Condo Blues: Lacey
Showing posts with label Lacey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lacey. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

How to Make Dog Boots

Poor Lacey. Snow and ice get in between her toes when she goes outside during winter. It hurts so much, my snow dog stomps romping and digging and crumbles into a little ball from the pain.

You try playing in the snow with bare feet. I bet it hurts too.

I scoop her up and carry her home. Often we have to go back outside after Lacey's toes are warm to finish what she didn't get to do outside in the snow. Rinse. Repeat.

As much as I hate putting clothes on dogs for the sake of putting clothes on dogs, I bought Lacey a pair of dog boots for Christmas. I'm all for protective dog clothing if the dog needs it but I still felt like one of those people while in the store buying shoes for my dog.

I didn't feel that way last weekend when I tried to exchange the boots for a size that fit Lacey. All of the pet stores had a run on dog boots to prepare for the Polar Vortex Storm That's Colder Than Antarctica (for real. It is summer in Antarctica and 45 degrees warmer in Iceland (36 F) than in Columbus, Ohio today (-9 F. )  It looks like I am not the only crazy pet parent in Columbus putting boots on my dog. Good to know.

Seriously?


The only thing left in Lacey's size in Store Number Three were a set of disposable dog booties made from recycled plastic bottle fabric. I was less than thrilled with the disposable part, but any port in a storm. I hoped Lacey could wear them several times and see us through the cold snap. No such luck. Lacey's dachshund claws started to poke through the second time out.

Time to make fleece dog booties!

How to Make Fleece Dog Booties

Monday, January 6, 2014

How to Keep Ice from Forming Inside House Windows

On cold days like today (it is zero degrees outside with a 23 degrees below zero (F) windchill) I am glad I searched for sealed the air leaks in my home. We can tell the difference because our house was warmer and our heating bill was lower almost immediately.

Unfortunately, if your home is too air tight, it can be just as bad as having air leaks. Jen and Joey Go Green found this out the hard way. If you have ice building up inside of your windows,  her post  Stop Ice Build Up on Windows has some easy ways to fix the problem.




If you live in one of the Arctic Vortex zones, please take precautions against frostbite if you are unlucky enough to be outside.

Friday, January 3, 2014

2013 DIY Goals Wrap Up

I almost always put too many things on my yearly DIY Goal list to finsih by year’s end. I'm the Queen of Overscheduling. *royal wave*

I did something different when I made my DIY Goals List for 2013. I focused on more general/umbrella type goals and limited my list to seven items. It is 2014. Let’s see how I kept my 2013 DIY Resolutions.

1. Concentrate on projects using the items I already have. I really needed to knock the growing list of projects off my Someday list. Not to mention, the offhanded comments Husband uttered from time to time about my reclaimed material stashes. Yes, stashes. I completed 12 projects this year using things I already had on hand. I made Husband happy and cleared a corner of “treasures” from the garage. Bonus.



  • Big Ten team barn wood Welcome signs. I made these for Christmas gifts.

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  • 10 more ways to use orange peels because it is a shame to toss a useful Christmas orange rind.

  • Wednesday, January 1, 2014

    One Small Green Change 2013 Resolution Wrap Up



    Happy New Year 2014!

    I find that I’m better at keeping my New Years Resolutions if I make them when I need them instead of making up a resolution on New Year’s Eve for the sake of making a New Year’s resolution.

    During 2013, I made one small green change each month. My changes weren’t necessarily Earth shattering or big. I focused on the small stuff. The easy stuff. The hey-I-should-probably-do-that stuff.

    This way, I can evaluate whether it works for me or not. I'm more likely to keep monthly resolutions because some green changes are seasonal where I live. If you look at all of those little changes that became permanent, it can make a big, huge difference.

    Here's the 2012 One Small Green Change New Year’s Resolution wrap up.


    January

    Sunday, December 29, 2013

    My Top 10 Posts of 2013

     2013 was an exciting time for our family because we welcomed the pitter patter of little feet (which is really more of a romp! romp! romp!) with Lacey's adoption.

