Whole Dog Health - To Rocky, Baylor's and Everyone's Health!

Rocky Has Almost No More Coughing and Eye Goop

2012-02-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

We all had a good night's sleep last night. I only heard Rocky cough once! This morning he only had the smallest trace of eye discharge. What a relief! I don't know where Rocky got the hacking cough and eye goop! Rocky is also very prone to allergies. I'm just happy that I found something to treat it!

Again this morning I hand fed Rocky a half a slice of China black rice bread with the following added to it, soaked it or spread on:
- Bragg's raw apple cider vinegar
- Nature's Way Umcka Coldcare drops, alcohol-free
- Only Natural Pet Herbal Formula Respiratory support
- Extra virgin coconut oil
- Extra virgin coconut oil mixed with raw honey added to his food bowl too.
Also, last night, I gave Rocky an oregano capsule.

I also had apple cider vinegar myself yesterday. I weighed 1.5 pounds less on the scale today than the day before. It may be water weight I lost. But, I'm going to try to make myself have ACV too, for my own health and hopefully to maintain my weight better.

©D.E.Finley 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Rocky Was Coughing On and Off Since 4 am

2012-02-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

Rocky has been coughing early in the morning for months now. But, this morning was the longest. I called our closest vet several times, but, the line was busy. I should probably drive Rocky to the South Austin vet, but, I sort of don't see the point.

From what I've researched, Rocky's cough were he tries to heave something up, may be due to allergies, a heart condition, kennel cough or bronchitis. His eyes are still runny too in the morning. Austin is the allergy capital, and Rocky frequently has allergy problems. Maybe, I'm being a bad dog mom but I'm going to try one more time to help Rocky, before driving him down to the vet in South Austin.

Rocky's Cough Fighting Plan:
- Cut out Dairy - stop Rocky's goat's milk yogurt for breakfast and sometimes dinner.
- Cut out Almond Butter - this could be an allergy and toxic food, especially for a dog.
- Resume Rocky's apple cider vinegar supplements - this should also help repel fleas. Time to resume apple cider vinegar with Baylor too. Try to get Rocky and Baylor to eat Bragg's organic raw apple cider vinegar, added to their food twice a day, 2 tablespoons per day, for a 50-pound dog.
- Finish off Rocky's respiratory drops that I bought from OnlyNaturalPet.com.
- Try Nature's Way Umcka ColdCare drops that I bought at Sprouts today, which came recommended by the salesperson there, who successfully treated her dog with it, and that a vet recommended to her.

Dang, how I could I have forgotten all the benefits of apple cider vinegar?! Sometimes, sticking to the cheaper, more simpler things does the trick! I know I've spent over a thousand bucks in supplements since Rocky's kidney failure in March.

Reference Link: http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/acvfordogs.html

Benefits of cheaper remedies such as
Apple Cider Vinegar: http://www.homeremediesweb.com/apple_cider_vinegar_health_benefits.php
Hydrogen Peroxide: http://www.greenandhealthy.info/hydrogenperoxide2.html
Diatomaceous Earth: http://www.morethanalive.com/Diatomaceous-Earth-Food-Grade-Powder
Bone Broths: http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/broth-is-beautiful

Q&As:
http://www.justanswer.com/pet-dog/0ekly-dog-pepper-hacking-gagging-every-few-minutes.html

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_should_you_do_if_your_dog_keeps_gagging_like_he_is_choking

http://www.justanswer.com/dog-health/2oxja-dog-coughing-gagging-red-eyes-excreting.html

©D.E.Finley 2012.

My Old Stand-up Comedy Routine at the Erma Bombeck Comedy Writer's Workshop

2012-01-30T08:45:00.000-08:00

Laughter is one of the best medicines. I've always been interested in writing comedy. Some books I read say that the best way to get immediate feedback is to perform that comedy in front of an audience. As much as a I hate performing and public speaking, in 2006, I'd perform stand-up comedy. Austin has Cap City Comedy Club and the Velveeta room. I'd also perform at a few other venues too.

