Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Sweet Dreams

Ha...yeah right.
Not in this lifetime in this brain of mine.
Don't get me wrong -- I'm not over here having nightmares or anything (praise Jesus). But I just have THE most bizarre dreams all. the. time. And you don't have to take my word for it...just ask Jordan.
I've heard that pregnant people have totally off-the-wall dreams constantly. But no worries, peeps..that is most definitely not the issue here. Which therefore still leaves me completely baffled as to what. the. heck. is going on up there in all the neurons and brain cells and pathways and whatnots that's making my dreams so darn crazy...

Here's a little look-see into a night in Haley's shoes brain...

ELEPHANTS. MINIATURE ELEPHANTS.
No, not baby elephants. Miniature elephants trying to escape the fence in my backyard and getting stuck, and me having to help them.
Meanwhile, the BLACK PANTHER (not to be confused with sex panther..) that I also keep fenced in my backyard got jealous of the attention that the MINIATURE ELEPHANTS were getting. Needless to say....
he was not impressed.
So he attacked me. Playfully. But still, attacked nonetheless.

I mentioned all this was happening in my backyard...but did I mention that said backyard was the backyard of....
MY OLD DILAPIDATED FARMHOUSE
...see that fence? Yeah, you know, the one the miniature elephant got stuck in. Yep, that one.
Oh, and I can't forget that while I was saving/being attacked by my beloved animals, my family members were out....
PICKING STRAWBERRIES.
 Nothing like a good strawberry shortcake to make you forget about a black panther attack.

Skip forward a couple dreams that I don't remember (aka: 14.7 seconds) and we have...
MINIATURE MALTESE PUPPIES!!!
(what is it with the miniature?!)
...that I was selflessly saving from...
A TIDAL WAVE
Yep. We all survived. Thanks for asking.

I only wish I made all this up...
*This episode of Haley's Half-Baked Hallucinations was brought to you by a restless night's sleep.*
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Linking up with my fav Shanna today for Random Wednesday! 


Have a great hump day, y'all!
xo
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Friday, February 8, 2013

Not dead...just hibernating

 Well, well, well.....
did ya miss me? 
A lot? A little? Even a tiny bit? I hope so! 
First off, let me apologize for my very extended hiatus from not only the blog world, but social media in general. I've still been piddling (is that even a word?) around on Instagram, Twitter, and occasionally Facebook but nothing like I was before Christmas break. 'Cause ya see, what had happened was...
Things got really overwhelming right before Christmas break with exams and work and just everything that goes on in a 20 year old college student's life. So, when Christmas break finally arrived, I literally took it for all it was worth. I just went into full-forced relaxation mode and didn't do a dern thing that I didn't absolutely HAVE to do. 
And it was glorious. I needed it. Very much needed it. And while I was super relaxed coming into second semester, it still hit me like a brick wall. 
Yes, I'm being that literal.
I went from not having a schedule, AT ALL, for almost 4 weeks and then coming back to school and having all these due dates thrown at me and I panicked. I'm sure all of you college grads know exactly what I'm talking about. Which means you know how much it sucks and what a toll it can take on you.
Anyway, I started to really miss blogging and with Jordan on my back about it nonstop (love you, Jo), I finally got the energy to jump back into it.
And I'm so glad, and really hope y'all are, too! 

BUT, while I was gone I missed something very important, and that was receiving my 2nd Liebster award from the amazing Lauren @ On A Lighter Note.... Lauren is actually a blogger from my same hometown and I'm not sure if she knows it or not (but she's about to...), but she's actually one of the reasons I started blogging! I stalked read her blog for almost over 2 years before I ever got the courage to start my own. So, Lauren, THANK YOU for being such an inspiration and for nominating me for this award! 

The rules: 
  1. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
  2. Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.
  3. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.
  4. Choose 11 blogs you love (with less than 200 followers) and link them in your post.
  5. No tag back, but leave a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster post so I can learn more about you!
 So, first thing's first...11 random things about moi:

1. I used to HAVE to fall asleep like I was in a coffin. On my back, arms crossed resting on my stomach. Up until about a year ago. Now it's on my stomach/side, turned to the LEFT.

2. I'm currently sitting here waiting for the radio to play a particular song so that I can call and hopefully win a pair of Megatickets because this year's lineup is unbelievable. 

