Miss Manners

How has your week been so far?

Need to vent? Need to tell us how great it was?

Come join us in the Thursday Tirade

wanna know the rules? click here

My tirade this week is actually a question for all of you

An Etiquette question....

We have a group of friends that pretty regularly invite us to their houses. This group has approx. 6 couples in it -- we never go to the same house every time. BUT, every time any of them invite us over, they send an email saying BYOB (bring your own beverage) AND BYOS (bring your own snack).

Now I was born in the south which means of COURSE I will bring you a hostess gift for having us over (usually a bottle of wine). However, I do not necessarily think that you should require everyone to bring their own beverage AND snack. It has gotten to the point that Justin and I joke and call these outings a BYOP (bring your own PARTY) affair.

One of the couples is having everyone (8 couples) over for New Years and has said that every couple will need to bring $40 with them to cover food/drinks. Well, we will be in the Bahamas so we can't go anyway.... but really? $40? What the heck are you cooking that is going to cost $320 for you to make?

When we have people over we do not expect them to bring anything. We provide the drinks, the "snacks", and all the trimmings.

What do you guys think? Am I just being hard to get along with? Is this normal practice nowadays? Or do you think it is weird?

I would love to hear your opinions...

PS: I have 68 Christmas cards to send out. They are sitting on my coffee table mocking me because I don't have time to write on them, stuff them or address them. Maybe I will get them out by New Years.

PPS: Kathie @ My Net Finds taught me how to make it "snow" on my blog.. don't you love it?!?!

ok, now it is your turn!

Write a post (or use an old one), grab the button and link up at the bottom!

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Funkalicious

It's Thursday and you know what that means!

Thursday Tirade Time

wanna know the rules? click here

My tirade this week:

I am in a funk...

I don't know whether it is the weather (which is currently cloudy and rainy)...

or if its just me tired of being sick (yep, I'm sick again... and Justin is too)...

or if I am sad/anxious/scared for some of my fellow bloggers like Megan and Summer who are the sweetest people and have both been struggling with infertility. It isn't fair and I think about them so often it hurts me too. I often wonder if I am going to face some of these problems one day and if my "plan" to wait 2-3 more years to have a family is really the right "plan"...

or if I am sad about a certain anniversary that is happening on Saturday (more to come on that later... maybe... if I feel up to posting about it)...

or if I am sooooo ready for the holidays.. (aka: school being over for the year) because I am feeling a little burnt out...

or if I am overwhelmed by the amount of laundry, cleaning, etc that needs to be done....

all I know is that I am officially in a funk!

I promise I will return to "happy Amy land" again soon!

If you wanna play the tirade today, I would love for you to join. You definitely don't have to make it as depressing as mine is this week! Write whatever is on your mind! I would love to hear about it!

So here we go: write a post, grab the button and link up below!

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NO time/Giveaway Winner!

First things first... the winner of the "Scentsy" giveaway was:

"Brian M."

Congrats!! Email me at justaddwalter@gmail.com telling me a definitive choice for your plug-in warmer and scent (incase you changed your mind). Click Here to see your choices again. Once I get your email I will send to Catherine!

Thanks to Catherine for doing this awesome giveaway. If you guys want to buy anything from her, please go visit her site anytime!

****

And Next up on the list....

It's Thursday and you know what that means!

Thursday Tirade Time

wanna know the rules? click here

My whines: I no time to blog and come up with a good whine for you guys because I have been spending most of my time studying for all of this:

Thursday (today) 11/12: Paper Due

Friday 11/13: TEST and a quiz

Monday 11/16: TEST

Tuesday 11/17: TEST

Wednesday 11/18: TEST

Thursday 11/19: out for drinks with the "nurse-y" girls to celebrate hopefully getting through all of those tests!!

I guess that actually is a pretty good whine though!

ok... your turn... (please play and help me procrastinate a little bit)

write a post, grab my button and link up at the bottom!!

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time to whine with wine!!

It's THURSDAY!!

That means "It's Time to Whine..."

(while drinking some wine?? Don't mind if I do...)

To my new followers or anyone else who has never played:

The idea of this blog carnival is to get out your weekly frustrations. Write them down in a post on your blog and then link up to my blog at the bottom. This is a great way to let go of all of your frustrations and maybe even meet a few new friends!!

Time to get started.....

I decided to write my "whines" this week in letter form.

Dear Girl in my class,

Please for the love of God stop talking during class. When someone raises their hand and asks the Prof. a question, they are not asking the question to YOU! Please do not feel as though it is YOUR job to answer said question.

