Budget Cuts

Due to lack of funding trips to the groomers are no longer in the family budget. Sarah, 28, of Ann Arbor attempted to cut the dog's hair twice before with normal hair clippers but failed. After two trips to PetSmart she finally succeeded in purchasing the appropriate clippers for $45.00. The sales clerk, however, warned her, "you get what you pay for." These clippers were approximately 1/4 of what she could have spent.

"I was really nervous because of my failed attempts," Sarah said. "I forgot my wallet the first trip to the store, so that added to my anxiety. The dog really, really needed a haircut though so I had to try."

The average amount of money spent on a dog haircut for this miniature schnauzer was $45 each grooming session, approximately two to four times a year.

Sarah has experience cutting her husband and children's hair, but not dog hair. Dog hair is much finer and in this case, the hair was matted in several places.

Sarah said she read the instructions, and then threw the dog in the bathtub to be washed. After drying the dog, out came the clippers.

"It was tough starting off because the blade guides, or guards, kept falling off and getting stuck in his hair," she said. "I finally took them off completely, something I hardly ever do during a normal haircut, and started buzzing away. It actually worked. I was really surprised."

The dog only yelped twice, and Tyler, Sarah's husband, had to come in and hold the dog while she cut the legs, face and belly.

"It was a sweaty, dirty job. It is definitely worth $45 to get the dog's hair cut by a professional."

When asked if she will do it again she commented she will probably have to, but hopefully the dog's hair will be in better condition so it doesn't look like a weed wacker chopped off his hair.

The clippers also performed their job without incident after two applications of oil. The biggest reason inexpensive clippers are broken is the motor burns out because it is on for so long. Sarah observed the clippers getting very hot, but they still functioned.

There is a 1 year limited warranty on the clippers and Sarah intends to keep all packaging and receipts in case they need to be returned to the manufacturer.

Despite numerous attempts for comments, Milo, the said dog, had no comment.

Music

For the past few years I have been blessed to know a family that has music running through their blood like mad! Jon introduced me to our church, and now his wife Sierra and his sister Amy have put some music online. Enjoy!!

http://www.myspace.com/sierrajonthanamy

Tired

The past couple weeks we have been busy! Last week we all packed up and stayed at my Grandma Culver's house for the week while my dad was out of town. She has dialysis three times a week and has a helper take her, but needs someone to be there at night. We all had a good time, caught up with old friends, made some yummy dinners, and enjoyed the nice weather. We did the final clean up of our old house and the new renters moved in. It felt so good to work at the house!

Just as we were ending our week Ava got a cold that lasted a week, Tyler got a cold, and Violet just got her cold this week. I have not gotten mine yet, but usually get mine last.

Perhaps I am fighting off a cold, or perhaps I am just nearing the third trimester, but I am DOG TIRED. Basically I can do a couple loads of laundry, check my favorite websites and keep the kitchen somewhat clean. But picking up all the tissues, toys, clothes, books, backpacks, dog toys, etc., is just too much. I'm 27 weeks, which is exciting. The baby moves all the time. We're still undecided on a name. We'll probably go in with a short list and then pick which ever name fits.

In other news my mom sent some adorable clothes for the girls that they play with all day. Our generous neighbors gave us a box of their unwanted boy clothes (the boy-piles are slowly growing), and I've been working on a PR proposal. It's been nice to get back into the groove of writing. I do enjoy it, and really enjoy working from home a small amount. Tyler got a very part time (5-10 hours a week) internship reviewing business plans before they get sent to venture capitalists and other professionals around the state, and has a few other opportunities he's working on. This weekend he is in North Carolina at Wake Forest for another business plan competition. I am very proud of him and am finally able to (somewhat) relax that this whole internship search thing is nearing an end. It has been very very trying for me.

This quarter instead of classes he is doing a project for a company that is considering the start of manufacturing parts for solar panels. Tyler loves alternative energy.

These are most of the nitty gritty details of our student lives. :)

My Mom and Her Goal

As you may (or may not know) my mom has lost a considerable amount of weight over the past year. She has worked really hard and in her words, "I finally decided the only way to actually lose weight was diet and exercise!" Although this makes me laugh weight has always been a serious struggle for her. She now goes to the gym nearly every day, is working with a nutritionist and a personal trainer. She certainly puts me to shame. :)

We each have our own struggles, and just as she has worked hard to overcome her struggle with weight, she has decided to help others who are struggling with something much more serious and life threatening. On October 15-17, 2010 she will be walking 60 miles over the course of 3 days, camping out at night with thousands of other women and men in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. Net proceeds from the Komen 3-Day for the Cure are invested in breast cancer research and community programs. Komen for the Cure works hard to build a future without breast cancer. My mom's goal is to raise $2300 to help with that goal. Nearly every one of us knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer - or any type of cancer.

It is hard to believe that two years ago her feet were giving her nearly constant pain and breathing at night was a struggle. Now she is going to walk 60 miles helping other people.

As many of us have limited resources, she has asked me to send out an e-mail asking for your support. You can help in many ways:

-Donate directly at her webpage: Click here to visit her personal page. Or you can call 800-996-3DAY to donate over the phone.
-Send an e-mail out to your friends asking for their support. I have always wanted to do something like this walk, but right now I can't. What I can do is tell others and help her meet her goal!
-Send her a note of support and encouragement to: lyndellmclean@yahoo.com

If you wish to make a donation in memory of a certain person, please let her know. This will certainly help motivate her and know there are angels following her on her journey.


Thank you so much for your time.

Love,
Sarah

Blogging sorts of days

The weather has taken a marked improvement over the past few days. I love el nino years! March is definitely coming in like a lamb, so I wouldn't be surprised to see it go out like a lion. But until then, we are enjoying blue skies and the ever melting snow. We have taken a couple walks and breathed some fresh air. There is nothing like the arrival of spring.

I have finished a couple projects. Here is a little outfit I made. Hoods and collars are still a challenge to make, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it. If only I had an unlimited budget at Joanne's!


Last week Tyler was on winter break (or was it spring?) We headed to the Ford Rouge plant with our museum adventure pass - free checked out from the library - and learned about where Henry Ford made the first cars. This plant still manufactures the F-150s but you couldn't take any pictures. There were a couple movies and examples of all the cars that have been manufactured there. The building is also LEED certified, so it has a lot of green features.

For some reason when I saw this I teared up. The whole father-son thing. Way emotional lately, wouldn't you say?

On the bus ride there.

Today I thought we had playgroup. Of course, it's not until next week, so Ava was really really disappointed. Our neighbors came over and played for a bit, next up we made some paper mache. I think we're going to make them into eggs for easter once they dry, and then make some gingerbread cookies. Here it is "in progress."


On Sunday we also visited some friends. You may recall Heather's wedding last summer. Heather and Hai moved out of our house and are now homeowners! I forced Heather to take this picture with me - she's due July 7th. Not only did she move yesterday but she has been sick poor thing. She's having a girl - Audrey Laine (sp?). Amy and I helped her unpack some clothes and then just sat around for a while. Anyway, it was fun to get together.

Botanical Gardens... again!

The last time we went to the Matthai Botanical Gardens we just walked along a trail outside. This time we went in, and they have beautiful greenhouses just brimming with plants from tropical, sub tropical and desert regions. It has a very zen feel and you can even do yoga there once a week! Awesome! We went today because it's free on Wednesdays. :) We took a lot of pictures but they didn't turn out very well because on the way home I realized our lens was covered with gunk. I guess that's what happens when kids love the camera. So the lens is now cleaned, and pictures should be getting better.