Burn 500 Calories by Crocheting?!

I recently came across an article on MSN discussing 50 ways to cut 500 calories a day. There are some fun tips and tricks in the article, but one definitely surprised me! Here is #21 on the list:

“21. Get out your knitting needles. An afternoon of knitting can burn more than 500 calories (at a rate of about 100 an hour).”


Okay, so I think it should say “crochet” not “knitting” or at least both, since they are fairly similar. I’m sure if you can burn more than 500 calories knitting, you can do so crocheting too! I think the point is to keep your hands and fingers busy to keep you from over eating when you’re bored. But I never knew you can burn that many calories from crocheting/knitting!! Perhaps the next time someone calls me lazy for sitting around crocheting all day I can tell them I’m exercising

You can read the MSN article here.

Cold Weather Tips for Pets

This information is not meant to be a substitute for veterinary care.
Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian.
Cold Weather is on the way, which means it's time to give Special Attention to your Pets

When the seasons move from summer into fall and winter, people adjust their routines and plan for colder weather. At the same time, take a few minutes to prepare your pets for the changing seasons. The following is a list of dos and don'ts to help you give your pets the cold-weather care they deserve.
DO'S
Do provide proper shelter:
If you can't keep your dog indoors during winter months, provide an elevated structure with a door to protect pets from wind and weather.
Provide dry, clean bedding materials such as straw or blankets and replace bedding if it becomes damp or wet.
Find a house large enough for your dog to be able to stand up and turn around, but small enough to retain her body heat.
Do provide indoor dogs with a warm sleeping area away from drafts.
Do use caution around bodies of water. Keep pets away from rivers, ponds and lakes as they begin to freeze. Continue to use caution even when the water appears completely frozen.
Do keep hair around paw pads trimmed. Less hair will help keep paws free of ice and snow, which can quickly ball up between footpads and create uncomfortable walking conditions for pets.
Do check paw pads for small cuts and cracks. Consider dog boots for dogs that react negatively to walking on ice and snow - especially dogs that react to snow removal products.
Do clean your dog's paws after walks to remove salt and snow removal chemicals, which can be toxic to pets.
Do check your dog's ears, tail and feet for frostbite. Just as dogs are sensitive to hot summer sidewalks, cold winter walkways may cause pain or contribute to frostbite. A dog that continually lifts individual legs off the ground during a winter walk may feel the effects of frostbite. Frostbitten skin may appear red or gray. If you suspect frostbite, wrap your dog's feet in a blanket or towels to gradually warm them and contact your veterinarian.
Do provide the proper type and amount of food for the season. Dogs housed outdoors and dogs that participate in strenuous outdoor activities may require additional food during colder weather. On the other hand, indoor dogs that exercise less frequently in colder months may need less food.
Do provide adequate fresh, unfrozen water. If your dog lives outside, consider investing in a heated water bowl. Indoor dogs also may require more water to combat dry winter air.
Do invest in a pet sweater for shorthaired breeds. Watch for telltale signs that your pet is cold. Like us, pets will shiver in response to being chilled.
Do keep puppies and older dogs indoors except for short periods of time. As with humans, young and old dogs are more susceptible to the effects of the cold.
Do keep dogs on a leash - especially during bad weather or snowstorms when they can lose their ability to find their way by smell.
Do pay attention to snow removal. Avoid piling snow near fences and creating an escape route for curious pets.
Do keep identification tags updated in the event your dog runs away.
Do clean up antifreeze spills immediately. Many dogs like the sweet smell and taste and, unfortunately, even very small amounts can be lethal to them. If you suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze, take your dog to your veterinarian immediately. There may be time for Antizol-Vet, an anti-freeze antidote, to help your dog. Also consider using an animal-friendly anti-freeze.
Do maintain your pet's grooming schedule. Regular brushing keeps your dog's coat supple and prepared for the cold. However, when you bathe your pet, be sure to dry his coat thoroughly before allowing him outside.
Do visit your veterinarian for a checkup before the cold weather strikes. Cold weather may exacerbate certain conditions, such as arthritis. Sudden changes in the weather or drops in temperature may affect pets suffering from osteoarthritis.
DON'T
Don't suddenly house an indoor dog outdoors. Dogs require a month or more (as seasons change) to become accustomed to lower winter temperatures.
Don't keep your dog outside in all conditions. Pay attention to the thermometer. If it dips too far below freezing, it's too cold for any dog - even those accustomed to being outside.
Don't treat all dogs alike. While some breeds such as Alaskan malamutes or huskies may be able to spend long periods out of doors in cold weather, other breeds such as greyhounds or Dobermans to not have the same protective fur.
Don't leave pets alone in cars during cold weather months. When the engine is off, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold.

no more orders for Personalized Letters from Santa

we can not longer take orders for Personalized Letters from Santa. sorry the dead line was the 19th of dec. thank you to all that ordered.

Teacher survival kit

How do you take this stuff,

And turn it into a great gift?

Here is a Cute idea. Put all that stuff in a plastic soda bottle at the beginning of the year for your kids' elementary teachers. This way if one of the kids in the class needed a pencil or some paper they could just go quietly to it and retrieve it. It should have all the supplies each child was expected to have in class plus some things just for teacher too. (Sore throat losenges, aspirin, tums, etc.) It's called a teacher survival kit. Add a few curly ribbons and a tag.

Are you wondering how all that stuff got into the bottle! Wanna know? Leave a post and I will tell you how.

Family tradition

When my son was first born in 97. I started tradition by buying one ornament for ever year for our christmas tree. I do this for all of my kids now and to this day we still keep this tradition going. So when they leave home they will do the same thing for their childern. So I hope will some people to start new traditions for there family's.

that’s one good thing that happened today

This morning I was talking to my dh, who was driving. I was telling him about something that had happened, and I said “that’s one good thing that happened today”, which made me think. I am always stressing over the bad things that happen in life, but I’d bet there was at least one good thing that happened every day that didn’t get much attention. Granted, noticing a tire is flat before you drive on it is a small thing, but it’s definitely a good thing.

I decided right then to blog about this to for people to keep a journal about at least one good thing that happens to them every day. In this day of internet acces with MySpace, Face Book, Twitter, etc., I figured a blog would be a better idea. Maybe there are other people who feel the same way and can be inspired to do the same.

So, this blog is where I will like you to tell me your “at least one good thing” that happens to you every day. Maybe if we am concentrating on the good things, the bad things won’t seem quite so bad.

So leave me a comment about you having one good thing that happened today.

Christmas Sale

Now until Fri, Dec. 19 2009. You will receive 5% off your order before S&H.

Deal Starts Nov 28 @ 12:00 am. Deal ends Dec 19 @ 11:59 pm.

Please email me with what you would like and I will fix the price and send you back an invoice with the new total.