    Working with Lacey on her behavioral issues took precedence over most DIY projects, including finishing  my garage workshop – again. It was worth it though. Lacey has come a long way in learning dog manners, obedience and a few cute tricks, and is puppy stepping her way through socialization. Lacey still has a way to go with her behavioral rehab and we are looking for a good confidence building sport or activity she will like to do. 

    It is a good time to reflect on my 2013 top posts and projects on Condo Blues with the new year and a fresh start right around the corner.
    Besides, that’s pretty much all I can do right now because I’m spending my holidays like this.


    Nurse Lacey is on the job. She hasn’t moved from my side since I had to stay off my feet.
    You may have already seen this picture if you follow the Condo Blues Facebook page.

    Monday, December 16, 2013

    House of Love Christmas House Tour


    I'm teaming up with a fabulous group of bloggers to tour how we decorated our homes for the holidays.

    I'm trying to balance my desire to run out and buy all new whimsy fun Christmas decor to celebrate how much adopting Lacey has made us smile and laugh again with a potential tirade from Husband about our current state of Christmas tree ornament overpopulation, uh, I mean being green,  having more money to spoil Lacey with on Christmas Day. (Same eco goal, but sorry environment, spoiling our girl is the truth this year.)
    To get my idea machine running, I took the decorations out of storage and grouped them on the floor in mixed up combinations  from the way I usually display them. I played with grouping items by color, theme (all snowmen, etc.) as well as things I haven't displayed in a while.

     I realized I have plenty of Christmas whimsy decor if I change how, when, and where I use it. This year I decorated using red and bright green. It really  sings with the red curtains and lime green accent wall in the living room! I clustered snowmen in the bathrooms, wood Christmas decorations on the end tables, and created my first North Pole Christmas mantel.

    And glitter.

    Lots of shiny glitter! Because we have more girls than boys in this house now and girls like sparkly things (that I already had on hand and never used together until this year.)

    Let's start at the top!

    Sunday, December 8, 2013

    How to Make a Ho Ho Ho Christmas House Flag

     I like to hang a flag as part of my outdoor Christmas décor because it helps my guests identify my house in a neighborhood where most of the houses look a like.

    I usually go with flying the Dannenberg at Christmas per Danish tradition. Unfortunately, my Danish flag has flown more than its share of holidays and birthdays (another Danish tradition) and needs to be replaced.
    Lacey’s first Christmas with us is the perfect time to start a new Christmas flag tradition.


    geekchristmasflag
    I didn’t say it was a good tradition, just a  new and funny one.

    I used fabric I had on hand to replace my nylon flag with a cloth homemade Christmas flag.  I used a little bit of mathematical/scientific/geek shorthand to make Ho cubed because I didn’t have room for Ho, Ho, Ho.

    Husband didn’t buy that excuse either.

    Then we had a comic in depth discussion on the correct way to Ho, Ho, Ho. I say it should be mathematical, Ho cubed. Husband argued it should be scientific notation H three O three.


    How to Make a Geek Christmas Flag

    Monday, December 2, 2013

    Easy Lavender Goat's Milk Soap

    Tis the season to get gifting, fa-lalala-la-lala-la!

    One of my favorite gifts to give (and get, if you are listening Santa,) is homemade soap. This year, I'm putting my lavender bushes to good use. I'm making quick and easy calming lavender soap to give as Christmas gift exchange/teacher/hostess gifts.

    how to make lavender goats milk soap
     Pin this post to Pinterest! Share it with your friends!


    How to Make Lavender Soap

    Wednesday, November 27, 2013

    No Sew Drop Cloth Placemats

    I use tablecloths to hide the fact I need to refinish our dining room table and haven’t gotten around to it. Lacey likes my tablecloths because she figured out how to use them to pull things off the table and into her eager mouth. 

    I guess I better get some placemats, huh?

    I got my inspiration for this project from some of the little bits of supplies I wanted to use up while I was clearing a path through the crap meticulously cleaning and reorganizing my craft room. 


    rusticshimmerdropclothplacemats


    How to Make Drop Cloth Placemats

    Thursday, November 7, 2013

    Shredded Cardboard Mulch

    Husband and I are so occupied with an interior house wide, declutter and donate mission that we haven’t paid much attention to the outside of the house.

    howtomakeshreddedcardboardmulch
    By the time we realized we should keep our lovely compost and spendy topsoil from eroding during the winter with mulch, the stores replaced their garden supplies with Christmas decorations.

