While I was on the West coast, I had the opportunity to visit a lot of the surrounding states and explore what they had to offer.

However, none of them compared to Arizona with its Grand Canyon!

Back in the day, we went on mules down the trails to see the canyon, and that was actually quite frightening at times with the rocky inclines & declines.

Grand Canyon tours have evolved from the mule tours, from what I hear they are no longer even doing them that way.

I was much younger then and don’t think I completely appreciated the experience as much as I should have, and have always wanted to go back and experience it as a more mature person.

As it is much more difficult for me to walk these days with the arthritis that comes from age, I wouldn’t be able to walk much and wouldn’t be able to experience it in such a way. However, what I have found are Grand Canyon helicopter tours, which look amazing and would enable me to see the things I want to with an extra bit of thrill to boot!

That’s certainly something even a grandma like me could really enjoy!

Something I’d really need to look into are Phoenix tours as well to be sure I make the most of any kind of trip I might make…

• Have you been to the Grand Canyon?
• How did you explore it?

Let us know by leaving your comments below!

International model, Kimberly Edwards, is the founder of “Living Pink Through Fashion” and will host this heartfelt event, which will show case many of Canada’s Top Fashion designers and all in pink.

Fashion Week Favorites David Dixon, BASCH by Brandon Dwyer & Baby Steinberg, as well as Miller Monroe, Dea Fashion, Wishes by Kate Hoekstra, Ashlynn Ross Designs, Mad Cap Hats, Nothin’ Inc. from Canada. Coveted Swimwear from Sivan Krispin’s Pinkini label will also be gracing the runway all the way from Los Angeles, California. One of Canada’s hottest new jewelry designers, “K, Turn Around” Jewelry by Kimberly Edwards is sponsoring the event and will mix and match her pieces throughout the amazing couture of the day.

Kapow Models will be showcasing their models, as well as other fabulous models from Ontario & New York. International models of note are Kate Hoekstra, Eunice Arbis, &Kimberly Edwards.

Guest speakers this year include the renowned Dr. Martin Jugenburg, specializing in breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients; Ingrid Turner (that’s me!), breast cancer survivor & reason Living Pink was created; Bonnie Harris, breast cancer patient fighting to find a cure; and a local oncologist.

Canada’s next singing sensation, Daniel Panetta, will be performing his new single and the Official Theme Song for Living Pink, “The Best of Me” from his debut album “Unleashed”.

Special guests’ will also include Hip-Hop artist, Jay Vado; Latin Sensation, Hector Hernandez (one of my all-time faves); Rock Band, She King; 16 yr old phenom Hip-Hop/R&B artist, Tatyana D’Voce; Hip-Hop artist, L’Omari; Pop Artist, Chris Lago; up-and-coming Hip-Hop artist, Giancarlo; up-and-coming Pop/R&B artist Sam Cammisuli and many more.

Unable to make it out to the Event? Consider Donating to their Cause:

ABOUT LivingPink.info
The “Living PinkThrough Fashion” Movement was created out of the heart of Kimberly Edwards
Kimberly Edwards’ mother, Ingrid, is a 5 ½ year breast cancer survivor and has dealt with most treatments available for this disease. She’s gone through 2 surgeries, lymph nodes removed, chemotherapy, radiation & a new preventative treatment of Herceptin. This was directly after the loss of Kimberly’s father to a rare form of cancer called, Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Doing what she loves to do, working in the fashion, modeling & entertainment industry, Kimberly created this show to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness & Patient Outreach, to make it a reality for breast cancer patients to be survivors!More needs to be done to find a Cure for Breast Cancer.

With the help of Kate Hoekstra & Samantha Kaszab, and in conjunction this year with Ramiro Productions Inc. & 3PK Productions Inc., this show will be the fashion & entertainment event of the year.

Contacts:
Kimberly Edwards – Founder of Living Pink, Email: kimberly@livingpink.info
Kate Hoekstra – Sponsorship/Fashion Designers, Email: kate@livingpink.info
Samantha Kaszab – Volunteers/Donations, Email: samantha@livingpink.info
Ramiro Villafuerte – Entertainers/Itinerary/Logistics, Email: rv@ramiroproductions.ca

Our puppies need their bodies cleaned and their bedding washed at least twice a day.

It isn’t really healthy to fully bathe puppies too stringently or too often.  However, puppies need all of their parts kept clean and free of  urine and excrement.

