Moments of Introspection: April 2016

April 30, 2016

Camera Critters: Hanging Out At Grandma's House

Just a few photos I took of Shelby on April 24, 2016.

We were hanging out at my mother/father-in-laws house for the day.

This post is linked to Camera Critters.

April 29, 2016

Bring On Spring!

Just a few photos I took last week at my mother/father-in-law's house.

I love Spring!

April 28, 2016

Throwback Thursday: At The Circus

This photo was taken in 2001 around Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Colt (my son), Vickie (my daughter) and I went to the circus.

I felt so bad for the poor kitty. :(

The circus people had the kitty drugged to keep her calm. :(

April 27, 2016

eCard of the Week #137: There Are Always Dogs

Despite all the bad days and mean people.

I still believe in good things and kind people.

Plus, there are always dogs!

April 26, 2016

I Love My Children Forever And Always

My daughter, Vickie and my son, Colt.

We miss Colt so very much.

April 25, 2016

Ten Signs You May Love Your Dog More Than People:

1. You love watching horror movies. But you’re horrified if a dog gets hurt.

2. You dread being invited out because you’d rather stay home and play with your dog.

3. You get annoyed when people aren't tidy. But it’s adorable when your dog’s toys are scattered all over the place.

4. If a friend ignores your dog…No repeat invites or holiday cards again.

5. You’re happiest when you can’t move because your dog is asleep in your lap.

6. You don’t like sharing your food with anyone except your dog.

7. If your spouse steals the covers you get irritated. If your dog does it you smile.

8. People who walk slowly bug you. But it’s fine when your dog stops to sniff every blade of grass.

9. No matter what you’re doing, you can’t wait to run home and kiss your dog.

10. If someone says, “He’s just a dog,” you never speak to that person again.

April 24, 2016

Sunday Stealing: Ask Questions, Yo!

This weeks Sunday Stealing was stolen from "I Take Surveys".

1. Are you a very open or private person? I am a private person. I find it to be rather hard discussing how I feel or what I am going through.

2. Change one thing about the world what would it be? I would rid the world of all the different types of abuse.

3. Live in any country/city, where would you choose? I love the good old United States, and I prefer to not live in the city.

4. What perfume do you wear? Tommy Girl

5. How are you feeling right now? At the present time, I am doing ok. But in five minutes I might be a mess.

6. If money was no object, where would you move to? Out-of-town on at least 100 acres.

7. Who was the last person to make you cry? My husband (he was sweet and hung up some pictures/art work for me).

8. What age do people usually mistake you for? Around 40ish (I am 45).

9. Is there a song which can bring you to tears instantly? Several songs bring me immediately to tears...several of these songs I have posted in my blog. "Young & Beautiful" by Lana Del Rey is one that brings me to tears. It is the last song my son sang to me. He just wanted to be loved no matter what the cancer did to him.

10. Do you play video games? Yes.

11. What do you think about before you go to bed? Everything...which is why I don't get much sleep.

12. Have you ever online dated? Yes.

13. Do you get cranky when you’re hungry? Yes.

14. What drink did you last consume? Cherry Dr. Pepper

15. Have you ever tripped while walking up the stairs? Yes. LOL I do it all the time.

16. Is there something you’re happy about at the moment? No.

17. Are you a shy person? Sometimes...depends on the situation.

18. Were you happy when you woke up today? I was happy I did not have to go to work.

19. Do you like rain? Yes.

20. Can you go a day without music? No.

April 23, 2016

Cow Art For My Wall

Today I purchased cow art work for my living room wall.

I think the it goes perfect with the green (Urban Nature)

paint on my walls. Plus the cow is very cute!

April 22, 2016

Earth Day 2016

Earth Day, celebrated in the US on April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year.

The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 50,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

Please visit EarthDay.org for more information.

April 21, 2016

Rest in Peace Prince

Dig if you will the picture

Of you and I engaged in a kiss

The sweat of your body covers me

Can you my darling

Can you picture this?

Dream if you can a courtyard

An ocean of violets in bloom

Animals strike curious poses

They feel the heat

The heat between me and you

How can you just leave me standing?

