Monday, July 27, 2015

Heat Rashes And Other Maladies

Thankfully there are no other maladies but this heat rash that both Roger and I have is doing us in. I also think Sammy has it.  I have been experimenting, trying different things to see if it may be causing the rash. And..can you say ungodly itching?

We have a washer /dryer combo that says for a wash use 1 to 2 Tbs. of detergent. I have found too many pieces in the wash it doesn't dry, but I've been using 2 Tbs.  So, could it be the detergent? Then awhile back we bought a new mattress. A 13" gel and foam beauty. (Did I say $400.00)  There is no smell but with our Lab Sammy itching I'm wondering if the heat from the mattress is causing the rash.  Oh lord.

Then, it's the first summer that we have actually spent most of our days outside, either working or heading to the dog park.  If any of you have had issues with heat rashes and have any idea I would love input.


Ozzie, our Chocolate Lab must be having insecurity issues lately. Or, he loves me beyond words, or he thinks I may give him a treat!!  Every time I sit down he needs to be right there. I go into bed and he's right beside me.  I was sitting on the couch earlier when he decided he needed to be right with me. "Can you sit beside me Oz?" "No MUM, I need to be really really close to you!"

  Well, this week I start training to run the office while Wendy and her sister Penny go on a mini vacation. Roger and I will be in charge of the park.  It's quiet right now and not many people coming in, but just watch, everyone and their uncle will arrive and everything that could break will. It's Murphy's Law isn't it.  I'll have good stories for you.


Face Book has been doing a "remember when" thing on line and showing pictures from a few years past. One of them was of my Heart Dog and Muse, Sophie.  My companion and friend. She was the main dog that are on my early canvases.  I believe if you go on the top of the blog and go to My Dogs , you will see her smiling. She made me laugh every day! The other day the rain and storm was quite amazing. When it stopped we took the kids to the dog park.  Looking up at a dark area of the sky was half of a rainbow. We always think of our Chocolate, Fergus. After he went to the Bridge a beautiful rainbow appeared over our house. We now always know it's him. For Sophie, a friend in England wrote me and told me that Soph wouldn't appear as a rainbow but as a Dolphin. I live in Florida.  But, one morning I came out of the house and looked up and there was a cloud.


The other evening, right beside the rainbow was a Dolphin cloud. We had them both with us. As the clouds started to disperse, a small cloud in the shape of a paw appeared then left. Both Roger and I witnessed it but unfortunately we forgot our camera. I truly believe our furry friends stay close.

Thank you to all the people sending me commissions.  I am so grateful!!

OK, time to take the kids for their nighttime walk to the park. Chat again soon.

Warmly,
Sheila

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Lola's Spa Day

Well it's over. Lola's Spa Day! Carrie was a bit late due to really strong storms in south Brevard County but we were outside and ready when she arrived.  I motioned to her to drive around to the rear of the coach and she did.


Carrie came out and Lola wanted back into the coach.  Not sure if she remembered the last Spa Day but she wasn't excited at all to go into that van.  Poor girl. But, in she went.  I had a photo of what I wanted Lola to look like when she was finished and Carrie copied it onto her phone.


I thought it was a good example if I say so myself. Lola has some nasty mats that seemed to come overnight with her, so they had to be addressed. "No problem", Carrie said and off they went.

It seemed like forever waiting for Lola to come back out.  Loving an animal is no different, you worry, you pace and keep an eye out the window for the return. I'm surprised I didn't put a light in the window.!  Then, 3 1/2 hours later the emergence!

Lola bolted out the door with Carrie following her carrying the hose to blow off residual hair but Lola just wanted to get home.  As we approached the door of the RV, Lola plastered her face against it as if she would be able to meld right into it and be inside.  I had been concerned, silly me, that her new appearance would make the boys wary. Ha! They greeted her with love and open nostrils!


Home and in her "spot".

