Puppenstein

We don't bag the kibble and the compatability with the Mylar depends on the food. If you go to Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble, the better the food, the higher the star rating for kibble. The higher the star rating, the more likely it will not work in Mylar because of the lack of grain. We just got dehydrated raw food for ours and put the boxes in the Mylar bag - Nature's Variety or Honest Kitchen have very nice shelf lives - one year which most kibble is questionable, and are great for dogs with allergies.

Wow! You are really passionate about this - but you are part of a Union to be completely honest. I mean no disrespect by this but you are in Canada which is Socialist and you have a Universal Healthcare Plan. Would you not say that is a union? If the government decided to get rid of it tomorrow you don't think that there would be rioting? I am not talking about history, I am talking about now. The unions had a purpose 100 years ago, they no longer do. They hinder those that want to excel and they elevate those that don't. It is hard to have a discussion about American Unions with you because you live in Canada. I agree to disagree with you. For me, the reward is doing my job well and that is what gratifies me, perhaps I am the exception rather than the rule because I don't equate happiness to money. No matter what, most people always feel that they are entitled to more money. Perhaps the word entitled needs to be taken out of the equation because it is what got the unions into the situation they are in today.

I think you are misunderstanding what I am saying...I am not blaming the people - but the union itself that has ridiculous requirements and whose goal is not the health of the companies they use. They don't care about the health of the company, they just care about their jobs (they don't seem to realize that the two depend on each other) Detroit and Michigan in general has been in a recession a lot longer than the rest of the U.S. The main industry happens to be the auto industry and if the relation between the unions and the auto industry was so great, jobs wouldn't be passed down to Mexico and other countries. The higher the quality the more money the companies get which shields them from the extra fees taken from the unions. I am never pro-union and it hasn't changed just because of the current situation. American cars need to be heavily discounted - I paid a lot more for my Honda, but I get exactly what I want. The definition of Quality is getting what you expect - sadly with a lot of American cars, that didn't ring true and I am sure that there are members of the unions that are great, but there are also those that aren't but the companies can't get rid of them. Business is all about making money - profit to be specific and sadly, American companies haven't been able to do that especially when you have to comply with union requirements. Sorry, but I have a business degree, my parents are entrepreneurs and so I don't have sympathy for unions or the car companies. I see it from the other side. If you work hard, you are rewarded. :)

Unfortunately, I doubt that is true. But hopefully, they will have less power. Too much power is never a good thing.

Toyota introduced Six Sigma and they are not unionized - they have incentives for their employees to come up with better ways of doing things. In fact, all managers have to work the assembly line so that they really know what is going on. There is a great article in the Harvard Business Review about this very thing. Six Sigma was about improving productivity - which would usually eliminate jobs but increase productivity and quality. Of course, the unions don't want any jobs eliminated. If they are, they go into a job pool which gives the worker the same pay but they do a different job (this could include much lower paying jobs) - To me, it is disturbing that there is no clause in a union contract for when the economy goes down - White Collar get cut, but Blue Collar do not? I am definitely against unions. Again, there is no incentive for members of unions to do a good job, improve things, improve productivity, etc. No way are you going to suggest something that could make a company more efficient. I think that the only people that are pro-union are those that are in a union.

There was no incentive to create cutting edge cars and high quality. None. You were getting paid regardless, what did it matter? There was no focus on efficiency, Quality Principles - doing things right the first time, and being competitive with foreign companies. It can be looked at this way - loyalty with sports teams. There are just some sports teams that no matter if they are horrible or are fantastic that people are loyal to. The car companies were turning into a fraternity. There was loyalty for the longest time and they took advantage of it. Buy American was the way they created a nice following among the car brands. But then lemon laws came along and Consumer Reports and consumers demanded high quality. They got it from the foreign car companies, not from Ford, Chrysler or GM. Saturn was the worst company that GM should have gotten involved with. I have a friend who had a Saturn that literally had the door fall off. So, after that, I am convinced that all Saturns are trash. It is great to have a sales philosophy that doesn't pressure you, but if a door falls off of your car and it has a ton of problems, who cares about the selling process? The people doing the work on the cars were members of unions and if they had cared about Six Sigma when Toyota introduced it, then would be even in Quality.

IMHO Unions are not good news and don't give anyone an incentive to do a good job. They really are the cause of the big three downturn. You don't see Honda and Toyota with Unions in the U.S. and they are in much better shape. I don't know about the significance in other countries, but they are a nightmare and I am so happy that I don't have to work with one and am not a member of one. To me, unions are just selfish.

