Posted by: queenbee950 on: January 29, 2010
Posted by: queenbee950 on: January 26, 2010
Catnip is a fragrant mint used in tea for holistic effects such as soothing stomach upset, treating colds or as an aphrodisiac for cats. Catnip used for teas or cat toys utilizes the leaves and flowers in a dried condition. Please note that some cats will nibble on the actual live plant. Some cats especially like the flowers as they are the most fragrant part of the catnip plant due to the nepatalactoneoil that is excreted from them. Catnip is a prolific and hearty plant that will produce a healthy abundance of leaves and flowers to replace any stems, leaves or flowers that you will use to dry for teas or cat toys. You will always have a hearty stash around whenever needed.
How to dry catnip is simple and easy; you will keep everyone and every cat you know very happy, just follow the steps below:
1. Wait until your plants leaves are large and the flowers have bloomed. Once your plant reaches about 5-8 inches tall you are ready to start trimming your pieces. Cut the stems at the base of the plant if you choose to hang dry your plant; snip off the flowers or top leaves if you prefer to dry your catnip flat.
2. To hang dry your plant, tie a long ribbon, string or cord around the bottom of a bunch of stems (not the flowers) and hang them upside down. If you are flat-drying your herb, place them in a basket or on a screen or paper towels 1-2 inches deep. Store either method in a dry, cool, well ventilate area.
3. To keep the plants from becoming moldy, fluff the hanging clusters or mix-up the flat portions daily. Depending on the storage area’s temperature, humidity and ventilation proper drying can take up to three weeks. To speed up the process, plants can be dried in the oven at a temperature less than 125 degrees; this will only take anywhere from four to six hours. When the plants crumble easily and make flake-like pieces in your hands, they are ready for storage.
4. To store your dried catnip crush the plants into small pieces and put them into an air-tight bag. Make sure that all of the air is out of the bag and store them in a cool dry place such as the in the refrigerator or the freezer. Dried catnip will last for several months but please note that the integrity will deteriorate over time with exposure to air and light.
If you find that your kitty isn’t as interested in its catnip toys anymore you can restore the exhilarating scent by placing the toy into a new batch of catnip, spray essential oil onto the toy or use a catnip-infused spray like Catnip Mist by Smarty Kat. This infusion can go anywhere as long as you test the fabric first and if your kitty has claws be mindful that they could destroy the sprayed spot and your furniture.
Posted by: queenbee950 on: January 26, 2010
How to remove tangles and mats on your cat.
| Completed | January 24, 2010 |
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Although cats are excellent self-groomers, long-haired cats benefit from extra grooming care by their owners. Long-haired cats living indoors can shed all year round. During the main shedding season (springtime) when the weather turns warmer, the undercoat will loosen. The loose hairs if not removed by a rake comb or long-toothed comb will become entwined with the guard hairs. This process is the beginning of a mat, essentially starting a dread-lock on your cat. The mat then attracts more hair and dirt to join it. By the time you see the mat, it will be quite large.
The Dangers of Mats
Mats can cause skin infections, skin lesions and other pyodermas. The hair clumped together cuts off the oxygen to the skin creating a hot bed for bacteria. The dead hair traps dirt and debris. If the matted hair gets wet, this can be an open invitation for a maggots, lice and fleas to take residence making your cat quite miserable. If the mats are too large, if there are too many or if they are obstructing the rectum or are on the legs, over time, your cat will be unable to walk properly, so take your cat to vet now as these are major medical issues. A professional groomer can also remove mats but make sure that they are familiar with the differences in attitude between cats and dogs. Grooming your long-hair cat/kitten from the first day she arrives at your home so they become used to and eventually like the process is very important.
Removing Mats
Never bathe your cat before trying to remove the mats and gather your tools around your work station. To start put a pinch of cornstarch on the mat and gently work it down into the hairs with your fingers. Pull the mat upward, without pulling the skin and using either the comb or your fingers, grasp the base of the mat above the skin and work the hairs to try and loosen it. Once the hair is less tight, use the comb and gently comb the hairs apart. If the mat is stubborn, use a smaller flea comb or a baby comb to work through the clump of hairs. Do not use your wire bristle brushes for mat removal. Clippers are the safest and best way to remove matted hair. Unfortunately, most people do not own clippers and must make do with scissors, just be very careful.
