So I have decided we will no longer speak of vehicles unless it is my lawyer plea bargaining for my voluntary manslaughter charge.
I digress.
So Friend and I were discussing hobbies. My mother was asking me if I wanted her mineatures. I said no because...I hate the life size shit I have, I do not want tony replicas. Additionally? cats.
So when we were discussing hobbies I began to wax on about the numerous hobbies my mother has involved herself in through out her life. I found myself amazed that I was not a hoarder with 50 cats.
So here goes the grand list:
Sunday, March 02, 2014
Need a Fucking car, any fucking car!
I feel I need the word FUCKERY tattooed somewhere on my body because when I am upset or enraged it is my go to curse. In regards to shopping for a car, EPIC FUCKERY. So our family owns cattle, and has recently flipped a house for a LOT of money. HOWEVER that money is in a trust and is being used to pay for my Grandmother and Mother to live in South Dakota and Minnesota respectively. SO any of "my share" of said cow or real estate is being used to generate interest, interest enough to keep my Nana in bird seed and mother in wet cat food.
So when I asked my family if they would please help me out with money for a car, they lovingly send me 1,000 (or several years interest on trust money) I didn't WANT to take this money. Because whenever you take money off of a investment, the interest goes down. SIGNIFICANTLY. But we need a damn car and I can only work 20 hours a week because my body is made of rusty twine and brittle rubber bands. My husband's family also said they would give us 2,000 as a late wedding present (which is kind because we eloped) so selling my heirlooms (500, bye bye family silver), cashing in my interest from what was SUPPOSED to be my retirement (1,000) Wedding present (2,000) and selling our Jeep (400) then waiting for the IRS (1200) means we have a down payment of about 5100 dollars.
SO with my termite infested bones and shaken Jenga spine, I have been searching for vehicles.
I have found:
Toyota Corolla "06, 4 cyl, 165,890 miles, 32/41 MPG, FWD $7600.00
Honda Civic, 05, 4 cyl, 130,000, 29/38MPG, FWD, $4800.00
Toyota Prius 06, 4cyl, 85,000 miles, 50/51 MPG (WhAT?!) FWD, $9,990.00
Toyota Prius 07, 4cyl, 90,000 miles, 51/51 MPG (WITCHCRAFT!) FWD, $10,990
Not going to lie, that 06 Prius is calling my name. But husband keeps saying "DEATHBOX!!!!" I just think he doesn't want to look like a hippy driving around in a prius, drinking Kombucha with his recycled pants. But get serious, I am a hippie driving around drinking Kombucha wearing recycled pants.
He really wants a "bad ass" car or a "man truck" but we can't afford to have a "man car" we need high mileage, reasonable payment, and reliable. So If the Mazda 3 with its horrible engine issues had a baby with a toyota Prius, what car would that be? Because we need to find that car, and for under 10,000.
I have become religated to the fact that whenever I bring up looking at and or purchasing a vehicle Chris turtles up and goes back into his man cave to pout and scowl into the darkness. Alas it is up to me to go put on my "big girl pants" recycled big girl pants, and go find a gorram car.
Epic...Fuckery.
I honestly am thankful that we never had a child other than our dog because dealing with two teenagers would lead me to commit homicide (Yes, I just refereed to my husband as a teenager, no I regret nothing)
When life throws its wrenches in the air, and they come raining down in a shit storm onto the debacle that is my life I find it doens't really help to curse the wrenches and wax angrily about how it ALWAYS rains wrenches on ME and no one else. Fuckery. Pick that shit up, Put that shit away, tuck in your tail and FIX THAT SHIT!
Bad things happen. I know for a fact waiting for other people to solve your problems will NEVER solve your problems.
*sigh* Alright. I am going to go and look at more cars. Maybe Chris would accept a toyota Corolla or Camry over a Prius. See? I can compromise Gorram It! However nice a Prius will be, I will just have to pretend in my mind that it is the car I am driving.
See? I told you...FUCKERY.
These are my top three picks thus far.
So when I asked my family if they would please help me out with money for a car, they lovingly send me 1,000 (or several years interest on trust money) I didn't WANT to take this money. Because whenever you take money off of a investment, the interest goes down. SIGNIFICANTLY. But we need a damn car and I can only work 20 hours a week because my body is made of rusty twine and brittle rubber bands. My husband's family also said they would give us 2,000 as a late wedding present (which is kind because we eloped) so selling my heirlooms (500, bye bye family silver), cashing in my interest from what was SUPPOSED to be my retirement (1,000) Wedding present (2,000) and selling our Jeep (400) then waiting for the IRS (1200) means we have a down payment of about 5100 dollars.
SO with my termite infested bones and shaken Jenga spine, I have been searching for vehicles.
I have found:
Toyota Corolla "06, 4 cyl, 165,890 miles, 32/41 MPG, FWD $7600.00
Honda Civic, 05, 4 cyl, 130,000, 29/38MPG, FWD, $4800.00
Toyota Prius 06, 4cyl, 85,000 miles, 50/51 MPG (WhAT?!) FWD, $9,990.00
Toyota Prius 07, 4cyl, 90,000 miles, 51/51 MPG (WITCHCRAFT!) FWD, $10,990
Not going to lie, that 06 Prius is calling my name. But husband keeps saying "DEATHBOX!!!!" I just think he doesn't want to look like a hippy driving around in a prius, drinking Kombucha with his recycled pants. But get serious, I am a hippie driving around drinking Kombucha wearing recycled pants.
He really wants a "bad ass" car or a "man truck" but we can't afford to have a "man car" we need high mileage, reasonable payment, and reliable. So If the Mazda 3 with its horrible engine issues had a baby with a toyota Prius, what car would that be? Because we need to find that car, and for under 10,000.
I have become religated to the fact that whenever I bring up looking at and or purchasing a vehicle Chris turtles up and goes back into his man cave to pout and scowl into the darkness. Alas it is up to me to go put on my "big girl pants" recycled big girl pants, and go find a gorram car.
Epic...Fuckery.
I honestly am thankful that we never had a child other than our dog because dealing with two teenagers would lead me to commit homicide (Yes, I just refereed to my husband as a teenager, no I regret nothing)
When life throws its wrenches in the air, and they come raining down in a shit storm onto the debacle that is my life I find it doens't really help to curse the wrenches and wax angrily about how it ALWAYS rains wrenches on ME and no one else. Fuckery. Pick that shit up, Put that shit away, tuck in your tail and FIX THAT SHIT!
Bad things happen. I know for a fact waiting for other people to solve your problems will NEVER solve your problems.
*sigh* Alright. I am going to go and look at more cars. Maybe Chris would accept a toyota Corolla or Camry over a Prius. See? I can compromise Gorram It! However nice a Prius will be, I will just have to pretend in my mind that it is the car I am driving.
See? I told you...FUCKERY.
These are my top three picks thus far.
Saturday, March 01, 2014
Master Procrasterbater
Despite having been awake at the butt crack of dawn otherwise known as 6AM I am incredibly lethargic today.
This AM my wonderful neighbors took me to the Farmers Market, Lombardis, Mediterranean Deli, Dominicks meat market, and Nichols Grocery.
OK now that I write that down I am thinking maybe it was NOT such a waste of a day, on top of that trip I made the bed so BOO-YEAH!
I love the farmers market. I have friends who work at the farmers market. I am very particular in whom I buy things from when at the Farmers Market, and I trust my neighbor implicitly. SO I have no gorram explanation for HOW THE HELL I managed to spend 20 dollars on three pounds of beef.
I normally go to Longhorn Farms, get one beef tongue and 3 pounds of ground chuck and if they have it summer sausage. Grass fed, free range, organic. Normally about 3 bucks a pound for chuck, 4 bucks a pound for tongue.
However today I was separated from my neighbor, and on my own, and when telling my friend I was there to buy meat for the next 2 weeks friend (unnamed for their protection) said "HEY! Buy from these people! they just started selling here!"
Here is where I stop to tell you I am NOT good in social situations. Avoid buying a car? I can do that, Avoid getting buffed and sprayed by a drive by mall kiosk? professional aversion here. But when being introduced by a friend to another friend to buy something I was technically looking for (but cheaper dammit!) I froze. So when they asked me what I wanted, I said "Um, do you have tongue?" and they did! ONE...a 3 pound one... for 12.50. So what does my dumb ass do? buys it. I start to walk away panicked thinking "OK I will just skip buying butter, and get the ground at Longhorn" when my friend says "Didn't you say you needed groundbeef?"
SO much anger. I want to punch this friend in their smiling windpipe.
But no, I smile and say "Yeah, I wanted ground..." before I can finish, lady plops a 2 pound bag of ground beef and says "8 bucks!"