Also, please refrain from randomly spitting out pieces of information about yourself. Not only do I (we, the whole class) NOT CARE about where you grew up, but I (we) also do not care to know your blood type and ALL of your family member's blood types. That is great that two people in your family have the rarest blood type... who gives a BLEEP?? Not me!! I (we) do not care that you love the ocean or that you once burnt your face with a curling iron.

I pay a lot of money to actually go to class and LEARN from the PROFESSOR... you know since that is HIS job. If YOU would like to be a PROFESSOR then please drop out of nursing school. And since I tape all of my lectures I not only get to hear you once during class... but get to hear you AGAIN while I am studying/replaying my lectures. I am tired of hearing your voice and tired of you taking up all of our class time.

Frustratedly Yours,

Me

*******

Dear New EBAY user Bigdon843,

Please do not bid on my item and get me SOOO EXCITED that you were willing to pay $183.00 for my iPod I was selling and then BACK OUT without even telling me. I had to pay a $16 listing charge for that item. I waited over 2 weeks for you, sent 5 emails and thought about calling your house. I then started playing detective and saw that you bought a DIFFERENT iPod on Ebay (paid less money) and then just decided you wouldn't need to bother with paying me. That is NOT how it works mister!!! I just wanted to let you know that since Ebay will not let me give you negative feedback I am going to tell ALL OF MY BLOGGY FRIENDS about YOU!! Bigdon843 you are GOING DOWN.

ROAR,

ME

Note: I did get my listing fee back after filing a claim with Ebay against bigdon843. I relisted the item and got a lot less money out of it the second time around. Does anyone know why you can't leave negative feedback for buyers anymore?? Buyers can leave sellers negative feedback... but sellers can't leave buyers negative feedback! It isn't fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whew, I feel better already. Not sure if it was the whining or the "wining" but I feel better and that is what matters.

Now its your turn! Write a post, grab my button and link up your blog to the MckLinky at the bottom.

(and keep your eyes open for my new giveaway starting later TODAY!!!)

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Need to Vent?

Its FINALLY Thursday!!

This means its time for the Thursday Tirade

YOUR day to get EVERYTHING off of your mind.

Just write a post, grab my button, and link up at the McLinky at the bottom.

Sound Easy? It is...

Now lets get started!!

• I have gotten into a slump with school. Ever since Fall Break a couple of weeks ago I just haven't gotten back into the groove. I have two huge tests next week and I just have no energy to study (even though for once I have PLENTY of time). How can I get my groove back?!?! Any ideas?

• Even though I am in a slump with school, it is still really demanding. I haven't been able to work hardly at all which makes me feel really guilty about financial situations at our house. I hate not being able to contribute and I know school is just going to get harder as time goes on which will possibly prevent me from working at all. I also feel guilty that I complain about this because there are so many people that do have to work full time and go to school full time. I am lucky that we are able to afford me not being able to work as much (or at all) right now -- but that doesn't make me feel any less guilty about it.

• It is starting to get cold again and so I pulled out all of my sweaters. Bad news is a lot of them are fitting a little more snug than last year... ugh, that sucks! I need someone to come into my house and force me to exercise (oh, and eat healthy too). Are there any diets that are working for you? Want to share the love with me? I have had a couple of people in my family try weight watchers and they had GREAT success... I am really considering it at this point. Lord knows I can't afford a brand new wardrobe.

• Last tirade would be that I am sad not a lot of people are entering my GIVEAWAY. Don't people like free stuff anymore?! I will beg if I have to... haha! Please oh please oh please go enter. HERE IS THE LINK

Ok, enough whining for the day.... Now its your turn!

Here is the button to grab (just copy and paste the code into the post you write):

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And here is where you link up:

Dusting All Week Long

I always look forward to this day because I know the weekend is almost here.

It's time for the THURSDAY TIRADE!

You guys remember "the rules" right?

This week I have spent cleaning, cleaning and doing some more cleaning.

Yesterday my in-laws came up from Florida for the night. They are on their way to Richmond, VA for the Buddy Walk (support for Down's Syndrome). You guys remember my super cute niece, Elizabeth that was born with Down's Syndrome:

Well her team (aka: "The Queen's Team") has raised $6780.00 for the 3rd Annual Buddy Walk in Richmond, VA on Saturday! We are sad we have to miss the walk but are so happy they were able to raise that much money.

Anyway, so the in-laws were here so I had to initially clean the house for them.

And on Friday, we also have a realtor coming to do an appraisal on our house. Yes, the Walter's may be moving... ok, probably not anytime soon... but a girl can dream right? (We did go look at houses this past weekend which was so much fun... but we are "just looking" right now).

So basically between in-laws and realtors all I have been doing lately is cleaning. And I HATE CLEANING!!