This comedy routine is one I wrote and performed at The Erma Bombeck's Humorous Writing Workshop in 2006. I've edited it down from about 7 minutes to about 5 minutes.

Taking Out Garlic and Sticking with Brewer's Yeast

2012-01-30T08:40:00.000-08:00

I've been reading mixed recommendations about whether or not to give dogs garlic. To be on the safe side, I'll just give Rocky and Baylor brewer's yeast, to help repel fleas. Actually, some of the dog food that we buy already contains garlic. So, many that will cause their skin to smell bad, and also not be enough garlic to be harmful. Giving our dogs the right nutrition and supplements is an ongoing challenge.

Also Back to Giving the Dogs Garlic and Brewer's Yeast

2012-01-16T15:53:00.000-08:00

I give the dogs so many different supplements for so many different things, and being forgetful anyway, I forgot that I was giving Rocky and Baylor garlic and brewer's yeast all last summer to keep away fleas and ticks. During their physical last August, their platelet levels were below normal. So I cut out their garlic an fish oil. I reduced their brewer's yeast since they dislike it. Then, they get fleas and I panic, giving them Frontline. Alright, the fleas isn't what made me panic. It was the friggin disgusting tapeworms in Baylor's poop.

But, now I realize that I need to just keep giving them some garlic supplements here and there, along with brewer's yeast. Unfortunately though, Baylor didn't finish her breakfast this morning with the brewer's yeast I added. So, Rocky ended up eating Baylor's breakfast, along with her Tinkle Tonic and Leaks No More. It's a struggle.

I also discovered two fleas on my side of the bed this morning, after discovering their flea bites on my back. Now that the dogs' bodies are inhospitable, due the the Frontline, that I put on them Saturday, I guess the fleas are relocating. Fortunately both fleas were dead. Maybe after dining on my back, I rolled over on them in my sleep and suffocated them. Let's hope! RIP fleas. Hope you enjoyed your last meal.

©D.E.Finley 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Back to Using Frontline and Diatomaceous Earth

2012-01-14T19:08:00.001-08:00

I don't know how Baylor managed to swallow a flea and get infected with tape worms. This is a first! So, I applied Frontline to both Rocky and Baylor tonight. For their dinners, I added Diatomaceous earth in their food again. Diatomaceous earth is also supposed to kill parasites and clean out toxins in the body.

I don't know what the black looking dirt is in the dogs' fur. Is it flea poop, mites, or what?! Why is it that we don't see fleas anywhere? And, Baylor isn't scratching at all. Rocky often scratches due to his allergies. So, it's hard to know. I guess the next step is another vet visit.

I know that Frontline has potentially harmful side effects. But, at this point, I'm saying "Uncle" and going with products I know will work on fleas.

©D.E.Finley 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Baylor Has Tapeworms! Ugh!

2012-01-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

Just when Bob and I were discussing what to do with the free couple of hours in our day, Baylor takes a dump. A dump sprinkled with two dancing tapeworms, while on our mid-morning walk. Healthy little devils.

Question answered. Vet calls and a trip to the closest vet's office up the road. Then, reading about tapeworms on the web. Fortunately, the vet clinic was open on Saturday. Baylor got one dosage of Droncit paste to swallow, which is all that's required.

Supposedly Baylor got the tapeworms from eating a flea. Let's hope it was that and not from creek water, raw meat, etc., all of which she ingests. We found a huge tick under her chin, yesterday. I don't know if ticks carry tapeworm parasites too. Most of the vets we talked to concur that the mostly likely cause is from swallowing a tick that consumed tapeworm eggs.

I didn't have my iPhone with me on our dog walk this morning, so I've sparred you all from seeing a photo of Baylor's tapeworm infested poop. Hopefully, we don't get anything of these yucky things.

