Red Meat: The Real Story. Grand Canyon.

"Fatty cuts of beef, ground beef (especially if less than 85 percent lean), lamb, pork, sausage, hot dogs, and bacon are all culprits. Deli meats, too, can contain high levels of fat. In addition to being linked to an increased risk of heart disease, eating large amounts of fatty red meat increases your overall calorie intake, possibly leading to excess weight and obesity.

Red Meat: Cancer Research

"A recent study from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) found that if your diet includes a lot of red meat and processed meat (like salami, bacon, or deli meats), rather than non-processed white meat (skinless chicken and turkey), you may have a shortened life span because of the link to heart disease and cancer.
The study specifically noted that people who ate the most red meat increased their risk of death by more than 30 percent compared to those who ate the least. This included death from heart disease and cancer."
More at : http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/red-meat.aspx
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Today:

Ray pressure washed the back of our houses.  That north side gets green with algae, if we don't keep on top of it.

It was cooler today, so a good day to go shopping.  It is so awful when the car sits in the blazing sun in the parking lots. 
Also, if we are going to be in the backlash of Hurricane Alex, I wanted to make sure I had everything necessary.  The road below my place, floods when there is a lot of rain, so I have to go the long way round to the freeway.
Another reason for going today is that so many people get their checks on the first of the month, so the 30th is a good day to avoid the crowds.

But even though it was overcast and cooler, the humidity was so high that we had to run the AC. That was the situation all last month when it was so humid, I'd turn the AC down to get the water out of the air.  I just received my highest electric bill, ever!

Jay and I didn't get to Lowes, but we got most things on our lists, and even picked up a few bargains at some thrift shops. I got a little Willow pattern cup and saucer.

Before I left, Animal Control picked up the little Siamese cat, and we also gave them a stray boxer dog that had been hanging around Claudia's for a couple of weeks.  She couldn't even walk out of her fence without this dog snarling at her.
I hope they will be re-homed, but until we have more responsible people spaying and neutering their pets, there are not enough good homes to go around.

Pamala and Nigel sent a message to their daughter Heidi in England, that they were in a helicopter flying over the Grand Canyon.



That would be a great thing to be doing today!

Why is the Sky Blue? Siamese Rescued. Just Painting.

"On a clear sunny day, the sky above us looks bright blue. In the evening, the sunset puts on a brilliant show of reds, pinks and oranges. Why is the sky blue? What makes the sunset red?
To answer these questions, we must learn about light, and the Earth's atmosphere."
Explanation here: http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/sky_blue.html
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"The case was finally settled by Einstein in 1911, who calculated the detailed formula for the scattering of light from molecules; and this was found to be in agreement with experiment.  He was even able to use the calculation as a further verification of Avogadro's number when compared with observation.  The molecules are able to scatter light because the electromagnetic field of the light waves induces electric dipole moments in the molecules."
More at: http://www.phys.ncku.edu.tw/mirrors/physicsfaq/General/BlueSky/blue_sky.html
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Or this one might seem easier to understand: http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/misrsky/misr_sky.shtml
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Today:

I rake the back yard each day, as it is where the pine needles congregate on the grass, which is not good for it.  It is also where the dogs do their thing, so that gets raked up too.  It can't just stay there, it is unhealthy and would attract flies.  Ray and I got that hauled to the burn pile first thing.

Then we started on some more repairs to the contractor's paint and caulking that they did years ago.  This time Ray removed the old glue and yellowed caulk that was making my tub/shower enclosure look ugly.  Also he repainted around the cupboard in there.  That yellowing paint and caulk that they used in some places, is really horrible.

As he was painting the door and trim inside my bedroom door, a 'lady' came to the front door, just as I was taking the dogs out. 
She had a boy in tow, carrying a small Siamese cat, and she said they were looking for Zeb, Ray and Shay's son, who lives next door to me on the east side. She had knocked on his door, but got no answer. There is just my guest house where Ray and Shay live on the west side, as I am on a corner.
 
So she asked me if I was Zeb's mother and I said no, so she said that she thought Zeb's parents lived here.  I called to Ray, and he came out there.  She borrowed Ray's cell phone and called someone, and it was apparent that she was not only vehicle-less, but might even be homeless, too.

 The boy said that he had found the cat, and as he had always wanted one, he was going to keep it.  The boy and the cat were soaked in perspiration, I could see that the little cat was thirsty, so I put water in the outside water dish, and the boy said " It's hot, so I thought we could come inside". 

I wasn't about to let them in, something wasn't quite right!

I asked him how far he was going to carry the cat, and he said that they were going to walk back into town, 5 miles.  So I told him that the cat would die of the heat, if it didn't jump out of his arms and get run over, and that I would take care of it.

I took it inside to an isolation cage, and got it set up with water, food and a box.  It was very hungry.  At that time, Shay came up, and she told the gal, in no uncertain manner, not to ever knock on Zeb's, mine or her doors ever again, and they walked off.

Apparently, this gal and her son had wheedled their way into a neighbor's house on another street, where Shay works sometimes.  The gal has a heroin addiction, and had stolen stuff from there.  She was looking for Zeb, to hit him up for money, or something.  He had unknowingly given her a ride into town one day, so now she thought he would be a soft touch.

I save animals, so now I hope someone can save the boy.  The gal is teaching him to be a grifter. (A grifter is someone who swindles you through deception or fraud.)

I knew that our SPCA didn't have any more room for cats, so I listed the little intact male Siamese cat as 'Found' on http://www.petbarbor.com/ right away.  I didn't know if they had stolen someone's pet. It might have been picked up by them, just for the purpose of gaining entry.
Then I wrote to the closest Siamese Rescue, and told them it was here, or I would turn it into Animal Control, and they could pull it from there.

For a Siamese, I am very surprised that he isn't vocal.   He is a cutie, grateful for any food or care, and has been so good    So I have one more to feed today!

New England Lobsters. Grooming.

"It's unclear why, exactly, southern New England lobsters are faring so poorly while other populations remain healthy. Scientists think that warming waters caused by climate change may leave lobsters vulnerable to disease. This kills some lobsters off and pushes others to scurry away to deeper, colder waters.
Lobstermen are naturally furious about the proposed ban, but researchers say it's the only way to give southern New England lobsters a fighting chance. And if the plights of other marine-dwelling creatures are any indication, I'd have to say I agree with the scientists.


Just look at how populations of bluefin tuna, swordfish, and sharks have plummeted in recent years. Even though many environmental groups continue to call for it, fishing bans on these species still haven't been put in place. Therefore population numbers continue to dwindle.
Even though southern New England lobsters' low numbers may not be due to overfishing, it's clear that we need to stop eating them in order to help the species get healthy and rebound."
More at: http://food.change.org/blog/view/should_lobster_fishing_be_banned
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Today:

Kenya brought "Duffy", a rescue Maltese/Poodle mix for me to try to groom him.  He had never been groomed before, and was a terrible mess.  I have done these before, and apart from not liking to be groomed, their fur mats up so tight, and is such a job, that I wish folks wouldn't mix these two breeds. 
It is so hard on these dogs as they don't have the poodle hair or poodle temperament, to put up with what they have to go through, with that fine matting coat.  

