Are you prepared?

Around our house we have been in survival mode. Scary to say, but nowadays this is something you should think about. Our economy is so shaky right now do you have a plan if something hits the fan? Could you live without your cell phone?
What if the ATM's or banks close?
Do you have enough canned food that you can survive on?
Can you make a fire on your own?
Can you survive a natural or man made castrophe?

Ok, I'm not talking zombies! Though the CDC has a good hand on surviving this type of attack, I have a fear of zombies. But seriously, if something natural happens or if our economy continues to spiral, we should be prepared.

It's not hard to do! I will cover this over the next few weeks here or there. So to begin...

 

YOUR PERSONAL GO KIT / SURVIVAL KIT

 

 

   Let’s talk about National Preparedness Month. What essential items are you going to need if a major storm or some other event devastates your area?  Below are listed some suggested items you should have on hand and is not meant to be all inclusive.  Your personal situation will also drive what you will need to keep you going until the situation stabilizes.  

• Food for at least 2 days such as energy bars, canned meats, jerky, candy etc. The type of stuff that you like.
• Water - put at least a 12 pack in the trunk or your car.
• Flashlight & spare batteries - there may be extended power outages.
• Blankets
• Gasoline - Keep it filled.
• Money – power and telephone outages can cause ATM’s and card readers to stop working.  Get some money now (possibly $ 200 or $300).  Be prepared for several days of a cash only economy.
• Battery powered radio with weather band and spare batteries.
• Your medicines - if you are close to the end of a Rx get them refilled, get the over the counter products that you use; aspirin,  etc.
• A change of clothes, extra socks, sturdy shoes.
• Keep your cell-phones charged.
• Have essential telephone numbers for your family, doctor, co-workers.

 Next time I will show you our pantry, it's small, since we live an apartment, but we have enough food to cover us for at least 30 to 60 days.

More antique adventures in Ohio!

Terry discovered a few antique shops that he couldn't wait to take me to! Oh he was not kidding when he said my jaw would drop! Heart of Ohio Antiques did not fail to stop me in my tracks! I, oh'd and ah'd while we looked over thousands of items! I kid you not! It was so mind blowing! Things from the 1800's, Europe, Africa, Civil War, World War I and II! You name it I am almost certain they had it. After 2 hours we didn't finish going through the mall due to being extremely hungry and pooped. We did manage to go to another antique shop but it was nothing compared to the first.

Of course there are pictures!

Kalven was really into looking at everything, but like most 11 months old he quickly grew tired and cranky! LOL!

This booth is really "Plain!" LOL! Sorry I couldn't help myself!

Seriously?!  Cholorophyll gum! I know this didn't last long!

Pre-teens and Babies! Happy birthday!

I can't believe so much time has passed! Both of my babies will be celebrating a birthday next week.
Oh I know it's soon to wish them well but I have a few moments of quiet and I couldn't help myself.
Alex will be 12 and Kalven will be 1! Both on the 10th! I know what are the odds! Alex is cool with it now, though I know at the time she was upset. She did think if we have another one on the 10th of Sept. that would be weird. Of course she also believes Kalven is her mini minion since he was born on her birthday! LOL!

It is so wild to remember being preggers at this time last year. Dealing with enema's, making batches of Labor cookies, rubbing Castor Oil, Evening Primrose Oil on my private parts to induce labor naturally. We had the tub set up for the "Home birth" I wanted to have. Things don't always turn out the way we want them!

Funny thing is Alex herself was a baby that just didn't want to come down and join the world too! I never experienced a true labor in any of my 4 births. Weird huh? Sorry for rambling, but feeling sentimental.

We will be celebrating they're birthday's a bit early. Terry has been away for sometime and this will be a homecoming for him for the Labor Day weekend. Pretty excited all around!

TA-DA! Shrinky Dinks necklace reveal!

Ok! It's today! Here it is! I think next time I will cut the strips thinner. I used 7mm jump rings and I'm not overly thrilled about the way I ended up squeeshing it in the rings. I am still pretty happy with my latest creation!

I will have more patience and wait for the ink to dry or to dig out my hair dryer to speed things along next time. I would have liked more color. I'll play with it and see where it goes! I was thinking of bracelets but of course getting it to bend while it is still hot is important! I tried making a few but I have to scrap them or revamp because they are sooooooo small. LOL! Off to the drawing board!

Shrinky Dinks and me

Oh what fun I had with these growing up! Who didn't do Shrinky Dinks? Well if you didn't have the chance it's time to start a romance with this time treasured craft! Ok, so I've updated it a bit and still tweeking. I have upgraded since once using my colorbooks and waiting patiently with my nose almost glued to the little window, while I watched them magically twist, puff and turn!

You got it! I still do that! Well at least I'm less conspicous about it now...

I hauled out my rubber stamps, pads, hole punch and some sand paper. If I recalled back in the day if you colored your Shrinky Dinks the color would adhere better if you sanded the plastic first. So I did! I am not sure if I would do that again, but it did give a cool look to the finished product.

I stamped, colored a bit and then stuck them in the oven- 325 for 1 to 3 mins. And for giggles I threw in some cut and slice cookies! They did their magic and VIOLA! Of course I thought about it and realized what was I going to attach my creations to?

