Sunday, December 30, 2012
Social Media strikes back...with a vengeance!
Yesterday while on Facebook I learned the following...
http://www.epbot.com/2012/12/shame-on-you-redbook-magazine.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+epbot%2FfOpU+%28EPBOT%29
As you can imagine I was pretty upset...as were pretty much every follower of Jen Yates of Cake Wrecks fame and Epbot (her other blog). Jen is pretty socially connected out there and this isn't the first time that Jen fans have stepped up and used social media forces for good.
http://www.epbot.com/2010/11/geek-girls-activate.html
Soon Redbook's Facebook page was covered in comments on every status update demanding that Jen get credit for her ideas. It didn't take very long for Redbook to realize they had made a mistake and they posted that they were "looking into" the error.
finally Jen received an email from Redbook with an apology. http://www.epbot.com/2012/12/redbook-makes-it-right.html
What I love is that Jen was also fighting for the other Pintrest folks who had their ideas published in the article.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Lilly update 5 weeks post-op
At Lilly's 4 week post-op checkup the vet was really pleased with the progress that Lilly has been making. So much so that she bumped up our post-op exercises by a week even though her healing is probably closer to being 2 weeks advanced, she didn't want to over stress.
The vet did this check where she uses a plastic tool to measure how far Lilly is able to move her new joint and on the lifting her leg up Lilly scored a 25/25 meaning that's the best she could ever get as that is a regular joint movement. On extending her leg Lilly scored a 150/160 which pleased the vet.
The vet recommended weaning Lilly off her pain meds, which I had already done because we had run out. At the time I didn't really see any difference between her being on the meds or off, but now I'm beginning to wonder if I should get her some. Of course seeing as the vet charged me 3 times what I can get them for online, you can see my resistance.
Lilly has been going in for Adequan injections and has one more of those left. They are Glucosamine and some other stuff. While a bit pricey I wanted to make the investment of the surgery have the best possible chance for Lilly having normal function when we're all done. Yesterday the receptionist let me know that I can get a rebate on the shots once she has taken all of them. It's only $20 but that's better than before.
The vet also recommended that Lilly start taking glucosamine supplements. I went ahead and purchased those before Lilly had her surgery. However, I got her the supplements at the grocery store. When I told the vet this, she got a bit bent out of shape because ...well she told me that the supplements in the stores aren't regulated. However, I know that the so called made for animals medications and supplements have even less stringent regulations and figured for a supplement saving money for store bought over the 3 times mark up at the vet's office wouldn't matter. My SIL used to work for a vet and told us stories.
Thanks to my blog friend Leigh, I discovered that adding gelatin to Lilly's diet would also be helpful for her joints. So I started researching how to get that into Lilly's diet. At first I was just giving Lilly gelatin capsules, but those are pricey. I looked at buying gelatin powder, but wanted to check out all my options. I also looked into making gelatin from bones. I found this one blog where the woman just keeps her crock-pot going all the time cooking down her bones. I don't know if she just mixes all the bones she has or what, but that seemed a bit much if I were to have separate crocks going for each kind of bone. I thought about just making and storing the gelatin...but I would actually have stock and that takes up space that I don't currently have since I have a small freezer and don't have a pressure canner to can and put in the pantry. (maybe one day!)
In my research I found that Osteo Bi-Flex makes a combined glucosamine and gelatine powdered supplement. That seemed like the perfect answer as Lilly really didn't like eating the glucosamine pills (although coating them with peanut butter worked very well!). And my store had the powder on sale, buy one get one free. So we started Lilly on that, last night.
Exercise has been pretty difficult to do. We've been having a lot of snow and I'm allergic to the stuff. So that on top of my annoying neighbors who let their dogs run off leash has made taking Lilly for walks very difficult. The vet suggested taking Lilly someplace quiet for walks...I don't know where that place might be. Even our own back yard is surrounded by other dogs and Lilly is a spaz around them. So instead we've been walking around the house. I know, not ideal, but it puts less stress on the both of us.
