May Round Up

So this month I started to blog daily again. I covered some of the ideas and tips subjects that I normally cover. With May coming to a close and June just around the corner. I hope that some of the tips and suggestions make sense and help you to become more prepared for what ever may or not come your way.

We all have to take the time to cook dinner and do the laundry, as my laundry alarm goes off on the washer. We also need to make the time to prepare our families for the what ifs in the world.

Take some time to think, plan and prepare. As June is coming for those on the east coast know that Hurricane season is starting up!

I thought I would list the names of the hurricane season for 2013.

Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dorian
Erin
Fernand
Gabrielle
Humberto
Ingrid
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa
Nestor
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy

Everyone take care! Be safe, Be smart, Be Strong and always keep smiling! 

Nutritional Idea for May

This months idea is start your dinner with a salad each night. You will feel fuller and eat less. This is the time of year you can get salad making vegetables cheap, and soon you will be able to harvest your vegetables from your own garden!

First aid Kit Idea

The First aid kit. We all have one. Well at least most people have band aids. Your 72 hour kit should have a small first aid kit. Most moms I know have a small first aid kit in their purse. It would be a good idea to have have a small first aid kit in your car.

We have a "big" first aid kit that has everything in it.. But I also have a a few smaller first aid kits that can be taken for day trips, road trips and for the house.

In each first aid kit it would be a good idea to have all the emergency numbers you may need. Not only 911, but poison control, family doctor, family dentist, hospital, work numbers, and family numbers. etc.

Put them all on a 3X5 card, make copies and add to the kits. (also post them in the house near a phone or on  the fridge)

Add to your kits a dollars worth of quarters, just in case you need to use a pay phone!

72 hour kit idea for May

This months 72 hour kit is maintaining your 72 hour kit and supplies. 

Just as important as it is putting together your supplies you need to maintain them as well so they are safe to use when needed. Here are a few tips to keep your supplies ready and in good condition.

Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is cool.

Store boxed food in tightly closed cover plastic or metal containers to protect from pests.

Throw out any canned goods that become swollen, dented, or corroded.

Use foods before they go bad, replace them with fresh supplies on a regular basis.

Change stored food and water supplies in your kits every six months. Write the date on your containers.

You should re think your needs every year and update your kit as your family needs and situations change. For example do you have a new baby, older relative living with you, a new dog, growing children, new medical needs, less people in the house.

Keep items in air tight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy to carry containers.

Check your bags, back packs and containers for damage. Check the straps, buckles, zippers, etc.

Check for spillage of water, and other liquids.

Check and protect your bags for rodents and other pests. You do not want to have to throw everything out due to mice.  

Keep your 72 hour kit in an easy to get to place, front closet of the home, garage, etc. You do not want to hide your kit in the back of a closet or up in the attic. Keep it where you can get to it in the event of an emergency.

Food Storage Recipe for May

This months Food Storage recipe is going to be for Non Food Items.

I have used these recipes for 6 months now. They are easy to make and really does not take up that much time.

FABRIC SOFTENER:
6 cups hot water (hot tap water is fine)
3 Cups White Vinegar
2 Cups Hair Conditioner

Add Water (hot) into container, add conditioner, mix up, add vinegar, mix well. Put into resealable container. Like your old fabric softener bottle. Add the same amount you would normally use in the rinse cycle. Yes you can use this in HE washers, As that is what I have. Shake before each use.

You can buy cheap hair conditioner, any smell you like. Works good.

LIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP:

1 bar of Soap (Fels Naptha)
1 cup of Borax
1 Cup of Super Washing soda
2 cups of water
4 gallons of water
5 gallon bucket with lid
old cheese grater, old pot, old wooden spoon, old whisk.


Grate soap bar using an old cheese grater, add to a pot, add 2 cups of water. heat on low, mix and stir unitl soap is melted and combines with water.

Pour Borax, and Super washing soda into the bucket and mix up. Add the hot soapy water from the pot and quickly mix and thoroughly. Add 1 gallon of water at a time to the mixture and stir, until you add 4 gallons. Mix up well. Cover and let sit OVERNIGHT! Uncover in the morning, mix up with a spoon or whisk until well blended and the "big" chucks are small. Add to smaller containers, like old laundry detergent bottles. Shake to mix up before use! Use only 1/2 cup per load! It will not suds up! You can use in HE washers as it will not hurt it, and you use less detergent for a load. 5 gallons of soap will last me 3 months, for less than $3.00.

