It's never easy to say goodbye...

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge.  

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.    

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.  His bright eyes are intent.  His eager body quivers.  Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.  The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

~Author unknown

I found this link for pet loss support for anyone who may find it helpful.  

*****

We all have our favorite blogs, and this was one of mine.  I don't remember how I found Lynne's blog, but I remember thinking it was important to follow since she had chi's too.  I was very saddened to read about Bridget's passing.  My boys and I lit a candle for her the day we found out she had crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.  I think we'll be lighting another for her today.  Lynne told me that Bridge loved whenever anyone made a fuss over her, so it's the least we can do.

All pictures used with permission.

Half Full Friday!

Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eyegirl originally started in June 2009.  We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us.  So by participating, I'm deciding to see the glass as half full instead of half empty.  I'm choosing to concentrate on the positives instead of dwelling on the negatives.  The Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that.  They're a list of the things in my life that have brought me happiness over the past week.  I'm determined to find something good in each day.  Are you?

For the next week, I'd like to challenge each of you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day.  And then come back here and tell me about it!

~I'm happy because...

I've had the past week off from work and school and have done literally absolutely nothing but sit around in my jammies!

The boys have been extra cuddly lately!

I passed all of my classes this semester, including math!

I had a lovely Christmas!  I hope yours was just as lovely!

After losing one follower, I gained two!  Welcome!

The snow has mostly melted!

My mom's beagle didn't get sick from stealing and eating a bunch of Hershey's kisses, wrapper and all!

*****

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Each semester seems to get more and more busy and stressful.  Things got VERY stressful right at the very end in one of my classes.  Fortunately, the girl who made things so difficult and uncomfortable has graduated now, so I won't have to worry about seeing her in other classes.  Hopefully she's misplaced my phone number and won't be calling again!

With the new year comes a new beginning.  I'm always so full of hope as each new year begins, just as I will be for 2014.  I've noticed that this past year, I've lost motivation at work and at school.  I'm hopeful this coming year will be different, and that I'll get back into the swing of things. 

Do you make resolutions?  A girl at work told me about this website where you go take a survey, then visit another website and learn about your personality.  She strongly suggested that I should check it out, and said that I would discover the things I needed to work on in my personality.  It kind of bugged me, the way she pushed me - especially after telling me that I'd find the things I needed to work on.  I later realized it bugged me so much because she's a *HORRIBLE* worker, so who is she to tell me I need to change?  But then it hit me that no one is perfect, and we could all be better, nicer, more selfless...

There are definitely things I've noticed about myself that I should change.  So that's my resolution for 2014 - to be a better person overall!  It won't happen overnight, and I know I can't be perfect.  But I'll figure as long as I'm trying, that's all that matters.  

Merry Christmas!

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Christmas tree on campus

Monday Meme

This is the first of four full weeks off from work and school!  That means I'll have time for regular posts and visits.  YAY!

Took this from here.

1.  How often do you look in the mirror over the course of the day?

I try to avoid it for the most part, if I can.  There's a large one in the bathroom over the sink, so I see myself in that whenever I wash my hands or brush my teeth.  

2.   If you could be anything (other than a person) in the world, what would you be and why?

I would say a butterfly.  They're an ugly caterpillar when they're born, but turn into a beautiful butterfly.

What would you want to be?

3.  What's the most significant secret you've ever discovered about someone?  Did the truth come out?  

Once, I found out someone was pregnant before she officially announced it.  Mommy-to-be told a coworker, who told me.  I didn't say anything about it until she told everyone.  

Earlier this year, a friend of mine got a DUI.  I found out because it was posted in the newspaper.  Called Friend #2 to ask if this was Friend #1, as she has a very common name.  Friend #2 was very insistent that Friend #1 would NEVER do something like that.  Turns out Friend #1 did indeed get the DUI!  

4.  Show and tell.  What comes to mind first when you see this picture?  Or tell a story if it reminds you of one.  

The floors are too clean to be at a movie theater.  It's more likely to be at a place where you'd go to watch a performance of maybe a play or a musical act.  Where ever it is, it looks like it's probably a fun night out!