"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."--Ralph Waldo Emerson "The Puzzle to Success"

I am sure that they would love to visit!

We have Rupert B. Puppenstein (Boston Terrier) and Piper T. Dog (Beagle/Boxer Mix), and our seven cats: Alley, Mouse, Mickey, Tinkerbell, Jessie, Milo, and Scrappy. (Yes 7! - We used to foster sick cats for the humane society and failed miserably a few times at returning them) They are all cute, but the dogs deserve more attention. Photobucket is being a pain, so I apologize that these pictures are rather large. This is Rupert with our Wisteria: This is Piper with a dusting of snow - very rare in Atlanta!:

Skepticisms is the longest word that alternates hands when typing.

How long has it been since your last sleep study? Things can change and if your lack of sleep has been recent it is time to get it checked out again. Seeing a sleep specialist (not a general physician) will hopefully isolate what is going on and get you on more effective treatment - same goes with anyone who needs a prescription to fall asleep. It sounds like you get some sleep, but if it isn't REM cycle sleep, then forget about it. Doesn't count. I hope that you find what is going on and get some quality sleep!

I love all the smells from baking holiday treats and comfort foods, candles, a fire in the fireplace, and snow (when I lived where there was a lot of snow). Two months of cold, cloudy weather don't seem to count because I am preoccupied with all of that!

Curious

That is so nice! What a great memory and way to make your daughter's day!

Welcome! Your blog is very interesting!

I watched my nephew over the weekend and now I absolutely love Backyardigans and Wonderpets is a close second. I have started to TiVo both of them to watch with him the next time he is over. I watched a few episodes of Little Einstein's and just didn't understand what was so great about that show - there is the music component, but it was much more entertaining to watch the other shows - and yes, Spongebob is great too! He is too young for that at 18 months.

No way...even on the container it says not to use them that way. Just use some good soap and water in a pinch. If you have neosporin then just apply that after washing. We didn't have all the fancy first-aid items years and years ago and things were fine!

Is there any way to stop working the graveyard shift and go back to working a day shift? I worked graveyard shifts in college because it was convenient with school and initially, it wasn't a big deal - it was almost like I had so much energy all the time, and after about a year I got to the point of being tired - I too, only did the graveyard shift twice a week. After a few years, I stopped and my energy was back. If that isn't a option, having a strict schedule and taking a multi-vitamin (cravings are usually the sign of deficiencies) would help. Plus, a good exericise routine like Pilates, or Yoga is wonderful. I hope you feel better soon!

