Christmas in July Dog Swap Questions

So this year I'm doing the dog swap a little earlier than I did last year.  Just because it's my swap, so I can do what I want...  Look for the post on Monday with all the deets on how to join in the fun.  

I asked for feedback at the end of last year's swap and the one of the things that stood out the most was that there should be more time to promote/enter the swap.  Last year, I allowed two weeks to enter, this year I'm allowing for three.  Another blogger said that the swap due dates were in between paydays, so she wasn't able to participate.  Last year, there were 12 shopping days.  This year, I'm allowing four weeks.  

Is this enough time for everyone?  

Another question I have is about minimum/maximum amounts.  I've always set a maximum amount.  Rather than a maximum amount of money that can be spent on a swap, should I set a minimum amount instead?  One of my first years of doing the swap, I set up two bloggers as partners;  Partner 1 and Partner 2.  Partner 1 bought several items.  Partner 2 only sent one item in return.  It didn't seem very fair to Partner 1, and that bothered me.  But at the same time, the rules stated Partner 2 didn't have to spend up to the max amount, she just couldn't spend anything over it.  Should I say no less than $20, but no more than 30, or something to that effect?  What if it's more than one pet?  Should it be no less than $20 per pet?  It's hard to set limits, because I know some can afford to buy gifts much more easily than others can.  I don't want to eliminate anyone by making minimum amounts too high.  I do think some price limits need to be set though - whether it's minimum or maximum amounts, or both.

I've learned a lot from past swaps, and have this basically down to a science now.  Is there anything you like and want to continue?  Is there anything you don't like and don't want to continue?  There are some things I will insist upon, such as providing tracking numbers for mailed packages if you're in the US.  Others, I'm much more lenient on, such as setting minimum/maximum amounts.  If you have any ideas on how to improve the swap, please share.  I want to make this a fun event for everyone.  

Wordless Wednesday

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Happy Memorial Day!

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Happy Memorial Day!  Hard to believe it's that time of year again!  The year has gone so fast.  I plan to attend a Memorial Day service at the cemetery later on today.

I confirmed with the university's registrar's office last week that I *DO* have more credits than my adviser said I did!  So one more year until graduation after all!  Sooooo happy, but also a bit freaked out.  One more year until my real life begins.  I also made the Dean's List again this semester with 1 B+, 2 A-, and 1 A+.  I really doubt that my grades are going to help me find a job, but I'm proud of myself for doing so well.  I worked hard this semester, and it shows in my grades.

*****

Took this from here.

1.  One day you wake up to find your pet waiting for you at the side of your bed, sitting on your briefcase.  Cocking its head, it tells you that you won't be going to work today.  Why won't your pet let you go to work, and what happens?

I could sooooo see Shiver trying something like this if he could talk.  He would tell me that he misses me too much, and that I need to stay home and pay attention to nothing but him all day long.  He thinks that the entire world revolves around him.  

2.  Are you more likely to spend a gift of $1000 on practical things (food, bills, etc.), or on something you've been wanting but couldn't afford?

I would split it in half.  $500 would go towards bills, and the other $500 would be spent on something fun.

3.  Which items in your house will command top dollar at an antique store in a century?

Hmm, maybe a picture that someone painted for me when I was a kid.

4.  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 pretty smoke.  I guess it reminds me of going out to a nightclub and they release smoke when the band is on stage, or when the everyone's out on the dance floor, and the different colored lights hit it.

Chewy.com Review

My boys always love it when they get to do a review for Chewy.com.  This time wasn't any different.

This time we chose the Orijen Black Angus Beef Dog Treats.  I didn't realize it when we ordered it, but these are freeze-dried treats.  It seemed fitting, since the boys reviewed Sojos freeze-dried dog food last month.

We received a 2 oz. bag to try, which is currently on sale for only $7.49.  This is a 25% savings.  Or you can go for the 3.5 oz. bag, on sale for only $12.49.  I'm not sure when this sale ends, so you'll want to get in on it quick!  These treats contain only 3 ingredients -- Angus beef liver, boneless Angus beef, and Black Angus tripe.  

Sorry these are such bad pictures, the boys wouldn't stay still.  I tried to get pictures of them WITH the treats, but they gobbled them down before I had the chance.  A second attempt wasn't any more successful.  

And this is Shiver immediately after eating his treat.

 As you can tell, he just loved it!  He's lickin' his lips for the last bit of taste that might be left on them.

Here's why you should try Orijen:
Orijen is made my Champion Petfoods and is produced using only the freshest regional ingredients.  Their foods are perfectly matched to the digestive systems of both dogs and cats.  Orijen brings peace of mind to owners by promoting peak health.  

I've said it before, and I'll say it again!  Chewy's customer service is quick and friendly.  They're available hours a day, so you can order whenever is convenient for you.  They're only a click of a mouse or phone call away.  Or you can set up auto-delivery, so you don't ever have to worry about running out!  Any order over $50 gets free shipping and handling.  Their website has lots of amazing links and features - it's not all just about dog and cat food and treats.  I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an excellent pet food company.

We were not compensated financially for this post, but were provided free samples of dog treats in return for our honest opinion.

I'm Baaaaaaaack!!!

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Don't know if any of you have noticed, but I've been missing for the past two weeks.  Finals are over, so now I'm out of school and work for the summer.  So far, I've been spending my time catching up on sleep, consuming mass quantities of television, light housekeeping, spending quality time with the chi's, and checking my grades obsessively.  Only one grade has been posted so far, and it's killing me!

On the plus side, I really think my adviser was wrong in telling me that I'd have another three semesters left.  I've gone over and over and over my transcripts repeatedly, doing the math, adding up my credits.  And I'm pretty sure that I only have TWO semesters left!!!  Keeping my fingers crossed, because I want to graduate sooner rather than later.  If I'm right, that's only a year left of school!  It's hard to believe I've made it this far already.  

I will try to get around to visiting everybody later today.  If not today, then later in the week for sure.  I've really missed everyone so much!

*******

Took this from here.

1.  When did you have the weakest self-confidence ever?

It was after I got fired from a job that I hated with every fiber of my soul.  I applied and applied and applied for jobs and just wasn't having any luck.  I rarely heard back from any of the employers, although I did some interviews that lead nowhere.  I remember going to the Dept. of Labor and having a meeting with them to see what I was doing wrong.  They reviewed my cover letters and resume, and we did mock interviews.  Overall, it wasn't super helpful and they didn't have much advice to offer in regards to my resume.  

Over a year later, I was still unemployed and extremely depressed.  It did not help to have my mom and various friends comment about it.  My mom told me that I needed to stop only applying for my dream job and start applying for others as well.  If she only knew how many jobs I applied for and did not really want!  Then there was the friend who said, "I can't believe you still don't have a job yet.  What's wrong with you?"  Yeah, that's a real confidence booster right there!  There were many other comments as well...

What finally pulled me out of it was going to school.  I finally had a reason to wake up in the morning and to go out and see people every day.  I really feel like school is where I'm supposed to be right now.

2.  Among the people you know, who would you choose to be able to read all your thoughts?

No one!  

3.  How old were you when you realized that other people's families live totally differently from yours?

I don't really know.  My father was in the military, and we moved around frequently.  I went to a new school almost every year up until high school.  It felt weird to me when I finally did realize that other families did not move every few years, and that manly of my friends had never even been out of the state they were born in. 

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

These past two weeks have been extremely stressful with a lot going on.  Now that they're over with and I can actually relax, I've been doing a lot of this!  The only real difference is that my chi's are curled up next to me.