Preventing Mats
Prevention means brushing your cat daily. Although short-haired cats do not get mats, brushing them daily will help stop hairballs from occurring. If you own a long-haired cat, you should have on hand at all times hairball medicine. There are also various quality dry foods for cats that help control hairballs. Laxatone works well as a hairball aid and cats seem to like it. It can be bought at any pet supply store. Daily grooming is the key to stopping mats from taking hold in long-haired cats. Brushing their hair helps prevent hairballs from occurring in both long and short-haired cats. Regular grooming sessions will also allow you to form a unique opportunity to bond with your cat, making each experience better and better.
Posted by: queenbee950 on: November 8, 2009
I crafted this email to the principal of the school because this drop and go zone is her baby. Please note that if I wasn’t in my slippers when this happened, I would have been all over the bitch-teacher shutting the door on my son and the other children’s faces. – AARRRRRRRRGHHH (does that read extreme aggravation?)______________________________________
Hi Marion – After dropping my son at the Drop and Go Zone this morning, along with 2 other parents, I was extremely angry that as 5 students were heading for the side door for entry and whoever was posted there let the door close and the students had to run around to the front of the building. My clock just turned 8:31 so the bell had probably rang 30 seconds prior.
I understand that the teachers have to get ready for their classes but this was a blatant act of arrogance or unnecessary frustration on the teacher’s part. In an effort to keep the Drop and Go Zone side door open at least 2 minutes after the bell rings please have one of the office ladies (Kim or Jackie) posted there or the custodian (Patti). This solution would help both the teachers and children while not greatly disrupting any employee’s morning duties.
Bitch let’s get it going – not so hard. Ok I didn’t write that part but I was thinking it though.
Watch your kids – Teachers and Principals can be Bitches Too!
Downward Dog and Warrior Pose and Relax – Ohm
Posted by: queenbee950 on: November 8, 2009
During the holidays, charcoal is a spice in my house. I don’t remember who told me that charcoal was good for your intestines while I was growing up, but it has stuck with me into adulthood. In my family we get food cooked well-done a lot, which means that the charcoal spice is delicately flavoring every piece of food that we eat (having been grilled – or cooked on the stove.)
I think charcoal became my favorite spice when I had to start cooking for a family. I had trouble multi-tasking the schedule while watching my children do their homework and cleaning up as I went. My mom-friends remind me that charcoal is a carcinogen and I probably should try to stop using it so much.
I think I would use it less if I could store my sweaters in my oven as Carrie Bradshaw does in Sex and the City. I’m pretty sure that would solve my spice problem and give me more room for my clothes, et, al. However, having a family that likes to eat definitely makes that a no-no.
The next time your dinner turns out well-done and has a bit of charcoal on it do what I do, call it a spice, tell your family that it’s good for your intestines and go with it. They might like it but if they don’t just scrape it off for them, it is a very versatile spice.
Happy Holidays – Spicy or Not – You are the Boss.
Posted by: queenbee950 on: November 3, 2009
I never thought that the following 6 words would ever be uttered from my lips; can you guess what they are? It is nothing about my husband (for once) or son (surprise) or even the bitchy PTA women. The 6 words are (drum roll please)…….6 dogs are too many dogs, to have.
I know you are asking me how the heck did you get 6 dogs? Well first I had my 3 Pomeranians (Cordy, Piper, Sparky), cute, fluffy and little. One year my sister asked me to watch her Shiba Inu (Bruno) for her for a couple of weeks while she went on vacation and I said ok. After realizing that he was going to be better off with me I just kept him. My sister realized that it was in his best interest and she could be off the hook for that responsibility and didn’t give me any grief over the puppy-napping.
Bruno got along with all the poms and I liked having a slightly bigger dog running around the yard, especially when a coyote went walking down my street one night. So along we go with my little pack, I feel perfectly content and do not want another dog but BAM! Life hits and I agree to take on my SIL’s Schipperkee (Pecka) because she has to figure out a new place to live. Now, I have 5 dogs with the chance that one of them will be going back to her mommy someday, when I receive a phone call from my brother asking me to puppy sit his puppy (an American Eskimo 6 month old named Hobby) for a couple of weeks while his landlord fixes the radiator in his apartment (was told should only be 1 week).
