Nancy's Crazy Adventures

Advice on preventing urinary tract problems in your cat.

2008-07-17T16:52:00.003+01:00

My cat Tabitha recently had a urinary Tract infection, she was peeing in piles of laundry on the bathroom floor instead of in the litter tray and at one point it was so severe she was straining to go to the toilet so hard she peed blood. Of course I took her to the vet and she had a couple of jabs, one a pain killer and the other to treat the infection. The vet said these jabs should last four days and if the infection comes back I have to take her back to the vet to discuss changes in diet.
I did a lot of research online into urinary tract infections in cats and I’ve discovered they are very common, in fact they are the commonest cause of cats peeing outside the litter box which is in turn the most often cited reason people give up their cats to adoption centers or abandon them. It’s sad to think that something so easily treated causes so many cats to be abandoned by their owners when as trip to the vet and some changes in diet could sort it out easily.
I’ve found the urinary tract problem my cat had is referred to as “Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease” or FLUTD, it’s also know as cystitis. It can result in urine crystals and bladder stones which are a more serious problem, worse in male cats than female cats. Vets used to blame ash and magnesium in the foods but now are more concerned with the PH level of the cats urine, it seems you can help prevent these crystals forming by avoiding fish flavored cat foods which are suspect in causing them, and also make sure the cat always has fresh drinking water.
I also found a list of foods that cats should never eat because they are toxic to them, I found some of the foods on it surprising (for more detail on this list check out the link to the article "human food for cats" below).

Onions Garlic and related Root Vegetables
Tomatoes
Raw potatoes
Chocolate
Grapes And raisins
Milk

My sources were two articles from about.com “Which cat food to correct urinary problems?” And “Human Food For Cats” I recommend both articles to any cat owners. There are also other articles on the site that have helpful tips on choosing the right food for your cat it’s worth looking into as it could save you a lot of money in vets bills in the future, and save your cat unnecessary pain and suffering.

2008-07-08T15:43:00.001+01:00

You Are

Tangerine

You are a beautiful person, in a wistful kind of way. If you could, you would spend all your time daydreaming and writing poetry. You are a tragic beauty.

You are sensitive and caring, and you don't take insults well. You don't smile much, but when you do, you really mean it.

People like to be around you because you are a calming influence. You have an appreciation for all things beautiful, and you probably have some potted plants. You also most likely own a cat.

You like Sundays and hot tea. You will spend your entire life yearning for quiet beauty, which is a rarity in this world, so you read a lot.

Everyone you know thinks you're "nice."

Take the Which Led Zeppelin Song Are You? Quiz

Nancy's Crazy Adventures.

2008-06-08T19:34:00.001+01:00

What kind of Pagan are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Zoroastrian Pagan

The Zoroastrian Pagan is a rare breed who follows the teachings of Zoroaster, the religious reformer. He believed that there were no gods, and it was naive to put faith in them and give them names. What one should focus on is merely serving one side of the cosmic duality; work on good or light deeds, and the world would become more good or light. Pagans of this variety are rare, but often feel like they get more done without the hassle and clutter of pantheons and gods. They're smart, analytical, and occationally cynical.

Zoroastrian Pagan

100%

Celtic Pantheonic Pagan

80%

Ecclectic Pagan

55%

Roman Pantheonic Pagan

35%

Greek Pantheonic Pagan

35%

Kabbalistic Pagan

30%

Shamanic Pagan

30%

Eastern Pagan

25%

Norse Pantheonic Pagan (Asatru)

15%

Sumerian, Babylonian, and Mesopotamian Pagans

15%

Catholic (Pagan?)

15%

Egyptian Pantheonic Pagan

10%

Too Many Chilli's!

2008-05-28T17:16:00.004+01:00

I planted a load of chilli seeds earlier this year and I now have 19 chilli plants in my kitchen! I've just re potted them all and they are taking up a whole kitchen surface and the windowsill so I'm going to have to give some away I think.

