The bad part of trying to get a home is competing with investors. Or worse dealing with investors. in one case an investor listed one of his houses, yet said he was not going to sell to anyone, but he had changed his mind to sell to me. I was not to pleased with the size of the house or the yard but I figured to get into almost any home than pay rent any more. Though there are a lot of homes that do not fall into any home. The moment I stated interest he told me he sold the home, and wanted to sell me a house even smaller. What happen to being the only one? Clearly I could not trust him, nor did I want a smaller home than what was being offered.

The other problem is realtors. I can not stress enough to avoid part time realtors. Because they have other obligations then finding people a home. So far I found a one that is working every day and seems to stay up later than me. However any house seems to be a compromise. One house with the perfect size almost 2,000 sq ft was in high crime area. Never mind I live less than a quarter mile from the area where crime is lower.

Ideally what I want is a home with:

South facing roof
No carpet/linoleum
South facing backyard
At least 1600 square feet
Prefer a yard with no landscape or a desert landscape
Backyard with no neighbors behind it (unless wildlife)

I plan installing:

Solar panels
Solar water heater
Solar tubes
Grey watering system
Rain gutter (oddly few homes have them out here)
Front low maintenance landscape
Screened in patio

So hopefully in the next few months I can find a home, and perhaps talk my hummingbirds into moving with me.

I wanted to share my experience here because CRF (Chronic Renal Failure) caught us by surprise. Our cat, Bean, is a 10 year old male American Shorthair. He is currently undergoing dialysis…

Here’s what happened in a nutshell:

10 days ago, Bean began staying in my bed room more than usual. Normally, he would go out onto the porch with me every morning, but that stopped suddenly. I assumed it was the cold weather…

He gradually stopped eating. He usually has a 1/5th of a can of Trader Joe’s soft cat food in the morning. He usually eats it all, but his voracious appetite became diminished. At first he would lick a little bit for the first few feedings, then he stopped eating it completely. I assumed he was eating hard food instead, but in retrospect, I never saw him eat any of that either.

Bean’s thirst became diminished. He wouldn’t go to the water bowl. This was Friday.  I assumed it was a tooth ache and I asked my partner to take him to our usual vet first thing on Monday morning (our usual vet is closed on the weekends). He was acting like he was in pain and I thought that he probably had a tooth ache and/or infection… so  it couldn’t wait until Monday.

On Saturday, rather than waiting for our vet to open on Monday, we took him to another vet (in our local shopping strip) that is open 7 days/week. They took some blood for a test. They would have the results back on Sunday. My partner also insisted they give Bean a Sub-Q – because we were really afraid he could be dehydrated. They hydrated him, gave us some Clavamox (for the supposed tooth infection) and we took him home.

On Sunday, the vet called back and reported the news: Kidney Failure (CRF).  His BUN was 226 — extremely high. In fact, all of the CRF indicators were high (CK 1122, Protein 8.8, Creatinine 18.8, Phosphorus 11.5, Chloride 101, Potassium 3.2). It hit me like a rock. Instant shock.  It took me about 3 hours of online research to realize (thankfully) that CRF could be managed…. And I was relieved by some anecdotal comments that some cats can live many, many years under managed care.

That same day we got the news, we took him back to the vet and insisted they give him another Sub-Q. They also gave us a quote for dialysis. I was shocked by the price, but was willing to pay it. $324 PER DAY. They had a payment plan… at least. They wanted a $10 application fee to top it all off…  I thought that was outrageous!!!

Now let me say something:  We’ve ALWAYS avoided that particular vet in the past BECAUSE they were so overpriced and expensive… but they were open on the weekend, so that’s why we took Bean to that vet for his blood work and the two Sub-Qs I mentioned. We took my Brussel’s Griffon (dog) to this particular vet  years prior – and they really nickel and dimed us, so we never went back again. So word of advice: ALWAYS, ALWAYS shop around for quotes/prices.

Well, it was still Sunday. Bean had his second Sub-Q. We called our regular, “family” vet and left a message…. and luckily he called us back that evening and told us he would charge about $100 per dialisys session. “Bring him in Monday morning first thing” — and he also said it was a good decision to have the second Sub-Q performed. That evening I managed to syringe feed him 12cc of a “gravy” mixture consisting of some renal-support soft catfood and water.  He had another 12cc of organic chicken broth (no salt, just pure broth  from cooked chicken). And later that day he had another 10 cc of food. Monday morning, he went straight to the vet for his first dialysis session.