So now I have 6 dogs running around and it’s kinda fun, except for Hobby not knowing that the outside is for potty not the inside – he gets a bit confused about where to do his business – so I had a lot of business in my house – and he is not small. After 2 weeks of jumbo absorbent pee-pee pads and steam cleaning my floors twice a day, yesterday my brother came to pick up his puppy and take him home (I breathe a great sigh of relief.) I don’t expect Pecka to be going home soon but she is a pretty mellow girl and not a big mess maker.
I still love dogs, mostly more than people, but I can never take on that many again. If you hear me talking crazy, you have my permission to bitch-slap me back to reality.
Peace and Puppy Love
Posted by: queenbee950 on: November 3, 2009
Well, I have heard from the other-side (husbands) not the dork-side (PTA moms) about my blog regarding the condition of my car and how it shouldn’t look like a hot mess – (even though I chauffer my son around town every day.)
Another bone of contention with my hubby is dents and dings on the outside of my care. His latest obsession was with a dent on the front passenger side that I didn’t notice and he did for which I was reminded, scolded and harassed every time we went out – “how’d this happen?” “Why did you let this happen?” blah, blah, blah.
The hubby-gang decides that my hubby should write a blog and call it “Why I should kill my wife, not that I would, but just some reasons why.” They would take pictures of the car and try to prove their point (would never happen) and shame me into car hygiene appreciation.
I say bring it! I am always up for a laugh and maybe if their points are smart and do-able enough I will take them under consideration. So keep on truckin’ sista-moms and don’t let the sausages get you down.
Peace and Love
Posted by: queenbee950 on: October 31, 2009
Dish at the Old Navy. There are a lot of kids (late teens, early 20′s) working there and a lot of 30 something’s working their also. I can’t say that every one gets along perfect but really we just ignore the people that are annoying. Until today…..
A very cute boy and girl who have been working at the ON for 2 years each, have started dating a couple of months ago and it has really been no big deal. Until today….
The woman (33) that started the complaint to the District Manager claims that the couple doesn’t do any work and always works by each other in the store. I would like to let everyone know that the couple in question are professional and do their jobs very well while interacting with other associates and customers. I almost think that woman 33 might be a little jealous.
I don’t get why drama pops up at Old Navy between associates as it is a part-time job in time/hours and in the young people’s lives – it is a stepping store while they are going to college to get their real jobs.
The District Manager pretty much set woman 33 straight and now she will be minding her own business. It is nice not being involved in the drama this time, but it makes for a boring story.
Ghosts and Goblins say Boo!
Posted by: queenbee950 on: October 29, 2009
Hey Ladies, I have just learned a new term that the boys have coined for themselves in an effort to compete with MILF or Cougar. They are calling themselves Milfarific. Milfarific means that hot moms or hot older women find them yummy and irresistible.
I have to give them kudos for thinking up a term of endearment that will help boost their saggy, wrinkly, graying egos. As I get older I am more attracted to older men because they have their crap together (mostly) and look cuter now than when they did in their younger, mullet-wearing, ear-pierced, hairless-non-developed bodies years. I also like to think that older men can be better in bed because if they don’t know something, they can Google the problem and get an answer for it before the evening sex-fest begins.
Thank you manly men’s that we love for the good giggle, you all are Milfarific and treasured dearly by your hot wives!
Much lovin’ to you all!
Posted by: queenbee950 on: October 29, 2009
Well, I have heard from the other-side (husbands) not the dork-side (PTA moms) about my blog regarding the condition of my car and how it shouldn’t look like a hot mess – (even though I chauffer my son around town every day.) Another bone of contention with my hubby is dents and dings on the outside of my care. His latest obsession was with a dent on the front passenger side that I didn’t notice and he did for which I was reminded, scolded and harassed every time we went out – “how’d this happen?” “Why did you let this happen?” blah, blah, blah.
The hubby-gang decides that My hubby should write a blog and call it “Why I should kill my wife, not that I would, but just some reasons why.” They would take pictures of the car and try to prove their point (would never happen) and shame me into car hygiene appreciation. This is their revenge to try and make me look bad, but silly Jedi Warriors you will never beat the Dark Side!
I say bring it! I am always up for a laugh and maybe if their points are smart and do-able enough I will take them under consideration. Stay with the dark side and you can’t go wrong – stay away from the sausages.
Peace and Love – may the force be with you.
