Best Mouth Guard for Grinding Teeth - One That Actually Fits Your Mouth For the Least Amount of Money

I didn't realize I was clenching and grinding my teeth, until one morning I woke up with a horrible tooth ache.  It was a back molar and it was just pounding.

I managed to get into the dentist that morning, and he couldn't see anything wrong.  I was sure it would be staring him in the face for the aching and pain I was feeling.

He took an x-ray, and there it was,  a crushed molar.  Apparently the force you can put on your teeth during the night of grinding or clenching is massive.

After a costly repair, I was fitted for a night guard at a huge cost to my credit card!

I have no dental coverage so this was huge.  On top of that I need to replace it every couple of years at hundreds of dollars each time.  Until I came across this product.  You don't realize the strength of your jaw during a night of clenching and grinding, and the health of teeth is so important.  If you have ever had teeth pain, then you know what I mean, it becomes a front a center issue!

Customizable Mouth Guard

This is a much more affordable way to get a mouth guard that actually fits your mouth.

When you order it, you will receive an "impression kit" so that the professional dental lab can create a mouth guard just for you.

Customized Mouth Guards Work the Best 

I have used many mouth guards over the years, and ones that are designed to fit your specific mouth shape work the best.  I have been away and forgotten mine and had to use the drug store versions, which are better than nothing, but are not comfortable.  Having one that fits your mouth is the best investment.

FDA approved and latex free...  At this writing there were over 1160 perfect reviews of this product.  The cost of this product is an eighth  of what I paid at my Dentist.  I love my dentist, but I just can't afford his fees for this product right now.

Do You Wake Up with Teeth or Jaw Pain? 

You may be grinding or clenching your teeth.  It can be caused by stress, but in my case, it was just something my body likes to do at night.

I am not stressed, but I didn't realize just how tight my jaw was feeling until I started using a night time guard for my teeth, and my jaw felt so relaxed by morning.

If you don't want to be faced with expensive dental work, then consider a mouth guard that is fitted to your specific mouth shape.

It needs to fit your teeth like a glove to be comfortable.

Using this online service is one way to get the best product for the least amount of money.  We work hard for our money!

Obviously if you are in a lot of Pain, See your Dentist

But if you have been told you grind your teeth or clench like I do, then investing in this night time mouth guard that actually fits your teeth and mouth like a well fitted glove in my opinion is the best way to go.

When it fits just right, you don't notice it in the night the same way you do when you get those drug store generic versions!  If you forget your guard and are away they are better than nothing, but not the same.  So, invest in your teeth and get a well fitted FDA approved mouth guard online and save some money and protect those pearly whites!

I can't Stop Myself from Grinding and Clenching, but at least I can cut out the damage it was causing.  One crushed molar was enough for me.  Life comes to a grinding halt (excuse the pun!) when your teeth hurt!

How to Remove Cat Pee Stains on Carpet - Get Rid of the Odor and Save the Carpet

I am by definition a "cat lady".   There I have said it!!

I have 3 cats and although they can be a lot of work, I love them dearly.  That being said, the latest one thought the basement carpet was a better option than the litter box.

We didn't see it right away, until we were downstairs and the sun shone through the window and heated up the carpet and that lovely cat pee aroma let us know loud and clear!

He has since become litter trained and doesn't do this anymore, but after many cleanings thinking I had got rid of the cat pee stains and saved the carpet, the odor remained when the sun hit it.

I have tried many products, but I have to to tell you this particular product beats everything hands down.  If you have pets, then this is the best product to keep on hand.

Get Rid of Cat Pee Stains on Carpet


This product has over 5500 reviews (as of this writing) of the positive effect this product had on their carpets.

The product feeds on ammonia crystals and organic matter until they are completely gone.

The smell is gone when the organic matter has been dealt with deep down. The problem is most

products sit on the surface, but this one gets right to work deep down.

You definitely need something stronger than Febreeze!  As nice as that product is for stale couches and cushions, cat pee is another story completely!

You need something that will basically attack the organic matter and deal with it, which I swear is reactivated when the sun hits it!

It can be hard enough keeping the smells down in the litter Box without worry of stains on your floors.  This product works well on carpets, and rugs.

Carpets are expensive, but we want our pets to be a part of the family.  But occasionally, even the best behaved cats will have accidents.  Whether illnesses, a change in the household, or he simply waited to long, accidents happen.

