All the News!

Obviously, much has been going on, and much like before the holiday I am working long hours and coming home tired. Having frisky kittens in the house is not exactly conductive towards maximum rest, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world. :}

Navi and Pilot are settling in fine. They are still mostly confined to our bedroom since Navi was found to have some bugs in her gut that we wanted to make sure were taken care of before the kittens had full access to Lucas. The kittens get to run around the house part of each day (supervised), and Lucas is singularly unimpressed. He is also unhappy that they eat all his leftovers- maybe he will become a little less snobby about his food, who knows. We have decided to have the kittens chipped, since they do not always come when called (they are still learning their names) and tend to bum’s-rush any door when it opens, so we’re naturally concerned about them getting out. They are too strong for the break-away kitten collars but too small for standard cat collars, so the chips are really necessary.

Health-wise my broken toe is healed if not truly mended. I suspect that it did not set properly, but it does not hurt when I walk and I’ll take what I can get. I am slowly increasing my activity again and shedding some of the holiday pounds.

My allergy treatments have had to take a step back. I had massive reactions to my last two allergy shots (to the point of dizziness) so I am back on a lower dose for a while. I had my first adjusted dose yesterday and things seem to be better (although still swollen and itchy, which is kind of the point).

Hubby and I received a dehydrator for Christmas along with cookbooks and other assorted Tools For Cooking Tasty Food, and we’ve been having a lot of fun making turkey teriyaki jerky and dried apple rings (to name some of the more successful experiments so far). I am going to go to a dehydrator cooking workshop in a couple weeks to learn some tips and tricks which should be fun. I really like making my own healthy snacks on the cheap.

On Saturdays we are hosting a few of hubby’s co-workers and play tabletop games together. It’s a lot of fun since we love entertaining and helps make sure that I keep up on housework!

I also finally broke down and ordered an gift ornament storage box and organised our holiday decor. We seem to acquire a little more every year and I wanted to separate my antique glass ornaments from the heavier, bulkier things. I am going to make two more felt cat ornaments for our tree for Pilot and Navi (I already have ones I bought years ago for Lucas and Zack). I also have some more craft gifts to update in my crafting blog, and hope to get back into posting here more regularly. I am sure that there is more going on, I’m just not thinking of it at the moment.

Product Review: Neotech Strap

So, way, way back I mentioned that I was having trouble with my shoulder bag (which I still haven’t posted a product review for, but probably will soon now that this is sorted). While the size and pockets were just about perfect, I had a lot of problems with the nylon strap. It was adjustable so I could wear it cross-body, but the adjustment buckles would slip, so I was constantly re-adjusting it. In addition, that slippery nylon also frequently slipped right off my shoulder. It was pretty frustrating, especially since I loved so much else about the bag.

After some research, I ordered a Neotech strap. These are designed for laptop cases or camera bags, so they’re made to not slip and be comfortable. The clips shown in the image below are easy to remove, so I replaced the strap on my bag. I had a momentary qualm since the only way to remove the old nylon strap was to cut it, but now that I’ve used the Neotech strap for a couple weeks I know that I will never go back!

The broad padding is very comfortable and distributes weight well, and does not slip. The strap is still easily adjustable, and I can still wear it crossbody when I want to. I didn’t realise how much the nylon strap was aggravating my shoulders until after the change, so that was a really nice bonus.

I strongly recommend this brand, and so far is it holding up to wear well, so I can see transferring to to another bag in the future. For something relatively inexpensive, it’s a huge benefit!

Meow-y Catsmas!

Our gift to each other this year was to expand our feline family and open our home to a brother and sister:

Introducing Pilot and Navigator (Navi)! They are 5 months old and VERY affectionate! They both like to curl up on your shoulder and have their bellies petted (especially Navi!). They will stay in our bathroom for a day or two until they get used to their new surroundings, and then we will let them explore our bedroom and the cat tree there. I joke that since both my parents and my sister have black-and-white cats, clearly we needed some of our own! Poor Lucas, lol!

Here’s one of a sitting-pretty-kitty:

Such a long tail!

Product Review: Clear Choice Shower Dispenser

So, about six months ago I cashed in a gift card at the local home store and picked up one of these:

I am utterly thrilled so far. I read a number of reviews and chose a medium-cost one that sounded reliable and picked a winner. One section for my shampoo, one for hubby’s, and liquid soap in the middle. No more fumbling with (and dropping) slippery bottles that difficult to squeeze when my hands are bad, and less tub clutter so it’s easier to keep things clean. Plus, since it’s a measured pump I don’t have to worry about pouring out more than I need (also a problem when my motor control isn’t great).