The vet did this check where she uses a plastic tool to measure how far Lilly is able to move her new joint and on the lifting her leg up Lilly scored a 25/25 meaning that's the best she could ever get as that is a regular joint movement. On extending her leg Lilly scored a 150/160 which pleased the vet.
The vet recommended weaning Lilly off her pain meds, which I had already done because we had run out. At the time I didn't really see any difference between her being on the meds or off, but now I'm beginning to wonder if I should get her some. Of course seeing as the vet charged me 3 times what I can get them for online, you can see my resistance.
Lilly has been going in for Adequan injections and has one more of those left. They are Glucosamine and some other stuff. While a bit pricey I wanted to make the investment of the surgery have the best possible chance for Lilly having normal function when we're all done. Yesterday the receptionist let me know that I can get a rebate on the shots once she has taken all of them. It's only $20 but that's better than before.
The vet also recommended that Lilly start taking glucosamine supplements. I went ahead and purchased those before Lilly had her surgery. However, I got her the supplements at the grocery store. When I told the vet this, she got a bit bent out of shape because ...well she told me that the supplements in the stores aren't regulated. However, I know that the so called made for animals medications and supplements have even less stringent regulations and figured for a supplement saving money for store bought over the 3 times mark up at the vet's office wouldn't matter. My SIL used to work for a vet and told us stories.
Thanks to my blog friend Leigh, I discovered that adding gelatin to Lilly's diet would also be helpful for her joints. So I started researching how to get that into Lilly's diet. At first I was just giving Lilly gelatin capsules, but those are pricey. I looked at buying gelatin powder, but wanted to check out all my options. I also looked into making gelatin from bones. I found this one blog where the woman just keeps her crock-pot going all the time cooking down her bones. I don't know if she just mixes all the bones she has or what, but that seemed a bit much if I were to have separate crocks going for each kind of bone. I thought about just making and storing the gelatin...but I would actually have stock and that takes up space that I don't currently have since I have a small freezer and don't have a pressure canner to can and put in the pantry. (maybe one day!)
In my research I found that Osteo Bi-Flex makes a combined glucosamine and gelatine powdered supplement. That seemed like the perfect answer as Lilly really didn't like eating the glucosamine pills (although coating them with peanut butter worked very well!). And my store had the powder on sale, buy one get one free. So we started Lilly on that, last night.
Exercise has been pretty difficult to do. We've been having a lot of snow and I'm allergic to the stuff. So that on top of my annoying neighbors who let their dogs run off leash has made taking Lilly for walks very difficult. The vet suggested taking Lilly someplace quiet for walks...I don't know where that place might be. Even our own back yard is surrounded by other dogs and Lilly is a spaz around them. So instead we've been walking around the house. I know, not ideal, but it puts less stress on the both of us.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Oh SNOW!
Tonight is supposed to be our Advent Service with a cookie exchange. I say supposed because we are getting hit today with quite a bit of snow and while the weather radar shows that this should pass soon, it doesn't appear to be following the plan.
Now as you know I am highly allergic to snow. So I'm staying hunkered down inside right now and medicating with hot chocolate.
Hopefully this cloud moves on and I'll be able to shovel or sweep off the snow (that the wind is doing a really good job of taking care of at the moment) so that we can get out and not be snow bound... especially since my teenage daughter claims that there is "nothing to eat" in the house.
Oh, I should get my "nothing to eat" roast in the crock pot!
Now as you know I am highly allergic to snow. So I'm staying hunkered down inside right now and medicating with hot chocolate.
Hopefully this cloud moves on and I'll be able to shovel or sweep off the snow (that the wind is doing a really good job of taking care of at the moment) so that we can get out and not be snow bound... especially since my teenage daughter claims that there is "nothing to eat" in the house.
Christmas Ornament tutorial - Round ornament
Here is how to make the round ornament [picture of finished ornament]
Supplies you'll need:
round flat ornaments - from craft store
school glue
glitter
transparency sheets - from office supply store
permanent markers
ribbon
paint brush, scissors, pattern, funnel
Skills needed:
Actually this ornament is very easy and looks complicated. You'll amaze your friends with it.
