While I was on the West coast, I had the opportunity to visit a lot of the surrounding states and explore what they had to offer.

However, none of them compared to Arizona with its Grand Canyon!

Back in the day, we went on mules down the trails to see the canyon, and that was actually quite frightening at times with the rocky inclines & declines.

Grand Canyon tours have evolved from the mule tours, from what I hear they are no longer even doing them that way.

I was much younger then and don’t think I completely appreciated the experience as much as I should have, and have always wanted to go back and experience it as a more mature person.

As it is much more difficult for me to walk these days with the arthritis that comes from age, I wouldn’t be able to walk much and wouldn’t be able to experience it in such a way. However, what I have found are Grand Canyon helicopter tours, which look amazing and would enable me to see the things I want to with an extra bit of thrill to boot!

That’s certainly something even a grandma like me could really enjoy!

Something I’d really need to look into are Phoenix tours as well to be sure I make the most of any kind of trip I might make…

• Have you been to the Grand Canyon?
• How did you explore it?

Let us know by leaving your comments below!

Over these past few winter months, I’ve been crocheting afghans like crazy.

I have a lot of new afghans for cancer patients, that I like the call Blankets of Hope.

You may be a cancer patient yourself, purchasing for a cancer patient, or simply someone who would like to have a homemade afghan like their grandmother would make to keep them warm and have some of the proceeds go towards cancer research & patient outreach.

Nonetheless, I will be posting each new afghan available that’s been made by me with love, with a photo and a description along with a button to purchase that afghan.

I do hope you enjoy my creative work. I know it’s a hobby, but I take it quite seriously because these blankets mean a lot to cancer patients like me. I am now a 6 year breast cancer survivor, and it feels good to be alive. It’s something near and dear to my heart, as I lost my husband to another type of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer and little research is done to find the cure.

For those people that have gone before me to raise much needed funds and awareness for my cancer, I’m giving back.

So, thank you for supporting Ingrid’s Afghans and do take a look. Leave comments and let me know which colors you like and what blankets are your favorites!

International model, Kimberly Edwards, is the founder of “Living Pink Through Fashion” and will host this heartfelt event, which will show case many of Canada’s Top Fashion designers and all in pink.

Fashion Week Favorites David Dixon, BASCH by Brandon Dwyer & Baby Steinberg, as well as Miller Monroe, Dea Fashion, Wishes by Kate Hoekstra, Ashlynn Ross Designs, Mad Cap Hats, Nothin’ Inc. from Canada. Coveted Swimwear from Sivan Krispin’s Pinkini label will also be gracing the runway all the way from Los Angeles, California. One of Canada’s hottest new jewelry designers, “K, Turn Around” Jewelry by Kimberly Edwards is sponsoring the event and will mix and match her pieces throughout the amazing couture of the day.

Kapow Models will be showcasing their models, as well as other fabulous models from Ontario & New York. International models of note are Kate Hoekstra, Eunice Arbis, &Kimberly Edwards.

Guest speakers this year include the renowned Dr. Martin Jugenburg, specializing in breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients; Ingrid Turner (that’s me!), breast cancer survivor & reason Living Pink was created; Bonnie Harris, breast cancer patient fighting to find a cure; and a local oncologist.

Canada’s next singing sensation, Daniel Panetta, will be performing his new single and the Official Theme Song for Living Pink, “The Best of Me” from his debut album “Unleashed”.

Special guests’ will also include Hip-Hop artist, Jay Vado; Latin Sensation, Hector Hernandez (one of my all-time faves); Rock Band, She King; 16 yr old phenom Hip-Hop/R&B artist, Tatyana D’Voce; Hip-Hop artist, L’Omari; Pop Artist, Chris Lago; up-and-coming Hip-Hop artist, Giancarlo; up-and-coming Pop/R&B artist Sam Cammisuli and many more.