Alone in a world that's so cold? (So cold)

Maybe I'm just too demanding

Maybe I'm just like my father too bold

Maybe you're just like my mother

She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)

Why do we scream at each other

This is what it sounds like

When doves cry

Touch if you will my stomach

Feel how it trembles inside

You've got the butterflies all tied up

Don't make me chase you

Even doves have pride

How can you just leave me standing?

Alone in a world so cold? (World so cold)

Maybe I'm just too demanding

Maybe I'm just like my father too bold

Maybe you're just like my mother

She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)

Why do we scream at each other

This is what it sounds like

When doves cry

How can you just leave me standing?

Alone in a world that's so cold? (A world that's so cold)

Maybe I'm just too demanding (Maybe, maybe I'm like my father)

Maybe I'm just like my father too bold (Ya know he's too bold)

Maybe you're just like my mother (Maybe you're just like my mother)

She's never satisfied (She's never, never satisfied)

Why do we scream at each other (Why do we scream, why)

This is what it sounds like

When doves cry

When doves cry (Doves cry, doves cry)

Don't cry (Don't Cry)

When doves cry

When doves cry (Doves cry, doves cry, doves cry

Don't cry

Darling don't cry

Don't cry

Don't don't cry

April 20, 2016

Wordless Wednesday: My Beautiful Shelby

April 19, 2016

eCard of the Week #136: And Poof Goes the Patience

And, poof. Al my patience is gone. Ta-daa!

April 18, 2016

What Are You Worth?

I Am Worth: $5,590.00

Hair Color:
[] Black = $100
[] Blond = $50
[] Red = $7
[X] Brown = $15
[] Bald = $5
[] Other=$2

Eye Color:
[] Brown - $150
[] Green - $75
[] Blue $50
[X] Hazel $100
[] Other - $15

Height:
[] Over 7' - $200
[] 6'8' to 7' - $175
[X] 6'0' to 6'7' - $150
[] 5'5' to 5'11' - $75
[]4'9' to 5'4' - $50
[] Under 4'9 - $75

Age:
[X] 41 to 50 - $150
[] 31 to 40 - $100
[] 26 to 30 - $75
[] 21 to 25 - $50
[] 19 to 20 - $25
[] 0 to 18 - $100

Birth Order:
[] Twin Or more than Twins $300
[X] First Born - $300
[] Only Child - $250
[] Second born - $150
[] Middle child - $100
[] Last Born - $200
[] third born - $100
[] fourth born - $100
[] fifth born - $375

Drink?
[X] No - $400
[] Only Holidays - $300
[] Sometimes - $215
[] YES - $200
[] only weekends - $250
[] Every other day - $50
[] Once a day - $15
[] I live from the bottle- $0

Vision?
[] perfect vision - $300
[] need or have glasses/contacts but don't wear them - $200
[] No correction - $100
[X] Glasses - $50
[X] contacts - $25
[] Surgical correction - $135

Car Color [or families' car(s)]:
[] White - $2,000
[] Maroon - $800
[] Gold - $700
[] Gray - $600
[X] Blue - $900
[] Pink - $475
[X] Black - $450
[] Red - $400
[X] Green- $350
[] Silver - $300
[] Purple - $250
[] Metallic - $200
[] Yellow (future) - $100
[] Primer - $75
[] Tan - $20
[] Rusted - $15
[] No Car - $0

Shoe Size:
[] 13+ - $300
[X] 12 and a half to 13 - $250
[] 11 to 12 - $700
[] 7 to 10 - $600
[] Under 7- $550

Favorite Colors (three):
[X] Black - $600
[] Red - $800
[] Yellow -$475
[] Brown - $50
[] Purple - $225
[] Aqua - $350
[] Orange - $300
[X] Blue - $300
[] Pink - $300
[X] Other - $ 50

Did you use a calculator to add it all up?
[] Yes - $0
[X] No - add $1000
[] On some - $750

So how much are you worth?

April 17, 2016

Sunday Stealing: 25 Large

This weeks Sunday Stealing was stolen from "I Take Surveys".

Travel anywhere, where would it be? Ireland.

Meet anyone, who would it be? My grandparents (my dad's parents). They both passed away before I was born.

Bring anyone dead back to life, who would it be? My son.

Be anyone for a day, who would it be? No one that I can think of. I am just fine being me.

Get anything for free for the rest of your life what would it be? Free utilities (electricity, water, natural gas, cable, Internet and trash pick up).

