The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge - Week #31

Welcome to Week #31 of The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge.  This week we save thirty-one dollars.  Our total saved is now four hundred ninety-six dollars.  

I really like the quote, "Act Your Wage" from Dave Ramsey:

For a free printable Challenge chart, check out Stuck At Home Mom's 52 Week Money Challenge.

If you're new to the Challenge, welcome aboard! You can start with thirty-one dollars this week and add a bit extra each week if you want to catch up with us. Alternatively, you could begin this week as Week #1 with one dollar.  Whatever works best for you is fine. Happy saving!

Summer Safety Warning to Dog Owners - Guest Post by Dr. Susan Williamson, D.V.M.

I am so excited to introduce a new guest blogger, Dr. Susan Williamson, D.V.M. Dr. Williamson is a relief veterinarian on the east coast.  She is the mother of four lively little boys, enjoys quilting and baking, and raises Swedish Flower Hens. Her debut post here addresses a very important issue for dog owners everywhere.  Please read and share her message.  Help us save doggie lives!

Last week’s heat wave got me thinking about this topic. It is not an easy one. Some people are offended when I talk about this one. But I have also learned many, many people simply don’t think or know about it, so it’s important to risk offending people to educate others. And to perhaps save just one life.

The topic that I have actually had people yell at me over is leaving their pet in the car “for just five minutes.” This is never a good idea. At just 70 degrees, your car can become an oven within just a few minutes.

In just a few minutes, if your car is parked in the sun, the interior temperature can rise 10-25 degrees. Multiple studies, which you can read at mydogiscool.com, show that even leaving the window “cracked” is not going to prevent this extreme rise in heat.

Last week, while it was hot, I myself parked my car in my driveway. I run the AC to the point my kids say they are cold and leap from the car into the heat with abandon when we stop, but within 15 minutes after parking and shutting the car off, the interior was up over 100 degrees. After our next errand, I left all four windows down about halfway (way more than most people leave the windows down when they leave a dog in the car) and the temperature was still over 100 degrees when we got back in later that day. 100 degrees doesn’t sound all that bad...but keep reading.

Just a few minutes in the store might turn into more than that due to circumstances beyond your control. How many times have you gone into a store and the line is long? Or there is just one person doing check out? Or something goes wrong with the checkout system? Or they need a price check on the guy in front of you? Yeah. It usually happens, thanks to Mr. Murphy, when you are in a hurry.

Photo courtesy of P.E.T.A.

Even leaving the car running isn’t a great idea. A few years ago, a police dog died in a police car when the AC in the car failed while the office was in a building. Your car might be stolen if you leave it unattended while running (it would here!) or you might get a ticket (it is illegal in many areas to leave a running car unattended).

So what temperature is too much, what happens, and what should you do?

Dogs can only cool themselves via panting. They do not sweat well, except on the pads of their feet. Their normal body temperature is warmer than ours, with an average of 101. 103 is the high end of normal. So when they get warm, which is about 102-103 degrees body temperature, they begin to pant. But if the air around them is warm, just 85-90 degrees (which it will be inside a car within minutes), heat exchange with the environment is less effective than it could be, especially in closed confines of a car or if they can’t get out of the sun. Heat begins to build up in their system. Add in humidity, and it speeds up the heat build up. They begin to show signs of heat distress at about 103-104 degrees body temperature: lethargy or restlessness, excessive panting, very thick saliva, and/or red mucous membranes. As it progresses and their body temperature continues to rise, they may begin to vomit or have diarrhea , develop seizures (IME, once you see this, many pets die), become unsteady, slip into a coma, and even suffer rapid death.

This process may even be faster for a brachycephalic breed, such as a Pug, bulldog, boxer, etc. They really do not exchange air and heat well because of their anatomy already, and being in a hot and humid environment sure does not help them. Dogs with medical issues, are older or are puppies are also at a higher risk of heat injury.

In just a few minutes at 85 degrees, especially if it is humid, your dog’s body temperature can go over 104 degrees, at which point it would be fair to say he probably has heat exhaustion.

At 106 degrees body temperature, brain damage starts to occur.

