Almost Wordless Wednesday on a Thursday and a Giveaway

I'm not sure what happened, but for some reason this didn't post like it was supposed to yesterday.  

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Did someone say giveaway?  That's right!  In honor of my 500th post this past Monday, I'm hosting a giveaway.   

A bazillion and 87 years ago, I won some coupons for free Frosty Paws from Corbin.  I know Walmart used to sell them, so I just presumed they still did.  When I went to buy them the first time, I just thought they were out.  But then several more trips later and they still weren't in, I finally made a point to ask a manager about them.  I was told that the vendor wasn't able to get them in and he wasn't sure what the problem was or when they'd be available again.  The closest town I could find them in was almost 100 miles away.

I'd hate for the coupons to go to waste, so I'm sharing them with you!  I have 2 of them and they expire at the end of the year.  I'm keeping the stuffy, sorry!  Anyways, so what do you have to do to win these fabu coupons for a tasty treat?  The rules are simple!  

First, you must follow me.  My giveaways are for friends only!  But please don't follow me just so that you can enter - follow me because you want to.  And then come back and visit me from time to time!

Secondly, tell me what you love most about your pets.  It can be as mushy as you want, or not at all.  Totally up to you!  You don't have to go into extensive detail or anything, a short comment will do.

The winner will be picked randomly and I'll post the name on next week's Wordless Wednesday post.  Good luck! 

Monday Meme

So today is the first day of school.  Summer went so fast, I feel like I almost missed it somehow.  Where did it go?

I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit anyone very much this past week.  I've hardly been home, and when I have been, I've been busy getting stuff together for school.  I just spent this past weekend scrubbing the house down.

When I was out shopping for school, I went to buy a new camera battery.  Apparently, the store doesn't carry them anymore because the company no longer makes cameras.  WTF!?  This makes me very sad, as I have several pictures on there that I want to upload to my computer.  Now what?

Looking at the syllabus' (syllabi?!) from four of my five classes that I've gotten so far, last semester's staggering amount of homework was nothing compared to what I'll have this semester.  Good God, do professor's all think we only take just the one class from them and that's it and have no life beyond that?  I'm going to be extremely busy from the get go and now I'm kind of not looking forward to it.  Ack!  I'll be around when I can, but it looks like I'm not going to have a lot of free time.

Took this from here.

1.  Who was your worst roommate?  Why?

About 87 and a half years ago, I moved in with a girl I went to high school with.  We both attended the same beauty school.  I didn't really care much for her in high school, but then when we went to beauty school together for the first six months, I just thought that I didn't know her very well.  She didn't seem so bad after all.  We decided to move in together and I quickly remembered why I didn't like her.  

She was a very negative person and she rarely showered.  Other roomies moved in to our tiny two bedroom mobile home and it was a little too much togetherness.  We all fought and it was very uncomfortable to be around them.  Eventually, the others moved out and it was down to her and I again.  Before the others left though, they went to a neighbor to borrow money so that they could all move out while I was home visiting my parents.  The neighbor didn't lend them the money, and told me what they were up to when I came back that evening.  So when I moved out, I did that same thing to her.  I waited until she was at work, packed up my stuff (didn't have much since it was such a small space!) and left. 

2.  If you were a pro wrestler, what would your name be?  

I don't watch pro wrestling, so I didn't have an answer for this one.  But then I went here and it gave me the name of Bubbly Momma.  Soooo not what I would have picked for myself, lol!  What's yours?  

3.  Do you make your bed every morning or do you leave it unmade?  

I'm lazy, so I rarely make it unless I'm changing the bed sheets.  I figure I'm just going to climb back in it that night anyways, so why bother?  It does feel nice to crawl under the covers in a bed that's been made though.

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

I love this!  I'm not sure if I'm supposed to focus on the treble note or the statue, but my eyes are drawn immediately to the musical note.  If anyone wants to come do this at my house for free, and keep up the maintenance on it, please feel free to do so!  lol

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...

School starts on Monday!

I've gotten almost everything I need for school!

I got 2 new pairs of shoes yesterday!

I had a 4 hour lunch with a friend last Friday!

I went to the art museum and then had a picnic on Tuesday!

My work served free lunch on Wednesday!

*****

As I mentioned above, school starts on Monday.  Where did the summer go?  It seemed to fly by so much quicker than usual this year.  I'm not ready for it to end just yet.  

I already have homework for math.  Ugh!  Soooooooo not looking forward to this class!  I just have to suck it up though and do whatever I can to pass.  We have weekly quizzes and I'll have at least one paper to write.  Who knew there would ever be essays due for math?!  

