Weekend Away

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hampton Hotels. All opinions are 100% mine.

How would you like a weekend away? Right now, I must say that I'd like one very much. How about a weekend away for free? With 100 of your closest friends? And $5000? Well luckily for you and me Hampton is hosting a contest right now where the first place winner can do just that! Best part? It's open to everyone, not just Hilton Honors members or those who have previously stayed at the Hampton.

Just imagine relaxing in a hotel filled with people you like. Taking a swim in the pool, or perhaps going to get a massage or to watch a play at the theater. Really, you could do almost anything. A weekend away from reality is always nice when reality is being a pain in the backside. I can picture handing out the invitations in my mind: letting go of those friends who are always just a bit too naggy and not inviting people I don't really like. It would be simply amazing and freeing as a person. One would almost hate to have to come back home after that.

Want to enter the Hampton Chain of Friends Sweepstakes? It only takes a few seconds and could change your perspective on life. Go away tired and haggard and come back refreshed and ready to take on life again.

XKCD

This website is one that I've come across a few times in the past but never actually stopped and taken a look at for more than a few seconds. I don't know why, I just never did.

A few days ago I was reading John Roger's blog and he referenced a specific comic on the website (can't remember which one) and that led me to give it a second (or fourth) glance.

After reading a few random comics on the site I was hooked. The humor is so utterly geeky and awesome I simply couldn't put down my computer. I found myself watching things on Netflix and pausing them so I could read more comics. A perpetual grin has been on my face ever since. Especially when I saw this one and shared it with my Canada loving sister:



All I can really say is, "Tehe."

NMEDA

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's really hard for me to see my granddad slowing down so much and not driving as much as he used to. I haven't seen him in over three years (even though he only lives two hours away) because I don't have a car and it's getting harder and harder for him to drive his around. I really want to tell him about NMEDA, a non-profit trade association. That means that the group itself doesn't make any money, but the dealers that are members of the group have an accredited and well reputed name to trade under.

NMEDA helps the elderly and the disabled connect with a dealer for a modified van or wheelchair that fits your needs. This isn't about making money for NMEDA, because they are a non-profit. It's about making sure that the disabled and the elderly can get around safely throughout town and their own homes. It gives a level of independence back to so many people, and at the same time adheres to the safety standards set down by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These people are making sure that those they put back on the road are going to be there safely.

The other part of NMEDA aside from the dealers and the consumers is the Quality Assurance Program. They believe in a very thorough program to make sure that everyone who comes to them for help will be satisfied. They don't like loose ends, and the QAP also serves as oversight for the dealers who operate with NMEDA. It's always nice to know there's someone looking over a dealer's shoulder to make sure that they're doing things properly. Always nice to know you don't have to worry about getting ripped off.

It's also nice to know that there's a dealer right down the street from me. If you're a caregiver or know someone who is, you should go to the site and see if there's one near you. It only takes a second of your time, and the assurance of knowing they're there is wonderful.

Growing Up

This semester I'm trying to actually embrace the fact that I'm a grown up now and not a teenager anymore. ... Let me rephrase that: I've decided to dress like a grownup now that I am one and in my last year as an undergrad.

It's really interesting to try to wear dresses and skirts to class when that's not really what you see as the norm in a town like I'm in. Most of the time in the middle of summer you see girls walking around with Daisy Duke's on and a shirt just slightly more covering than a bikini. Then you see me walking around in a knee length A-line dress that ... actually covers me up. I really hate having to walk around surrounded by girls with very little self-respect who are just showing everything for the whole world to see. Some of them don't even do it all that well. I have no clue what's up with the trend of jean cut-offs with two inches of exposed pocket.

Don't get me wrong, I love jeans (not like you can wear them when it's 95 degrees outside, though) and shorts, but dresses make me feel so much more feminine. Granted, my footwear is a little limited because of the EB, but somehow I manage it. It's hard to feel "dressed like a grown up" without wearing heels, but once it starts getting cooler out that shouldn't be as much of a problem. I'm so excited to take my new boots out for a day with a corduroy skirt and blouse.

Dog Treats

The more I think about getting a dog the more lists I make and the more I look into different aspects of dog care. One thing that I'm not too keen on having to deal with is doggie breath.

I want to be a good mommy for the puppy I adopt in a few months and I really don't like adding a bunch of chemicals to my body, let alone a dog's. I'm all for natural remedies and processes if they can be found, so I've been looking for the past few weeks for a safe and natural way to stop my dog's breath from stinking (you know, without putting mint leave in their food).

While looking for natural cures for this I came across Nylabone Nubz, Edible Dental Dog Chews, which are available at CostCo. What I love about this product is that it's made in the USA, so my money would be going to American companies that employ American workers (makes me feel all patriotic); it's made with real chicken and not just chicken flavoring so there are actual nutrients in here for your dog to ingest; the snacks can easily be broken in half if you don't want to spoil your dog too much at once, or have to live on a budget; they're very easy to digest; they don't just stop bad breath, but act like a tooth brush for dogs cleaning away plaque and such; AND you can find them in CostCo's monthly coupon book.

Between now and September 12th there is a coupon for $3.50 off these tasty dog treats in Costo's Member's Coupon Book. Hurry before they're all gone!

Scrubs

Growing up the daughter of an RN, I know the importance of appearances where hospitals are concerned. There's something about a crisp, clean lab coat that just makes you want to trust your doctor. That's why it's important to have one like BlueSkyScrubs.com offers: wrinkle and tear resistant. I can't count how many times I've seen great uniforms ruined because someone got caught on the door nob or something similar.


My mother went through many different sets of women's scrubs throughout her years working in a nursing home but there was always something a bit drab about her selections. Most scrub sets don't accentuate the female body, instead they just serve to hide it and make it appear more masculine. I don't know about you, but if I'm going to be stuck in green scrubs all day long for the duration of my career, I'd want ones that made me feel feminine and were functional.

That's really what BlueSkyScrubs.com brings to the table with their scrubs for men, women, children, and their accessories. Affordable scrubs can also be high quality scrubs, and high quality scrubs can also be pretty and comfortable scrubs. Women and men have bodies that are shaped incredibly differently and yet most scrubs don't take that into account, even though there are much more women working as nurses (and therefore wearing the uniform) than men. I'm glad there are companies like BlueSkySrubs.com that are finally realizing this and starting to change their behavior to suit.

Applying to Grad School

Ugh! The only thing I really have to say is this: Thank God I have help!

After talking with one of my professors on Wednesday about the whole process of applying to grad school for next year, I'm left feeling so overwhelmed and frightened by the whole process I'm not sure I'd be able to do it without his help ... and hopefully the help of another professor.

I'm hoping to further my studies in a comparison of American literature, British literature, and (hopefully) French literature and how all three define the Women Question individually and as a collective (considering that's where most of the Cannon comes from).