At 109 degrees body temperature, various processes begin, the worst being something us veterinarians, in our morbid sense of humor, call “Death Is Coming.” The actual medical term is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). What this means, in a very simplified form, is the clotting process is activated, despite there not being an actual need for it, and microclots are formed in blood vessels all over the body. This has consequences of its own as the clots damage organs, but the real downside is the clotting factors are all used up very rapidly during the activation process, and then the normal clotting process, which goes on all the time at a normal rate, does not happen.  They begin to bleed internally, and they die from internal bleeding they cannot stop on their own without prompt treatment at a veterinary clinic with blood products available.  DIC is often fatal even with treatment. At 109 degrees, most pets will die. I have never seen one survive 110 degrees body temperature.

Other consequences could be heart failure, fluid build up in the lungs, sudden kidney failure, liver failure, and brain damage, usually all secondary to DIC. These may not be reversible, and if your pet survives, she will live with the results for the rest of her life.

If you see a pet left in the car, call the police. Call 911.

In many states, this is considered an emergency, and it may even be illegal in your state to leave a pet unattended in a car. I cannot recommend breaking a window, as you might be charged, but I know some people who have, saved the pet in distress and paid the ticket they got after the police arrived (and also cited the pet owner). I have had customer service use the intercom to tell the owner of the vehicle the police are on the way to rescue the pet. When the temperatures are not in the dangerous level, I carry education cards I leave on windows of cars I see with dogs in them; one day, I left SIX cards on cars with dogs in them (but it was only 50 degrees that day... but I imagine those cars were stuffy from the humidity the dog exhaled when he was breathing). I have said something to people when I see them leaving a pet in the car, and some have yelled at me. Others said they didn’t know. Keep a few flyers with you for education. The website MyDogIsCool.com has some you can order and keep with you. 

If you were out playing with your pet and he seems to be having heat-related problems, take his temperature if you can, and find a hose, wet towels or other sources of cool water; ice is not recommended as it constricts blood vessels, keeping heat inside. Cool him by running water on his pads, head, ears, chest and abdomen. If the dog or cat can drink, let them, but do not force feed water. Run a fan if possible, and get him into the AC as quickly as possible. Your goal is to drop his temperature to 103-104 degrees and then stop. Excessive cooling can be just as dangerous as a too hot temperature at this time.  

Call your veterinarian, or a veterinarian, as soon as possible. This is important: even if your dog seems normal, take him in anyway. I usually run a quick ECG and a blood panel to rule out cardiac damage and organ damage, preferably as soon as possible and then repeat it a few days later to catch damage that may have been slow to appear, on dogs that the owner treated for heat exhaustion. Your veterinarian likely has a protocol she follows as well.

Unfortunately, this often means bring your credit cards. None of this will be cheap. Veterinary care isn’t free. Veterinary hospitals are small businesses, just like the plumber or the mechanic. Pet health insurance does not work like your HMO or PPO insurance plan. You are going to have to pay for all of this. Many vets will work with you and might not even charge you for everything, but please don’t expect it to be for free, even if your pet dies. We will incur expenses while doing what we can for your pet, usually pulling staff off of other patients to help stabilize your pet and using equipment and medication that then can’t be used on another patient. We have to purchase the needed blood products, which do not come cheaply from the Red Cross, and supplies. Veterinarians love animals and care about their owners, but love does not make sure a hospital is well equipped for the next patient.

If your pet is seizuring, passing bloody stools, vomiting blood, or in a coma, the situation is dire. Work on cooling the dog down while transporting to the nearest emergency clinic; call ahead if you can so they can be ready and meet you at the door. Many small animal hospitals will not have the equipment, medications (such as blood products) and staff available to support your pet, which will need 24 hour care for the next several days while he fights for his life.

The most common reason behind the death of children in hot cars is someone forgot; a person not used to doing the daycare run or pickup actually forgets the child is in the car. There is a very good article from the Washington Post on how and why this happens that you can look up, and I will not rehash it here.

But this is not generally true for pets left in the car. One common theme is, “The dog wanted to go on a car ride, because he likes it, and I had to run to the store.” Another common phrase heard is, “I picked the dog up from the groomer/daycare/vet and had some errands to run on the way home, and I didn’t think it would be a big deal.

