Got Dog Problems?

My little Remington is afraid of everything including my family.  I have been taking him to Triple Crown Dog Academy for 4 weeks now and have seen a bit of improvement. 

The best advice I have heard about dogs is that they are often bored. Boredom causes barking, digging, chewing, etc.  If you train your dog to sit, stay, place, and heal, it might be just what your dog needs to keep boredom at bay. It also takes the weight of the world off the little ones shoulders and places it firmly on yours, thus curbing the fears.

"A dog that has a sense of purpose knows his/her place in the world and can take the time to lie about leisurely and await his next adventure."

Besides training, you can invest in a few high quality interactive or time consuming items to keep the boredom from returning.  I have seen huge improvements on the barking and chewing with the following:


Ever Lasting Fun Ball:  Simply tuck treats into the little opening and away you go.  As your dog rolls and chases the ball, treats fall to the floor.  What does this do?  Encourages even more play.  If you have only one dog, you can fill the ball with that day's meal instead of giving your dog extra food every time he/she plays.


Ever Lasting Bento Ball: The bento ball is two fold.  You can tuck treats into one side and the other side has a flavored chewing disk that cleans the teeth.  You can get a vanilla mint flavored disk over the traditional meat flavors.  I have yet to try it, but I would assume it would freshen the breath quite nicely.


Flavored Hambones:  Hours of chewing on something other than your slippers.  What more can I say?

Do you have a suggestion on how to keep your dog entertained and rid him/her of some truely bad habits?

Do you have a favorite toy that your dog can play with independentaly to keep him/her busy even you cannot play?

I'd love to hear your advice.

Note: I have found greater success spending the money on a personal trainer than going with the more mainstream group classes.

Pamper Me Basket

Need a gift idea for someone you love?
I made the cutest pamper me basket for my granma's 80th birthday party, but it would be perfect for a student going off to college as well.

 

This is the * caddy * I purchased at Target.

Here are some item ideas you may want to include:

• shower caddy *
• back scrubber *
• bath salt *
• bubble bath *
• shower gel *
• shampoo and conditioner
• homemade body scrub - link to a recipe I use
• rice pillow- how to directions for making your own rice pillow
• gel eye mask
• sleep mask
• matching lip and nail color *
• floral hair clips- * I used infant clips since my granma's hair is thinning.  The infant clips were cuter than the adult one in all reality.
• throw blanket *
• book to read or favorite magazine
• several different flavors of tea *
• tea mug- * This tea mug comes in a Vera Bradley print.  It has a lid to keep the contents warm and a little hole for the tea bag string to hang out of.
• single serving coffee brewing mug- For $6 and a microwave, you can brew the perfect cup of coffee in 3 minutes.  I started using this in my classroom and considering how simplistic the entire system is the coffee is pretty good.
• handmade card *
• gift card

I am sure there are tons of items that could be included, but I think I gave you a good place to start. I made sure that I had a different item for each pocket of the caddy.  That way there was a little prize awaiting with each peek into the basket. 

Have fun creating your own Pamper Me Basket for someone you love.

Just an FYI: The bold faced items are items I actually purchased.  The starred items are items I have included in my kit, but I have only linked to a similar item and not the exact item I used. 

The total basket cost was around $50. 

Contest to be a Character in an HP Mallory Novel

I just found out about a really cool contest. 

Here is an excerpt from the author's blog:

"Enter to be written as a character in my book, Be Witched. I'll create your character using your name, description and personality (I'll send over a questionnaire, etc. to find out all about you!)"

Doesn't this sound like fun? 

No need to answer... of, course it does!!

So go ahead and check out the contest.  You know you want to enter too.

Good luck my friends.

Unplugged and Well Worth It

For the last two months, I have been virtually unplugged.  Of course, not completely. But definitely more days that not.  The pay off is amazing.

I have planted a garden and got to harvest a multitude of veggies today for the first time... banana peppers, jalapenos, bell peppers, green beans, and a variety of herbs.  I am honestly shocked at how large our garden is and how well it is growing. 

I cannot grow flowers at all.  Even when they come already beautiful and blooming I somehow cause their demise.  Vegetable gardening though is a whole other ballgame.  I have never really put much effort into it as I didn't have the time... go figure... I was posting and surfing the web.

Putting forth just a little bit of effort has payed of immensely.  My family has been spending more time together outdoors.  We are eating foods we have grown from seed.  My boys are more engaged in the backyard and spend time exploring and marveling in the work we have done.

Amazing... just had to say it again.

We have also been spending more time reading.  I have read probably 20 or so books in the time I have been unplugged.  I have noticed T Man choosing to read more and this is an area in which he struggles continually.  Even Little J picks up a book to "read" just for fun.

