Friday, July 29, 2011

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.  Be sure to link up here once you've posted your list!  (This isn't a blog hop so please only link up if you've participated by posting your happy list.  Thanks!)
~I'm happy because...
Shiver seems to be feeling better!

The vet bill was under $100!

Most of the vomit and diarrhea stains came out when I steam cleaned the carpet!

I went to a movie this past weekend!

I went to a dinner party this week!

The same friend who held the dinner party has invited me over for lunch today!

Tonight's big event for the organization I volunteer for will be the end of the season!
*****
I apologize I haven't been around to visit much this week.  I've tried to get to everyone but I've been so busy that I just haven't had time.  I won't be around at all today or probably tomorrow as I have to leave in just a little bit for a quick lunch with my friend and then I'm off to help set everything up for the big event.  It's an overnight event so I'll be too pooped to pop tomorrow.
*****
On Monday, I woke up to Shiver licking his puke up off the bedroom floor.  As I mentioned previously, once I cleaned it up and he'd gone outside for a little bit, he seemed his usual playful self so I thought maybe he just ate something that didn't agree with him.  Later that day, I noticed that one of the boys had let loose a nasty stool on my living room rug.  Cleaned it up the best I could and decided to leave the deep carpet cleaning until I knew for sure that it wouldn't happen again.  Tuesday, I woke up to two more vomit stains in the bedroom and another diarrhea spot.  Again, Shiver seemed fine, and so did Chico, so I fooled myself into thinking that Shiver just had something in his system that needed to run its course.  He seemed perfectly fine otherwise.  That night, Shiver threw up again and I just knew I couldn't be in denial anymore.  It was late at night and I figured since he still wasn't acting any different otherwise, we could save the after-hours fee and I'd make an appt. for him in the morning.  Woke up to find yet another stool and vomit spot on my carpet so I immediately called the vet and got right in.

After the usual questions about whether Shiver had gotten into the trash or if I was aware if he'd eaten anything he shouldn't have or been around another dog who'd been sick recently, the vet just said sometimes dogs get something in their system and need a little bit of help getting over it.  He gave Shiver 2 injections there and gave me two perscriptions to take home for him.  Shiver's been fine ever since!  I feel guilty that I didn't take him in sooner but fortunately, it appears not to have been anything too serious.
***** 
Source:  weheartit
Several of you said you hoped that I'd share the results of my tarot reading from Monday.  I wish I'd taken notes so I could remember everything but the highlights were that I should listen to more music, I need to watch what I eat and cut out sugar, I need to get more sleep, I should surround myself with animals, my chi's love me and I should talk to them, school is an excellent idea and that a great reward is waiting for me once I finish and finally -- I'll be traveling for pleasure and the expenses will work themselves out somehow so I won't have to worry about finances.  During this trip, I'll meet the man I'm to marry and our relationship will be a real learning experience for me.  He and I will have a family.  Oh, and that my dad is my guardian angel who watches over me and my mom.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Monday, July 25, 2011

Monday Meanderings...

Woke up this morning to Shiver licking his own vomit off the carpet.  Yum!  Once it got cleaned up and he'd been outside to do his biznazz, I tried to cuddle with him a bit but he was more interested in playing so I guess he's ok.  Just gonna keep a closer eye on him today.

Nothing too exciting happened over the weekend.  Went to a movie yesterday and enjoyed it, despite the Chatty Cathy who sat behind me and talked loudly for the duration of the movie.  I really hate people like that.  I mean, I can understand that you want to talk to your friends, but why not whisper so that you don't disturb the other people in the theatre?  We went to see Larry Crowne and I must say, my first semester in college was a very different experience!  I didn't hook up with any of my professors, lol  Three of the four were females though and all but one professor was a lot older than me.

This will be a very busy week for me.  Friday will be the culmination of one of my volunteer activities and I'm sooooooooo glad.  I just haven't enjoyed it this year at all and am thinking I won't sign up for next year's committee.  This is my third year participating and each year, I dislike it a little more.  The first year, I really loved!  The committee was a lot of fun and I made some good friends from it.  Last year, it was a little less fun and this year I've not enjoyed it from the beginning.  I made a commitment though and am determined to see it through.  And once it's done, so am I! 

