End of Chapter

I feel weird. Way weird.
Ever since I was sixteen years, nine months and ten days old I have been a
true Maxxinista.
aka: I've been employed at Tj Maxx.
HELLO, that was almost six years ago!
A few months ago a customer asked me how long I worked there.
My face went hot and I felt embarrassed to say 'almost six years.'
That's when I started to feel ready for a change.
I've had that feeling before, but not like that day.
Luckily changes were in the works for Jon and I!
We'll be leaving Logan in two weeks and only coming back to visit family.
{and hit up our favorite restaurants, of course}
I'm sure gonna miss the beautiful Cache Valley...
We're set to arrive in Texas on May 9th,
and we'll start working our little bums off the next day.
Three weeks later I'll be heading to California for some training,
then back to Utah to begin managing Yogurtland in Bountiful.
{opening day is planned for June 11th-ish. Get ready!!}
I'm so excited for this opportunity, thank you Josh, Amber and Jed!
Jon and I won't see each other for about 2 1/2 months other than a family reunion in July, and a possible quick-trip to Texas for me in August.
What a challenge it'll be!
SO anyone in Bountiful/Salt Lake, let's hang out :)
Change is good, right? I've learned so much working for the TJ's and
I'll be sad to say goodbye to my friends I have made...
but I'm happy these changes are positive.
This Thursday will be the end of a good chapter,
and the beginning to an even better one
:)

...

Sooo my last post may or may not have been a bit dramatic.
Sorry y'all!
I really do love my job and allllll the peeps I work with.
Pretty sure I was fed up with some customers, and being dramatic.
Really.
I'm gonna miss all my maxxinista friends come May.
I guess I haven't officially announced this over the www, but Jon and I are moving!
In May we'll be heading to good ole Texas for the summer. Hopefully succeeding as salesman and office lady.
Then in August we'll be setting up tent in Salt Lake Citayyy!
We're really excited to be closer to a lot of our family, and Jon will be going to the U.
So there ya have it. Updated on the web.
Work went well today, thanks for wondering.
:)

I love my job...

Because I get to give customer service to some who may not be quite deserving.
Because I get to ask EVERY customer EVERY time
if they'd like to apply for a credit card.
Because I get to recite ALL the great benefits to EVERY
customer regardless of how many times they've heard them, or have said no,
or cut me off in the middle...you just continue on.
Because peeps like to put clearance tags on items that they CLEARLY don't belong to.
No you may not have this sixty dollar purse for fifteen.
Because I get told to shut up in the middle of reciting the benefits previously mentioned.
Because I have the pleasure of seeing people from the college days who I'm not too fond of,
and vise versa.
Logan is a small town.
Everyone knows everyone.
(there are some that I truly DO love seeing. Hopefully they feel the same way...?)
Because some of us get called stupid by certain glorious customers.
Because I get to work on holidays every year,
no matter how many years I've worked there.
Because I'm not getting paid much more than some newbies,
no matter how many years I've worked there.
Because there's a little bit of drama each day to spice things up.
I guess it just comes naturally in a store full of women.

I love my job, I love my job, I LOVE MY JOB!

But in all reality, I really do. I'm really blessed to have a job.  
Especially in a college town where NOBODY can find a job.

Maxxinista fo' life. Well, hopefully not...

Oh Santa!

This song is stuck in my head at all times. I woke up this morning singing it...poor Jon.
I hear it twice a day while I'm at work, you might just find me dancing up and down TJ's aisles,
if you're lucky ;)

Merry Christmas!

So far

So far Jon and I have been nothin but busy! It's a good thing, and a tiring thing. This weekend we have 5 days off from the office, it's Dr. Gordon's ten year anniversary! So Jon and I will be "playing house" with their four little cuties til next Tuesday. I'll be working 3 out of the 5 days at TJ's. So really, Jon will play daddy. :).
I just have to say how great he is. Yesterday I worked 8-4 at the office then 5:30-10 at Tj Maxx. Needless to say it was a long day. I'm so lucky to have a cute husband that I get to work with. I'll walk by him and he'll wink at me or send a cute little smile my way. {Are you throwing up yet? Or maybe blushing?} On my hour break between jobs he wouldn't let me do any cleaning {which seriously needs to be done!} and made me go upstairs and take a cat-nap while he made breakfast burritos for dinner. Mmm. He surprises me with his cooking skills! Remember my last post where he was cooking me some fine Chinese food?