First step- Glitterizing the back of the ornament.
Water down the glue so that it is more runny. I think ours was not quite one part water to one part glue. Using a paint brush, transfer some glue to only the back of the ornament's inside [picture of glue & putting it in] drain out excess glue - make sure to not get any glue on the front side of the ornament.
Now using a funnel pour in your glitter into the ornament and after covering the back, shake out the excess glitter. Allow to dry completely.
While your glitter is drying you can make the design sheets. Trace your design or pattern onto the transparency sheets with your permanent markers, making sure your design is just a tiny bit smaller than the diameter of your ornament. (I used 3 inch diameter ornaments, they do come bigger) {note: I tried to just print off my design using my computer's printer but I couldn't get the toner to dry on the sheets... I suppose that I could have put the design on with the printer and then just gone over it with the markers, but my way was cleaner.}
Cut out your transparency film in a circle to fit inside the ornament.
Now roll your transparency film into a tube so you can fit it into the neck of the ornament. We found that rolling so that the design was on the outside of the roll worked better for the next step.
shove your rolled up transparency into the ornament. If it doesn't pop open all the way, you can use your paint brush handle to help it and then your fingers to adjust the design so that it sits in the right direction.
almost done!
Now put the cap/wire thingy back on and add a ribbon bow to the neck of your ornament to hide that wire that holds the thing together!
Merry Christmas!
Supplies you'll need:
round flat ornaments - from craft store
school glue
glitter
transparency sheets - from office supply store
permanent markers
ribbon
paint brush, scissors, pattern, funnel
Skills needed:
Actually this ornament is very easy and looks complicated. You'll amaze your friends with it.
First step- Glitterizing the back of the ornament.
Water down the glue so that it is more runny. I think ours was not quite one part water to one part glue. Using a paint brush, transfer some glue to only the back of the ornament's inside [picture of glue & putting it in] drain out excess glue - make sure to not get any glue on the front side of the ornament.
Now using a funnel pour in your glitter into the ornament and after covering the back, shake out the excess glitter. Allow to dry completely.
Cut out your transparency film in a circle to fit inside the ornament.
Now roll your transparency film into a tube so you can fit it into the neck of the ornament. We found that rolling so that the design was on the outside of the roll worked better for the next step.
Merry Christmas!
Christmas Ornament tutorial - felt dove
Here is how to make the felt dove ornament. [picture of finished ornament]
Supplies that you'll need:
Felt - I got these 9X11 sheets of felt at my local craft store for about 30 cents each and got about 5 ornaments per sheet. You can also buy felt by the yard at fabric stores.
Pattern - I got this one from the internet.
Freezer Paper - from my grocery store
Embroidery Floss - from my craft store (I had some at home so I don't know how much it costs, but it's pretty cheap and a little goes a long way)
Polyfill stuffing - from your craft store. I already had some, but I think they're only around $2.50 for a bag that will last you a very long time. You could also use cotton balls, but they're pretty pricey.
Pen, Scissors, Iron
Skills you'll need:
Ironing
back stitching
blanket stitching
French knot for the dove's eye
First find your pattern and transfer it to the freezer paper's mat side.
Next iron the freezer paper (the glossy side) to your felt.
Now cut out your shapes. don't worry, the directions for how to do this are on the freezer paper if you get the name brand.
Note: Embroidery Floss comes in skeins that the floss is 6 threads thick. Cut off about 18 inches of floss (or shorter - too long and you get a knotted mess!) now separate your floss into individual threads. I used two threads in my design, but you can use 3 if your colors are close and you want to see your design better.
Next we'll put our design on one of the dove's sides (you'll use two dove cut outs for each ornament). I used a French Knot to make the dove's eye. Then I started back stitching the words I wanted on my dove.
Don't make your stitches too tight so that if you make a mistake you can pull out the stitches and try again.