Change one thing about your life what would it be? I would like to travel more.

Have any superpower what would it be? Immortality.

Be any animal for a day which would you be? Dog

Date anyone who would it be? My husband

Change one thing about the world what would it be? All types of abuse to humans and animals would be gone forever.

Live in any fictional universe which would you choose? The Gone With The Wind universe.

Eliminate one of your human needs which would you get rid of? Pooping

Change one thing about your physical appearance what would it be? I would lose a lot of weight.

Change one of your personality traits which would you choose? My ability to be nice to people that treat me not so nice.

Be talented at anything instantly what would you choose? Playing the drums.

If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be? No one I can think of.

Erase an event from history (make it so it never happened) which would you choose? Personal history....my son dying so young. World history...too many to choose from.

Have any hair/eye/skin color, which would you choose? I am happy with my hazel eyes and light skin...even though I do need to get a tan.

Be any weight/body type, which would you choose? I would like to be 150 pounds lighter.

Live in any country/city, where would you choose? I will stay in the United States and I would like to live in the city I am in or maybe a city in Missouri.

Change one law in your country, which would you change? I would change animal cruelty laws.

Be any height, which would you choose? I am happy at being six feet tall.

Have any job in the world, which would you choose? Full time animal rescuer.

Have anything appear in your pocket right now, what would it be? Lots and lots of cash to help get out of debt.

Have anyone beside you right now, who would it be? My son.

April 16, 2016

Vinegar Cucumber Salad

Vinegar Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:
3-4 large cucumbers
1/3 – 1/2 large sweet onion
1.5 C vinegar
2.5 C water
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Peel and slice cucumber. Slice onion. Dump the cucumber and onion into a large serving dish. Add vinegar and water–enough to cover the vegetables.

Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Cover and refrigerate.

April 15, 2016

Shelby's Favorite Rug

Yesterday I was able to get a photo of Shelby laying

on her favorite rug. She knew I was taking her photo

but did not move. I guess she needed a little nap. :)

April 14, 2016

Bears & Geeky Things

This photo is of the shelves on my computer desk at home.

I love teddy bears, dogs, Groot, Minions, Murloc's, Chewbacca,
and more!! And I refuse to grow up! :) hehe

Photo (c) 2016 Shannon G. Wamsley

April 13, 2016

eCard of the Week #135: Life is Like Diarrhea

Life is like diarrhea. No matter how hard you

try and stop it, the shit just keeps coming.

April 12, 2016

The Office Woodchuck

Cute little woodchuck running around outside my office today.

He was captured and released into the wild, away from humans.

April 11, 2016

It's National Pet Day

Happy National Pet Day from Shelby and I!

April 10, 2016

Sunday Stealing: Ask, Ask, Ask

This weeks Sunday Stealing was stolen from "I Take Surveys".

1 -If you were stranded on an island, who do you wish to be with? My dog, husband, brother, all my in-laws, nieces and nephews!

2 - What do you feel right now? At the moment I feel ok.

3 - What chocolate is your favorite? Nearly all of it. I like a wide variety of chocolate.

4 - Why did you create a blog account? So I can express my thoughts and feelings instead of holding them in.

5 - Who is your favorite blogger? I have several of them. See my list of "Places I Visit Online" in the right sidebar of this blog.

6 - When was the last time you cried? Why? Earlier....I miss my son.

7 - Who is your best friend? Nancy Joe, Johnny and Rose.

8 - What kind of music do you listen to? A wide variety...ranging from ACDC to Garth Brooks to ZZ Top and a nearly everything in between.

9 - Do you have troubles sleeping at night? Yes

10 - What do you prefer, jeans or shorts? Jeans

11 - Did you try to change for a person? Yes and it did not work. The individual has to be willing to change/want to change. One cannot force them to change.

12 - Are you in a good or bad mood? I am not really in a good or bad mood. I am more in a ok or meh mood.

13 - Name someone you can’t live without. My children.

14 - Do you have a grudge against anyone? No.

15 - Are you a crybaby? No.

16 - When people praise you for your looks, what feature do they praise? I don't recall ever being praised for my looks. I do like my eyes.

17 - What hair color do you prefer? My natural hair color (dark brown). I have never dyed my hair and probably never will.

18 - If you can change anything about yourself, what is it? I would lose a lot of weight.

