World of Warcraft Review - Why It's a Great Game for Older Folks

 

The online video game World of Warcraft was released in 2004. It was among the first major online video game that was American made and had a big enough budget to deliver on it's promises.  Since it is still alive and well, in 2022, and still going strong, it has delivered everything a gamer could hope for.  WoW has a great storyline, a multitude of  races and classes, professions, thousands of quests, and a huge multi planet landscape to be explored.  

I started playing WoW in early 2005, I was in my forties and had never played an online game in my life.  I have to admit, the first time I logged in, I was in awe of what I found.  You have a character and you are in a fantasy world.  The other characters in the game are other people from all over the world that you can meet and make friends with.  There are cities with stores and banks and inns and embassies!  In the country there are cottages and animals and lakes you can fish in.  It was beautiful!

It is pretty over whelming, but right away they give you things to do, and the tutorial explains most everything you need to know.  You just take off and never look back!  Check out the video below for a look at the fun this game is!

What does this have to do with Older Folks?

Most people think that video games are for kids and that most of the people that play are under 18.  This may have been true in the beginning, but it most certainly is not true now, 18 years later, and not for the reason you might think.  Sure, a lot of people who started in their teens are now in their 30s which could skew the average age upward, but also, many older people have taken to playing the game because their kids were playing it and because their friends were playing it.   There is so much included in the game World of Warcraft, it has interests for all ages.

Can An Older Person Really Keep Up with Kids in a Video Game?

This is the great thing about World of Warcraft.  You don't have to compete with anyone if you don't want to.  WoW can be anything you want it to be.  You can play completely alone, if that is what you prefer, or you can be very social and make friends, join a guild, or even role play if that is something you enjoy.  If you like to compete, you can group with larger amounts of people and do raids where large groups of people get together to slay big monsters for rewards.  There are even player versus player fights, should you want to participate, from one on one duels, to armies fighting armies.  You can make this game whatever you want it to be.

Why Would An Older Person Want to Play a Video Game Online?

Many older people are lonely and miss the socializing that they enjoyed when they were younger and more mobile.  WoW gives you the opportunity to make friends and enjoy the company of people around the world.  You can explore places, go on adventures, battle monsters, or just sit and talk.  It offers an outlet to a greater world instead of the smaller world that some older people live in.

It also provides fun and entertainment and a never ending list of things to do.  It can give purpose and joy to people who have too many hours in a day and just sit around being bored.  WoW also helps to keep people sharp and thinking.  It keeps the cognitive juices flowing which something we all need!

Will the Other Players Make Fun of Me When They Find Out My Age?

For years I kept my age a secret in WoW.....until I learned that many of the people I knew were around my age, or even older!  In the last 5 or 6 years, I have noticed guilds that are strictly for older people, guilds like "Over Fifty, "Ancient Artifacts," and even one called "Old Farts!"  Older people that want to play WoW will be in a lot of good company.  

So if you want try something new, maybe open a whole new world give WoW a try!  World of Warcraft is a subscription based game, which means that in addition to buying the game itself, you also have to pay a monthly fee of about $15, to access the game.  For less that a fast food meal, you get a whole month of great times!  You can get a free trial of the game and play up to level 20 to see if you like it, but I am confident you will!   

Click Here to Try the Free Trial of World of Warcraft

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Reviewing Why I Make and Recommend Bannock

Bannock, a type of bread that is made in a skillet or pan on the stovetop or open fire, has been something I have made off and on over the years. But recently, Bannock has been in the forefront. Between being an integral part of a book series I've just read and being what I'm making for breakfast this morning, I thought I'd share with you.

What is Bannock?

After a Google search, it seems that Bannock (with a variety of spellings) was a Gaelic word meaning "morsel" and is believed to have originated in Scotland. It is a flat, unleavened bread and it is thought to have been introduced to North America by Scottish immigrants. 

You'll hear the words fry bread and bannock use interchangeably at times. The Indigenous people of North America make an unleavened fry bread. I believe that the original Scottish bannock used oatmeal and the North American fry bread originated with meal made of corn or nuts. At some point in time, both versions began using flour.