Being unplugged has also given my boys time to be bored.  The gift of boredom allows for creativity to blossom and take root... more outdoor play, constructing and building, different playing with the same old toys, lots of drawing and coloring, & many more stories told and elaborated on.  Fascinating how a little boredom can lead to so much fun.

So, I have a slightly altered plan for my blog.  Not sure if I can be this organized or if I want to to. 

BUT...  Right now I am considering posting every other week. 

This would allow me to still write on the four blogs I had kept up with regularly... not all mine.  I would guest post on one blog and write on my personal blog.  Then, the following week I could post here and write a post for Simplicity Parenting if I want.

Seems logical if I can get it all to mesh together.  I plan to try this idea out in June.  In theory, it will work. 

By following the above schedule, I am hoping to continue to be unplugged more often.  I am also hoping it will give me the time needed to accomplish a few goals:

• more quality family time
• more time devoted to things of importance... real importance
• more time outdoors
• simplifying and decluttering my home... Seems I just cannot get it done.
• organizing my kiddos... helping them to see the importance of neat and tidy... I am a mess.  I need to lead by example.
• more home cooked meals and less eating out
• finding some space in my yard to enchant my boys... locating a few nooks and crannies and making them inviting and kid friendly... balance beam, stumps to walk on, nature circle, fairy garden,etc.  We'll see if the hubby buys into this.  He likes the yard to be orderly not so much fun.

I guess that is about it.  Until next time my friends.  I will start regular posting again in June when school gets out.  At that time, I will let you know my schedule.

As always, I appreciate you taking time out of your busy lives to read my blog.  I love hearing all your ideas and sharing my thought with you.

Blessings to you and yours.

Thoughts and Help Needed

I am so loving my new blog design.  I opted to install myself and have done fine.  I am having a problem with the photos distorting when dropped into the photos gadgets or being really tiny and having the size under the photo.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

To manipulative the system, I have used the slots as regular gadgets and always loaded the photos into the first (smallest slot) and then moved to the second slots.  How bad does it look to have the pictures not spaced correctly?

The pictures are spaced correctly in the orginal design.  It is something that I am doing incorrectly not a design issue at all.

Next time, I know that I am not an installer.

Lesson learned:  Always get help when you can.  Don't wait until you need it.

Color Personality Quiz

photo from BHG

Better Homes and Gardens has an online quiz to learn about your decorating color personality.  I am a Fiery Red which was not a shock since I consider red to be as neutral as black and beige.  Here is what BHG has to say:

Fiery Red...
Decisive and result-oriented, you’re a take-charge person with a flair for the dramatic. You're not afraid to take a risk or show your passion. Red is a powerful and evocative color. 

Add pops of red in curtains or ottomans.  This color personality is sensual and stimulating.

Use orangey reds on kitchen cabinets... energetic and powerful.

Deep red walls, white wooden features and pops of aquamarine... extroverted and ardent.

Go check out the quiz.  It only takes a minute or two to take and looking at the room suggestions is fun.

So, What is your design color personality?

Jasper

We would like to welcome a new addition to the family.  Little Jasper is a 7 week old Yorkinese (yorkie, pekingese mix).  He so cute!!

The boys are beside themselves with happiness as they have wanted a puppy for awhile now.

T Man is doing great with the little guy.  JJ still needs supervision as he wants the puppy to chase him.  There have been some close calls with Js feet.

I think T was ready for this new responsibility.  He is trying so hard to have the puppy master up to him. 

Watching my boys with this new little life is adorable.  I think you might be seeing alot of new puppy pictures in the near future.

*Oh, and yes I did get the name from Twilight.  Just keep it a secret, 'k?  My honey would soooo make fun of me for that.

Welcome to Natural Simplicity

Yeah!! I have transferred all relevant content from One Pink Fish.  It took awhile and I hope there aren't tons of miss spelled titles as I aimlessly worked towards my goals.

If you notice anything that needs attention, do not hesitate to let me know. 

I am so excited to launch what is hopefully my final blog.  I feel more confident than ever that I have selected a perfect blog title that fits me and my goals in life.  I also love that I have very separate content for each of the blogs. 

I know at times I will have to write the same post for more than one blog, but I hope to keep that to a minimal.

Feel free to check out my learning blog (Makin' Magick) as well.  It is definitely a work in progress, but I hope people will find the content useful.

Thanks for stopping by.

Stress Relief for Men

What do you do when life becomes complicated?

I am a pretty laid back individual... generally takes alot to ruffle the feathers.  My husband on the other hand needs a steady tempo in the right direction or else he is on edge.

Let's just say with the current economic state of the family, the holidays coming, and the never ending pursuit of a lean mean body, he has been a bit "irritable" lately.