Unable to make it out to the Event? Consider Donating to their Cause:

ABOUT LivingPink.info
The “Living PinkThrough Fashion” Movement was created out of the heart of Kimberly Edwards
Kimberly Edwards’ mother, Ingrid, is a 5 ½ year breast cancer survivor and has dealt with most treatments available for this disease. She’s gone through 2 surgeries, lymph nodes removed, chemotherapy, radiation & a new preventative treatment of Herceptin. This was directly after the loss of Kimberly’s father to a rare form of cancer called, Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Doing what she loves to do, working in the fashion, modeling & entertainment industry, Kimberly created this show to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness & Patient Outreach, to make it a reality for breast cancer patients to be survivors!More needs to be done to find a Cure for Breast Cancer.

With the help of Kate Hoekstra & Samantha Kaszab, and in conjunction this year with Ramiro Productions Inc. & 3PK Productions Inc., this show will be the fashion & entertainment event of the year.

Contacts:
Kimberly Edwards – Founder of Living Pink, Email: kimberly@livingpink.info
Kate Hoekstra – Sponsorship/Fashion Designers, Email: kate@livingpink.info
Samantha Kaszab – Volunteers/Donations, Email: samantha@livingpink.info
Ramiro Villafuerte – Entertainers/Itinerary/Logistics, Email: rv@ramiroproductions.ca

Come summertime, we put our winter clothes away and wear lighter cooler clothing, wear strappy sandals, treat ourselves to delicious, cool drinks and when we get too warm, we truly appreciate our air conditioning, and maybe take a swim in the pool from time to time.

These are the things that make the summer months fun and enjoyable. 

Keep in mind that our animals can’t remove their winter attire, other than enjoying a somewhat cooler summer haircut by a good groomer, and they sometimes suffer in the hot weather.

Our furry, little children need special attention during the heat of summer and it is imperative that we make plenty of cool, clean drinking water available to them.  When we eat watermelon outdoors in the summer, we always share that treat with the dogs, (we remove the pits of course). It is fun for them because they like to treat the watermelon like a bone, and it happens to be cooling as well as hydrating.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOGGIES IN YOUR VEHICLE, EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE PARTIALLY OPEN, as the poor dears could die of heatstroke, and it is just simply a cruel and thoughtless, neglectful thing to do.  

If you like to play games such as Frisbee with your dog, refrain from doing so in the heat of the day, and hold off on the strenuous activity until the weather cools off a bit.

If you live in an air conditioned home, make sure your animals are kept in the areas that are kept cool also. 

Fleas are a filthy nuisance and dogs can lose their hair, get infections and scratch from flea bites.  So, be sure to apply a good flea treatment regularly, according to vet instructions, keep your dogs well groomed with nice short hair cuts during the summer months, so they are fresh and comfy, and keep their teeth brushed and sparkly clean, no matter what the season.

We get so much love from our pets that anything we can do to help them experience our love back, is well worth it.  My dogs just have to give me that grateful look, and I melt.  

Dogs enjoy playing under the sprinkler from time to time or just splashing in a big basin of water outdoors where they can make as much mess as they wish.  It helps to keep them cool as well, just be sure to dry their ears thoroughly after playtime is over.  Even when you bathe them, ears should be protected as much as possible, and they must be gently cleaned without Q-Tips, and gently but entirely dried immediately after bath time.

Have a great summer with your dogs and remember, just as with human children, your furry babies can’t be given too much attention and love!  Don’t forget to kiss them good night, and one kiss from me too.

* For more information on Dog Health, check out TerrierLover.com

Ingrid

photo: Kimberly Edwards of TerrierLover.com

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada (INGRID NEWS) – Have you ever had to wait for an unreasonable length of time in a doctor’s office? It is so very annoying!

Recently, I went to a clinic in Niagara-on-the-Lake. My family doctor moved away, so things were in the process of being shifted around.

