2 months - AHHHH!!

2/11/16!!  February 11th!!  That's the last date I posted.  I'm such a slacker and I feel horrible!

Bear goes next week for laser eye surgery thanks to the lovely military.  He is excited and I can't wait because that's all I've been hearing about for the last 3 weeks since they approved his request.  I have a few patterns that I have finished and thought I would share, but not all at once.  Patience.

First, I love water and It Works products.  Both go hand in hand and I feel better, I have more energy, I feel better, not sluggish or empty.  I have my Contigo water bottle and I am in love with it.  It is the Cortland style, I find the one with the straw to be to forced and it requires a lot of draw to get the water.  I like to add ice before I leave for work and by the time I get to work, its cold, but not so cold I can't drink it.......I have overly sensitive teeth.  The sweating was driving me bonkers soooo I sat down one day and made a cozy for it.

Contigo Cortland Water Bottle Cozy.

SC: Single Crochet
DC: Double crochet
HDC: Half Double Crochet

I prefer a magic loop, but you can also start with a chain 5 and join tog.
DC 20 in the loop.
2 DC in each dc,
Now you have the base.

SC in the top loop of each all the way around and join tog to create the start of the sleeve
 Chain 1 and HDC in each stitch and join tog at end.

Continue until tall enough to cover the water bottle.  I found usually 33 rows does it.

To Create the security loop to hold up:
SC for 3 stitches.
HDC for 15 rows.  Secure where you feel works best for you when you insert the water bottle.

ENJOY!!!

Any questions feel free to ask.  I used 100% cotton yarn so it absorbs better but you can use any yarn you feel comfortable with.  It will stretch but after washing, especially if you use cotton it will shrink back down.

Thank fully for those waiting for the other patterns that I perfected in the 2 month hiatus, I will have my computer with me with we go for Bear's laser eye surgery next week since I have an Itworks online party to do while we are down there.  I will post one next week - oh no! - you might have to stay tuned! and another the week after.

If anyone is interested in joining the Itworks party, comment below (I have to approve it being posted, so if your concerned others will see, don't be) and I can find you on facebook and invite you so that you can learn more.  No harm in learning more and you don't have to commit to purchase.  Simply learn.  Or you can simply visit my ItWorks! Page to see and learn more.

Pet Education - a venting session

I know I mentioned before in the post about the dog park that unwanted pregnancies can cost upwards of 5K depending on where you live and the size of your dog.  Working in an emergency veterinary hospital I see a lot.  I'm not cruel to your pet, in fact, I'm a whole lot nicer to your cats and dogs, then I am to my own.  In my defense, I don't abuse either my dog or my cat, but I know there limits, I know that they know better, and a finger bop on the nose when they sniff for food, or holding there urine an extra few hours while I take care of your pet at work isn't going to hurt them. 

But I've digressed, and again I repeat..... SPAY AND NEUTER!!  Talk with your veterinarian about breeding if you want to breed your female.  If you can't afford to take your pet for all the vaccines, fine, I could preach to the choir what a lot of people do, if you can't afford the vet, you cant afford the vet, but I'm not going to because I know there are a lot of people who are going to give me grief and in this economy, while we can afford what we want, if something drastic were to happen and we needed to fork over a few thousand, most of us would be scraping everything, and asking friends.  BUT if you don't talk to your vet, cannot afford to take your long haired dog to the groomer, refuse to get her spayed, and purposely breed her because you think it will be quick money, I hate to tell you, its not that simple.

Don't expect the emergency hospital to do things for free when you have no money.  I love animals, I don't like to see them suffer, especially when it comes to owner stupidity, but I have my own bills to pay and mouths to feed.  A fashion designer loves designing but I don't see Louise Vuitton (or however it is spelled...Sorry) designing bags and other fashion items and giving them away.  Same thing.  I also don't get paid what I should for everything I do.  Therapist, anesthesiologist, nutritionist, phlebotomist, laboratory technician, and so much more, nurses in the medical field get paid 5-10 times more then I do, I'm not in it for the money.

