Survey #1

Today, I was doing the dishes and broke a glass which sliced open my pinkie close to the knuckle. I rinsed it, wrapped it in band aids  and then used half a pencil to make a splint. Needless to say it’s a bit more difficult for me to type than normal. So instead of writing out a big blog post, I’m just going to do a survey about myself.

 

My poor pinkie dressed with band aids and purple duct tape.

Obscure Questions

• 1: What eye color do you find sexiest?—– Blue, definitely blue. The lighter the blue, the better.
• 2: White, milk, or dark chocolate mocha?—– I love white chocolate mocha. We’re talking about the drink right?
• 3: If you could get a Sharpie tattoo on your back, what would it be?—–I don’t know. Something floral with multi-colored Sharpies.
• 4: Did you grow up in a small or big town? Did you like it?—– Small town. Yes, I enjoyed it. Big towns can be quite intimidating. 
• 5: Your favorite adult as a child? (and not your parents, if they were your favorite) —– My mamaw and papaw, definitely. 
• 6: What kind of smoothie sounds really good right now?—– Not sure. I don’t drink smoothies very often. Probably one involving bananas.
• 7: Most embarrassing moment from your elementary school years?—– People telling me I looked like a boy when I cut my hair really short? Not sure.
• 8: Most embarrassing moment from your middle school years?—– My whole dance team forgetting the choreography mid-dance during a basketball game, haha. 
• 9: Most embarrassing moment from your high school years?—– Going on a date with my biggest crush and being SO quiet the whole time. Awkward. 
• 10: Pirates or ninjas? Why?—– Pirates. Why? No clue. 
• 11: Have you ever climbed a tree more than twenty feet off the ground?—– No way. 
• 12: Did you like swinging as a child? Do you still get excited when you see a swing set?—–I loved swinging as a child. I don’t get excited about it much anymore, but I still like swinging! 
• 13: If you could have any pet in the world, illegal or not, what would you get?—–A small monkey. I’ve always wanted one!
• 14: What’s your most favorite part of your body?—– Hm, my knees. Just kidding, probably my hands and feet?
• 15: What’s your most favorite part of your personality?—– Probably my kindness and compassion. Although my sense of humor is just SPLENDID. 🙂
• 16: Madonna or Lady Gaga? Neither? Both? Who cares?—– Madonna. NOT a fan of Lady Gaga at all. 
• 17: Have you ever watched the Superbowl all the way through?—– Now that you mention it, I don’t think that I have.
• 18: Have you ever watched any major sporting event drunk?—– I don’t watch sports very often, so I’d have to say no.
• 19: What’s the most delicious food you’ve ever eaten in your life?—– Japanese. The restaurants where they cook at your table. SO delicious. 
• 20: Margarine or butter? Which did you grow up with?—– I use butter now, but I grew up using margarine. 
• 21: Whole, skim, 1%, or 2% milk? (Did you know they make 1 1/2% milk?)—– Skim milk, when I drink it. Don’t drink it too often. I use 2% to cook with though.
• 22: Which continents have you been on?—– Never been out of the country. North America only.
• 23: Do you get motion sickness? Any horror stories?—–Yes, I tend to get car sick at times especially if I’m in the backseat. No horror stories though.
• 24: Backpacks or satchels?—– Eh, probably backpacks.
• 25: Would you wear a rainbow jacket? A neon yellow sweater? Checkered pants?—– Yes, I would wear all of the above. Possibly in the same outfit, haha.
• 26: What was your favorite cartoon growing up?—– Hey Arnold, Beetlejuice, Doug, Aaah! Real Monsters. 
• 27: If you had to have a cow or a pig, which would you take? Why?—– Cow, for the milk I guess? Or well pigs are so cute. I don’t know! I’d take both.
• 28: If you had to look at one city skyline for the rest of your life, which would it be?—– No idea.
• 29: Longest plane ride you’ve ever been on?—– Like two hours? Only been on one once for a school trip to Washington D.C.
• 30: The latest you’ve ever slept?—– I don’t even know, but I know it was LATE.
• 31: Would you buy a sweater covered in kitten pictures? Would you wear it if someone gave it you for free?—– Depends who gave it to me, but yeah probably would. Why not?
• 32: Do you pick at scabs?—– Yes, it’s a bad habit. 
• 33: Favorite kind of bean? Kidney? Black? Pinto?—– Kidney, probably.
• 34: How far can you throw a baseball?—– Not far.
• 35: If you had to move to another country, where would you move?—– Probably Germany or England. I have relatives in Germany, but England seems fun. Love their accent!
• 36: Have you ever eaten Ethiopian food? Vietnamese? Korean? Nepalese? How was it?—– Yes, at a college event but don’t remember if I liked it.
• 37: Small, liberal arts school or public university? Why?—– Small liberal arts school. More intimate class settings.
• 38: A relationship with love or one with sex?—– Love. 
• 39: Do you eat enough vegetables?—–I eat a LOT of veggies, yes.
  
