Be you.

So, I did in fact fall off the side of the earth.  And in my opinion, for perfectly good reasons.  I not only quit blogging, I quit doing a lot of things I used to do.  Every day I'm discovering more and more about myself that I never thought would be imaginable.  I'm feeling a little Carrie Bradshaw these days.

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I thought I loved this, I thought I loved that.  This once made me happy but now it just makes me want to barf. I put myself out there just to be shut down. I don't give myself enough credit half the time, I'm a lot stronger than I think apparently because I know God would never give me something I couldn't handle. I came to the realization that I've lived my entire life making someone else happy. Am I being selfish? Perhaps. But you only have one life, and I'm most certainly going to make mine count. I've got dreams, I've got flaws, and I've got a whole mess of crap to talk about. trust me when I say, this bird you can not change. 

This post is semi pointless and I'm just rambling, I know. But these days, I'm just trying to survive nursing school with my head ABOVE water on top of everything else going on.  I go to school, I go to clinicals, I study, I work, and I sleep.  That's about it.  I've become a hermit, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing.  I am pretty much bad at every life/social role there is imaginable. When things get hard, I shut down and depend on time to heal it all.  But, I'm a good student. and that's about all I've got going for me.  I may let a lot of relationships fall off the side of the earth, but I pray I never lose the ability to strive to learn. I pray I never stop wanting to push myself as far as I can go.  I want nothing more than to finish nursing school, begin my career, and go back to school for more.

I'm so thankful nursing school brought me some of the best friends that understand me to the core and push me when I need it and talk me down when I don't.  We spend just about every moment of every day together.  We break down, we piss each other off, we lift each other up. and that's when you really get to know someone. 

 Sometimes you fall off the wagon, but we do what we have to do to get each other through.
That's what life is all about, and that's when you really get to know yourself.

Today's the best day to do some random rambling post and attempt to not neglect blogging because it's 

and I may not necessarily be backing it up like most of you,
but I am listening to the song that connects me and my Daddy at the soul.



The past few months have been unimaginable, but I listen to this song and all is right in the world. I miss my family more than words, but all I have to do is look down at my wrist, see my Daddy's handwriting, and I'm reminded of who I am.

sassy, classy, white trashy, and smart assey.

Coffee Dates with my PA

I'm late to the party, but better late and drunk than never anyways, right? And it's also okay to only post today for the sole purpose of backing that azz up, right? I thought so! Man, I'm 2 for 2 today.  I will also include pictures of the current scenic view that is just within miles of where I've been laying my head down at night these days.  You're welcome.

Indescribable, right?  That makes me 3 for 3. I just want to leave you with some food for thought before we start to #backthatazzup.  I'm a worrying mess these days, duh.  I probably always will be, too. But let's get one thing down.  I went for my 3 month check up this morning and my PA and I have more of a coffee chit chat meeting than an actual follow up.  My PA and I are from the same ole small area back in North Carolina, so it's no surprise we instantly bonded.  We share the same interests in extracurricular actives and obviously, have a love for the practice of medicine.  

Today during our coffee catch up date, she broke the news that she was leaving this practice.  My heart broke, she's been my PCM for all of the 3 years I've been in Savannah.  I'll probably never have another provider that I connect with like that.  But anyways, we talk about my journey with school a lot, and she today told me one thing I will never, ever forget..."You may take a few unintended detours along the way, but you will ultimately end up where you are needed and are meant to be."  If there's one thing she wanted me to remember about this last talk, it was that no matter what, believe in myself as she does me, and above all...finish school, be the best damn DNP I can be, and take care of myself before anyone else.  

Isn't it ironic how God selects the most random people in your life to speak through?  And isn't it crazy how I hear my Grammy, too?  You know your parents believe in you, your friends, loved ones, whatever.  But to hear it from someone who is really just your PCM, who could probably give two hoots about your personal life, that's inspiration.  I'm so thankful to have had the best PA in Savannah to provide me with such encouraging words the past few years.  

So, time to get to it.  I was gonna add a different song to correlate more with those beautiful pictures.  But, it seems more appropriate to just use the song my PA coffee date of mine brought up today.  Basically, us Carolina girls can get hood when the time comes.  We ain't just country.  I suppose I'll keep it clean though :) 

I'm a beaaar (backing my azz up)

I had a wonderful vlog planned for today but I slept 12 hours.  Opps.  I'm a bear in hibernation, true story.