Search what is toxic for your pets and if you think they might have call animal poison control, yes, they have one.  People get mad at me all the time for having them call with the response "But your a ER!"  Yes.  I know.  But there are SOO many medications out there, we cannot expect our doctors to remember how to treat for every single one.  The toxicologist there deal with it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  They know their stuff and how to treat.  Yes, it can be anywhere from $50-75 to call, but if they tell you not to worry, its better then driving to the vet, the $100 or more office visit depending on where you are, and at least at my hospital, we charge $100 for US to call poison control if you haven't already.  They will give you a report reference number -WRITE THAT DOWN - I cannot stress that enough.  They will tell you what to do at home and may tell you to bring your pet to the local emergency hospital or that you should monitor at home for symptoms and if you notice them to go to the ER.  But it is not a waste of money.  I've had to call.  I admit it.  Goober ate a piece of Fels-Naptha Soap when I was making homemade laundry detergent.  If your not sure, call poison control, or your local veterinary emergency hospital, they will be able to tell you its ok, or if they don't know, to call pet poison control.  When people call our hospital and start to get annoyed with me on the phone about referring them to poison control I like to break it down for them, our emergency exam is just shy of $100, our charge to call pet poison control is $100.  They will only charge $50-75, and they will be able to tell you if you actually have to come on in or if it is as simple as watching for a few simple symptoms at home.  I'm sure I'm going to get grief about our hospital charging $100 so I'll break it down - we have to as you questions about the product, name, manufacture, milligram dosage, about home much your pet ate, how long ago, any flavor additives, and more - we then have to relay ALL of that, plus data about your pet - name, age, weight, current presentation, to a representative who presents it to the toxicologist.  The hospital has to pay me to be on the phone with poison control, the phone call, and electricity, not to mention we also have to cover that $65 fee.

TIP:  If your dog or cat has a microchip - register it with Homeagain .  Its only $17.99/year, they offer A LOT for such a little price.  They will proactively send out lost pet fliers if you call them saying your pet is lost - they is quite a few hours you don't have to spend, making, copying, correcting, reprinting, and handing out.  If your pet is in another state they will help get him/her back to you with travel assistance, you get access to a 24/7 pet poison control line and lost pet line, and so much more.  Your pet doesn't have to have a Homeagain microchip to utilize the services.  And that 24/7 pet poison control hotline - that $65 or so charge to find out - WAIVED!!  I kid you not a year for $17.99 pays for itself if you have to call.  And better yet?  You only have to remember 1-888-HOMEAGAIN to get to the poison control.  No looking up numbers to find the one that they take.  call the same number you would to register your pet or renew for another year.

I'm sorry I had to vent.  This past work week has been stressful.  Between trying to coordinate Bears birthday in May with friends and family from his home state of Kansas and the "Boat (submarine) Family" (THEY COME HOME TOMORROW!!!) that he left last year for shore duty, and plan everything on top of working has been a pull my hair out week.

I just want to note that homeagain knows nothing of my endorsing them.  I simply believe that what they offer pays for itself in one use of any of their services.  And for $17.99 for the ENTIRE year??  That's like $1.25/month.  You cannot go wrong.

Birthday for Bear.

So Bear's birthday isn't until May 5.  However I was the worlds worst girlfriend last year and really slacked.  I mean I thought I did good for a gift, I got him all the supplies, or at least 90% of the supplies he needed to make his own vaping juice.  I got the propylene glycol, the vegetable glycerin, the nicotine, flavoring (it was at least 8 different flavors and he picked them!), as well as some containers to put the juice in to be able to carry it around.  However he has only made one batch and now orders from Mtbakervapor.com and loves it.  They really have only messed up on one order, otherwise he turns into a kid waiting for Christmas when they have been shipped and are on there way.

We have been talking for quite some time to go do a ropes course.  I found a deal on living social for a place kind of near us, it like 67% off, and I've been in contact with those from his old boat to join us since they are coming home from deployment (AHHHHH!!!!!) here in SIX days; and friends and family of his from back in Kansas seeing if they will come out and surprise him.  I also got a whale watching experience that I think I will use as well and make it into a birthday weekend so he can spend a few days with everyone and I can keep the surprises coming.  I'm trying to get everything in order and plans made early so that during the weeks before I can simply prep and not have to feel stressed or ill-prepared.  I know his parents won't be making it, so neither will his brother, it now just a waiting on his sister and friends back home as far as whether or not they can make it out.  I mean, five months in advanced should be plenty of time right??