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Meme

It seems like I was either gone or asleep all weekend, and got pretty much nothing done.  

Friday, I attended a network event on campus for people with my major.  It was very unhelpful.  Came home and had a long nap.  Saturday, I went to a Christmas bazaar in the morning.  Came home and had a nap, took some sinus headache meds and slept some more.  Sunday, I went to see Catching Fire, then to dinner at my mom's.  The only homework I managed to accomplish was reading 3 chapters in a boring textbook.  But at least I'm well rested!  lol

What did you do this weekend?

*****

Took this from here.

1.  Share five things you're thankful for.  

A.  My chihuahuas.  They're my heart and my soul, and I love them with every beat of my heart.

B.  My mom.  I have a much better relationship with her now, and I appreciate her so much more.

C.  My house.  It's nothing fancy, but it's all mine, and I love it!

D.  School.  I was so unhappy before I started, and it's opened up a whole new world for me!

E.  My car.  It's old (2001), but it's my first (and probably only ever!) brand new car.

2.  What companies provide the worst customer service?  

My old health insurance companies!  I had an HMO who said they approved a service when the hospital called prior to performing a procedure, then tried to say they didn't approve it and refused to pay until I hired an attorney.  The insurance company I had with my last job was pretty bad too.  They wouldn't pay anything until I paid $2500 out of pocket.  I finally met that deductible one year when I did physical therapy for my hip.  They paid about $300 on an over $3000 bill - only AFTER I fought and screamed at them almost daily for a couple of weeks.  

3.  About how much storage is in your current home?  Is it enough?   

I live alone in a three bedroom house.   One room is my bedroom, one is my "girly" room that I've decorated with a bunch of girly stuff, and the third room is a messy storage area.  I really should do something with it, but everything is just thrown in there haphazardly.  I also have the garage, with stuff along the sides.  I wish I had a truck so that I could get rid of some junk in there along the sides, but at least I can fit the car in there too.  

4.  Show and tell.  What comes to mind first when you see this picture?  Or tell a story if it reminds you of one.  

Pretty piano keys!

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

Whew!!!  I just had the past week off for the Thanksgiving holiday, but it sure didn't feel like much of a vacation!  This is just a sample of what I did:

-Wrote four essays
-Put together one presentation, including power point and script
-1.5 sections of math (Supposed to have done 3)
-Caught up on lots of reading for classes

I still have at least one more presentation to put together in the next week, and possibly/probably another - plus whatever other assignments my professors come up with at the last minute.  And once that's all done, I'll still have finals!  I'm ready for another vacation just thinking about it!!!

Took this from here.  

1.  Whose thoughts would you most like to read?

Any genius'!  Hopefully that would allow me better insight into how the world really works.  My luck, they'd be thinking about what to have for dinner, though!

I really like to read my dogs' minds.  I wonder what they think about.  

2.  How do you feel when someone smiles at you?

I don't usually put too much thought into it, unless it's some cute guy.  Then that makes me feel really good!

If I'm having a bad day and someone smiles at me, sometimes it makes things a little better right in that moment.

3.  If you were allowed to teach any course (real or made up) at any university in the world, where would it be and where would you teach?

Long ago, I went to beauty school.  I discovered I didn't really care for doing hair so much, but I loved doing makeup.  We got very little instruction on the proper method of applying it in school though.  Once I began to work in the salon, we would go to various shows to further our education.  I was lucky enough to attend a 3 day class on how to do makeup, and I absolutely loved it!  One of the best parts is that we all had to bring in a model to work on.  Because not everyone's face is the same, we would rotate the models for even more practice.  Unfortunately, there's not a lot of call for makeup application where I live.  I still remember a lot of what we learned there that weekend, and use it today in applying my own makeup.

That's what I would do - teach people how to apply makeup!  Sometimes I wish I could walk up to people and tell them their makeup looks terrible and offer to do a free makeover for them.  That would be rude though, so I never say anything.  As for where I would teach, I don't know.  Maybe I'd teach at the school I currently attend.