Stuttering, I hand over a 20 and mentally calculate which personal blood/organs I can peddle at one of the shadier venders in the barns further down.
I have NO IDEA how this happened. I came home with Squash, Cream Cheese, Bagels, lard (yes lard, don't judge) apples, chocolate chip cookies, Pancetta, Parmesean, and tomato sauce. All of which I was pleased to have, happy to have found. Then I see the giant frozen beef tongue and tiny bundle of ground beef. I chucked it into the freezer and slammed the door for good measure. Only to have the doorbounce bag and smack me right in the face.
The only logical reaction ensued. Me screaming "FUCKING COW!" to a freezer of beef parts.
I turned around to find my husband, both boy cats, and the dog staring wide eyed at me. After saying "WHAT!?" and stomping into the bedroom to change I began to feel like I had overreacted.
After all, I was introduced the the worlds BEST GOD DAMN BACON in the world today by a tiny italian man, who gave me a 1/4 pound "Gratis" because I was "so cute" damn right I am cute, especially for free bacon!
I got my husband his favorite cookies that reminded him of his childhood and satisfied my own need for farm fresh cream cheese and home made bagels.
Came home, hammered out a few pages of my grad paper before my brain light went dim, then made lunch. Bagel sammies with Farm Fromage, Pancetta, and runny egg.
I call that a successful damn day. Especially for a self professed vampire and it was damn bright out today.
Thus I close, more tomorrow, probably not. We have to go play at being adults and look at cars.
May you all have dark hello kitty sunglasses on bright early days, and not be forced into buying exspensive fucking cow parts (fucking cow)
XOXO KJ
This AM my wonderful neighbors took me to the Farmers Market, Lombardis, Mediterranean Deli, Dominicks meat market, and Nichols Grocery.
OK now that I write that down I am thinking maybe it was NOT such a waste of a day, on top of that trip I made the bed so BOO-YEAH!
I love the farmers market. I have friends who work at the farmers market. I am very particular in whom I buy things from when at the Farmers Market, and I trust my neighbor implicitly. SO I have no gorram explanation for HOW THE HELL I managed to spend 20 dollars on three pounds of beef.
I normally go to Longhorn Farms, get one beef tongue and 3 pounds of ground chuck and if they have it summer sausage. Grass fed, free range, organic. Normally about 3 bucks a pound for chuck, 4 bucks a pound for tongue.
However today I was separated from my neighbor, and on my own, and when telling my friend I was there to buy meat for the next 2 weeks friend (unnamed for their protection) said "HEY! Buy from these people! they just started selling here!"
Here is where I stop to tell you I am NOT good in social situations. Avoid buying a car? I can do that, Avoid getting buffed and sprayed by a drive by mall kiosk? professional aversion here. But when being introduced by a friend to another friend to buy something I was technically looking for (but cheaper dammit!) I froze. So when they asked me what I wanted, I said "Um, do you have tongue?" and they did! ONE...a 3 pound one... for 12.50. So what does my dumb ass do? buys it. I start to walk away panicked thinking "OK I will just skip buying butter, and get the ground at Longhorn" when my friend says "Didn't you say you needed groundbeef?"
SO much anger. I want to punch this friend in their smiling windpipe.
But no, I smile and say "Yeah, I wanted ground..." before I can finish, lady plops a 2 pound bag of ground beef and says "8 bucks!"
Stuttering, I hand over a 20 and mentally calculate which personal blood/organs I can peddle at one of the shadier venders in the barns further down.
I have NO IDEA how this happened. I came home with Squash, Cream Cheese, Bagels, lard (yes lard, don't judge) apples, chocolate chip cookies, Pancetta, Parmesean, and tomato sauce. All of which I was pleased to have, happy to have found. Then I see the giant frozen beef tongue and tiny bundle of ground beef. I chucked it into the freezer and slammed the door for good measure. Only to have the doorbounce bag and smack me right in the face.
The only logical reaction ensued. Me screaming "FUCKING COW!" to a freezer of beef parts.
I turned around to find my husband, both boy cats, and the dog staring wide eyed at me. After saying "WHAT!?" and stomping into the bedroom to change I began to feel like I had overreacted.
After all, I was introduced the the worlds BEST GOD DAMN BACON in the world today by a tiny italian man, who gave me a 1/4 pound "Gratis" because I was "so cute" damn right I am cute, especially for free bacon!
I got my husband his favorite cookies that reminded him of his childhood and satisfied my own need for farm fresh cream cheese and home made bagels.
Came home, hammered out a few pages of my grad paper before my brain light went dim, then made lunch. Bagel sammies with Farm Fromage, Pancetta, and runny egg.
I call that a successful damn day. Especially for a self professed vampire and it was damn bright out today.
Thus I close, more tomorrow, probably not. We have to go play at being adults and look at cars.
May you all have dark hello kitty sunglasses on bright early days, and not be forced into buying exspensive fucking cow parts (fucking cow)
XOXO KJ
Friday, February 28, 2014
Klaude Wesley Armstrong
I am sitting here weepy. No because I am sad, but because I can't believe I am watching he same cat who I found feral in a trap less than a year ago.
Klaude was a feral stray who had brought 7 tiny kittens up to our porch to eat. he was so doting and careful we thought he was a she and the mother cat.
After trapping and fixing and rehoming all the kittens and a female we thought was a sibling we finally caught Klaude.
When I saw him his backside was red and smeared with feces, his eyes were goopy, he had fleas, eat mites and worms.
I quickly got him into the vet. Upon Klaude realizing that we were there to help him he immediately latched on to me. The vet nicknamed him "Bodhisattva" and my husband named him Klaude.
We found out he had FIV and decided to try keeping him with non FIV cats and just being cautious. We had his teeth cleaned, neuter done, and inoculated him against FLV and got he other cats their boosters. We knew Klaude was timid and shy so we decided to give him and our eldest cat their own room. We created the senior cat Geriatric And Special Needs Unit in our house or the "GASNU" but Klaude had other ideas.
Every day I would let him out t wander around supervised. Then at night I would put them to bed in their room. Soon I found Klaude and his sister Ani had decided they didn't WANT to be alone and refused to go back into the GASNU. We spoke to the vet who said as long as they didn't fight to give it a try.
For months Klaude would shake when we tried to pick him up, he would let us comb him but if we clipped his nails or touched his tail he would hiss and spit and run and hide...
Slowly I got him used to being touched, and picked up. Soon I found him jumping up o sit on chairs (It ook 5 months) and not running away when we walked into a room and sat down.
He had a check up and they were amazed a how great he looked and the vet saw he still had poopy butt and put him on a diet because he had gained weight so quick! So it was time to implement play. But whenever we would bat toys or play with him he would duck or flinch and run away.
So Chris my husband, never being one to give up, started bringing home milk rings, and door stops. They were the perfect size for batting and made no loud noise. Soon Klaude was playing with them, then he started playing with wooden pogs, then pen caps, then graduated to catnip stuffed mice.
Now he has his own toy box, and when he isn't sitting next to me purring his fool head off he can be found head stuck in it digging around for his two favorite stuffed toys.
So here is this cat. Who went from withdrawn, scared and UN-trusting to being my best friend.
Klaude was a feral stray who had brought 7 tiny kittens up to our porch to eat. he was so doting and careful we thought he was a she and the mother cat.
After trapping and fixing and rehoming all the kittens and a female we thought was a sibling we finally caught Klaude.
When I saw him his backside was red and smeared with feces, his eyes were goopy, he had fleas, eat mites and worms.
I quickly got him into the vet. Upon Klaude realizing that we were there to help him he immediately latched on to me. The vet nicknamed him "Bodhisattva" and my husband named him Klaude.
We found out he had FIV and decided to try keeping him with non FIV cats and just being cautious. We had his teeth cleaned, neuter done, and inoculated him against FLV and got he other cats their boosters. We knew Klaude was timid and shy so we decided to give him and our eldest cat their own room. We created the senior cat Geriatric And Special Needs Unit in our house or the "GASNU" but Klaude had other ideas.
Every day I would let him out t wander around supervised. Then at night I would put them to bed in their room. Soon I found Klaude and his sister Ani had decided they didn't WANT to be alone and refused to go back into the GASNU. We spoke to the vet who said as long as they didn't fight to give it a try.
For months Klaude would shake when we tried to pick him up, he would let us comb him but if we clipped his nails or touched his tail he would hiss and spit and run and hide...
Slowly I got him used to being touched, and picked up. Soon I found him jumping up o sit on chairs (It ook 5 months) and not running away when we walked into a room and sat down.
He had a check up and they were amazed a how great he looked and the vet saw he still had poopy butt and put him on a diet because he had gained weight so quick! So it was time to implement play. But whenever we would bat toys or play with him he would duck or flinch and run away.