After careful thought, I raided my growing stash of t-shirts and sheared off a bit (1/2"). I choose blue and cream colored tee's. Oh and I added some lace for softness. I proceeded to hit my junk vintage jewelry pile, jump rings and needle nose pliers. After a bit of imagination I have a necklace! I'm pretty please with it. Tomorrow I will model my creation for you! I hope to make a few more for etsy. Have fun!

I used the Clear plastic, the store was out of the white but no worries. I'm happy with how they turned out!

Now I'm not a Stamper. I muddled my way through stamping. I only have black and brown for color. Wish I had gold or silver...

Forgot to take a picture before I threw them in the oven on the cookie sheet! Don't forget to add corn starch or a little flour so they don't stick. I'm thinking parchment paper should be ok to use, correct me if I'm wrong... They may get too sticky. Sounds like a science project!

I cut off the waist on my t-shirts so I didn't have to sew anything. Yes, I cheated! I used the arms to snag smaller circles to use for my bows.

Wondered when I was going to use this found fundangle!

A couple of vintage jewelry pieces that were calling out to me to use!

I ended up cutting the ends from my cream tee. I cut them for fringe on the ends. I really like how it turned out, but the true test will be tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Aging UGH!!

"How old is your grandson?"
"How many grandchildren do you have?"
"Is this your first grandchild?"

GGGRRRR FACE!!!

The horrible truth is that I am old enough to be a GRANDMA! UGH! I am not attacking anyone my age that is a Grandparent already, but I don't feel old yet. I feel silly to skip from time to time in public, sing out loud and dance in the aisle randomly! SIGH!

In my mind I still see my grandparents, greying/salt & pepper hair, slightly wrinkly and a fond smell of old person (not nasty just like older types of perfumes/cologne). NOT ME!





I went to the mall in Ohio and I, "OOOO'd and AAHHH'd" at several stores that I loved! I shuffled through the racks (I don't go shopping much except thrift stores, Walmart and if I'm feeling daring Target or fancy, Kohl's), I shuffle and shuffle and shuffle through racks and racks...

There are no sizes over size 10 in many of the stores. L or XL? Fat chance! No pun! HA!

My shoulders slumped over as I watched smooth, bouncy, no cellulite, or wrinkle teeny boppers squeak and squeal as they found the same shirt and other clothing that I sadly rummaged through.

I saw a few Mom's like me, wearing baggy clothes to hide that unsightly tummy and the bumps that seem to attack the back of my legs like tiny soldiers puffing up under my skin here or there. Hey, no it's not pretty! Stretch marks have taken over many parts of my body that I didn't know existed!

And what's with the hair that has sprouted up on it's own on my chin, face and half a dozen other places!

I went to Cinnabon to drown my woes of feeling old. Looking at my sleeping baby in his stroller, lucky for him that he isn't seeing me like this. When did I stop being cool? Where did those lines around my mouth come from? Those white hairs on my head seem to have popped up overnight! Crow's feet?! Heck I have a nest on the sides of my eyes! SIGH!

Oh and don't even get me started when I wave my arms. The arm jiggle is quite happy on my arms. EWWW!

My diet? I started the 17 day diet but stopped not only did I lose 6 days but I did read that it's not good to do while I'm nursing. Which brings me to my boobs! I bent over and saw them in the mirror and cringed! What the heck happened to those things? They used to be so smooth and perky...

So back to Ohio... I saw a gorgeous looking woman about my age, with flawless skin, boobs up to her neck (I'm sure they aren't real or she has never had kids), clothes that were crisp (no baby drool or stains from cleaning liquids), perfume and trendy. I threw out my Cinnabon, I totally lost my appetite.

I took both of us back to the car, dragging my emotional sorry butt to the hotel. And feeling so down for myself. I did bring a few dresses with to get dressed up for my favorite guy. I admit after a shower, crying, and feeling sorry for myself, I ended up feeling better. I checked myself out in the mirror and was happy with what I saw.

The dress covered the imperfections of my cottage cheese and the thigh rub thing I got going on. I had splurged a month ago and bought a push-up bra so the girls looked good! I added some powder to my face to help with the blotches that sprang up a few years ago, threw on some bling, heels and was out the door. I felt even better when I arrived to see him and he had the biggest smile on his face. And told me how good I looked. BIG CHEESY GRIN!

I mentioned the mini melt down later. Oh I left out several parts. I whined enough. I am getting older, I had my first toothache today, which means my first cavity, not bad considering I am 40. I decided to just let my hair go white or grey or whatever it wants to do. It's silly to see women in they're 60's, 70's or older with completely blond or dark hair. (How old is Nancy Pelosi?)

I will continue to exercise, it has been helping some. I would have to say that a tummy tuck is something I want to have after I'm done having children (One more please!). And possibly a boob job? That is still debatable!

So! When you see me next time, I promise not to think about my vanity or feel bad about growing older.

Just don't call me Grandma yet!

See who's walking!

Guess who's walking! TEEHEE! WAHOO! Of course in a few weeks I'll be more tired then I am now. LOL! And busy running after him! Just had to share!