For my personal use and definition, Bannock is a yeastless bread that is made of flour, baking powder, and a liquid and is cooked on an almost dry skillet.  Fry bread is similar but "fried" with a larger amount of oil. I am sure others have their definitions, but this is mine. Bannock is something that hikers, campers, and hunters can easily make while on the trail.

Bannock for Breakfast

Today has turned cold and stormy. Thunder claps and lightning had me rushing to check on the outside animals before crawling back under the blankets. I felt too lazy to make breakfast but I was hungry. When I finally got up and moving, I made bannocks and scrambled eggs with sausage crumbles. 

During the moving process from the apartment to my land, my best friend was helping at one point and made a crack that I had "several" cans of baking powder. When I told him that I planned to be able to make Bannock if I get snowed in on the mountain he understood completely. He is an avid outdoorsman who has also made bannock while camping.

I started making bannock when I was camping in "The Shack" on my land. With only 4 ingredients, it was an easy thing to have on hand in off-grid conditions. As the house build began, I camped in the little shed and conditions were more austere. The shed was such a very small space for camping and storing supplies. But I could make bannock on my single camp stove burner.

I use the version by Liz Thomson. The ingredients are:

• 1 c flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 TB olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 c warm water
• herbs such as rosemary are optional (I use the most minuscule shake of Mrs. Dash)

I use this version because it is the smallest recipe and makes 3-4 small biscuits. I found that olive oil kept well in my off-grid camping situations. There are versions that use butter, lard, bacon grease, and so on. While those version often have more flavor, those ingredients were more difficult for me to make sure I had on hand. 

Not only did I make bannock while I was camping I also made bannock at the apartment. During quarantine and supply chain situations, I sometimes made bannock in lieu of bread. I also made homemade bread that required yeast and time to rise - because I had that time. But bannock is much more quick and easy to make. It was great to have with a can of soup. And as I told my friend, I made sure to buy some (okay, many) cans of baking powder ahead. Now that I've moved to a rural area (a mountain ridge in West Virginia) I could easily be snowed in for a long period of time. Bannock is something that I can make in a pan on top of my woodstove if I am without electricity. So I'm set in that regard.

I highly recommend that people try making bannock in the event they want or need an easy-to-make bread at home or on the trail.

Bannock in the Books

I mentioned that I just read about bannock in a fictional series I was reading. I love to read. It takes my mind off of the issues at work. But I don't have much spare time, focus, or energy. So I need the story to grab me and keep me immersed. 

I am so glad that I read a series that was reviewed by Sylvestermouse Cynthia here on Review This! The series is the Tales from the Highlands series. Book 3 in that series written by Martha Keyes is The Innkeeper and the Fugitive. Ana MacMorran flees her home and an arranged marriage. She does not want to marry the villainous laird of Benleith. During her criminal escape from this contract, she finds herself at Glengour Inn. There she secretly assumes an identity of another in order to try to hide.

At Glengour Inn, travelers stop for a bit of bannock and drink before continuing on their travels.

I enjoyed the Tales from the Highlands series immensely. If you'd like to know more about the series, check out Cynthia's book reviews:

The Widow and the Highlander (book 1)  

The Enemy and Miss Innes (book 2) 

The Innkeeper and the Fugitive (book 3) 

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The True Meaning of a Kitchen Table

 

I'm having a moment.

We're in the process of giving our kitchen a facelift, and our dining room table, which has sometimes doubled as our kitchen table for thirty-six years, may need to be sold.

What's the Big Deal About Selling a Table Anyway?

Thirty years ago or so, I read an eloquently and emotionally written article in Reader's Digest about a family's kitchen table; thinking about it today brings tears to my eyes. I tried to find it for you so I could link to it here, but I have yet to find it.

The author talked about her family's life around her table: gatherings, birthdays, celebrations, games, and tears. I've always remembered that article. Having such a big family, I  easily relate to the memories created around the family table.