Especially when the hubby just comes home from work and starts throwing stuff EVERYWHERE... it makes me CRAZY!!!! I start getting the crazy eyes and a little steam may actually come out of my ears...

Having realtors come is way worse than just having visitors/guests come. Realtors actually NEED to look through your closets, garage, laundry room etc which are places I tend to throw "stuff" when I have guests coming over. Do you guys do that?? Actually I don't want to know... because if all of you guys are Martha Stewart-like it might make me feel bad... haha!

And a positive: the weekend is almost here.. and this weekend is HOMECOMING!! We are expecting approx. 100 people at our tailgate and are getting 120lb PIG to cook/smoke for the game. I will be sharing tons of pictures I am sure!

So you guys know the drill.... its your turn to VENT... write a post, grab the button, and link up at the bottom.

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Time To VENT! -- CLOSED

We had a break last week but guess what's back?

It's time again for the Thursday Tirade

If you are new to my blog, these are the rules:

Every Thursday is YOUR day.

The day you get EVERYTHING off your chest.

Good, Bad, Ugly... EVERYTHING.

All you need to do is write a post on your blog, grab my button and link up at the bottom.

Then of course visit everyone else that linked up to give them some moral support. It's a great way to vent and a great way to hopefully make some new friends!

So here we go....

My week has been a whirlwind... you may remember my "goals" I posted earlier this week... well lets just say not very many of them are getting accomplished.

Goals of the week WERE:

1. eat healthy everyday and exercise at least 30 minutes
2. make A's on both of my tests (one weds, one thurs)
3. clean the downstairs part of the house
4. post some items on ebay I have been meaning to sell (including an iPod touch - never been used)
5. take Gracie to the vet to get her shots
6. make doctors appts for myself for annual physical(s) (ugh!)
7. do something good...
8. UPDATED: (per Sheila's request): GIGGLE!!! hehe! I definitely have that one covered

Well #1 I failed immediately since I came down with some sort of bug on Tuesday and am SICK.AS.A.DOG. So no exercising this week at all... but perhaps I haven't done too bad on the diet since all I've been eating is soup.

I did make an A (95) on my first test this week.... and am taking my 2nd test today so wish me luck!

As for the rest of the goals... ugh... well there are still a few days left in the week... we'll see.

I have also been a super bad bloggy friend this week due to being sick and having to study for these tests... my reader is busting at the seams waiting for me to read all of your posts. I can't wait to sit around this weekend and read about what all of you have been doing!

Speaking of studying.. I need to get back to it...

But before I leave I want to announce even though I am doing a giveaway right now, I am going to do a MINI-GIVEAWAY GRAB BAG FOR THIS POST. If you comment on this post, you get 1 entry. If you participate in Thursday Tirade today on your blog you get 5 entries. Winner will be chosen by random.org at midnight tonight!

So write your post, grab my button (just copy the code and paste into your blog), and link up below!!

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Thursday Tirade

Ready to Vent?

Sometimes you just need to get things off your chest...

otherwise you might just go crazy

Justin is out of town all this week. I hate when he is out of town... it completely throws off my schedule... and even though he will be coming home on Friday he has to FLY BACK OUT on Sunday for another whole week!!! BOO!

My house is a disaster area!!!! I have no time to clean my house. I am studying all the time and feel completely guilty when I take time away from studying to even do minor housework. Although the main areas of my house are cleanish, I have started pushing all kinds of "STUFF" into our guests rooms and currently they look like they could be condemned. I know Justin is going to come home wonder what in the world happened... I really don't want to deal with that... but I just don't have the time...

Also, it turns out my stepfather has H1N1. I was around him all last weekend.... (please Lord do not let me get sick!!) He started having symptoms (high fever/coughing) right after we left my parents house on Sunday and has been home from work all week.... so far no symptoms for me (or my mom or Justin) so maybe we all lucked out on that one?!

Some good tirades this week:

Those of you that follow me on twitter may already know this but it turns out I did not make a 94 on my microbiology test the other day... I made a 99!! My prof. made 2 mistakes and I got 5 extra pts!! woop woop!

AND I won a giveaway yesterday!! Lauren Nicole Gifts is doing 30 days of giveaways and she is on day 16... run on over there and enter to win something... her stuff is FABULOUS!

That's all from me...

I am kind of boring this week so its your job to entertain me with YOUR tirades!!!

Write a post, grab the button and link up!

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Thursday Tirade

It's time for the Thursday Tirade

Need to get something off your chest? Have some major pet peeves that are just driving you crazy?

Have you have the best week ever? Lets hear all about it...

The Lord only knows how I have made it through this week (or if I will make it to the end). Of course I may have had an AWESOME WEEKEND but the lack of studying is now kicking my butt.