(DO NOT USE BAKING SODA! WRONG ITEM!)

Memorial Day 2013

Monday May 27, 2013. Today is Memorial day.

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formally known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women, who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.

Please take a moment and remeber those that gave their lives for our country and for our freedoms!

 And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood

 We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.  ~Francis A. Walker

I want to thank all those who have served and died for our country. Thank you goes to the families that have lost a loved one while they were serving. 

Thrifty Tip for May

We all try to save a little money here and there. We all want to make every dollar count. Here are a few tips I got in an email and thought I would post them here along with a few of my thoughts added in. 

The best way to save money is not to waste anything!

• Don't use more water than you need (saving you the cost of the water and the heating of it). Turn the water off, fix leaky faucets, take quick showers, do only full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Don't waste food. For everything you throw out you are throwing dollars out the door. Use up left overs, or simply to not make too much food to be put in the fridge and left to be forgotten. Buy what you eat and eat what you store. Rotate your food, and nothing goes to waste.
• Don't run your car longer than it needs to be run (wasting gas). While waiting to pick someone up, do not just sit in the car with it running. Turn it off and wait. Most cars do not "need" to warm up before you drive other than a minute or two. No need to let it run for 5 or ten minutes to "warm" up. wear a coat if it is cold out!
• Do only full loads of clothes and if you use dryer sheets cut them into thirds. They still work the same but you save money. You can even make your own fabric softener for pennies. ( recipe to follow in another post)
• Same with laundry soap. Don't use more than you need and if you have to wash a smaller load of clothes adjust your water level and your soap amount. again make your own for pennies (recipe to follow in another post)
• Don't overfeed your pets. Don't overfeed yourself either. Follow your Vets advise on how much to feed Fido and Fluffy. Cut back on the treats too. Cut the treats in to pieces if you give treats. Dogs do not care how much they get, only that they are getting something.
• Turn out lights not being used and turn off tv's and stereos not being used. Turn off ceiling fans, and unplug appliances that you do not use that often.

Whats for Dinner

Whats for Dinner
This is what we had this past week:

Chicken breasts, Rice, Green Beans, Peaches.

Tacos

Pork Chops, Mac and Cheese, Peas, and Pears

Pizza

Catfish, Fries, Salad, and Fruit Cocktail

Pork Butt, Baked Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables (carrots, celery, onions), Strawberries

Home Made Chili, Brats, Cornbread, Salad.

Preparedness Idea

Preparedness Idea for May is something most people do not want to think about, but really need to. Do you have a plan if your family is separated in different parts of the city during severe emergencies, ie Earthquake, Tornado, Fire, etc? 

Does your family know of where to meet, where to go, how to try to make contact? Does your family know who to call out of the area, out of state to check in and relay information for you? Do they know the number, not just stored in a cell phone?

Just a few thoughts.

Just a quick thought

Just want to say, many thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the tornadoes that hit and affected so many people.

Be safe, be smart, be thankful. Life can change in an instant. Hug your loved ones, make a call to family and friends, send a note or card to tell your family you love them and are thinking of them.

My heart goes out to so many.

As always prepare the best you can. Know what can happen where you live. Life is life. We all deal with different things. How you prepare can make a difference.

As I was watching the news, so many people were hoping to find family pictures. Take the time, scan and save even your old pics. Put them on a flash drive, disc, make copies and give to other family members. Everyone wants the old family pictures and when they find some they are so happy. Plan and prepare now to have them already saved.

This goes for documents, pictures of your home, things in your home, cars, insurance policies. Birth, death certificates. Make copies, scan and save. Put these items somewhere safe.

Good luck and best wishes to those affected. You are in our hearts and thoughts.

Pet Idea for May

 Pet Idea for the month of May. this month I thought it would be a good idea to cover something that is very basic when it comes to pets. You really need to have collars and tags on your dogs and cats. Having them Micro-chipped is even better.

Why you ask? My dog does not leave my yard, or the cat never gets out of the house. Truth be told, they all escape at one point or another. If you ever have a lost dog or cat, and were out looking for the pet. You know the stress it causes until you find your lost pet. Knowing that if someone found your dog or cat and could call you would make it that much easier.