Poodles have their face, feet and tail clipped when they are 6 weeks old, before they have a sense of teenage rebellion, and from then on, they are easy to groom.

Kenya tried to hold him still while I clipped away at the big, close mats, millimeter by millimeter. But like most Maltese/Poodle mixes he is a "jerker", and so I had to be extra careful that he didn't jerk right into the clippers or scissors.  We did what we could, even with the vet's permission to give him 1/2 tablet of Acepromazine to sedate him a bit.  I have never groomed a dog that had to be sedated before, but it didn't seem to make any change in his disposition!  

After four hours I had him all done, except his face.  There was no way he was going to let us do that, and with all his jerking, I didn't want to chance it.  We both got bitten, even though he was wagging his tail!  So he will be anesthetized at the vet tomorrow, and have his face done that way.  This is the first time in over 50 years that I couldn't finish grooming a dog.

A very tiring, rainy day.

RV Electricity! Pergola.

"There’s not much of a faster way to ruin your day than to have an electrical fire. That acrid smell, perhaps accompanied by the grating sound of arcing, then that smoke. When an RV catches fire, it usually puts on a spectacular show, but it doesn’t last long.
RV fires can be caused by many things, some of which can be prevented. Loose electrical connections produce heat, and heat in turn, fire. RVs, because of bouncing down the road, put up plenty of vibrations that can lead to loose electrical connections. What’s to be done? Follow a regular schedule of tightening your electrical fittings."
More at : http://www.rvtechtips.com/?p=250

It’s only fittin’ to tighten your fittings
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"Watch this brief overview about how 120-Volt AC operations work in an RV and pick up some valuable troubleshooting tips to find shorts, intermittent electrical problems, and the most common electrical failures. This three-minute video is excellent. Every RVer should watch it."
http://www.rvvideos.com/2010/06/how-120-volt-rv-electric-system-works.html
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Today:

Ever since we worked on the pergola, every time it rained, water had been coming down in front of my front door porch.  I couldn't get in or out of the house, or to the van without getting wet.  One piece of gutter hadn't been put back up.

So I leashed Paco and we went to pick up Jay.  There was a stray Boxer dog loose in their yard, so I couldn't put Paco down to walk him.  The disadvantages of having such a little dog.  So we went on their fenced porch, and Maddie, the tiny Yorkie, was out there. 
She is an excitable little critter and she pawed at my legs while I held Paco up away from her.  I didn't think he wanted to be hassled by her so soon after his surgery on each end. That scratching got my Dermatographism going, so I had itchy red welts on my legs.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatographic_urticaria
We brought Maddie back here.

Jay got up on the house roof and replaced the gutter that he had taken down, over the pergola.  I was 'gofer', handing him screws, tools, etc. in the bucket on a rope. 
We took one part of the lattice down again, and put another ledger board up there to hold the pergola roof a bit higher, hoping to make it drain better, and replaced the lattice.  We will see how that works, next time it rains.  20% chance tomorrow.

Jay helped me put my shower rod and curtains back up, since I just washed them.  I clipped around Maddie's face and tail, as she was getting straggly, and applied her Revolution for this month, to avoid fleas, heartworms, mange, mites, etc. https://www.revolution4dogs.com/default.aspx

Our high was 96 deg., but humid, at 3.00 PM today.

Don't Fall for These Tricks. Santa Rosa, Rte. 66

Don't Fall For These Labeling tricks:

"The benefits of 100% whole grains are piling up faster than endorsement offers in Michael Phelps's inbox. And so are the number of products touting whole grains on their labels. The trouble?
Labels don't always present an accurate picture of what's inside, and the product that appears to be good for you on the label may have all the nutritional goodness of a gum wrapper.

 Why do you want whole grains? They contain the bran and the germ of the grain, which have more nutrients than the endosperm (those are the real names -- we didn't make them up) that you get with refined or enriched grains.

Whole grains are absorbed more slowly than foods made from enriched or bleached flour, so they raise glucose and insulin levels less and keep YOU feeling fuller longer.

A diet rich in whole grains may also help steer you around cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, even gum disease -- not to mention the pain of having to buy bigger pants.

But not all foods that tout whole grain or whole wheat provide it in the healthiest form. You want the grain to have all of its original components. Here are a few fake-out label words to watch for:

Made with whole grains: It may have a pinch of whole grains, but unless it's 100%, you won't reap most of the potential benefits.

Multigrain: This tells you nothing about whether the grains are whole or refined. Even if you're getting 38 different grains, that isn't much good if they are all refined.

Whole grain: If the label doesn't say "100% whole grain," it may have many grain blends. Bad words to see paired with "flour": enriched, bleached, unbleached, semolina, durum, and rice.


What it should say: "100% whole grain" or "100% whole wheat." "

From: http://www.realage.com/blogs/doctor-oz-roizen/dont-fall-for-these-label-tricks?click=p4link1

RealAge Benefit:
Choosing whole grains rather than processed grains can make your RealAge 1.2 years younger if you are a man and 2.3 years younger if you are a woman.
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Today:

Not a lot going on, mostly tending to my doggies after their surgeries, and just getting a few jobs done, like washing the bathroom rugs, and some cooking.

I heard from Pamala and Nigel.  They are on Route 66 going westward:  http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-main.html

They have gone through TX on Route 66:
"Almost immediately after leaving the rolling hills of Oklahoma, you feel different as you enter the vast plains of the Texas Panhandle. It is easy to imagine how it might have once been to be a lone-rider in the midst of what was a wild and primitive country just a little more than a century ago. It is here that old Route 66 stretched across the Llano Estacado (the Staked Plains) and where the romance of cattle-driving days still drifts through the many small towns of the Texas Prairie.
As for the Mother Road, when you glance at a map, Route 66 looks as if it is easy to follow. Though more than 150 miles of the original 178 miles that crossed Texas still remain, you will actually need to keep your eyes wide open in order to not miss the vintage architecture and many landmarks that dot the landscape." 
More at: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-texasroad.html


Now, they are in New Mexico, and tonight they are staying at the US Army Corps of Engineers
Santa Rosa Lake Recreation Area: http://www.spa.usace.army.mil/recreation/sr/index.htm

"When Route 66 was completed through Santa Rosa in 1930, transportation services again increased in the city. During the days of early Route 66, after travelers had tired of the long, hot, dusty miles, Santa Rosa became known as a welcome and well-known oasis in the desert. Travelers arrived in Santa Rosa to eat, rest, and perform car repairs, if necessary, at the many motels, cafes and service stations that lined the highway.
The old road ran into town past the 81-foot-deep Blue Hole and Park Lake, a motorist campground and source of water during the Depression. Scenes in Rudolfo Anaya's award-winning novel, Bless Me, and John Steinbeck's, Grapes of Wrath, took place on Route 66 at the Pecos River Bridge."
More at:  http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-santarosa.html
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"The numerical designation 66 was official assigned to the Chicago-to-Los Angeles route in the summer of 1926.
Route 66 starts in Chicago, Illinois and ends in Santa Monica, California.
The Corvette has become a Route 66 icon.
91% of the original Route 66 is still in use in Texas."
More at: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/66-facts.html
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I sure wish I was on that trip, today.