She said she didn't want to sell her memory-filled table to anyone. She wanted it to go to a family growing with it and filling it with their memories.

Why Thinking About Selling this Table Has Me in Tears

I'm a wuss. It's official.

My husband and I purchased this table in 1986. We needed a large table for our large family. I have three step-kids (all grown up now) and, at that time, one son of our own. Today, we have four sons, and we've since added six grandchildren. 

We have had almost every birthday for all the kids around this table. We've celebrated baptisms, Christmas, Thanksgiving, weddings, and every other major event families celebrate.

A memory from 1987 at this very table
with my Dad, our oldest boy as a baby, making us laugh,
and my youngest brother

Our kids have gone from little to big; we've added spouses, girlfriends, and boyfriends to the family mix. In-depth conversations, teasing, and great food have been shared for decades.

I recently sat with my oldest boy, sharing tears at this table about mom's (his grandmother's) passing. Mom and Dad shared many dinners with all of us at this table. Dad passed away in 2013; missing him is now a part of my soul.

This Table Has Lived

It's not just a table; it represents our life.

I'm still determining if I'll sell it.

In fact, after typing this, I think if we can't incorporate it into the new design, I'll keep it in case there's a move to a new home in the future. 

It's solid oak. In my book, it's priceless. 

It's not priceless because it's solid oak but rather because the characteristics of an oak tree represent our family traits: longevity, strength, stability, and endurance. 

Hey, our family isn't perfect; we've had our share of struggles, but as the mom, I see many faces passing through time whenever I glance at the empty seats gathered around.

Here's our table, our life:

A Kitchen Table Filled with Memories

Do you have a table where your family has gathered for generations? 

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Reviewing The Healthy Habits Set from Arbonne

 If you've been intrigued by the idea of doing the 30 Days to Healthy Living with Arbonne, but aren't sure if you could follow it, then you may want to do a 'test run' with the Healthy Habits set.

Photo adapted by Lou16 on Canva

Arbonne's Healthy Habits set seems to be used in three different ways, but before I go into them let's take a look at what is in the Healthy Habits Set.

• 1 x Bag of Protein Powder (your choice of flavour) 
• 1 x Box of Fizz Sticks (your choice of flavour)
• 1 x Box Gut Health
• 1 x Box of CleanTox Herbal Tea

Note: All of Arbonne's products are vegan, kosher, gluten-free and non-GMO.

How to Use the Healthy Habits Set

I talk about how I love the 30 days to healthy living plan in this post  How to Reboot Your Body.   I have noticed, however, that some people aren't sure that they could follow the plan.   I've been told I'd love to but ... I can't give up my coffee ... I can't give up alcohol ..... I'm not giving up dairy ..... I'm not sure it sounds like something I could stick to. 

A Trial Run for the 30 Day Plan

The Healthy Habits Set is great if you're not sure about the 30 days to healthy living plan as you can try it out for two weeks and see how you feel before you commit to purchasing a full 30 days to healthy living set.

The Breakfast Club

We used to run something called The Breakfast Club for the month of December and you can use the Healthy Habits Set to run this whenever you like.   It's almost like easing into building healthy habits without committing to going the whole nine yards.

I actually followed this principle for 3 weeks before I started my very first 30 days to healthy living plan.   It goes as follows:

When you get up take the gut health supplement which contains probiotics, prebiotics and digestive enzymes.   It basically helps your gut health which is key to so many aspects of good health.   

You then want to make sure to start the day with a good quality protein-rich breakfast.   This is where the protein powder comes in and most people would have a protein smoothie as their breakfast of choice.   If you didn't want a smoothie you could use the powder to make things such as protein pancakes, protein waffles, proats, or overnight oats.   

When I tried it initially I just had a protein shake initially as it was quick and easy to prepare and drink.   Using the protein powder has become a daily part of my life now and I usually alternate between proats, overnight oats, breakfast parfaits and about once a week - pancakes.

Next, you want to look at reducing the amount of coffee/caffeinated tea/energy drinks that you have in a day.   Substitute one of them with the CleanTox tea - this tea has lots of benefits which you can read about here.   Substitute another of them with a Fizz Stick - this gives you more sustainable energy and is non-acidic in your body which helps your gut.