• 40: Do you like horror movies? How about thrillers?—– Horror is my favorite movie genre! Thrillers are great too!
• 41: Would you scratch a crotch itch in public?—– Ha, no.
• 42: Do you swear in front of your parents?—– Not often.
• 43: Coolest thing you’ve ever been for Halloween?—– Good question. Probably Lydia from Beetlejuice. 
• 44: If you could change your natural hair color, would you? To what?—– I like my dark hair. 
• 45: Do you want to get married? Have kids?—– One of these days,  yes.
• 46: Do you use a reusable water bottle? If not, you should.—–Thanks for the information. Yes, I do.
• 47: City or nature person?—–Usually nature, depends on the situation.
• 48: Have you ever used something other than “makeup” as makeup? (Like paint? Markers?)—– Can’t say that I have.
• 49: Can you walk well in high heels? Even if you’re a guy?—– Not at all, which is why I don’t ever buy them.
• 50: Post 5 awesome things about yourself. BRAG AWAY!

1. I’m about one year away from getting my degree in Human Services specializing in Addiction Studies.
2. I can make a mean Duct Tape wallet!
3. I’ve officially lost 20 pounds (in two months).
4. I love to cook for people and hey… I’m pretty good at it, too. 
5. I love writing in this blog. It’s fun for me. 🙂

Rid Your Pet’s Fleas With Household Items!

It’s that time of year and as much as I hoped it wouldn’t happen, it did– my dogs got fleas. They are indoor dogs, however they go outside to use the bathroom. It was inevitable. Sure, I could use those harsh chemicals to try and treat my dogs, which don’t always work, but I wanted to find a cheaper, better alternative.

After doing a lot of research online, I came across a couple ideas. These ideas included things you probably already have lying around your house. And guess what….

IT WORKS!

Photo credit: Bill Selak / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

• Bathe your animals in DISH SOAP. Yep, you heard right. Dish soap kills the fleas on contact! 

Haha, ok so not all my animals enjoyed the bath. But, boy aren’t they happy they had one!

NO MORE FLEAS.

You heard me– we checked and didn’t see ONE flea!

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However, we did find this nasty creature that must’ve jumped off just in time to die.

Poor thing.

(I changed the contrast and brightness so you could see the nasty flea better.)

• After you bathe your pets, grab an empty spray bottle (a clean one) and mix 1/2 part Apple Cider Vinegar and 1/2 part warm water.

 

Once your pets dry, take them outside and spray some of this mixture onto them (avoid their face). It’s supposed to prevent fleas for up to a WEEK.

Definitely worth trying out! The smell may not be pleasant, but can’t be any worse then those nasty bugs, right!?

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Do you have any home remedies for fleas? If so leave it below! I’d love to hear more ideas!

Spring Weekend Full of Family Activities!

I have been so incredibly busy this weekend. However, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. I got to spend a lot of time with family. I had so much fun and it was so great to see everyone after not seeing them all in one place for a while now. I took some pictures to share with my followers!

–Bonfire for Brother’s 17th Birthday–

Brother, Coleman, and his girlfriend bought a boat together. They were washing it when we arrived for his party!

My sister, Shelby, and her boyfriend, Taylor, posing for the camera in front of my mom’s big back yard!

It’s so country out there. I love it. 🙂

My sister Shelby’s THREE dogs. They’re so much fun. They loved running around in the field while we celebrated Coleman’s birthday.

Coleman receiving his birthday cake/cheesecake that my mom made.

IT WAS DELICIOUS.  

(Posting the recipe tomorrow!)

Silly photos time.

Happy 17th Birthday, Coleman!

WUV YOU WITTLE BRUDDER

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–Kim’s Birthday Bash–

Most of Kim’s family. Her family is huge. She had 7 children and they have had children. Needless to say several are missing from the picture!

