First day of school...again

This morning while driving to the first day of my 7th semester at MTSU, I did what I most always do when I find myself alone for a certain amount of time. I talked to God and thanked him for all the stuff that is going so good in my life.

This morning in particular I had alot to be greatful for;

a $4000 a year scholarship to school so that my parents have a little less money stress,

a major that won't take me 8 years to complete and that will allow me to get a job that I will actually enjoy,

a car that gets really great gas mileage (for the three times a week drive to Murfreesboro),

the fact that I didn't have a panic attack last night while preparing for a semester with FOUR english classes,

getting the chance to take two classes taught by professors that I have had before and actually really like

and most of all....something that I couldn't stop thinking about almost the whole way to school; a mom who still celebrates my first day of school.

She didn't make me breakfast in bed like she use to, but she did set out my travel coffee mug. She didn't wake me up forty minutes before I actually needed to be up like she use to, but she did get her shower out of the way earlier so that I would be able to jump in and shower as soon as I woke up. And she didn't drive me to school like she use to, but she did walk me out to my car, make sure that I had a jacket and flashlight in my car, warn me that it might rain, make sure that I had some cash and, most importantly, gave me a big hug and told me she loved me and to not worry so much about being the best just to be myself and get the job done....something that she has always done. Encouraging words and actions like that have been a staple in our relationship; something that has kept me grounded and a reason that I think she and I have remained close through everything, long after many moms and daughters have stopped sharing everything with one another.

My mom is definately one of the best and I probably don't say it nearly enough, so I just thought I'd share this with all of you. Just remember moms, it's little stuff like a big hug before school and reminding your kids to do their very best that could make a big impact on their day whether you realize it or not, whether you do it on a regular basis or not...to all the moms out there who are great mine most definately included - thank you!

ps. I won't even get started on my dad...he's wonderful too. He gets up at 4:30 am and doesn't get off work until 4:30 pm...then turns right around and helps his brother take care of my grandfather. In the midst of all that, he manages to find time to be a great dad - he cooks, helps at the store, we talk, he helps me with homework or work-work when he can and spends quality time with both me and mom. He didn't get to see me off this morning but I'm sure he'll be calling at some point before the school day is out to see how it's going. I thank him too!

John Adams...and 7 other things about me

Tonya tagged me, so here goes....


1. I have a favorite United States president. It is John Adams. I'm kind of obsessed with Adams-related history. I own three of his biographies and one about his wife, Abigail. I LOVE the musical 1776, in which Adams is the main character. I have a second favorite president too. It is Andrew Jackson...I know, I'm weird.


2. I like awkward. I can't really explain it, but I get some sort of unnatural enjoyment out of awkward moments, therefore I actually look forward slightly to uncomfortable situations (even when I'm the one being uncomfortable!). I think that maybe gives me a little power in those types of situations though, the enjoying it, so I guess that's pretty good.

3. I collect shot glasses and tea cups.

4. My first "celebrity" crush was on Claude Monet. I learned about him and his artwork in my art class when I was very little and mom says I talked about him all the time and begged for Monet coffee table books after that. I still get butterflies in my stomach when I see his work in a museum!

5. I read something years ago about bacteria flying out of the toilet when you flush it and getting on your toothbrush. Ever since then I have had a very OCD like obsession with the toilet lid being closed before I (or anyone else around me) flushes the toilet, especially in my bathroom.

6. I sleep with somewhere between 5 and 8 pillows in my bed at night.

7. I hate cold weather...HATE! I have a deal with God that I will not complain no matter how hot he decides it should be outside and I will even compliment the heat daily as long as I can complain and complain every single hour of every day during the Winter. I hate layering my clothes. So excuse me for being so chipper about these 100 degrees-plus days...I thank God for them!

8. When I'm sick, the only thing I will eat/drink is warm cherry Jell-o (right after it's mixed out of the microwave) juice and only if my dad makes it and only out of a plastic cup.

It's been hard finding someone who hasn't been tagged...but Tabetha, you're it!

Seth washed his car yesterday...

Hooray for the rain last night!

Seth finally broke down and took his car to be washed yesterday afternoon, after weeks of putting it off...and wouldn't you know, last night was when it decided to rain.

The storm caused the football game to last almost 5 hours which was kind of a bummer, but hey, IT FINALLY RAINED!