While I have met a few people who have forgotten their dog was in the car, it is not nearly as common a theme as that associated with children. When it does happen, it usually is someone has picked up the pet from the vet/groomer, the dog is asleep in the back of the car, they are busy with children and the mail and stuff, and they forget. Try keeping your pet’s leash on the front seat, put a stuffed animal on the seat or dash when the dog is in the car, or put a bell on the pet’s collar (although this would assume your pet moves when you stop the car and you hear it jingle) as a reminder to get the pet out too.

The emotional fallout for the owner is tremendous. They made a bad choice for their pet, and now the pet is ill or dead, and they have a huge medical bill to pay. A lot of “what-if” and “if-only” is heard in the consultation room, along with many tears and self-recrimination.

While your dog might like going in the car, don’t take him unless you know you can take him into the store with you. I was delighted today when we walked through Home Depot and a woman had her dog with her. I have stopped people in the parking lot of Tractor Supply and insisted they take their dog in, which is store policy. I have held pets for owners as they check out at our hospital so they don’t feel like they need to put the pet in the car first. But a post office, X-mart run and that ilk might not be as pet-friendly, and your pet should stay home, no matter how much they like the car or as convenient as it might be for you.

Run your errands before picking your pet up from the vet or groomer, or go back out after bringing the pet home. If the weather is hot, forego that play session outside and play inside. Make sure your pet has access to shade, cool clean water and a cool area to rest during the heat of the day. A dog house can actually be too hot if it is in the sun.

While these prevention tips might take a few more minutes, it really does take just a few minutes to save a pet’s life.

 

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My Turn For Us: Freedom Fridays #64

 

The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge - Week #30

Welcome to Week #30 of The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge.  This week we save thirty dollars.  Our total saved now stands at four hundred sixty-five dollars.


I'm so proud of everyone involved in The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge.  The momentum is growing.  A recent issue of Redbook even has an article called The Money Habit That Saves You $1,378 Every Year Read more: Ways To Save Money - Money Saving Tips That Work ...

Photo Credit: Getty Images

.....and a mention of it on their magazine cover! 

The Challenge is headline news!

If you're new to the Challenge, welcome aboard! You can start with thirty dollars this week and add a bit extra each week if you want to catch up with us. Alternatively, you could begin this week as Week #1 with one dollar.  Whatever works best for you is fine.  For a free printable chart, check out Stuck At Home Mom's 52 Week Money Challenge.  Happy saving!

  
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Sincerely, Paula: No Rules Weekend Blog Party #57 

   

Diana Rambles:  Pin Me Linky Party #43

My Turn For Us: Freedom Fridays #64

 

Dish Towel Tutorial - July Edition: State Birds and Flowers of Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina - 12 Months of Pretty Kitchen Towels

It is time to introduce the July edition of the Fresh Juniper series, 12 Months of Pretty Kitchen Towels.  The July Dish Towel features bold red and yellow ribbon trim with the beautiful birds and flowers of Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

For the basic towel tutorial, visit Dish Towel Tutorial - May Edition - 12 Months of Pretty Kitchen Towels.  Our July edition is the same dish towel with different embellishment. 

Instead of adding a ruffle, simply machine or hand embroider a design and the word JULY in the red ribbon trim.  The beautiful fabric with the U.S.A. states print background and bold state flowers and state birds is used as additional embellishment.  Just serge the fabric edges (or finish edges using machine stitch method as directed in the tutorial).  

Pin trim fabric to dish towel and machine stitch near the outside edges of all four sides.  Then pin ribbon in place in the center of serger stitches (or in the center of the hem if you're using a sewing machine) and machine stitch down all four sides.

I love the July edition.  Remember the Kitchen Curtains Tutorial?  The July Dish Towel trim fabric is made from a remnant of the curtains.  They match beautifully!  

 

Thanks for following along with our series.  If you make some of these for yourself, please send me an email or leave a comment and let me know!

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Sincerely, Paula: No Rules Weekend Blog Party #57 

   

My Turn For Us: Freedom Fridays #64

The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge - Week #29

Welcome to Week #29 of The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge.  This week, we save twenty-nine dollars. Our total saved to date is four hundred thirty-five dollars.

Have you discovered something that makes it easier to keep up with the Challenge?  How is the Challenge going for you?  I'd love to hear from everyone!