4.  If you could be buried or have your ashes spread anywhere at all, where would it be?

Years ago, I had this dream that was kind of like watching a movie.  I was looking down from above - I was far away at first, then got closer.  A young boy and a girl were playing chase in a field of daisies, laughing all the while.  It was fun to watch them, and after awhile, I somehow just knew that that field was my final resting place.  There was no grave marker though, so I'm not sure how I knew this.  

Maybe a field of daisies?!

5.  Show and tell.  What comes to mind first when you see this picture?  Or tell a story if it reminds you of one.  

It doesn't really remind me of anything.  How about you?  It just looks like an old building to me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my fellow American bloggers!

Wishes for a great day for all bloggers, whether you're American or not!

Wordless Wednesday

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Moody Monday

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This is supposed to be a vacay week, but I have so much homework!!!  If anyone wants to help me out, lemme know...  This is what I have to do by next Monday:

-One paper on fracking 

-One paper on wolves from the perspective of livestock organizations

-One paper that's a 19th century review on Frankenstein or Dracula

-One paper on a Nova program - Fractals:  Hunting the Hidden Dimension

-Three sections of math.  (I got through one section and part of another before getting hopelessly stuck!)

If you wanna help a girl out, let me know which you want to do, and I'll send you the deets on that particular assignment.  LOL

*****

For the past four weeks or so, I've been trying to make a point to visit everyone at least once a week.  I only usually go back about the past day or so, so if I've been missing commenting on your blog, you probably are posting on days when I'm not visiting.  I don't have time to visit everyday anymore, which makes me really sad.

*****

Took this from here.

1.  Which is creepier in your house:  a big spider, or a big millipede?

Definitely the big spider.  I *HATE* spiders!!!  Although the millipede might creep me out a bit too.

2.  How do you start when you set out to make a sandcastle?

Wow, haven't done this since I was a kid!  I used to collect a bunch of sand in a bucket.  Once it was packed in and filled to the top, I'd dump it over and work around that.  I was never very good at making them, but I didn't often get to the chance to practice, either.

3.  Tell us about the most surprising helping hand you've ever received.

I used to work in a call center, once upon a time.  It was not a fun job, but it was ultimately the one I learned the most from.  We used to have to have regular meetings with the boss to discuss our performance.  At one of these meetings, I casually mentioned to her that I'd really like to move to a different department within the company.  I would be off the phones, and have very little customer contact.  It seemed perfect, especially considering I dealt with screaming customers all day long.  

My boss did a ton of research not only on the department, but on the managers there as well.  She also let me practice mock interview skills and helped me prepare a resume.  It took about a month before I was finally notified that I'd gotten the job.  At my very last manager meeting at the call center, I asked my boss why she did all that for me.  (She did it for other coworkers, as well.)  She told that while she certainly wasn't trying to push me out the door, she never wanted me to feel like working there was the best that I could do.  She wanted to see me succeed, and if she could help out along the way, she would do whatever she could.  I'm sure I'll never have a boss like that again!

3.  Show and tell.  What comes to mind first when you see this picture?  Or tell a story if it reminds you of one.  

It's a really pretty scene - one that reminds me of something you might see used for a jigsaw puzzle.  

Half Full Friday!

Half Full Friday is a series of weekly posts that Eyegirl originally started in June 2009.  We believe that a lot of our happiness is determined by our attitude about the things that happen to us.  So by participating, I'm deciding to see the glass as half full instead of half empty.  I'm choosing to concentrate on the positives instead of dwelling on the negatives.  The Half Full Friday posts are a way to do just that.  They're a list of the things in my life that have brought me happiness over the past week.  I'm determined to find something good in each day.  Are you?

For the next week, I'd like to challenge each of you to keep a list of at least one thing that brought you happiness each day.  And then come back here and tell me about it!

~I'm happy because...

Today is the first of *10* magical days off from work and school!!!!

I get to sleep in every day, and hang out with the chi's!