In our neighborhood there is this one dog who escapes all the time. This little very old dog "never" gets out. The owners do not have a collar on the pet. The pet is not micro-chipped. I have had to call animal control to come get the dog two times in less than a year. Now if the owners had a collar with even just their phone number we could of called and given their dog back many hours early. This also would of saved the owners fees at animal control and the no kill shelter until the owners are found.

Our dog, Ruby, if she gets out she runs, she gets hooked on a smell and she will not give it up. Each time she escapes a 6 foot fenced yard, we have been able to track her and find her in a short amount of time. Each time we are put at lease just a bit because she does have all her tags, including her vanity tag with her name and phone number to reach us. She is also micro-chipped so if she is picked up by animal control they can scan her and bring her home.

Random Thought

 Random thought here:

So today my soon to be son in law was getting for a wedding he was going to. He went to get on his dress shoes and guess what happened. His shoe laces broke. I kind of chuckled at him and  went to the closet and got out extra shoe laces. the right size and the right color. He looked at me, like one you saved me and the puzzled look of how did you know I was going to need them?

So this months random thought is buy extra shoe laces for shoes, boots and such. They are cheap enough to have around. Put them into a basket, or shoe box, labeled of course. You can also keep shoe polish, and such in the same box.

There are days that you have to polish those shoes and replace those shoe laces. Having everything in the same place and know where it is can be a time saver and can take away one less headache.

Spiritual Idea for May

 Spiritual idea: Now we all can be more Spiritual in our own ways. Everyone has the right to choose how they believe. I do not want to preach to anyone! So my Spiritual Ideas will be ways to be better people that can even fall in to the category of being a good human being and being a productive person in not only your own life, but the lives of other around you.

We all know what values are, we all have grown up learning the difference between right and wrong. We get our values from our parents, school, friends, neighbors, church, media, books, and well in all reality we get our values from all over. What we each individually choose to embrace and add to our personal lives and what means to each of us, is what defines us as individuals, and the people we choose to become.

This month I will cover the value of Responsibility. The definition of Responsibility is 

1. The state, quality, or fact of being responsible.

2. Something for which one is responsible; a duty, obligation, or burden.

We all need to be responsible for not only our lives but the lives of others around us. Not only in our daily lives are we needed and should be responsible, we need to show and teach others how to be responsible. We all hope that our children will be responsible when they grow up. Well they will be if you teach them and guide them on how to become responsible. We all know grown adults who are NOT responsible in any way. Hoping that as people grow up they will ":BECOME" that responsible adult will not happen. It is a learned Value. 

 Take responsibility for your actions. If you are always blaming being late on the driver in the car in front of you, blaming your boss for your troubles at work or blaming your parents for any perceived shortcomings, your children will learn the same behavior. Take a good look at your habits when it comes to taking – or shifting – responsibility.

 Give your kids responsibility. Whether it is doing the laundry, helping with the dinner dishes, taking care of a family pet, or walking to school with a younger sibling or neighbor, it is healthy for kids to develop responsibility at a young age. Make sure they are accountable and reward good behavior with praise and celebration.

 "To decide, to be at the level of choice, is to take responsibility for your life and to be in control of your life".
Abbie M. Dale -

 

 We all have to take the responsibility of our own lives. This also means that we have to prepare for anything that many come, meaning we have to get our affairs in order. Pay our bills, do the laundry, cook dinner daily things. But this also means that we have to get our emergency kits in order. In the event of an emergency you have to be responsible for family and be able to go 3 days up to two weeks, or longer with out "help", you have to do it no one else will. This means you need to learn a few things you may not know. You have to take the responsibility to do things for yourself. Learn and prepare. Start off little but learn and put things in order for any event that come into your lives. There are many websites, books and videos on the subject.

Responsibility's like a string we can only see the middle of.  Both ends are out of sight.  ~William McFee, Casuals of the Sea, 1916

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.  ~John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

 

Budget 101 Idea for May

 The Budget 101 idea for the month of May is really easy and takes little to no time to do. Spend some time on the weekend and make up for your family to enjoy through out the week for that home cooked breakfast we all want to give to our families. What is I say to make this weekend.....