If you're new to the challenge, welcome aboard! You can start with twenty-nine dollars this week and add a bit extra each week if you want to catch up with us. Alternatively, you could begin this week as Week #1 with one dollar.  Whatever works best for you is fine.  For a free printable chart, check out Stuck At Home Mom's 52 Week Money Challenge.  Happy saving!

Seen Along A Road In Texas - Lone Star Legends #2: K-911

 

It's time for another edition of Seen Along A Road In Texas - Lone Star Legends.  There are so many captions I can think of for this photograph.  Here are just a few:

Super Dog

Doggie EMT

Doggie Paramedic

K-911

Doctor Doggie

Daddy, if we dial 911 will he come and take our Fido to the hospital?

Daddy, if our dog has an accident on the carpet, will K-911 come and clean it up for us?

I saw the canine and his owner in my rear-view mirror and could hardly believe it myself.  Know what makes seem even funnier?  The location where the photo was snapped.  You'll probably won't believe me, but I shot it at a four-way stop sign....right in front of the hospital.

Do you see funny sights along the road where you live?  You never know what you might see along a road in Texas.

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The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge - Week #28

Welcome to Week #28 of The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge.  This week, we save twenty-eight dollars.  Our total saved now stands at four hundred six dollars. 


Admittedly, the thought of surpassing the four hundred dollar mark is a bit of a thrill.  It seems like we just hit the three hundred dollar level.  Wait a minute.  That happened with Week #24.  Seeing the savings accumulate faster each week is fun!

If you're new to the challenge, welcome aboard! You can start with twenty-eight dollars plus a bit extra each week if you want to catch up with us. Alternatively, you could begin this week as Week #1 with one dollar.  Whatever works best for you is fine.  For a free printable chart, check out Stuck At Home Mom's 52 Week Money Challenge.  Happy saving!

Bavarian Bakery and Cafe - A Little Old World Charm In Fort Worth

Bavarian Bakery Case

Welcome to the Bavarian Bakery.  Entering this bakery is like leaving Texas behind and traveling back in time.  Despite the industrial feel of the building's exterior and location, this establishment is full of old world charm and flavor that you notice as soon as you walk in the door.

German Proprietor with stunning Black Forest Cuckoo Clock

I started coming here almost 20 years ago.  It was one of the little discoveries I made when my workplace was temporarily relocated in the same industrial complex.  Otherwise, I might have never even heard about it.

Baker Clock - adorable!

 The Bavarian Bakery is located in the Southeast Loop 820 Business Park.  It is roughly between Sam's Club and Whataburger on the south side of 820.  Almost directly across the street on the north side of 820 is the Tarrant County College South Campus.

Mini Cannolis - my favorite!

 If you look up Bavarian Bakery and Cafe on google, you may be underwhelmed.  It is not a franchise with a slick online menu or delivery service.  Until very recently, every time I came in there were some sweet little ladies with fairly thick German accents that took my orders.  I think they were the former proprietors.  Want to know what to order when you come in?  Just order anything.  Order everything.  Absolutely every bit of food I've tasted here is delicious.

Bavarian Bakery Menu At-A-Glance

 On this particular trip, I decided to get some cookies in a to-go box for the grandkids.  I couldn't decide if they'd like chocolate with raspberry jelly filling or chocolate chip with m&m's the best, so I got both kinds!

Cookies!

The stunning Black Forest Cuckoo Clock is by far the most breathtaking cuckoo clock you'll ever see.  It is so large they had to open up the ceiling and add a skylight to hold it!

German proprietor of Bavarian Bakery in traditional attire with stunning Black Forest Cuckoo Clock and little gnomes.

I love the traditional German attire this gentleman is wearing.  He is just part of the overall ambiance of the bakery.

Remember they serve lunch and dinner!

Okay a proper restaurant and bakery review would show you some of the actual food items on the lunch and dinner menus.  I can only visit early in the morning before the restaurant serves lunch. Trust me.  The lunches and dinners are very tasty, too.

The Coffee Cake with Raspberry Filling is divine.

 This is also a wonderful place to order cakes for special celebrations.  You can see a little bit of one of the wedding cakes in the corner of this photo next to the small Black Forest Cuckoo clock. 

