Dar's Two Sense

Simple $10 Debt Elimination Solution

It has been raining off and on for several days now. You know, I really do enjoy the rain, though. As long as it doesn't flood, that is... We've had that around these parts, and it's not a pretty thing.

I love the fact that here in Missouri we do have the different seasons. Spring and Fall are my favorites. Have you ever lived in a place that had no change in the seasons? Ugh! I've done that, and I really didn't enjoy it at all. Boooorring! No need to change wardrobes, every day is just like any other day. Guess I just like change.

While I enjoy the storms, I feel somewhat guilty right now because Little Beaner (Ben, 3-y-o Chocolate Lab) is terrified of storms. He hates the thunder, the lightning. I find him under my feet, curled up in a fetal position. A shivering, shaking, panting bundle of nerves. It's sometimes hours later before he calms down again. Once he realizes it's storming outside, his ears droop, tail goes between his legs, and he's like a different little guy. That's my Little Beaner. He's back to normal tonight after several stressful days.

I just finished this week's newsletter. You'll find it here:

The Simple $10 Debt Elimination Solution

See you later. Have a fantastic week!

dar

How to Get your Dog to Stop Scratching...

A Paw-sock for my Frisco...

My 11-y-o Lab was chatting with another dog down the street. He obviously didn't like what she was saying, because he bit her. She has a small puncture wound just below her floppy ear. Well, it was a simple wound until she started scratching it. We shaved the area and were putting ointment on it and cleaning it daily. But she just kept scratching at it until she got it infected. It cost $60 for the vet visit, some antiseptic ointment and antibiotics...

So, being creative parents and all, we made a small paw-sock for her. We cut up a sock, using the bottom seamed area of it. We covered the lower part of her paw, wrapping it lightly with medical tape, so she can't scratch the area. I have to say it's pretty brilliant - and it's working! The area that had looked so bad just a few days ago is now healing quickly. Of course, it doesn't look the best, with a huge patch of hair shaved off. I warned her she probably wouldn't get any dates this week.

She and I, now, are off to have a little chat of our own. She's got to learn a bit of balance while applying her Right to Free Speech.

Wish me luck!

Shouldn't wait so long!

I finally made it out to have dinner with the girls. I had missed the last two times and didn't want to be a no-show this time.

Seven friends and I met at Olive Garden around 3:30. Yep, I even managed to be good, carb-wise. Had only 2 yummy breadsticks. Two servings of salad (minus croutons) and a chicken-something-or other and I was done. Can you tell I'm a bit proud of myself, even though I had those carby breadsticks?

We had a blast, though. What is it about getting out, eating and letting your hair down that helps one feel so good? We chatted. Teased. Joked. And shared those little secrets...

Then we went to a second-hand clothing shop where I spent $6. Two belts and a small jumper for spring. It's funny, but I get so busy sometimes that it's hard to make myself get out and do something like this, even though I always have a great time. Gives me new energy. Challenges my city driving skills. And reinforces the belief that I shouldn't wait so long to do it again.

Of course, Frisk and Ben greeted me as if I'd been gone for weeks instead of hours. Makes a gal feel downright special to get all those little kisses (even though I didn't bring them a doggie-bag home.)

Credit Help For Renters And Others On The Horizon

I'm running way behind tonight, but wanted to let you know the current issue of Rat Race Coach ezine is now online, and can be found here:

Credit Help For Renters And Others On The Horizon

It's a pretty interesting article. Enjoy!

I'll be back soon, but in the meantime I hope you have a great week!

Sleep Aid: Cheese

Man, oh man! Have you ever had one of those nights that you just can't sleep? (I know you have!)

I just couldn't sleep for anything last night! Left me exhausted... I rolled out of bed after about 3 1/2 hours of sleep. I don't function on that small amount of sleep; I've gotta have 6, at least.

The good news? I've discovered that if I grab a hunk of cheese (yes, that would be the mouse in me), I tend to nod right off again. So why's it so hard to make myself get up and do it?

That's twice this week I've missed out on some sleep -- and that little hunk of cheese saved my tired buns both times...

Hmmm...

I'm hitting the hay early tonight. Gotta catch up on some rest so my brain can function again.

A Chocolate of a Different Flavor

Happy Anniversary to my little Beaner!

Three Valentine's ago, dh rushed up to the local APA to bring home our new puppy. We'd been to APA several weeks before and had picked little Ben (aka Beaner) out of a litter of 9 other chocolate Lab pups. This guy was the runt (we always pick the runts) and was the tiniest of creatures. He had just been snipped, though, so we couldn't bring him home.

The big day arrived. I had been out all day and barely beat dh home. I remember the awful disappointment I felt when dh came through the door with no pup in his arms. I was standing there, speechless. Racking my brain on which question to pelt my husband with first. I almost cried.

