Here is a quick life hack if your or your kid’s water bottle won’t stay in the backpack side pocket: a bottle chain. I used a split ring (like those used for keys), a bit of aluminum chain (from my stash, but you can find light chain at the hardware store or hobby store), and an S clip (a carabiner would work too). Connect the metal bits together, then attach the split ring to the top of the mesh pocket (the reinforced part). The clip then holds on to the water bottle loop. The clip is easy to undo to access the water, but provides enough security that the bottle doesn’t slid out if the backpack tips over. I used to sew a bit of velcro on the backpacks for this function, but this metal chain is easier and can switch to a new backpack!
Water bottle secured into a backpack with a chain and clip
My youngest has had a glowing seahorse as a bedtime buddy for over 12 years. This thing is a beast! It has survived fire and flood and moving. I’ve washed the cover (separately from the electronics), replaced batteries, and since she is so attached to it, had a second as backup, which has also lasted 12 years. Until I dropped it on the floor before bed and the music stopped. She got the spare, and I went to work with the screw driver set.
Seahorse toy guts, speaker on the right
Turns out the speaker had a part that was knocked out of alignment. The small metal ring in the center was misaligned, and I was able to shift it back into place. It worked again. I had that thing down to its wires (which were all still tightly soldered) and was able to put the batteries in and hear the music. Tough little thing. Then, when writing this article, I discovered Fisher-Price still sells them. Only now they also come in pink. Yes, I ordered one. Yes, I now have back ups for my back ups.
Missy went in for her spay, and rather than a cone of shame or donut of doom, I made her a surgery wrap from knit fabric. The wrap keeps her from licking the incision site, and a little shaping keeps it clean and dry when she has to do her outside business.
Missy wearing her surgery wrap (I know, black fabric on a black dog!)
To make the wrap, I measured her back from neck to tail (16”) and around her chest (18”). I cut a rectangle from knit fabric that was 16” x 19” (the extra inch around makes it easier to pin). I measured between her front legs, across her chest (4”), and made 4 slits 4” apart at the top and bottom of the wrap for her legs. I cut a curve out between the back legs so the wrap wouldn’t get wet or dirty when she eliminated.
Knit wrap with slits and toiletry cut out
I tried a version with velcro, but it didn’t fit as well as when I just used three safety pins to pin along the back (and velcro is loud!) I put her legs in the four holes, pulled the fabric snug but not tight, and the pinned the fabrics at the back of the neck, mid back, and near the tail.
Wrap showing pin locations along the back
Missy is surprisingly OK about wearing her little vest! Is it as fancy as the surgery wraps you can buy? No, but I’ve made them out of old t-shirt material, so they can be free to make. For something that you only need for 10-14 days, free is good. They work for cats too! At least female ones. When Sophie had her spay, we used a similar surgery wrap.
Sophie in a surgery wrap made from an old T-shirt and safety pins
I over ordered celery, and in an effort to keep it fresh and crisp, I’m trying to keep one end in water in the fridge. I don’t have a round container, so I improvised with a plastic bag and some kitchen twine. I have read that wrapping celery in tin foil will keep it fresh, but it also hides it from view. Hidden celery doesn’t get consumed in this house!
I don’t know who needs to know this, but if your almond butter is more like syrup than butter, mixing in some almond flour does wonders. I recently tried a new brand of almond butter, and it was the “mix first” kind, with the layer of oil on top. When mixed, it was spreadable, but just kept spreading. What a mess. So I stirred in some almond flour and I can now put it on my morning apple without it crawling off. It is the little things.
Apple with almond butter thickened with almond flour
Critters and Craft 