While doing this you try and make healthier choices during the day, but allow yourself treats as well as it's all about balance.   It is ideal at Christmas to counteract all the rich food and (if you indulge in alcohol) the alcoholic drinks that are often part of your holiday celebrations.   If you're like me you will usually have a month or two that it feels like everyone has celebrations (in my family we have way too many birthdays to celebrate in August!)

You should also try moving your body as well, whether it's walking 10,000 steps every day or doing some other activity that you enjoy.

Now, creating healthy habits isn't just about nutrition and exercise, creating and maintaining habits that are good for you is really done in the mind.   Arbonne used to have a program for subscribers only that helped your mental health and was a great way to start the day.   I'm happy to let you know that they have now opened it up to everyone for free.   It's called the Be Well Club and it is a great way to start (or build on your existing) your personal development journey.

Here is the link to the Be Well Club if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to me via my Facebook page or Instagram and I'll be more than happy to answer them.

Maintaining Habits

I use a number of nutritional products, such as the ones in this set, on an ongoing basis as they make me feel good.   Often I will grab this set to top up my products instead of buying a full set or getting them individually - I know other people who do this too.

How Would You Use the Healthy Habits Set?

If you decided to try the Healthy Habits Set which of the three ways would you be using it, or have I missed an option that fits you?

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As Luck Would Have It - Hallmark Movie Review

The Hallmark channel is always a reliable source for clean, romantic movies or fun mysteries without the gory scenes.  

For those of us who love Hallmark movies, we don't mind that they are often predictable.  After all, a lot of movies are predictable, especially if you search for a movie by category. 

On Hallmark, viewers don't have to worry about uncomfortable scenes in mixed company or with children in the house.  Personally, I don't like having inappropriate or disgusting images burned into my mind.  Therefore, Hallmark is my favorite movie channel, even if the movies are often described by some as cookie-cutter.

As luck would have it, I recently happened upon this sweet romantic movie starring Joanna Garcia Swisher.  I liked it so much that I watched it twice in one week. I kept trying to place why Swisher felt so familiar to me.  Then it dawned on me: she is one of the main characters in the TV series, Sweet Magnolias.  Her character in both this movie and the TV series are very similar and easily likable. 

Allen Leech is also a familiar face thanks to his role as Tom Branson in Downton Abbey.  Fans will also note similarities between his characters, Tom and Brennan.  Again, he is likable in spite of, or perhaps because of, his Irish temperament. 

Together, they make a lovely couple!

 

As Luck Would Have It  (2021)  Hallmark Movie

Lindsey Johnson is a young, single, vivacious go-getter that works for a real estate developing company that has its eye on purchasing a specific piece of land in Kilabbey, Ireland.  However, there is one big problem in the way.  Currently, an old castle is built on the property.  The Krispen Group, Lindsey's employer, wants to buy the land, tear down the castle, and build a new resort hotel in its place.

 As Luck Would Have ItCheck PriceThe Kilabbey town inherited the castle and the property from the last original family member.  The town council's desire is to refurbish the castle and maintain the history of this gorgeous landmark.

There is a clash when the protectors of history meet with the ambitious developers who want to change everything. The Krispen Group is not the first company to want to swoop in and grab the desired property. To date, the town council has held firm on not selling to anyone who wants to replace the castle, a cherished landmark in the heart of the town.

As the Krispen Group's most experienced and successful representative, Lindsey arrives in Kilabbey right before the annual Match Making festival.  This big event brings a lot of tourists to Kilabbey in the hopes of finding true love, as well as guests who have wonderful memories of past festivals.  The final festival celebration is always held in the Ballydonal castle, which was the original festival site.

Due to the city council's refusal of the Krispen Groups proposal, Lindsey decides to stay in Kilabbey in the hopes of finding a way to get them to accept their offer.  

