Friday, January 4, 2013

Cravebox--The Dog Box

I have been a member of Cravebox since day one--a Beta member. As such, I've gotten nearly every box that has come out. Cravebox used to be a subscription service, but it recently changed to a drawing for the boxes. Like the sound of a box? Sign up and you might get chosen! By taking surveys you can earn "guaranteed choice" points which means you will get a box of your choice.

Last year I got the first Dog Box for Willow, our 5yo adopted Malinois/Whippet Mix. She was so happy and so was I! When I saw there was another box available, I signed up and used a guarantee point. The cost of the box was $13 (boxes range between $10-$15 and include shipping).



Willow can't wait to sniff everything in her box!!



The January Dog Cravebox
Bissell Stomp & Go Stain Lifting Pads, Keen Dehydrated Dog Food, Sentry Calming Collar, True Chews Chicken Jerky Fillets and In a Dog's Heart by Jennifer Arnold

I was delighted by the variety in this box. While we have a dog food that we feed Willow, having a "gourmet treat" now and then is nice for her. The treats are always a favorite--she gets one after baths, grooming and nail trims (she gets so excited when anyone says BATH TIME!).

The other three items will come in handy as we are planning on adopting a rescue Pug this year! I've received several of the Stomp & Go pads from Cravebox (I won a whole cleaning box from Bissell and Febreeze during a Twitter party) and they look great for house training! 

The collar is a new product--it is scented with a "calming pheremone", as well as lavender & chamomile. The idea is to use it during vet trips, grooming, storms--any time a dog may feel stressed. It's good for 30 days, although I suppose it could be used for those times and stored in a air-tight container, and perhaps "recharged" by adding more essential oils. It's a smaller size--too small for Willow's neck I think. Besides, she's a rather mellow dog to begin with. But this will be great for our Pug!

A note--due to a Pug's anatomy, collars should only be used as decorative wear. Leashes should be attached to a harness so that pressure isn't applied to their head/neck.

Finally, as an avid reader, I was very happy to recieve Jennifer Arnold's book, In a Dog's Heart: A Compassionate Guide to Canine Care from Adopting to Teaching to Bonding. No matter how much you think you know about dogs, it is always good to brush up on new techniques and refresh your skills. I am a huge fan of Cesar Milan--his methods worked fantastic with Willow. She is the perfect mellow Submissive dog and sees us as her pack. But since I've never had a pug, I know I will glean something  from this book that will be helpful! Plus I just like to read books about animals.

Willow snuggling with her new treats

Overall, this is a great box, and once more, I'm a happy Craver--and so is Willow :)

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2013--the Goals of a Headacheslayer

For years I have tried to keep "resolutions"......and wound up feeling like most people do by February--stuck in an old rut, unable to achieve those lofty goals. Fail.

So one year I changed it to New Year Goals. I know, semantics. But I'm an English major so that is right up my alley. Instead of putting down the usual "lose weight", "eat healthier", etc.....I started putting down things that would actually be fun and motivate me. I don't need a list to remind myself to eat healthy. And at the end of the year, how do you really calculate that?

I've been keeping a journal of these items--both resolutions and now goals--since 1997. It's fun to read through how I thought back then; not so fun for the cringe-worthy items. But now I look forward to picking up my journal throughout the year to either add or check off items.

There were *a lot* of things that did not get accomplished in 2012. Some were beyond my control, and that's ok. I can add them again this year without feeling like someone has tattooed a great big L on my forehead.

What I did do in 2012

  • Worked on jewelry. I'm learning some new techniques, got new tools and findings, and made my very first pair of earrings as well as a bookmark.
  • Created some items for my Zazzle store
  • Read a dozen books (migraines kindof kicked my butt this year)
  • Skype! I absolutely LOVE to Skype with my 3yo nephew--in fact, if he sees my face show up, he will "call" me LOL
  • Dyed my hair in some awesome colors--pink, purple, and "new rose" (thanks to Manic Panic!)
  • Became the Central Florida Representative for the Advisory Board of Jaylen's Challenge Foundation--BULLYING NO WAY!! (more on that in 2013!)
  • Scary Mommy of the week!
Perhaps not the most impressive year for me (except for the Advisory Board! SO EXCITED!!!), but sometimes you just get busy living life, you know?

I've been working on my list for 2013.....and I'm sure it will be added to, edited and such before next year's end!

For 2013:
  • Learn how to write grants--Part of my goal for how I can help Jaylen's Challenge Foundation
  • Begin my own system for "giving back" with my business, The Crafty Angel
  • Adopt a rescue pug
  • Audition for the Tampa Bay Lightning to sing The National Anthem/O Canada.....I would have done that in 2012 were it not for the NHL lockout :(
  • More quilts! More crafts! More jewelry! More artwork!
  • Finish my HouseMD fanfics......oh let's get real. I will never be done LOL But at least I need to wrap up a few chapters ;)
  • Connect more with my family and friends in 2013--Skype, texting and calling!
  • Go to see the musical WICKED!!!! JANUARY!!!! 3rd row center!!!!
  • Redesign my fish tank. I have one lonely fish in there. I'm redoing the entire tank and adding a few tankmates!
  • Monster Jam. Yes, thanks to HouseMD I am now a Monster Jam fan, along with my son. GRAVEDIGGERRRRRRRRRR! CAN. NOT. WAIT.
  • Turn my son's room into a REPTILE ROOM! lol that's just the decor theme ;) BUT he knows, if he keeps up the good work in school, he's going to get a bearded dragon (he wants to work with reptiles/amphibians)
  • Begin planning the redesign of my daughter's room. She will graduate from HS this June and will be going away to school She has given me permission to redo the room and use it as my own "Beautique" ;)
  • Begin the redesign of our own bedroom--it's a bit of an Indian/Moroccan theme. And if it looks like it does in my head, it's going to be awesome!
  • Read. Even. More. I'm on Goodreads as Headacheslayer.
  • BLOG. Even. More. I have a multitude of blogs that I want to try to update once a week. Or at least try.
So there you have it, my goals for the coming year. I really truly LOVE this list.

Happy New Year's! May 2013 bring you many blessings and joy!