This evening, I'll be receiving a free tarot reading.  I don't know how much of that kind of stuff I really believe in, but I do find it fascinating.  Went to a pyshic a few years ago which was an interesting experience.
Source:  weheartit

Friday, July 22, 2011

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.  Be sure to link up here once you've posted your list!  ( This isn't a blog hop so please only link up if you've participated by posting your happy list.  Thanks!)
~I'm happy because...
I had a good time with my aunt while she was here!

My oldest brother wasn't his usual douchebag self this visit!  He did get a few digs in but he was actually pretty decent, for the most part.

All of my bills are paid for the month!

I've gotten some new followers recently!  Welcome!

I went to the art museum a few days ago and got to see the shoe exhibits!

I went to a fish hatchery and saw an alligator!  I should clarify that a little more; I didn't see the alligator at the fish hatchery.  But I did see them on the same day!

Katie Perry's concert is OVER tomorrow!  It's not that I mind her so much but they've been promoting her show like crazy since January and I'm just sick of hearing about it.
Source:  weheartit
I have another job interview today.  Was really shocked when the dude called because I've applied and applied there with little to no response so I didn't expect the results to be any different this time around.  It's for a full time position with a title company.  I'm halfway hoping I don't get it because I really want to continue with school.  On the other hand, I really would like to work for a title company.  The guy did a telephone screen interview with me first and I asked if I could potentially work part time so I could continue on with school and he wasn't open to that idea at all. 

I just realized I have exactly 1 month to the day until the start of school!  I hope this semester turns out to be just as enjoyable as the first one.  I'm kinda thinking it won't because I have math which I'm sooooooo not excited about. 

Booker Man and Amber recently posted about their swaps.  Just 7 more to go!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Wordy Wednesday

(My dad helped build this)
Ugh!  Stupid computer!!!  I tried to pre-post this last night because I knew I'd be gone most of today only I made the mistake of doing it while my computer was running updates, which always makes everything run freaking s - l - o - w.  Last night it was running more than one update at a time and it froze things up.  I could still see updates running so I left it.  Because it was half way in the process of uploading pix, I didn't think it would actually post anything.  It initially only posted the top pic.

Monday, July 18, 2011

All About ME!

My father's services were this past Saturday.  It was a really hard day.  I didn't know most of the people who attended which kind of reminded me that I didn't really know my father all that well either.  I cried at the services and cried some more when I got home; I actually think it was harder than the day he died.  Afterwards, I went to a park by myself and walked around for a bit, taking pictures.  It was nice to have that alone time to just kind of put the day behind me for awhile and not think about it.
Source:  weheartit
Not everyone has posted what they got from the Doggone Dog Swap but I do have a few more links for you.  Check out what Shelby, Dolce and Pip got.  I love seeing everyone's goodies; it gives me great ideas for what to do for next time.  I hope everyone enjoyed this as much as I have and that it'll be even more successful in the future.  I'll post additional links as they become available.

I was supposed to post this a week or two ago but life got in the way and it didn't happen.  So I'm answering them now instead.  I'm sure that you've just been DYING with anticipation.  Because it really is *all about me.*  Stop laughing, it really IS all about me!!!  Yes, it is!!!  Just read my header and my profile, you'll see!

Questions and Answers: 
Jenny Woolf said...
What's your first memory of feelings connected with an animal?  Mine is of riding on an elephant which I found a bit scary!!
I grew up with 2 small, white poodles.  My first real memory connected with either one of them is that one night, I was eating dinner.  We were having spaghetti and everyone else had already finished so I was the last one at the table.  I think I was 4 or 5 at the time.  Well, being alone in the kitchen, my dogs had come in and begged me to share.  I don't know what made me do it but I decided to pour whatever spaghetti was left on my plate onto one of the dogs.  I remember laughing at him as he tried to get at the noodles and meat.  The other dog tried to eat the spaghetti off him too and he growled at her.  He ran into the living room where my mom had been watching tv.  She didn't find it nearly as funny as I did and I got into trouble. 