The week long Match Making Festival in Kilabbey provides tremendous insight into the town, the people, their love for their history, and their beloved castle.  Plus, Lindsey makes new friends from other parts of the world who treasure Kilabbey, the castle, and their festival.

 

 

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"As Luck Would Have It" is a must-see movie for those who love romantic movies, as well as those who love a touch of history. The setting is gorgeous and will make you want to visit the fictional town of Kilabbey, Ireland or better yet, travel to Dublin Ireland and tour Howth Castle where the movie was actally filmed.

 

2 Ways to Watch "As Luck Would Have It"

 As Luck Would Have It - PRIME VIDEOCheck Price As Luck Would Have It - DVDCheck Price

 

 

 

More Great Movies Reviewed

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As Luck Would Have It - Hallmark Movie Review by:

 

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Review of Spring Flower Photography

 

There is nothing like the beautiful colors of spring flowers to get me past the dull days of winter.  The brilliant yellow of the daffodil photograph above is a case in point.  I took it while on an excursion to the Missouri Extension Center.  On this page I will share with you the photographs I have taken this spring.

Flowers in my Neighborhood

I try to take a daily walk and as winter turns to spring, I look forward to seeing the new flowers poking out of the ground. This year I have a new dog that walks with me so rather than trying to take my camera, most of the photos I take on my walks are taken with my iPhone. I live in Missouri, and we usually see the first signs of spring in late February or early March.  The first flowers in my neighborhood are the crocus.  One house up the street from mine has a flower bed in the front yard that is full of all different shades of purple crocus.  I love seeing the green peaking up out of the soil and I always anticipate these lovely flowers.  With these tiny flowers I like to get in real close when I take the photos and take them from different angles.  Here are three of my favorites.

The next flowers to bloom in my neighborhood are the daffodils.  I have a few of these in my own yard and I enjoy looking at the bright yellow blossoms as I look out my window.

The last of the spring flowers that I photographed during my spring walks were the tulips.  I love these colorful flowers and find them in a whole rainbow of colors in the various neighbors' yards.  

As you will see in the photos below, I like to take the flowers in various ways.

• Up very close
• From above
• From the side
• Just a section of the petals

Springtime Flowers at Missouri Extension Center

One beautiful spring Sunday, my neighbor and I drove to the Missouri Extension Center gardens.  Here master gardeners learn their skills and hone them with other gardeners.  The grounds are open for anyone to come and visit.  We had the place to ourselves for most of our visit and were able to take our time and photograph lots of spring flowers.  I particularly liked the daffodils.  They were so many more varieties than I realized even existed.  Here is a collage photo I put together of the daffodils.  I used the Print panel in Lightroom to put together the collage.

Flowering Trees and Bushes

Springtime also brings beautiful flowering trees and bushes.  Here are a few I photographed on my neighborhood walks.

Redbud Tree and Forsythia Bush

Lilac Branch after the Rain

My Neighbors Beautiful Pink Tree

Capturing Bird by Flowering Bush

I particularly like it when I am able to photograph a bird by a flowering bush.  Here is a photo I took Easter Sunday of a Cardinal by my Lilac bush.

Zazzle Cards from my Photos

I love turning my photos into cards.  Here are a couple cards with spring flowers.

Cardinal and Lilac Card
by mbgphoto

Lilacs in the Spring Card
by mbgphoto

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The Original Lysol Concentrate - Reviewed

 This 12oz. little brown bottle of the original Lysol concentrate will make 9 gallons of cleaning solution.

With all of the convenience today of easy-to-use cleaners in spray bottles, and wipes, it makes me wonder does anyone still use this little brown bottle of Lysol concentrate? Well, we always have a bottle under our kitchen sink.

Lysol concentrate cleans, disinfects, deodorizes, and eliminates germs on non-porous surfaces. It will eliminate bacteria and viruses that I can't even pronounce. 

Some of the many uses for Lysol Concentrate:

• Floors
• Washable Walls
• Appliance exteriors
• Counter Tops
• Bathtubs
• Showers
• Doorknobs
• Toilet Bowl exteriors

To clean and deodorize just mix 2 to 3 tablespoons with one gallon of warm water. To disinfect and remove heavy dirt, grease and grime use 5 tablespoons to one quart of warm water.