    True story.

    Last year I thought I was being a smarty smart when I raked all of the fallen leaves from the front yard into the flower beds to use as leaf mulch.

    That didn’t work very well. I didn’t shred the leaves. The first big gust of wind blew my leaf mulch out of the flower beds and back into the yard.

    Tuesday, November 5, 2013

    Homemade Pumpkin Jerky Dog Treats

    Lacey was glued to my side all weekend.

    I know it is because she loves me.

    It has nothing to my cutting, gutting, and drying pumpkins into treats for her on Lazy Budget Chef.

    This is a great time to get a deal on discounted Halloween pumpkins and make them into dried pumpkin dog treats to give as Christmas gifts.

    Yes, dogs get Christmas gifts in this house. Always!

    You can make my pumpkin jerky treats in the oven if you do not have a dehydrator.

    Learn how I make allergy free dried pumpkin dog treats on Lazy Budget Chef.

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    Sunday, November 3, 2013

    Drop Cloth Patio Chair Covers

    It only took me 8 years to realize I should do something to protect the chairs on my front porch from rain and winter snow unless I want to keep making my chairs over every two years or so.

    That is not a difficult thing to do. But I’d rather spend that time working on a new project, like helping our girl Lacey become a balanced and confident dog. That project gives kisses!

    dropclothpatiochaircover



    My chair projects do not give me kisses.

    Sad Lisa Sad smile

    Sunday, October 20, 2013

    21 Ways to Decorate Real Halloween Pumpkins

    Husband suggested I bump up my Halloween décor for Lacey since it is her first Halloween with us.

    pumpkinlacey
    ALL of these are for me to eat?!


    That’s right. He said for Lacey.

    It’s not like the guy likes Halloween or pumpkins or manipulating me into doing something he wants for Lacey (and I certainly do not do this on him because it works 100% of the time on both of us.)


    I usually keep the pumpkins plain because I bake, puree, and freeze our pumpkins after Halloween. Cute but not as festive.

    Wednesday, October 16, 2013

    How to Make Outdoor Flying Bat Halloween Decorations #HalloweenMP

    Husband and I are decorating the house for Lacey’s first Halloween.

    I asked Lacey what type of  Halloween decorations she wante on the front porch she asked for a swarm of 3D flying bats she can chase. Typical spaniel. Lacey loves to “hunt” anything that flies.

    howtomakeflyingbatdecorations



    I knew how I wanted Lacey's bats to look but I wasn't sure what materials I could make them from. I can shape paper but it won't hold up outdoors in damp weather (is was drizzling when I took the outdoor photos for this post.)

    Hm…think, think, thinkidy, think.

    Thursday, October 10, 2013

    One Eco Dress, Three Looks, and a $75 Giveaway!

    Happy news! I met my weight loss goal! I am now back into what is considered thedressyOasisdress healthy range of my Body Mass Index (BMI.) I realize BMI measurements and numbers aren’t a perfect indication of health because there are other factors in play such as muscle mass that can skew BMI numbers to the overweight range of a perfectly healthy and fit person.

    I’m using BMI as a healthier target range for my height instead of  picking an arbitrary weight or saying that I want be a size 2 like I was in high school. Not realistic and probably unhealthy skinny for my only slightly older than high school body. (I may not lie about my weight but age is fair game!)

    Eating a whole foods, no trans fat, no hydrogenated oil, no processed food from a box diet to lose the weight wasn’t difficult. In fact, I’m following the same no bad stuff diet that made me gain the extra 25 pounds I had to lose. I’m proof that if you eat too much of anything, even very good for you things, and get little to no exercise you will gain weight.

    Thanks to my trainer and high energy exercise buddy Lacey, I lost the last of those 25 extra pounds. I feel better (especially now that my waist is no longer larger than Husband’s.) I also have a new problem. My clothes don’t fit! I need new duds.