Harsh soaps and shampoos are definitely not acceptable as they remove the natural oils from their coats leaving them with dry skin or other skin problems.   Also, anything too “perfumey” can cause  drying of their skin and coats.

A mild puppy shampoo is advisable, followed by a mild conditioner.  A nice oatmeal conditioner would be good.

To this end, I have found a very good line of products suitable for our dogs, by John Paul (Paul Mitchell), who provides a lovely dog shampoo, conditioner, ear and eye cleaning wipes, wipes for their teeth and gums, and a leave-in oatmeal conditioning spray.

With seven pups, it can be a real challenge to keep them from playing with, and sitting in their messes, which is quite an ever present task  for us.   Someone always seems to need their paws or bottoms cleaned.

The above-mentioned product line also provides full body and paw bath wipes, which help to keep them fresh and  clean between baths.

Of  course you can accomplish  keeping your puppies clean by using  a common sense approach to cleanliness, if it is not in your budget to purchase “special” shampoos, etc.

Keep anything that touches your pup  mild and well-diluted.   Treat them gently, do not get water inside their ears, and do not use q-tips in their ears either.

We use towels and blankets for their bedding and avoid using harsh detergents or bleaches for washing their laundry. After their baths, we like to use towels we have warmed in the dryer beforehand, especially because it’s winter here.

When I look at all of our clean little puppies peacefully sleeping in their clean bed at night, I get the same overwhelming love feeling  that I used to get when I put my bathed, little children into their cozy cradles for a safe and comfortable night’s  sleep.  My heart is overflowing  for these beautiful, innocent little creatures too.

Today was another day to allow the puppies to venture outdoors to take care of their bodily functions.

We had more success today than yesterday and they certainly enjoyed tearing through the snow, chasing after each other and trying to imitate the adult dogs.

It’s a little difficult to keep the pups focused on the job at hand, but a good time was had by all – even the big dogs and the humans.

After a snuggley toweling off,  they are once more safe in their bed and enjoying their snooze…

…I think I need a snooze too!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Grab yourself a pack of the full body & paw bath wipes – they sure save us a lot of work and they smell great too:

John Paul Pet Full Body and Paw Bath Wipes (45 ct.) Full Body and Paw Bath Wipes. Our pre-moistened wipes are specially formulated to help groom and clean your Pet, Use after a walk or for a quick clean-up, Also helps to remove loose hairs and dander from coat. Directions Massage into fur avoiding eyes and ears. Simply use Full Body & Paw Wipes between baths. Repeat for extra cleaning. John Paul Pet Full Body and Paw Bath Wipes * Cruelty Free * * Tested on Humans First * John Paul is the co-founder of Paul Mitchell, the finest in salon hair care. Type: Shampoos & Conditioners

Technorati Tags: pets, puppies, miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, training puppies, puppy training, terriers, puppy bath, John Paul Pet

Hurray!  Even though it is cold and snowy, we have taken the 7 puppies outside with our big dogs, for the first time, this morning.

We are hoping  they will catch on to the idea of  going  pee, etc. outside.   On this first outdoors bathroom time, we had some  successes,  which is very encouraging.

On this evening’s venture,  we had further welcomed successes.

The puppies all seemed to enjoy sliding, sniffing, chasing and playing in the snow with each other and the big dogs.   They even succeeded in braving the stairs up to the top level of the patio from the yard.

Of course, since they are still just babies, when they came into the house, they were swaddled in warm towels and enjoyed the luxurious nap which ensued.

We are hoping that the pups will soon come to realize that the pee pad in their area, is not intended to be part of their diet, or for their never ending game of tug-a-war.

As  mommy Kurious is reducing their nursing time, they seem to truly enjoy their dry food and reverse osmosis water we so lovingly provide.

They all relished their first taste of lettuce and clearly wanted more of the crunchy stuff.  They looked so adorable,  each one holding  his own lettuce leaf  in its’  mouth.

Every day with our cuddly little babes brings more love, laughs and joy into our lives.

They change every day in some subtle way,  and are so very endearing as they joyfully welcome each new experience and discovery.

Each day they have come to capture every part of our hearts and enhance our  lives in beautiful and loving ways,  which we could never have expected or imagined.

I feel so grateful to have these little blessings in my life!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Be sure to check out my daughter’s Terrier Lover Website!

