Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

Last week was actually pretty good!  Tuesday, I got my Valentine Swap in the mail.  Wednesday, I attended my first Student Assembly (student government) meeting.  Thursday, I played hooky and stayed home instead of going to school and work.  Friday, I had two job interviews on campus!  Hopefully this week will be just as good!

Took this from here.

1.  If you could only go to one restaurant for the next five years, which would it be?  

There was a Mexican restaurant in town that closed after being open for over 20 years.  It was really sad, because it was a family business.  They moved locations to save money, only they lost money because it was kind of out of the way and people stopped going there as often.  So maybe that one if it was still open.

But then there's a Greek restaurant that's like two towns away that I love!  Don't get to go very often since it's a bit out of the way, but they have excellent food and service.  I'd never had Greek food before eating there the first time, and I enjoyed it immensely.

2.  Have you ever carried a weapon out of a sense of fear? 

No, because I don't have any to carry.

3.  Do you consider yourself the outgoing performer, or the appreciative bystander?  Why?

I'm definitely the appreciative bystander!  I'm very shy and have a difficult time putting myself out there.  I've gotten better as I've gotten older, but I still don't like to be the center of attention.

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 picture is labeled "ice fishing," so that's apparently what they're doing here.  All I can think of when I look at it is that it must be cold, so I'd probably be miserable there.

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

Wow, it's the start of week 3 of school and work already.  Time is flying by so quickly already!  There always seems to be at least one class I dislike, and this semester is no exception.  Hopefully it'll get better.  It's not awful, it's just really, really, really boring so far.

On the bright side, I did get around to visiting some of you last week!  Not just once, but twice!!!  

*****

Took this from here.  

1.  When you gaze out your window - real or figurative - do you see the forest first, or the trees?

If I were to look out my window, I'd see the forest first.  But as time went on and I continued to look out the window each day, I'd start to see the individual trees.  I'd begin to notice how they were all the same in structure, yet each one had it's own unique qualities.  Which would you see first?

2.  Do you squeeze the toothpaste from the top, middle, or bottom?  

Growing up, I was always taught to squeeze from the bottom and roll it up as the bottom portion started to become empty.  Now that I'm out on my own though, I just kind of squeeze from wherever.  

3.  Describe your outfit today, the one you wore out in public (to work, or shopping, or the gym, or wherever).  

I'm wearing an old shirt that I got from the See Spot Walk dog walk my boys and I participated in a few years ago.  It's white and long sleeved, with the logo on the front and the list of company supporters on the back.  

I'm also wearing jeans, and my grayish/silverish boots that I've gotten several compliments on.  And of course, there's also undies, a bra, and socks.  Oh, and a watch, gold chain and heart shaped ring.

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 first impression was maybe that the lady was flossing her teeth.  It's labeled impro-melesse though, which Google says is the name of a French improvisational troupe.  I've linked to their blog for anyone who might be interested in learning more about them, but be advised that it's in French.  

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

So today is the start of the second week of school.  As always, it looks to be a very busy semester!  I have a lot going on already.  I know not very many people read my blog anymore, but I wanted to let the few who do know that I am going to attempt to come around and visit at least once a week!

I was offered an internship last week, but had to turn it down.  I do think it would have been an excellent opportunity, but it would have stretched my time considerably thinner than it already is.  For one thing, my school is about 45 miles each way - the internship would have been an addition 15 or so more.  Plus they wanted me to do a four day training class - I have class and work, I can't just take 4 days off!  School has to be my priority.  The opportunity to work for them would not have come about if not for school!  They also would have liked me to travel with them when they would go to lobby Congress.  Again, I have school and work!  Disappointing, but it's for the best.  

Took this from here.

1.  What was the name of your first grade teacher?

I had two first grade teachers, and I don't remember the names of either one of them.

