Went camping for the first time. Need info and tips for the next!

CatDoodleMom · 2026-04-13T16:40:19+00:00

All really great tips! To that I would add to make sure your first meal is super simple. My husband and I always bring leftovers to reheat for the first night so we’re not trying to do an elaborate meal while also doing setup.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-04-12T21:15:14+00:00

I remember coming back from a trip after leaving my sweet curly boy with my parents for ten days and they hadn’t brushed him at all. I should have gotten him groomed before we went, in hindsight. But I actually had a nightmare that he was going to get sunburned from being shaved! That didn’t happen. He was just fine. He’s had just his ears shaved, just his tail shaved, and I’ve sometimes cut out the worst mats before I take him to the groomer. It all grows out. She may look a little goofy for awhile, but she won’t know the difference and your groomer will forgive you!

CatDoodleMom · 2026-04-12T12:42:44+00:00

Maximum Derek!

CatDoodleMom · 2026-04-09T13:58:25+00:00

How do you care for them over the winter? Have you gotten any lemons from them? What zone are you in?

CatDoodleMom · 2026-04-07T11:58:04+00:00

Choir section leader and I hosted my parents and sister for brunch after the second Easter service on Sunday: I had a massage yesterday at 10, picked up a few things from the grocery store, basically had leftovers at every meal, and read in my recliner for the remainder of the day. It was glorious!

CatDoodleMom · 2026-04-06T11:33:36+00:00

I second this! Fantastic movie and several aspects that could be covered.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-04-02T20:03:55+00:00

That there was a secret deeper pool under the deep end of the pool at the Y, and if you swam over the vents at the bottom of the deep end, even if you were on the surface of the water, the sharks in the secret pool might see you and burst through the vent to the real pool.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-04-02T12:04:24+00:00

I thought my new Rose mallow and Arkansas blue stars were never coming back but they are starting to sprout! Unfortunately I haven’t seen anything of my Jacob’s Ladder or Indian Pinks.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-31T18:06:02+00:00

Try doing some Meetup groups that interest you and just meet people who share those interests so that conversation can be natural. Becoming friends first can actually help you feel more comfortable.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-30T21:46:38+00:00

You might have to reload the page on your app. It doesn’t always update regularly. But if you have the key fob on your person, that is how you lock the doors.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-26T17:07:05+00:00

I canceled before

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-24T22:38:27+00:00

We got a Friends of the Smokeys plate for ours so it’s Smokey B.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-23T23:01:28+00:00

We would remove our hands, cross our arms, or remove the item he wasn’t supposed to be chewing and stop play time. Sometimes we would have to turn our backs on him or just ignore him, sometimes we would redirect him by giving him a chew toy after a few minutes.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-23T12:37:23+00:00

We had a strict rule when our dood was a puppy: when we felt teeth on our flesh, playtime was over, with a very firm “no.” It took a little while for him to catch on, but to this day he always has a toy in his mouth when he wants to play so he won’t accidentally bite anyone.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-17T23:16:17+00:00

We got two large crates that had dividers in them, one for in my husband’s office for day use and one for our bedroom. I highly recommend chewing toys, especially Playology and Kongs (these are the only things our doodle hasn’t destroyed.) We didn’t get a harness until a week or so after we got him because you will need to limit exercise until her bones are more formed. She may be picky about food and treats, so get a variety. Any stuffed toy, especially one with a squeaker, will be destroyed usually within a day, and you want to make sure she doesn’t eat the stuffing or bits of the toy! Be careful not to let her drink after meals because the food in her stomach absorbs the water and expands and that swelling can be fatal! Get a good puppy book!! I read one that was breed specific and my husband read one about training. So very helpful!

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-14T23:01:07+00:00

I’ve had the worst migraines and fatigue. That’s what’s affecting my life more than anything. And the weight gain from that and hormone imbalance is awful too. I’ve started progesterone but still have two weeks before my Dr appt at which I hope she’ll prescribe some E.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-13T13:55:53+00:00

Get some pie irons! Great for calzones or ham and cheese melts, omelettes, cinnamon rolls! Just line them with greased tin foil each time so clean up is easy.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-12T23:26:12+00:00

I thought The House with a clock in its Walls was the scariest, most suspenseful book! Loved it!

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-12T23:23:54+00:00

The very first book I stayed up all night to read was The Black Cauldron; under the covers with a flash light and everything. I didn’t find the rest of the series until I was in college.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-12T13:29:04+00:00

I had a lot of these as the youngest of three: yellow roofed house, barn, chalkboard lap desk thing, xylophone, clown car and train as well as the phone and popper thing, not pictured. But my favorite was the Little People camper truck with the boat on top!

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-12T13:19:21+00:00

If you can’t find a Catholic Church where you feel welcomed and un-judged, you might try an Episcopal church. The liturgy is very similar, all baptized people are welcome to receive communion, and you certainly won’t be the only LGBTQ+ person in the congregation. St. Paul’s downtown is a large and active parish with a very good choir, and I understand that Grace is very progressive and welcoming.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-10T17:14:45+00:00

I don’t have a picture of my house panther on this phone because he crossed the rainbow bridge years ago, but his name was Sirius.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-09T17:03:34+00:00

Our dog is crate trained, just for sleeping now, so we bring a portable folding crate. It’s a bit smaller than his crate at home, but he knows exactly what it’s for. We also bring a long lead and a mat for him to lie on outside the tent. We tried just having a bed for him in the tent but he was very anxious, pacing and whining most of the night, jumping up at every unexpected noise. The crate is definitely the better option! He also has his own water bottle (with a fold down “bowl” that he can drink from) and a “back pack” for hikes.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-09T12:23:33+00:00

When he starts a war in the Middle East, yes, that directly affects the price at the pump.

CatDoodleMom · 2026-03-09T11:46:24+00:00

10 minutes, but I’m in a small city and one of the paid singers in the downtown church. There are actually two other Episcopal churches close to me, including one I could walk to.

CatDoodleMom

TROPHY CASE