Save Money and the Environment.

This is a guest post.

Content by Mac Kline

I have long been one who my friends thought of as a “tree hugger.” As long as twenty years ago I started looking into solar power and renewable energy. I never really thought it was a cost effective thing for me to do, though, as I am a grade school teacher on a limited budget.

Recently, I once again looked into green technologies to see how they had advanced in the last twenty years. It turns out they are much more efficient and cost effective. Plus, the federal government is offering great tax incentives for those who install these things.

I decided that before I went to solar and renewable, my house should be more efficient. So I had new, green, double-paned windows installed in my house. I now expect to see up to 20% home energy savings through green technology, just from installing new windows, and I get a huge tax break!

If you are scared to look into green technologies because of price, the time could not be better to check these solutions out. You can save on http://www.newyorkenergyrates.com/ and feel good about saving the environment at the same time.

Buddy Got Kicked Out Of School.

Well, not really but he probably should have been the one with the dunce cap in the corner. Things were going really well. Lucie, my big red dog and I were learning about “yes” and “no”, exercise alternatives and the big “leave it.”

Buddy was in his travel crate and right in the middle of class he started howling. You see Buddy can not just bark when he wants something he has to HOWL. It does not matter if it is the middle of the day, night, or traveling in the car. Buddy HOWLS. Loudly. Annoying HOWLS.

Anyway, one of the trainers took him and taught him to do circles. Before that I walked him around the yard but he was a total distraction to the other dogs there. Most of them wanted to eat him I am sure. All the other dogs were big. We tried putting him back in the crate, but no. More howling. Lucie pretty much lost her focus after this and would not participate in the tug lesson. She later did at home.

So, we came to the conclusion that Buddy will not be attending any more lessons. He will now be home schooled. This does not surprise me. I have lived with the little bad-mannered dude for ten years.

I am still happy with the progress that my dogs and I have achieved. There has been no fighting or bad karma since we started the training. I do not have to stand over them in the yard or worry about them walking past one another. Lucie and I have pleasant non-pulling walks. I am able to calm her and refocus her when she gets excited and I am looking forward to more progress. Maybe even putting a end to the howling. Yea, we will see.

If you live in desert southwest (Tucson, Phoenix area) and your dog or dogs are out of control there is help. Go to Seize the Leash and talk to Jaime and Deena. They can and will help you! They along with their pack will help you solve your dog’s behavior problems. Trust me it works. Even if you do not live nearby the Seize the Leash site has a plethora of information that will help.

I was not compensated for this post only offered help for my with my dogs’ behavior problems.

What Are You Doing For Father’s Day.

Looking for some great deals for Father’s Day? How about a great deal on a new shirt from Gap? Or maybe both your Dad and Husband would like tickets to the latest action film in theatres now.  Well you can easily find this a much more with Savings.com deals.

Father’s Day is a good day to get together with not only Dad but other family members too. The weather is nice enough for a BBQ and maybe even a swim. We used to sometimes go camping on Father’s Day. That was always fun.

But no matter what you do getting a great deal and saving money is always good no matter what day of the year. Plus I like shopping online almost more than I like going to a mall or department store. At Savings.com you can easily find and get the deal you are looking for from the convenience of your laptop, smart phone or Ipad.

Another great feature is asking advice. You can find the best sunscreen, stain remover or what kind of specials your favorite restuarants is offering. So you can ask advice and than get a great deal. So check out Savings.com and start saving on your favorite products and services today.

Buddy Jumping the Pole.

Sort of short post but if you want you can check out Buddy jumping a pole. He took a bit of a spill but he is a trooper. Next week I will take my camera and get some more photos of these two and me of course.

Oh, please excuse my butt at the end. I did not know I was being filmed or trust me I would not have bent over. Good thing I started working out two months ago or that could have been really scary.

Lucie, Buddy and Juliannah Go Back To School.

*Update* If you go here you can see Lucie in action.

I would have never believed that I could spend one training session with my dogs and have them turn around so much. On Saturday me, Lucie my big, red dog and Buddy went for our first training class. I thought it would be a nightmare because of the Vet visit from hell. But, it really was a great day and all three of us had a great time.

When we got there Lucie jumped out of the car and I grabbed Buddy in his crate and we walked right into the trainer’s backyard. There was probably four other dogs there and everyone was really nice. Especially the trainers.

In the backyard was a dog obstacle course. There was a pathway, a low ladder lying on the ground and a higher ladder. There was three stars for the dogs to step over plastic sticks while walking in a circle. After that was poles to leap over and a hoop to jump through. There was a teeter toter, tunnels and ramps to climb.

First I took Lucie on the pathway and she did great. Next she went on the low ladder. Again not too bad. After that we went on the high ladder and she did not completely stay on but she did pretty well. Next was the stars and then the leaping poles. I could tell she really had fun doing that. She leapt the small pole and the high pole. Everyone was really pleased with her progress. We tried the tunnel but that was a no go. We will work on that one in the future.

Next up was Buddy. I has serious doubts that he would do anything as up until now he would not even walk on a leash.  He not only walked he did the pathway with ease. He did the low ladder and he jumped over the pole. Not once, not twice by at least four or five times. He even considered the tunnel, went in a little and then came back out. Lucie barely put her face in.