19 - Can you live without internet? No.

20 - Have you ever experienced being hysterical? Yes

21 - Did you have an accident last year? No.

22 - What are you thinking right now? I am thinking about going grocery shopping.

23 - Have you been hurt so bad that you can’t find words to explain how you feel? Yes

24 - Do you have trust issues? Yes

25 - Who’s the person who first comes to your mind when someone mentions “love”? Depends on what type of love. I love my children, my dog, my husband, my brother, my extended family.

26 - Do you believe in the phrase “If it’s meant to be, it will be”? No.

27 - Do you believe in destiny? No.

28 - How do you look right now? Tired...so I am in my pajamas.

29 - Did you ever feel like you’re not good enough? Yes, and even as an adult I feel that way now and then.

30 - Favorite city? La Crosse, Wisconsin

April 9, 2016

Camera Critters: Happy Shelby

This is the beautiful, happy face that I got to see when I got home from work yesterday.

Shelby makes my heart and soul happy. :)

This post is linked to Camera Critters.

April 8, 2016

A Beautiful Gift

Today I received this beautiful gift in the mail.
Thank you Colleen! You are one awesome lady.

The heart sits on the shelf with my son's ashes and with my dog,
Annabelle's ashes. The tiger on the shelf belonged to my son.

April 7, 2016

Spring Deco with Shelby's Supervision

Mushrooms and a crystal ball.

Solar lantern

Shelby keeping an eye on the birds, rabbits
and squirrels trying to get in her yard.

April 5, 2016

eCard of the Week #134: Treat Stress Like A Dog Would

Handle every stressful situation like a dog.

If you can't eat it or play with it, just pee

on it and walk away!

April 4, 2016

Stuck In My Head: "6th Avenue Heartache" by The Wallflowers

"6th Avenue Heartache"

Sirens ring, the shots ring out

A stranger cries, screams out loud

I had my world strapped against my back

I held my hands, never knew how to act

And the same black line that was drawn on you

Was drawn on me

And now it's drawn me in

6Th Avenue heartache

Below me was a homeless man

I'm singin' songs I knew complete

On the steps alone, his guitar in hand

It's fifty years, stood where he stands

And the same black line that was drawn on you

Was drawn on me

And now it's drawn me in

6Th Avenue heartache

Now walkin' home on those streets

The river winds move my feet

Subway steam, like silhouettes in dreams

They stood by me, just like moonbeams

And the same black line that was drawn on you

Was drawn on me

And now it's drawn me in

6Th Avenue heartache

Look out the window, down upon that street

And gone like a midnight was that man

But I see his six strings laid against that wall

And all his things, they all look so small

I got my fingers crossed on a shooting star

Just like me-just moved on

And the same black line that was drawn on you

Was drawn on me

And now it's drawn me in

6Th Avenue heartache

April 3, 2016

Sunday Stealing: Survey 212

This weeks Sunday Stealing was stolen from "I Take Surveys".

Is your birth year an odd or even number?: 1970 - An even number

Which one of your friends is the most outgoing?: I have several friends that are outgoing.

Have you eaten any of your favorite foods today?: Not yet

When did you last find yourself in an awkward situation?: Last month

When was the last time you ignored, or went against, someone’s advice?: A few weeks ago.

What happened?: I was very sick and didn't go to the doctor quick enough. By the time I did go to the doctor, I had pneumonia.

How many different towns/cities have you lived in?: 14 or so.

When was the last time you had Nutella?: Last month. I even have some at work in case I get a craving.

Who is your favorite character in“The Big Bang Theory”?: Sheldon

What are your parents’ middle names?: Gale and Sue

Name someone with a sexy sounding voice.: My husband

Are your eyes the same color as your sibling’s?: No

How many pets do you have? Would you like any more?: I have one dog and yes, I would love to have more dogs.

Is there a song you can’t stop listening to atm?: Not really one particular song. I have been listening to the Lithium channel on SiriusXM quite a bit though.

Is there a song that you’re fed up of hearing?: None that I can think of right now.

Did you have a strange or interesting dream last night?: no

Name 3 things that are in your refrigerator atm.: Orange juice, strawberries and apples.

Which friend do you confide in most?: Rose

What was your most recent reason for smiling? My co-workers gave me some awesome gifts last week. I am so grateful to have friends like them.