Links:

http://www.tape-worm.info/

http://www.tapeworms-in-dogs.com/

©D.E.Finley 2012. All Rights Reserved.

I'm Getting a DNA Appliance

2012-01-14T06:51:00.000-08:00

This week, I went to NYC to consider getting a homeoblock. That lead to learning about the newer apparatus, the DNA block. The DNA block device widens the palate. Both devices are good for correcting crowded teeth and for problems with sleep apnea. The DNA block supposedly works faster and fits the mouth better.

Interestingly, the NYC orthodontist said that if I took Bonivia, a drug used to prevent osteoporosis, the DNA block would not work. Boniva, she said will harden one's bones. Sort of like preserving them by solidifying them. By doing this the bone is unable to break down and regenerate. A big part of how the DNA block works, is the process of breaking down, or moving and reshaping the bone. If I had taken Bovina, it could cause my teeth to fall out; my bone would no longer be flexible.

I decided to go forward with the DNA block. Now, I'll get tested for sleep apnea. If I also have sleep apnea, I can hopefully get more health insurance coverage. Right now, I at least qualify for partial orthodontia coverage. But the bill is pricy, $4,800 and that's for the cheaper orthodontist. The other licensed homeoblock orthodontist charges even more, with lots of added on cha-chings!

Here are some links:

http://www.facialdevelopment.com/

http://www.dnaappliance.com/

http://www.dnaappliance.com/certified_providers.php

©D.E.Finley 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Fluoride in Crazy Water brand Mineral Water

2012-01-07T12:53:00.000-08:00

Yikes, I just finished drinking a half of liter bottle of Crazy Water No.4, the strongest mineral content number. Now, I just read the bottle that Crazy Water contains "floride", the Texas high school GED spelling for fluoride I guess. Their website says it is "fluoride". But, doesn't say if it's added or found naturally in their water. Flouride is something I'm trying to avoid. Supposedly, fluoride is actually harmful to the body in many ways and can contribute to Alzheimer's, arthritis, etc.

On top of it, Crazy Water No. 4 tastes bad! And to think I've spending money on bad tasting water that may even be harmful to my health. No wonder I never felt any supposedly amazing effects after drinking Crazy Water. When I drink pure filtered drinking water, I actually feel better not worse after drinking it.

After drinking Crazy Water, I often feel worse. So, I stopped buying it several years ago. But, Bob thought I still liked it, and gave me a liter bottle for Christmas. He bought it from Whole Foods. Like I was just saying, about having to watch everything that goes into one's pie hole, even from stores like Whole Foods. Oy vey!

Maybe I'm wrong about their "florida" or "fluoride" in their Crazy Water. But, I figured I'd up...

I wrote an e-mail to the Crazy Water company:

Fluoride in Crazy Water?!

I just recently read about the dangers of fluoride. Do you add fluoride to your Crazy Water? I thought that the water was natural. Isn't fluoride usually an additive?

My husband bought me a bottle of Crazy Water No.4, like I used to buy from Whole Foods and drink. Unfortunately, seeing that it contains fluoride, I'm going to dump the rest of it down the drain.

Sincerely,

Debbie Finley

Their reply:

Dear Ms. Finley:

Before dumping the rest of Crazy Water down the drain, let me explain the differences between the naturally occurring fluoride found in Crazy Water and the chemical added to water supplies. There is a vast difference between the two. We do not add anything to the waters.

I am out of the office now and responding quickly. I will forward you the research we have found when I get back to my computer.

All my best,

Crazy Water Employee

Okay, now I feel like an ignoramus about fluoride versus natural fluoride. What's the difference?

What I've read since read is that natural fluoride is still fluoride. The difference is the amount of the fluoride in the water, toothpaste, fluoride treatment, etc.

Links:

Crazy Water website: http://www.famouswater.com/minerals.aspx

Flouride Action Network: http://www.fluoridealert.org/fluoride-dangers/health/index.aspx

The Dangers of Fluoride:
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/how-safe-is-fluoride/

"Scientists Sound Warning on High Natural Fluoride Levels

THE NATION

The risk of tooth and bone damage calls for a lower federal limit on the chemical, panel says."