Once your dove has the design you want you'll next want to sew the two halves together with a blanket stitch. Make sure to cut a length of Embroidery Floss to make a hanger with. Don't separate these threads, just knot it and stitch that in while you're blanket stitching.
Leave about an inch open and stuff with polyfill until your dove is as full as you want it. You don't need to make your dove too fat and you still have to close him up.
Now close up your dove and you're done!
Merry Christmas!
Supplies that you'll need:
Felt - I got these 9X11 sheets of felt at my local craft store for about 30 cents each and got about 5 ornaments per sheet. You can also buy felt by the yard at fabric stores.
Pattern - I got this one from the internet.
Freezer Paper - from my grocery store
Embroidery Floss - from my craft store (I had some at home so I don't know how much it costs, but it's pretty cheap and a little goes a long way)
Polyfill stuffing - from your craft store. I already had some, but I think they're only around $2.50 for a bag that will last you a very long time. You could also use cotton balls, but they're pretty pricey.
Pen, Scissors, Iron
Skills you'll need:
Ironing
back stitching
blanket stitching
French knot for the dove's eye
First find your pattern and transfer it to the freezer paper's mat side.
Next iron the freezer paper (the glossy side) to your felt.
Note: Embroidery Floss comes in skeins that the floss is 6 threads thick. Cut off about 18 inches of floss (or shorter - too long and you get a knotted mess!) now separate your floss into individual threads. I used two threads in my design, but you can use 3 if your colors are close and you want to see your design better.
Don't make your stitches too tight so that if you make a mistake you can pull out the stitches and try again.
Once your dove has the design you want you'll next want to sew the two halves together with a blanket stitch. Make sure to cut a length of Embroidery Floss to make a hanger with. Don't separate these threads, just knot it and stitch that in while you're blanket stitching.
Leave about an inch open and stuff with polyfill until your dove is as full as you want it. You don't need to make your dove too fat and you still have to close him up.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
What we're up to now...
well aside for taking care of Lilly and getting ready for Christmas things here are pretty calm.
Darly isn't doing a play right now, but she and I are helping some with the current show. I'm supposed to have this weekend off though. I hope that still stands and that the chairperson let her co-chair know that. ;)
Darly is singing in our church choir instead. She's having a great time and loves singing. I don't think that she'll try a solo again (she did last year for Christmas) but one can never tell. So our Thursday nights are pretty busy as she has a class from 4:30 to 6:30 and then choir practice is at 7. We have fun trying to figure out how to get some food into her.
Hubby decided to wait until last weekend to finally show us his Christmas wish list. How funny that I had totally forgotten him mentioning (very casually of course) the things on the list. The one year I paid attention to those casual mentions I got in trouble for getting him everything he asked for. So since I didn't pay attention I bought him things I thought he needed...like pants to replace the ones he insists still fit him from his High School wardrobe that don't. I'm sure I'll have to take the new pants in though because unlike Jerry changing his 34's into 31's, I know that these pants will be at least 4 inches too big in the waist. *roll eyes!*
Darly asked for sensible things this year however finding her sweaters has been quite a challenge. I don't know what is up with the buyers for stores... it is winter, in Colorado... we NEED sweaters that actually keep you warm. Not that you have to put another shirt on under...because while we will put another shirt on it is because we're heading out into sub zero temps...not to look cute!
sigh
and our latest project
One of the ladies at church requested that our Youth group look into getting Christmas Ornaments with our church logo on them for a fundraiser. But when I looked into doing that the prices were CRAZY expensive. One gal had suggested that I look into those places that will put your logo on the round glass ball ornaments... but they want set up charges and a minimum order... looking at at least $350 just to get going. OYE
I also looked into those places where you can DIY your logo on their stuff. But their ornaments were around $12 each plus shipping. And then when I set up our account, they put our logo on everything BUT the ornaments. I needed the "Premium" account to choose the products.