Fast forward to today:  Bean is still at our regular vet this evening. This is Day-2 of his dialysis treatment. My partner went in to visit him today and he was very groggy, but noticeably better. He  brought Bean a care package with some catnip and his favorite toys. We really debated about not visiting him because we didn’t want to get him all worked up, but he took the visit well and it was a good thing.

Tomorrow we pick Bean up from the vet… and we will get his revised blood work results. I’m coming to the realization that we are going to have to have blood work tests done regularly now and I’m learning what the numbers mean. It’s mind-numbing, but I’m getting it.

I’ve spent the last 3 days doing nothing but online research about CRF and possible treatments.  Our vet said it’s possible Bean MIGHT recover fully that it could just be an infection or blockage…. I’m not crossing my fingers yet. I realize Bean is going to require careful observation over the coming weeks (and months). I’m an optimist, but I want to be prepared.

I purchased a month’s supply of Hi-Tor Renal Formula soft cat food from Amazon, CatSure (feline “Ensure”) liquid meal replacement, high-calorie food paste (in a tube), Azodyl, Epakitin, and also a water drinking fountain… all from Amazon (see below).

Just a word about these drinking fountains. Some of you might think this is going over-board. BUT I have to say: these fountains are critical. We have another cat, Maria, that was constantly, constantly getting getting UTI flare-ups because she was not drinking enough water. These fountains have a constant “tinkling” sound and they really, really attract cats to drink from them. I highly recommend them. Where as before, Maria would not drink a lot of water, she absolutely loves her water fountain and drinks from it daily  for a lot longer periods of time than she ever did when we were using water bowls.  Also: Bean, whereas he would not drink from a bowl the night before he went to the vet, regularly drinks from the fountain. So, if your kitty is not drinking, consider getting a fountain. Ours was $45 from Amazon.

Also, I have to add: I purchased these items not as a cure, but for support. I know I spent a lot of money.  If I had to choose between dialysis and these products, I would choose dialysis because Bean crashed hard. He needed immediate care. If you’re in the same boat, I feel you should definitely get dialysis if your cat “crashes” like Bean did.

One more thing: Again, shop around for GOOD, ethical vet. Too many “Animal Hospitals” are nothing more than money-machines to the vets who work there. Sure, they might like animals, but they like getting rich, too. Case in point: the vet that wanted to charge us $324 per day for dialysis. Now obviously, if this was the only vet in town that offered dialysis for cats, we wouldn’t have batted an eye at that price. But given the fact that our regular, family vet charges just over $100 per day (including overnight fees, IV, catheterization, infusion monitor, Intraveneous fluids, urinalysis, ISTAT screen, in-hospital , Creatinine, and additional medications), it really goes to show that you *can* and should shop around.

Bean is supposed to come home tomorrow… and then we begin his managed care. Depending on how his blood work turns out tomorrow, we night have him stay an additional day or two. We will see. I will update this with his blood results, before and after, for those of you who may be contemplating dialysis. The vet has stated that MAYBE it’s not CRF, but all of Bean’s blood work points in that direction. In the meantime, here is what we bought Bean in order to support his homecoming from the vet:

Coq10 For Humans and Cats

Most cats can have 1/2 softgel per day (50 MG).  The benefits of Coq10 are documented to support kidney health:

Epakitin for Cats with Chronic Renal Failure:

Feline Chronic Renal Failure Nutritional Support

Low Phosphorus Cat Food For Treating Chronic Renal Failure

First off is the Cuddle Cube Pet Bed.

This bed is filled with fibers made from plastic bottles, on top of that the bed is machine washable.

Second is the 360 drink well drinking foutain.

Whats better then a bowl with sitting water?  A continuous fountain that filters the water.  Which my cats love better then a bowl of water.

Castor & Pollux Curious Cat Organic Catnip Toy

There is no mouse toy greater then that made by Castor & Pollux.  Don’y buy 1, buy 12 and buy often.

Simply Fido Organic Plush Pet Toy

For the dog that likes to fetch, play tug of war, keep away, or just likes stuffed animals.

Check back for more pet holiday gift ideas.

When he saw my patio set up the first thing he did was ask for cuttings, or atleast I assume he was asking for cuttings.  But now that I think about it, in his weird way he was stating he was taking cuttings.  With an area roughly 200 square feet, I have over 200 species of plants.  I made it clear that with temperatures above 110 I did not want to stress my plants out. Especially after losing plants from the heat already such as my Eucalyptus and Lambs Ear.  I have also had to bring indoors some plants in hopes that they recover in side.

So instead he asked my significant other if he could get cuttings, twice he was refereed back to me.  Being told that those plants were my dominion.