So Chris my husband, never being one to give up, started bringing home milk rings, and door stops. They were the perfect size for batting and made no loud noise. Soon Klaude was playing with them, then he started playing with wooden pogs, then pen caps, then graduated to catnip stuffed mice.
Now he has his own toy box, and when he isn't sitting next to me purring his fool head off he can be found head stuck in it digging around for his two favorite stuffed toys.
So here is this cat. Who went from withdrawn, scared and UN-trusting to being my best friend.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Random Review: Earth Rated Poop Bags
So as American Bulldog Owners we see our fare share of massive stinky poops. We used to reuse plastic bags until we realized at the amount we were using them, we were creating DECADES of trash. So we started trying biodegradable bags. First ones we found were expensive and TINY. ABD poops are massive and frequent so this would not work. Second we found disintegrated when even remotely moist. We hike with out boy a lot, and rain dissolving your bags so that when you go to pic up poop, your fingers go through? NOPE next. We found some bags that we like the size and they didn't disintegrate. The caveat was, no handles and hard to open. You ever try to hold a 80 pound dog in one place while trying to wrestle open a poop bag and then tie it in a knot?
So we were at our local pet store and saw they had "Earth Rated Poop bags" they were scented, but not baby powder/Lysol strong just faint and nice lavender. They are a LONGER bag, so you can pick up even Mastiff sized poops and not get it all over your arm. We even had to double bag and two poops fit in! The bags are tough, resist tearing, and best of all they are biodegradeable! They even make a corn based bag that will completely dissolve in 30 days in a compost heap! (We don't recommend using dog poop as compost material for gardening tho! Think of composted poop as being a doggie septic tank. More info here
We also tried BioBags which are placed in all the dog parks and hiking trails by our house. We love them, but prefer our bags to have a masking scent and also handles.
All in all the Earth Rated Poop Bags get a 5 out of 5 paws from all our furry minions. We have four cats and started to use a ERPB when we scoop cat litter (and we have 4 boxes!) I highly recommend them if you have any pets that poop!
So we were at our local pet store and saw they had "Earth Rated Poop bags" they were scented, but not baby powder/Lysol strong just faint and nice lavender. They are a LONGER bag, so you can pick up even Mastiff sized poops and not get it all over your arm. We even had to double bag and two poops fit in! The bags are tough, resist tearing, and best of all they are biodegradeable! They even make a corn based bag that will completely dissolve in 30 days in a compost heap! (We don't recommend using dog poop as compost material for gardening tho! Think of composted poop as being a doggie septic tank. More info here
We also tried BioBags which are placed in all the dog parks and hiking trails by our house. We love them, but prefer our bags to have a masking scent and also handles.
All in all the Earth Rated Poop Bags get a 5 out of 5 paws from all our furry minions. We have four cats and started to use a ERPB when we scoop cat litter (and we have 4 boxes!) I highly recommend them if you have any pets that poop!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Strange Brew...My belly probs.
So, for about the last 3 months I have had issues with my stomach. I used to be able to eat about 2 cups of food, 8 ounces of liquid and 1/2 cup of fruit or pudding or something sweet (fruit cocktail, fruit, gluten free cookie... ounce of chocolate) lately however I have had some serious issues. I am only able to eat about a cup of food and 4 ounces of liquid before I feel like I am going to puke.
Sometimes I can only eat once a day and it usually consists on a single ounce of protein, 1/2 cup of chopped or small vegetables (like french green beans, peas, or shaved Brussels sprouts) the have to wait about an hour or so before I can eat or drink anything else without having serious stomach pains, nausea or gas.
Chris thinks I have ulcers (very possible) but since I have no health insurance I can't really do much about that. I was hoping that this would mean that I would lose weight, but since I have not been able to do much cardio, the weight loss has been very negligible.
Tonight I managed to eat an ounce of cheese, an ounce of turkey, and 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice, and a 8 ounce cup of coffee with homemade rice milk and stevia.
We were supposed to have gluten free spaghetti and turkey kielbasa meat sauce tonight, but I may end up just having the turkey.
I want to try to get 30 minutes of light recumbent biking in while I am doing my reading for class. and maybe a set of wall push ups. I feel sore and slugish, and need my energy back to be able to get errands and cleaning done.
Sometimes I can only eat once a day and it usually consists on a single ounce of protein, 1/2 cup of chopped or small vegetables (like french green beans, peas, or shaved Brussels sprouts) the have to wait about an hour or so before I can eat or drink anything else without having serious stomach pains, nausea or gas.
Chris thinks I have ulcers (very possible) but since I have no health insurance I can't really do much about that. I was hoping that this would mean that I would lose weight, but since I have not been able to do much cardio, the weight loss has been very negligible.
Tonight I managed to eat an ounce of cheese, an ounce of turkey, and 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice, and a 8 ounce cup of coffee with homemade rice milk and stevia.
We were supposed to have gluten free spaghetti and turkey kielbasa meat sauce tonight, but I may end up just having the turkey.
I want to try to get 30 minutes of light recumbent biking in while I am doing my reading for class. and maybe a set of wall push ups. I feel sore and slugish, and need my energy back to be able to get errands and cleaning done.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Random acts of being a human being
Its official I am not leaving the house again until Wednesday night. Went to Aldi, to get my groceries, while walking back to my car I saw an old lady doing the "OMG I AM GONNA FALL" windmill arms dance. I ran up and helped stop her from falling down, I steadied her and walked her to her car.
Went to get gas, was approached by TWO homeless guys asking for money. One went to go tap on car windows in traffic so I reluctantly called non emergency to go pick him off and drop him at at the shelter he was well dressed and clean, so he probably had people looking for him. The other followed me inside and started an argument with himself. The owner started yelling at him (which never helps) finally I told the guy if he went outside and waited quietly I would buy him coffee and a donut. He left quietly, the owner apologized and I shrugged and said "Hey, one wrong move and that could be any of us." He gave me free coffee and an old hotdog for the guy. I remembered I had an old skullcap in the jeep, gave him that too.
Went BACK in to pay for my gas and found out the lady who had been behind me had added 6 bucks to my measly 5 bucks! Yay almost an eighth of a tank!
Part of me feels super blessed, part of me is sad that this kind of behavior is considered "exceptional" It was the right thing to do.
Went to get gas, was approached by TWO homeless guys asking for money. One went to go tap on car windows in traffic so I reluctantly called non emergency to go pick him off and drop him at at the shelter he was well dressed and clean, so he probably had people looking for him. The other followed me inside and started an argument with himself. The owner started yelling at him (which never helps) finally I told the guy if he went outside and waited quietly I would buy him coffee and a donut. He left quietly, the owner apologized and I shrugged and said "Hey, one wrong move and that could be any of us." He gave me free coffee and an old hotdog for the guy. I remembered I had an old skullcap in the jeep, gave him that too.
Went BACK in to pay for my gas and found out the lady who had been behind me had added 6 bucks to my measly 5 bucks! Yay almost an eighth of a tank!
Part of me feels super blessed, part of me is sad that this kind of behavior is considered "exceptional" It was the right thing to do.
Tuesday, February 04, 2014
Ion Color Brights+Henna Sooq Red Raj Henna: a review
I have black hair with gray and white highlights. I wanted to cover the gray and make it BLOOD RED.
So for the last year I have been using red raj henna by henna sooq (www.hennasooq.com)
I'd used henna before (even henna from henna sooq!) but never found that it gave me the deep cherry cola/deep red tones that I wanted.
I tried adding lemon juice, taking it away, adding coconut oil, taking it away...sugar, tea, beet juice...EVERYTHING.
Finally I started using Dechlorinated boiled hot water and 10 drops of organic lavender oil. EUREKA! It finally stained and didn't itch so much! BUT the caveat was that it was like trying to get a cat out of a catnip factory. It took DAYS to get the mixture out.
So on a whim I found a bottle of Sally Beauty Supply "Ion Color Brights" in Red and Fuschia. I added an entire bottle of "red" and half a bottle of Fuchsia into my henna mix and left it on over night.
It applied super easy, washed out like a breeze, and gave me night deep saturated color, except it stained my scalp. Got a little over zealous with the Ion stuff.
So the next time I bought A tube of Ion Red, a tube of Ion Fuschia
, and a tube of Clear.
I mixed 1/2 a tube of red, with 1/4 a tube of Fuchsia and 1/4 tube of Clear.
Applied it to my roots, left it on overnight again, washed it out.
Once again, easy to apply, easy to wash out, stained beautifully, but didn't stain my scalp!
I waited three days and let it oxidize and then super conditioned my hair using 1/4 tube Clear, 1/4 tube Fuschia, and a cup of conditioner. Left it on all day (didn't drip or stain my skin) under a shower cap and a woolen beanie. Even went to the grocery store, no problem, people just thought I was cold.