I wanna hear more about that elephant ride!  Elephants are one of my favorite animals.
I've always wondered what you look like, it's sorta been like talking to someone on the phone without ever meeting them face to face and imaging what they look like.
Source:  ask men 
I don't show any pictures of myself because I want to protect my identity.  However, I've been told by more than one person that I resemble Reba McEntire.  I totally don't see it and I'm not a fan of country music.  She's much prettier than me but it's better than being compared to someone like Bette Middler, I suppose.  Not that Bette isn't attractive in her own way, she just isn't known as a classic beauty.
Cheeseboy said...
I'm always interested in how and why bloggers get into blogging.
I finally got my own computer which allowed me to be on the internet for more than a couple of minutes at a time.  I wasn't really sure what to do with it beyond just checking my email and the one or two websites I knew of.  And then one day I discovered google!  It's a magical place where you can search for anything your heart desires.  I somehow came across a dog blog and wanted more, more, more!  I noticed links for other blogs placed off to the side and clicked on a few of those whose names I liked.  And then one day I decided I should start my own.  Only I quickly discovered I had nothing to say.  It sat dormant for a long time until I finally decided I should either use it or delete it.  So I started using it and here I am all this time later...  Sorry it's not a more interesting or exciting or inspiring story. 
the booker man said...
if you could go anywhere in the whole wide world for a vacay, where would you go?
I haven't been on very many vacations so pretty much anywhere would be good!  I have a couple that have really stuck out that I enjoyed immensely.  One that I took in childhood and would love to repeat would be that when I was about 12, my family lived in Holland.  (My father was in the military.)  We took a 5 day covered wagon trip a few months before we moved back stateside.  We were in a covered wagon pulled by a horse traveling the countryside by day and stayed in four star hotels at night.  There were stables for the horses back behind the hotel and they fed them for us.  Our breakfasts and dinners were provided by the hotel and they prepared a substantial lunch to take with us the next day.  The really cool thing about this trip is that we crossed borders into several different countries and had we not had the map and notes with us, we'd never have known!  It was a very cool experience and I'd love to do it again.

Reading through this description, it really does sound unbelieveable.  But it really did happen, I swear!
Melissa said...
Hmm..  my question would be..  Are you a neat or tidy person?  Is your house spotless, messy or just "normal"?  (I guess some people call that "lived in.")
I go through phases.  At the moment, my house is pretty clean because I've been in the process of spring cleaning.  I'll keep it clean for awhile and then one day I'll decide I just don't care anymore.  When it gets to the point where I'd be embarassed to invite someone in if they came over unexpectedly (I have one friend in particular who is notorious for this!), then I know it's time to scrub it down again.
The Life of Riley said...
How did you get the name Sprinkles?  It's a great name.  Is it something you picked yourself or did someone else name you that?  When and why?

Also curious approximately what age you and your dogs are... blogging you never know if you are writing to someone much older or younger than you!  You can sort of guess, but you never really know especially when you haven't seen a picture of the person, and you only know what they tell you!!!  I'm four and a bit (32 in dog years - can you tell by my photos?) and my human is in her forties.  We always imagine that you are in your early twenties - are we correct?
When I first started blogging, I decided to be completely anonymous.  If I was going to blog, I wanted to be as honest as possible.  In order to do that, I didn't want people in my real life to stumble acrossed this bloggy o' mine and potentially read things they weren't happy about or didn't agree with.  I could've used just my first name but decided against that because A) someone I know IRL could've come across it and put two and two together more easily and B) almost no one spells my first or last name right.  You'd think I'd be used to this by now and just accept it but no, it pisses me off when someone gets it wrong and I didn't want to be filled with rage everytime I looked at my blog.  lol

I'd come up with a list of names I liked and *sprinkles* was one of them but not necessarily my first choice.  Then I read a list of specific words that ooked people out when they heard them.  The most popular word was "moist."  A little lower down on the list was "sprinkles."  I didn't get why that particular word should creep anyone out and being the rebellious wyldechylde that I am (yes, I just linked to myself on my own blog - 'cause that's how I roll!), I immediately decided that was the name for me!  I've actually used several other names in the duration of this blog but sprinkles is the one that has been around the longest and I like it.