March 23, 2006|Marla Cone | Times Staff Writer

http://articles.latimes.com/2006/mar/23/nation/na-fluoride23

Another Posting About Possible Dangers of Chicken Jerky Made In China

2012-01-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

"Hundreds of reports of sick dogs come flooding in as FDA issues warning about pet treats imported from China"

Tuesday, January 03, 2012 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer

Learn more:

http://www.naturalnews.com/034551_pet_treats_China_deaths.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/034551_pet_treats_China_deaths.html#ixzz1inr0ol6A

We stopped giving Rocky and Baylor jerky treats made in China last summer, after hearing of a friend's dog getting a bad kidney infection from Dogswell brand chicken jerky made in China, that she purchased at Whole Foods. Also, our dogs need to reduce their protein intake due to their high kidney levels.

Both processed human and dog food seems scary out there. There are so many hidden dangers - preservatives, plastics, dyes, artificial flavorings, the actual product like the GMO vegetable, the tortured animals, etc.

©D.E.Finley 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Trying to Strengthen Baylor’s Bladder to Treat Her Incontinence

2011-12-31T02:42:00.000-08:00

Baylor is on more supplements than Rocky now, because of her incontinence. I really would love to find something simple to give her that she’d be willing to eat mixed in her food. Especially, for when we are away and have a petsitter.

In addition, I’ve been looking up ways to treat my own ailments like fibrocystic, lumpy breasts. I also have had dry skin all my life, and at times eczema. Now that I’m fifty, I’ve noticed that my hair feels much finer. It seems less shiny and more brittle. So, I need to get on the supplement wagon myself. And also eat healthier. I’ve put off eating my Vibrant Health green supplement powder mix, since I stopped my breakfast smoothies going on two months now. Time to bite the bullet and shove these things down my own throat, like I do with Baylor. Oh well, hopefully that will make me feel healthier too.

Baylor definitely seems to be feeling better. She no longer sleeps most of the time. She hangs out by our feet like she used to, versus sleeping in a room by her lonesome. She also wags her tail with the same enthusiasm she did when she was younger. Also, she sleeps better at night. She’s not preoccupied with licking up her urine dribble. She mostly stays dry and clean.

But, she is still on the several supplements and prescription – Tinkle Tonic, Kidney Detoxifier, Vermont Bladder Support, cranberry supplements, yam root, and Penylpropanalomine. Plus, her Pet Meds senior multivitamin, glucosamine, co-Q10, spleen supplement, and sporadically, time-released multiple B/C vitamin co-Q10, Essiac formula I make using all the ingredients, cats claw, fish oil, homemade bone broth, chicken feet, IP-6, diatomaceous earth, Vibrant Health greens powder, brewer’s yeast, and the list goes on. At least Rocky will happily swallow any pill coated in anything – peanut butter, goat cheese, extra-virgin coconut oil, etc. But not so for Baylor.

I get so sick of spending up to an hour in the morning and evening preparing their breakfast and dinner, which all the supplements. It’s not just preparing a “healthy” meal that’s hard. It’s getting them to eat it. Baylor is constantly giving me dirty looks. Rocky will push his bowl away with his nose, or try to bury his food bowl with his doggy blanket. I want to give them healthy ingredients. But, I also want them to eat. I consider just resigning myself to opening a can of supposedly decent food and giving it to them. Who knows what the hell is really in it, what the quality is really, how much protein really, etc. But, at least they will eat it.

Then, when I’ve gotten a little break, I’ll slip back to trying to sneak supplements back in their food, and vegetables, and brewer’s yeast, and fish oil and so on. Then they go back to rejecting it. And the vicious cycle continues.

Now I’m thinking, maybe I can slip pumpkin seeds and corn silk in Baylor’s food. These are two things she may tolerate. Wish us luck!