True Story about this little brown bottle:

Many years ago in high school my buddy and I needed some extra money to take our dates to the prom. We had to buy flowers and take our dates to dinner. Since it was early in the spring we knew that people would be spring cleaning their homes. So we advertised for washing walls.  

Well, the ad worked and we had several customers lined up. So we gathered up our buckets, ladders, and rags. My mother handed me the little brown bottle of Lysol concentrate and told us to add a couple of cap fulls to every bucket, it will leave a fresh scent in their home. I still use the little brown bottle today.

Oh, and by the way, I married my prom date. Fran and I will soon be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary.

Find more Product Reviews Here:

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LYSOL Concentrate Disinfectant, Original Scent 12 oz (Pack of 6)LEAKTITE 500 5-Quart Plastic Pail

 

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Crafty Kitchen Critters Review

Animal décor for the kitchen

Animals are loved by almost everyone, so it is no surprise to see someone's favorite animal displayed as a design on many items.  Kitchens are an easy and fun place to show off your love for the animal of your choice, as there are so many areas that lend themselves to this type of décor.

Since I am a crafter, I love to show off the clever creations by my fellow crafters.  On many handmade sites, especially Etsy, one can find any animal that appeals to you. Whatever you need, from kitchen towels to potholders to signs and more, this 'kitchen critter' guide will give you a place to start.

Farm Animal Décor

Many kitchens are designed with a country décor and animal lovers can easily find items with images of any or all of their favorite farm animals.

Cow Farmhouse Kitchen Canisters

Cows are probably at the top of the list when it comes to animal décor in a country kitchen.  I have noticed that sheep are also loved by many. 

Pictured above is a cute set of cow canisters for your kitchen. Created by Crystol of Missouri, these cow canisters consist of a soap jar, sugar jar, flour jar, utensil holders and S & P set. They can be found (individually or as a set) in her Etsy shop she calls CrystolsCountryKraft. 

Cats and Dogs

Flour Sack Kitchen Towel

If you want an animal décor in your kitchen that is not country-themed, cats and/or dogs are most likely the next big favorite.

For owners of Labrador Retrievers, this is the most adorable kitchen towel I ever saw. Handmade from Etsy and found in the shop of Boss Babe Productions.  Design printed on a flour sack kitchen towel.

Woodland Creatures

Woodland Animal Napkins

After farm animals and cats & dogs, comes any number of nature's woodland creatures.

Looking through the choices on Etsy, for instance, it is easy to see that the fox is very popular.  Depending on where you live, woodland animals in décor favorites range from large animals such as bears and moose, to the smaller squirrels, frogs, and especially owls. There is no end to the variety available. 

This featured set of cloth napkins is handmade by Linsey for her Etsy Shop Naughty Cat Apparel. 

Sea Animals

Manatee Potholders

In coastal communities, and especially in states such as Florida, sea life becomes a popular choice for animal décor in the kitchen.

Spruce up your kitchen 'sea' décor with this pair of handmade potholders with a design of manatees. These potholders are made by Carol for her Etsy Store 'Wilderness Ties'. 

Summary

Hand-Painted Wood Mini Signs

I have presented just a few of the many, many animal designs available to decorate your kitchen. Whichever animal is your favorite, you will find just what you are looking for to complete  your décor. I have focused on those items that are handmade because I love anything 'crafty', but there is no limit to animal décor anywhere you look. 

*Crafty Kitchen Critters review written by Wednesday Elf

**Intro Image of Floral Farm Animal Kitchen wood spatula - laser engraved. Product of  TreeSunCrafts on Etsy.

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Dog Raincoat Reviewed

April showers is so true in this state. Every year this northern state seems to have a very rainy, very muddy spring with a few days of monsoon like rains.  The battle is real if you own a dog with the elements. Just when the coast is almost clear after battling a snowy winter in comes spring rains like the proverbial lion.