My hair is super shiny, super soft, and I only wash it once a week with no problems.
I did end up mixing my giant bottle of conditioner with the rest of the Ion Colorbrights Red. Just so that when I wash once a week, it touches up the color. I feel like the henna roughs up the pores and the colorbrights smooths them again.
I only have to retouch now, every 6 weeks. Once every three months I might do a "comb thru" with the red and Fuchsa mixed with conditioner and leave it on overnight to "refresh" the color all over, but for the most part its just touch ups, which take about 10 minutes to do, and 5 minutes to wash out.
I highly Recommend the Ion Color Brights. I had previously tried Manic Panic, NRage Demi dye, Beyond the zone semi permanent, and Special FX. Although I have to say I liked Special FX I didn't find that it worked any better than Ion Colorbrights and it is difficult to get.
So for the last year I have been using red raj henna by henna sooq (www.hennasooq.com)
I'd used henna before (even henna from henna sooq!) but never found that it gave me the deep cherry cola/deep red tones that I wanted.
I tried adding lemon juice, taking it away, adding coconut oil, taking it away...sugar, tea, beet juice...EVERYTHING.
Finally I started using Dechlorinated boiled hot water and 10 drops of organic lavender oil. EUREKA! It finally stained and didn't itch so much! BUT the caveat was that it was like trying to get a cat out of a catnip factory. It took DAYS to get the mixture out.
So on a whim I found a bottle of Sally Beauty Supply "Ion Color Brights" in Red and Fuschia. I added an entire bottle of "red" and half a bottle of Fuchsia into my henna mix and left it on over night.
It applied super easy, washed out like a breeze, and gave me night deep saturated color, except it stained my scalp. Got a little over zealous with the Ion stuff.
So the next time I bought A tube of Ion Red, a tube of Ion Fuschia
, and a tube of Clear.
I mixed 1/2 a tube of red, with 1/4 a tube of Fuchsia and 1/4 tube of Clear.
Applied it to my roots, left it on overnight again, washed it out.
Once again, easy to apply, easy to wash out, stained beautifully, but didn't stain my scalp!
I waited three days and let it oxidize and then super conditioned my hair using 1/4 tube Clear, 1/4 tube Fuschia, and a cup of conditioner. Left it on all day (didn't drip or stain my skin) under a shower cap and a woolen beanie. Even went to the grocery store, no problem, people just thought I was cold.
My hair is super shiny, super soft, and I only wash it once a week with no problems.
I did end up mixing my giant bottle of conditioner with the rest of the Ion Colorbrights Red. Just so that when I wash once a week, it touches up the color. I feel like the henna roughs up the pores and the colorbrights smooths them again.
I only have to retouch now, every 6 weeks. Once every three months I might do a "comb thru" with the red and Fuchsa mixed with conditioner and leave it on overnight to "refresh" the color all over, but for the most part its just touch ups, which take about 10 minutes to do, and 5 minutes to wash out.
I highly Recommend the Ion Color Brights. I had previously tried Manic Panic, NRage Demi dye, Beyond the zone semi permanent, and Special FX. Although I have to say I liked Special FX I didn't find that it worked any better than Ion Colorbrights and it is difficult to get.
Monday, February 03, 2014
Random title here
So I started Masters Degree classes, don't know WHAT I was thinking. All my family members are quick to tell me "You know none of the social service positions pay very well"
Thanks family, but I have to go with what I have talent in. I would be a killer humanitarian, if ONLY I made millions of dollars a year to give away.
I got diagnosed with Tietze Syndrome. Which explains why my body suddenly puffs up and is hurty for no apparent reason. Whats good is it is treatable, what is bad is that it comes on for no rhyme or reason and can take weeks to get better. Which means ice vests in January, super fun!
The whole working on the weekends only thing is coming into round 6 and seems to be working out for us. the occasional babysitting job really helps. But those are hard to find.
I took a job cleaning a fish tank once a week. The annoying thing is that when I go there a tiny old woman follows me around barking in Italian. I don't like it, I am going to ask my boss if I can go during the week in the PM after my husband gets home. Like Thursday or Friday evening (probably friday) Then they might be out and I can just pop in and clean in peace.
Things would be so much easier if they just invested in a stupid fish filter! I would donate one just to make life easier!
Its beyond stupid.
Thanks family, but I have to go with what I have talent in. I would be a killer humanitarian, if ONLY I made millions of dollars a year to give away.
I got diagnosed with Tietze Syndrome. Which explains why my body suddenly puffs up and is hurty for no apparent reason. Whats good is it is treatable, what is bad is that it comes on for no rhyme or reason and can take weeks to get better. Which means ice vests in January, super fun!
The whole working on the weekends only thing is coming into round 6 and seems to be working out for us. the occasional babysitting job really helps. But those are hard to find.
I took a job cleaning a fish tank once a week. The annoying thing is that when I go there a tiny old woman follows me around barking in Italian. I don't like it, I am going to ask my boss if I can go during the week in the PM after my husband gets home. Like Thursday or Friday evening (probably friday) Then they might be out and I can just pop in and clean in peace.
Things would be so much easier if they just invested in a stupid fish filter! I would donate one just to make life easier!
Its beyond stupid.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
So much Awesome. REDUPNY Giveaway!
http://the-pinkphoenix.com/?p=220
Go there, share on twitter, tumblr, facebook, blog EVERYWHERE!
Enter to win a chance at some awesome books by awesome people!
Go there, share on twitter, tumblr, facebook, blog EVERYWHERE!
Enter to win a chance at some awesome books by awesome people!
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Balcony Gardening experiment round 2
So this year I tried growing more veggies. I gre Pattypan squash (fail) Cukes (meh) carrots (good!) Daikon (really good) beans (good) tomatoes (good, but took a long time, next time starting earlier and using different genome seed) and other plants; Nasturtiums, purslane, basil, garlic (not so good) Lettuce (great!) Arugula (great) marigolds (Prolific and lovely) New Guinea Impatiens (good but need too much water) and a variety of succulents and air plants (which did so well I now have three jade plants instead of one!)
Next year I think I am going to loose the squash, begonia and the cukes. In theory they are great plants but the watering needs are too much for this not able to haul water cripple!
I did learn beans and marigolds do REALLY well together. Chard is pretty and very edible (and takes a lot less soil and water than I was giving them. Daikon works well but does require water every day... and basil and leaf lettuces are so easy I should grow them year round.
So year 2 season is coming to a close and soon it will be time to plant some mums on the porch and compost the plants after I gather some seeds.
Year three I am hoping lavender, mint, parsley, and oregano to take the place of the squash, cukes, and begonias.
Next year I think I am going to loose the squash, begonia and the cukes. In theory they are great plants but the watering needs are too much for this not able to haul water cripple!
I did learn beans and marigolds do REALLY well together. Chard is pretty and very edible (and takes a lot less soil and water than I was giving them. Daikon works well but does require water every day... and basil and leaf lettuces are so easy I should grow them year round.
So year 2 season is coming to a close and soon it will be time to plant some mums on the porch and compost the plants after I gather some seeds.
Year three I am hoping lavender, mint, parsley, and oregano to take the place of the squash, cukes, and begonias.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
May Update- Sex, Sexuality and Consent.
There have been a lot of things on my mind lately. I have not had time to blog having been sucked into working two jobs, dealing with ongoing health problems, and trying to keep two sickly animals alive.
These last few months found me trying to grow my own food, attempting to spring clean and purge myself of unused, unwanted crap in my house the very last thing I was want to do was sit down and read the news.
So last night when I found myself again up with my arthritis and my heart hammering and unable to breath right I decided to check up with my favorite pirate news group and talk to some people who take scouring the interwebs for news and stories as if it is their job.
Three things were immediately brought up that made me realize WHY I don't visit more often. Somehow we ended up talking about sex (surprise!) It was brought to light that many of us on the forum considered ourselves bisexual. Suddenly a gay man interrupts to say "No disrespect but how is someone bisexual? Does it mean you will have sex with anyone?" I honestly tried to keep it light but the jabs were continued with "So no one is safe from a bisexual! at least with my straight guy friends I know there is no chance of being raped!" the final straw was when it was stated that Bisexuals were really just closet "polygamist"
Trying to be the bigger person I left but was fuming. To some people I am considered this wanton sex fiend who will sleep with anyone who has genitalia. Because I am bisexual I must wander around in a state of constant lust ready to spring on unsuspecting people at any time. Which ironically made me think about Danny Brown being sexually assaulted on stage at a show in Minnesota.