3. I currently have about 9 bottles of perfume (yes, I use them all regularly).

4. If there was a Guinness World Record for being the worst at painting your own fingernails, I would win. 

 5. I currently have 7 ear piercings, and am desperately wanting another one.

6. I also really want a tattoo. But that'll probably never happen. World's biggest chicken right hurr, right hurr.

7. I ran three 5K's last year and hope to run at least five more this year + a 10K.

8. I dream about dating movie stars often. Really often. Destiny is calling me, my friends.

9. The next dog I get, I want it to be a Boykin spaniel. They're so sweet and snuggly!

10. I've tried the colored jean/legging trend 3218519 times, but to no avail. I look terrible in them. Oh well. Ya win some, ya lose some!

11. I'm addicted to peanut butter. Seriously. I have it under control, though. Most days.

Next up...Lauren's questions for me: 

1. What is one decision you've made in the past that always makes you say "what if I'd gone the other way"? --Hmm..this is a tough one. But I'd have to say choosing colleges. It was between Carolina and State (the only 2 places I applied) and I chose Carolina. I know it was the right choice, but I still wonder sometimes, "what if?!"
2. What is your go-to comfort food? --Grandma's fried chicken, french fries, and cornbread. Basically anything fried. Nom nom.
3. What is your favorite "windows-down, music-up, just driving" song? --Ooh don't make me choose!! Ok..I'd have to say "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World. Such a feel good song.
4. What is the furthest place you have ever traveled? --either Cancun or California. Not exactly sure which is further..
5. If you had money to splurge on ONE item you really wanted, what would that item be? --Oh dear. Another hard one. I would have to say a trip to Europe (Ireland, England, Scotland, etc). I can't think of anything material that I'd want to spend an insane amount of money on right now.
6. Have you ever had to stay in the hospital for one more than one night? --Nope.
7. Who would play you in a movie about your life? --Gotta say Jennifer Aniston. Because she's got a sweet side (cheerleader, wooo) and a tough side (softball player, grrr)
8. If there was a soundtrack for your life, who'd be on it? --Joshua Radin, Carrie Underwood, Stevie Knicks, MercyMe, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Grace Potter, and a ton of others
9. What is the most embarrassing thing you've ever done (or had done to you) in public? --Probably tripping over the curb in the middle of the parking lot at Westridge shopping center in Rocky Mount when it was a beautiful day and everybody was outside eating.........
10. If you had to move to another city today, where would you want to go? --San Diego, CA
11. Name one goal you want to accomplish this year. --Land an internship for the summer.

And lastly, questions for those that I nominate:

1. What do you enjoy most, being in front or behind the camera?
2. American Idol, The Voice, America's Got Talent, or The X-Factor? 
3. When you were younger, did you ever want to change your name to something else? What was it?
4. Do you like to fall asleep with the TV on or off? 
5. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
6. How many songs do you have in your iTunes library?
7. Favorite quote, lyric, bible verse, etc.?
8. Name the best Christmas/birthday present you've ever gotten.
9. Favorite age you've been thus far?
10. Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Kreme? 
11. Ever had a Pinterest fail of any kind? What was it?

And I nominate...
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I'm hoping to get back in the groove soon and be able to do at least 2 posts a week, but we'll just have to see what happens!
Have a great weekend, y'all! 

xo,
 
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Thursday, December 6, 2012

You can get with this, or you can get with that

 I'm crawling out from under the dark cloud that has consumed me (aka: end of semester and FINALS) to let y'all know I'm still alive -- but barely.

As much as I'm dying to study ancient, old, rotted pieces of artwork for my art history exam tomorrow, I decided to make that wait because you fine people might like a little update on muh life. No? 
Too bad, you're getting one anyway.

The lovely Jena and Katie are hosting a new link-up today called...
Recently Roached
I'm all for anything that allows me to be random!

This: As mentioned above....it's finals week here in college-land. DUN, DUN, DUN. Hear that? That was the sound of my life ending. Ok, that was a little dramatic but really -- I don't think anything compares to the stress you feel from the impending doom that is finals week.  I have one on Friday, two next Tuesday, and one next Thursday. Blech. At least they're semi spaced out, though right?! 
Nahhhhhhh, it still sucks majorly. 
Good thing I've got my boyfriend here to support me....
Ryan says hi, guys!
That: So it's no secret that I love a good, steamy, romantic, action drama. My newest addiction?
This beautiful hunk of man meat. Or, my other boyfriend. Whichever you prefer. 
Paul Wesley and The Vampire Diaries.
Seriously cannot get enough of this show. I just started watching it online last THURSDAY -- one week ago, exactly -- and I'm already through with the first season and am 3/4 done with the second. It's obvious where my priorities have been....here's a hint: NOT with studying..