At which point he choose to mess with some of my plants indoors, ones that were pulled in from outside in hopes of recovering.  He had the nerve to tell me that my Crown of Thorns needed more light, having no idea it was pulled inside two days before. It was at the point where he decided to start pressing in soil on one of my house plants I asked him to not mess with my plants. As it really is a pet peeve of mine when people try to do the maintenance on my plants.  Like my pets, my plants are my children.  After which he pointed to one of my house plants, and ask what it was. I did not know what it was, and he made some smart ass comment about not knowing what my plant was.  I don’t claim to be an expert botanist, but considering I have had this plant that I do not know what it is for 4 years, and it is healthy I must be doing something right.

Many of my plants that can be grown from cuttings I would like to keep in a prestine condition.  Which means I want no scarring from cuttings.  If any cuttings are to be taken, I want to be the one that does it.  After all who wants their plant to be turned into an eye sore?

Now if you know anything about starting a cactus from a cutting, the one thing you never do is take a fresh cutting and plant it in the ground.  Which has also been my experience with some succulent cuttings.  You usually wait a week and in one case I had to wait 2 months for the plant to scar over.   Trust me waiting 2 months was well worth it.  He did not wait for these cactus to scar over, instead he picked out one of my ceramic pots and some of my potting soil (soil that was not proper for a cactus) and planted all the cutting he had taken without my permission.  He also did not ask for the pot.

It was hours before he was going to go to his parents house, as I grudgingly awaited for him to go.  He had to exercise first, so he reorganized my exercise equipment so he could stare out the patio door (perhaps to see what else to cut), and no he did not put everything back where he got it.

Saturday came around and I went out to shop away my stress.  I have to say most of my anger had melted away when I found a Saguaro.  This is one of many native plants on my list.  Never mind I may not be alive to see it flower, especially since its less then 2 feet tall.  As an olive branch I bought a Oreocererus celsian for the butt head. As he wanted to get a cutting off mine, which will never happen.  So as I was repotting new plants, and some cactus that I had waited to scar over and watering my collection I found a terracotta pot that he decided to draw a face on.  Ok so it was one that I got from the .99 store, but the plant that was in it was not a .99 cent plant.

So how would you feel if someone, who is supposed to be a guest decided to deface part of your property?  My anger from yesterday was back and bigger then before.  No he is not getting the cactus I bought.  For the first time I now have two of a single species of cactus.  He is also going to give me my pot back and he can have this one he decided to deface.  What kind of an adult does this to someone else’s stuff?

During the summer here you can find the plant along the rode side during the spring.

Globemallow is every where

In some bizarre way even though the plant was not available in my area,  its now available in stores and online.    It did not just come out in stores  it has come out with different breeds of yellow and red not just the common orange.  Honestly I am not surprised that Sumer Winds Nursery in Glendale carries it, but Lowes is another story.  I also in an Email from Botanical Interests found out they were carrying this species along with other plants that are part of their Botanic Garden Series, where they work to save species that are rare or endangered.

How to care for Globemallow

Its been two months since I got my plant, from Summer Winds in Glendale Arizona.  As you can see I opted for the orange that you can find in the Arizona area.    Like the Desert Marigold and the Angelina Daisy I have used commercial organic potting soil with a mix of play ground sand with E.B. Stone’s Starter fertilizer.  In addition I have removed the saucers off the pots to allow a complete drainage after being watered.  I have placed the pot in the full sun.  Regular watering seems to be tolerated, and looks fairly good. As of this time the wild members of the species seemed to have died out at this time, and gone to seed waiting to restart the cycle.  I will get to see how long I can keep the flowers going.

Next year I will try Botanical Interests Scarlet seeds.

Where to buy Globemallow

At this time in the Phoenix Arizona area the plant is available at Lowes and Sumer Winds Nursery.

Also  Botanical Interests offers Globemallow seeds

The materials I used for a growing container

Normally I would buy which of the two containers would be cheapest.  I also usually just threw them in recycling bin when I emptied them out.  But last year after I was showed how to make growing containers out of them I decided to save them for this year.  But the problem with the design I was shown is that it used the lid from the bucket between the water and the soil, not exactly the most stable set up plus it used silicon and twist ties to keep every thing in place.  Silicon is not exactly a mess free substance.  I realized after putting the white buckets next to the yellow buckets that together they would make a better growing container then a lone bucket would.

1. Tidy Cat 35 ibs yellow bucket
2. ExquisiCat Scoop 40 lbs white bucket
3. 1.25 inch  white pipe
4. Ziploc Twist ‘N Loc , Medium Round, Containers & Lids, (Pack of 2)

I had a friend drill the white buckets for me with 1 5/8″ and 4″ drills.   I used a 1/4 inch tool to drill white pipe and the container.