(Kim is my boyfriend’s mother. She’s right in the middle of the picture!)

Silly picture.

I love this family so much. They’re laid-back, funny, crazy, talented, and simply amazing.

Week Two: Time For Action!

Today is the day we take out that list we made last week and get to work!

First things first. We need to go through our list of projects we want to accomplish this year and star (or underline, highlight, circle) those that are MOST important.

This week’s CHALLENGE:

• Accomplish ONE  (or more if you have the time) project you have written on your list!

 

• Next thing I want you to do–Go to every clothing closet in your house and turn your hangers backwards. Weird, right? Well, each time you wear something, wash it,  and put it back into the closet, you’re going to hang the hanger the regular way. That way by the time the year is over with, you’ll be able to visibly see which clothes you have not worn in a year. You can sell, donate, or toss those items away at the end of the year! 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

And I know what you’re thinking…

“But… Shalin, what if there’s a fire?”  My answer is, “If there is a fire, grab something more important than clothes.”

 

So, that’s it for this week. Pretty easy but will make a world of difference at the end of the year!

 

 

 

Comment below and tell me what you’re tackling this week!

Before and After pictures are always great to see as well…

 

 

 

Duct Tape Wallets

I have been on this Duct Tape kick for the past few days. I’ve made three wallets now. They’re kind of difficult to make so I haven’t figured out exactly how to give a tutorial on them yet. Besides, I’m thinking of selling them so I’m wondering if I should even GIVE a tutorial? Hmm… who knows!?

Anyways…

 

My first wallet:

Just a classic duct tape wallet with three pockets on the inside and a billfold for cash.

This wallet (my masterpiece) is the one I made my mom for her birthday. Just finished it a few minutes ago. I love how it turned out:

A tri-fold women’s wallet with a 6 card slots, a billfold for cash that expands, a coin pocket, checkbook pocket and glued a pendent on front for decoration.

These can take a while to make, but I love how I can have a creative outlet when I’m bored. Plus, with all the new duct tapes you can buy, anyone can find something they like!

Homemade Face Mask

Last night, my boyfriend’s 12 year old daughter, Jaylen, and I decided we were going to make a tutorial video of the face mask we were making.

The video (our first tutorial video) was quite hilarious. We had so much fun and I decided to keep in a lot of the funny parts. Because, well… who wouldn’t want to watch a hilarious tutorial video!?

Both informative AND funny.

The mask is a homemade face mask using the following ingredients from your kitchen:

(coconut oil, 1/2 cucumber, 1 egg, 1 ripe banana, and 2 lemon slices)

Here is the fun tutorial we made:

If you choose not to watch the video (which you should) then here is how to make the mask:

• Take the ripe banana and peel and chop it up and put it in a food processor or blender.
• Peel and chop the cucumber and add it to the food processor.
• Mix these two ingredients until smooth.
• Now, add crack the egg into the mixture, add a couple spoonfuls of coconut oil and squeeze in your two lemon slices.
• Mix until smooth.
• Put mixture onto face and allow it to sit for 20 minutes then rinse with warm water.

(Jaylen and I waiting our 20 minutes so we could rinse.)

Hope you all have as much fun as we did making this face mask!

Our Day At Lake Monroe

Yesterday was one of the first “real” days of Spring this year. The temperature was a beautiful 60 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. For my family and I, that meant a trip to Lake Monroe. As we arrived we saw quite a few people who had the same idea. There were boys and girls kicking around a soccer ball, others playing fetch with their dogs, and some even doing a bit of  hiking.  As for us, we hiked with our dogs as I took some pictures.

(My handsome boyfriend, Tobias.)

(Tobias walking our “kids” Jaxon, Steve, and Sydney.)

(It was Sydney’s FIRST time to the lake! She had a blast!)

(Sydney and Jaxon running wild.)

(Found quite a few Geode rocks.)

(My boyfriend and Steve posing for the camera.)

(Only saw a few boaters yesterday.)

(Car ride home. Jaxon and Sydney were WORE out!)

(My random finds from the lake including Geodes and fossils.)

Overall, we had a fantastic day. It was the first time this year we could go out in short sleeves and have some fun in the sun. I can’t wait until this summer when we can actually go swimming there. It was WAY too cold yesterday, although Jaxon had NO problem jumping in. He’s such a trooper!