The aftermath. Messy! Like our new Wok? 

Yeah, it was the bomb. 

He is the bomb. I'm married to the bomb! 

anyway, I love him. a whole lot. 

Well I just waited 3 hours for Comcast dudes to get here and set up our internet/cable {our neighbors are awesome and have let us used theirs for the time being...but I'm pretty sure we are overstaying our welcome, so to speak} Turns out my order online didn't go through or something. I just got off the phone with them and they said I put our address in wrong and they don't email you when a  problem like that occurs. What the, weird? So 8 more days without connections...thanks neighbors!...

I better go back to the kiddos. I hope everyone has a great weekend and this weather will shape-it-up!

Pants on Fire

Liar, liar. I'm posting again. Twice in one day.
I really shouldn't have this much time on my hands! 

So in the past month or so, I've locked my keys in my car 3 or 4 times. The first time I was at Jon's {sister's/bro's} house, luckily, so I was able to sleep there until morning and we could go find my spare.

Well today Dave, the bro, saved my world once again. 

You see...after work at the dental office I was rushing to get things done so I could get out of Logan. I NEEDED to run to Tj Maxx and give them my summer availability, since they have had no idea when I'll be able to actually work after the wedding/honeymoon. NE-WAY, I locked my keys in Turk {my car} because I texted someone as soon as I parked, lost my train of thought, locked my door, stepped on the pavement, shut the door, "Crap.", looked in the window.

My USU Aggies lanyard was hanging proudly from the ignition. 

Again, Crap.

Jon was babysitting Dave and Mindi's kiddos. So who do I call? Dave. He picked me up, took me to our new apartment...where I realized my HOUSE KEY IS WITH MY CAR KEY. Found out the front window wasn't even locked, so I broke into my own apartment in about 23 seconds. THAT'S not scary at all. 

Anyway, long story {not so} short, Turk and I have reunited. My apartment looks like it was robbed with all the stuff I poored out of boxes in search of my spare. Jon finished babysitting. Dave lost 20 minutes of good errand time. And my summer availability for the Maxx is in. 

I think I am losing my mind. 

Moving on. About 20 minutes ago I was facebook stalking myself. Hopefully I'm not the only one who does that. It's okay, admit it, you stalk yourself too.

Anyway, whilst doing some stalk-age, I realized that I am having an out-of-body experience. Is that really me marrying my high school sweetheart? That just doesn't happen. Is that really me who went through the temple last weekend? I've always wanted to do that. Is that really me who has experienced 3 years of college and have not-so-much to show for it other than a little bit more social skills and maturity? Ain't that sad. And am I really that girl who will have her life totally changed in 2 days? Yeah. That's me.

I seriously cannot even fathom it. 

I, like many who have gone before me, suddenly feel like I'm not prepared for this big change. I just need to remember the past 7 years of my life, when I kept saying to myself "I just want to grow up and get married!" 

Well Ash, here ya go! 

excited. anxious. nervous. ready. not ready. tired. hyper. thoughtFULL. unknowing. 

This will be fun :) 

I won't see Jon until the night before. Oh boy, can we go a full day without seeing each other? 

Good luck on your final, Captain. You'll kill it!

We're getting married. Holy...

Today was my last day as an official "Roundhouse Girl." I've lived with Hannah and Valerie for 2 years. They've become my sista's and it will be so weird not spending literally every waking moment with them. Han is getting married in June and Val is moving to New York for an Interior Design internship all summer. 

They rock.

Thanks for being such a blessing in my life, ladies! 

Can't wait for you to be part of the Feller wedding this weekend.

Ps have you ever scratched your skin so hard that you bruise?