So instead I looked into just making ornaments our selves. And I came up with two really cute ideas that aren't too hard to do. Sorry I don't have pictures of them here yet, I forgot to take the pictures and then left the ornament samples at church... so I have to make some more and then get your pictures.
Pictures coming soon... I promise.
As promised...
After I get some more photos, I'll do a post on how I made them with a cool trick for how to cut out the doves!
Darly isn't doing a play right now, but she and I are helping some with the current show. I'm supposed to have this weekend off though. I hope that still stands and that the chairperson let her co-chair know that. ;)
Darly is singing in our church choir instead. She's having a great time and loves singing. I don't think that she'll try a solo again (she did last year for Christmas) but one can never tell. So our Thursday nights are pretty busy as she has a class from 4:30 to 6:30 and then choir practice is at 7. We have fun trying to figure out how to get some food into her.
Hubby decided to wait until last weekend to finally show us his Christmas wish list. How funny that I had totally forgotten him mentioning (very casually of course) the things on the list. The one year I paid attention to those casual mentions I got in trouble for getting him everything he asked for. So since I didn't pay attention I bought him things I thought he needed...like pants to replace the ones he insists still fit him from his High School wardrobe that don't. I'm sure I'll have to take the new pants in though because unlike Jerry changing his 34's into 31's, I know that these pants will be at least 4 inches too big in the waist. *roll eyes!*
Darly asked for sensible things this year however finding her sweaters has been quite a challenge. I don't know what is up with the buyers for stores... it is winter, in Colorado... we NEED sweaters that actually keep you warm. Not that you have to put another shirt on under...because while we will put another shirt on it is because we're heading out into sub zero temps...not to look cute!
sigh
and our latest project
One of the ladies at church requested that our Youth group look into getting Christmas Ornaments with our church logo on them for a fundraiser. But when I looked into doing that the prices were CRAZY expensive. One gal had suggested that I look into those places that will put your logo on the round glass ball ornaments... but they want set up charges and a minimum order... looking at at least $350 just to get going. OYE
I also looked into those places where you can DIY your logo on their stuff. But their ornaments were around $12 each plus shipping. And then when I set up our account, they put our logo on everything BUT the ornaments. I needed the "Premium" account to choose the products.
So instead I looked into just making ornaments our selves. And I came up with two really cute ideas that aren't too hard to do. Sorry I don't have pictures of them here yet, I forgot to take the pictures and then left the ornament samples at church... so I have to make some more and then get your pictures.
Pictures coming soon... I promise.
As promised...
Friday, December 07, 2012
Lilly update
So today is 2 weeks post-op for Lilly. She got to go in and have her staples removed. She wasn't all that happy to go. A bundle of nerves was more like it. Even more nervous than when she goes in for her shots.
So the doc is happy with her progress. She said that Lilly is doing better than she expected her to be at this point. I had to rat Lilly out for jumping the retaining wall again. I don't know how we are going to keep her from doing that other than actually walking her on the leash each time she goes out. sigh...it is cold out there!
The doc said that her Mother in law had staples once and said that it was very painful to get them removed, but that the dogs don't even flinch. Course I'm sure her MIL didn't have someone holding 3 of her limbs and holding down her head with their forearm. ;)
Now Lilly keeps following me around the house. It is very annoying. I sure hope I don't actually trip over her. Perhaps Lilly is upset with me for leaving her after we got back to go Christmas shopping.
So the doc is happy with her progress. She said that Lilly is doing better than she expected her to be at this point. I had to rat Lilly out for jumping the retaining wall again. I don't know how we are going to keep her from doing that other than actually walking her on the leash each time she goes out. sigh...it is cold out there!
The doc said that her Mother in law had staples once and said that it was very painful to get them removed, but that the dogs don't even flinch. Course I'm sure her MIL didn't have someone holding 3 of her limbs and holding down her head with their forearm. ;)
Now Lilly keeps following me around the house. It is very annoying. I sure hope I don't actually trip over her. Perhaps Lilly is upset with me for leaving her after we got back to go Christmas shopping.
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