I'm meeting up with some friends for dinner tonight!  I haven't seen them in awhile so it'll be fun to catch up with everyone.

I had a great advising appointment earlier this week, which pointed out some issues I was unaware of!

I got said issues taken care of yesterday, so I'm schedule to graduate in 1 1/2 years!

I did much better on my second math exam, and have an 81% overall!  That's HUGE for me, since I struggle so much with math.

*****

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

I went to a workshop over the weekend, which was interesting.  The woman who emceed the event looked over my resume at the end and gave me a few tips.  She said that overall, it looked really good and that I only need a couple of slight modifications.  Hopefully those changes will help get me some internships!

The workshop lasted two days (Saturday and Sunday), so luckily it wasn't an extensive homework weekend, like last weekend was.  Now I have four more days to go until I finally get another day off.  I'm tired already, just thinking about it!

Too this from here.

1.  What format did you start listening to music on?

The radio!  Then I moved on to vinyl, then on to cassette tapes.  Then on to CDs, and now I mostly listen to the radio and my iPod.

2.  When was the last time you called in sick to work?  Were you actually sick?

I had to call in to my current job twice, but I wasn't sick either time.  The last time I actually did call in sick was at a different job, and I really was sick.  Had two days off, and really could have used a third.  

3.  Would you rather be poor and work at a job you love, or be rich and work at a job you hate?

I'd rather work at a job I love and be rich!  

But that wasn't the question...  I don't like my current job at all (mostly due to lazy coworkers who can't be bothered to do their jobs).  I don't get paid very much, but if I got rich from it, it would probably make things a little more tolerable.  My job isn't rocket science though - pretty much anyone could do it.  (Well, except for my current coworkers, apparently!  lol)  

However, I think I'd rather work a job I love and be poor.  I've worked several places where I absolutely hated it.  I'd wake up every morning with a pit in my stomach, trying to convince myself that, "Maybe today won't be so bad!"  And then I'd go to bed at night, dreading having to get up the next morning and do it all over again.  I'm not sure the money is always worth it.  Having money goes a long way, but it isn't everything!  

4.  Show and tell.  What comes to mind first when you see this picture?  Or tell a story if it reminds you of one.  

This picture is labeled Camden Town.  I have no idea what it is.  Do you?  Is it an apartment building, or a train?  Because it kind of looks like it could be either one.  

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

Happy Veteran's Day!

*****

So I had an interview last Friday.  It was kind of disappointing.  The interview itself went well.  I think the job posting must not have indicated that the position pays a dollar less and offers less hours than my current job, because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have applied otherwise.  Oh well...  I'll just keep looking.

Took this from here.

1.  What's the worst thing that's ever happened to you as a result of procrastinating?

Well, this weekend I had tons and tons and tons of homework.  I had written everything out that I had to do so that I wouldn't miss anything, then broke it down into what day I would do what, to make things that much easier.  I got almost everything done, with the exception of two things.  

One of those things was to study for an upcoming math exam tomorrow.  I scheduled it out so that I'd study a bit each day so it wouldn't seem as overwhelming.  I abhor math with every beat of my heart, so I kept telling myself I'd put it off until the end of each day.  Yeah, never happened.  So now as a result of my procrastination, I'm going to fail.  I work and have class all day, and there's just no way I'm going to get it all down in one evening.

2.  Are you a member of the mile high club?

No.  Are you?

3.  What's worse, extremely cold or extremely hot weather?

Cold weather!  I hate cold weather.  Once winter hits, I freeze until late spring when I finally start to thaw out.  The only advantages are that I enjoy more hot chocolate and cappuccino's and that I have an excuse to curl up more with the boys.  (Not that I need an excuse for that!)

4.  Show and tell.  What comes to mind first when you see this picture?  Or tell a story if it reminds you of one.  

Last summer (2012), I think it was, I visited the Butterfly Exhibit at the zoo.  That was so cool,  because there were hundreds of butterflies everywhere, and some of them landed on me.  There were many kinds that I'd never seen before, and each one was beautiful.  Later that summer, I went to Birds of Prey.  When we went inside and walked around, there was a small exhibit of butterflies displayed on the wall that were amazing!  Some of them I'd seen at the zoo, but many of them I had not.  Some of the butterflies were huge.  That's what I think of when I see this.

