Support for Sandy Hook

To the Blog World and anyone else who wants to help,

Yesterday, tragedy struck so many of us in ways we did not foresee. An elementary school and small town in Connecticut was shattered by a mass shooting. We knew we wanted to help and we came up with this:



On Tuesday, December 18th, there will be a blogger day of silence. We will post the button and that’s it. Please try to not post anything else that day if possible.

 We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to:

“Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING.”

Please visit THIS PAGE to make your donation.

 We can’t imagine how they must be feeling, especially this close to the holidays. We would love for you to spread the word on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let’s make a difference and use blogging in a positive way. Thank you in advance for participating.

 Love,
The Blog World

p.s. If you would like to, copy-paste and repost any part of this, please do. Share on.

Big thanks to Neely, Meg, and Michelle for organizing this!

Happy Holidays (Blogger and ‘N SYNC Style)

Hey y’all!
 
I am thrilled to be a part of a fabulous group of bloggers that enjoy *NSYNC Christmas music as much as I do! :)
 
The lovely Sar had a great idea to make a blogger lip-sync video to *NSYNC’s “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays”! 14 of us recorded videos, and Sar edited them and created this amazing video! We are SO EXCITED to share it with y’all today!
 
Meet the wonderful stars of the video!
 
Ashley @ Ashley’s Carnival Ride (me!)
Holly Jean @ Perfectly Imperfect
Kaitlin @ Kaitlin Leigh
Meghan @ Shine On
 
We had a wonderful time, and we hope you enjoy our video!

Hey! That’s Pin-tastic!

i love you more than carrots
 
Hey y’all!
 
Today I’m linking up with AP for Hey! That’s Pin-tastic! I’m sharing a craft project I did while babysitting on Saturday night!
 
I love doing crafts with the kids, so this week, I knew I wanted something Christmasy.
 
This pin was my inspiration:
 
Instead of using fingerpaints, we used PUDDING!
 
I used vanilla and chocolate pudding and food coloring. First, I dyed some of the vanilla green to use for the sleigh, and then I “painted” it on the bottom of the kids’ feet.

 
We made a footprint on a big piece of white paper.
 
Then, the kids licked the pudding off their feet!
Don’t worry. We washed their feet before we started :)

 
Next came the handprints! We used the chocolate pudding to make the reindeer.

Yum-o!
 
I dyed a little bit of vanilla pudding red, and we used that to make Santa in the sleigh. We used a marker to connect the reindeer to the sleigh, and then we were finished!
So cute!
 
The kids said this was their favorite of alllll the crafts we’ve done together!
 
After we finished, we dyed more pudding to let them have a fun snack!
We had so much fun! I adore these kiddos!

The Sunday Social, Week 27

Sunday Social
 
Hey y’all!
 
Today is week 27! Can y’all believe it??
 
Today’s questions continue our holiday theme!
 
1. Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials?
I love watching CMA Country Christmas!
I also usually watch Christmas in Rockefeller Center and A Home for the Holidays, but that one always makes me cry!

 
2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do?
Several years, I have helped buy gifts for kids in Mexico through a program at my church.
 
3. Favorite toy received as a child for the holidays?
One year, I got a play kitchen, and I LOVED it! We still have it out at my grandparents’ house, and the cousins still play with it!
 
4. What was your must have item in high school for the holidays?
My senior year, I got a tv for my bedroom!
 
5. Item you begged for the most and never got?
Ohhh…I got nothing for this one. Santa Claus was good to me :)
 
6. What do you do on Christmas Eve? If you are Jewish what does your family do for Hanukkah?
On Christmas Eve, for years we went to my grandparents’ house to open gifts with the family. We also open gifts at home, just the four of us.
 
Your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!
 
Next week’s questions
 
Changing it up a bit this week!
 
1. What is the wallpaper on your cell phone?
2. What do you keep beside your bed?
3. What is your least favorite chore?
4. If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be?
5. What do you do to vent anger?
6. What is your favorite holiday of the year and why?
 
Have a great Sunday!

Now Playing…

Hey y’all! It’s been awhile since I did a music post, so I thought I’d share the songs that I’m listening to on repeat!
 
“Better Dig Two”-The Band Perry
 
“Tornado”-Little Big Town
 
“Catch My Breath”-Kelly Clarkson
 
“Take a Little Ride”-Jason Aldean
“22″-Taylor Swift
 
What’s currently on your playlist?

What I’m Loving Wednesday

Hey y’all!
 
It’s been awhile since I’ve linked up with Jamie for What I’m Loving Wednesday!
 
Here’s what I’m loving lately!
 
I’m loving…
 
…lunch dates with wonderful friends.
 
…sweet kitty cat snuggles.
 
…Greek frozen yogurt.
 
…fun goodies from Influenster.
 
…Pioneer Woman macaroni and cheese!
 
What are you loving right now?


Jingle Bell Rock Mix CD Reveal!

