Saturday, November 7, 2009

Still managing to hang out my laundry and Christmas...

despite it being November. I think I have managed to get laundry dry outside right into December over here before. I still haven't purchased a second drying rack for indoors, its something I need to do shortly, as I really want to use the dryer as little as possible, as our hydro bill is too high as it is, without using the electric dryer.

Gave dh a hand with the insulation in the attic. We are getting there and should be finished it within a week or two. This weekend is a total write off, as we are celebrating dd's birthday today (Saturday), although her birthday isn't until the 10th. Then on Sunday dh has to work, so there will be no more work done in the attic this weekend.

My mother called me to say the postal strike is over in Britain, which is good. I should start buying stamps for all the cards. I think I have at least 25 cards to mail to Britain, and probably the same again for Canada, so it's not going to be cheap. Oh and I must remember to to get the photo of the house developed. You know I must write myself a list of what's to do for Christmas, that way I know what's what.

Talking of Christmas isn't it crazy how many Christmas advertisements are already on the television? All the flyers are full of Christmas things, and I am guessing all the stores are full of Christmas things as well. I haven't been to a mall in a while so haven't been shopping. No wonder we get "Christmased out" by the time Christmas actually arrives......

11 comments:

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

Hi - Sandi sent me over...

Sorry that Molly's allergies are returning. It sounds like your vet is spot on with methods being tried as it might well be a food allergy - in which case the Hill's range of prescription allergy foods are possibly worth a try... and the magic pink steroid pills should suppress it. It is possible to use these pills permanently, but only when all else fails, under strict conditions every second day - and you can't stop them suddenly - they must be weaned off slowly if used for more than three weeks.
I am not sure of her history...
but my first thoughts are:
Is it feet only - or feet and bare areas of her tummy? If it is feet - it is usually something she walks on but probably does not lie on for very long ...say concrete, or a wool carpet but she sleeps on a dog bed? Lawns are another walk only/paws only thing - but long grasses can reach the abdomen.
Has the problem only started since you moved?
When exactly did it start - as in, is it likely to be a seasonal issue - which might just flare up at particular times of the year. Allergy testing might isolate the problem to a particular plant or grass... but can you restrict her access to it! Here it is usually grasses or Wandering Jew.
When did you get her as it appears you adopted her as an adult? Any history?

Other potential issues are that she might have a dust/pollen allergy such as atopy - which usually affects the eyes too and really needs full allergy tests, or she may have something such as an auto immune condition where they become allergic to themselves - this can be seen with blood testing.

Skin problems and allergies in pets can be a huge headache and there is a good reason why we use specialists to help determine the cause - but yes, it can get expensive... although one good diagnosis can save your usual vet hours of trial and error. It is also preferable to test than to opt for long term steroid use to suppress the reaction, which can have other side effects and is only done these days as a last resort.

Love your house!
all the best from another ex British woman (a vet) from New Zealand :)

Tracey said...

hello there, thanks for paying a visit to my blog..... It's ridiculous how Christmas has arrived so soon! Our Tesco store has xmas trees up, and is full of festive cheer! Yuk!

Love Tracey
xxx

Sandi McBride said...

I know you'll be happy when you get the attic finished...and it probably seems an eternity since you started work on it. I can't believe that Christmas was being advertised long side Halloween in the stores...something wrong with that concept. My cards are out, and I plan to start mailing Thanksgiving week...that's when the season starts for me! Hugs to Molly! I hope Fi can help her!
Sandi

Winifred said...

Oh crumbs it comes on you so fast doesn't it. We've had Christmas ads for a few weeks now it really naffs you off.

I remember I went to visit a friend in the South of England a few years ago in mid October. It was a really hot sunny day & I went into Wilkinsons where I saw a huge blow up Santa Claus singing one of the Christmas songs. I pitied the poor cashiers who were sitting next to it!

Lorac said...

Hi Gill,
I too have a laundry out on the line. I often do hand laundry in the late fall and let it "freeze dry" on the line and bring it in at night to finish drying. Yes the stores have got in all the Christmas decorations.

Evelyn said...

I hate it when stores set up for christmas before Remeberance day. I have to set up a display next week at a liquor store and they were quite insistent that I waiti til thursday as customners get upset if they see christmas before Remeberance day, I so agree! I went to get candy for discovery clubs last night and they had candy canes set out and advent calendars!

Unknown said...

Xmas - ACK! Baby is coming Dec 22, that means 6 weeks to get everything ready for her, try to get the house more organized and somewhat decluttered, AND get everything done for Xmas. Starting to stress here!

I hung my laundry out until the end of Sept but I was finding it too tiring and my OB has told me to not lift anything too heavy - laundry basket full of wet clothes is VERY heavy. Good for you though!

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

Thanks for answering those questions :)
Certainly sounds like a contact allergy - and potentially more towards one she is walking in rather than her bedding.
I would start with restricting her access to some things - think wool/concrete and grasses.. then if her skin is ok - watch her like a hawk after she is exposed to any - also cover wool with cotton bedding / avoid walks in long grass.
She could also just be very bored? It does happen! More walks... company... perhaps even try DAP ( Dog Appeasing Pheremone)

Food allergies are usually to a protein - so you need to change it to a food they have not usually had - common ones are duck/turkey.
Not sure what protein is in the one you used- although gluten can be a problem in cereal diets.
Alternative option is Hill's z/d

http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/products/productDetails.hjsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441780767

I also recommend checking this page out :) I often use them for a source when teaching our vet nurses...
http://www.peteducation.com/category.cfm?c=2+1581+1587

Sorry - best I can do at a distance...

Scrappy quilter said...

I'm still drying clothes outside too which is unheard of in our part of the country. Yesterday it was +16C here and today +12C. It's suppose to be like that until this coming Friday. Even though I love winter, I'll take this. It sure keeps the heating bill down.

DeniseinVA said...

I will be sending my own Christmas cards to the UK this year. Time to get organized for me. Poor Molly, poor you. A friend of mine just took her little dog to the vet and came away with almost a $300 bill. Thanks for stopping by my blog while I was away. It's been fun catching up here.

Gretchen said...

I really wish retailers would wait until the end of November to start with all the Christmas stuff. It really spoils the holiday because everyone is so sick of seeing it by the time December rolls around.

{{{SIGH}}}

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