Dear Tuesday,

So I know it's already Thursday, but I'd like to dedicate a post to two days ago, Tuesday.
Dear Tuesday, you are not my favorite day. I wish there were more hours in the day each weekly visit I get from you. When my alarm starts singing "Forever" by Chris Brown at 5 in the morning, I want to throw it across the room and stay in my perfectly-cozy bed. After pushing snooze 1-4 times I'm surprisingly able to drag myself into the bathroom, only to see a scary pale face looking back at me in the mirror. Belonging to me. I am usually rushing because I need to be out the door NO later than 5:39. And remember the snooze pushing? Yeah...skills.
6am, patients start arriving, and suddenly I am the best actress. "No I'm not tired, are you?"
Some hours pass in a blur, eventually it's ten o'clock. Time to make like a tree and leaf (haha?). Class starts at ten thirty. I get to the Family Life building at my usual time of 10:28. All the good seats are taken by ladies who arrived like AN HOUR early. I get the stink eye from a special handfull of them that I just love to death, {sarcasm will kill you}I sit down and mind my manners. Class= 2 hours long.
Back to the office.
A few hours of staying busy, being tempted by cookies in a large jar that Ms Ropelato places in front of me for patients to take on their way out the door into the world. Nothing better than starting a new journey with a chocolate chip cookie in hand.
Eventually it is 3 o'clock. Patients gone, sleepy staff. It's time for a nap. 4:15, Chris Brown again. BLAST you, Chris Brown! "Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged my comb across my head..."
At 4:58 I arrive at the Maxxinista House. Tuesday, you feel the need to fill five hours of my life with required customer service and asking "Every Customer, Every Time" if they'd like to apply for the rewards card. On a bright note, two people said yes this Tuesday. Shocking. We closed up at 9:30, saying goodbye to the lady with the poodle that had been there for 3 hours and 19 minutes. She left empty handed. She forgot her credit card. She talked to her dog. She's always there. For hours.
Hallelujahs began ringing at 9:59 when manager Lindsay said "Let's go home!" Yay.
10:00. Punched out. I'm about to call it quits on you, Tuesday. What keeps me going? Surprising my cute fiance by driving out to Nibley to spend a few minutes and kisses with him. But we must go to bed, we're both tired. I've heard tired can be bad when you're with someone you love. Yes? yes.
Remember me telling him I need to leave at 11:00? Remember how you let the clock keep ticking past that? No worries, I totally left at 11:20. Tuesday, you were the first night I was in bed before midnight this whole new year. Thank you.
I'm looking forward to dreading you for the next five days.

Sincerely, Ash

a MOLDY situation

We had cleaning checks today. Apparently GIRLS like to get ready in very steamy places, thus creating all the mold in our windows and ceilings and cupboards. 

OH WAIT.

That is false. The male apartments were just as moldy.

I wish I would have taken a picture of our bathroom...the ceiling was practically black. An hour of scrubbing later, it looks as good as new! Yay. 

Oh. We failed the cleaning check. Thank you M.O.L.D.Y windows :)

I wish I had some exciting things to blog about. But I don't.

I started a new job yesterday...that is pretty exciting. Say hello to the newest and most inexperienced receptionist to date! (did you say it? hello)

That's right, ladies and gentlemen. I am now employed at Logan Peak Dental Care. If you need a dentist that is really great and reasonably priced...come on in! My boss is awesome. The staff is awesome. Oh, did I mention I work with my future hubby? Yeah, how lucky am I? :). I'll barely see him, since he'll be working in the patients mouths while I'm working in their files/schedules/other-stuff-I-have-no-idea-how-to-do-yet. Two days down and I'm enjoying it so far. 

That is NOT something I would call a moldy situation.

I'm still working for the Maxx, I think I love it too much to let it go at the moment. If I could just bring my Maxxinistas with me to the other side of town to help me answer phones...then I'd quit!

If anyone knows where to find cute light strings for decoration purposes (at a reasonable price) please dare to share.

Well blog-stalkers. Bon voyage. I will miss you. Until next time.

Look what I found. Yes that is the boy I fell in love with. And his bff Benzo.

So...I Sew.

``Wow this week flew by. Thank heavens!
Confession: I miss working a lot. Not necessarily full time, because that kind of got overwhelming. But now that I don't have a full time position, I am getting minimal, and I mean MINIMAL, hours. The first few months of the new year are always the slowest for the company, so payroll is really low and we all suffer. It's no fun.
Yeah sure, it's awesome just feeling like a student and having time to be somewhat of a normal person... But when Friday's roll around, it's painful. I literally have to save every penny. And I sort of miss the weekly routine. Now I just have a new class routine. MWF's are long days. T&TH's aren't too bad. Nevertheless, school is going well.