Hey y’all!
A few weeks ago I participated in Meghan, Meagan, and Sara’s Holiday Mix CD Swap!
I was partnered with Meagan, one of the fabulous cohosts! She sent me a fun CD and a packet of hot chocolate!
Here are the great songs on my CD!
1. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
2. Jingle Bells – Lisa Loeb
3. Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley
4. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Harry , Jr.
5. Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
6. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer – Manneheim Steamroller
7. Sleigh Ride – Natalie Cole
8. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Josh Groban
9. Winter Wonderland – Jewel
10. Baby It’s Cold Outside – The Brian Setzer Orchestra
11. Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney
12. You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch – NewSong
13. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – New Song
14. Joy to the World – Aretha Franklin
15. A New York Christmas – Rob Thomas
16. Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day – Avalon
17. The Christmas Song – Natalie Cole
18. Jingle Bells – Jim Brickman
19. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Frank Sinatra
20. Silent Night – Perry Como
21. White Christmas – Bing Crosby
22. Good News – Avalon
Blog swaps are so much fun and a great way to meet new bloggers! I’m glad to have a new bloggy friend! Thanks again Meagan!

The Sunday Social, Week 26

Sunday Social
 
Hey y’all!
 
Today starts our fun holiday Sunday Social questions! Can’t wait to read yours!
 
1. What is your favorite holiday season tradition?
I love opening gifts on Christmas Eve with my parents and brother. It’s great to have time in the middle of all of the crazy to be together, just the four of us!

 
2. Do you have a certain holiday movie you watch more than others? If so what is it?
My favorites are Elf, The Family Stone, and Love Actually! I watch them all multiple times during the holidays! Love Actually is my gift wrapping movie :)
 
3. Show us your favorite decoration or pinterest decoration you wish you could have.
I don’t like traditional Christmas colors, so I decorate with purple, pink, and silver!
 
4. What is your favorite holiday song?

O Holy Night is my favorite! I’m sure it will surprise no one that my favorite arrangement is *NSYNC’s :)
 

5. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
My Mom-mom used to make these fun Christmas tree and wreath cookies! They were so good and so cute!

 
6. What is on your wish list this year?
This!
My Holiday Wishlist? A Ticket to BlissDom!
 
Now it’s your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!

Next week’s questions

More holiday fun!

1. Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials?
2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do?
3. Favorite toy received as a Child for the Holidays?
4. What was your must have item in high school for the Holidays?
5. Item you begged for the most and never got?
6. What do you do on Christmas Eve? If you are Jewish what does your family do for Hanukkah?
 
Have a great Sunday!

Ashley Lately

Hey y’all!
 
Hope y’all are having a great week!
 
I know that aside from Sunday Social, things have been a little quiet around here. We’ve officially hit the holiday season at work, and I’ve either been busy or resting :)
 
Here’s what I’ve been up to…
 
A couple of weeks ago we had a birthday party for Little Girl, Jonna, and Joyce. Their birthdays are all in a row, so we had one big party!
Yummy cupcakes

Birthday girl Jonna!

That is A LOT of hair accessories and pinkness!
 
I ended up not going home for Thanksgiving. Because this was my first year for Black Friday at TVP and because most of the family wasn’t able to come, it just made more sense for me to stay here. I had lunch with my family up here, and then I spent the afternoon and evening with Wade and Joyce and the family.
 
The only picture I took all day…
 
W posted this lovely picture of me on Instagram. This was pretty much all we did all afternoon!

 Friday morning my alarm went off at 3:15 am, and I made it to TVP at 4:30! Y’all know me, I can’t really function with other people before 9 am, so it was good that I made it through the craziness without hurting anyone! Haha!
 
It was a very long day, and by the end of it, I was pretty much feeling like this…
Yep!
 
Saturday, Sarah came back from school and worked with us at TVP!
It was so great having her back! I adore her and can’t wait until Christmas break when she will be back with us!
 
I have also started counting calories and eating healthier. I have reached that point again where I am not happy with the way I look or the way I feel, so I’m working hard to try to shed some of this weight I’ve gained over the last few months. It’s hard, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Wish me luck!
 
I hope to get back to my regular blogging soon!
 
Have a great Wednesday!


The Sunday Social, Week 25

Sunday Social
 
Hey y’all!
 
I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Mine didn’t go quite like I first planned, but it ended up being a great day.
 
Today’s Sunday Social is all about 4′s!
 
1. Name 4 jobs you’ve had in your life.
2 year old preschool teacher, adoption caseworker, foster care coordniator, and jewelry boutique manager
 
2. Name 4 movies you would watch over and over.
Miss Congeniality, Under the Tuscan Sun, Legally Blonde, and Easy A!

 
3. Name 4 places you have lived.
My hometown, UCO suites, a terrible horrible apartment, and my current lovely apartment!
 
4. Name 4 of your favorite foods.
chocolate, chicken quesadillas, mac & cheese, and my momma’s chocolate cheesecake

 
5. Name 4 things you always carry with you.
My iPhone, my keys, my sunglasses, and my purse
 

6. Name 4 places you have been on vacation.
Disneyworld, Memphis (twice), Nashville (twice), and Chicago!
 
Now it’s your turn! Answer the questions, grab our button, and link up with Neely and me!
 
Next week’s questions
 
We are starting our holiday questions!!
 
1. What is your favorite holiday season tradition?
2. Do you have a certain holiday movie you watch more than others? If so what is it?
3. Show us your favorite decoration or pinterest decoration you wish you could have
4. What is your favorite holiday song?
5. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
6. What is on your wish list this year?
 
Have a great Sunday y’all!