After I checked in, I waited for some time and then went back to the reception desk to see how things were progressing…I was then informed that their computer system was down and things were taking more time than normal.

I then gave them my name again and the time of my appointment.  I waited for another half hour, went back to reception desk, to be asked again for my name. They didn’t know which doctor or health care provider I was to see or how long I would have to wait and didn’t care how long I had waited.

Another half hour passed, was asked again by the same receptionist, why I was there, what was my name, who was I to see and at what time.  Waited for a while, went back to the desk to be told that they couldn’t tell me how much longer it would be before I would be able to see someone.

In the meantime, numerous people with and without appointments were in and out of the office.  I finally gave up, told the receptionist I couldn’t wait any longer as someone had given me a ride to the office and I couldn’t keep them there any longer, since there was no way of knowing if I would have to wait 15 minutes longer or 2 hours longer, and they still didn’t know which doctor I would see.

When I phoned back a couple of days later to arrange to get back in to see a doctor, I was told that I would have to wait for at least a month before I could get an appointment.  I then proceeded to explain what had happened 2 days earlier when I came in for my appointment and was told that I left the office voluntarily and they could not do anything to get me in earlier.

Once again, when they looked up my file, they didn’t know who I was to have seen, or why.  I asked again if they couldn’t get me in any sooner because I really needed to have my prescriptions renewed, needed results of a current MRI and the lymphitis in my arm from post cancer surgery had swollen up to 3 times its normal size. 

I was once again, so rudely and officiously informed that it wasn’t their fault that I voluntarily left the office, after waiting over 2 hours, and they would not work with me to get an earlier appointment. It wasn’t their fault that I voluntarily left, they said.

Just saying!!! I was so annoyed and am still annoyed about waiting time wasted, being dismissed when I asked about the wait time, rudely spoken to when I called back to get another appointment, and being told that it was my fault that I voluntarily left the office when their system was down. Waiting to get in for an appointment…Wow!!!  Is it just me or is this normal these days?

The receptionist, who is much much younger than I am, was disrespectful, snarky, unsympathetic and downright mean to me, treating me like I was seriously lacking in the intelligence department.  It wasn’t just me, I heard the way she spoke to other patients who came in as walk-ins and looking like they really needed a doctor immediately.  

They were rudely and crassly dismissed by that receptionist too. She was so detached and uninterested in their situation.  The woman’s elderly husband looked like he was about to faint, and the receptionist  sent them away without a care for their needs.

I have been going to this clinic for about 13 years and my family doctor, who worked out of this facility, was very much loved and admired by my husband, myself and my family and in all those years. My doctor always treated us will respect and kindness. 

Whenever I would go for an appointment, if he saw me waiting in the hallway, he would take me in immediately, even if others were scheduled before me because he knew I had difficulties walking and sitting for long periods of time.  He was so considerate.  Dr. K. King will be sorely missed by us.  

I will admit, I am worried about how things will go from this point forward.  Hopefully the new doctor, whomever he is to be, will be as good as Dr. King.  

The patients in Prince Edward Island will be blessed, as we were, to have Dr. Kris King for their family doctor. 

I regret that I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to him because he left earlier than was expected.   He was so good to us and he will be very much missed.

photo:worldofstock.com

What pain and sorrow a person would feel. They would be unbelievably worried and heart-broken, to say the least.

• You would rack your brain as to if you left the latch on the gate open, or if the wind blew it, or if they discovered another way to get out of the yard.

• You would wonder if they would be able to find their way home…

• You would wonder if whoever finds them would call it in and take care of them in the meantime.

• Will their collar stay on?

• Are they hurt, or worse?

If you have an especially friendly dog, you’re worried they’ll go to anyone, and if your dog is cantankerous, you hope they don’t try to hurt anyone and be in the bad graces of a shelter or worse.

What’s worse than a lost dog? Lost Dogs, plural!

Multiply everything I just said by the number of pets you lost…What a tragic event that would be.