So because he is a man who has explicit sexual lyrics its a shrug-gable offense that a woman felt she could come onstage rip off his pants and put her mouth on his genitals? Maybe he is bisexual and just gave off implied consent?
Last time I went to the orchestra or the opera you expressed pleasure at someone's performance by applause or buying merchandise not by ripping the pants off Yo Yo Ma and putting his penis in your mouth.
We have this seriously fucked up view of consent. I was talking to a friend in the porn industry who told me even the most accepting and open people seem to not grasp the idea of consent "If I tell someone I am a porn actress they IMMEDIATELY become too familiar, thinking that they can touch me, slap my ass, or even try to kiss me. Because I have sex onscreen and am openly bisexual it means that it is automatic consent for anyone to do what they want, like its not my body anymore."
It goes past the point of making me angry, it just makes me feel embarrassed for our generation. What are we teaching the next generation about sexuality and consent? What happened to "No means No?"
I am not buying into the Bullsh*t that people get "carrried away" or get "mixed signals" or "are asking for it".
Telling me "well honestly what did you expect" when someone is verbally or sexually assaulted because of who they are, their sexuality, race, gender, appearance, or even their job boggles my mind. Unless I tell you to put your hands on me, then don't touch me. It really is that simple.
I have trouble with consent even at my job as a chef. Everyday I find people who are too familiar. I am constantly having to enforce my own personal space, tell people to please not touch me. The other day a person who I served food to for over a year came up and started rubbing my shoulders. I immediately said "Don't do that" to which they responded "Put humans all need physical contact" as if that made it OK to touch me and not ask for my consent.
The fact is if you didn't ask, and I didn't say it was OK its not. It really is that simple.
So if the above is true it should not matter WHAT my sexual preference is,or whom I find attractive nor what my job is. I will never touch someone without consent.
So here is the take away you can be any gender, any sexual preference and not be in danger of losing control of your wildfire libido and sexually assaulting them if you can grasp the idea of consent. Not Implied, not inferred but have an actual 10 second discussion about consent.
These last few months found me trying to grow my own food, attempting to spring clean and purge myself of unused, unwanted crap in my house the very last thing I was want to do was sit down and read the news.
So last night when I found myself again up with my arthritis and my heart hammering and unable to breath right I decided to check up with my favorite pirate news group and talk to some people who take scouring the interwebs for news and stories as if it is their job.
Three things were immediately brought up that made me realize WHY I don't visit more often. Somehow we ended up talking about sex (surprise!) It was brought to light that many of us on the forum considered ourselves bisexual. Suddenly a gay man interrupts to say "No disrespect but how is someone bisexual? Does it mean you will have sex with anyone?" I honestly tried to keep it light but the jabs were continued with "So no one is safe from a bisexual! at least with my straight guy friends I know there is no chance of being raped!" the final straw was when it was stated that Bisexuals were really just closet "polygamist"
Trying to be the bigger person I left but was fuming. To some people I am considered this wanton sex fiend who will sleep with anyone who has genitalia. Because I am bisexual I must wander around in a state of constant lust ready to spring on unsuspecting people at any time. Which ironically made me think about Danny Brown being sexually assaulted on stage at a show in Minnesota.
So because he is a man who has explicit sexual lyrics its a shrug-gable offense that a woman felt she could come onstage rip off his pants and put her mouth on his genitals? Maybe he is bisexual and just gave off implied consent?
Last time I went to the orchestra or the opera you expressed pleasure at someone's performance by applause or buying merchandise not by ripping the pants off Yo Yo Ma and putting his penis in your mouth.
We have this seriously fucked up view of consent. I was talking to a friend in the porn industry who told me even the most accepting and open people seem to not grasp the idea of consent "If I tell someone I am a porn actress they IMMEDIATELY become too familiar, thinking that they can touch me, slap my ass, or even try to kiss me. Because I have sex onscreen and am openly bisexual it means that it is automatic consent for anyone to do what they want, like its not my body anymore."
It goes past the point of making me angry, it just makes me feel embarrassed for our generation. What are we teaching the next generation about sexuality and consent? What happened to "No means No?"
I am not buying into the Bullsh*t that people get "carrried away" or get "mixed signals" or "are asking for it".
Telling me "well honestly what did you expect" when someone is verbally or sexually assaulted because of who they are, their sexuality, race, gender, appearance, or even their job boggles my mind. Unless I tell you to put your hands on me, then don't touch me. It really is that simple.
I have trouble with consent even at my job as a chef. Everyday I find people who are too familiar. I am constantly having to enforce my own personal space, tell people to please not touch me. The other day a person who I served food to for over a year came up and started rubbing my shoulders. I immediately said "Don't do that" to which they responded "Put humans all need physical contact" as if that made it OK to touch me and not ask for my consent.
The fact is if you didn't ask, and I didn't say it was OK its not. It really is that simple.
So if the above is true it should not matter WHAT my sexual preference is,or whom I find attractive nor what my job is. I will never touch someone without consent.
So here is the take away you can be any gender, any sexual preference and not be in danger of losing control of your wildfire libido and sexually assaulting them if you can grasp the idea of consent. Not Implied, not inferred but have an actual 10 second discussion about consent.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Numerology and Deoderant
I can smell my spray deoderant BREWING away in the kitchen, smell good! I hope it works a well as the last stuff I used. I WILL NOT be the stinky lady who always smells like BO. WILL. NOT.
I like that it is in a spray so I can spray under the boobage and muffin top.
I don't want to use commercial deo anymore because it has artificual smells, propylene glycol, and other stuff that is about a 1/2 molecule away from being a carcinogen.
Slowly I have been trying to get us AWAY from commercial crap and toward using sustainable, eco friendly toiletries and sundries.
My make your own detergent was an epic fail. But I hope to try again, and I need to invest in some wool dryer balls, and natural fabric softener.
I like that dryer sheets seem to repel dog hair, but I hate the waste. I have reused them to wash the shower and toilet (cuts thru soap scum!) but saving them feels like hoarding!
We use almost ONLY organic stuff on the dog, and he is softer, has less sores, smells better and even eats better.
So I read my numerology report today I am a 9:
Its actually kind of scary how accurate that is!
I wish I knew Kayne Michael's and Dodger's numbers.
I still need to hop into the shower and get to the library...unless I just listen to my book on tape and draw/color instead. Kinda feel lazy today. Leftovers and some squats and that's it. Library can happen tomorrow.
I like that it is in a spray so I can spray under the boobage and muffin top.
I don't want to use commercial deo anymore because it has artificual smells, propylene glycol, and other stuff that is about a 1/2 molecule away from being a carcinogen.
Slowly I have been trying to get us AWAY from commercial crap and toward using sustainable, eco friendly toiletries and sundries.
My make your own detergent was an epic fail. But I hope to try again, and I need to invest in some wool dryer balls, and natural fabric softener.
I like that dryer sheets seem to repel dog hair, but I hate the waste. I have reused them to wash the shower and toilet (cuts thru soap scum!) but saving them feels like hoarding!
We use almost ONLY organic stuff on the dog, and he is softer, has less sores, smells better and even eats better.
So I read my numerology report today I am a 9:
9 Life Path number
If you have a 9 Life Path, you are perhaps the most challenged of all numbers in the relationship department. You are secretive and you keep your distance. Figuratively speaking, you don't like to show yourself naked, not just because it makes you feel vulnerable, which it does, but also because you see it as lacking class and sophistication. You have an aristocratic streak and value your sense of separation. You can be a great and loyal friend, but you don't expose your deeper fears or dreams even to those closest to you. For this reason, you enter a relationship the way someone who can't swim enters the pool; slowly and ready to back away at any time.Its actually kind of scary how accurate that is!
I wish I knew Kayne Michael's and Dodger's numbers.
I still need to hop into the shower and get to the library...unless I just listen to my book on tape and draw/color instead. Kinda feel lazy today. Leftovers and some squats and that's it. Library can happen tomorrow.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Sugar, aw honey, honey....
UGH. It is true. I am like a heroin addict when it comes to sugar. I don't boil it in a spoon and inject it, but when I have a bad day, or am in pain, or am just moody all I can think about is a giant sundae, or cookie, or organic milk chocolate.....
It makes me drool just thinking about it.
I have been good with trying to avoid sugar and foods that are high on the glycemic index
But yesterday not one but two dirty old men came into my work making lewd comments about "Serving my breasts" or "Your breasts are so juicy!" or "Do I get two breasts? they come in pairs!"
People I did NOT know, people who stood there being lewd and annoying causing me at one point to say "Oh thats hilarious, tell my husband there what you said!" Pointing to my very tall, very large friend Mark from produce who is built like a mountain. He walked over, put his arm around my waist and says in his deep gravely voice "Everything ok hunny?" The older man gaped like a fish and skittered away. But I was still shaking and seriously uncomfortable.