Waffles! yes I said it Waffles. Make your own waffles from scratch and freeze them in individual servings and toast in the toaster. Waffles are easy to make and taste so good! There are many waffle recipes out there, use your favorite. The best waffle recipes I have found and use is when you separate the eggs and beat the egg whites and fold them in last. But that is my opinion. 

Here is a recipe I have used. 

One of the Best Waffle Recipes:

1 1/3 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 3/4 cups milk

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients.

2. Separate the eggs, adding the yolks to the dry ingredient mixture, and placing the whites in a small mixing bowl.
3. Beat whites until moderately stiff; set aside.
4. Add milk and melted butter to dry ingredient mixture and blend.
.5 Fold stiff egg whites into mixture.
6. Ladle mixture into hot waffle iron and bake

Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy! 

Storage Idea for May

We all have a hard time finding a place for every thing. the closets are not big enough, there are not enough shelves for everything. The kitchen will not hold all the items I have. I know the story. I thought I had a big kitchen with lots of cupboards and lots of space. Then I go and fill it up with food, and dishes. you know the basic stuff we all have in our kitchens.

One thing I have learned to do over the years is when I go shopping, we call it big shopping one a month to every six weeks. When we come home we have to find a place to put everything. Well the tip for this month is when putting food away in your cupboards put the same type of food in the same area or cupboard. Put all the fruits together, as well as all the vegetables. Keep the pastas in the same area and not all over the kitchen. Keep the flour, sugar, and other baking items in the same location as well.

One reason is to know what you have at a glance. Second is you only have to go to one cupboard to get items for say baking and not have to go here, then go there to gather up all your baking supplies. Also makes for easier clean up, off to one cupboard and not two or three. 

It is spring time, clean and re organize you cupboards and your pantry. This is the best time to take every thing out, wipe down the cupboards, check for pests and discard old stuffs and find the empty boxes taking up space. Then put every thing of alike food stuffs away in the same area. Label the inside of the cupboards for what goes where. Some people label the outside the choice is yours. That way when you have "helpers" they know where things go when put away.

This is a simple but easy way to find extra room in your kitchen and your kitchen pantry.

Camping idea for May

The Camping Idea for May is something to add to your Camping supplies. They are cheap and do not take up a lot of room. You can use them for many things. Add some good quality clothespins to your camping gear.

 The little clothespin has so many uses. Not only can you use them to hang up clothes to dry. You can use them to hold close bread bag, chip bags, marshmallow bags! You can use them to keep the table cloth from flying away. Use the clothespins and a sharpie for a name tag. Hang up a sign, use them to keep paper napkins, or paper plates from flying away in the wind just clip a few together. You can hold a match with a clothes pin to light the fire, or candles. You can even use a clothespins for a safety pin or even use it to hold up your hair.


There are so many uses for clothespins. It is silly not to have them in your camping supplies. As you go you will find new ways to use these little buggers! 

Safety idea for May

This months idea is to know what your children are doing on the internet. Know what they are doing on their cell phones and smart phones. Know what apps they are using. know what pictures they are sharing and with whom!  Talk with your kids and be proactive in the screen time that they have!

Many things, twitter, facebook, instagram, and other social sites you should check your privacy settings, and know who can and can not see what you are doing. Keep things private and know who your friends are!

Childrens Corner Idea for May

With Memorial Day this month here is a fun craft to do with the kids,

American Flag Beaded Safety Pin.

Children are good at making this American flag beaded safety pin craft because it takes dexterity and a fine eye to thread the little seed beads on the pin.  I have found it can keep an older child busy for quite awhile!  An adult may need to help thread the beaded pins onto the larger pin, which can be tricky at first.

Things Needed:

• 12 size 2 safety pins
• 1 size 3 safety pin
• Seed beads in red, white, and blue
• Pliers
• Flat headed tool, like a screwdriver

1.   Start your American flag beaded safety pin by following the bead pattern shown below right. Each column on the pattern represents one of the size 2 safety pins, with red, white, or blue beads threaded on it. Begin with the color on the top of the pattern, and thread that bead on the safety pin first. You may find some beads have an opening that is too small for the pin, but most should fit. When you are finished loading the beads, close each pin. Continue with each pin, following the pattern. Below the pattern photo is a text version of the pattern in case you cannot see the photo.

 

Text Version of Pattern:

    Pins are going left to right;  the bead order is the bottom bead first and moving up,     the same way you would thread it on to the pin.