Being as close to our pets as we are, this would rip your heart in two.

The first things to do when you have lost your dog is:

1. Call for them and quickly scope the area.
2. If any neighbors are outside in shouting distance, ask them if they’ve seen your pet and that will also put the alert out.
3. If someone in your family can do it, have them walk the neighborhood or drive it, calling for your pet and surveying people as to if they saw them.
4. Call your local Lost Dog Shelter to see if they’ve been picked up or delivered to them.
5. Some websites provide the ability to put out a Pet Amber Alert – some are free, some are paid. You can even try using Facebook or Twitter to spread the word quickly.
6. If none of these steps have found your pet, it’s important to start putting posters out around the surrounding neighborhoods on telephone poles, community mailboxes, grocery stores or anywhere you can post a flier, with a reward of some kind.

I truly hope and pray this NEVER happens to any of you, but life happens…be prepared.

Be calm, so you can think as clearly as possible to find your pet safe and sound.

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

Technorati Tags: lost dog, lost dogs, lost dog shelter, pets, dogs, Amber alert for pets

Large antique burled walnut Armoire – double closet area with two sliding hanging rods and 7 brass hooks. A large beveled mirror covers one of the front facing 3 doors.

Two large, deep drawers under closet area provide great storage for blankets or clothing. Right hand cupboard hides a top hat shelf and 3 drawers underneath.

Features a beautiful cornice top. Three front doors of burled walnut with hand carved wood and brass insets finish the look. All hardware, inside and out is brass. I purchased the armoire in 1971 and at that time was told that it was over 60 years old. It is still in pristine condition.

Watch The Video Below For More Info:

Contact Me Here!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Decorating post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

Technorati Tags: armoire, closet, cupboard, furniture, antique, storage, wardrobe

I just can’t help it…I am a grandma that wants to make sure everyone is taken care of, is healthy, and is loved.

I’ve been expressing my concern that the pooches will get too cold outside. Plus, how cute would it be to get them all dulled up in matching dog clothes and accessories?

Don’t you think that would be absolutely adorable? I do!

They are just so darn cute outside running altogether with the big dog pack, discovering new things and having fun. The only issue they have is that they don’t have a lot of fur like the adult dogs and their time outside has to be cut so short since they start whining and shivering. Then, it’s time to rush them all in to get dried, cuddled and placed in front of the fire place.

It’s great that they’re learning to do their business outside.

They love to snuggle in their dog beds – that’s right, I said beds. Not only is it the fact that they’re growing and can’t all fit into one bed as they did before, but they’ve gone through several beds.

Puppy teeth are very sharp and they like to chew. I’m not happy they tore up 2 beds, however, I’m happy it wasn’t my couch!

There’s just something about dogs that snuggle in beds that is so sweet, I can’t help but take photos all the time of them looking so cute and cuddly.

Take care of those puppies out there…What you train them and how you treat them will determine how their personality develops and how well they adjust to their environment, or failure to do so.

Enjoy every minute with them as puppies…they grow up so quickly and those sweet, precious moments are fleeting…

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pets post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

Technorati Tags: puppies, dog clothing, dog accessories, dog collars, puppy supplies

Our puppies need their bodies cleaned and their bedding washed at least twice a day.

It isn’t really healthy to fully bathe puppies too stringently or too often.  However, puppies need all of their parts kept clean and free of  urine and excrement.

Harsh soaps and shampoos are definitely not acceptable as they remove the natural oils from their coats leaving them with dry skin or other skin problems.   Also, anything too “perfumey” can cause  drying of their skin and coats.

A mild puppy shampoo is advisable, followed by a mild conditioner.  A nice oatmeal conditioner would be good.

To this end, I have found a very good line of products suitable for our dogs, by John Paul (Paul Mitchell), who provides a lovely dog shampoo, conditioner, ear and eye cleaning wipes, wipes for their teeth and gums, and a leave-in oatmeal conditioning spray.