The rack is glued to the wall and can lift off to refill, although I usually just remove the lid and pour more in. No clogging or dripping so far, and I even like the aesthetics. A hinged lid might be nice, but also might be trickier to refill, so not really a minus in any way. The buttons are big enough that I can use my palm instead of my fingers, which is also nice. Altogether, I highly recommend!

FREEKey Key Ring System

This isn’t a product review since I haven’t tried one out for myself yet, but it absolutely falls into the “Smart Idea” category! Managing my keys is a ridiculous hassle at times (and I’m looking for those phone-cord bracelets so I can wear my keys to help prevent dropping them all the time). This looks like a useful solution for someone with limited mobility, stiff fingers, inability to grip tightly, etc. (Like me!) If I do acquire one, I will absolutely post a review. Available through ThinkGeek https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f2d3/

Holiday Happenings

On the health front, my busted toe is, well, still busted. The glorious bruising is almost all cleared up, but the toe will remain taped for several weeks yet. Canes and limping are in order, which makes various Other Things ache (in particular my right hip). Much to my sadness, I have confirmed that the muscle relaxant (which helps prevent spasms) also seems to be one of the driving forces in my Weird Dreams Situation, which leaves me extra-tired. So I get to choose: better sleep with potential cramps and extra pain, or less pain with more groggi- and fogginess. Clearly, I wish this was a multiple-choice menu so I could pick and choose.

In good news, my allergist and I had one of those enlightening appointments when we finally use the same terminology and understand each other clearly. Something minor that has been a hassle for some time has been explained and now I know for sure it is No Big Deal and can get with the rest of my life. I also received confirmation on how to deal with my Winter Nosebleeds. We both exclaimed on the wonder of the camera cellphone. Pictures of my last few big reactions were quite useful and I was able to email them to him for my records, straight from my phone. Technology truly is a marvel. If all goes well, beginning in March I can drop back to shots only every other week. Huzzah!

As for the subject line, I have been picking and choosing my battles. The tree with star and skirt have been up for a week with wrapped gifts beneath it, but I am only just getting to ornaments now. Last year I did not put on garland and felt it was missing something. This year the star garland is mostly up and I feel better already- I do like the sparkle. However, holiday cards will be at a premium with year. I have written a whopping two so far. I think it will only be select close friends and family who receive. I would like to make one or two more ornaments for those who I know will especially appreciate- probably this weekend.

Hubby’s big annual office holiday ‘do was downscaled this year. While I miss the opportunity to get gussied up and socialize, I had to work that night anyway. We are being grateful for steady employment and good wages when so many aren’t in the same boat. That said, I had a 13-hour workday yesterday. That about sums up my week. I am quite exhausted and looking forward to the holiday break even more than usual.

Finally, my osteoarthritis in my hands has been acting up. I now have an arthritis gel to rub on my hands. I mean no disrespect to my elders, but it makes me smell about 90. It does, however, work wonders, so I certainly won’t stop using it.

Presidential Proclamation — International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Americans have always understood that each of us is entitled to a set of fundamental freedoms and protections under the law, and that when everyone gets a fair shot at opportunity, all of us do better. For more than two decades, our country has upheld those basic promises for persons with disabilities through the Americans with Disabilities Act — a sweeping civil rights bill that moved our Nation forward in the journey to equality for all. And from making health care more affordable to ensuring new technologies are accessible, we have continued to build on that progress, guided by the belief that equal access and equal opportunity are common principles that unite us as one Nation.

On the 20th International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we reaffirm that the struggle to ensure the rights of every person does not end at our borders, but extends to every country and every community. It continues for the woman who is at greater risk of abuse because of a disability and for the child who is denied the chance to get an education because of the way he was born. It goes on for the 1 billion people with disabilities worldwide who all too often cannot attend school, find work, access medical care, or receive fair treatment. These injustices are an affront to our shared humanity — which is why the United States has joined 153 other countries around the world in signing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which calls on all nations to establish protections and liberties like those afforded under the Americans with Disabilities Act. While Americans with disabilities already enjoy these rights at home, they frequently face barriers when they travel, conduct business, study, or reside overseas. Ratifying the Convention in the Senate would reaffirm America’s position as the global leader on disability rights and better position us to encourage progress toward inclusion, equal opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for persons with disabilities worldwide.

We have come far in the long march to achieve equal opportunity for all. But even as we partner with countries across the globe in affirming universal human rights, we know our work will not be finished until the inherent dignity and worth of all persons with disabilities is guaranteed. Today, let us renew our commitment to meeting that challenge here in the United States, and let us redouble our efforts to build new paths to participation, empowerment, and progress around the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 3, 2012, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I call on all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/12/03/presidential-proclamation-international-day-persons-disabilities-2012