Mark said before he is my go to security guy because he thinks of me like a little sister and his girlfriend loves me. I am normally tougher than that, but it was the straw that broke the camels back. So my boss bought me a cookie, and a small ice cream cone.
I should say about my job people are normally VERY kind. But there are just every one in a hundred who make you feel anxious, uncomfortable, and like you want to crawl into a dark hole and hide.
Predators.
After my bad day at work I had the stupid idea to run to sprawlmart and pick up long underwear for myself and Chris (especially myself because I am FREEZING in my work warehouse!) they are doing construction and I could not find anything. It took me almost 40 minutes to find leggings and long underwear. And once I found leggings they had only size "gigantic" or "infant" I was so annoyed I left with too big leggings that I will probably use as pajamas and long underwear that i prayed would fit Chris.
Kayne Michael still has an open sore on his foot. I need to go to a drug store and get Vet Wrap and gauze. until it is healed and stops draining it needs to be cleaned and covered and I don't want him to have to wear a lamp shade on his head. The vet said if it is still "weeping" after a few days we will have to insert a drain or "wick" its basically sterile gauze that is partially packd into the wound and the tail is left out, then the entire thing is covered and left for a day. The gauze absorbs any fluid or puss and then you pull it out. I have seen it done, and assisted in doing several drains on large and small animals, but Chris is virtually useless when it comes to even cleaning a wound much less shaving a struggling animal and holding him while I incise and pack a wound. I may just take him to the clinic and get him doped on Valium before hand (vet prescribed)
Luckily our vet knows my history with working at Clinics and has no problem with letting ME give Kayne intramuscular, subcutaneous, and IV shots as long as he watches. Kayne has veins like a horse and if I can get a vein on a kitten who is barely three weeks old, he is like throwing a bowling ball down a hallway. Even the vets from Cornell said "If you are comfortable with it we will just let you start his IV"
The skills you learn working with a large dog who has serious anxiety and stranger aggression.
I swear my house looks like a minature pharmacy with all the butterfly IVs, needles, syringes, medications, IV bags, tubing, gauze, ointments, tapes, vet wrap...
And with Chris being accident prone the only thing that I DON'T have is sutures. Well at least if the apocalypse comes I will be able to treat wounds!
I kinda want to learn phlebotomy just so I can learn to draw my own blood blindfolded. Everyone seems to have trouble with it, but my sister in law could draw blood from a mouse. She is REALLY GOOD.
I am talking with my vet friend who is also a naturopath and told him I had tried drawing poultice on Kayne's foot. I said it looked better today, we agree that we will use the small wick and ichthammol and calendula pack for a few more days.
I don't want to put him on antibiotics because Bulldogs are already so low in immune response I don't want to lower it anymore.
Currently Kayne is sleeping with his stuffed monkey with his foot covered in a gauze and a clean sock.
Poor baby!
Oh a note on Dodger. Dodger Oliver "De Leon" Manlove is a cat bully.
BUT I have been giving all the cats "GoOD Cat!" and Bachs Rescue Rememdy. I put it on their noses and dilluted it and sprayed it on their bedding and food.
Dodger last night actually was trying to cuddle with Ani. Ani Louise was NOT HAVING THAT. and smacked him in the face.
Dodger ran over to me and slumped down hiding his face in my chest. I think he really wants to play and cuddle and the girls are just too old for that.
He even tries to get the dog to play with him.
Chris and I are torn. We think that having another cat would be a bad idea, but also think Dodger really needs someone to play with besides myself and Chris. We may offer to temporarily keep one of the girl Siamese from downstairs so Dodger has a playmate... We are still thinking about it, not wanting to go thru having the girls pee on our bed in anger.
Suggestions?
KJ
It makes me drool just thinking about it.
I have been good with trying to avoid sugar and foods that are high on the glycemic index
But yesterday not one but two dirty old men came into my work making lewd comments about "Serving my breasts" or "Your breasts are so juicy!" or "Do I get two breasts? they come in pairs!"
People I did NOT know, people who stood there being lewd and annoying causing me at one point to say "Oh thats hilarious, tell my husband there what you said!" Pointing to my very tall, very large friend Mark from produce who is built like a mountain. He walked over, put his arm around my waist and says in his deep gravely voice "Everything ok hunny?" The older man gaped like a fish and skittered away. But I was still shaking and seriously uncomfortable.
Mark said before he is my go to security guy because he thinks of me like a little sister and his girlfriend loves me. I am normally tougher than that, but it was the straw that broke the camels back. So my boss bought me a cookie, and a small ice cream cone.
I should say about my job people are normally VERY kind. But there are just every one in a hundred who make you feel anxious, uncomfortable, and like you want to crawl into a dark hole and hide.
Predators.
After my bad day at work I had the stupid idea to run to sprawlmart and pick up long underwear for myself and Chris (especially myself because I am FREEZING in my work warehouse!) they are doing construction and I could not find anything. It took me almost 40 minutes to find leggings and long underwear. And once I found leggings they had only size "gigantic" or "infant" I was so annoyed I left with too big leggings that I will probably use as pajamas and long underwear that i prayed would fit Chris.
Kayne Michael still has an open sore on his foot. I need to go to a drug store and get Vet Wrap and gauze. until it is healed and stops draining it needs to be cleaned and covered and I don't want him to have to wear a lamp shade on his head. The vet said if it is still "weeping" after a few days we will have to insert a drain or "wick" its basically sterile gauze that is partially packd into the wound and the tail is left out, then the entire thing is covered and left for a day. The gauze absorbs any fluid or puss and then you pull it out. I have seen it done, and assisted in doing several drains on large and small animals, but Chris is virtually useless when it comes to even cleaning a wound much less shaving a struggling animal and holding him while I incise and pack a wound. I may just take him to the clinic and get him doped on Valium before hand (vet prescribed)
Luckily our vet knows my history with working at Clinics and has no problem with letting ME give Kayne intramuscular, subcutaneous, and IV shots as long as he watches. Kayne has veins like a horse and if I can get a vein on a kitten who is barely three weeks old, he is like throwing a bowling ball down a hallway. Even the vets from Cornell said "If you are comfortable with it we will just let you start his IV"
The skills you learn working with a large dog who has serious anxiety and stranger aggression.
I swear my house looks like a minature pharmacy with all the butterfly IVs, needles, syringes, medications, IV bags, tubing, gauze, ointments, tapes, vet wrap...
And with Chris being accident prone the only thing that I DON'T have is sutures. Well at least if the apocalypse comes I will be able to treat wounds!
I kinda want to learn phlebotomy just so I can learn to draw my own blood blindfolded. Everyone seems to have trouble with it, but my sister in law could draw blood from a mouse. She is REALLY GOOD.
I am talking with my vet friend who is also a naturopath and told him I had tried drawing poultice on Kayne's foot. I said it looked better today, we agree that we will use the small wick and ichthammol and calendula pack for a few more days.
I don't want to put him on antibiotics because Bulldogs are already so low in immune response I don't want to lower it anymore.
Currently Kayne is sleeping with his stuffed monkey with his foot covered in a gauze and a clean sock.
Poor baby!
Oh a note on Dodger. Dodger Oliver "De Leon" Manlove is a cat bully.
BUT I have been giving all the cats "GoOD Cat!" and Bachs Rescue Rememdy. I put it on their noses and dilluted it and sprayed it on their bedding and food.
Dodger last night actually was trying to cuddle with Ani. Ani Louise was NOT HAVING THAT. and smacked him in the face.
Dodger ran over to me and slumped down hiding his face in my chest. I think he really wants to play and cuddle and the girls are just too old for that.
He even tries to get the dog to play with him.
Chris and I are torn. We think that having another cat would be a bad idea, but also think Dodger really needs someone to play with besides myself and Chris. We may offer to temporarily keep one of the girl Siamese from downstairs so Dodger has a playmate... We are still thinking about it, not wanting to go thru having the girls pee on our bed in anger.
Suggestions?
KJ
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Dodger De Leon-Westmoreland Pied Piper
So this is Dodger. I have known Dodger for three years. The first time I met him he was a neighborhood cat with a flea collar and terrible fleas. I thought "OK this is someones pet, I will just keep an eye on him." Then he brought us his sister when we were feeding some homeless feral cats. When he adopted out his sister I started looking for Dodger again. I saw him and he was no longer the fat, happy kitten. He was a tiny, skinny cat with worms, fleas, and ear mites. I took him in for long enough to treat him for everything and then let him go with a note on his collar: "If you are not going take care of this cat I WILL."