Technorati Tags: pets, puppies, miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, training puppies, puppy training, terriers

Just thinking today, as I, like many of you have done, or are preparing to, sell your house.

This is my home which I have enjoyed and loved, and which has proved to be a comfortable, safe haven to  my family and me over the years.  I have always taken personal pride in keeping a welcoming, clean, neat and tidy home.

Now, suddenly, I have had to stand back and take a coldly critical look at its’ little deficiencies, including  every little paint chip; the wobbly door knob to which I have become accustomed; the odd burnt out light bulb; the fact that my dining room chandelier needs cleaning; those dried flowers in my favorite vase which have seen better days; the lovely drawings from my grandchildren, which are hanging by magnets on my refrigerator and which should go into a “Memory Box”;  the food processor on my counter top should be stored in an enclosed cupboard;  and is it time for me to get a new stove?….. and the list goes on!

We just get used to our own cozy little nests and don’t tend to pay too much attention to doing a middle of the winter “Spring Cleaning” job.  Now suddenly, the light of day shines upon all the required cleaning and polishing.  It has become imminent that I act immediately to make my house ”Real Estate Company
Presentable”.

So, I have now applied all the elbow grease I could muster to that end.

It was a matter of concentrating on - spit and polish in all areas, updates, carpet steaming, curtain washing, closet straightening,  cupboard washing & reorganizing, throwing out old magazines, clothes & shoes, eliminating clutter, relocating furniture for the best view, using a toothbrush to clean the grout lines between tiles…and the list goes on, and on.

ALL THIS WORK AND EFFORT, not for myself, but for the benefit of people whom I don’t even know, and whom I will likely NEVER meet again.

Now, when I stand back and absorb the results of my efforts and labour, I find myself thinking that my thoroughly over-cleaned, updated house looks so good that I question whether or not I really wish to  actually go ahead with selling  it.

What do you think?

***

I hope you enjoyed this Life Story on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Be sure to check out my Afghans for Sale!

Technorati Tags: preparing house for sale, house for sale, cleaning house, spring cleaning, how to prepare your house for sale, selling your house

I can appreciate that the new judges require time and experience to take on this task.

Being entertainers, I can understand that they are sympathetic to the contestants who have no singing talent.  However,  I believe they are wasting their time and our time when they don’t have the backbone to tell the obviously unsuitable contestants that they can’t sing and are totally unacceptable.

When you tell someone who is tone deaf that they need to work harder, they will think that they are pretty good and just require practice or polishing up – when, in fact,  they have no earthly hope of succeeding in this field.

I find this approach almost painful to watch.  This, instead of just coming right out in saying it like it is – that was terrible, you can’t sing, you are off key and tone deaf.  In this regard, I miss the input of Simon who didn’t patronize terrible singers just  because they looked cute, simpered, whimpered, cried, swore, reacted violently or put him down.

My take on the purpose for this show is that this is a contest  and they are there to judge, not as a public relations effort for Steven and Jennifer.

I am certain that the public will still love Steven and Jennifer – even if they come straight out and tell the truth – I know I will!

I am hoping to see some more assertive judging in the coming weeks.  Otherwise I think I’ll just wait for the last 5 weeks of the contest .

JUST HOW I FEEL…

***

I hope you enjoyed this Entertainment post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Have you checked out this cool new website I found? It’s a news site called NewsTabulous.com but I really love how they cover the news in a concise and “hip” way!

Technorati Tags: American Idol, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, american idol contestants, tv shows

Our babies (born Dec. 8th & 9th) have now been semi-weaned.

They still enjoy a little sip now and then, and mommy needs to reduce nursing them slowly. They are very interested in the puppy kibbles and readily welcome a drink of water for a chaser!

The puppies’ wrestling skills have developed to a fascinating level and provide continuous family entertainment for the big dogs and humans alike.  It is so exciting to observe their daily progress!

We have introduced a pee pad for their bathroom use.  As soon as they learn that it does not double as a pull or chew toy or mattress, we should be well on our way to effective toilet training.

The little personalities are now becoming very evident and are so interestingly different.  As well, they now seem to be able to distinguish the various humans in their lives and appear very happy and excited for our company.

Our mature female dogs (aunties who have been spayed), are also enjoying the chance to babysit, clean them and play with them, giving mommy Kurious a chance to get a well deserved rest and a needed fortifying meal for herself.