2.  What was the worst smell you have ever smelled?

I don't know if it was the absolute worst, but it was pretty bad!  Last semester, I got stuck on a very crowded elevator next to a student who obviously had not showered in several days.  In an attempt to cover it up, he poured on about a gallon of cologne.  This only made things worse!  I was horrified when he got off on the same floor and I had to follow behind him when he walked into my work.  The smell stuck with me the entire shift.

3.  What is something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail, and explain why you haven't tried it yet.

I really would have liked to stick with my original major, but chickened out once I saw how extensive the math was that was required.  Math is my absolute worst subject, and makes me want to bang my head against the wall in anger and frustration.  I just do.not.get.it!!!

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

We've had a lot of frost and fog for the past two months.  Every day I wake up and everything outside is covered in white frost.  It's very pretty, but I'm ready for spring colors now!

Wordless Wednesday

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Chewy.com Review

Andrew from Chewy.com emailed recently, and asked if I might be interested in reviewing one of their products.  I've seen lots of other bloggers post about them and had always wanted to try them.  My boys and I were both very excited when the opportunity presented itself!

We were given a variety of items to chose from, and I ordered the Fromm's Four-Star Nutritionals Grain-Free Chicken With Carrots and Peas Recipe Dog Treats.  It arrived quickly and as always, the boys just KNEW it was for them.  I don't know how they always seem to know, but they do!  

Just look at all the yummy ingredients:  Fresh Chicken, Pea Flour, Potato Flour, Tapioca, Whole Peas, Chicken Fat, Tomato Pomace, Fresh Cranberries, Fresh Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Carrots, Fresh Apples, Fresh Split Peas, Fresh Green Beans, Fresh Green Bell Peppers, Fresh Celery, Fresh Beets, Fresh Parsley, Fresh Lettuce, Fresh Watercress, Fresh Spinach.  They almost make me want to try one myself!  lol

Here's a bit of information from their website:    

Fromm Four-Star Nutritionals Grain-Free Chicken with Carrots & Peas Recipe Dog Treats

High fives, rolling over, and even solving advanced mathematic equations won't be a problem when you're tempting Topher with a treat this tasty!  Fromm Four-Star Oven Broasted Chicken with Carrots & Peas Dog Treats are grain-free bites of deliciousness perfect for training or treating your most loyal friend.  They're loaded with fresh veggies like green beans and bell peppers, making it tough to decide:  are they more delicious or more nutritious?  It's a tie!

Key Benefits

• Contains free-range chicken
• Made without grains, a common allergy trigger for dogs
• Made with USDA-inspected ingredients delivered fresh daily
• Perfect size for training

I love that Chewy.com offers so much more than food and treats!  They also have bowls and feeders, grooming supplies, toys, leashes and collars and so much more.  You can even set up automatic shipments so that you never have to worry about running out of dog food!  If your order comes to $49 or more, there's no charge for shipping. Who doesn't love free? 

Chico loves his treats, and this was no exception!  When the bag of goodies first arrived, I gave them both a treat without taking pictures.  Shiver seemed leery of it for some reason, and wasn't sure what to think of it.  Chico gobbled his down and then went after Shiver's!  We tried it again last night and Shiver seemed to take to it much better.  Chico inhaled his before I could even get near him for pictures!  They both agree that you should rush over to their website and order from them immediately!

Shiver and Chico checking it out.

Shiver enjoying a treat.

*****

Tomorrow is my first day back to classes and work.  Christmas break went so fast!!!  I really could have used another week off.  The last several days have been busy trying to get everything ready - buying textbooks, buying school supplies, buying a laptop, cleaning the house, etc.  I'm still trying to figure the laptop out.  My other one really wasn't that old, so I was shocked that this one is so different!  I really miss the old one.  

Shockingly, I've only received one syllabus for one class so far.  Normally, I'd have almost all of them by now!  The one I do have, shows the class will have extensive homework.  Ugh!  It's a required class and I can't take it any later than this semester, so I just have to deal with it.  

I have no idea what the workload will be like in my other classes yet, but hopefully I'll be able to come around and visit everyone sometimes and post.  And hopefully you'll still stop by and say hello now and again!  