It was my monthly Ipsy Glam Bag review vlog.  And well, basically I'll just tell you my thoughts.  In the words of Jim Carrey...

"I've had better." 

I'll still post it Monday, there was some good parts to it.  But, for now...it' time to back it up, son! What better to use my favorite cups song? 

"two bottles of whiskey for the way."

that's when I knew I loved her. 

Happy Friday,

Sinners like me

I want to dedicate this #backthatazzupFriday to the greatest man I could ever imagine God picking as my father.

Let's just get straight to the point, everyone loves my Daddy.  He knows no stranger and you can guarantee he is best friends with all of my best friends.  I drink with my Daddy, I smoke with my Daddy, and I raise hell with my Daddy.  Although I love my husband dearly, my Daddy will always be  number one in my heart for making me the person I am today.

Growing up, I didn't always get to see my Daddy as often as we both would like. You see back in the day, my Daddy served this great country of ours. He also had a few too many wives to deal with, but that's besides the point.  He got stationed at Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas, Nevada before I entered middle school. And that's when Ashley the train wreck nearly started.

Sneaking out and running my Mom's car into the garage door, fighting on the school bus after school, sneaking out to smoke and drink with my friends all night, not getting to play varsity softball because I skipped school and failed due to absences, skipping school and racing my truck down the dirt road and fish tailing into a fence. You know it, I did it. Was I a bad kid? Yes. Was I a bad kid because my Daddy wasn't around to give me the azz whooping of a lifetime that I deserved? Maybe. Was I a bad kid because it's in my genes? Without a freaking doubt.  My Momma, she's an angel, and I thank my lucky stars she never killed me for all of the ridiculous, wreck less, and down right stupid things I did as a kid and teenager. She did the best she could, but I was out of control.

My Daddy moved back from Las Vegas my last two years of high school after he retired, but I still continued to raise hell. That is until the day I walked down to the hallway to the principals office and I saw my Daddy's orange Harley Davidson jacket sleeve from the door way. My heart stopped. What in the world was I to do? My Momma did a good job at hiding a lot of the stupid things I did from my Dad. But, this was it. I was on the verge of not making it to my senior year if I didn't straighten up.

There's a few things in life that can occur that will result in me feeling like I'm just scum on the ground.  Disappointing my Father is one of those things. I guess I never thought about what would happen if he found out about all of the stupid things I had done. I would rather take a million whippings, be grounded for the rest of my life, whatever it may be. I'd take it all, I just can't stand the feeling knowing how disappointed he is in me. And he knows that's all he has to say. I'm not mad at you Ash, I'm just disappointed.  Boy, did it cut like a knife.

For the next two years,  my Daddy and I got closer than ever before. It wasn't about punishing me anymore, it was about bonding. It was about instilling the values in me that make me a person in society, it was about helping me grow into a responsible adult, and it was about reminding me the lessons he taught me as a child when I first lied to him.

The grass is green, the sky is blue, and life's too short. 

So do the right thing 'cause it's the right thing to do.  

My Daddy never got to have a son, but between me and my sister I'm pretty sure we gave him the experience he would have had if we were boys.  At my sister's wedding, she picked the most spot on song to dance with Daddy to.  It wasn't your traditional "make everyone cry" song.  It was a song that speaks truth. Pure truth. 

Recently, Dad and I took a road trip up to Virginia together and we played this song on repeat for a good thirty minutes. So, for #backthatazzupFriday it must be played again and dedicated to my Daddy on Father's Day.

I'll never get tired of you telling me your stories or asking you for advice, and I'm thankful you never let me down despite the hell I raised.  I love you to the moon and back! Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Hey, Penelope Design Giveaway

Born in the Boot Shirt

c/o Hey, Penelope Design

Express Shorts

Cowgirl Boots similar 

Need these boots 

Brown Belt (similar) from TJ Maxx

Ray-Ban New Wayfarers

Silver Coin Earrings 

Y'all know I love everything Louisiana, and I basically can't get enough of this adorable shirt!  It's from Hey, Penelope Design on etsy by the amazingly talented Desiree.  Desiree is a graduate of SLU with a Bachelor's in Art // Graphic Design.  She started designing invitations and prints for friends and fell in love with it.  She decided to start up her own business and it is steadily growing. Inside her etsy shop, you will find everything I love :)  Louisiana shirts/tanks (both LSU and Saints related, and some crawfish too) pillow cases, totes, and adorable chevron and cupcake prints! Even if you aren't a Louisiana fan bless your heart she has something in her shop for you! 