Spring is not the dog owner's best friend. After a few very soggy outings I decided to try out a dog raincoat I had seen a few dogs successfully wear. As every dog owner will attest, every dog has their own distinct personality, likes, loves and quirks. 

I'd consider the raincoat falling into that category of  I will give it a try, but will it fly with the Fluff?

Wash And Wear Dogs

The Fluff is a nickname referring to a dog that needs to be "fluffed" due to the dog having hair verse fur. The Fluff  is not a wash and wear dog. Rain makes the Fluff look pretty much like a very large rat. It is not pretty. 

However, the reality of not being a wash and wear dog is a wet Fluff must then be dried with a hair dryer (that is an event) and the hair blown out (that is an event) so the curly hair does not mat. All of the above is an EVENT and requires much labor, a few temper tantrums and lots of treats. Enter the rain coat.

Overall the rain coat delivers as promised. Very easy to put on and take off. The coat provides great coverage from the rain and keeps the entire back rain free. There is a small opening along the back to hook a leash should the dog be wearing a harness which is very convenient.  I put the rain coat on over the harness. I have also put the raincoat on over a harness and a dog sweater! 

Along with the very bright yellow the coat also has reflective stripes to ensure the dog can be seen at night or in cloudy weather. My one concern was the hood...

The Hood

The hood is flexible! It can be worn up or down just like a human's rain coat. I was a little skeptical about how the Fluff would react to the hood. The opening of the hood attaches under the dog's chin with a velcro closure. What was nice and practical is the bottom closure of the hood is not tight around the dogs' muzzle and I believe allows the dog to wear the hood without feeling constrained or like a tight hat.

The Fluff Approves

The Fluff actually likes the rain coat! Who would have known! The coat is easy to put on with a velcro strap which goes under the dogs belly. The hood has another velcro opening. Quick, easy, no muss, no fuss. The coat goes on in a flash and provides great coverage to keep the majority of the dog rain free in even the heaviest of down pours.

Is your dog hood friendly? Well, on a scale of hat friendly aka I will wear whatever my owner puts on my head the Fluff is about a 9/10 on the laid back wearing hats scale. Yes, the hood does occasionally generate a side eye look of "Oh, it's that thing... again." But ok and off he goes into the rain with hood. 

As with any dog coat, hat, sweater it is of course up to the dog if the accessory is acceptable! Because the coat is not tight or restrictive and is light weight I think there is a good chance the rain coat would be accepted by your furball.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Cat Houses that Double as Furniture - Space Saving Solutions

Having a big family like I do, managing the space in our home has been a number one priority when decorating. In fact, it's such a passion of mine (to maximize space) that I've created a Pinterest Board with several years of creative storage solution suggestions.

City apartments and homes can be pretty small these days. Depending upon which city you live in, it's not uncommon to have to settle for suites as small as 500 square feet. If you think the rent must be low for such an apartment in the city, think twice. The average rent for a small one-bedroom in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is approximately $2145/month. 

Whether you're battling space or not, pet owners can manage square footage by implementing the use of a cat house that doubles as a useable piece of furniture.

Types of Furniture You'll Typically Find that Doubles as a Home for Kitty

• End Tables
• Ottomans
• Benches

How You Can Include Cat House Furniture:

End Tables

The products featured offer various end-table designs. You can plan to use a cat end-table in bedrooms, playrooms, or even the house's main room. For those who live in tiny spaces, cat end tables are an ideal spot for a kitty's bed.

Ottomans

Try a kitty ottoman house if you're nervous about setting up a cat bed inside an end-table. They're so cute. They provide a place for kitty to sleep while also giving you a spot to raise your tired legs. These can be used anywhere; a bedroom, an enclosed porch, the main room, or the kid's playroom area.

Benches

A small seating bench can double as a place for a kitty to hide and sleep. The cat benches featured are not overly large, so they can easily be included in small entryways as a place that doubles as a kitty's house and a way to sit down to put on your shoes.

Of course, you can find a wide variety of cat houses; however, when square footage is an issue, check out furniture that doubles as a place for kitty to relax and sleep.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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