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Monday!

I'm feeling a little annoyed right now.  My boys did a photo shoot this weekend and I thought I transferred them from the iPod to the PC properly, but I cannot find them anywhere on the computer for the life of me!  I've looked everywhere I can possibly think of.  So I'm posting old pix instead.  That's Chico on top, and Shiver on the bottom.   Hopefully I won't have this same issue when I get the new laptop, which can't happen soon enough.

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 have an interview for an internship next week!

I'll be getting my financial aid next week, which means that I can buy a new laptop!  And new shoes!  And textbooks!  And school supplies!  

Andrew from Chewy.com asked if the boys would be interested in doing a review!  Our first order is on it's way!

My friend has offered to give me some of her old clothes!  She used to have money once upon a time, so hers are much nicer than mine!

I've read three books for fun in the past three weeks, and am about half way through a fourth!  It's so nice to read a book by choice, and not because you have to!

*****

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I feel like a broken record, but I apologize for not getting around to reading blogs for the past two days.  My pc is old and freezes up a lot.  Some days it runs great and doesn't freeze up or take ages to load, and other days that's not the case at all!  I downloaded some programs that I thought might help, but it's old and does what it wants when it wants.  If it decides to behave, I'll try to be around to visit later today or tonight.  I did visit a couple of blogs yesterday, sorry if I didn't make it around to yours.  The computer was acting up and was taking forever to do anything.  It's better than nothing, but I definitely need a new laptop!

Wordless Wednesday

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Monday Meme

Ugh!  I was so excited to finally be able to post and visit regularly, then I ended up destroying my laptop!  Thank God I still have my pc, but it's 10 years old and takes centuries to load a page.  It's better than nothing though.  I can't be without a decent computer for school, so I'll have to buy a new laptop at the end of next week when my financial aid comes through.  I stopped at Walmart yesterday evening to price check the models they have in stock.  While there, another customer walked over and started discussing the best laptops for the money.  I asked if he was a computer salesman, and he said no.  He did say that he usually ends up buying his from Staples, although he didn't really know why he bought them there as opposed to some other store.  I had no idea Staples sold computers!  

Anyway...  If the pc cooperates, I'll try to be around later today and visit everyone.  I've really missed everybody.

*****

Took this from here.  I combined two memes because I didn't like all the questions in them.  

1.  What do wrinkles mean to you?

It means you're old.  Either that, or you've been out in the sun a little too much.

2.  If you had unlimited money and space, what one thing would you add to your bedroom?

Without a doubt, a large walk-in closet!  I've always wanted one, and envy those who have them.  

3.  What common (first) name do you find least appealing?

I never really liked the name Jessica.

I also *REALLY* abhor my first name, which is not common!

4.  One day you're out in your yard, when the next door neighbor's garden gnome suddenly walks over and starts telling you about "what's really going on!"  What do you do?

One of my neighbors has been really not so nice in the past.  She's very critical of my yard, and I try to avoid her as much as possible.  She once hired someone, without my knowledge, to come cut some trees down in my backyard.  Thankfully, the guy knocked on the door first, and I was able to put a stop to it.  The neighbor and I never spoke of the incident, but I haven't forgotten it!  

While she's often been nasty, she's also had her nice moments.  For Christmas, she brought me cookies and a spiral ham.  I spoke with her last week, and she was in a really good mood because she just found out she's going to be a grandmother.  Hopefully this good mood will last a long time.

So if this gnome had some good gossip, I'd probably listen to it and smirk, because I'm not a good person.  I doubt I'd spread it around the neighborhood (which would be difficult since I don't actually know most of them!), but I'd probably mention it in passing to people who don't know who she is and wouldn't really care. 

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 was labeled as St. Petersburg, which is a city in Russia.  A very quick Google Images search didn't reveal what this building is exactly, but it's very pretty.  In fact, Russia has a lot of pretty sights.  I would love to travel there someday and visit.  Would you?     

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.