Try to Soak Up as Much of the Urine if You Can

You may not see it right away, but if you can get as much out of the carpet as possible with paper towels, then it will not take as much product to get rid of remaining pee and stains.


Pet Urine Detector

I came across this online and thought it was an awesome idea!



This would work well for stains and odors you simply cannot source.  Sometimes you don't see the stain but the room has a sniff to it you know is from your cat/dog.

This special UV light will highlight organic matter, so that you can identify the stain, whether pet urine or remains of vomit (something is always coming out of each end of a pet).

This is such a brilliant idea, and will save the life of a carpet. 

If you own pets, or they own you, then there are just a few things you should invest in to keep in your home.  Lot of paper towels, pet urine detector, and a good pet stain and odor remover.  This will keep harmony in your home and make it so you don't smell pets when you walk through that door!

You don't Have to Give up on a Clean and Fresh Smelling Home

Just get the right products.  I spent a fortune before I found this one.  It does work!

How to Fix Burnt Carpet - 3 Ways That Worked for Me - Avoid Expensive Carpet Replacement

Been there done that!

Carpet is expensive to replace, especially the wall to wall broadloom.  So what if you accidentally dropped your hair straightener, curling iron, or that cigarette that fell from the ash tray?

Whether you are a renter or a home owner, here are a few tips that worked for me.  It all depends on how bad and deep the burn is as to which process you try, but all three do work!!

Below are 3 Ways to Fix burnt carpet.  Hopefully one of these ways processes work for you!  They did for me.

1.  Razor Blade Process

I had a tenant in my house for a couple of years, and she managed to drop her hair straightener a few times.  I didn't realize this until I

moved in, and the carpet was fairly new, so I did some research and this worked for me.  Give it a try if the burn is not too deep.

Step 1 - Vacuum thoroughly so you can see what you are dealing with.  Make sure you have good light or strong daylight to see the full extent.

Step 2 - Take a lady's disposable razor or similar, and gently run it over the burnt spot.  This will shave off the blackened bits and fluff up the fibers that are remaining.  Carpets with a low or no pile are the worst for showing burns, as you can see in my above BEFORE picture.

There were quite a few of these on the carpet once they had moved out.

I know the lighting was different when I took this AFTER picture, but the razor blade did the trick.  As you can see, the burnt carpet marks no longer show.

I was super pleased with the results.  When the fibers in this carpet melted they blackened and glued together, but the razor blade cut off the blackened bits and fluffed up the fibers enough that I couldn't see them anymore.


2.  Snip and Glue Process - Burnt Carpet Repair and Apparently Help From your Pet!

So then came a few other burns that were deeper and the razor blade didn't really work and there was an indent.

After some research I found another way to fix or at least hide the problem.  This requires some patience and arts and crafts.

What you Will Need:

Super sharp tiny craft or manicure scissors
Super Glue
Tweezers
Carpet Fibers stolen and collected from hidden areas of the carpet

Method:

This one takes some patience but I can tell you it works!!

Get down on your belly and get comfy because you will want to see the burn up close.  This is when your pets will want to help or think you want to play when you lay on your belly on the floor!  Throw them a ball or get them away from your work since you don't want them walking in super glue.

Be Careful with Pets - You Don't Want Them Walking in Super Glue Until it is Set

Step 1 - Snip the burnt carpet fibers away the best you can so that black doesn't show.  Yes the remaining fibers will now be shorter but this is where the fun begins!

Step 2 - Take your little scissors and cut little fibers from around the room, such as the back of the closet, or under the bed.  Just take a few from here and there so not to create another problem.  Collect as many as you think you will need for the size of the burn.

Step 3 - Take your super glue and spread a thin film of it on the repair area, being careful to not get it anywhere else.

Step 4 - Place your lose carpet fibers into the glue lightly with tweezers.  You want enough fibers that you fill in the void and you don't want super glue on the surface.

Step 5 - Block the area so that no one walks there are cover it with a show box or something so the glue can set.

Step 6 - DONE, you can even vacuum this and it won't come up.


3.  Cookie Cutter Burnt Carpet Repair - When the Burn is Bad

This is the last resort burnt carpet repair.  If you had a burn go right through the layers of the fibers and there is nothing left to cut out or cut and glue, then you can use this tool that I found online.