I'm taking 5 classes this semester, one of them online.  I'm not sure how busy I'll be, since I'll be working too.  The last 2 semesters have felt like they just about killed me with all the stress and homework.  I'll pre-post Monday and Wednesday's post for next week, and then I'm not sure how often I'll be around.  I'll post and visit as often as I can.  Please don't forget about me!

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

I had a pretty good weekend.  The only really bad part is that someone told me something and I kind of wish they hadn't.  I'm glad they did, because now I'll know what happened.  But it makes me really sad...

Took this from here.  

1.  Tell us about a day spent working for your worst boss.

I had 2 back to back jobs with awful bosses, and it's hard to decide which one was the worst.  

At the first job, I had to literally justify everything I did in a workday.  My boss questioned absolutely everything and I needed to have an answer ready immediately, or face his wrath.  I felt like no matter how hard I tried, it was never good enough.  I absolutely loved my job, just not the office politics.  He made me cry regularly and I eventually decided no job was worth that, so I just quit one day.  It was a spur of the moment decision that I sometimes regret, other times not.

At the next job, my boss was the assistant manager.  On my first day there, she told me that she doesn't care about other people or their problems, unless those problems have a direct effect on her life in some way.  I witnessed this lack of empathy on her part and her lack of caring for others in any way, shape, or form many, many, many times.  She should *NEVER* be in a management position, and I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would ever think she was management material.  She did have her nice moments once in awhile, but they were few and far between.  She got fired about a year after I did, and I have to say that I did a little happy dance when I found out.  Yes that's mean, but then so is she.

2.  What's one product you use regularly that annoys you?  How would you fix it?

My first thought is feminine hygiene products.  The fact that I have to use them at all is very annoying!  I don't know how to fix them other than to not HAVE to use them.  

3.  If you could retire tomorrow, what would you do with your time?  

I'd volunteer part time somewhere.  I discovered from being unemployed for an extensive period of time that I really needed to do something to get out of the house once in awhile.  As much as I love my house and my 2 sweet chi's, I can't stay cooped up for days, weeks, months at a time because depression sets in very quickly.  

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 is a "farola," or lamp post.  I do think it's pretty, but I keep thinking of all the cobwebs and stuff that would get clogged up in the metal there, and it somehow becomes less appealing.  

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 finished both of the long, tedious reports for work this week! Sooooo excited about this!!!  

I'm going out to lunch with a friend today!

I'll be seeing some other friends tomorrow!

Buying one of my textbooks this week has me excited for school to start up again!

I've made a list of all the things I need to do before school starts and I've already scratched a few things off the list!  So much to do, so little time!

My boys really enjoyed their homemade Frosty Paws!

I got a new follower!  Welcome!

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I got an email last week from someone asking if I might be interested in interviewing for a position with my school that's in a different department than the one I currently work in.  It was an office job and sounded similar to my current job.  This was new to me, as I've never been been asked if I might be interested in a job without actually applying for one.  Apparently, she got my resume from the department head from when I'd applied for a different job awhile back.  I was kind of flattered and said yes.

We hadn't set up an interview time, so on Monday, I sent her an email to follow up.  Turns out she had already hired someone!  I said something to the effect of, "Oh!  I guess I just presumed that I would be interviewed for the position since you approached me about the job rather than the other way around."  She never responded.  

So now I'm completely confused as to why she contacted me in the first place?!  She wasted her time and mine.  I don't really get the point of her asking if I'd be interested in the job and then not even interview me when I said yes!  The more I think about it though, the more I'm glad she didn't hire me.  What would she be like to work for?

Wordless Wednesday

Homemade Frosty Paws

We've been out of triple digits for awhile, but it's still waaaay too hot with mid- to high- 90's temps.  I've been wanting to do something special for my little boys to help cool them off a bit.  So, since I couldn't find Frosty Paws in the store, I made some!  I somehow forgot what I did with my blender, so I used a mixer instead, and it worked out perfectly.  (I've since remembered where the blender is, so I'll use it next time I make these.)  

The mixture was enough to fill 2 of these with a little left over.  There were about two spoonfuls left, so I tried it and liked it!    

Four cubes each!  I think next time I'll only give them two.  They both ate the first two fairly quickly, waited a bit before starting the third, and didn't go back for the fourth until the cubes had completely melted.

Enjoying their treats! 

Thanks to Sarge for sharing the recipe.

Unfortunately, Chico got sick that evening and part of the next morning (he's fine now!), and I'm not sure if it was from this or if something else.  I hope it's not from these, as he really seemed to enjoy them.  I'll try these again, and just monitor him to be sure.  

Smiles for Sugar

We're helping Miss Sugar celebrate her 12th birthday with some smiles!