Anybody have some extra pennies?

Jon and I decided that we wanted to DATE each other, and not just "hang out" all the time. We thought it would be fun to try a new restaurant every once in a while, rather than the same 2 or 3 that we love. Have we done this yet? No. Okay, once. He took me to Tandori Oven for some Indian food. I have always had this idea that I hate Indian food. If you are like me and just decide to be picky...STOP IT. Right now. It's time to grow up people! Jk. But really, stop.

:)

Anyway, we have been spoiled by some of our family members on occasion. Nick and Britt took us to Texas Roadhouse (one of our loves) on New Years, and Burt treated us to the Olive Garden (totally a favorite) last Friday. Not to mention all the times I get to eat her delicacies at home! Thanks guys.
He dominated me at bowling. I'm pretty sure it's because he went when he was on his mission, or because he is stronger than me, or maybe he's just good..?
My sewing class is quite intense. Okay, it probably isn't, but it totally stresses me out. I sew something, don't like it, redo it, don't like it, redo it...this happens 3-7 times until I am content. Practice makes perfect, right? I'm really excited to become a pro (haha) so I can whip out my sewing machine I got for Christmas (thanks Dad and Dee Dee!) and make things. Lots of things :). As for the time I have to learn and practice, does anybody have some cool sewing-craft ideas that a rooky could do?

Sorry this post is turning into a novel.

On Tuesday, Margo (Jon's mom) came up to do some things. She took the group of us Loganites to dinner at Beehive grill (one of MY loves). Once again, treeeated. If you haven't been, go. I recommend the Caprice Italian Burger, it's divine.

.Reason.to.Love.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! I can't believe it just came and went...It's kind of sad how fast time goes now. slow down. please? I love the Christmas season and the feeling of love and service that comes with it. I love that it is an excuse to spend loads of time with loved-ones. It makes me all excited to have kids (in like 12 years) and teach them about the birth of our Savior. Anyway, I just love Christmas :) 
I'm back into the work routine, kind of a bummer but it's good to stay busy and focused. Lately I've had this little problem called SLEEPING-THROUGH-MY-ALARM. Here's a (kind of) funny story...I was scheduled to work at 9 this morning, so I planned on leaving home around 7 so I could make it to Logania safely and have some time to get ready. Well I was woken up by "Jon Feller" calling me. Guess what time it was? 9. Yeah, I overslept. Luckily my managers are pretty chill because I wasn't just going to be late, but an hour & a half late. my bad! My dad keeps telling me I'm "burning the candle at both ends." He's probably right, life is crazy busy right now...but I can't imagine it any other way! 
I'll just say it...I'm actually excited for school to start. I won't be working full time anymore (until Summer) so I can actually feel like a student again. yay :) It has been a great learning experience, I now know it is possible to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off and still be happy and get good grades. Oh the things we can do...
What am I grateful for today? no more cheesy music about Santa Claus and being cold outside at work. It's refreshing. 
 

Day 26: a picture of something that means a lot to you

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I can't imagine my life without the Gospel...it molds me, gives me a reason to live, makes me a better person, and gives me hope every single day. I don't have a doubt that it is the true church. If you are ever interested in learning more about it, please call me! Or check it out for yourself here :)

Day 25: a(nother) picture of you and a family member

Miss Avery Lynn. I absolutely adore my nieces and nephew. I'm fortunate enough to live really close to my sister and Avery, so I see her the most. She's a little ball-of-fire and always has me laughing. My mom keeps telling me she's just like me when I was that age. If that's the case then I was DANG cute!

Day 24: a picture of you and a family member

Grandpa Bob. He lives in Seattle and I see him about once or twice a year, sadly! He's hilarious and loves everyone. I'm lucky to have him as my Gramps.