The catnip I planted is doing well too Audra Sonato over at the talk whatever forums gave me some great info on uses for it too:

"Tea made from catnip is more calming than even chamomile tea, but you will definitely want to sweeten it with honey, as it's not quite as pleasant tasting. It's a great sleep aid if you've got insomnia. It's great for respiratory ailments and allergies as it acts as a decongestant (I do not recommend exceeding 2-3 cups per day for adults/ 5ml of tincture 3 times per day for children).

Because if it's markedly antiflatulent qualities, some people give use it for this purpose. Some even give it to their infants and small children for colic or digestive problems, though I would strongly recommend caution with this practice. NEVER GIVE ANYTHING TO A CHILD WITHOUT THOROUGHLY RESEARCHING IT ON YOUR OWN. I've heard of it's use for hyperactive children, but I haven't seen anything solid backing that one up, so I'm not sure it's one I'd recommend.

It is unsafe for use in pregnancy due to it's effects on the uterus, but is quite useful for helping to regulate menstruation in women with painful or irregular menstrual cycles.

It can be made as an infusion and added to the bath or humidifyer as a relaxing antiseptic inhalant. It is useful in this manner for sore throats, colds, flu and coughs, sinus problems, asthma and croup. It can also be used as an eyewash if your eyes are irritated and swollen due ot colds or flu, or the used teabags can be wrung out and put on puffy eyes for releaf. It's very useful as a poultice for sprains and strains, to bring relief to the discomfort and help reduce the swelling by using them in a similar manner as you would the used teabags or as a soak. I've heard of using it simlarly for rheumatoid arthritis, but that's another one I haven't found any real research to back up, and I don't know anyone personally whose garnered relief of that particular ailment using this herb.

Finally, it's great for sore gums and aching teeth. If you use it for oral discomfort, the dried leaves tend to work faster than powdered ones do. Both work, but the powder tends to take a little longer to take effect.

Remember not to dry it in direct sun as it will lose it's potency for either cats or humans if you do. Instead, dry it completely in a dark, cool, dry place."

Witches Weekly - Environment

2008-05-25T16:22:00.002+01:00

"Do you feel that pagans/neo-pagans as a whole have a responsibility to the environment? Do you incorporate eco-conscious decisions in your spiritual work? Or do you feel that the two subjects should remain separate and have no interest in the environment as a whole?"

For me the whole point of my religious beliefs is to worship nature, and if we don't preserve it there will soon be too little or nothing left, and trying to help preserve the environment is a big part of my spiritual work. I think the destruction of nature effects all Pagans and the two shouldn't remain separate at all and we should all have an interest in the environment as a whole.

Sorry about the lack of posts.

2008-05-21T16:01:00.002+01:00

I've been really busy recently, I've just started Piano Lessons again finally and have been trying to raise the money to get a proper piano stool as at the moment I'm using a chair which is the wrong height, if you'd like to help and enjoy posting on forums you could sign up under me at Mylot here and just be active.
I'm also still studying for grade 2 singing and am going to do my first solo, only at a work shop in front of other students but it will be a start. I'll be singing a song called "The Oak And the Ash" which is an old English folk song and I think is very nice so I'm looking forward to it.
My chilli plants and catnip are doing really well I'll post some pictures of them in the next couple of days too, I'll also try and participate in Blog Your Blessings Sunday again soon as I do enjoy it.

Human Rights For China

2008-05-01T15:35:00.001+01:00

Yet another Amnesty International campaign but one that is sorely needed click here or on the banner in my side bar to join their campaign for human rights for china. You can add your own banner to your profile or blogs and send email to help stop the death penalty (which is applicable to 68 crimes in China) and help end the torture of Bu Dongwei prisoner of conscience and because of his religion, demand Justice for Huang Jinqui a journalist imprisoned for "subversion", and campaign for the release of Hu Jia A human rights activist plus several other human rights activists, all from the one page. It will only take a few moments and Amnesty's campaigns have been successful time and time again so it really is worth your time.

Unsubscribe To Human Rights Abuse.

2008-04-27T14:07:00.003+01:00

I am a supporter of Amnesty International and have just received information of a new campaign by them about the interrogation techniques the CIA are still employing in the "War On Terror". The video below is rather disturbing but I urge you to watch it and sign up to "unsubscribe" and help with this campaign.