 

Dog Park Etiquette and Pet ownership

So Cain and I went to the dog park earlier today and I realized why I have never gone by myself and why Bear has come with me.  As a vet tech I have to deal with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments in the hospital, I don't want to have to do my job, veterinary advice or education when I'm not at work.  Don't get me wrong, I love teaching and educating and don't mind doing it when I'm not at work, but there are some dog people that you cannot reason with or even educate because they refuse to see anything but what they want to.

I'm sure you could find things similar on the web, but after I my last straw got tested today there are some things that I would like to point out, from pet owner perspective, and veterinary professional.  I'm not trying to scare people, but there are things I have noticed that need to be addressed.

-There is always a small dog play area and large dog play area.  If there is a single small dog in the "small dog area", and a few large in the "large dog area", ask all large dog owners if their ok with the small dog coming over, OR ask the small dog owner if he or she is ok with large dogs and invite the small dog over to the large dog area.  As a small dog owner and having owed large dogs as well, and working with them on a nearly daily basis, small dogs can handle playing with large, they aren't as fragile as we make them out to be.  Besides, the point of taking your dog to the dog park is to allow them to socialize and exert their energy in an attempt to tire them out.    If pet owners work together everyone, including pets, will benefit.

-Don't skimp on your vet.  There are infectious diseases out there that can ultimately kill your pet.  Rabies and Parvovirus are two things you don't want to mess with.  Rabies is basically a death sentence unless vaccinated prior to any potential exposure.   Parvovirus affects the GI tract and can without treatment can lead to death.  Treatment is typically a good 2-3K or more depending on where you are located.  With an annual vet visit usually between $50-75 and vaccinations $25-40 each you can keep your own pet healthy as well as prevent to spread of the diseases.  Kennel cough is another one, its easier to spend the few bucks on a vaccine then to provide the treatment.

-Your veterinarian only wants to keep your pet healthy.  No one in the field is really in it for the money.....SERIOUSLY!  As much as you may feel it is expensive, what you never see is the bills your insurance pay when you visit the doctor or emergency room and those are much more expensive.  When your veterinarian recommends a fecal exam, its because you can also get those pesky little intestinal parasites that pets can pick up.  They spread through fecal-oral route and when your at the dog park, I'm sure your bound to get those few pet owners that don't pick up after their pet.  Talk with your veterinarian about running at least 4 fecal exams a year - depending on how often you go to the dog park, or interact with other dogs.  Dog parks provide poop bags, grab a few extra, and hand them out if you notice an owner doesn't have one when his or her dog does it's 'business' and they don't pick it up.  A simple "Here, I have an extra you can use" is polite, and doesn't make the other owner feel like you are telling them what to do so they don't get defensive.

-Spay and Neuter your pets and leave dog aggressive dogs at home.  Intact dogs - both make and female - can be more aggressive. C-sections on dogs can go upwards up 5k if your dogs needs one, x-rays prior and prenatal care can add up, plus if you don't get any families interested in adopting a puppy, you now have, depending on the breed, anywhere from 1-15 puppies, that you now have to vaccinate, feed, house, care for, and train.  As far as aggression goes, it depends on the area, but some towns and townships have law protecting those owners whose pets have been attacked.  The aggressor's owner's may have to pay for all medical expenses, and the dog may have to be quarantined, or even potentially put down.  It can be embarrassing to tell people your dog doesn't like other dogs, but its better to be honest, and keep everyone happy, then have a police report and a potential worse case scenario of losing your four legged companion.  Arrive early when there is less likely to be any other dogs if your dog doesn't play well with others.  Believe me, even the best dogs, have their faults, they may be perfect for us, and we love them, faults and all, but they like us as humans, aren't perfect. 

-Leave the toys and food at home!!!  Dogs can be like kids and not want to share.  Even the friendliest dog can become aggressive over a toy or a kibble.  If you offer your dog a treat, the other dogs are going to probably stick there noses in to see what you have and they may get defensive about what they consider is theirs and become the aggressor should the other dog or dogs chose to engage.  I have noticed that the parks tend to have some tennis balls and maybe a rope toy or two scattered around.  Utilize those and monitor your dog for any possessive behaviors they may develop.

