Clifford Ewan Ronfeldt, Pet Psychic

Let me introduce you to a member of Ronfeldt family. Clifford Ewan Ronfeldt.

Cute, yes? Maybe. He could also be called Clifford Ewan Ronfeldt,  Psycho Psychic.

By the way, Cliff's middle name was given to him by granddaughter, Alex. (Another story)

The little monster has changed the Ronfeldt way of living ever since he arrived. We got him because Lucy (the good dog) needed a friend.

Lucy, the shelter dog, is everything you could ask for; patience, kindness, devotion. We wanted to make her happy: "Let's get her a playmate".

Wrong.

We didn't leave them for 2 years because we just couldn't subject anybody to Clifford. He was a handful.

But, I getting off the track. The little dog is psychic. Both Ron and I agree. We have tested him. He knows what I'm thinking.

When we go to the dog groomer for his bath (no matter what route I take) he whinces the whole time going. Whenever I think of dog walking; he's there, going crazy. I don't even have to go to the closet for the leases. I can be in the bathroom doing a number things; but if I'm thinking walk, he's all over me.

I could go on forever. I know this would be boring to you unless you live with dogs.

This little guy is creepy. I've would get rid of him (many have suggested) but no one else would have him. Besides, he mades me laugh, he needs me and I need him.

Clifford, you're here to stay.

OMG!!!!! I've lost my cell phone.

Yes; the unthinkable happened. I lost my cell phone today. It would have been easier to lose a finger (I could still function). Talk about "Panic in the streets".

I did what any proud American would do. Stop everything. Think. Remember. Retrace my steps. My God, we're talking about my cell phone!!!!!! I knew you would understand.

We had gone to the hardware store; check, not there. I walked the dogs; check, not on that route. Unless, of course, some little kid picked it up (any adult would have called the emergency number because they knew the pain I was going through).

My next retracing was Ron's pickup I had borrowed. I knew it was at my building I was working on uptown. Wait. Maybe it's in the pickup. HALLELUJAH!!!! There it was. On the seat. I swear, there was a halo around it.

So, I found my cell phone; end of story. But what does this tell us about ourselves? Five years ago, we seemed to function just fine without immediate connection to the world. What changed?

We did.

So; are we better off or not? I don't know. My cell phone is always by my side. Is it a good thing or bad? What do you think?

Sharks are cool.

Sure; not the prettiest face in the animal kingdom, but they are cool.

The Mako Shark is one of the featured wildlife species in Animal Tails product line. This shark is the fastest of all and came jump out of the water up to 20 feet. Cool.

Another interesting fact: They apparently taste good; the main reason the Mako Shark is now endangered. They have been overfished. Their fins are a delicacy. You've heard of "shark fin soup". There has even been reports of fisherman, after catching a Mako Shark, cutting the fins off and throwing it back in the ocean to die. That was hard for me to take; needless suffering.

Animal Tails has two different designs for the Mako Shark. Here they are on the baby items:

Sweet and cuddly for your baby boy.

But as our boys get older, they want cool, not sweet and cuddly. That's why sharks are cool. There wouldn't be much drama in West Side Story if the "Jets" (instead of fighting the "Sharks") were going to rumble with the "Tuna's"or "Guppies". Just doesn't work. And how about the many cool characters you have seen on the big and little screen named "Sharkie" or "Al, the Shark". If you lived in a tough neighborhood, what would you whether to be called: "Shark" or "Fishhead"?

I rest my case. Sharks are cool.

The boys short-sleeved Mako Shark is our current "Special of the Day". For a limited time only, it's half off of retail. Check it out at http://www.rubij.com/.

I love this shade of blue. That's another thing you'll discovered with these organic clothes. The colors stay washing after washing.

I'm trying, really, really trying.

Last week I was in the hospital for 3 days. No, nothing wrong with me. I was staying around the clock with my dear step-father-in-law during his total knee replacement. First, everything went well; second, no sleep: time to read and research.

I spent hours and hours on Ron's iPad reading about pesticides, additives and preservatives and the correlation with ADDA and autism.

I was upset, outraged and indignant; I must spread the news. So this week I was going to alert the public.

Then, I looked in my kitchen's drawers. Ouch.

White bread, Kraft Mac & Cheese and (the devil himself) Lays Potata Chips. I'm a fraud. 

So; back to "Google". Need to find redemption.

Fact: There are 14,000 man made chemicals in the American food supply.

Well, no wonder I lost the battle; I'm just one against an army of commercial might and power.

But, still the battle rages on!!!. We will fight one little scrimmage one at a time. Let's start with artifical food coloring.

When you go grocery shopping; don't buy anything with artifical food coloring. Studies have found a link to hyperactivity and autism.

This will be our first step.

Let us be strong.

Is Orange the new Black?

I was wondering why I was getting more orders for the orange onesie than any other color lately.

I should probably look at the calendar once in a while. Fall is just around the corner and Halloween is next month. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Or; unless it is becoming the new black. Babies do look cute in our Papaya Orange. Of course, when don't babies look cute?

Trey's looking good; but any color looks good on him.

The Large Blue Butterfly

Animal Tails has introduced 5 new endangered species to their line of organic clothing. I always like to research each wildlife a little further. The large blue butterfly has an interesting story.

Its habitat is across Europe, but was declared extinct in England in the 1970's. Scientists at first thought it was because of butterfly collectors. But then (this is the interesting part) Professor Jeremy Thomas made an unusal discovery. The large blue can only survive if there is a certain species of red ants living in the habitat. Who would have thought? Obviously, Professor Thomas is smarter than most of us.

When in the caterpillar stage, it hatches on thyme buds. The ants then carries it back to their nest and there it feeds on ant grubs until it becomes a beautiful butterfly. Climate change in England made the ants go away, thence also the large blue butterfly.

Now to the happy ending. Habitats were restored on 50 former sites to bring back the ants. Then the butterflies were brought in from Sweden. Success!!!

There is still lots of work to be done; but isn't it a thrill that we can reverse the damage done.

The Large Blue Butterfly is featured on Animal Tails' girls t-shirts, rompers, hats and blankets. See them all at http://www.rubij.com/

Sandy's List

There's Craig's List, Angie's List; and now, Sandy's List. It's a list I alone will create. I'm not sure of all the criteria. For now, it's just little things that has made a positive difference in my lifestyle and I want to share them.

Right now, there is one item on my list: nasal rinse.

Probably not what you were expecting.

First, a little background. I now know I have had allergies all my life. But being a farm girl growing up in the 50's, I don't think I ever even heard the word allergy. I do remember always sneezing and lots of headaches. That didn't travel far with Mothers of that era. If there was no fever, you weren't sick; simple as that.

Fast forward to when mother (me) and daughter (Stef) went to an allergist to be tested.  This has been quite a few years ago, but I'll always remember the shame of that day. Young teenager, Stef, and I were filling out our separate history records before testing. I was still smoking at that time.

Talk about a red flag!!!!! "I see you're a smoker, Mrs. Ronfeldt. Do you smoke in front of your daughter?"

"No - well, hardly ever - sometimes - I won't any more." That was just the beginning of a very long day. Every room I was led into there was the announcement "We have a smoker here." I saw the disgust in their eyes.
After all the tests and humiliation, I was told I was allergic to Iowa. In other words, environmental.

Which brings me back to Sandy's List. I have been on so many treatments through the years; but nothing has helped me as much a nasal rinse. I know it sounds gross, but does it ever work. This is what I use:

It only takes a few minutes a day, totally safe and no side effects. If you suffer like me, please try this. And no, I'm not a paid spokeperson (although I would be available).