Then, since it was after their 4 P.M. park time and after their dinner time, we decided to take them to the park.  I took them down and Lola ran and ran and ran. She jumped on Sammy who chased her, then went after Ozzie who tipped her over and jumped on her. (Yes, he thought she was hot!!!) Dogs! After I panicked that she would get dirty so quick after her bath, called them and we marched home.

Her cut may be a smidge too short and some areas need to grow back in quicker than others but all in all she looks great and seems to be enjoying the shorter doo.  (And I have less dog hair to sweep up.) It will definitely be easier to keep her groomed as the hair starts to grow back out and I will be able to trim it. 





An added bonus too is that I get to see where she needs to loose a bit of weight around her middle. Not too much but she needs to have a "waist" as you look down at her back from above her. There is a little pudge but not much. I've been feeding her less and it's paying off. My fuzzy love girl!


The before shot. That rear end one big mass of blow out fur. I had been combing and furminating, but oh my, it needed help. Now she is soft and happy.

This morning Roger took them all to the park for their morning romp. Lola played and played then came home, looked for me and then laid down on the floor. She panted for a bit then took her morning nap. Before she panted for hours.  I know she is so much cooler. Now I need to keep an eye on her so she doesn't get sunburned but since I rarely go out during this heat neither will she. All is good!!

Have a great day!!

Warmly,
Sheila

Thursday, July 16, 2015

A New Learning Curve

I have/had over 1000 pictures on my iPhone. Insane. My thought was loading them onto the Cloud on my Chromebook.  So, I plugged in my phone and started! Sounds easy doesn't it and maybe it is but when I went to look at them they were gone.  Now what!

After doing a goole search for "how to download photos from iphone to a chromebook", I found that I needed to download Google drive onto my phone.  Did that so now what? It said to make a new folder so I did one for "pictures from iPhone" then saw a red cross and hit that. Surprise...it took me to my photos where I clicked on a photo then hit yet one more arrow and it uploaded to my Chromebook Cloud.  Of course I need internet to view them, only one computer can get it, but I succeeded. Proud of myself!


Can you see what's on our kitchen windows? YES....raindrops!  Ah, the little things in life are so great!!

UPS just came and left me 4 stretched canvas that I ordered. I love getting art supplies! One for a commission and the others for anything that comes to mind. So excited.

That's all for today..I may go out and dance in the rain!!! Have a great night...

Warmly,
Sheila

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Let It Rain Let It Rain Let It Rain

Well for a half hour it did today. And I'll take it. The temp dropped from 98 with the heat index at 108 to 79 degrees.  Crazy. From reading and from checking online news it looks though other states have it even worse.  Rain is causing flooding and tornados are crossing the country and all in all the weather has been insane.

The heat has also given me an incredible heat rash and that seems to be traveling everywhere. Ugh. Even with the two a/c's going it's been tough keeping the coach cool and for next summer we will definetly be traveling northward.


I have been keeping busy. This commissioned piece is 9" x 12" oil on canvas.  I am pleased how it turned out and I know my client will love it.  Now on to the next commission! I am so grateful that I have them coming in. 


So with the hot weather we haven't gone out on our Sea Trials with our new inflatable boat. However, I did get these cute shoes to wear when we do.  I have been wearing them around and they are so comfy and airy and you can wear them into the water.  They are by Keen.  Of course, after I purchased these I saw that they were available in purple. I LOVE purple.  When I am looking at my iPhone ads pop up and one is the purple pair of Keen Waterproof shoes! I know it's a sign!!! hahaha.


Took this the other evening as it gave promise of a storm. Just a promise. 

And finally, on this coming Friday, Lola is having a SPA DAY!! 

To trim or not to trim, a Newfie cut? or give her a summer puppy cut.?  Breeders would be horrified that I would even concider a cut that was not Breed spacific but with this heat I can see that she's really having a tough time.  Walks end with her pulling me towards the door of the coach and she goes right to the tile floor in the bathroom to lay down. I do know her fur also protects her from the heat but maybe there is a happy medium. Time will tell. I'll do a show and tell after her day.