    Thursday, September 26, 2013

    How to Dye a Thrift Store Shirt Bright Yellow with Turmeric

    Lacey and I take several walks a day around our neighborhood. It is a good thing for both of us. Lacey drains her high energy in a positive way. I get off my duff and exercise. Everybody wins!

    Except weight. That, I am losing.  

    Time to get some new clothes that fit!

    howtodyeashirtminionyellowwithturmeric

    I love the Minions! They look like Twinkies with eyes.

    Thursday, September 19, 2013

    How to Buy a Dishwasher: What I Bought and Why I Bought It

    Long time readers know I am a fix it instead of replace it kind of gal. It is cheaper, it is greener, and it allows me to have a little more money leftover to sometimes spoil Lacey.

    howtobuyadishwasher
    I want Lisa to use her smart shopping skillz to keep me rolling in grass fed T bone steaks!

    Except when it comes to my High Efficiency (HE) dishwasher. At first, I liked the idea of saving water while it cleaned our dishes.  Later a plumber told us since HE dishwashers use less water, the water heat up cycle is shorter than a standard dishwasher, and we have to jack the heat on the water heater to remove the grit on my clean dishes problem.

    Husband wryly observed, “We can save water, or natural gas but not both.”

    Monday, September 16, 2013

    How to Clean Dog Pee from Carpet WITHOUT a Carpet Cleaning Machine

    Potty training Lacey is a challenge. She was litter box trained and could go pretty much when and where she wanted in her former home.

    Guess what? She does here too.



    Potty training Lacey to go outside was even more difficult because all of her barks where the same high pitched and loud (girlfriend is part dachshund. They are not exactly soft barkers) freaked out alert barks that we couldn't tell which one is a potty bark and which one is a  freaking out over the noises of close neighbors bark.

    The result? Cleaning up a lot of pee and poo accidents might ruin the current and all future carpets in our house. Most some days we're cleaning up more than one and are frustrated and tired to haul the carpet cleaning machine from the closet to clean up the mess.

    Wednesday, September 11, 2013

    DIY Sit Stay Porch Chairs

    Snow, rain, and sun faded the outdoor fabric I used to recover on my porch chairs. I took the opportunity to look for replacement chairs that are a little more plush and inviting.

    Unfortunately all the outdoor chairs I like are too big for the space.

    Time for a revamp!



    I want something that will look decent during post summer but not quite time to decorate for Fall and Halloween. I didn’t have much luck finding replacement outdoor fabric to recover the seat and chair back. I figure the chairs can't be much worse as they are and experimented with spray painting the fabric instead of replacing it.




    Yup. You can spray paint fabric. The fabric will be a bit stiff but it won’t fade as easily in the weather as my fabric. It will get me through until next year when I have a whole season to look for new outdoor fabric.
    Lacey is the inspiration for this makeover.

    What can I say? We are a Dog House.

    How to Spray Paint Fabric


    Monday, September 9, 2013

    The Last of the Summer Fun and Lacey Update!

    Oh Summer. I wait for you all year long and before you know it – poof! – you are gone.

    Our summer got off to a weirdly slow start due to the constant heavy rain. Husband and I tag teamed a few necessary business trips so Lacey would not be face her greatest fear – being left behind. 

    Lacey’s behavior is not consistent enough to earn the privilege of a vacation or to keep us from being kicked out because of her behavior. Husband and I took long weekend staycations instead because we still need time off to unplug, be silly, and recharge.

    We started with short trips to the dog park. Lacey thinks she has to challenge other dogs and get them before they get her - a classic case of Little Dog Syndrome.  We keep the dog park trips short so Lacey won’t get overwhelmed.

    LaceySummer2014
    Some of Lacey's summer adventures!

    Just like with human kids, there are well behaved dogs that play well with others and sometimes there are bullies who try to challenge the other dogs or dominate them. It is critical you keep an eye on your dogs at all times to head off any potential problems and be ready to leave to avoid them even if it means you are only there for 15 minutes.

    Sometimes we had to leave the park shortly after we arrived with our tail between our legs because our kid was the one whipping the other dogs into a frenzy. It doesn't happen often, and it is part of the process as we puppy step her in the right direction.