Finally I start seeing Dodger again when he begins bringing kittens to our feeding area. I remember sitting up in the middle of the night hearing his yowl. I went downstairs and dodger was standing over a tiny grey kitten. It was dead, covered in maggots, fleas, and obviously rolled by a car. I took him from Dodger and said "Sorry Mister D he is dead." Dodger looked at me and ran away. I put the kitten in a box by the garage and heard his yowl again. I turned to see him staring at me. I followed him to a tiny skinny soaking wet and filthy kitten. I scooped him up and turned to see Dodger watching me and then disappear.
The kitten died. I found two more and both died.
I was feeling really low, and then my own cat Billy died as well.
I said I was not going to trap anymore, I was taking a break from the feral kittens.
Dodger had other plans.
He first brought me twin tabbies, then Mama Siamese and her baby.
Each day he would watch for myself or my landlord to come home them one by one lead the kittens and their mother up to eat.
Enough was enough.
I trapped the tabbies, then Dodger. Still working on trapping three other strays.
Dodger was not sure why he was suddenly inside. It took him a day to let me touch him, another to let me pet him, and another to let me pick him up. He has the tabbies with him and shares his food bed and considerable bulk to make them feel safe.
He is un neutered, and has clouding on his eyes and non reticulating second lids. Same condition my tuxedo female has. He does not see well and no one treated him from what I can tell. He is covered with scars, has the thick coarse fur of an outdoor cat. He let me clean his ears (mites) and I gave him a dose of wormer. His teeth are not great but it is honestly a miracle in this neighborhood that he was not run over, or killed by a lose dog.
I went to the neighborhood I believed Dodger was from and knocked on every house asking if they were missing a cat. A woman said that an elderly woman up the street had died and had 2 black and white cats and since the son moved in they were relegated to outside.
I told Chris about the situation and my landlord. We agreed Dodger needs better care. He is home.
He will never wonder where to sleep, or where his next meal will come. He will never have to be sick and have no one provide help (we now have an emergency charge card JUST for the pets that has money put aside that can only be used at the vet)
He will be loved, spoiled, and all his "kittens" will be taken care of.
So that is the story of Dodger De Leon.
Finally I start seeing Dodger again when he begins bringing kittens to our feeding area. I remember sitting up in the middle of the night hearing his yowl. I went downstairs and dodger was standing over a tiny grey kitten. It was dead, covered in maggots, fleas, and obviously rolled by a car. I took him from Dodger and said "Sorry Mister D he is dead." Dodger looked at me and ran away. I put the kitten in a box by the garage and heard his yowl again. I turned to see him staring at me. I followed him to a tiny skinny soaking wet and filthy kitten. I scooped him up and turned to see Dodger watching me and then disappear.
The kitten died. I found two more and both died.
I was feeling really low, and then my own cat Billy died as well.
I said I was not going to trap anymore, I was taking a break from the feral kittens.
Dodger had other plans.
He first brought me twin tabbies, then Mama Siamese and her baby.
Each day he would watch for myself or my landlord to come home them one by one lead the kittens and their mother up to eat.
Enough was enough.
I trapped the tabbies, then Dodger. Still working on trapping three other strays.
Dodger was not sure why he was suddenly inside. It took him a day to let me touch him, another to let me pet him, and another to let me pick him up. He has the tabbies with him and shares his food bed and considerable bulk to make them feel safe.
He is un neutered, and has clouding on his eyes and non reticulating second lids. Same condition my tuxedo female has. He does not see well and no one treated him from what I can tell. He is covered with scars, has the thick coarse fur of an outdoor cat. He let me clean his ears (mites) and I gave him a dose of wormer. His teeth are not great but it is honestly a miracle in this neighborhood that he was not run over, or killed by a lose dog.
I went to the neighborhood I believed Dodger was from and knocked on every house asking if they were missing a cat. A woman said that an elderly woman up the street had died and had 2 black and white cats and since the son moved in they were relegated to outside.
I told Chris about the situation and my landlord. We agreed Dodger needs better care. He is home.
He will never wonder where to sleep, or where his next meal will come. He will never have to be sick and have no one provide help (we now have an emergency charge card JUST for the pets that has money put aside that can only be used at the vet)
He will be loved, spoiled, and all his "kittens" will be taken care of.
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Long Overdue, My fave things of Summer and Fall
I have been trying to grow out my nails and my hair. But due to being a demo chef I am constantly washing my hands, pans, and taking showers to wash away the grease, grime and sweat that comes with the food service industry.
Add 3 cats and a dog and I am up to my armpits in cleaning.
It was wreaking havoc on my already flimsy peeling nails and sahara dry hair.
So on recommendation by my nutritionist and some beauty blogger friends I began taking biotin, and Omega 3.6.9. as well as using Nail Life "revitalizer" original formula and Jojoba Tea Tree cuticle remover.
On the hair front I began to limit shampooing to twice a week using Paul Mitchel Tea Tree Shampoo and on other days when my hair felt dirty I used straight conditioner (Suave Rosemary and Mint) to "wash" my hair and then left a pea size amount of RenPure Organics "Help my pretty hair is parched!" on the ends of my hair from the ears down.
My hair definately went through a process of being MORE oily feeling during the first 2 weeks, then the ends began feeling fried once the weather heated up.
SO I added Vitamin E oil, Honey, Avocado, and Banana baby food mixed with conditioner on my hair every other week, and clarified my scalp on the opposite weeks with a 1/2 teaspoon baking soda mixed with a drop of shampoo and 8 ounces of warm water.
The result was that my scalp is no longer itchy, my ends are not as dry, my hair seems to be growing, and my face even looks better too!
Nail life I used 2 layers on bare nails, sometimes I put polish over it, sometimes I left it bare. On the fourth day I removed all polish, lightly buffed the nails, shaped them if needed and reapplied the Revitalizer. I noticed within a few days my nails were not peeling. Then in a week that my nails were SIGNIFICANTLY longer.
On my second bottle of revitalizer I recieved a bottle of "Cuticle Remover" by the same Nail Life company. I put a generous drop on my nail bed each night and massage it in, then follow with my normal Curel Fragrance free lotion.
I ave noticed my nails are getting long enough where "I" find them a little TOO long! This NEVER happened before.
Despite Nail Envy using formaldehyde as a hardener I find that it does not make my nails brittle or dry, they are flexible but strong. And if I use it as a top coat my polish stays perfect for 4 days, even with the amount of washing I do.
So these are my fave things Nail and Hair wise.
Also I have been in love with Revlon Lip Butters I loved the color and moisture (sans stickyness) so much that I bought a tube for every purse!
I just bought Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Cleansing Bar and Old Spice Matterhorn 12 hour odor control with moisture. I loved Old Spice Fiji 12 hour odor control with moisture so much I bought the deodorant. It is a green, earthy smell and from what I have smelled of Materhorn it reminds me of clean laundry, or clean cold air before it snows.
I will return to tell you if it lived up to my high expectations.
Add 3 cats and a dog and I am up to my armpits in cleaning.
It was wreaking havoc on my already flimsy peeling nails and sahara dry hair.
So on recommendation by my nutritionist and some beauty blogger friends I began taking biotin, and Omega 3.6.9. as well as using Nail Life "revitalizer" original formula and Jojoba Tea Tree cuticle remover.
On the hair front I began to limit shampooing to twice a week using Paul Mitchel Tea Tree Shampoo and on other days when my hair felt dirty I used straight conditioner (Suave Rosemary and Mint) to "wash" my hair and then left a pea size amount of RenPure Organics "Help my pretty hair is parched!" on the ends of my hair from the ears down.
My hair definately went through a process of being MORE oily feeling during the first 2 weeks, then the ends began feeling fried once the weather heated up.
SO I added Vitamin E oil, Honey, Avocado, and Banana baby food mixed with conditioner on my hair every other week, and clarified my scalp on the opposite weeks with a 1/2 teaspoon baking soda mixed with a drop of shampoo and 8 ounces of warm water.
The result was that my scalp is no longer itchy, my ends are not as dry, my hair seems to be growing, and my face even looks better too!
Nail life I used 2 layers on bare nails, sometimes I put polish over it, sometimes I left it bare. On the fourth day I removed all polish, lightly buffed the nails, shaped them if needed and reapplied the Revitalizer. I noticed within a few days my nails were not peeling. Then in a week that my nails were SIGNIFICANTLY longer.
On my second bottle of revitalizer I recieved a bottle of "Cuticle Remover" by the same Nail Life company. I put a generous drop on my nail bed each night and massage it in, then follow with my normal Curel Fragrance free lotion.
I ave noticed my nails are getting long enough where "I" find them a little TOO long! This NEVER happened before.
Despite Nail Envy using formaldehyde as a hardener I find that it does not make my nails brittle or dry, they are flexible but strong. And if I use it as a top coat my polish stays perfect for 4 days, even with the amount of washing I do.