This: My sweet girl. Oh I miss her so much! :( I haven't been back home since Thanksgiving and I know she's probably thinking I've abandoned her. Sure, Daddy is there and she loves him to death but I need my snuggle bug! She makes everything better.
See how depressed she is without me? Be home soon, baby!
That: Music. All things music. Necessary for getting me through finals with a {semi} full head of hair, still. 
Especially when it's throwback music from the '90s.
Playas, they gonna play. Haters, they gonna hate. Ballas, they gonna ball..
BOOM.
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Andddd that's all I got. 
See you sweet people when I get my life back in 7 days....

Have a great rest of the week/weekend! 
xo
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Friday, November 30, 2012

Just a few favorites...

It's that time again, y'all.
The end of yet another month. 
Yet, I'm happy about this end because that means CHRISTMAS is near!! 
But isn't it funny how our feelings on months ending change throughout the year? Think about it -- we're (mostly) all glad to see the first couple months fly by because they're basically all like a big 'ole Monday. Takes a while to get in the swing of things in a new year. BUT then comes summer (if you're a teacher, student, etc) and you hate to see the end of a month. And then school and the holidays roll around and once again, you're excited to see the end of a month because that the means the next holiday is right around the corner. 
Ya feel me? Or was that mindless rambling?
Regardless - November has ended and therefore, it's time for...
with this lovely lady!

First up...
Birthdays.
Two of the most important people in my life have birthdays in November -- my daddy and Jordan.
Jordan's is at the very beginning (2nd) and daddy's is at the very end (26th), which makes for a very well-balanced month, don't ya think? 
With her favorite --- cookie cake! (Excuse my washed out face..)
Later that night, following a wardrobe change
With two more of our good friends, Audrey and McAuley -- McAuley would be the one acting cray-cray ;)
Didn't get a picture with daddy this year because it was on a Monday and I was back in Chapel Hill for school...but here's one from Thanksgiving..
The sun was NOT our friend, that day..
Next...
The return of college basketball.
I'm a student at UNC -- I think that speaks for itself on this one.
My friend Caroline and I at a home game a couple weeks ago.
Moving on..
Twilight: Breaking Dawn Pt. 2
Yep, I'm one of those people.
Team Edward, baby. All the way.
 Can't forget..
Meeting baby Jayden.
 My sweet high school friend Shannon gave birth to this beautiful baby boy on Halloween and I finally got to meet and hold his precious self over Thanksgiving break. Such a blessing! Love those two, so much.

 Lastly...
Voting for the first time.
  No, the election did not turn out the way I had hoped -- but nonetheless, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to even have a small say in the results. Blessed to live in a country that allows me to do that. 
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And there ya have it. My favorite things about November. 
Now hurry on over to see Ash and link up with us!! 

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! xo

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Monday, November 26, 2012

My main man..

 ..turns 54 today. And doesn't look a day over 40. 
;)

**Picture Overload**
Family pictures, c. 1995
c.1997
c. 1998-99
c. August, 2000
Freshman Prom, 2007
Summer 2008
NYC subway, December 2008

Blurry :( - Junior Prom, 2009
Cancun, Mexico - July 2009
Snowshoe, January 2010


Senior Prom, May 2010

18th birthday, May 2010
High school graduation, June 2010
Christmas 2010 - I know I look young, but it's from the lack of makeup ;)
19th birthday, May 2011 - SHORT HAIR!
Christmas, 2011


Easter 2012
 
Hunt's college graduation from ECU, May 2012



Old Town, San Diego, CA - June 2012
LA Dodgers game, Los Angeles, CA - June 2012
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA - June 2012
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Daddy, 
To say that you're my hero doesn't even do it justice. You are so much more than that to me. You're my rock, my anchor, my blessing, and the one person I know that I'll always be able to count on. I take you for granted entirely too often -- not everyone has a dad that loves them as unconditionally as you do me and Hunter -- and for that, I'm so sorry. But I still think you know how much you're loved and admired. The Lord knows that we would have loved to still have Mama here with us the past 9 years, but to say that you've done an amazing job with me and Hunt would be the understatement of the century. You've worked so hard to make sure that we were never without and that we had the best life possible -- and you couldn't have done it more perfectly. I am so blessed to live the life that you have given me and thank God everyday that he blessed me with you as my father. I will never be able to fully express how thankful I am for you but I'll sure try as long as I live. I can't imagine life without you there to have Chinese food waiting for me when I get home on Thursday nights, without you to spot me doing my backtuck, without you to take me on summer night jeep rides, or without you to just be there -- sitting in your recliner reading the paper with football on the television.
Daddy, I know this won't be the best birthday you've ever had because Mama still isn't here, but I pray that it's still a great day for you because you deserve it more than anyone I know. I love you so, so much, Daddy -- Happy Birthday!!!
 
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