Strokes Strike Younger People, Too. Meissen. Post-Op.

"Until I read the reports of Beau Biden’s stroke, I didn’t know that perhaps 15 percent of strokes strike individuals under the age of 45."    http://abcnews.go.com/Health/beau-biden-son-vice-president-joe-biden-stroke/story?id=10605806

"A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain, or a blood vessel in the brain bursts and begins to bleed into the brain. Either way, blood flow to the brain is decreased, which deprives that area of oxygen, risking damage and loss of function."

F A S T is the perfect acronym, since time is definitely of the essence. Clot-buster drugs can improve prognosis if given within very early — preferably within three hours of the start of stroke symptoms.

F = FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?

T = TONGUE Ask the person to stick it out to see if lopsided.


If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1.
More at: http://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/health-news-you-can-use/strokes-strike-younger-people-too/#comment-186
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Stop a Stroke with This Many Walks:

From: http://www.realage.com/tips/stop-a-stroke-with-this-many-walks?eid=7193&memberid=22654565
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About 7.00 PM last night, the still dopey dogs arrived home from their surgeries.   I was glad to have them back, safe and sound.  One of the other foster moms, Chris, had picked up all the SPCA patients from the vet in Spring, TX.   As Chris lives close to me, she brought them to my house.  It was her first visit here, and she loved the set up in my middle room and grooming room.

We let Misty out of her carrier, and she dozily got in her bed in the grooming room.  The vet had been running late and Misty's dental was the last surgery to be done.  She did get up and stagger around a little, so Patches, the foster cat, just rubbed against her, as if to say " Oh, I am so glad you are back".

Paco was so glad to be back here that his little tail was thumping against the inside of the carrier.  Kenya had told me that Paco wouldn't go out for her while he was there, so I didn't even bring him in the house, but carried him down the walkway to the back yard, so he was glad to relieve himself.  He was just as woozy as Misty, but he had surgeries at each end, (neutering and dental).  Then he came in the house and got in his bed under my bed. 
I had removed their water bowls, as they can only lick ice cubes after surgery, and gave them their meds, as prescribed.  Misty's right away, and had to wait until 10.00PM for Paco.

This morning, as I was getting their breakfasts and meds ready, something didn't look right.  According to the directions, 5 lb Paco would be getting more pain medication than 15 lb Misty.   Then I investigated, and it had a different SPCA dog's name, "Poppie", on the package.  I called Kenya, and she got the dosage straightened out.  Gee, I would have had a really zonked out dog!  If I had had to give them both their meds at the same time last night, I would have caught it then.

I should have gone shopping yesterday while the dogs were at the vet, but it was raining, so Jay and I went into the next town today.

We did stop at some thrift shops, and I bought a wooden cheese tray with a Meissen Blue Onion* china slicing area.  We ate off real Meissen Blue Onion dinnerware when I was living in Paris with my father and German stepmother, and I have always liked the blue pattern on that china.

* Click on their little picture, and you will see what they charge for Meissen:
"It was in Meissen that perhaps the most famous of all antique China dinnerware was produced by Europeans, the unmistakable blue-and-white "Onion" pattern.  While modeled as closely as possible after a pattern first produced by the Chinese (for European consumption) the plates and bowls styled in the Meissen factory in 1740 adopted a feel that was distinctly their own.  This was largely due to the fact that the flowers and fruits pictured on the original Chinese pattern were unknown to the Meissen painters, and thus they created hybrids that more closely resembled ones more familiar to Europeans. 

The so-called "onions" are not onions at all, but according to historians, are most likely mutations of the peaches and pomegranates modeled on the original Chinese pattern.  The "Onion" pattern that resulted has become one of the most replicated in the world, with versions produced by hundreds of porcelain factories throughout Europe and Asia since that time.  Many original pieces of Meissen Blue Onion dinnerware can be found in the Rarest Treasure collection."
More at:   http://www.antique-china-porcelain-collectibles.com/meissen_history.htm

I doubt if it is real Meissen, and as the china cutting area is stuck to the tray, I can't see the back and any marks there.

I also bought some navy shorts, and a very cute white blouse at one of the thrift shops. Another thrift shop was having a 50% off remodeling sale, so I bought a white toaster oven ($3).  It will match the rest of my white small appliances.  Now, I can get rid of the black one I have been using.

A quick stop at Kroger's to get a few things, and I had bought enough items this month to buy gas for $2.39 there today.

Hidden Corn Everywhere. Doggie Dental.

Yesterday, Sandra said that Gordon might have a 'corn sensitivity': 
"Then we stopped at Natural Food Pantry to pick up some gluten free bread and also bread mix. Since Gordon hasn't been eating corn tortillas, he's been eating more bread. All symptoms point to a possibility that he's developed a sensitivity to corn."
From: http://srmerrikinblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/tuesday-wednesday-june-22-23-2010.html
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What Is The Difference Between Allergy, Intolerance And Sensitivity?
See:  http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems/allergies-intolerance&sensitivity.htm

But corn and High Fructose Corn Syrup are everywhere:

"Lick a gummed envelope flap to seal it, and you’ve just tasted corn.  Lather up with shampoo, and you’ve got corn seeping in to your pores.  Brush your teeth, and you’ve got corn in your mouth.  Walk past the perfume counter in any department store, and you’ve just inhaled corn into your lungs.  The madness doesn’t end here.  Corn is everywhere.

For those of us with corn allergies, it’s not just the corn-on-the-cob and the hush-puppies that are the problem, thank you very much.  No, it’s the vitamin D in fortified milk, the food-grade wax coating fresh produce, the dextrose mixed into iodized salt, the citric acid used to rinse loose greens and baby carrots, and the cornstarch filler in baking powder. A friend of mine used to joke that I couldn’t even drink water, and that’s not far-fetched.  If you’ve taken a sip from a bottle of mineral-enhanced water recently, you’ve swallowed corn."
More at: http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/02/20/corn-allergy-sufferers-face-hidden-corn-everywhere/

Even in Subway's "9-grain" bread:
http://www.slashfood.com/2010/06/22/subway-sandwich-lettuce-tomato-high-fructose-corn-syrup/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl3|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashfood.com%2F2010%2F06%2F22%2Fsubway-sandwich-lettuce-tomato-high-fructose-corn-syrup%2F
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It is getting more and more difficult to eat without somebody tampering with our food: http://www.naturalnews.com/022194.html
Even certain toilet bowl cleaners are in our food: http://www.aolhealth.com/2009/11/09/food-ingredients/

And it is all about the money. 
Companies will sell you anything to make a buck, even the stuff that isn't good for you.
It all comes back to reading, and understand, the labels.
_______________

Today:

Doggie Dental and Neutering Surgery.