I also have a tramp stamp of a butterfly.  I love it!

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

Hope everyone remembered to turn their clocks BACK yesterday!  I know I did!  

Tomorrow, I get to sign up for classes for next semester!  That always gets me excited.  It means the current semester is just about over and a new one is about to begin.  Keeping my fingers crossed that I get an internship.  

Got this from here.

1.  If you had the attention of the entire world for two minutes, what would you say?

I have no idea...  

I'd probably beg someone to give me a chance once I'm done with school and to hire me for a fabulous job which will make me extremely wealthy.

2.  Vent!  What's going on in your life right now that's driving you nuts?

Work is most definitely driving me nuts.  I'm really disliking my job this semester.  Luckily, I have a potential interview for a new job this week!

Other things that annoy me - really bad, unsolicited advice from friends.  And snow.  And group work in classes.    

What's going on that's getting on your nerves these days?  Please share!

3.  What is it about men (or women) in uniform anyway?

When you're in uniform, appearance is important.  People pay attention to the small details and make sure they look good.  

Actually, I don't really know.  But it sounds good!  lol

4.  Show and tell.  What comes to mind first when you see this picture?  Or tell a story if it reminds you of one.

Initially it reminded me of camping.  But when I saved the picture, I noticed that it's called "Meals on Wheels."  It makes me sad that this service is necessary, but happy that someone is willing to do it.  It also reminds me of my volunteer work, handing out food to the poor and homeless.  I sometimes kind of miss volunteering there.  I wish I had time to do it again.

Happy Halloween!

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I will be celebrating by working late.  Good times!

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

So sorry to hear about Benny's passing.  Too many of our Blogville furiends have been crossing over the bridge lately.  Makes me so sad!  RIP, Benny!

*****

Took this from here.  

1.  Are you clumsy?

Very!  The older I get, the clumsier I get!  

2.  What does home mean to you?

Home is where the heart is.  Not to sound cliche, but it's so true!  I think it's where you're happiest.  

3.  What's the worst injury you've ever sustained?

So 87 bazillion years ago, back when I still lived with my parents, I came home from work one day and stepped up onto the porch.  In a move that only *I* could ever pull off, I somehow slipped between the porch and the house.  One leg was dangling between the porch and the house, and I smacked my head against the side of the house really good.  To this day, I'm still not sure how I managed to pull this off.  My father heard the commotion and came to pull me out.

The entire back of my thigh was bruised for weeks, as well as my butt.  As my bruise healed, it began to itch.  I could barely walk or sit.  I didn't go to the doctor because I didn't have health insurance.  Looking back, I really wish I would have gone anyways.  

I'm not sure if this is the cause of my hip problems or not.  Once it healed fully, I was fine for a long time.  Once the hip began to become a real problem and kept me going to the doctor regularly for awhile there, I had a CAT scan and was sent to a bone specialist.  He wanted me to get an MRI, but my insurance wouldn't pay for it.  He said that my hip looked like it hadn't fully developed, or something.  The MRI was supposed to give him a clearer picture, but I was never able to get it done.  

4.  Show and tell.  What comes to mind first when you see this picture?  Or tell a story if it reminds you of one.  

My original thought is that it would a fun place to explore, especially at Halloween time as a haunted house!  But then I saved the image and it was named Heilstatten, which I'd never heard of.  After Googling it, I discovered it's an abandoned sanatorium which once housed Hitler.  Suddenly, it no longer appeals to me.

Until we meet again, my friend...

It's never easy to lose a fellow blogger.  The Rainbow Bridge has taken too many of our friends already.  Sadly, another crossed this past weekend.  I'm going to light a candle for Pip this weekend, and my boys will enjoy a cheeseburger in his honor.  

All photos used with permission.