We have discussed this more than once in the last week.  I do not want the kids to think they have done something wrong when he gets a bit irritated more easily.  He really does do  a good job of not showing this to the boys, but he still needs some way to deal with stress.

When hunting for a solution or at least an aid, I came across some interesting information.

"Why is stress and anger more of an issue for men? Well, it is mainly down to the male hormone testosterone which makes men more prone to aggressive behaviour then women.

Unfortunately, being aggressive all the time can get you into lots of trouble and will cause an excessive production of the stress hormones to build up. Equally though bottling up feelings of anger and aggression will also cause a build up of tension and anxiety." ~stress relief workshop

I guess sometimes it truly is more difficult for men under pressure, but that is no reason to make the ones you love suffer.  Take some advice and simply relieve a little stress.  It could be as easy as counting to 10.

10 Ways For Men to Relieve Stress...
1.  Stress Relief Breathing:  Sit comfortably.  Breath in through the nose for 5 seconds and out through the mouth for 5 seconds.  Do this several times.

Try to increase the length of the inhalation and exhalation always aiming for the length of each to be similar.

Also, try to really push the air out from your diaphragm emptying the lungs.

2.  Progressive Muscle Relaxation:  Start by tightening the face muscles as tight as you can.  Hold the position for about 10 seconds.  Slowly release the muscles and take pleasure in the feeling of stress being striped away from the body.

Move to the neck, shoulders, and arm muscles and follow the same procedures.

Next, you will tighten the abdomen and chest.  Hold and slowly release.

Finally, tighten the buttocks, legs, and feet.  Follow the same procedure you have been.

This targets four main areas of the body and should aid in fairly immediate stress reduction.  If you have time for a more full body approach, click the link above to view more details.

*If you feel funny doing this technique, consider spending the money for an aromatherapy massage.  Massage alone works wonders for relieving stress, but couple it with an aromatherapy session and you just might not want to leave the spa.

3.  Meditation:  Sit cross legged on the floor in a quiet area.  Clear your mind of all thoughts.  This will be difficult at first, but will get continually easier as you practice. 

If your mind begins to wander, turn off your inner thoughts.  Focusing on very rhythmic breathing can be helpful when quieting your mind. 

Start out with 5 minute sessions and work up from there.

Doing a small meditation before and after work is very helpful to stave off stress.  If you are short on time, I would suggest beginning with the after work mediation.

Remember though that mediation is something you can do any time you are under pressure.  Taking the time for yourself will be worth the benefits.

4.  Get Outside: Getting in touch with nature generally provides exercise, but also a good dose of vitamin D which is vital for a healthy mental state.

5.  Go Unplugged: Turn off the computer and cell phone during the lunch hour and shortly after arriving home.  Going unplugged is wonderful for letting go.  Plus, it gives you more time to be with the ones you love... face-to-face.

6.  Take Up a Hobby:  Mindless repetition is wonderful for unwinding at the end of a hard day.  Finding a hobby you can keep up is beneficial to a happy, healthy lifestyle.

7.  Laugh:  Watch a funny movie, go to a comedy club, or spend time with some fun friends.  Laughing is one of the most natural ways to reduce stress.  Go ahead and get your laugh on.

8.  Date Night:  Spend time with the one you love.  Going out and reconnecting lets you know your partner really does care.  It also gives you time to let loose and have fun.

9.  Evening Walks with Your Lover:  Getting in the habit of taking an evening stroll allows both partners to debrief his/her day.  Just talking about situations that are particularly stressful can help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Allow your significant other to help you.  After all, he/she loves you.

10.  Regular Sexual Activity:  What better way to get a little exercise and oxygen to the brain!  Physical touching also leads to a feeling of connectedness and understanding.

Update

I am slowly, but surely moving relevant content over.  Thanks for your patience as I get things in the right place.

I have actually had a bit of fun moving things over.  I had alot more on my blog than I remembered.  Seeing some of the old projects has been inspiring.

Welcome to Natural Simplicity

What started out as a blog to log my family memories quickly turned into much more.  One Pink Fish has grown beyond what I had imagined and has taken on a new direction.  It is with this new direction that I decided to create a new blog all together. 

Thus, Natural Simplicity was born.

I am slowly moving relevant content from One Pink Fish to both Natural Simplicity and Makin Magic.  Many learning activities will be housed on both blogs when appropriate. 

Natural Simplicity will continue to contain daily life happens of our family.  Other content will include...

• eco finds
• green living
• natural heath care ideas
• natural cleaning and home management
• simplifying your family (simplicity parenting)
• getting in touch with nature
• crafts and learning ideas.

I hope that you will sign up to continue to follow my blog, share, ideas, and leave comments.

As always, blessed be.
One Pink Fish