I also see there is a product called Leaks No More. Maybe that’s next on the list. I see that it has mostly positive reviews. But for the negative reviews, Leaks No More did not work at all for their dogs. Okay, I’m just going to give it a try. If it does work, maybe I can discard all those other incontinence products, especially the phen-phen drug.

Incontinence:

Pumpkin seed oil (contains magnesium), yam root, corn silk, etc.

“Herbal Treatment:

Couch Grass: Specific for sphincter rehabilitation.

Horsetail: Assists in strengthening wasted or damaged tissue.

Comfrey: Speeds up healing even of old trauma.

Mugwort: Supports repair of nerve fibers along with the herbs above.

Saw Palmetto: Specific for muscle wastage and lack of tone.”

From:

http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/articles_treating_canine_incontinence.html

My New Year's Resolution

2011-12-30T19:23:00.000-08:00

My New Year's Resolution is to write and read as well or BETTER than David Sedaris. Please Writing God, make me a funny writer like him! And, honest too!

Snap Shots from This Week

2011-12-14T18:43:00.000-08:00

I'm not feeling that prolific this week. Actually, I've been working on my photography portfolio this week: www.definley.com

Texas size Christmas decorating in the 'hood.

More Texas size Christmas decorating in the 'hood.

Baylor rinses the dishes.

I've been meaning to take a picture of this. My 6-month, 10 pound supply of diatomaceous earth. Yes, the dogs and I consumed some again today.

Is it soup yet?! A walk?! Supplements with goat cheese?! Room Service?!

Okay, my new Mac is already on the fritz!! Shall I cry yet? Time to see an Apple Genius again.

Bring on the Soup Bones for Collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin!

2011-12-11T10:22:00.001-08:00

I had no idea that glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen were available other than in expensive supplement forms. Now, I’m seeing that these three key ingredients to good health are available very cheaply!

At our HEB grocery store they now sell chicken carcasses and also chicken feet. At Whole Foods they often have free fish bones. Many of the supermarkets in Austin sell chicken, fish and beef bones at a reasonable or cheap price – Whole Foods, HEB, Central Market, Sprouts and Wheatsville Coop.

Hopefully, especially now that it’s wintertime, I’m going to start making bone broths for soups for Bob and me. This will really help to keep our aging middle-age bodies healthier. Soup is a much tastier and cheaper way to get a good dose of glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen.

Maybe bone broths will keep my knees from creaking when I climb the stairs. And, maybe my declining eyesight will improve. I used to have better than 20-20 vision. Since my mid-forties, I’ve started wearing bifocals.

Within the last month, I bought for Rocky and Baylor’s arthritis,

Nutramax Cosequin DS Double-Strength Chewable Tablets - 250 Count for

$56.73. For myself, I bought NeoCell Super Collagen Type I & III + Vitamin C - 350 Tablets for $25.98. I’m wondering now if I really need to refill these when they're finished. I’m thinking that the bones many work just as well, are more natural and cheaper!

Links:

The Benefits of Collagen:

Hair, skin, nails, joints, eyes, bones and brain!

http://www.wellbeing-information.com/benefits-of-collagen.html

MyHealingKitchen.com > Bone Broth Beats Glucosamine…by a Mile!:

http://myhealingkitchen.com/medical-conditions/arthritis/arthritis-make-it-better/toss-the-glucosamine-bone-broth-is-more-effective/

Frozen chicken carcass from HEB supermarket. There's actually a decent amount of meat on this too for soup.

Frozen chicken feet. These are for Rocky and Baylor. Baylor loves these WAY better than arthritis supplements. Normally, I have to shove the pills down her throat with goat cheese and keep giving her Stella and Chewy's treats so she won't run away. Plus, the chicken feet bones help clean their teeth! Now Baylor - and Rocky - are chicken feet fan!

Maybe, it's time to replace these two supplements with bones!