So these are my fave things Nail and Hair wise.
Also I have been in love with Revlon Lip Butters I loved the color and moisture (sans stickyness) so much that I bought a tube for every purse!
I just bought Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Cleansing Bar and Old Spice Matterhorn 12 hour odor control with moisture. I loved Old Spice Fiji 12 hour odor control with moisture so much I bought the deodorant. It is a green, earthy smell and from what I have smelled of Materhorn it reminds me of clean laundry, or clean cold air before it snows.
I will return to tell you if it lived up to my high expectations.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
How Billy saved my life.
I have had several people ask me WHY Billy is so near and dear to me. I have beem hesitant to tell my story. So let me just say that I had crippling anxiety and was afraid to leave my campus room in college. I became obsessed with cleaning, organizing and straightening.
I could barely go to class much less sleep.
But my mother and best friend convinced me to adopt Billy because he didn't like anyone else, but immediately took to myself and my mother and best friend.
Because of Billy I stopped vacuuming obsessively (it terrified him) because of Billy I had to learn to leave my room, if only to get his food, litter, and toys. Because of Billy I had to see my best friend who shared custody of him. And because of Billy I had to spent a minimum of 30 minutes outside with him while he ran around on a leash.
I woke up, and went to bed only because He wanted me too. I went to class only because he was allowed to come with in my back pack and the professors and other students loved him so much.
I got therapy because Billy ran away from me into the therapist main office and endeared himself to one of the counselors.
To this day I still speak with her and send her pictures.
Billy in short made me live my life, he saved it.
There is more to this story, but those are the highlights. So because of Billy, I am a better person.
I could barely go to class much less sleep.
But my mother and best friend convinced me to adopt Billy because he didn't like anyone else, but immediately took to myself and my mother and best friend.
Because of Billy I stopped vacuuming obsessively (it terrified him) because of Billy I had to learn to leave my room, if only to get his food, litter, and toys. Because of Billy I had to see my best friend who shared custody of him. And because of Billy I had to spent a minimum of 30 minutes outside with him while he ran around on a leash.
I woke up, and went to bed only because He wanted me too. I went to class only because he was allowed to come with in my back pack and the professors and other students loved him so much.
I got therapy because Billy ran away from me into the therapist main office and endeared himself to one of the counselors.
To this day I still speak with her and send her pictures.
Billy in short made me live my life, he saved it.
There is more to this story, but those are the highlights. So because of Billy, I am a better person.
Friday, July 06, 2012
Insert title here
I am still alive. I have just been trying like MAD to keep myself healthy and take care of myself. Because I am on my feet for 26-48 hours out of the week and around all kinds of people (with my immune system of a wet hamster) I have to be cautious.
I have just reordered my supplements. I am trying a fish oil supplement even though I HATE fish and am worried about fish burps.
My friend the nutritionist told me if I take my bromelein and eat something at the same time it won't happen.
So my immune system and anti-inflammation supplements are as follows:
Vitamin D
Omega 3-6-9 with flax and chia oils
Quercetin and bromelain Supplement
Vitamin E
Daily Children's Jelly Bean multi (because the only way to make me take them was to put them in jelly bean form)
I wake up when Crash does in the morning and take my supplements, then go back to sleep for a while until Doguchupra decides I have rested too long and he wants to do things/that I have to get up for work.
Then I take morning meds and eat some cereal with my dogzilla. Feed Billy his slurry meat shake. Finally I get dressed, put my makeup on, and either go to work, or get going on my other chores (Turtle, dog, cat,cat,cat,or cat, fish tank, plants, laundry, cleaning, to name a few)
So all in all I am here, I am just tired a lot and working a lot.
KJ
I have just reordered my supplements. I am trying a fish oil supplement even though I HATE fish and am worried about fish burps.
My friend the nutritionist told me if I take my bromelein and eat something at the same time it won't happen.
So my immune system and anti-inflammation supplements are as follows:
Vitamin D
Omega 3-6-9 with flax and chia oils
Quercetin and bromelain Supplement
Vitamin E
Daily Children's Jelly Bean multi (because the only way to make me take them was to put them in jelly bean form)
I wake up when Crash does in the morning and take my supplements, then go back to sleep for a while until Doguchupra decides I have rested too long and he wants to do things/that I have to get up for work.
Then I take morning meds and eat some cereal with my dogzilla. Feed Billy his slurry meat shake. Finally I get dressed, put my makeup on, and either go to work, or get going on my other chores (Turtle, dog, cat,cat,cat,or cat, fish tank, plants, laundry, cleaning, to name a few)
So all in all I am here, I am just tired a lot and working a lot.
KJ
Sunday, May 06, 2012
Minnesota moonsick
The mundane bullshit in life is driving me partially insane. My rational mind knows that "This too shall pass" but all I can think about is ridding my mind of this incessant clutter.
I need a break from this. All this. This extreme stress to be a good friend, a good partner, a good dog owner, a good employee, a good person.
I want to sit on the deck of my one room cabin, stare at the moon and stars and be still and silent.
Now as I watch the moon from my Urban perch, staring as the clouds race accross the sky, I wonder are they Minnesota bound? Will those clouds make it all the way too the big sky, clear waters, and deep green of my home?
I hope they do.
Maybe born on those clouds my anxiety and stress will float towards home. Lay my weariness to rest in the deep sacred depth of the great lakes. Let loose my worries into an endless sky of stars so bright my chest clutches in memory.
If they can make it there, then so can I.
I need a break from this. All this. This extreme stress to be a good friend, a good partner, a good dog owner, a good employee, a good person.
I want to sit on the deck of my one room cabin, stare at the moon and stars and be still and silent.
Now as I watch the moon from my Urban perch, staring as the clouds race accross the sky, I wonder are they Minnesota bound? Will those clouds make it all the way too the big sky, clear waters, and deep green of my home?
I hope they do.
Maybe born on those clouds my anxiety and stress will float towards home. Lay my weariness to rest in the deep sacred depth of the great lakes. Let loose my worries into an endless sky of stars so bright my chest clutches in memory.
If they can make it there, then so can I.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Big Changes
So I am now SIGNIFICANTLY over my goal weight. Having pneumonia and giving up my gym membership really did a number on me.
I tried to work out at home but with a large dog, and three very curious cats and a fiance I could never relax.
I need a gym. I need a place I can go, relax, and do my physical therapy.
I decided that I am accepting that I have a sugar addiction. If there is sugary treats in the house, I want them. I don't want to "punish" or "restrict" myself from foods I enjoy. That said I need to limit my food splurges to ONE day a week and make it a day where I can burn off the splurge.
I am limiting my sugar, soda, carbohydrates not to get skinny, but because when I eat them I don't feel my best. My body functions the best on low glycemic High Protein food.
Add in that I enjoy vegetables and a good cheese, oil, or piece of meat and well its not really punishing myself.
So my basic idea is:
1. Always eat breakfast
2. Be hydrated with water
3. Check serving sizes and follow them, no eating out of the bag or 'guesstimates'
4. Don't eat after dark
5. On Splurge days, Splurge early.
6. Use protein not caffeine to get energy
7. Do at least 20 minutes of physical therapy and 20 minutes of vigorous activity a day
8. Track your food with how you feel, find out what makes you more energetic, what makes you less.
9. Try new things Kale, Swiss Chard I am looking at you!
10. Take your supplements!
Just little things I know. But I am hopeful that it will slowly help me to become more healthy and cut my chance of diabetes.
I tried to work out at home but with a large dog, and three very curious cats and a fiance I could never relax.
I need a gym. I need a place I can go, relax, and do my physical therapy.
I decided that I am accepting that I have a sugar addiction. If there is sugary treats in the house, I want them. I don't want to "punish" or "restrict" myself from foods I enjoy. That said I need to limit my food splurges to ONE day a week and make it a day where I can burn off the splurge.
I am limiting my sugar, soda, carbohydrates not to get skinny, but because when I eat them I don't feel my best. My body functions the best on low glycemic High Protein food.
Add in that I enjoy vegetables and a good cheese, oil, or piece of meat and well its not really punishing myself.
So my basic idea is:
1. Always eat breakfast
2. Be hydrated with water
3. Check serving sizes and follow them, no eating out of the bag or 'guesstimates'
4. Don't eat after dark
5. On Splurge days, Splurge early.
6. Use protein not caffeine to get energy
7. Do at least 20 minutes of physical therapy and 20 minutes of vigorous activity a day
8. Track your food with how you feel, find out what makes you more energetic, what makes you less.
9. Try new things Kale, Swiss Chard I am looking at you!
10. Take your supplements!
Just little things I know. But I am hopeful that it will slowly help me to become more healthy and cut my chance of diabetes.
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