I drilled the holes in the white pipe and the food container, The food container was a bit fragile so I advise using caution

After inserting the white bucket I drilled holes in the yellow bucket just below where the white container ends.

Afterwards the growing container is ready

After the holes are drilled you just insert everything in, as long as everything fits snuggly there is no need for any glue for this growing container.  Just add soil and plant, water from the top at least three times.  Afterwards I recommend getting a cork and putting a bamboo pole it.  Putting the cork end in the white pipe, mark where the pole would be when the container is empty.

Currently I have 11 growing containers, which I am growing tomatoes, peppers, luffa, gourds, cucumbers, and beans.  Also I had one container taken over by feverfew.

After the summer I will see how my growing container work in a shaded enclosure.

I created this blog in hopes of recouping my costs from container gardening in the desert. Unfortunately I did not get into as much as I had hoped as another blog took up more of my attention.   Last year I did a post on Gardenerschoice.com because some how they got my name and sent me one of their catalogs.  I had a problem with the fact that catalog had mostly illustrations and few  real pictures.  Apparently the gardenerschoice.com  catalogs are made up of nothing but clip art and stock images.  Going through their website you get pics that you are supposed to click to get a larger image, which is not much bigger then the thumbnail.

Further review found that gardenerschoice.com had a lot of complaints.  Soon I would abandoned this blog to devote my full attention to another blog that was a webhost customer advocacy site.  A couple a days go I noticed a spike in my Google adsense.  To my surprise it was not the blog I put most of my effort into, it was this one, and Gardenerschoice.com was the reason people were contacting me.  Though I had to wonder why anyone would think I was involved with that company when I was giving a negative review.

The article in question that got all of this attention is here: Gardener’s Choice.

For some bizzare reason people have been emailing me and leaving posts asking for more details on Gardenerschoise.com products or order status up dates.  Its almost as if no one is bothering to read what my post was about.  I don’t sell anything on my site.  Yes there are ads for third party sites, which is how I intended to pay for my gardening.

This is not Gardenerschoice

Gardenerschoice.com contact information is as follows:

Call 1-269-621-2481
Monday thru Friday – 9 am to 4:30 pm EST

Gardenerschoise.com
81961 County Rd. 687 South P.O. Box 8000
Hartford, MI 49057-8000

You can also try this information from their domain  Gardenerschoice.com whois:

Lipenwald, Inc. michael@lipenwald.com
22 South Smith Street
Norwalk, CT 06855 US

203-852-0001 fax: 203-831-2849

Before you considered purchasing Gardenerschoice.com, I have a second post for you to consider for their website blueberrygiant.com

http://desertorganics.com/buyer-beware/blueberrygiant-com-just-another-gardener%E2%80%99s-choice-company/

I first found about this Gardenerschoice.com operation when I saw one of their commercials.

As one of the reviewers of this company said “The very moment the commercial started, one word came screaming into my mind . . .SCAM! “ Clearly that was the word that came to my mind when I saw this commercial.

Just like Gardenerschoice.com, few pictures of blue berries, none that demonstrate the size of the plants.  The bulk of the tv commercial and website were illustrations.  Though there was one picture of a small and large blue berries.   Frankly the small berry looked a little small.    Plus the commercial states the high cost of blueberries being around $10 a pint.  I am not sure where they are shopping at but I have not seen organic or even specialty stores like AJ’s sell above $4.   You also have to go to their website to get a some what inaccurate account of when to expect fruit. They indicate “They will likely bear a light crop this season, a lot more next season and an even heavier crop during the third season and beyond. “.  What happen to 4 pints of fruit a day that the advertising promised?  According to a The Rodale Illustrated Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening (American Horticultural Society Practical Guides), fruiting will start in second summer, full production in 5 years.  Granted my blue berry plant has a whooping 4 blue berries on it now(though they are growing off the original cutting and not the new growth).  Not exactly enough to make a blue berry muffin.  Then there is the mention of it growing in shade, most of the books I have read reference partial shade, but prefers full sun.

You can actually go to stores such as Lowes, Home Depo, Wal-mart to get Blueberries.  Where you can actually return in person with out having to pay shipping costs.  The price for these plants ranges from $5 – $8.

I got one last year, sadly I have not replanted the pot it was in yet.

I have no idea why anyone thinks that desertorganics.com is associated with gardenerschoice.com.  But I can not help you if you have questions involving them.

If your going to place a comment asking where your Gardenerschoice.com order is or ask for more information on gardenerschoice products, your at the wrong place.