Pretty much just put together what I could find and made some stuff. The hat, mostly. Dyed a white hat blue, then used felt, cardboard, ribbon, a water bottle cap, and a plastic drinking cup to make the light. I also have one of those battery operated lights that go into Jack-O-Lanterns instead of a candle underneath - the cup is partly sewed, partly velcroed down so I can raise it up and turn the light on and off. 

Mom saw a news report saying that Carmax - which is her favorite lip balm - has an addictive ingredient in it that makes people use more and more of it. (I never found that true. I can't stand the stuff. Prefer Vasiline's brand even if it's more expensive.) I could've sworn the BBs debunked this awhile ago but when I search for it I can't find anything except the thread about if using lip balm makes your lips drier. 

Now you all should know by now I am proudly owned by a rescue dog. Because Minnie's a former puppy mill breeder she always has a lot of health problems due to past neglect. One thing is that if I let her fur get too long she'll get these red spots on her back, about the last three inches before her butt. Even after I get her trimmed super short they'll stay for awhile. I've tried all sorts of dog shampoos that are suppose to be good for skin problems like itchiness and red bumps. They don't work.

I found that if I use Avon's Skin So Soft before bathing her, the spots calm down and even go away within ten minutes. (And of course we've all heard the bug repellent claims, well, even three or four baths later I will say that fleas do not bother her at all, even if she's been near a dog that has fleas.) However, even if I shampoo her three or four times after applying, her fur stays greasy and she starts to smell bad again sooner than normal. 

I was wondering if anyone has any idea what in the SSS might be making her spots go away and if they knew of an affordable dog shampoo that can give the same benefits without the greasiness. 

I need to make a list of the scientific names of things I've had allergic reactions to so my endocrinologist can look up the tests for them. After years of putting up with people trying to tell me my allergies are all in my head and one person even saying I was making it up to get attention (really? Then how come when exposed to latex I ended up not just with a bad rash, but open, weeping sores?) I want to get proof I'm allergic to these things. Plus since allergies have been linked to weight gain having a clear list of my allergies I can find out how to treat then, reduce my inflammation, and speed up my metabolism.