A solution to an age-old problem

Changing a baby girl is not all glitz and glory;

Changing a baby boy is an even bigger horror story.

You hold his feet in one hand,

and the diaper in the other;

The whole time praying, "Please don't pee on your mother!"

(poem and photo curtesy Beba Bean website)


Enter the Pee-pee Teepee...

In the next few weeks we will be getting in this very interesting product...

The Pee-pee Teepee is a cone-shaped, cloth "shield" of sorts designed to make changing a baby boy's diaper much dryer and easier.


It really cracks me up, the products like this that companies come out with these days, but after I get done laughing I realize that this is quite the functional product. As the poem above illustrates, changing a baby boy's diaper does come with a bit of a fear of getting sprayed. It'll make a perfect baby boy gift...and just imagine the laughs it'll get at a shower!


Keep checking this website and I'll let y'all know when we receive our first shipment of them. They come in several different designs, colors and packages. They're also washable and reusable. None of the packages we get in this shipment will cost over $15, either, so it's a really affordable gift!

New Shoes!

Here are some pictures of the new Crocs. I decided to model them for everyone on here. D'ya think I'd make a good shoe/foot model? Haha...

The Mammoth is just like a regular Cayman except no back-strap and it has a fleece-y lining. The lining pops out and the shoe can be worn by itself. The lining is also washable. We have them from a kids' size 6/7 to women's size 11 (that's men's 9). The colors are black on black, oatmeal on chocolate, oatmeal on cotton candy and oatmeal on red. I haven't got to wear it out a whole lot yet because it's been so hot and they are really warm but I know they'll be great for winter.


The Alice is a cross between the Mary Jane and the Prima ballet flat. It's my favorite so far because it's so cute on. We have them from a kids' size 4/5 up to a women's size 11. They come in black, brown, turquoise, ruby and grape. I love the turquoise the most! These are the colors that are coming up all over the place in Fall and Winter fashions and the shoes go really well with the new clothes we've got in for the girls for back-to-school!


These two styles are great, I'm quite excited about them. They're already selling fast and we're already running out of some colors and sizes so come get some while we still have this first shipment in stock!

Summer Sale

Our Summer Sale is going into its second week and I've added some new things!
In addition to Summer Sanrio and select back-to-school Sanrio being 40% off, swim suits being 50% off, and a ton of clothing being 10% to 60% off....I have put a whole bunch of Summer Crocs ( All the flip flops, Sassari, many of the Cleos, all of the spring colored regular Caymans and Maryjanes and all of the remaining Patras) on a table outside for just $20! The remaining Cleos that I still have inside and all of the Scutes are $5 off. I'm attempting to make space for the new Fall/Winter Crocs that are coming in so it's definitely time to stock up!
While you're looking at the sale stuff make sure to check out our brand new girls' clothing lines and the brand new Crocs styles (Alice and Mammoth).

-Ashley

I'm finally ready to try this...

Customers have been asking for months that I do something online for the shop. So here I am, blogging. Hopefully I'll be able to keep everyone updated on the goings on at the shop, when we get special shipments in and stuff like that. Also, any of our out-of-town customers will be able to keep better in touch if they want to.

Since mom refuses to learn most things having to do with the computer, I'll be the sole person updating the blog. Hopefully, I'll be able to post often and make sure the blog doesn't get stale. Forgive me if I slack a little this semester, though...I have an 18 hour schedule at school and I'm really trying to get done by August 2008!

The latest news is that we just got back from our big annual family vacation to Kiawah Island, South Carolina. This was our ninth year, if I'm counting correctly and we still have just as much fun as we did the first summer. We go with my dad's brother Buddy and his family and stay in a big house about three blocks from the beach.

Mom and I always take the opportunity on the trip to go scouting for ideas in Charleston at the great shops down there. We actually got the chance this year, when we were in a Birkenstocks/Crocs shoe store, to meet a woman who helped to design the Sassari wedge for the Crocs Company. She says they have a version coming out next year that is actually adjustable for those of you with very narrow feet. There are several business owners down there that we've made friends with over the years. We get great tips from them about products and display ideas and they often get ideas from us too.

I guess thats all for now. Thanks for reading and I hope you'll visit again soon when I add more on here!

Till then - Ashley