... until I saw the tiny chocolate snout working its way out of dh's jacket... Honestly, I've never seen such a tiny Lab. Even now at 3, he weighs only 25 pounds. Did I mention that he's pigeon-toed to boot? I mean, have you ever seen a pigeon-toed dog?

He's grown from a shivering, shaking little bundle of sleek fur to a prancing (yes, he prances!) young gentleman who loves to have fun. And he forces me to slow down and have some fun with him.

Beaner and his 11-y-o Lab sister are my Chocolate and Vanilla.

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!

Precious Memories

I was reading one of my favorite newsletters recently. The author was remembering what would have been another birthday for her daughter. Her 14th, I think. You see, her daughter was stillborn all those years ago. The author had shared with us how she has come to cherish those precious memories. She also shared how other women who've gone through something similar find their way to her. She has that ability to connect with them, to be there, to validate their feelings.

I can see where the author's loss had probably changed her life forever. I could see it in her writing. I could feel it.

We all have a story. Those things that *make* us. I sometimes wonder which things in my life have influenced me the most. It'd be a tough call. One thing for sure is that they all have influenced me in one way or another.

Yes, I cried while reading the author's passages. I couldn't help myself. I mean, we all understand pain on some level, don't we? Even if we've had a different kind of pain. When someone shares some wonderful news, we share their joy, don't we? Even if our 'joys' are not the same.

And isn't that what keeps us human, connected even, in the end?

What events in your life have *made* you the person you've become? I'm not talking about your job. Nor your money or lack thereof. I'm talking about those 'happenings' in your life. Both negatives and positives which have left their mark on you.

Will you someday encourage others, give them a hand up -- because of those things which brought you to where you are today? Sure, you will.

dar

Broke and Famous...

Hope you're having a great day!

I've been busy putting together my newsletter, so there's not much else going on in my world today.

My special Valentine's Day edition is available at:

Tales of the Broke and Famous

Enjoy! I'll talk with ya soon.

:-)

Dar

These Talking Dogs

Well, we got more snow. And rain. And sleet. All in all, though, I don't think it was as bad as last week's mixture. Traffic didn't seem to have as much trouble. Our yard is still beautiful with the fresh snow. Some of us had been complaining just a few weeks ago that we hadn't really had a 'winter' yet because it hadn't been terribly cold or snowy. Guess we'll stop complaining now.

The snow and ice give my dh a break from taking the dogs to the local school for exercise. They like to go there to run, and 2 others Labs join them whenever our car pulls up. It's like the dogs around the school have a built-in radar. They run circles and chase each other, having a blast. The good thing is our 2 come home tired and ready to relax.

When it's this cold and wet, they don't like to be out there too long. They head back to the house instead of to dh's car for their school trip. It's kinda funny how well they really do communicate.

A Happy Weatherperson's Day to our weather friends everywhere!

I received one of those funny-looking emails which masqueraded as being from PayPal. Their email states they are upgrading their server, so would I fill in the registration info again to renew my account... The subject line was a very curt, "Verify your Information." If you happen to receive anything suspicious from PayPal, they've asked that you forward it to e-mail.

I can't remember if I already posted my latest newsletter, but just in case, here's the link: When Coupons AREN'T a Good Deal.

That's it for me today. My brain's tired (too much thinking today).

:-)

Carb fest for me!

Yep -- I'm making brownies. Lip-smackin', luscious, carbohydrate-laden goodness... I've said no for a week now. Can't hold out any longer... they're baking as we speak.

Dh and I tend to eat low carb year round. It started a few years back when I read Dr. Atkins' book and decided it made sense. I had gone on a low-fat diet and gained weight. Nice, huh? As it turned out, the less fat I ate - the more carbs I inhaled. Helping me to gain even more weight. I'm not big (yet) -- but I need to get back to what I consider my regular weight. No, sorry, I can't divulge that exact number, even though I love ya.

I knew I couldn't diet like other folks. It never 'felt' right. With hypoglycemia, eating carbs was making my sugar bounce all around, not to mention the headaches and sluggish brain that accompany low blood sugar attacks. Hungry all the time, regardless of how many carbs I ate in lieu of low fat...

I had also watched as friends and family ate low fat, low calorie foods -- and they proceeded to steadily gain weight over the years.

What I've learned is to pay attention to when I feel great (full of energy) -- and when I don't feel so hot (sluggish as a slug) -- based on what I've eaten that day, and the day before. That's my *inner monitor* telling me how I'm doing with my food, especially carbs. For the most part, I've learned to indulge from time to time. If I don't, I'll blow it really big-time -- and do it for several weeks.

So tonight, I'm going to have a little bit 'o brownie for each of my friends. Should be back to normal about Saturday. :-)

Stay warm, my friends. Here in MO they're predicting the coldest night of the year.