My Sunday Blessing- My blog survived nearly being deleted.

2008-04-13T13:35:00.002+01:00

Earlier this week I went through my blogs template and deleted a load of things as the blog was taking so long to load it was ridiculous. Imagine my horror when I loaded my blog and all that was showing up was my blog roll on a white background I thought I had deleted ALL the content. luckily when I replaced the template it all came back again, it would have been terrible to have had to start my entire blog all over again and to have lost everything on it. I still need to add a few things again like my bloglog widget but at least it's still here. I like it how it looks now in fact it's much cleaner and doesn't take about 30 seconds to load like it did. I must just remember not to clutter it up so badly this time with links and pictures, I have all my profiles on social networking sites to do that with now.

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace DVD Review.

2008-04-09T19:18:00.003+01:00

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace was a spoof 80's comedy show about a hospital where a hell mouth had been opened and all kinds of strange supernatural things happened. The writer of the show was a narcissistic horror writer called Garth Marenghi who wrote directed and starred in the show as doctor Rick Dagless and the show also starred Todd Rivers as Doctor Lucien Sanchez, Madelaine Wool as Doctor Liz Asher and Dean learner as Thornton Read their boss.
It was brilliant show that hasn't been repeated enough when you consider what Channel 4 does repeat over and over again, and I was over joyed to finally receive the DVD yesterday it has tons of extras including a hilarious commentary for each episode and even a few hidden eggs. There’s lots more of the interviews with the cast that weren’t included in the original show and even a behind the scenes video supposedly taken by Garth’s wife. There is also an extended version of the Song “One Track Lover” which is worth buying the DVD for alone If you were a fan of this show I highly recommend it. You can find out how to get the eggs and more reviews at the DVD page of the Save Darkplace website here and also sign the petition for a new series to be made as it should have been years ago.

If you've never seen it there are lots of clips on youtube and even some full episodes in bits, it's very funny and features some of the best comedy actors Britain has produced in a long time.

I love matt berry.

2008-04-05T23:28:00.002+01:00

Sorry about all the videos but i found this on youtube and wanted to share it, I've also just got the DVD of Garth Marenghi's dark Place and intend to review it soon.

The Future Of Dance Music Is Here!

2008-04-01T15:48:00.002+01:00

And it shall be Tortoise based!

I was a bit too amused by this, or was I? You decide it's only just over 1 minute long so won't take ages to listen to.

BBC wouldn't use Shani Wallis as a judge on "I'd Do Anything"

2008-03-23T20:11:00.004Z

For those of you who don't know Shani Wallis was the actress who played Nancy in the 1968 film of "Oliver", and "I'd Do Anything" is the BBC's new show where they are searching for actors and actress's to play Nancy and Oliver in the new stage production by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I was surprised to read on the Daily Mail's web site (post title is a link to more detailed article) that though she asked the BBC they declined her request to be judge. She also wants to come over here (she now lives in the US) and be coach for the contestants, but the BBC insist they aren't going to use her.

I think this is very stupid of them as she'd be a great asset to the show, I have no desire to watch it but hearing she was involved might have just tipped the balance into making me. It would have added another dimension to the show and shown the contrast between musicals as they are produced today and how they were then.

I can't believe how popular shows like pop Idol and X Factor are anyway are anyway they exposed how fake and manufactured pop music had become and people lapped it up and have even bought the music of the artists created by them. Now it seems they are doing the same with musical theater, they've done it to "Joseph" and "The Sound Of Music" now "Oliver" is getting the treatment. Hopefully they will expose how bitchy and competitive the world of musical theater is, with millions of people fighting for only a few hundred jobs .

Tabitha Finds Warm Place To Sit

2008-03-22T17:04:00.003Z

I wish I could be that happy just to have found a soft warm place to sit, she's sat on the end of the bed and the sun is shining through the window making a small area of warmth. Domestic cats have such an easy life I hope I'm re-incarnated as one, one who has a good owner and doesn't end up on the street that is.