This is Lola after our breeder friend gave her a wonderful spa day.  I'm hopful that she will look this adorable on Friday.  Isn't she cute!!

We are writing down things we need to "repair" or have checked before we head out for our mini vacation in September. One thing was a noise that was in our bedroom. With the A/C on at night a rattle started that sounded like the fan might be going. We sighed a group "oh lord" and rolled over and put the covers over our heads. Well last evening it started again. Our night time ritual starts after our 8 o'clock walk to the park with the kids.  I then put on the back A/C unit and close the curtains throughout the coach.  Lola goes right in and climbs up on our bed and plunks in the middle of the bed. Roger does computer things til about 8:30 or 9:00 but I head in to read or watch a show.  Then I go in with Ozzie jumping in beside me and Sammy jumping in beside Lola. Roger then comes in and we need to rearrange bodies which means Lola goes to "her bed", Ozzie moves over and Sammy "Scootches".  Last night I had to go back out to the kitchen and coming back in heard the rattling of metal. Sigh. Then I remembered that across the top near the ceiling, the other owners had a curtain rod across to use as a clothes hanging rod. I reached up and grabbed it and....YES!!!!! The rattled stopped.!!!! Our A/C is fine. Group Cheer!!!!

To end, I then have to body check Ozzie to move over more so my butt can get into the bed and with my feet, "Scootch" Sammy a bit further down the bed so my legs can somehow get in. And I say I'm not flexible..Ha!!!

Have a great night and stay safe!!

Warmly,
Sheila

PS,
Sammy had a his yearly check up last week and we found out he's in great health and has amazing flexibility for a 10 year old dog! I am excitied!!!

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Dry Days And Still Hot

So, did I say yet this this is the last summer I'll spend in Florida? Holy cow it's been hot. Other years I've been either in a car, my studio or our house and now we are in a "tin can" and outside more. With that in mind I think next season we will be north...next to a lake..with no alligators or snakes! Come September we are going to Thomson, Georgia to Big Hart Campground for those wonderful 14 days! Our site will be right on the lake and I plan on being it it daily. And, to plan for our fun vacation and other enjoying days down here in Florida, we got an inflatable kayak,boat.



It's a Sea Eagle Pontoon boat. The seats aren't attached right now but we did try them out.  They are also inflatable seats but I'm finding them somewhat tippy. I deflated the seat and kept the back inflated and I think that will suit my needs. Tomorrow or Saturday we will do a Sea trial with our new acquisition. We both had kayaks but sold them when we moved out. They were great but carrying them was difficult since they were massively heavy, plus how could we transport them with the Coach. So, this folds right up and pops right into the back of our Pathfinder. Perfect! We need to keep it inflated over night to make sure there are no leaks! Pictures to come from our sea trial! Anchors away my boys!!!!


A bit blurry but this is an Anhinga or "snake bird" When he swims he brings his neck up out of the water like a snake.  Once his wings get wet he can't fly until they dry so he stands across the lake and spreads them so the wind, (what wind) drys them off.  


This is Ozzie. His favorite spot in the coach is on the dash board. I put a rug up there so his nails won't pierce the leather and he loves watching the world go by.  With the heat I keep the front curtains drawn and he will turn and check us out every so often. Sort of a "Lawrence of Arabia" look.


Finally, one of my favorite photos. I may have told you we went to see the Manatees and I was able to capture these too coming along.  They remind me of large water dogs. years ago when we first moved to Florida we went to a park close by and there were about 4 manatee. I didn't know then we weren't supposed to touch them but as I laid on the dock, one came up to me and rolled over on it's back so I could rub it's belly. It had to have been the best experience next to snuggling with our fur kids now. 


Swimming on his back! I think of them as incredibly large puppies. 


So, the end of the tale!! See you soon and stay cool!!!

Warmly, 
Sheila