Step 1 - You basically cut a circle up to 3 inches diameter around the bad spot with this sharp tool, and then cut from a remnant or the back of the closet or from somewhere this wont be seen and you switch them. Replacing the burnt carpet with a fresh piece.

Click on the picture to see the process.  But this will work too.  There was no way I was going to pay 3 grand to replace a whole room of carpeting for the sake of a few burns.


If you have a lot of carpet in the house, this is a good investment to have around the house. This can work not only for burns but for those stains that simply won't come out.

Your eye is drawn to burns and stains.  It is nice to get rid of them without total replacement

Homemade Cat Treat Recipe - Fast No Flour Cat Treat Recipe

Being a Cat mom to 3 cats can get expensive for extras such as treats.  As much as they love Temptations and other commercial packaged treats, I decided to venture out and make my very own.

But I wanted something with no flour and simple to make for my first time.

Each day my cats share a tin of Wet Cat food without the gravy, more like a solid pate, so I always have some of these tins on hand.  But you can use your favorite brand as long as it is more of a pate rather than the meat in gravy to make these treats.

Canned Food Cat Treats

No flour Easy Bake Recipe

Step 1 - Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

Step 2 - Spread your canned cat food on some waxed paper until approx. 1/2 inch thick (this makes it easier to work with)

Step 3 - Cut out little flat shapes with your knife or a tiny shape cutter

Step 4 - Place the shapes onto a ungreased cookie sheet

Step 5 - Bake for 15 minutes (watch them carefully so they don't burn)

Step 6 - Flip to other side and continue to bake for another 15 minutes.

Step 7 - Let them cool completely before giving to your cat.

Cats love these treats especially if they are made from their favorite canned food.  Basically this is like "jerky" made from their usual food and they enjoy them.   There are so many homemade cat treat recipes online, but this book will help guide you to the best recipes for your feline.



You can also get kits that include everything you need if you want something with more ingredients and pre-measured.

But if you want something simple.. try the above recipe, especially if you have picky cats, this way they are basically getting their own food but in a dried chewy form.

Watch out for the Obese Cat! 

It is nice to feed your kitties organic, and making your own homemade cat treats, but you still need to keep in mind their weight.  Save the treats as rewards while playing games with them, or make them work for the treats with interactive cat treat toys

Indoor cats can put on weight quickly. If you have a busy kitty that is always running around and mean and lean, then you don't have to worry, but just like us humans, some of us have to watch every morsel.

Check out my post on Cat Obesity for some ideas.

 I managed to get my older cat's weight down slowly by cutting back a little on food (measured) and adding a few more games to her day to get her moving.

Cats will nap all day if allowed especially after the age of 4-5 years old.

Doesn't hurt to get them moving a little bit more.  It is fun for you and them and keeps their weight in check.

Obese Cat - How to Help Your Cat Lose Weight - The Fun Way

As a cat mom of 3 cats (yes I am officially a cat lady!) and also having countless cats over the years, I can tell you cat obesity is similar to us humans.

Just like humans, you always have those ones that eat all day and remain slim and then the other ones simply take a few nibbles and explode with fat rolls and sleep all day!  (My cat Muffin on back of couch)

How to Make My Cat Lose Weight?

Baby steps, but YES they do work.  A little bit of tweaking and a bit of time on your part and they will lose those rolls.  It is best to do this slowly.

Step 1 - Weigh Your Cat.  Stand on the scale without your cat, then go back on it with your cat and subtract the difference (no way my cat will get on the scale alone!)  Take note of the weight.

Step 2 - Actually measure out the kibble for the day as decided by your Veterinarian or go by the Package suggestions for the weight of your cat.  No more "free feeding".

Step 3 - Purchase tiny cat bowls from the Dollar tree or online with rounded bottoms so a few kibbles looks like a lot.  I found this to be one of the best tricks as my cat panics when she can see the bottom of the bowl.

Step 4 - PLAY TIME!  In the wilds your cat will stalk and hunt prey for dinner.  They run and jump and attack.  In the house this is not likely to happen, except maybe to your couch!.

Step 5 - Rotate Toys - As cats get bored easily, you need to be always introducing new toys, so purchase a few and keep a few back for rotating.

INVEST YOUR TIME - While you are watching TV at night, or whenever you think about it, get your cat moving, but playing with your cat.  Throw a toy mouse, use a laser pointer, get them climbing.  Even just a few minutes here and there and this burns calories.  It engages them and keeps them from getting bored.  Boredom quite often equals eating!