Yesterday afternoon I was supposed to meet my SPCA boss, Kenya with the three dogs that were having surgery today.  She would keep them overnight, and take them to the vet in Spring, TX, in the morning.  
Sam, my neighbor with the stroke and possibly Alzheimer's, chickened out, and said he didn't want Mikey neutered or his teeth cleaned after all.  Someone gave him the idea that something could happen to Mikey, which let's face it, it could. 
I have been working on this for ages, so it was a big blow.  Sam had wanted to pay me the money to get it done some time ago, but I didn't want to take it, until it was done.  I was trying to help him by having a really good vet do it.


We (SPCA) hear lots of stories about some vets not disinfecting the anesthesia masks, and other equipment, in between patients.  Then they can catch diseases, and other infections.  Kenya, a previous vet tech, has often helped with the surgeries at our vet, so she knows that this vet is meticulous.


I was not happy with the way some of the local vets had done dental procedures on MaeMae, Maddie, and Critter, they all seemed to have nasty after effects, and were not prescribed pre- and post surgery antibiotics.  So this is why I am paying to have Misty's dental surgery done by this vet chosen by our SPCA.  Her infected teeth and gums are in terrible condition, so this surgery is being done before the eye removal surgery, to lessen the chance of infection.

Ray helped me get the second seat back in my van, so I could use the seat belts to strap in Misty and Paco's carriers.  If Mikey had been with me, Paco's carrier would be strapped in the passenger seat.

We transferred Misty and Paco in their carriers, into Kenya's van at 4.30, and I immediately started missing them.  Especially Paco.  
When I got home, scaredy-cat Patches was really upset, as she loves Misty, and rubs against her all the time.  She kept on coming to me and meowing "Where is my doggie?".  Patches seems to know that Misty is nearly blind, and watches over her.

Kenya called and said that Misty was barking, so she took her out to pottie again. I told her that is Misty's way of protesting something, and trying to get her own way, which doesn't work around here!  She finds that out, so she shuts up.  But I suggested that she put Paco and Misty together, and that calmed her down.  It must be very confusing for both of them.  Normally, Kenya keeps the animals there for their post op care, but as I have done it so many times, I will be doing it, so they will be back here today.

It seemed so strange not to have to take dogs out last thing last night and this morning.

I have changed all their bedding, so now I am just waiting for my doggies to come home today.

Allergic to Your Bathing Suit? Store Coupons. Grooming.

“Ever spent the weekend at the beach? After a few days in a bathing suit, chances are you experienced that not-so-fresh feeling. But despite what your mother told you, the discomfort may not be caused by a damp suit, but rather the fabric itself.

Say, what? Bear with us. Because of over-exposure, latex allergies are nearing epidemic levels: According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, between one and six percent of the population is allergic to the stuff, which can cause skin irritations, rashes, and more.
So what does this have to do with your bikini? Most swimsuits are made out of potentially allergy-inducing latex--along with petrochemical-based nylon, the production of which creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide. But we digress.” 
More at:  http://www.savings.com/blog/post/Latex-Allergies-Eco-Friendly-Bathing-Suits.html
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Going shopping?   For many, many stores. 
Look for a store coupon here:
http://www.savings.com/
Coupons by Category

• Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry
• Arts & Photo
• Automotive
• Books, Music & Video
• Computers & Office
• Electronics
• Finance
• Flowers & Gifts
• Food & Beverage
• Health & Beauty
• Home & Garden
• Kids & Baby
• Online Services
• Pets
• Phone & Services
• Seasonal
• Sports & Outdoors
• Toys & Games
• Travel & Gear

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Today:

I groomed "Pancake".  He is a BIG black and white Schnauzer looking dog.  I used to do both their dogs, but their other big dog passed on.  I had to quit doing them, as they wanted both dogs done on the same day, and it was just too much for me.  But as Pancake is going to the doctor tomorrow for his shots and check up, I groomed him for them.

Jay put the vinyl siding and trim back on the patio door, so that is done.

Tomorrow, Misty, Mikey, and little Paco are all going for their surgeries.  Dental for for all three, and neutering for Mikey and Paco.  They have all been on antibiotics for the last four days getting ready for this.

I still have to bathe them today.

Pets Can Boost Children's Reading Skills. Patio door.

"Can reading to a dog raise children's reading levels? According to studies on the subject a young student's reading scores can advance significantly – two to four grade levels – by reading to a dog for just 20 minutes a week throughout the school year (40 weeks).


The American Library Association estimates that there are 27 million functionally illiterate adults in the United States. The national "America Reads'' program notes that 40 percent of fourth graders read below their grade level, and that children who don't master reading by the third grade risk falling further behind.

Children who read to pets have less absenteeism, visit the library more often, and improve their grades on report cards. Also, children with low self-esteem are often more willing to interact with an animal than with another person. Pets can also teach children empathy and compassion.

 "When children were asked to read aloud under three conditions (to a peer, to an adult, and to a therapy dog), the presence of a therapy dog reduced children's blood pressure and heart rate to normal levels and diminished other observable signs of anxiety," Renck Jalongo said. "Working with animals is remarkably effective with students who have attentional difficulties, disruptive behaviors, or a general lack of interest in reading."
More at:  http://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health/dogs-boost-kids-reading-skills.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthPetHealth_20100
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Today:


Ray, Jay and I fought the old patio door to get it out.  We had to take the white vinyl trim off, all the way around, and then loosen the blue vinyl siding.  Then we could get to the nails that held the door flange. 
My late DH had installed that door, and he always put roofing nails on the edge of the flange, not through the flange.  That helped a lot.

It was hot and humid, so thank goodness we were in the shade under the carport that is in front of the guest house. 

We finally got the new door in, but had to put some builder's shims under the right side of the threshold to make it square and plumb.

Then Ray had to put the door lock off the old door on it, so it would lock with a key, and that was fiddly to get it just right.

The vinyl siding and trim needs to be re-installed, but by 2.00 PM we had all had enough for today.

Lowdown on Cholesterol. Patio Door.

"Although cholesterol is essential to life, we don't need very much of it to keep our bodies running well.

The problem is that many of us eat a diet that is too high in saturated fat and trans fats, and this can stimulate the liver to produce more cholesterol than the body needs.
Some of this excess LDL deposits its cholesterol "baggage" in our artery walls — including those of the heart — resulting in the formation of soft atherosclerotic plaques.

During a discussion with a patient recently, she asked me, "What's the difference between good and bad cholesterol? Isn't it all the same when it's building up in my arteries?"

The answer is that it's not the cholesterol itself that is good or bad, but the particles that carry it. These particles are called lipoproteins (the lipo is short for lipid, which means fat). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are two of them.