  Happy Birthday, Sugar.  I hope it's every bit as special as you are!

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 can sleep in this morning!!!

I got a new follower!  Welcome!

I went to a classic car show this past weekend!

My boys loved their Christmas in July package!  They've been playing with their unstuffies almost non-stop!

Chico has been extra cuddly for some reason this week, and I love it!

Instead of me applying for a job and waiting for them to call for an interview, someone came to me asking if I'd be interested in interviewing with them for a job!  That's never happened to me before!

I went grocery shopping a few days ago and bought all the ingredients to make Frosty Paws this weekend!  Click on the link for the recipe that Sarge posted last month.

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Hopefully you're not too sick of hearing about Christmas in July!  Here's several more links.  It was smooth sailing this year, with only one participant not getting their swap in the mail on time.  They had a very good reason for not being able to do so though.  Thank you to everyone for making this such a fun event this year.  Now that it's over, I want to do it all over again!  I'll have to check the Blogville Community Calendar to see if there are any swaps going on.

Blueberry    -    Maya and Chloe    -    Misaki    -    Mollie and Alfie    -    Molly The Wally    -    Ruby

I love how Mollie and Alfie and Misaki call me Sparkles.  

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Goodies!

My boys got their Christmas in July package over the weekend.  Our swap partner was the lovely Ruby.  Ruby really knows how to shop for a dog, and we couldn't have asked for anything better!

Our box of goodness!  I'm not sure why this posted sideways.  

Here's what we got.  Look at all them treats!  I wasn't able to get any pix of them enjoying their treats as they devoured them way too quickly before I could even get the camera ready.

This bunny unstuffy is supposed to be for Shiver, but Chico immediately claimed it as his own, even doing a tug of war with Shiver over it.  Shiver is not one to give up his toys lightly, but he let Chico have it and played with the squirrel instead.  Sorry this is blurry, Chico wouldn't stay still.

Here's Shiver playing with the squirrel.

All that excitement just wore Shiver out and he needed a nap.  Here he is, using the squirrel as a pillow and one leg wrapped around the bunny!  The green thing is a toy he already had.  Shiver thinks all the toys belong to him, so this is pretty typical of something he'd do!

Thank you to Ruby for all the wonderful pressies.  My boys were absolutely thrilled with everything!

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Don't know if anyone actually checks the links, but I always like to share them anyways.  Checking out what everyone got makes me realize I really need to step up my game next year!  I'll post more links they become available.  If I miss yours, please let me know so I can be sure to add it.  

Harper Lee    -    Reilly and Denny    -    Ranger    -    Mona and Prissy

*****

I was at the store last week and found some really cute dog bowls.  Because it was in between paydays, I was paying for my purchase with cash and really bummed that I didn't bring enough $$ for them.  So when I went back on Friday to finish up my dog swap shopping, I was shocked and thrilled that they were still there!  Usually if you see something you want there, you need to snatch it up right away because it won't be there the next time.  I came right home, washed them really well, and filled them up.  My boys didn't seem nearly as excited about them as I was.  Oh well!

While I was there, I asked about the possibility of special ordering Frosty Paws.  They used to carry them all the time, but not anymore.  I had just presumed they weren't selling well, and that's why they stopped carrying them.  The manager said that they've been trying to get them in for months, but the vendor seems to be having a problem providing them.  He didn't have any idea of when they might be back in, but I'm not giving up.  There's still a couple more places in town to try.  Just because the one store's vendor doesn't have them, doesn't mean the other store's vendors won't.  The coupons expire at the end of the year, so if I can't get them within a few months, I'll give them away.  

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 what made you happy!

~I'm happy because...

I got some unexpected extra hours at work this week!

It's payday, which means I finally get to finish shopping for my Christmas in July swap partner!  

While I'm shopping, I'm going to see about special ordering Frosty Paws.

I'm almost finished with one report at work!  One down, one to go!

It's been fun flirting with two guy friends this week!

The wicked, raging migraine from Wednesday is gone!  

I have less than a month before I head back to school!

*****

Speaking of Christmas in July, as I did above, I have a couple of links for anyone interested in seeing what participants got.  I'll post more as they become available.  If I miss yours, please let me know.  I really love the idea behind Finn's swap!

Finn    -    Sarge    

I just want to thank everyone for making it a stress-free event this year.  It was VERY stressful last year, and I actually considered not doing it again.  I'm so glad I did!  Don't forget that tomorrow is the deadline to get your swap sent out!

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Only three weeks until the start of school.  I'm excited, but also a little sad.  Where did the summer go?!  There's still so much I want to do, yet there's always an excuse as to why it never happens.  

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