As for my age, I've never liked telling anyone how old I am.  It has nothing to do with covering up my identity; even in my real life, I don't tell people.  I think it's because I feel like I haven't done as much with my life as I'd have liked to.  I don't feel like I've really accomplished much of anything.
Both of my chi's are 4 and both will be 5 in September.
AndreaLeigh said...
is there a significant other in your life?  where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Sadly, no, there isn't a significant other in my life at the moment.  I always knew from a very young age that I'd be alone and it appears that prediction has turned out to be true.  I've had boyfriends before but wasn't very good at relationships.  I can't even remember the last time a guy hit on me.  Actually, I do.  It wasn't pretty.  I asked him what was wrong with him because if he liked me, there must be something wrong with him.  Yeah, that didn't go over so well......  I miss having a boyfriend but I just feel like it isn't in the cards for me.  Please don't suggest I try online dating because I really have no interest in that. 

Honestly, I have no 5 year plan anymore.  I used to kind of have one.  And now, not so much...  I'd like to have graduated, be in a good job that I enjoy and be able to support myself financially with a little extra left over to go out and splurge once in awhile.  I used to always take a little bit from each paycheck and buy myself something frivolous - new shoes, dinner and a movie with friends, makeup, whatever my little heart desired.  But most of all, I just want to be happy and at peace with myself.
Schnauzer Days said...
 Now a question for you, let me think...who do you think is better looking, me or Louis?  No seriously, if you could, would you come back as a very big dog or would you come back again as a smaller dog like us and your good self?  There are pro's and cons to both aren't there? 
I can't choose between Dexter and Louis.  I think you're both equally handsome!  bol

Your next question is a little more difficult.  Yes, there are most definitely cons to both being big and little.  After much thoughtful consideration (three and a half minutes is much thoughtful consideration, right?), I'm gonna go with a small dog.  I have nothing against big dogs at all but I know my boys probably get a little more lovin's as smaller dogs because I can pick them up and cuddle them as I carry them from one spot to another.  They sleep in my bed with me and curl up with me on the couch when I watch tv.  Not that large dogs couldn't sleep in the bed or curl up on the couch too but I'd want there to still be room for me once the dog got up there.   So if I had to come back as a large or a small dog, I'mma go with the small dog.

And now you know....

I'm off to visit a fish hatchery and an alligator farm today.  Catch ya later!

Friday, July 15, 2011

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.  Be sure to link up here once you've posted your list! ( This isn't a blog hop so please only link up if you've participated by posting your happy list.  Thanks!)
~I'm happy because...

I FOUND A JOB!!!

No new zits this past week!  And the ones I do have are ever so s-l-o-w-l-y beginning to go away.  But at least they're healing up! 

I think I found a bapipe player for the ceremony I'm working on!  This has literally taken several very stressful years weeks of my life  that I'll never get back so I'm really excited about this!

My dad is no longer suffering.  I just wish he could still be here with us and no longer suffering though.

My aunt on my mom's side came in from out of town yesterday!  I haven't seen her in years and probably wouldn't recognize her if I ran into her on the street but I'm glad she's here.  She'll be a great support system for my mom.  (One of my brother's is coming too, not excited about seeing him though.)

I saw folders on sale at the store earlier this week and bought a bunch of school supplies!  That got me really excited for the new semester to start.
*****
My dad's service is tomorrow.  I'm not really looking forward to it.  You know how I said I didn't really feel much about his death beyond being relieved?  Well, turns out that's not so true afterall...  Twice this week I've been out and about running various errands and have run into people I know.  The first time it was a guy I went to high school with.  I wasn't exactly the nicest person to him back then but for some reason, he's remained friendly towards me all these years later even though I've basically just brushed him off whenever I see him.  (Yes, I realize this isn't nice.  I was going to try and justify why I but decided not to, I'll just let you judge me harshly because I probably deserve it.)   Anyways, I wasn't thinking about my father at that moment and when he brought it up, it immediately made me sad. 

And then today it happened again with someone else!  She was asking me a little bit about it and I could tell she didn't want to pry but that she wanted details.  I gave her a very brief version of it because I just couldn't really go there yet.  And tomorrow, I'll have to go there, whether I'm ready or not.
Source:  weheartit
So...the job.  It's a pretty meaningless job for the most part and the pay is pretty meaningless too.  But at least it's something!  My first day is August 10th when I go in for two days of training.  After that, I'll be working M-T-W-F after class once the new semester starts.  I don't have any classes on Tuesday but will have to make a drive in to school anyways.  My new title is Online Testing Proctor or something to that effect.  Basically, I just check people in when they come in for tests and walk around to make sure no one is cheating.  Sounds easy enough...  The most excellent part about it is that I don't work weekends and if the school is closed (holidays, spring break, snow days, etc.), my department will be closed too!  Not all departments are like that.  I'm kind of nervous and praying I haven't overextended myself.  Last semester I took 4 classes and had endless hours of homework each day.  This semester I'm taking five and one of those classes requires 10 hours of online work each week.  Eek!  My new supervisor has stressed repeatedly that I cannot do any homework on the job. 
Source:  weheartit