My teenage grandchildren who had the opportunity to be present during the birthing of the pups, have formed a beautiful, strong bond with all the babies and very willingly give up chances for socializing with their friends to spend time here, enjoying the company of our dearly loved canine family – even falling asleep on the floor with them.

As things here change enormously every day, I will try to keep you apprised of their progress.

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

Technorati Tags: miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, puppies, pets, schnauzer puppies, puppy names, K names, weaning puppies, puppy life

My daughter’s two miniature schnauzers, Kaptain (daddy) & Kurious (mommy), mated back in September, accidentally.

We wanted to wait until the next heat for her to have puppies, but hey, “C’est la vie”!

Kaptain is a super rare blonde colour, and Kurious is an AKC recognized colour of salt & pepper. They are both purebred miniature schnauzers.

Kurious gave birth to seven, count them…7, beautiful purebred miniature schnauzer puppies on December 8th & 9th…5 were born the night of the 8th and 2 more in the wee hours of the morning. She had 6 boys and 1 girl.

Seven puppies for a miniature schnauzer is quite a lot of babies, especially since the x-ray she had 2 weeks prior only showed 5 of them. However, the veterinarian warned us that there could be a few “hiding”.

As per my daughter & son-in-law’s style, they name all of their animals with “K” names. So, in order of birth, there was: Kicker, Knudger, Khristmas, Krumpet, Kasper, Kokoa (female) & Kodiak.

Each one is of different coloring. Kasper was pure white with a pink nose, all the way to Kokoa, who is dark and colored like a Rottweiler puppy is in black and tan.

Kurious managed so well and just knew what to do when they were born. She readily nursed them and took care of them by cleaning them and even chewing the umbilical cord. What a wondrous experience to have been blessed to witness.

The puppies and mommy were all healthy and the other dogs in the house were so very interested in all that was going on, and knew to stay away and be calm. Amazing!

I will share more to come…The puppies were 1 month old today and get cuter by the minute!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Be sure to check out my store coming very very soon accessible in the pages listing in the sidebar of my blog.

Technorati Tags: miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, puppies, pets, schnauzer puppies, puppy names, K names

…at the inaccessibility of handicapped wheelchairs in stores.

Problems:
1. You have to make your way over to a service desk to obtain a key to use the chair.

2. When you’re done with the chair, you have to return it back to the place where you got it from and walk to key back to the service desk.

3. Most of the wheelchairs are in atrocious condition. The leather seats are cracked. The armrests catch your clothing. They’re very dirty. Many of them make as much noise as a lawnmower.

4. The aisles in the stores are so tight that, in many cases, you can’t get through. Also, the cashiers are so close together it’s difficult to get through, especially in grocery stores.

5. Half of the chairs aren’t charged and you get stuck in the middle of the store with a conked out machine.

6. The instructions are often not clear on how to make the chair work. They all start differently and it’s difficult to figure out. Some of them have long, retractable cords that won’t retract and you have to figure out how to wind it around something – the seat or handlebars…

7. There are times when I come into the store and there are no more handicapped carts available for me to use. Outside in the parking lot, there are a tremendous number of handicapped parking spaces, but only 2 chairs in a store to accomodate these people. Does this make sense? Also, there are times where there are people driving these carts in the store who are visibly not actually handicapped and don’t really need this service, while I’m trying to maneuver my way around the store in pain – or I simply leave the store and go somewhere else.

8. Some stores have a simple wheelchair without a basket that is manual. How in the world could I shop with this? Not only is it difficult to manually push myself around, but I can’t actually shop! I suppose the idea is to have someone else pushing you around. What good is that, though, if you can’t also push a cart at the same time. It’s useless…

9. When you’re ready to cash out, you actually have to get out of the chair and manually load your groceries out of your cart onto the conveyor belt. Couldn’t there be someone there to assist you? I’m not just here for a fun day out. They’re necessities you need and all the while, we’re in pain. All of us don’t always have friends or family available when we’re ready or in need of going shopping.

10. When you finally do get through the aisles and get your stuff paid for, you are not allowed to take the chairs outside to your car to load your bags. You are expected to take your bags and put them in a regular cart. Then, get that wheelchair back to where they belong, then return the key to the service desk, and if you’re alone, hope your groceries you already paid for and have in a cart left by itself are still there. Then, you have to walk that cart outside, usually by yourself, and load those groceries and return that cart to a recepticle.