Did I mention I am taking THREE BIOLOGY classes this semester?? What in the world was I thinking? Oh, that's right... I didn't really have a choice. I am in nursing school afterall.

So my week breaks down like this:

• Monday: LABOR DAY: no class (study, study, study)
• Tuesday: classes all day (study, study, study @ night)
• Wednesday: lab (3 hours), Anatomy and Physiology TEST
• Thursday: Microbiology TEST
• Friday: Medical Terminology QUIZ + WORK (12 hour shift!!!!)
• Saturday: FOOTBALL!!

In micro lab this week we had to label the phases of mitosis by viewing an onion root and I totally felt like I was reliving part of the movie Twilight except unfortunately Edward Cullen was NOT in my class... what a shame...

We can do extra credit throughout the year in microbiology. The class is so freaking hard we are going to need all the extra credit we can get... well anyway, I turned in my first extra credit assignment and received NO CREDIT for it since I stapled the papers together and didn't use a paper clip... REALLY!? I won't be making that mistake again.. ARG!!

Whew... I feel a lot better...

And in positive news incase you needed to hear some:

Since our football tailgate was so awesome last week, someone anonymously donated enough money to buy all of our food for this upcoming football game!! How nice is that?!

OK, now its your turn!!

Write a post, grab the button and link up at the bottom!!!

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Thursday Tirade

How has your week been so far?

Need to vent? Need to tell us how great it was?

Come join us in the Thursday Tirade

I'm sure you guys are dying to know what happened with the Ebay situation. Well I got a few more emails (but no package yet)... here they are:

Seller: Did you receive the sweaters as of yet?
I would think you would have...Please let me know so I can get everything fixed! Thanks so much!

Me: I have not received anything yet. What day did you mail out the

items? Are you sure you sent me something and didn't send the
other buyer both items?

Seller: I will check in with her as well...thanks

Me: (no reply)

Seller (a few hours later): She just emailed me and did say she received both! She said she would get out back to me! Again I am really sorry I have never done this one before! I will let you know when I receive them back!

Me: (no reply as of yet).

So basically the other buyer is not sending me the stuff directly... she is sending it back to the seller... so I have to wait even longer to get my items! SO FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!!

Also, we JUST got our washer fixed yesterday... you will remember from last thursday that it was broken... well hubby wanted me to wait until he got back from out of town to call a plumber because he was convinced he could fix it... well he couldn't fix it (not a surprise there)... my husband is many things but a plumber he is not! So the plumber came out wednesday and fixed it... I have almost 2 weeks of dirty clothes that are currently piling out of my closet... so guess what you know I will be doing all weekend!

In GOOD news: FOOTBALL SEASON is starting THIS WEEKEND!!! who is excited?!? I AM, I AM!! Can't wait to show you guys pictures from the first tailgate!!

Also, last week I lost a follower... this week I have gained 7 more! Thanks to all my new followers! I have visited most of you but some of you don't have an active profile so I can't see your blogs! Send me a link if you get a chance!

ok, now it is your turn!

Write a post, grab the button and link up at the bottom!

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Thursday Tirade

Had a crazy week? Kids hard to handle?

We want to hear about it! Write a post about it and link up here....

We all blog about our daily frustrations... but now you can get support from your fellow bloggy friends!

I have a big tirade... I lost a Follower!!!! I am SO SAD! I was happy because I finally had a nice roundish number (75). Now I am back to 74... What happened?? Where did you go?!? Why did you leave?!? Don't worry... I have made a list of the rest of you to make sure no one else leaves... haha... just kidding (maybe)

Also, our WASHER broke this past weekend. Husband calls me (last Saturday) at work and informs me water is ALL over the floor in the laundry room. Lovely.... why is everything breaking in our house... it is only 4 years old?! I am down to my last pair of clean underwear (repair man coming tomorrow)... I am hoping he fixes it so I don't have to beg a friend to let me come clean all of our dirty clothes at their house...

update: repair man came and said nothing was wrong with our washer... we need to call a plumber because our drain is clogged in the back. our washer is under warranty... our plumbing not so much... out comes the checkbook :( AND... he found something else under our washer which I will tell you about TOMORROW.. stay tuned....

Lastly, Husband has been in Texas all week on business. Poor Gracie has been missing her daddy so much... she keeps looking at the door and making this pitiful cry everytime she goes downstairs... and she keeps looking at me like this:

I think she is saying, "when is he coming back?!?!"

ok, now its your turn!

Write a post, grab the button and link up!

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ALSO, I received this from Lori @ The Peterson Family's Blog which has recently become one of my new favorite blogs to read!

The Splash Award is given to alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive, and inspiring blogs.

if you play my carnival today, I am giving you this award!! Congrats!