It's the protein part of the lipoprotein particle that acts like a shuttle bus, transporting the cholesterol (and other fats like triglycerides) through your bloodstream to where they are used, stored, or excreted by the body. Lipoproteins are necessary for transporting fats because fat is not soluble in water or in blood." 
More at:   http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/lowdown-on-cholesterol.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthHeartHealth_20100604
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Just in case you want to read more about lowering cholesterol:
http://www.joybauer.com/high-cholesterol/using-food-to-lower-cholesterol.aspx
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Balance Blood Lipids with This Vitamin: http://www.realage.com/tips/balance-blood-lipids-with-this-vitamin?eid=7193&memberid=22654565
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Today:

After some research online yesterday, I found a reasonable 6068 (6' wide, 6'8" high) patio door.  It didn't need to be fancy, tinted, or doubled glazed, as the western and southern windows in the guest house are not either, as they are in the shade.  The northern ones are double glazed, though, as a lot of wind travels across the fields behind us.

It was at McCoy's Building Supply: http://shop.mccoys.com/building-materials/doors/sliding-aluminum-patio-doors/p.8538,   It is the only McCoy's in my area that listed having that door, and it is in Cleveland, TX, but they are closed on Sundays.

So, I couldn't call to make sure they had one in stock until this morning.  They did, and it is cheaper because it comes unassembled, which is just what I needed, to fit in my van.

I also called a glass company to see how much it would cost to have them put new rollers on my old door.  The receptionist gave me a price only $4 less than the new door.  But I don't really think she knew what she was talking about!

Jay wanted to go with me, so I had him help me take the second bench seat out of the van.  (We took the back bench seat out when I bought the van.)  It just has a button to release the seat belts, then a catch to lift up, and the seat can be removed.

We drove the backs roads to Cleveland, and enjoyed the country scenery.  It is always interesting to see what has been built since the last time you traveled a route. The countryside is getting littered with subdivisions.  The lovely woods are disappearing, and housing developments are in their place.

When we got to Cleveland McCoy's, the man took ages getting the parts together, but finding a screen door with an intact screen was the hardest part, but he finally made it.  

We were so glad we took the seat out, as it went in there so easily, and slipped in between the front seats to support it.

I had felt strangely tired when I got up this morning, though I seemed to have slept well, so when I got home, I ate some lunch, and took a nap today.

Why Boycotting Doesn't Hurt BP. Happy Father's Day. Patio Door

"BP has emerged as the country's most hated company thanks to the ongoing gulf oil spill, and Americans have launched a grassroots boycott of BP gas stations. But there's just one problem with the campaign -- BP doesn't own the gas stations that bear its name.

"BP doesn't even own the 11,000 BP-branded stations in the United States," reports the Chicago Tribune. "The company started getting out of the retail gas-selling business a couple years ago. In fact, all big oil companies did because it wasn't profitable enough."

Meanwhile, some of those independently owned BP stations are reporting up to a 20 percent decline in sales.
BP is urging customers not to take out their anger on the small business owners who own the stations. "We do apologize for what's happened so far," BP spokesman Scott Dean said. "And we would hope they don't take out their frustration on some local business people who really have nothing to do with incident other than they market under our brand." "
From: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/06/18/why-boycotting-bp-gas-stations-doesnt-hurt-bp/19521834
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To all the Dads out there:


________________

Today, Ray and I tried to put new rollers on the bottom of his patio door.  This mean removing the screen, unscrewing and removing the stationary panel, then the operating panel.  
No matter what we tried, even resorting to reading the directions, we couldn't get the old rollers out. We couldn't get the door apart, either.   But remember this door had been through a flood, before the building was moved here, so everything was a bit messed up.

I wanted to buy a new patio door, but they come pre-assembled, so it wouldn't fit in my van.  Now, I have to wait until tomorrow, and either buy a trip ticket for my motor home to carry a new one.  (That rear door is so handy).  Or buy tags for my utility trailer.  Or take the operating door out, which will fit in the van, and have a glass company re-do it.  It needs new gaskets on the bottom anyway!    Decisions, decisions!

So we had to put it all back together again today.

Report Oil, Hurt Wildlife. Sugar-Milk?

If you see tar balls, oiled or injured wildlife caused by the Gulf Oil Spill, please send in a report on this form:
http://www.nwf.org/Volunteer/Find-Opportunities/Gulf-Coast-Surveillance/~/media/PDFs/Volunteers/Oil-Spill/GCST_Informal-Observation-Form.ashx
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If you wish to be more involved, and get a big camping discount, then sign up here:
http://www.nwf.org/Volunteer/Find-Opportunities/Gulf-Coast-Surveillance.aspx
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RV-ers Aid Oil Spill Cleanup

"Many campgrounds along the Gulf Coast are open and running normally except for one thing. They offer big discounts to RVers who come to the area to help with the oil spill cleanup. If you want to help wildlife during this tragic event, you're especially welcome because you arrive with your own food and bed. Contact the National Wildlife Federation to see how and where you can help.
Then contact local campgrounds to ask for a discount on a campsite."
From:  http://www.solowomanrv.blogspot.com/
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Obesity Epidemic starts early.

"There's a lot of speculation about the nature of our obesity epidemic. What's causing it exactly? Is it fast food or high-fructose corn syrup or hours of TV watching?
Maybe it has to do with chemicals. Is there a silver bullet that will solve the problem? Scientists are hard at work designing studies to get to the bottom of this tricky conundrum.
But what if we were to stop waiting for experts to tell us everything and apply a little good, old-fashioned logic to the situation?
What we should do is look at the fact that at every possible juncture in children's lives, the industrial food universe's marketing machine is bent on training our kids to adore sweet things. Exhibit A: Mead Johnson's Enfagrow Premium, a line of toddler formula for kids one-to-three years old, whose main claim to fame is a huge amount of sugar, according to ABC News." 
More at:  http://food.change.org/blog/view/can_sugar-packed_milks_be_considered_healthy
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Today:


Ray and I put the shelf back in the walkway, on new blocks, so the feet wouldn't be in the dirt. That part is under the roof, so it doesn't get wet.  Yes, that rear wall is angled, the original part of the house was following 5' from the lot line.  When I bought another lot, the addition could come out straight. Here are Misty and Paco coming in from the back yard. That big black cord that Misty is stepping over, is the cord to my motor home in the RVport, which is the other side of that lattice fence.

Then we cleaned the Middle Room.  I had not let the foster cats out onto the porch this morning, as they had been naughty yesterday evening, and wouldn't go back into their room for their dinners.  They know the drill, but were just being 'catty'!  Cats here, have to be like dogs, and do what they are told!

So, they had to listen to the shop vac, while we took their cages down and vacuumed the loose sheets of linoleum they sit on.   It is so much easier to tend to the cages with them up off the floor. Just the usual jobs around here.