For anyone who loves to cook recipes that traditionally use some sort of alcohol, here are some substitutes. Oh, and coffee is a pretty common ingredient with chocolate - it supposedly adds quite a lot, but I think coffee smells like tuna, so why would I put that in my brownies? Amaretto Almond extract (1/2 teaspoon extract for 2 tablespoons of Amaretto) or Italian soda syrup. Anisette Anise Italian soda syrup or fennel. Apple Brandy Apple juice, unsweetened apple juice concentrate, apple cider, or apple butter. Apricot Brandy Syrup from a can of apricots in heavy syrup, or apricot preserves. Beer or Ale A strong chicken, beef or mushroom broth, or non-alcoholic beer. Beer or Ale (Light) Chicken broth, white grape juice or ginger ale. Bourbon 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Brandy 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of brandy or rum extract for 2 tablespoons of Brandy. When liquid amount is critical to the recipe, use water or fruit juices corresponding to flavor of brandy (use same amount of liquid as the recipe calls for brandy), Calvados Apple juice, unsweetened apple juice concentrate, apple cider, or apple butter. Chambord Raspberry juice, syrup or extract. Champagne Ginger ale, sparkling apple cider, sparkling cranberry juice, or sparkling white grape juice. Cherry Liqueur or Cherry Brandy Syrup from a can of cherries in heavy syrup, or cherry Italian soda Syria or cherry preserves. Claret non-alcoholic wine, diluted grape juice or cherry cider syrup. Coffee Liqueur To replace 2 tablespoons of liqueur, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of chocolate extract mixed with 1 teaspoon of instant coffee, which has been mixed in 2 tablespoons of water. Can also substitute expresso, non-alcoholic coffee extract or coffee syrup. Cognac Apricot, peach or pear juice. Cointreau To replace 2 tablespoons of liqueur, use 2 tablespoons of orange juice concentrate or 2 tablespoons of orange juice with 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract. Crème de cacao Powdered white chocolate combined with water, or non-alcoholic vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Crème de cassis Black currant Italian soda syrup or black currant jam. Crème de menthe non-alcoholic mint extract, mint Italian soda syrup, spearmint extract, or spearmint oil with a little water added. If green color is needed, add a drop of green food coloring. Curacao To replace 2 tablespoons of liqueur, use 2 tablespoons of orange juice concentrate or 2 tablespoons of orange juice with 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract. Framboise Raspberry juice or raspberry syrup. Frangelico Hazelnut or almond extract. Galliano Licorice extract. Gewurztraminer White grape juice combined with lemon juice. Grand Marnier To replace 2 tablespoons of liqueur, use 2 tablespoons of orange juice concentrate or 2 tablespoons of orange juice with 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract. Grappa Grape juice. Grenadine non-alcoholic grenadine or pomegranate syrup. Hard Cider Apple juice or apple cider. Kirsch Cherry cider or black cherry, raspberry, boysenberry, currant, or grape juice or syrup. Substitute same amount of liquid as called for in the recipe. Licorice or Anise Liqueur Anise Italian soda syrup or fennel. Mirin White grape juice combined with lemon juice or lemon zest. Muscat White grape juice combined with powdered sugar. Ouzo Anise Italian soda syrup or fennel. Orange Liqueur Orange juice concentrate, orange juice, orange zest or orange marmalade. Peach Brandy Syrup from a can of peaches in heavy syrup, or peach preserves. Peppermint Schnapps non-alcoholic mint or peppermint extract, mint Italian soda syrup, or mint leaves. Port Concord grape juice with some lime zest added, cranberry juice with some lemon juice added, or grape juice concentrate. Substitute orange juice or apple juice for lighter ports. Red Burgundy Red wine vinegar, grape juice or non-alcoholic wine. Red Wine, sweet or dry non-alcoholic wine with a tablespoon of vinegar added to cut the sweetness, grape juice, cranberry juice, grape jelly, tomato juice, beef broth, liquid drained from vegetables, or water. Use equal amounts of liquid as called for in the recipe. Riesling White grape juice with a pinch of powdered sugar added. Rum White grape juice, pineapple juice, or apple juice in equal liquid amounts as called for in the recipe. Can also use these juices with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of non-alcoholic rum, almond or vanilla extract added. Sake Rice vinegar. Sambuca Anise Italian soda syrup or fennel. Schnapps To replace 2 tablespoons of schnapps, add 1 teaspoon of a corresponding flavored extract. Sherry Apple juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, or non-alcoholic vanilla extract. Southern Comfort Peach flavored nectar combined with a small amount of cider vinegar. Sparkling Wine Ginger ale, sparkling apple cider, sparkling cranberry juice, or sparkling white grape juice. Tequila Cactus juice or nectar. Triple Sec Orange juice concentrate, orange juice, orange zest or orange marmalade. Vermouth, Dry White grape juice, white wine vinegar, or non-alcoholic white wine.

Look at the ingredients of the powder because it could be coffee and of course using the grinds is coffee - but you can use the extracts or flavorings because the majority of them ironically are not coffee at all. (Yes, a pretty shocking revelation that flavorings are supposed to be something but have none of the active ingredients of the real thing that I discovered in my cooking classes) As far as alcohol - you can substitute boullion instead of wines in cooking and omit any alcohol. That way, you are getting the benefits of the extra flavor without violating anything in the WOW. Sounds delicious, but I really can't stand the smell of coffee so I wouldn't know if it actually tastes good or makes a recipe taste better to add coffee flavorings.

I think it is the responsibility of the cameraman (For CNBC by the way) to not have that in the background. Granted most of us do not kill our turkeys for Thanksgiving, but this is how it works. They didn't need to have it in the background of her interview though. She had no idea what was going on. I don't think it should be mainstream news - but given that nothing really was happening in the news it got pushed to the top. Shame on CNBC - I am sure the cameraman got a raise over that.

If users have left - it is probably not that they have anything against the board, but maybe that it isn't very active. I am a member on another board that consistently has three or more pages of New Posts because the discussion isn't limited to just talking about our dogs, etc. To be honest, I search more for threads than actually look at new posts because most of the time there just isn't anything and everything is so serious instead of being fun. I hesitate to post anymore because even the most innocent things can be blown out of proportion. JMHO.

Turkey! Four day work week or shorter work day five days a week?

Smoothie! Trip to a Resort or Cruise?