Anticipation part 2 and stressful week+

A few weeks ago I posted that my family was waiting (sometimes impatiently) for the day we could pick up our female Golden Retriever puppy named Pepper.

Well, we did pick her up on Saturday afternoon 18 August, but by Sunday afternoon it was obvious that Pepper was sick.  We called the breeder and determined that Pepper was dehydrated and had stomach issues.  So, I learned how to use an eye dropper to get water into her since she was not willing to drink on her own.

Pepper did better on Sunday night (after getting some water in her), but by Monday morning it was obvious that we needed the breeder to look at her.  (The breeder lives about 60 miles from our house – what happens when you live in ‘semi-rural’ Nevada.)  The breeder gave Pepper an I.V. and stomach medicine.  We decided that Pepper should stay at the breeder’s for a few days, but Pepper was looking better by the time we left.

On Tuesday I heard Pepper was eating, drinking and behaving normally.  But, by Wednesday morning the breeder decided Pepper needed to see the vet (Pepper was laying with her head in her water dish, etc).  I heard that they determined Pepper had a fever so they started antibiotics and was going to do lab work.  (I would not be honest if I didn’t tell you we were praying for Pepper to get well.  Since the vet and breeder couldn’t tell us what was wrong with Pepper it was scary to think about.)  I guess the breeder called and no other dogs (she also does rescue) or puppies were sick.

Pepper stayed at the vet from Wednesday last week until today (Wednesday).  Pepper had stomach issues intermittently from Wednesday to Saturday and then they had to start her back on food.

I am happy to say that I went out and picked up Pepper this morning.  We didn’t have Pepper long enough to weigh her before, but we can tell she has lost weight.  She is on a special diet and medicine for at least the next few days.  I am typing this while sitting in her fenced in area in the kitchen (she was whimpering when I was standing on the outside, but as soon as I came in and sat down she laid down next to me).

Her collar didn’t come home with her so I have to go shopping after my husband gets home tonight since we don’t have another puppy collar.

So, I hope this is the start of Pepper being well.  Including a photo we took the first night she was home.

Any bets on how much sleep I get tonight?

Later – H

Gluten-free products we like

I just posted a permanent page that lists most of the ‘official’ gluten-free products we like/use.

Note:  There are a lot of mainstream products that are gluten-free so this list is not complete.  It mainly is the special gluten-free products we have found (bulk flours, mixes, kits, rice noodles, frozen pizza crusts, etc).

I will be constantly updating the list so check back once in a while.

Leave me a comment with your email (which is not seen publically unless I approve/post) if there is something special you are looking for.

Later – H

Color Me Rad 5K – Groupon and Thrift Store

A few months ago extended family members did a ‘Color Me Rad’ 5K (walk/run where they have color bombs you go through) that sounded like fun.  Well, we found that one will be held locally in the end of September and there was a Groupon deal so we got 1/2 price registration!

If you want to try Groupon and haven’t yet, please use code
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu13238548 and that will give me a $10 credit for referring you.  Thanks!

Since we had seen the After photos (with multi-colored clothes, etc) I decided to check out the Salvation Army store to see if I could find a white t-shirt to wear.  I ended up finding a women’s v-neck 100% cotton t-shirt for $0.99 – perfect. I already have a pair of paint splashed shorts and old running shoes so I am set.

Since I usually don’t check the clothes at a thrift store I went investigating when I found the cotton t-shirt. I found a pair of Under Armor shorts for $2.99 and a pair of stretch shorts for exercising for $0.99. Not bad.

Later – H

Hummingbirds in Nevada?

We have lived in Northern Nevada for 20+ years and I never remember seeing hummingbirds in our yard, until now. A few weeks ago a friend who scrapbooks started posting photos of hummingbirds on Facebook. At first I thought she had taken them somewhere else, but then I realized the background was in our valley.

Well, we have at least one and it was going to each blue flower in our border by the grass and came to the living room window also (maybe it was seeing a reflection?).  I finally got a good photo (this was even taken through our bedroom window).

Later – H

Do you ‘Pinterest’?

Well, I am guessing if you asked what a ‘Pinterest’ is then the answer is NO. Otherwise, you know how Addicting it can be 🙂

Pinterest is an online board that you can ‘pin’ items you like – recipes to try, craft projects, quotes you like, etc.

Lately, I have been finding more things I want to add to my ‘to do’ list than what I have gotten done. At least I won’t run out of ideas.

If you haven’t joined the craze, but want to leave me a message and I will send you an invite.

Later – H

Vitamins – gluten-free and others

We now order our gluten-free multi-vitamins from iHerb.com
If you are interested here are some of the gluten-free vitamins that we have bought:
** Note please verify ingredients yourself before using these products. We haven’t had any problems, but I would hate for you to.

– Super Nutrition , Perfect Family, Multi-Vitamin / Mineral (regular and iron-free is available)
– Super Nutrition , Women’s Blend 2, Multi-Vitamin / Mineral for Women
– Country Life, Gluten-free, chewable adult multiple vitamin

Also, since I usually buy over $40.00 at a time I get free 1-3 day shipping to Nevada. (Right now they are offering free shipping if your order is over $20.00.)