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Wordy Wednesday - Dog Swap Edition

I've hosted the Doggone Dog Swap three years in a row now and this is the first year I've actually gotten to participate.  My partner was Munchkin Memiors and my boys were quite spoiled with everything they sent.
I really thought that Shiver would be overly excited about these tennis balls since he's obsessed with them.  Plus, they're flavored!  What could be better?
He's hardly even paid any attention to them!  He's been much too busy chewing on his Skineez toys instead.
Both boys have gotten endless hours of play with them.  Sorry they're both blurry here.  I couldn't get a good picture of them with their new toys. 

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Thanks A Million Times Over

Thanks once again to everyone for your thoughts and prayers.  It really meant a lot, especially since most of my friends IRL haven't said much about it.  My father passed peacefully and my mom and I were both there.  I'm so glad because I didn't want him to die alone.

One minute he was breathing and the next, he wasn't.  I'd only been at the hospital for maybe a half hour before he died.  I told my mom it was probably wishful thinking but I almost felt like he waited for me to get there before he passed.
Source:  weheartit
He seemed to be doing a lot better on the Friday before he died.  He was still out of it and doing odd things but even so, he seemed improved from the day before.  Saturday, I went to visit him and he just stared right through me.  He didn't acknowledge my presence at all.  It was like he was asleep with his eyes open.  And Sunday, he died.

Mostly I don't feel much of anything about it other than relief.  Not so much relief for me, but for my father.  He went downhill so quickly and he never even got to start his chemo meds.  It was so hard to see him as just a shell of the man he used to be.  Sometimes I feel sad about it and I do miss him but I really thought I'd be a lot sadder.  I don't know if that's normal or if I'll feel more sad in time.  Maybe I'm unconsciously in denial or something...

I was bored at the beginning of summer and wishing I'd done summer school.  But now I'm really grateful that I had this time with him.  

Right after my dad's initial hospitalization when he found out he had cancer and before he got so bad, I had a dream about him.  In it, I was leaving school for the day and walked out into the quad area.  He and my grandfather were sitting on a bench there; I was really surprised to see them both . (Maybe because my grandfather has been dead for years and there is no bench in the quad?!)  I was walking towards them and then suddenly stopped in my tracks.  My dad was like a balloon in that he was no longer sitting on the bench but floated up into the sky and disappeared.  I thought at the time that it meant my dad would be ok.  But now I think it was my grandfather's way of telling me he wouldn't make it and that my dad was floating off to Heaven.
Source:  weheartit
A day or two ago I had another dream about my dad.  I don't really remember what happened but just before I woke up, my dad said something to the effect of, "Your mother is my successor."  WTF does that mean?  I hope it doesn't mean she's going to die soon too.

We're holding services for my dad this coming Saturday.  We waited since family is coming from out of town.

My uncle, my dad's brother, called a couple of days ago to tell us that my other uncle is in the hospital and probably won't be with us much longer.  They thought he had lukemia but he wouldn't go in for further testing because he was afraid of the results.

I hope all this stress goes away soon.  My face isn't dealing with it well at all - I'm covered in zits and I'm not liking it.  At this point, there's only a spot or two left before my face will become one great big zit in and of itself.

I hope everyone got their Doggone Dog Swap goodies out.  I've only heard from about half of you who participated so... I know I got mine out on time!  Sagira recently met up with Frankie in the furs to exchange their stuffs.  Click on her name to see what she got.  Raising Addie posted about her swap too!  I'll be doing mine tomorrow.  Whenever my boys get a package in the mail, I'm always just as excited about it as if it was for me.

Monday, July 4, 2011

RIP, Daddy!

My father passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon.  I'm still trying to process everything.  I'll be taking  a short break from blogging and commenting.  I hope you'll understand and I'll be back when I can.  Thank you all for your kind words and prayers.
04/25/1942 - 07/03/2011
 

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