Pin 1:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 7 blue
Pin 2:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 7 blue
Pin 3:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 7 blue
Pin 4:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 7 blue
Pin 5:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 7 blue
Pin 6:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red
Pin 7:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red
Pin 8:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red
Pin 9:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red
Pin 10: 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red
Pin 11:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red
Pin 12:  1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red, 1 white, 1 red

2.   Take your large safety pin, and open it. Using a flat head screwdriver, wedge the flat head in between the safety pin loop at the bottom of the pin. Once inserted, twist the screwdriver to pry the loop open a little, as shown. The goal is to be able to have enough room to allow each #2 safety pin to be threaded through this loop to the other side.

                     


3. Thread each #2 safety pin's loop onto the big safety pin. Thread it around the large pin's loop to get it onto the other side of the pin. This way, when you wear the pin, none of the pins will slide off. This is a little harder than it looks. You may need to experiment with the #2 safety pin orientation at first, but once you get the hang of it you will be putting on the safety pins in the right direction and order easily. When you are all done, use some pliers to scrunch down the big safety pin's loop tight again.  You are all ready to wear your American flag beaded safety pin!

    

 

Here is the website I found the instructions on! Enjoy! 

http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/American-flag-beaded-safety-pin.html

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Today Is May 10, Today is Military Spouse day! Thank the families and those that serve our country today.


Military Spouses Day is a day to recognize and honor the real backbone of the military..... the spouses of our soldiers. This day recognizes the contributions made by military spouses to the spirit and well being of soldiers and military communities. Where would military moral be without their spouses behind them?

Military Spouses Day was created by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger established the Friday before Mother’s Day as Military Spouses Day.  The Spouses of those that serve do a wonderful job of supporting and doing things by themselves when their spouse is deployed. It takes a special type of person to be married to a someone in the military. With out the spouse keeping things going at home, the person who serves could not do their job when they are deployed.

To all the wives and husbands and significant other Thank you for all you do, all you give up and for keeping strong!

Our house has become a haven for military wives, and those that serve that need a "home" away from home and a "family" away from their own families. We are happy to open our home to them. We listen and support them any way we can. Being a military family takes a special bread of people and we thank you!

 

Canning Idea for May

Canning Idea

Plan now and buy extra measuring cups and measuring spoons to be used just for canning. As any canner knows you never have enough to go around. Store these extra measuring cups and measuring spoons with your water bath canner, just place them inside.

Family Time idea for May

Family time idea for this month is Have a family movie night. Pick a movie the whole family will enjoy. Pop some popcorn, and get comfy and enjoy a movie together. You can pick a documentary to learn something or just watch a fun comedy and laugh together.Talk about the favorite part in the movie. Most important thing is enjoy the evening with your family!

Garden Idea for May

This months Garden Idea is plan and grow one new vegetable in your garden this year. If all you can do is buy a plant and put it in a planter, then try it. Watch it grow and harvest the vegetable. We all have our favorites that we grow every year. Have you tried a new Tomato variety? How about a new herb?

May Non Food Item to store

We all have food, of some kind stored away for emergencies. We all have water stored away too, well I hope most people do. This is Non Food items to think about storing.

This month since this item will be on sale for the up coming holidays this is the time of year to buy them.
paper plates, paper bowls, plastic knives, plastic forks, plastic spoons, paper cups.

 Why buy these items and have them on hand? In an Emergency you do not have to do dishes, you can burn, or throw away. You can save your water you have stored when you do not have to do dishes. You do not have to heat up water and waste energy to heat up said water. Have you ever had a boil order for your water in your area, and can not use the water for a few days? Has there ever been a time the water was off due to a water main break and you are with out water for a while? Have you ever had people show up and needed to serve extra people for dinner, or serve dessert? Paper plates and plastic forks is the way to go!

Of course paper products are good for the short term emergency. You can never store enough for long term. One day you will have to do dishes again. I know people who use nothing but paper plates and plastic forks etc all the time. It works for them, to me it is a waste of money.

Yes I have paper products in my home for large parties, and for the emergency uses. If you have not stored any paper products you may want to think about doing so. Along with your 72 hour mess kits.

Quote of the Month

 

"There are no emergencies for those who are truly prepared."

James Talmage Stevens

This is so true! Prepare and you can handle anything!