Day 23: the person you've been closest to the longest

Jamie Lee. When I moved to bountiful in 6th grade I guess we hated each other...it's really funny to think back to now! We had science together in 7th grade and became close friends when we tried out for cheer that year. I needed a place to stay when my parents went out of town for a few days, so I randomly called Jame (she probably still hated me at this time..haha). We talked about EVERYTHING that weekend and I think I basically lived there for the rest of Jr high. It was wonderful :) 
SO we cheered together for 2 years, were Sophomore class officers together, were on Dance Company for 2 years together, and were both officers our senior year. And to top it off, we are both at Utah State :) we are pretty much the same person...but different.
It amazes me how tight our friendship can be, no matter how long it has been since we've seen each other. Sometimes life gets crazy busy, but we know we can always count on each other. 
I can't wait to be Jamie's next door neighbor and for our kiddos to be best friends.
Love you Jame!

Day 22: something that confuses you

Being tired! I swear no matter how much or little sleep I get in a night, I'm always tired. Any cures?

Glory Glory

Hi Stalkers. I just need to say this: LIFE IS CRAZY.

Okay I feel better.

This past week has been pretty awesome, I'm sure you know why (if not, stalk a little deeper). 

I was scheduled to work 4 out of the seven days since Jon got home, but some peeps at work were kind and understanding of my "dilemma" and helped cover my shifts.  
THANK YOU Maxxinistas! 

I drove to and from Logan 4 times...4 times!!!...in 6 days for finals, a short shift, and some other things. Wow, no more of that unless completely necessary.

This week has been great because:

a. I got to dress up for a party.

b. I went to my home ward with the fam.

c. I got to see siblings that I see very rarely, including Stacie!

d. I played with my niece and nephew at the Discovery Gateway.

e. I have spent time each day with someone special.

f. I have felt complete peace for the first time in a long time. 

g. My parents didn't get upset when I got home at 2...:30. sorry! 

h. I ate dinner at my favorite restaurant, Rumbi Grill.

i. I got to sleep in for a couple days. 

j. I have laughed a lot.

k. Jon and I went to the Secondhand Serenade concert.

l. Did baptisms at the Salt Lake temple for the first time. 

m. All of the above.

You guessed it...m- All of the above! What a glorious week.

Go ahead and say it, we look dang good together ;)

Day 21. Something that makes me happy: 

 Day 20. somewhere I'd like to visit:

 Day 19. someone I miss:

 Elder Michael Bills

Day 18. the cast of my favorite show:

If I ever have time to watch the tube, I choose Grey's. 

 

socks.

Oh hello again. My homework just isn't exciting enough at the moment, so I'm taking a little break...it is Saturday night after all! And here I am. Blogging. I'm the coolest.

I worked all day today and yesterday and I just have to say I work with some of the MOST entertaining ladies and gentlemen. I love them. They are the reasons I don't walk out that heavy door yelling "Sionara!" or however you spell it. We are true Maxxinistas. (You can join, just apply for the job. or the credit card! My managers would love you. and me :))

By the way, Black Friday...not bad at all!

Today was a good day. I feel happy! Maybe because I am :)

What I'm grateful for today:

1. No school for 5 days straight. Bless you, Thanksgiving!

2. My giant snow scraper (meant for trucks). I don't even have to go to the other side of my car to scrape!

3. Heaters (when it's working. funny story.)

4. Music that takes you back to a good memory.

5. Best friends.

6. Lindt chocolate truffles. yearly addiction. don't judge me.

7. Walkie-Talkies at work. We just look SO official.

8. Smiling. Smilers.

9. Hairspray. My hair is frizzy, I ran out.

10. Cute scarfs.

11. Maxxinista friends.  Their lives.

12. Paper snowflakes.

13. Reconnecting.

14. Me time.

15. My weekend with Val.

16. Customers that tell me their life stories. Really, I love it.

17. Cute watches I can't afford.

18. New jeans.

19. My parents.

20. Coca cola. I'm horrible.

21. Restrooms.

22. Prayer.

23. Listening. Listeners.

24. Lotion. (only mine though)

25. Dancing in the kitchen.

26. Being excited about my major. I LOVE IT!!!

27. Donuts. no, FREE donuts!

28. Sports bras.

29. Striped socks.

30. When my sock wall at work stays clean :)

31. The hairband holding my camera together.

32. The smell of Logan this time of year. So crisp.

33. Plowed roads.

34. Sisters.

35. Not being tired. Oh so rare.

...No specific order (the sock wall should actually be my #1. I kind of despise that thing-when it's messy- and whoever keeps messing it up. Time for some surveillance)

 

Oh yes. 36. OVERsized earmuffs.