11. Restrooms in stores do have a handicapped stall, but have you ever tried opening the door to get into the restroom in the first place. It must weigh 50 lbs…Now try maneuvering through it with your chair…come on – put one of those automatic buttons to assist us…

Solutions:
1. At the very least, the chairs should be clean and in perfect repair and charged.

2. The chairs should be where the keys for the machines are instead of a service desk that you have to search for and is further away. In our Niagara Falls, Ontario Wal-Mart, the chairs used to be located at the very back of the store in the layaway section…The service desk is up front…What’s going on here? I have 2 canes I walk with…Try organizing all of that – your purse, canes, wheelchair, keys, and your in pain trying to walk around to collect all of these items to get a chair for yourself.

3. It would be an appreciated courtesy if there was someone at the service desk who would at least ask you if you needed any help getting the wheelchair machine, assisting you with groceries because many of us cannot reach items above chest level seated in this chair, and if we need help transferring groceries into the new cart, loading your vehicle and returning the chair and the keys. “Are you in need of assistance today?” Simple!

4. People who are handicapped, and not just lazy, would have a handicapped sign for their vehicle, at least in Ontario…Bring that in to get y0ur wheelchair and prove that your are, in fact, handicapped. I am tired of having no machine to use and seeing people around the store who do not seem to be handicapped in the least bit using them while I’m hobbling around in pain.

5. Put one of those automatic buttons on the outside of the restroom door that will automatically open up the heavy door for us.

I represent a tremendous percentage of purhasing power among the mobility challenged people in this world. Please, give us some simple and equal consideration and some assistance if you want us to frequent your establishment.

***

I hope you found this Life post interesting on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Need a motorized chair of your own? Check out this really cool model:

Shoprider Streamer Streamer Sport Power Chair Red The Streamer Sport 888WAB offers the latest in styling with a dramatically sloped shroud articulating front end and large 10quot; rear wheels. Standard features include on board charger swing away controller and 22.5quot; wheel base which gives this power chair the ultimate in functionality. Great for indoors as well as outdoors. Easy Access on-board charger. Joystick control for the most responsive performance. Disassembles easily for transportation. Easy to reach and operate freewheel levers

Technorati Tags: wheelchair accessibility, handicapped chairs in stores, handicapped chairs, motorized wheelchair for shopping, motorized wheelchair, handicapped bathroom, hadicapped issues, handicapped rant, mobility challenged

I’ve read this beautifully written novel by Tolstoy and enjoyed every moment of it…

I wasn’t able to put it down to eat and sleep – it was so entrancing.

The beautiful Anna, who finally finds love in the arms of Count Vronski, after living so many years in a loveless, expressionless marriage, becomes a victim of the chauvinistic separation & divorce laws which force her to give up her son in order to experience the comfort of her love.

Having been exiled to live in Spain, she longed for her Russian homeland and her son, Sergei, who had been told she was dead.

This twisted road lead her to disappointment, exclusion and deep depression which brought her to committing suicide under the horrific wheels of a train headed for Moscow.

I give the story a 5 star rating – it’s unforgettable and the characters are so authentic that the pain of their pain, their love, their joy touch you to your very soul.

I recommend this read and watching the movies to anyone, but the book has much more detail, depth and historic information and the backgrounds of each character are so much more tantalizing.

However, the sets, scenery and costumes in the movies are so beautiful and really bring this story to light.

***

I hope you enjoyed this Book Review on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. See the 1961 DVD version of Anna Karenina for yourselves:

Anna Karenina (1961) (DVD) Anna Karenina (Bloom), the young wife of Russian diplomat Karenin (Goring), is on a mission of mercy to help her brother Oblonsky patch things up with his wife after an injudicious affair, when she meets the dashing soldier, Vronsky (Connery). Anna is soon swept off her feet by Vronsky and begins an affair of her own. When Karenin finds out, he offers to forgive Anna if she will leave Vronsky, but she refuses, a decision which will have tragic consequences. Tolstoy’s novel of infidelity and its haunting aftereffects has been adapted for film many times but none so moving as this deeply poignant, neglected gem.

Technorati Tags: Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy, classic novels, Russian novel, novels, tragic love affair