Neither I, nor my daughter, have heard from Pamala and Nigel, today.

P.S.  This evening, I turned on my cell phone to make a call which would have been Long Distance on my land line, and there was a text message:     "All OK. Nigel"
I have never texted in my life, and I tried to text back "Good", but it got sent with just "Go"!

BBQ Collywobbles.

Father's Day is coming, so there will be a lot of BBQ's going on.

We don't want any one coming down with 'collywobbles'*, so please remember this advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration  
(*Definition of Collywobbles: Noun. Severe gastroenteritis of unknown etiology; characterized by severe colic and vomiting and diarrhea.)

As a Food Service Manager, I had to go to school to learn about salmonella, etc., so I am very careful with food, and I always use a food thermometer. 
This is the little one that you stick in the middle of the food, it can be dial or digital.  The case comes in handy, as you can stick the probe through that little circle on the case, and don't have your hands over the hot stuff.

 U.S. Food and Drug Administration says:

"It's the season for picnics, cookouts, and other outdoor parties. But eating outdoors in warm weather presents a food safety challenge. Bacteria in food multiply faster at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, so summer heat makes the basics of food safety especially important.
"Fortunately, there are a lot of steps consumers can take to keep family and friends from becoming ill," says Marjorie Davidson, Ph.D., education team leader in FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.


Wash hands.
It seems basic, but not everyone does it. Wash hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before cooking or eating. If you're in an outdoor setting with no bathroom, use a water jug, some soap, and paper towels. Consider carrying moist disposable towelettes for cleaning your hands.

Keep raw food separate from cooked food.
Don't use a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood for anything else unless the plate has first been washed in hot, soapy water. Keep utensils and surfaces clean.

Marinate food in the refrigerator, not out on the counter.
And if you want to use some of the marinade as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a separate portion. Don't reuse marinade that contained raw meat.

Cook food thoroughly.
To kill any harmful bacteria that may be present, use a food thermometer. Hamburgers should be cooked to 160°F. If a thermometer is not available, make sure hamburgers are brown all the way through, not pink. Chicken should be cooked to at least 165°F. If you partially cook food in the microwave, oven or stove to reduce grilling time, do so immediately before the food goes on the hot grill.

Refrigerate and freeze food promptly.
It can be hard to remember while a party is going on, but food should not be left out of the cooler or off the grill for more than two hours. Never leave food out for more than one hour when the temperature is above 90°F.

Keep hot food hot.
Hot food should be kept at or above 140°F. Hot food should be wrapped well and placed in an insulated container. If bringing hot take-out food such as fried chicken or barbecue to an outdoor party, eat it within two hours of purchase. In addition to bringing a grill and fuel for cooking to an outdoor location, remember to pack a food thermometer to check that your meat and poultry reach a safe internal temperature. When re-heating food at the outing, be sure it reaches 165°F.

Keep cold food cold.
Cold food should be held at or below 40°F. Foods like chicken salad and desserts that are in individual serving dishes can be placed directly on ice or in a shallow container set in a deep pan filled with ice. Drain off water as ice melts and replace ice frequently."
From:  http://www.everydayhealth.com/fda/barbecue-basics-tips-to-prevent-foodborne-illness.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthinCoordinationWithFDAFoodDrugandMedicalProductSafety_20100616
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Also for healthy eating, your plate should be half veggies, quarter meat (size of deck of cards), and quarter a carb.
I wonder how many are going to stick to that!!?
See:   http://www.move.va.gov/download/NewHandouts/Nutrition/N12_HealthyPlate.pdf___

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Today:

I haven't heard from Pamala and Nigel yet, so I don't know if they had to spend the night in a motel, or if they drove straight through to Ponca City, OK.

Ray is busy elsewhere, so I am catching up on emails, blogs, raking the back yard, doing laundry, folding laundry, and cleaning the fridge today.

Iams Recall. North To Alaska!

By Hope Schultz for WebVet

"Heads up, all you cat owners. There's yet one more pet food recall and it could be effecting you favorite furry friend.

Procter & Gamble announced yesterday the voluntary recall of Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food -- all varieties of 3 oz. and 5.5 oz. cans -- distributed in North America.

Apparently, diagnostic tests were run and it was determined that the product contained extremely low levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is essential to good health in cats. It seems that cats who were fed this particular product are at much greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency. "

More at: http://www.everydayhealth.com/blogs/webvets-daily-dish/cat-owners-beware-pg-recalls-cat-food?xid=nl_EverydayHealthPetHealth_20100617

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Today:

Pamala called this morning to say that they were leaving Wendy's (my daughter), and would be here about 11.00 AM. The truck was all packed down, and they had installed a running board step along each side. When they leave here, the next stop is Ponca City to pick up the cabover camper.

I rushed into town to get some leg tips for one of my chairs that they were going to take with them. Ray had painted it yesterday, so it was all new looking. We all got here at the same time.

They had a cuppa tea, and called TomTom, something about the 'interactive', as it is a toll free call on my land line.

We chatted a bit, Nigel loaded the last few things they were taking from here, a 30 amp to 15 amp adapter, a USA map placemat, and a folding table.
Pamala took this picture of me and my brother, Nigel.
We have never been in photo together before!

Hugs all around.
They should be back around October.

They had already said that the trip would start from here, not Wendy's, so the trip odometer was zeroed out, and off they went.

And they are OFF!             Here they are backing out at Noon today.

Nat. Parks Are Open. Misty. Oh! Oh! Dodge 3500. Three's.

"The National Park Service has deployed incident management personnel from across the country to prepare for and respond to oil impacts along the Gulf Coast.

As oil continues to come onshore at Gulf Islands National Seashore and creeps closer to other national parks in Florida, Louisiana and Texas, National Park Service employees regularly based in these parks as well as those deployed as part of various incident teams are working to assess and clean up oil impacts and protect the park’s critical natural and cultural resources, including wildlife, birds, and historic structure and serve the visiting public.

All national parks in the Gulf coast region remain open to the public. To click on the map, and more info go to:
http://www.nps.gov/aboutus/oil-spill-response.htm

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Finally, yesterday, I was able to talk to Kenya about Misty's vet visit, as my neighbor had to take her, while I was busy with my brother and SIL.    She will have to have that damaged eye removed, and the other one has a cataract.  I already knew that she could only see light, so I make sure that I have lights on, or outside doors open, to guide her.   She can find her way around very well, and seems to remember my backyard layout from years ago. She wags her little tail when she goes down that paved walkway.

But her hearing is good, so she hears me when I call her or praise her for doing 'it' in the yard.  Neither she, nor Paco have had any accidents, and they are both the best behaved dogs I have had in my care since my Levi died. (2006)  She is so glad to see me when I return from anywhere, and so is Paco.  But Paco won't go outside for anyone but me, but still doesn't have any accidents.  Must have a bladder like Fort Knox!  They are fond of each other, too, so no friction there.  Even my scaredy-cat, Patches, will go near Misty, and they touch noses. Actually, Misty is good for Patches, Patches seems to sense that Misty can't see well, and stays close to her, as if she is worried about her.