Recently her  'just nap it out' Pillowcase was  featured in Shop Til You Drop Magazine in Australia

Desiree is going to give one lucky Ash Ann Pow reader a $25 credit to redeem in her Hey, Penelope Design shop! The winner will be verified, so please be honest!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I had some little friends come visit during my shoot

My favorite thing about Fridays

I have to keep it country this week again.

My favorite Jason Aldean song ever.

This pretty much defines where I was born in LA and where I grew up in NC. 

p.s. #30dayssober begins tomorrow for me! 

Update on Monday and again every Thursday!

DMV up.

Oh HEY FRIDAY! 

I'm extremely excited it's Friday because I'm just a few minutes away from hoppin' in Papa Smurf and hitting I95 for DMV.  No, not the Department of Motor Vehicles.

District of Columbia 
Maryland 
Virginia 

And I'm also extremely aware of how much I am a white girl. But there's something about listening to the Go-Go music knowing you're going up there.

Memorial Day Weekend will be spent with my Sister, Brother-in-law, and Daddy at Fed Ex Stadium to see Mr. Kenny Chesney and Eric Church.

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What? Yep. That's right, I can switch it on 'ya real quick. I'm just that versatile and amazing.
You probably didn't know this about me. Actually, you probably did. I've got a wide range of likes over here and I ain't afraid to let my crazy flag fly.

So, for #backthatazzup Friday, I'm giving you 2 awesome jams. You're welcome.
One for the DMV and one for country soul.  Either way I'm backing that thing up, beliedat!

Enjoy and link up with my girl Whit-naaay!

I really would like to take the time to say a special thanks to our military for all they do.  Without these brave men and women, we wouldn't be able to celebrate in the amazing country we live in.  I would also like to thank all of the family members who lost someone and know that somewhere someone is thinking of you and your sacrifice. Remember them all, not just today.

All gave some, but some gave all. 

God Bless America,

this ain't no joke.

That's right, this ain't no joke. Ashley is getting back into some healthy living.  Now, before I broke my arm I was in the yoga studio on the daily, I was also running about 3 miles a day.  Then the whole "the kickball is stronger than you" happened and I broke my right arm and was out of it all for about 3 months. I must say that I did run a half marathon with a broken arm though, so I ain't that bad off right?

But then when I got my cast off, I was in the midst of nursing school! Of course my super fit bff kicked my booty into gear before our next race, but jeeezzzzz can't a girl just be lazy?

But now Ashley is lazy girl no more. I live such a sedentary lifestyle (oh, and I'm a future nurse) and it's time to balance it all out for real.  I finally figured it out, are you ready? This is top secret right here! Before you can get your body and lifestyle back, you gotta get your MIND back. If your mind isn't in it, neither will your body. So I started reading a bunch of inspirational quotes to kick my booty into gear myself! And of course, my all time favorite bible verse pops up

"she is clothed with strength and dignity, and laughs without fear of the future." 

Proverbs 31:25

And that was all I needed.  I ordered me a super inspirational work out tank from Simply Sophia Maria's Etsy shop and I was ready to go! Sophia had my tank in my mailbox before I could even blink. She is awesome!

I love this tank so much for what it says. I don't want to be skinny, I just want to be strong. Physically, and most importantly mentally and emotionally. And not to mention, it's incredible light weight and I sweat like a P I G and it didn't stick to my love handles haha!

I got back into running while wearing this sexy tank, my one true love.  I can't wait to see where this next journey will take me. Although I did just over a mile and a half, I can't wait to see how far I can go again when this new strong mindset sets it.

You know it's Friday, so you know what time it is!

I must add that I missed last Friday due to road tripping to D.C. but I was backing it up in my car to any and all rap songs! And maybe a few backstreet boys showed up, okay maybe more than a few. 

I'm keeping up with this BSB theme in honor of them celebrating their 20th anniversary and announcing their In A World Like This tour. 

Quit judging, you know they're on your Spotify