I just placed an order with iHerb.com and was give this unique coupon code – HER481 – that friends/family can use.

If you want to order enter the code HER481 in your shopping cart (right before check-out) and you will receive a BIG discount on your first order!
– If the order totals more than $40, you will save $10!
– If the order totals less than $40, you will save $5!

And I will get a discount the next time I order vitamins 🙂
Later – H

Puppy in the yard?!?

Well, this morning I looked out into the yard and saw a puppy. A couple of seconds later I did a double take since our puppy (Pepper) will not arrive until Saturday – we had the neighbor’s puppy in the yard! (Saturday I noticed a black puppy nose under the fence, but I wasn’t sure if it was theirs or it was visiting.)

So, I went out and tried to get a collared, but untagged (black) puppy to come to me. I finally got it to come, but then she saw the same neighbor’s cat laying under the picnic table and took off after the cat! Oh, my. Luckily, I heard the neighbor’s wife asking ‘do you see her?’ (she was asking her husband about the puppy). So, I yelled that I have ‘your puppy and cat’ in my yard.

So, finally they came over with a leash and took ‘Daisy’ the black puppy home. I am not totally sure how she got in the yard, but I think she dug under the side fence. So, besides getting the kennel setup, dog house painted, etc we will need to make sure there isn’t a way for the puppies to get under the fence to visit.

Later – H

Fire Hazard – GE, GE Adora™, GE Eterna™, GE Profile™ and Hotpoint®, Dishwashers

I saw this on the news and figured it was good to pass along.   Please share this with everyone you know that has one of these brands.

link:   http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12244.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2012 Release #12-244

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 918-8760 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908 Firm�s Media Contact: (888) 240-2749

GE Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: GE, GE Adora™, GE Eterna™, GE Profile™ and Hotpoint®, Dishwashers

Units: About 1.3 million in the United States

Manufacturer: GE Appliances, of Louisville, Ky.

Hazard: An electrical failure in the dishwasher’s heating element can pose a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: GE has received 15 reports of dishwasher heating element failures, including seven reports of fires, three of which caused extensive property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves GE, GE Adora, GE Eterna, GE Profile and Hotpoint brand dishwashers. They were sold in black, white, bisque, stainless steel and CleanSteel™ exterior colors and finishes. The model and serial numbers can be found on a metallic plate located on the left tub wall visible when the door is opened. Model and serial numbers will start with one of the following sequences:

Brand	Model Number Begins With:	Serial Number Begins With:
GE GE Adora GE Eterna GE Profile	GLC4, GLD4, GLD5, GLD6, GSD61, GSD62,GSD63, GSD66, GSD67, GSD69, GLDL,PDW7, PDWF7, EDW4, EDW5, EDW6,GHD4, GHD5, GHD6, GHDA4, GHDA6	FL, GL, HL, LL, ML, VL, ZL, AM, DM, FM, GM, HM, LM, MM, RM, SM, TM, VM, ZM, AR, DR, FR, GR
Hotpoint	HLD4

Sold at: Appliance dealers, authorized builder distributors and other stores nationwide from March 2006 through August 2009 for between $350 and $850.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers, disconnect the electric supply by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker controlling it and inform all users of the dishwasher about the risk of fire. For all dishwashers, contact GE for a free in-home repair or to receive a GE rebate of $75 towards the purchase of a new GE front-control plastic tub dishwasher, or a rebate of $100 towards the purchase of a new GE front-control stainless tub dishwasher or GE Profile top control dishwasher. Consumers should not return the recalled dishwashers to the retailer where they purchased as retailers are not prepared to take the units back.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (866) 918-8760 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm�s website at www.geappliances.com/recall

Location of model and serial numbers

Later – H

 

 

Anticipation

Have you ever noticed that when you are waiting for something good to happen it takes FOREVER?  Well, my family is waiting (sometimes impatiently) for the day we can bring our new ‘four legged’ family member home.

We put a deposit on a female Golden Retriever puppy last Saturday.  We have to wait until Saturday 18 August to bring her home and it is going so slow.  But, it is a good thing since we then have time to get ready for her – cleaning out the old dog house, find the leash, etc.

So, until then we have to look at the photos of Pepper:

I wonder how much she will grow in two weeks.    Later – H

What is in a name?

I have been asked why I picked ‘A Creative Engineer in Nevada’.

a) Creative: Well, I have always considered myself to be creative and if you know me very well you know I have lots of interests and usually have multiple projects in the works (recently I have been trying to finish some of my UFOs {unfinished objects} so I have been working on those besides starting some new projects).  Some hobbies include: hanging out with family, vacations, working on scrapbooks, photography, sewing, crafts, gluten-free baking, exercising, house projects, reading, hiking, kayaking, Bible study, etc, etc.

b) Engineer: I actually do have an Electrical/Electronic Engineering degree and worked in many different positions over the years.  So, even if I am not currently working in a paid Engineering position I will always consider myself one.

c) Nevada:  Nevada has become our home.  I have lived here for more than half my life now.  Did I expect to live here this long when we moved here after college – no, but due to jobs, etc it has been where we have stayed.

So, that is where the name came from and I think it fits.

Later – H