But Misty's teeth, what few she has left, are absolutely rotting out of her head, and the vet says that is the most important thing, so that she doesn't get an infection.  He doesn't want to operate on her teeth and her eye at the same time.  They figure she is 13-15 years old.  She is spry, alert, walks well, has a good appetite, pees and poops fine, so I want her to be comfy, and happy for the last part of her life.

All this is from lack of veterinary care over the last 3 & 1/2 years since her "Daddy" Jim, died, and I am sure he was crying in his grave about the way she was mistreated.  I know I was very worried about her, and I am so glad that she is here.  I hope that Jim is happy to know that she is here, now. 
She used to have such long flowing lovely ears, almost like a show poodle, and now the hair is all cut off, not by me. They let her get so matted, and she was covered in cockle burrs.  I couldn't even get a clipper blade under the mats, so you couldn't see her face.
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Today:

Pamala called this morning.  The 'Check Engine' light came on in the new-to-them Dodge 3500, so they have to take it to be checked out in West Colombia before they can start on their trip.  So they might not be going through here today.  I will not only "keep the light on for them", but keep the teapot and kettle handy.   How many more delays are they going to have!!

Ray and I have been cleaning the paved walkway that goes into the back yard, of pine needles, etc.   There is a shelf unit there where I keep the different sprinklers, clean scoop-a-poo bags, etc., so we moved that, and cleaned under it, too.  We washed the shelf unit, and could see it really needed repainting.

Pamala and Nigel are taking a couple of my folding chairs for outside their rig.  Pamala can't use one with arms, due to her beam, and she makes jokes about it.  One needed repainting, so Ray did that.
Then he was called away to take a Mustang into town for the owner.  So Shay drove Ray's car, so they would have a ride back.  I found out that the Mustang was being taken in for a 'Check Engine' light problem, too.   I put Misty and Paco on leashes and walked them out front for a while, they liked that.

Ray called, his fan belt had broken in town, and he couldn't remember how to access his road service which is through his Verizon cell service.  So I looked up that info for him.  It was towed back here so we can fix it.  So then Ray painted the shelf unit.

My 'Check Engine' light has stayed off, so I hope that we have the last of our three auto troubles, for today.

Towing. Dodge 3500 Finally Theirs!

Be careful when determining tow capacity of a vehicle

"When you are determining the tow capacity of a vehicle make sure you know what the rear axle ratio is. It's possible to have the same type and size of vehicle with the same engine, yet the tow ratings may vary by several thousand pounds. "  More at:
http://markpolk.rvtechtips.com/2009/02/be-careful-when-determining-two.html
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Last two days:

Oh! This finding the right truck, cabover camper, and getting them, has been quite an ordeal.   This would have all been eliminated if the man with the original truck and camper hadn't reneged on the deal.


As I said, I took my brother, Nigel, and sister-in-law, Pamala to Huntsville, TX, and Southwest Houston on Friday to look at trucks.  Here is a picture of the HOV lane on the way back.  Reminds me of the one in Seattle.

Friday, they put a deposit on an immaculate white 2006 Dodge 3500, Diesel 5.9, Mega cab, Dually, 4x4, Lone Star Edition, but it wasn't ready to pick up until yesterday afternoon.   It was too late, and hot, to battle the Houston traffic.

 
We couldn't pick it up then anyway, as Pamala and Nigel didn't want to insure the truck until they were sure they were getting it, so we did that yesterday afternoon.  Even that wasn't easy.
They can legally drive in the USA with their British drivers licenses for 6 months, but several insurance companies didn't understand that, or about insuring the slide-in cabover camper.  They finally bought a policy with State Farm who seemed to know what they were talking about.

We had been cooking and eating here, and Pamala and I got along great in my little kitchen.  (Unusual for 2 women!)  It is really strange that as big as Pamala is, she takes up less room than Jay does, when he gets in my kitchen.

Yesterday we had to go into town, so we ate at Bing's Chinese restaurant nearby, and I had something I haven't had for a long time, glass noodles.


Today, we got all their things out of my B+ motor home, where they had been staying while here, packed it in my van, including all the dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, teapot, sheets, blankets, pots and pans, etc, out of my vintage Class A motor home, "Pugsy", so all that could go with them, to equip the camper. I also gave them a MaxxAir for the roof vent, and bubble level for their freezer.

This morning, I drove them back to the dealer in Southwest Houston.  The paperwork there took a long time as the truck will be exported back to England when they leave the US.  Finally, after a couple of hours that was done, so we transferred all their stuff including the new plastic chests of drawers and bins, into the back seat of their new-to-them truck.

We got a bite to eat at Subway, and went our separate ways.  They went back to my daughter's house in West Colombia, TX to get the rest of their things.   I came home in really gulley-whomping, pouring rain, but the rain stopped when I got to Conroe.

They will stop back by here on their way to Ponca City, OK, where the cabover camper is.
They are getting the rest of the camper light hook-ups and tie downs done there by an RV tech friend of the seller of the camper.   The seller is also going to take them to a rodeo this weekend.  So they are very excited about that, as they have never seen one in the US. (They lived Down Under for 7 years, so they have seen Aussie rodeos.)

Then they go west along Route 66, stopping to see the Texas Grand Canyon (Palo Duro State Park), near Amarillo, TX.  Then on to Monterey, California, to see where our mother was born.   Then to the other Grand Canyon, and north to Alaska.

 You know I got them set up with Live Writer, and Blogger!

What a day!

Oil Spill Scams. Dodge 3500 & Camper.

Scam Artists Prey on Gulf Oil Spill Victims

Friday, 11 Jun 2010 10:21 AM       By: Bruce Mandelblit
"The Gulf of Mexico’s deadly and catastrophic oil spill continues to be the worst ecological disaster in U.S. history.
Given these dire circumstances, it would be hard to believe that anyone would be so heartless as to take improper advantage of these awful conditions for their own personal financial gain.
Within days of the horrific Gulf oil spill, media reports indicate that lowlife scammers and wicked cyber-thugs were already trying to scam the charitable donations of hard-working Americans — and therefore preventing this essential money from reaching victims of the disastrous oil spill.
Sadly, it is reported by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it is common for criminals to steal funds from generous folks who think they are donating to legit charities that are trying to assist the hard-hit victims of disasters, such as the Gulf oil spill. As such, the FTC warns consumers to use caution when donating to charities that claim to help victims of the devastating catastrophes.
According to the FTC, while many legitimate groups help victims, scam artists may take advantage of the disaster by creating bogus fundraising operations.
The FTC warns consumers to be wary of appeals that tug at the heart strings but are short on details about how disaster victims will benefit. The FTC advises consumers who are asked to contribute to a charity of the following:"
See the rest at: http://www.newsmax.com/US/Gulf-Mexico-oil-spill/2010/06/11/id/361740
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My brother, Nigel, sister-in-law, Pamala and I spent a quiet day here yesterday.  I gave them lots of links to campgrounds, COE, and Forestry places to stay.  One was even recommended by Howard of http://www.rv-dreams.com/  in Ponca City, OK, where they will be going. 
We talked about old and new times.  About our mother and brother, who died last year, and the hassles over their wills. (Doesn't that always bring out the worst in people?)   It is wonderful to be spending some time with them, after all these years.