Keep in Mind the Age and Ability of Your Cat

My cat, Muffin is 13.5 years old, so she is not going to climb anything at this point, but she does love to chase a toy mouse or a ping pong ball around.  This gets her moving.  So when I see her walking around or stretching and heading for another napping place or the food bowl, I will play with her and get her moving a bit.

The trick is to keep them engaged.  You can see when they get tired.  At this point stop.

As you can see there are so many toys you can purchase online to keep them active.  If you play with them each day sporadically throughout the day, or maybe even just the evenings when you are relaxing, it will help you bond with your kitty and they will burn calories.  They will look forward to playtime.

Cat Tree Condo

This is more of an investment.  But my older cat does love to climb trees if given the chance.  They love to hide and seek.  I came across this cat tree condo, and though it would be fun for my 3 cats to climb and chase each other.

I figured you could even hang toy birds in the branches to give them something to play with and when they tire, they can snooze on the shelves.

Obese Cats

This is becoming a huge problem.  We want to enjoy and spoil our cats and keep them safe, but since they are mostly indoors, this can cause obesity.  Just like us humans crash diets are a big NO NO, so just start small and get them used to the changes.

The biggest and best change for my cat was switching the flat bottomed bowl she had.

It simply held too much kibble and as soon as the kibble went to the sides, she was meowing for more.

So you can get raised cat bowls (as pictured) that help with their digestion and the kibble will always slide to the center.

Believe it or not that was the best thing I did for my cat's weight.

Play time was next, but the food bowls made a huge difference in her weight.

Weigh Your Cat After a Couple of Weeks

Check the progress of kitty.  Don't fret if you don't see a huge change at first.  I measured her food out for the day, and simply put a bit out at a time.  You could also invest in a automatic pet feeder if you can't be home during the daytime, that will spill out measured amounts throughout the day.

Simply measure out the days allowance and split it up into a few snacks over the day.  Cats do like to nibble many times during the day, so don't stop this process, just limit it with some of the tweaks and tricks above.

For me it was changing out the cat food bowl.  If the food slid to the center, even just a few kibbles, she knew she still had some to eat.  A bit of a mind game, but it worked for my cat.  The raised bowl option also allows better digestion, which also keeps them fuller.

This is similar to making the plates smaller for human meals!  My Veterinarian asked that I do this slowly.  So I started with the food then slowly added more play time.

Simply Throwing a Toy Out on the Floor is Not Enough!

Maybe for a few minutes they will play alone, but they quickly get bored and next thing you know you are stepping on this toy, so play along with them.  Even a crumbled piece of paper or tin foil will do the trick.  Tie a ribbon to it and get them jumping and drag it across the floor.  Let them win once in a while, and simply have fun.

You will temporarily forget about the stresses of your day, and this is a good thing for you and your kitty no matter what his/her age is!

Pet ID Tags - My Dog Was Saved that One Sunday Morning - ID Tags for Dogs - Best Purchase I Ever Made

ID Tags for Dogs

Our pets are part of the family, and we never felt so horrible as the day we lost our dog Sasha.

Sasha simply never ran away.  You could be outside either sitting or working and she would simply lay nearby and watch us.

But one fall Sunday, something intrigued her.  We are still not sure what it was... but we simply turned around and she was no longer there.  We had been raking leaves, and I saw her then I didn't.

My Stomach Lurched and I felt Horrible and Anxious

My hubby looked in the house, nothing, around the outside, nothing, checked the neighbours and nothing.

She loved to sleep in the garden (as pictured!)

My legs were shaking, until I went inside the house to grab our car keys and saw the telephone flashing.  We had a message.  I almost didn't stop to find out, but something told me to check the message.

Something Told me to Check the Phone Message...

It was the old age home down the back of our street.  They had found a friendly dog on the sidewalk in front of the place and instantly saw my bright pink custom dog tag with her name and a phone number.

I had just purchased it the day before!!

Personalized Dog Tags for Pets - Inexpensive and Worth Every Penny!

The maintenance man who found her wandering and scared, saw it right away.  He said, the problem with the town tags, is that there is nobody there on a Sunday, and now you are faced with caring for a strange dog overnight, which is not always possible for most people.