I also learned relaxation techniques to use on them. I learned a noise to make that gets Lucie’s attention. I learn how to poke her as another way of getting her attention. I know now what caused the fight and injuries. Lucie my big, red happy-go-lucky dog has a sniffing problem. In other words she sniffs too much and it is aggrevating to Buddy. Buddy then growls and she grabs him. The reason Buddy got hurt is because I pulled them apart. I learned how to get then apart by walking up her back with my hands and grabbing her scruff and picking her up with it.

So after one hour my dogs changed and we then went home a happier family. I continued with my new techniques all the rest of the weekend and when I got up and took Lucie on her walk on Sunday I was so surprised that she hardly pulled and when she did I backed up and pulled on the leash and she would refocus on me. When we were coming upon housed with dogs I would just tell her, “Oh, look at that it is a dog!” I also used the relaxtion techniques and she barely whimpered. Before she would try and jump on me and pull even worse.

So, I am looking forward to going back and learning more. I came so close to giving Lucie up. The great part about this is the lessons are free. Yea that’s right. Free. The shelter pays because too many people were returning animals because of behaviour trouble. That is what would have happened to me.

So, keep you all posted and next week I should gets some photos and maybe video.

Getting Fit – Update 2

I think I slacked a little this month. At least in walking Lucie my big, red dog. I did because I thought I was going to have to let her go. But that is a post for another day. Probably tomorrow. This post is about my progress on getting fit.

II did pretty good keeping up with my workouts. I went to level two every couple days on Jillian Michael’s 30 day Shred video. I won’t lie. It is tough. Thank God it is only twenty minutes because I do not think I can take much more. Intense.

Anyway, the stats are not all that impressive but I did not gain and I know I am building muscle. I can see the difference in my upper body and my menopause belly is significantly reduced. Not quite at the point I want to be, but getting there.

I decided when I get where I want I will post a before and after photo. Too shy right now. Keep in mind, I am not a twenty-something girl.

Anyway, I have good news on the Buddy and Lucie my big, red dog front. I will share that tomorrow. Until then here is the newest stats on the fitness front.

March 21st

Weight 127 lbs

Waist 35″

Hips 37 1/2″

Thighs 21″

Bust 35″

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April 21st

Weight 124 lbs

Waist 34″

Hips 37 1/2″

Thighs 20″

Bust 34″

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May 21st

Weight 122lbs

Waist 33″

Hips 37″

Thighs 19 1/2″

Bust 34″

So, the hips finally gave it up and the boobs held their own. Not much weight loss but I realize that I am building muscle and that weighs more than fat. Overall, I like how I am looking. Yeppers.

I have a swim date for Butterfly’s 10th birthday in a couple of weeks. New swimsuit? Maybe:)

Your Relationship: Need a Kickstart?

Father’s Day is Comming Soon.

Yes it is. Are you ready with a great gift? How about a watch? Many people wear watches especially men. I have several watches in my jewelry box that I have been to lazy to replace the batteries. Sometimes I wear them anyway because I like them.

Have to ever checked out Atomic Watches? They practically replace your cell phone. I mean they not only wake you up in the morning but they can act as stopwatch, tell you what time it is in twenty-eight countries ( I had to get an app on me phone to tell me what time it is where my son is stationed) and are water resistance to certain depths.

These are perfect for the retired guy that likes to hunt, camp and fish or the young father that travels a lot. There is a multitude of styles including some for a night out on the town.

You know, forget the tie and socks for your guy or dad. Anyone would love a new watch. It is personal and will last a long time. Not like those socks that will probably have holes inside of a year.

So, check it out because Father’s Day will be here before you know it.

So Let’s Talk About Sunday.

I have neighbor that is let’s say…a freak. I know he does not have it all going on and so far he has tried to get money from me, talk me into taking him places and gave me a kitty wind chime. Ok, I accepted the wind chime. it was pretty and sounds cool.

On Saturday the dude started pounding on his wall and yelling, “SOMEBODY IS SHUTTING OFF MY COOLER!!!” Over and over. This went on about an hour. I ignored it that day because like I said, he is a freak.

On Sunday he started again only this time he took it a step further. He came pounding on my front door which of course I did not answer then he went to his back yard that is adjacent to mine with only a five foot fence and started yelling my name. Once again I did not go outside. After awhile he went out front and and started yelling that me and the other two guys that live here were turning off his cooler.

Yea, right, I am climbing on his roof and disconnecting his cooler. One guy wasn’t even home. The other was probably engrossed in X-Box. Anyway he proceeded to stand in his back yard yelling into his cell phone to what was probably a machine about how somebody was turning off is cooler.

I listened to it for awhile and then I blew it. I went outside and told him to shut the %&*! UP!. I told him no one was screwing with his cooler and knock it off already. Well, he went back in with his tail between his legs. I then proceeded to call the property manager and left a message.

The manager called me back and started laughing when I told him what I had done. He said he had not received any calls from this guy. I pity the people who did get those messages. But hey, freaks probably do not know who they are renting from.

So last night he apologized to me. Whatever. The one neighbor who was home told me he heard everything too and that the guy is a certifiable freak. Yea, I figured that one out already.

Next time I am going to threaten to let Lucie, my big red dog at him. He practically wets his pants every time he sees her anyway.

Friday Fun Video

After not the greatest week in the world I watched this and the planets have aligned, the sun came out, there is world peace…well maybe not quite that far. Enjoy!

If I could get Lucie, my big red dog to do that I would never get bummed again.