Rock'in Out With Rocky and Baylor - The Good Old Days

2011-12-11T08:38:00.001-08:00

Ah, this video brings back great memories of Rocky and Baylor when they used to disco in the park with their buddies. Unfortunately, their arthritis makes it a bit difficult for them to party down like they used too. Rock on, Rocky and Baylor!

Fun Saturday with Rocky and Baylor

2011-12-10T17:14:00.001-08:00

Bob and I spent a fun afternoon around the dog-friendly parts of Austin:

Car Show at Camp Mabry. Hot dogs and hot rods.

The Hot Dog King. Bob had bratwurst and I had the vegan dog.

South Congress Avenue:

One of the many food trucks. But, this one is the "rudest".

Austin always has the most interesting ads. Keeping Austin weird.

Cute chicken purses. I really should be a vegetarian.

Very iconic.

Christmas decorations, Texas style.

Austin Pets Alive doggy hoping for a forever home.

Crepes on South Congress Avenue from the Crepes food trailer.

Chicken Feet for Rocky and Baylor

2011-12-10T16:55:00.001-08:00

I stopped at HEB this afternoon for chicken feet for Rocky and Baylor.

I hacked at two chicken feet for Rocky to break it down. He really enjoyed licking them in a bowl. But, he had a hard time eating them. I hacked them some more and then hand fed them to Rocky. Rocky ended up eating four chicken feet and wanted more! Those few teeth that he has left still work well for crunching and chewing.

Baylor grabbed a chicken foot right away. But then she just kept walking around the house with it. Every time she’d drop it to start to lick it, she’d pick it up again and walk it around the house longer. Then, she’d look for a new place to drop it. She’d lick it, pick it up and walk around with it again. After an hour, she ended up just lying down next to it. At least she got the most exercise she’s ever gotten indoors.

After about an hour, Baylor finally tackled the chicken foot. She really enjoyed it! She crunched down four more within ten minutes!

Chicken feet at $1.49 per pound.

Rocky not sure what to think at first of chicken feet.

I hacked Rocky's chicken feet to make them easier to chew and swallow.

Rocky gives hacked up chicken feet and try and likes them!

Rocky eating a chicken foot.

Baylor takes a chicken foot.

Baylor likes chicken feet but struggles with when and how to actually eat one. But, after the first one, she gets the hang of it!

What Are The Health Benefits of Chicken Feet?

2011-12-10T08:39:00.001-08:00

When I looked this question up on Wiki Answers, the answer was “They hold up chickens”.

Okay, so benefits of chickens feet besides that…

Doing more research I see that chicken feet are popular to eat in many countries such as Mexico, China, Japan, Jamaica, South Africa and others.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_feet

Also, according to NourishedKitchen.com and other websites, “chicken feet contain calcium, glucosamine chondroitin, collagen and trace minerals.”

Plus, they don’t have too much protein, a problem for Baylor’s kidneys. These bones won’t likely splinter either or crack her teeth.

So maybe I will go buy Baylor some chicken feet. They are also very inexpensive, $2.38 for a large package. And, they’re much cheaper to buy fresh than at our local pet shops where they’ve been dryed, have been sitting around in a bin for who knows how long, and are from who knows where. And, they’re a lot cheaper than vegetable bones that Baylor won’t eat.

I’m sure I could cut down on my own glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, along with my collagen supplements if I were to eat chicken feet too. Maybe, I’ll start making other types of bone broth for soup, instead. It’s hard for me to get past the gross-out factor of chicken feet. Although, chicken feet are kind of fascinating too.

Chicken Feet at HEB for $2.38 for the package.

Food and Supplements

2011-12-09T19:39:00.001-08:00

I continue to tweak Rocky and Baylor's supplements and food. I also tweak my supplements too.

Wow, this dog food is only $3.99 a pound at Whole Foods. It's raw and has a lot of healthy ingredients.