Do NOT Depend on the Town Dog License, or Even the Rabies Tag to Get Your Dog or Cat Home..

My dog Sasha, had the town tag and the Veterinarian tag with her proof of rabies which is required in this town, but there is no way of instantly finding the owner.  We could have spent a totally sleepless night looking for our beloved pet.

I was so thankful that I had checked the message and picked her up right away.  She was so happy to see us!

The guy, said he simply held her collar, and got out his cell phone.  That quick!!!

My Hubby Thought it Was a Waste of Money When I Placed it on Sasha... He Has Now Changed His Mind!

For under 5 bucks, get one of these personalized dog tags for pets.  Get it in a bright color, something that will stand out.  The only mistake I made was putting my landline only on the tag.  I should have put my cell phone number, or both.

Put your Cell Number First

This is super important to put phone numbers on where a person can reach you.  If you are out looking for your pet, you won't be at home to answer the phone, so put your cell number first.

I had purchased it at the local pet shop, but you don't even have to do that.  I have found them cheaper online.  I purchased a bright red one and attached it to her collar.

Our Pets are Family, they mean so much to us all.  But they are still animals, and yes, even the most obedient and friendly dog will walk away and get lost.   The best insurance is to have a quick way of being found.  Not everyone will take the time to try and phone the town or the Veterinarian especially after hours or on a Sunday.

Pet ID Tags that Look Like a License

I love the simple shape with a name and phone number, but as I searched for some tags online for my cats, I noticed these really cool license style tags.  You can get them for whatever State you live in.  You get a license card and a tag for their collar.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE consider a Pet ID tag, it will be the best 5 bucks you ever spent!!

How to Frame a Jigsaw Puzzle Without Glue and No Mess

After receiving a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle last Christmas, I was really hesitant about breaking it up and putting it back in the box.

Vincent Van Gogh - Wheat Field With Cypresses Jigsaw Puzzle

Originally my idea was "enjoy the puzzle then let someone else enjoy it".  But as the hours and days passed slowly getting pieces in the right place, I became a bit more selfish about the idea of letting someone else have it!  Plus I love Vincent Van Gogh Art!

I researched many ways on how to display a jigsaw puzzle and was not thrilled with the idea of literally pouring glue over the picture.  I am sure it would be fine, but I just didn't want to mark the front of the puzzle at all.

How to Display a Jigsaw Puzzle

After much research I discovered many ways to display a jigsaw, and one was to use resin, which I am all thumbs, and as nice as it looked encased in a glass like substance, it was just not for me.

You can get specialized puzzle glue, but really it is very similar to white glue or modge podge which still gets poured on the front and the back..  Too messy for me!

Jigsaw Puzzle Sheets - Peel and Stick Puzzle Saver

I came across the idea of these sheets on a YouTube video, which I have posted below:

How to Frame a Jigsaw Puzzle Video:

This guy simply used the right sized frame and with the help of these puzzle sheets, he was then able to place it into the frame without putting anything on the front of the picture.  This basically keeps it stable.  Check out the Puzzle Sheets Below:

Watch the video, and see just how easy this is. NOTE: If like me, you simply did you puzzle on a table instead of a separate piece of foam core or cardboard, you can slide your puzzle onto a board just like he did in the video. But it is also nice to have an extra pair of hands especially if your jigsaw is large. You can use frames like he did from your local hobby store, or you can also get them online specifically for puzzles. You can get the puzzle sheets and the frame together as a kit, as pictured above.

Displaying a Jigsaw Puzzle

This is an awesome way to show off your hard work.  You can do this with any puzzle, including kids ones.  Some of the pictures are quite unique and would be nice to display.  I simply did not like the idea of spreading icky glue all over the front and then letting it dry for hours then turning it over an doing the back.

I figure the less you handle the puzzle the better.  Plus I am all thumbs, so this is the route I am taking.  The Puzzle saver sheets and a frame.

Jigsaw Puzzles have made a HUGE Come Back

As electronics and video games came to be, adult puzzles tended to be collecting dust on the games shelf, but after much research it has been noted that adults can create new pathways in their brains by trying something new and making it work such as with all kinds of puzzles.

But if you are a dedicated crossword puzzler, why not try your hand at a jigsaw?  Something different where your brain has to work a bit.

I think after this puzzle, and the hours it took,  I may have developed 6 lane highways in my brain instead of just pathways!!😄