We did venture out in the heat, to Conroe's Wal-Mart.   They needed to buy some plastic chest of drawers, and bins for the back seat of the truck, so they can organize their clothes, etc in them.  They will be picking up their cabover camper 100 miles north of Oklahoma City, on their way west on Route 66, and then on to Alaska.

We made a good old English dish, Shepherd's Pie, with some Nolan Ryan organic ground chuck that I had.  Early in the afternoon, I browned the meat, added two cups of beef bouillon, and then simmered it for a while.  I strained off the meat, and put the liquid in the freezer.  When it came time to put it all together, there was 3/4" of fat on top of the liquid to be thrown away.  So glad I did that.

This morning we are waiting for a phone call from the dealer who is prepping their truck, with bated breath.  They had to order a part, and we hope it comes in, and gets installed quickly, as my van is not happy traveling in this heat in Houston traffic.   If it is too late, we will have to go tomorrow. 
Then they will head back down south of Houston to my daughter's house to pack up their belongings, and get on the road.

Little Paco, Chihuahua, and Misty, the old Poodle, are really happy, and they are both so good.  Prime enjoyed being in the living room, and playing so gently with Pamala's feet.

Our main objective is to get insurance on the truck, and to pick it up today.

How Much Water Do You Really Need? Truck Shopping.

So What About Those Eight Glasses?
"Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence to suggest that drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day will make you healthier. And relying on the eight-glass rule may not be enough to avoid dehydration in certain circumstances.

The truth is, either approach will probably work just fine -- for the most part. But your fluid needs can vary, depending on your activity level, the weather, environmental conditions, and even the medications you may be taking.

Getting to know which situations are likely to increase your need for fluids can help you stay sufficiently hydrated. But don't go overboard. There's no point in drinking more water than you need, just for the sake of it. At the very least, you'll end up running to the bathroom every 10 minutes. At worst, you could put yourself at risk of a life-threatening condition called hyponatremia, or water intoxication.

What About Sports Drinks?
Sports drinks are fine if you prefer the taste, but they don't typically hydrate the body at a faster rate than water. Also, some research indicates that sports drinks may cause more gastrointestinal discomfort than water does, and they contain sugar, which will add to your daily calorie intake."

More at: http://www.realage.com/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/how-much-water-do-you-really-need?cbr=VSCR_HG

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Yesterday:

We needed plenty of water yesterday, while driving around looking at trucks!  It was hot, and summer isn't here yet.  We went north to Huntsville, TX, and all the way down I-59 South in Houston.

On the way back there was the usual Friday traffic, so I really confused Nigel's TomTom lady.  I found the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicles) lane coming out of Houston, by getting off the freeway and going through downtown Houston.  I knew it had to be there somewhere.  It was a breeze to sail past all the 'parking lot' traffic. Nigel took pictures, but I don't have them yet.

My brother and sister-in-law have a deposit on a Dodge 3500.  It has a couple of things for the dealer to fix, before they pick it up next week.  No pictures until we know this one is a done deal!!

Now the search for the cab over camper is on!
We searched Craigslist until late last night, and wrote to several about sending more pictures.  
One replied this morning, and sent 11 pictures of the inside, but didn't say which truck camper it is.  Don't sellers realize that people don't ask about just one ad?

Ray took Misty to the vet for me about her bad eye, and I will get a report on that later.

We are hoping to spend a quiet day at home today.

What The Dealer or Seller Has To Tell You. Dodge 3500. Misty

7 Questions A Seller Is Legally Bound To Answer

"Three months later, my new car was hit from behind while I was stopped at a red light. I was unhurt and my car was drivable, so I went straight to the body shop for a repair estimate. The repair shop called me three days later saying the damage was repairable, but added, “This car was in a pretty serious accident. Did you know that? The frame was bent and it’s been straightened.”
So that’s why the seller had asked for cash, and why the paint job looked so new. He had crashed the car, fixed it, sprayed it and put it up for sale.
Why didn’t I ask the seller if the car had been in an accident? Well, I had zero experience in purchasing something costing a lot of money. More importantly, I just figured the guy would lie to me anyway, so there was no point in asking. Or so I thought.

As it turns out, there are good reasons to ask probing questions of a dealer or private seller, and you should get the answers in writing. AOL Autos spoke with Sergei Lemberg, a New York-based lawyer specializing in Lemon Laws, and he provided the following essential questions one should always ask a seller. Some of these apply to dealer sales only, but they are still great examples of how thorough you should be in grilling someone selling a car."
More at: http://autos.aol.com/article/dealer-legal-questions/
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"Scam 8. The Whole Truth About Used Cars
Dealerships are required to disclose material known facts about a used vehicle such as if the vehicle was:

• involved in a prior accident (that caused substantial damage)
• it was a prior rental vehicle
• a lemon law buy back (the vehicle was repurchased by either manufacturer or dealer under the lemon law because of a defect)
• odometer readings not accurate, etc.

They are also prohibited from misrepresenting facts about the vehicle's history (such as its never been in an accident, it was a trade vehicle (when it was a rental), etc."
From: http://www.ucan.org/gasoline_autos/automobiles/top_10_auto_scams

Get a flood report FREE: http://www.carfax.com/cfm/general_check.cfm?partner=PRL_A

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But dealers are not the only ones to be under the Deceptive Trades Act.  If you buy a boat motor, for instance, at a yard sale, and they say it is good, but it isn't, you can take them to Small Claims Court, and possibly get twice what you paid for it.

So if you are selling something, be careful what you say about it.
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Thursday:

First thing I bathed Misty, and dried her.  I haven't done the finish part of her grooming, but at least she is clean, and she can see where she is going, with what limited vision she has. 
I discovered after getting really clumped up mats off her face, that she has a very bad bloodshot and swollen eye.

Then, I left as early as I could, 8.45 AM, and drove the 110 miles through downtown Houston to my daughter's house.  I had a nice visit and lunch there, before bringing my brother, Nigel, and sister-in-law, Pamala, back here.

They were so exited about picking up their new-to-them truck and cab over camper on Monday.   Until…….the seller called and backed out of the deal, said he needed to keep the truck and camper to go to his sister's funeral in LA. 
This was a devastating blow for them, as we had to start searching all over for another Dodge 3500 4x4 Megacab Dually 5.9 Diesel.  They know where there is another pop-top slide-in camper.  They should have been on their way to Alaska by the end of the week.

We searched until late at night, so that is why Thursday's journal is posted today.