-Take off everything.  Let them play naked.  It didn't happen at a dog park, it happened at home, and the owners came into the ER with one deceased dog, and another, very bloody, very shaken up, and terrified companion.  What happened?  We don't know, owners weren't home and they said they came home to find both choke chains entangled, one dog already gone, and the other absolutely terrified.  It's not just choke chains, prong collars too - I've seen the prongs get lodged into the neck from them pulling, and again, not just prong collars, regular collars - the ones with the buckles or snaps.  I had a very shaken up owner one night, again happened at home when no one was there, bring her small dog in, his tongue was basically dead, he had gotten the collar in his mouth and his tongue wrapped up in in some how that his tongue went for a long enough time without blood supply that it was basically dead.  Now both of these happened at home, imagine when dogs are playing, rough and tumble, biting at each others necks, it could only then be worse.  Don't risk your dogs life, or another dogs life.  Remove all collars, head lead, and harnesses.  If there is an owner that leaves it on, don't be afraid to ask them to remove it, explain it could be a hazard if another dogs jaw gets stuck and they panic, it could lead to broken teeth, jaw, or even neck.  Most pet owners with understand and go ahead and remove it.

As I think of more or notice more things that could cause you and your four-legged children and family members harm I will post them

Happy 2016!!

Its the beginning of a new year.  I've been terrible on keeping up this up to date with patterns and my own progress.  It is now the beginning of a new year, and a new me.  The past few months I have been on a crochet frenzy.  I think my poor boyfriend is sick of seeing yarn (even though he is now learning how to crochet and is making his own blanket) and together we have made a few "New Year's Resolution's".

-Be more active.  We have decided we want to do at least four 5K's.  We figure it gives us time to be able work up to it, we aren't fat, but neither one of us could run a 5K and be ok after, but it also isn't just one and done.
-Save more.  We learned we are less inclined to spend small bills like $1's and $5's, and all loose change.  We dug up what loose coinage there was around and we found close to $20 already.  But its not just money; being able to utilize Pinterest and its ability to allow frugality by making your own cleaning supplies for less then at the store and in larger amounts, as well as utilizing coupons.  We aren't trying to be on 'Extreme Couponing' or anything but 10, 25, and 50¢ certainly add up.
-Create more.  He is at least supportive of my inability to sit still, and always having to be doing something.  So by encouraging keeping my hands busy with crochetinghe is less likely to be irritated with my shuffling about around the apartment doing things.

I have a project in the works.  I can't say that I created the whole thing, or that someone else hasn't already done it, but I haven't found a pattern or it anywhere online.  As soon as I have it done and I've approved of it, I will post it for anyone to be able to use. 

Hope everyone has a happy, healthy, prosperous, and crafty 2016!!

Create, CReate CREate CREAte CREATe CREATE!!!!

And I have been doing just that!!  Amazing!!

I want to mention a few other things in this post as well.

I have a pattern for an infinity scarf!!  HOORAY!! 

But first, I found this amazing site!!!  I am a godmother x3 - I have my godson, and my two goddaughters and I can NEVER find anything during the holidays or birthdays that says or shows godmother -goddaughter/godson status; whether its clothes or cards.  This right here has them!!!!!!!!!!!  My godson just turned 7(!!!!!) on sunday (4/6) and I got him a shirt and just because I was there I got shirts for my goddaughters tooooo!!!!!!!!!!!  I may be going back and purchasing the keychain too.   I was so so so so so so so sooooo excited!!!!  Here is the link to the site!!!!

