekend in New Orleans.

 

 Jillian and I went to the Katy Perry concert.

My Mom & Aaron got married... failed to get a pic of the groom... oops

 

"Nana" and great-grandma "Memaw"

 

I was in ANOTHER wedding...

 

 

That was pretty much a college reunion...

 

I moved into a new apartment with Bo-cita in September. Living together will be a post for another day. And I decided to just tell my father... oh the upcoming blog posts will be entertaining...


Bo turned 30! I got him some amazing TUMI luggage and buying luggage for someone is a sign of aging. It. Is. Sad.

“Fat & Happy” is in full effect so I signed up for a half marathon and bought new Brooks to get my butt motivated.

I am so excited to be back... I like having this portal to vent and document everything. I have missed it.

Hope everyone has a good Thursday!!