We're lucky to see the sun at all we had rain then hail then sleet on after the other earlier. The weather appears to be improving now finally anyway so hope fully I'll be able to get out for a walk later.

Happy Ostara/Spring Equinox.

2008-03-20T13:58:00.007Z

Spring is here Ostara has begun and though I can't feel it yet (it's freezing here and about to start raining by the look of it) Some seeds I've planted are coming up and the days are finally getting longer.

This year I've Planted some catnip and some chilli's that I intend to grow indoors as I no longer have a garden (though I might be able to persuade the property manager to let me put some catnip in the garden.)

There's a Picture above of what it looks like so far quite a few seedlings have come up I'm pleased. Only trouble is watering them with a sprayer seems to knock them over, it hasn't damaged them though so I'm not too worried. When they are bigger I will transplant them to their own pots, I've found lots of information on harvesting it from my friends on mylot and this about it's magical properties in "Cunninghams Encyclopedia Of Magical Herbs":

Powers:Cat Magic, love, Beauty, Happiness,

Magical Uses: Given to your cat, catnip creates a psychic bond between the two of you. It is also intoxicating to the cat.
Catnip is used in love sachets, usually in conjunction with Rose petals. If you hold catnip in your hand until it is warm, then hold anyone else's hand; they will forever be your friend, as long as you keep the catnip you used for the spell in a safe place.
Grown near to the home or hung over the door,catnip attracts good spirits and great luck. Catnip is also used in spells designed to enhance beauty and happiness.
Large catnip leaves are pressed and used as bookmarks in magical texts.

Fascinating stuff I can't wait to harvest some and hang it above the door for some good luck, apparently you can start harvesting it when it's foot tall and if you leave the plants they re-grow
so I'll end up with an all year round supply, brilliant for the cats.

Out of control Back Log at The Brit Blog directory.

2008-03-19T16:45:00.004Z

I didn't log in to the admin console over at Britblog for 4 months and guess what, neither did anyone else! So we now have A Back Log of over 1000 blogs waiting to be reviewed, I've done about 100 today but will never get it down on my own so if you are an editor please log in and review a few blogs or if you would like to become one please leave a comment here and mark will get back to you.

My Sunday Blessing- Nicotine Replacement Therapy

2008-03-16T13:47:00.004Z

I've been trying to quit smoking for ages now and have currently gone 5 days without smoking using nicotine patches and gum, I keep relapsing but am determined not to now. I've decided to write about NRT today because I would never be able to do it without it as everyone around me still smokes. I'm lucky to have a local stop smoking service too where I can go and get my carbon monoxide levels measured and get my gum and patches once a week, this helps too as it inspires you to not relapse when you see how much poisonous gas has gone from your blood since you quit.
I just found on Mylot a lady called Rhianna who's quitting as well and has started a blog dedicated to it called "The Quit Club" a good idea and a somewhere all us quitters can go for inspiration and to give our own tips and advice on how to cope without nicotine. Anyone who's reading this who has already quit please visit the blog (the title "Quit club" is a link if you click it) and share any tips you have. I think Rhianna is quitting without any patches or anything which is brave, though I've advised her to go and get some sort of NRT as it really helps in the first few weeks.

The Passing Of An Old Friend.

2008-02-16T16:21:00.004Z

I just found this on Mylot and wanted to share it here as it is so true, I hope you enjoy it and makes a few people think.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge) His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Calpol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Take Action To Stop Two Sisters Being Stoned To Death In Iran For Adultery!

2008-02-12T17:16:00.000Z

You may have noticed I have an amnesty international badge in my sidebar, I am a member of the charity and regularly take action by sending emails or letters when I'm notified by the charity. Today I found a particularly disturbing one, two sisters are going to stoned to death for adultery in Iran:

"Zohreh Kabiri-niat and her sister Azar, are facing execution by stoning, for "adultery", a charge which they deny. They were arrested on 4 February 2007 after claims that they had had "illicit relations". They were initially sentenced, along with a third sister, to flogging, with this sentence reportedly being carried out.
However, a fresh charge of "committing adultery while being married" was then brought against Zohreh and Azar, where they were both found guilty and their sentence of death by stoning was then approved by the Supreme Court."