I have also gotten into this going green phase.  composting, reusing items, I've reused paper towels, rinsed them, let them dry and used them again, saving things, and we got rain last night and late last week too and I used the rain water to water my indoor plants rather than from the tap.  Little things - but I have noticed that my families trash can now fills up about once per week rather than 3-4 times per week.  I even started a loom knitting project with plarn!!!!  I'll post that pattern once I have completed the project but if anyone wants to try it out this shop here has plarn already done up - it ships to you and you just start your project like you would start with yarn.  I found it saves the hassle of sitting there from hours on end trying to make it yourself.  Plus, I purchased from a few different places just to see - this shop's has been sturdier and held up a lot better - its also what is known as double ply in the plarn world - so its double stranded.  The other ones I bought - I purchased from I believe 8 different places - 6 were only a single strand, and the only other one that was double ply was thinner strips and I felt like I was retying pieces together every ten minutes or so.  If you find a different shop that has a good quality as well just let me know and I can add it to the list :D

So those were the other two things I wanted to let everyone in on.  Below is the pattern for the infinity cowl/scarf.  It is a stripped multicolor cowl/scarf so you will want 3-4 different colors to create the look.  My sister has my finished one down at school with her, and I unfortunately don't have any pictures of it.  I have started a new one and will upload pictures as it gets bigger

Items needed:
2-3 pairs of circular needles (all the same size)
1-2 DPN's (double pointed needles)  (same size as circular)
1-2 skeins of each color (same brand and coordinating colors work best)
Needle tip covers (optional)

((Side note: Your can use almost any stitch for this pattern.  If you have a favorite you can use it.  I just stuck with a knit stitch, I love the flat look it makes especially with the stripes.  ALSO I found my Knit Picks Interchangeable Needle set worked amazing for this)

To start:

On circular needles; cast on the number of stiches you wish to create the desired finished length.  You can start with any of your colors, just be sure to write down the order you with to use them in.  I will be referring to them as "Color A", "Color B", "Color C", and "Color D".

Your are going to begin back at the beginning where you began to cast on.  If you are using 3 colors, you are going to want to slide (CAREFULLY!) 20 stitches onto a double pointed needle (DPN).  If you are using 4 colors, your are going to want to slide 30 stitches onto a DPN.

Make a loop like you are going to cast on with "Color B".  Using another pair of circular needles, knit in your desired stitch across until the end - you should have two live ends of yarn on that end.

Once again you are going to begin back at the beginning.  Slide ten stitches back onto the beginning of the circular needles.  Leaving your last ten if you are using 3 colors, and 20 if you are using 4 colors.

Make a loop like you are going to cast on with "Color C".  Again using another pair of circular needles, knit in your desired stitch across until the end - you should now have 3 live ends of yarn on that end.

((For those only using three colors scroll down to **CONTINUE**))



Once again you are going to being back at the beginning.  Slide ten stitches back onto the beginning of the circular needles.  Leaving your last ten on DPN.

Make a loop like you are going to cast on with "Color D".  Again using another pair of circular needles, knit in your desired stitch across until the end - you should now have 4 live ends of yarn on that end.




**CONTINUE**

So you have used all your colors but still have ten unknit cast on stitches on your needles??  PERFECT!  This is what you want.

Make sure that your word is facing the same direction at both ends of the circular needles, making sure that no twist managed to sneak in.

YOU CAN NOW JOIN IN THE ROUND!!!

The first few rows while easy it takes some getting used to.  Using "Color A" knit those ten cast on stitches. 

Done?  Ok now keep going until you have reached the rest of the yarn!  Drop "Color A" and pick up "Color B" and knit the circle.

Drop "Color B" and pick up "Color C" and knit in a circle.  You want to be sure that you don't twist the yarn when picking it up the back of your work does begin to look like a continuous  knit. ( I found different tote bags for each color worked)

Using four colors??  Drop "Color C" and pick up "Color D"

Continue until you have your desired width.  I staggered the ending of each one.
Using "Color A" knit around and begin your cast off at 20 stitches left.
Using "Color B" knit around and begin your cast off at 20 stitches left.  Cast of "Color C" entirely if your using only three colors.

Four colors??

Using "Color C" knit around and begin your cast off at 20 stitches left.
Cast off "Color D" entirely.


Hopefully this makes sense.  If you have any questions feel free to ask. :D

Cain's Post of Shame!

I've seen lots of dog shaming pics online and after this last week with Cain, I decided he needed to join the ranks of shame.

His very first shaming reads:

Mommy has PTSD, sometimes she gets up in the middle of the night and sleeps in my pen/kennel with ME, so I potty on her!!  Mommy is always unaware until daddy wakes her up in the morning!
- I'm not sorry!
Love, Cain
P.S. I do have potty pads in my pen!!!