With seven pups, it can be a real challenge to keep them from playing with, and sitting in their messes, which is quite an ever present task  for us.   Someone always seems to need their paws or bottoms cleaned.

The above-mentioned product line also provides full body and paw bath wipes, which help to keep them fresh and  clean between baths.

Of  course you can accomplish  keeping your puppies clean by using  a common sense approach to cleanliness, if it is not in your budget to purchase “special” shampoos, etc.

Keep anything that touches your pup  mild and well-diluted.   Treat them gently, do not get water inside their ears, and do not use q-tips in their ears either.

We use towels and blankets for their bedding and avoid using harsh detergents or bleaches for washing their laundry. After their baths, we like to use towels we have warmed in the dryer beforehand, especially because it’s winter here.

When I look at all of our clean little puppies peacefully sleeping in their clean bed at night, I get the same overwhelming love feeling  that I used to get when I put my bathed, little children into their cozy cradles for a safe and comfortable night’s  sleep.  My heart is overflowing  for these beautiful, innocent little creatures too.

Today was another day to allow the puppies to venture outdoors to take care of their bodily functions.

We had more success today than yesterday and they certainly enjoyed tearing through the snow, chasing after each other and trying to imitate the adult dogs.

It’s a little difficult to keep the pups focused on the job at hand, but a good time was had by all – even the big dogs and the humans.

After a snuggley toweling off,  they are once more safe in their bed and enjoying their snooze…

…I think I need a snooze too!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Grab yourself a pack of the full body & paw bath wipes – they sure save us a lot of work and they smell great too:

John Paul Pet Full Body and Paw Bath Wipes (45 ct.) Full Body and Paw Bath Wipes. Our pre-moistened wipes are specially formulated to help groom and clean your Pet, Use after a walk or for a quick clean-up, Also helps to remove loose hairs and dander from coat. Directions Massage into fur avoiding eyes and ears. Simply use Full Body & Paw Wipes between baths. Repeat for extra cleaning. John Paul Pet Full Body and Paw Bath Wipes * Cruelty Free * * Tested on Humans First * John Paul is the co-founder of Paul Mitchell, the finest in salon hair care. Type: Shampoos & Conditioners

Technorati Tags: pets, puppies, miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, training puppies, puppy training, terriers, puppy bath, John Paul Pet

Hurray!  Even though it is cold and snowy, we have taken the 7 puppies outside with our big dogs, for the first time, this morning.

We are hoping  they will catch on to the idea of  going  pee, etc. outside.   On this first outdoors bathroom time, we had some  successes,  which is very encouraging.

On this evening’s venture,  we had further welcomed successes.

The puppies all seemed to enjoy sliding, sniffing, chasing and playing in the snow with each other and the big dogs.   They even succeeded in braving the stairs up to the top level of the patio from the yard.

Of course, since they are still just babies, when they came into the house, they were swaddled in warm towels and enjoyed the luxurious nap which ensued.

We are hoping that the pups will soon come to realize that the pee pad in their area, is not intended to be part of their diet, or for their never ending game of tug-a-war.

As  mommy Kurious is reducing their nursing time, they seem to truly enjoy their dry food and reverse osmosis water we so lovingly provide.

They all relished their first taste of lettuce and clearly wanted more of the crunchy stuff.  They looked so adorable,  each one holding  his own lettuce leaf  in its’  mouth.

Every day with our cuddly little babes brings more love, laughs and joy into our lives.

They change every day in some subtle way,  and are so very endearing as they joyfully welcome each new experience and discovery.

Each day they have come to capture every part of our hearts and enhance our  lives in beautiful and loving ways,  which we could never have expected or imagined.

I feel so grateful to have these little blessings in my life!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Be sure to check out my daughter’s Terrier Lover Website!

Technorati Tags: pets, puppies, miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, training puppies, puppy training, terriers