Charming Baker Statuette - Thanks for coming in today!

 You see, the outside of this place is just a box.  With the exception of the charming sign and the benches, nothing about the exterior is particularly inviting.  As you see, looks can be deceiving.

The cold exterior masks the warmth and charm found inside.

 Little did I know when capturing these photographs, they'd be some of the last ones made of this place before it was sold.  Today it is still the Bavarian Bakery, but you won't get the sweet little German ladies and gentlemen to come to the counter and take your order.   

The food is still good.  The new owner is friendly.  He assured me that when he bought the bakery, he also bought all the recipes on the menu.  It still has the beautiful clock, too.  All the physical charm still exists inside the place.  As much as I'll miss the German proprietors, I welcome the new owner.  I'm so glad this place did not close forever.  When I met the new owner I bought some of his mini cannolis. They are STILL my favorite tiny little sweet treat in the bakery case. 

State Champion Coleslaw - Memphis Style

Magnificent Memphis Style Coleslaw that you'll love to show off.  It is absolutely perfect for potluck, family gatherings, and barbecues!

Ingredients

Dressing

1 Tablespoon Imperial Light Brown Sugar
2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt
1 Teaspoon Paprika
1/2 Teaspoon Dry Mustard
1/2 Teaspoon Oregano
1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Coriander
1/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 Cup Hellman's Real Mayonnaise
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

 

Slaw

1/2 Head Cabbage
3/4 Cup Minced Green Bell Pepper
2/3 Cup Minced Sweet Red Onion


Directions

In a medium sized bowl, use a whisk or a large fork and blend mayonnaise and cider vinegar into the other dressing ingredients until the sugar dissolves.  Set aside.

Use a large knife to cut cabbage into thick slices.  Cut those thick slices crossways into much thinner slices. Place in large bowl and set aside.

Mince onion with sharp knife or small food processor and add to bowl with cabbage.  

Mince bell pepper with sharp knife or small food processor and add to bowl with cabbage and onion.

Pour dressing into bowl over the top of cabbage, pepper, and onion and fold together with large wooden spoon or other large serving spoon to blend.

Cover bowl and place in refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.  

This is a delicious and quite unique coleslaw recipe that I adapted from State Championship Coleslaw Recipes - Memphis - in the June 2013 issue of Southern Living Magazine. Trust me. Even if you don't like coleslaw, you should try this one. I made it for HUBBY and PRINCE because I am not a big fan of coleslaw, but I really fell in love with the amazing flavor!

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Sew- Licious Home Decor: Saturday Show-licious Craft Showcase #39
 

Sunflower Supper Club:  Weekend Potluck #74

Rattlebridge Farm:  Foodie Friday -- July 4th

 

Seen Along A Road In Texas - Lone Star Legends - Stars and Stripes Headache Rack - Chevy Dually Silverado Truck

I'm sorta tickled to introduce you to a new series of FJ blog posts called Seen Along A Road In Texas.  Since today is the 4th of July and all, I'm sharing an interesting Chevy Silverado Dually Truck with a fancy expanded metal USA flag design attached to the steel headache rack.  When this Lone Star Legend was seen along the road in Texas, it was sporting a push style lawn mower and a few cans of gasoline.  

I'd like to give a shout out to this good ol' boy and his unique pick-em up truck. Hey fella, bring that mower on over to my place.  I got lots of grass that needs cutting!

Y'all have a happy Fourth of July.  God bless America, and God bless Texas! 

The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge - Week #27

Welcome to Week #27 of The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge.  This week we save twenty-seven dollars.  Our total saved now stands at three hundred seventy-eight dollars.

This week we celebrate Independence Day and commemorate the official Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.  

Following The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge is a great way to declare your financial independence.  I hope you have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July.  We are truly blessed to live in this great nation where we have the right of self-determination and the precious gift of liberty.  God bless America!

If you're new to the challenge, welcome aboard! You can start with twenty-seven dollars plus a bit extra each week if you want to catch up with us. Alternatively, you could begin this week as Week #1 with one dollar.  Whatever works best for you is fine.  For a free printable chart, check out Stuck At Home Mom's 52 Week Money Challenge.  Happy saving!

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Sew- Licious Home Decor: Saturday Show-licious Craft Showcase #39