We all know adultery is wrong but I'm sure there's no one reading this who agrees these women deserve to die for it, especially not in this horrific manner:

"Iran's Penal Code prescribes execution by stoning. It even dictates that the stones are large enough to cause pain, but not so large as to kill the victim immediately. Article 102 of the Penal Code states that men should be buried up to their waists and women up to their breasts for the purpose of execution by stoning. Article 104 states, with reference to the penalty for adultery, that the stones used should "not be large enough to kill the person by one or two strikes; nor should they be so small that they could not be defined as stones".

And also bear in mind the women deny it too, so they probably are innocent, and even if they are guilty it is barbaric to kill them or even flog them in my opinion.

To take action against this and send an email to the relevant people please copy and paste this link.

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions_details.asp?ActionID=406

HOW MUCH?! Pipex are really taking the micky with their "Early Termination" Fee!

2008-02-06T15:33:00.000Z

I've mentioned before on here that I am poor as a church mouse and my Internet provider has been pipex for at least 3 years. It's a good service they are never down whenever I've needed customer support they've got it over with as quickly as possible and not tried to keep me on the phone longer than necessary etc.

But my phone bills average around 40 pounds a month even with the free land line calls which is a lot for me. Many of my friends are on Tiscali and get everything much cheaper including free calls to international locations including America. Obviously I'd like to switch but was aware there would be an early termination fee if I left Pipex, so I started looking for how much it would be. I started with the small print I received when I signed up all I found was this paragraph:

"6.2 You may terminate this contract in respect of the broad band service before the expiry of the minimum term, on condition that you pay to us the early termination fee as liquidated damages, which you acknowledge represents a genuine pre-estimate of the loss we will suffer as a result of your early termination. The Early termination fee and any other outstanding charges, will become immediately due and payable by you on receipt by us of your notice of termination."

Notice it doesn't say how much, I looked on their site it still doesn't say how much, so I did a Google search and finally found this, brace yourselves before you read it. Still there? Not suffered a coronary? good. Yes that's right 99 Quid! No wonder it's not on their website or in the terms you receive when you've just signed up.

And to add insult to injury I also read that Pipex is now owned by Tiscali, so to switch to another provider owned by the same company they would charge me 99 Quid! Looks like they've got me the proverbial's doesn't it? If anyone has found a way to get round this charge please let me know, and if you are thinking of signing up to Pipex and are on a low income DON'T, the monthly bills will cripple you and they practically want to take your first born if you transfer to a cheaper company, even one owned by them.

Blessed Imbolc.

2008-02-02T18:05:00.000Z

Happy Imbolc everyone, I've suddenly come over all depressed for some reason which is bummer on a Pagan Holiday, I'd better start planning a celebration before it's over. Some great idea's for things to do here, I've already been to a choir rehearsal so I've done something creative, now I just have to cheer up and celebrate!

BB

I passed Grade One!

2008-01-27T18:25:00.000Z

You can find out more about by progress as a musician/singer on my myspace blog here and even add me as a friend on the site if you are a member if you want. :)

My Sunday Blessing- Fancy Dress Parties.

2008-01-20T22:40:00.000Z

I finally went as Sarah and Vinny was Pat Garrett (see post below for more info, it was Bob Dylan themed party) .

You can see the rest of the photo's here there were some great costumes.

My Sunday Blessing-Mental Feng Shui.

2008-01-13T19:36:00.000Z

Spelldust.com - Wiccan pictures, magickal images, witchy layouts, and more

Here's some great tips I recievd in am email, Happy BYB Sunday.

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don''t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, ''I love you,'' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, ''I''m sorry,'' look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone''s dreams. People who don''t have dreams don''t have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it''s the only way to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly.. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don''t judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN! .. When someone asks you a question you don''t want to answer, smile and ask, ''Why do you want to know?''

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say ''bless you'' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN.. When you lose, don''t lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R''s: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don''t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you''ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

Hours Of Fun

2008-01-10T17:55:00.000Z

Click and Drag the Girl through the Bubbles
www.flashtoybox.com