The two oils I now use on my skin. I also use coconut oil in my hair. I cook with it and eat it on toast. I put coconut oil in the dogs food too. It's supposed to kill bacteria and is a healthy fat.

Baylor eating.

These are my supplements, minus a few I forgot to include in the picture. I also use diatomaceous earth along with the dogs.

Rocky usually likes to start his day with plain goats milk yogurt, and continue onto his next courses.

Baylor's supplements, minus a few I forgot to add in the photo.

Rocky's supplements, minus a few I forgot to add in the photo.

Some of my allergy supplements. My allergies are finally gone after fighting them since August. I cut out milk, which I think may have helped along with drinking more water and taking supplements. Austin, TX is often called the allergy capital. I think I'm especially allergic to mold.

I almost bought these "chicken paws" for Baylor. But, they were just too real looking. Plus, I'm not sure if they are very healthy or not. They look like a lot of fat and toe nails to eat.

It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas!

2011-12-09T19:36:00.001-08:00

Trees at Highway 360 and Spicewood Springs Road in Austin, Texas.

A Sylvia Plath Moment

2011-12-08T20:28:00.001-08:00

I just had a Sylvia Plath moment and wrote a poem. It's a dysfunctional Father’s Day poem. It is also appropriate, I hope, to send to Daddy for other occasions like in a Christmas or birthday card.

Daddy Do You Love Me?

Daddy do you love me?
Your heart is quite small.
Daddy do you love me, love me at all?
I see your nasty scowl and your angry gritting teeth.
I really want to like you, but I just feel too weak.
Oh won’t you go away if all you have is hate?
I really don’t like to be the one that you berate.
I know you think you love me, but your heart is very small.
Daddy, oh daddy, you don’t love me at all.

Now that my Sylvia Plath moment is over, I can move on with my holiday celebrating.

My Stocks Ain’t Looking Pretty

2011-12-08T20:19:00.001-08:00

I don’t like depressing myself or others more than is necessary. And, depression is never necessary. This is why I haven’t been posting my portfolio much. It’s down $331.61. Not fun.

Thank God I kept so much in cash I guess. My next step is too look for 3 – 4% dividend yielding blue chips at good prices such as a PE at 20 or less, good rate of return, etc. But, isn’t everybody?

Don't Tell Me It's Christmas Decoration Time Again!

2011-12-07T20:23:00.001-08:00

Now that Thanksgiving is over, more and more of our neighbors have their Christmas decorations up. I really don't feel like taking our tree out of the box. It feels like I just put it back in the box.
I still have some pinkish-orange Halloween lights out on one bush. I'm wondering if I can get away with just turning those on again. After all the spider in the middle of the web of lights is too small to be seen from the street. That's about as much energy as I have for Christmas decorations this year!

My Addams Family Style Christmas. Spider web lights on a dead holly bush.

A Three Hour Walk!

2011-12-07T20:15:00.001-08:00

With a friend and her pup Charlie, we drove to a beautiful park near 2222 and hwy 620. I wish I could remember exactly how we got there. It was the most beautiful hiking area I've seen in Austin so far. A beautiful creek. Pristine waterfalls flowing into pools of clear water. The water covered a palette of various shades of smooth brown rocks. We ended up hiking for three hours!

Rocky was stiff after we got home. I gave Rocky and Baylor a half a Traumeel so they wouldn't get sore. Traumeel works wonders. Then, we all took an afternoon nap until dinnertime. Ah, the life of a stay-at-home dog mom!

©D.E.Finley 2011. All Rights Reserved.

Creative Health - The New Yorker Caption Contest

2011-12-05T11:47:00.001-08:00

Another thing I do to foster my creativity is to enter ‘The New Yorker’ weekly cartoon caption contest. I haven’t won yet. But, I’m hoping to someday. In the meantime, it’s fun to enter and to read other people’s captions too. ‘The New Yorker’ has some of the best humor out there!

New Yorker caption contest (& The New Yorker):

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/caption