Overalls

So tonight I celebrated Christmas with Dad since I go to Orangeburg with Mama for the holiday each year. We sat down before dinner and I started opening my gifts. The first a smallish sized box.. Let me tell ya, I had no idea what I was getting this year; I honestly didn't really know what I wanted. It was a camera! It's cool, a nikon coolpix that projects pictures and video on the wall! He bought himself one, too, so we have matching cameras haha. And so I continue with the cameras, this must be the 50th- more like 5/6th digital camera I've gotten. Let's just say I have bad luck with technology.. Cameras have dropped on the pavement, in the ocean, lake, etc. My computer has crashed- twice, and now there is STILL a grey's anatomy dvd in there! I've gone through too many phones to count, I didn't even like the iphone.. not typical. But I'm content with my blackberry.. I particularly like bbm/b2b- aka blackberry messenger! 

The second box was fairly big. Again, not quite knowing what to expect since my interests range from whitewater kayaking to visiting the pvb spa and everything else in between, I opened the box. It was the patagonia pullover I'd been wanting! I had tried it on everytime I went in the store, and now I actually have one. YES! It's soft, comfortable, and warm.. and it's coming with me to Vegas!

Box number three. A USPS box, flat, but fairly long. What in the world? By the way, Daddy actually wrapped this year- that is a first. He doesn't do the whole wrapping thing, so I felt like I should take pictures.. but did not. I had to use his knife to open this box, until I realized there was a pull tab on the side, much easier. I still couldn't see in, pulling the object out thinking it was a jacket- I love jackets! But no, it was.. drum roll, please.. what I'd always wanted:

ORANGE OVERALLS!!!

I rushed to the other room to try them on, perfect fit! I had waited for years for these things! I wanted them when I was younger, never got them. Then I decided I'd get them when I got into Clemson.. no. I asked for them for Christmas, Birthday, etc for maybe.. 4 years now? I found out today that my family thought I was kidding all along! That's a big time negative. WOW. So thanks, Daddy- for making my life with, yes, a pair of orange overalls from Judge Kellers! They'll get more wear than my Lilly overalls, I'm sure, since they've come out for pre-recruitment and a mixer. And man have I gotten heck for them! I think they're great though.. so KMA to the Lilly haters ;)

All I need now is a pair of Carhartt overalls to add to my collection, if you will. Well, I'm pumped about these orange overalls, and I'm wearing them tomorrow. Mama's gonna love it!

I can't wait until the next basketball game when we get back, it'll be AWESOME! 

*****

Oh yeah, I had to pick up a football on my way over to Dad's tonight? About that.. 

A man who work's for him has a son who is best friends with CJ! YES! And so, they are going on a trip with JACOBY to Michigan, and they're going to sign the football! AHHHH!

How great! :)

XOXO

I love Deb Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year... yes I start singing the song, first in my head, but then out loud. And now, it's not necessarily for Christmas quite yet, but for something else. It's Deb Season in the South, and I just can't get enough of it. The gowns, tuxes, society, etiquette, country clubs, friends, social scene, tradition.. the exquisiteness of it all. What a time! And what an honor.

What an honor to be presented. What an honor that I was included as a guest to Laura's debut in Beaufort. What an adventure. 

Last year I debuted in Jacksonville, and I had the absolute time of my life. So many parties, so much fun packed into Summer, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Break! I didn't even know what to do when it was over!! So when Laura asked me to come to her Presentation, I was SO excited! 

1: I got to see Laura over break 

2: I got to go to an out of town Presentation

3: I got to go back to Beaufort, one of my favorite places in the world!

I'm not gonna lie, it had not even been a week since I'd been home and I was already wanting to get out of Jax. So this Presentation was perfect timing. I got to Laura's house and met hr family and Maddie, then we started getting ready and went to the ball! We got there and had the time of our lives. Not really knowing anyone besides Laura when we got there, Maddie and I left knowing at least half to three-quarters of the party! AND... I found many connections.. 

There were five debs. I had connections with 4! Yes 4/5.. and I don't even live there. Not surprising, actually.. more so expected :) One of them Laura; I lead Bible study with her. Another was Lightsey who goes to Clemson. A third, Dargen; she goes to UNF in Jax! And the fourth, really the most exciting connection of the night for me, Gracyn; a MERRIE WOODE GIRL! Of course, when least expected, I find girls from camp; it's so great!! 

Anyways, we had so much fun, danced all night to the awesome band- The Holliday Band.. They even had their own party bus! Then we were ready to go at it again! It was only 12am, and the night was young! Maddie and I wanted to experience Beaufort Nightlife, and THAT WE DID. 

We changed back at Laura's house, which was beautiful on the Battery, and just across the way to our destination.. Plums! Apparently that's the place to be.. and we were told, "Remember girls, this is not Clemson.. watch out for the Marines.." Good to know, but we figured we'd be just fine as we left the boys behind and went on our way!

*We get to Plums, there is quite the crowd, and a rough looking lady falling over the railing. We make our way through, the door, and that's when I hear "ASHLEY!" What in the world?! Yes, surprise again, it was my friend Kylie from school, a Beaufort Native herself; I loved getting to see her over break! The first fifteen minutes were great and we danced and sang with the band, met lots more people- now mostly our age, and just had an all-round good time, of course. It was about time for something to happen, and that's when the fight broke out! Let me tell ya, that was exciting. It wasn't just a few punches, but half the people in the place got into it. Half the band was taken out, and some interesting words were being shouted over the microphone.. it was straight-up hilarious. Then the lights came on, police busted up the crowd, and we had to leave. They closed the place down! WOW. Kylie and Laura kept telling us that was the most excitement they've seen in a while, and that it's never like that there. I just laughed, and realized.. you know it must've been that I needed another adventure to add to the books. Thank you Beaufort for a fun night! 

XOXO

I'm BAAACK!

It's official, I'm back! So get excited :)

I've been thinking about what I've got to do with my life. Of course I've thought about this before, but I really feel like I need to buckle down a tad more than just the usual, "where am I going to live?"- I cannot tell you how many times I've been asked this question in the past year, let alone this past week! It's a scary thought for me, but I'm excited. 

Honestly, I should just be focused on graduating, and hitting the books more than I did last semester! But even just more than what I'll be doing after college, where will I be? Mom's from South Carolina, Dad's from Jax. I'm born and raised Jacksonville girl, more than that- 7th or 8th generation Ortega. That's my neighborhood, and an adventure in itself. So I'll leave the explanation for another time! 

Well, the answer to this frequently posed question..? The answer is I don't know. My response is just that too, with a little more. I tell people that we'll see where God wants me. And I continue on my way. That way I don't leave anyone upset or hurt..

But that's the kind of response that gets me thinking, too. I'll be where GOD wants me, it's his plan after all, is it not? We all just ned to trust in Him, and be patient. I really need to work on both those. Don't we all? 

I just wish we knew the plans God had for us. That would be so much easier. It would make many worries disappear. Knowing the future, can you imagine? But really, what fun would that be? Our reliance would not be on God anymore for peace, knowing He has a plan, and with prayer. It would be in our future. It would take a lot of the fun out of it, too. 

What's the adventure in that?

..know that He has a plan for YOUR life. That brings me peace everyday.

XOXO