It's Just A Number...And Mine Is Unlisted!!!!

One of the ladies in the "39 year old row" at church said that about her 90th birthday and I thought it was just great!

On November 18th, our son and his lady were in the area for her family's Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner which was held on Sat the 17th.

They waited to return to Kansas so that we could have lunch together to celebrate the anniversary of my 29th birthday.  Not gonna tell you how many times I have celebrated my 29th birthday, but it has been a few!  :)

We all met up in Columbia, MO at Red Lobster--Gman Jr, His Lady T, my mom and dad, Gman and myself.  Our son is 30, but when he turned the same 29 years old as me, I gave him permission to stay 29 also.    It just gets weird when your son is older than his mother!

We stayed an extra long time chatting since Gman Jr and his Lady T were headed back to KS right after lunch.  It was the perfect birthday lunch and present!

When we got up to leave, my mom fell over backwards on the floor.  This was unusual for her since when she falls, it tends to be forward.  

Mom said that when she got up, it felt as if her legs and feet had gone to sleep and just didn't hold her.  When she was again standing, she held onto the table for a bit until she felt her legs and feet would hold her and then we laughed it off and left to say goodbye to our son and his lady and to head back to our home.

A wonderful birthday with family!  And a surprise visit from our son!  What could be better!  The perfect gift!

The next morning, I received a call from my father that he was getting his breakfast when my mom began to scream in the bedroom.  Upon entering the bedroom, dad couldn't understand anything that my mom was yelling.  She squirmed off of the bed backwards where she slid off onto the floor when her legs wouldn't hold her up and she could not move.

Dad called the paramedics.

And then me.

Perfect!  Just as he should have done!

They took her to the hospital where it was determined she had a stroke.

After testing, it was determined that it was a massive bleed in her head--and thus a massive stroke.

Later testing showed that she has had a small hole in her heart--probably since birth--which wouldn't have ever caused a problem healthwise.  

However, in this case, she had a small blood clot that found it's way into her heart and through that little hole and up into her brain causing the bleed/stroke.  The doctor said that was the only way that the clot could have gotten into her brain.  A very slim chance happening.

The doctor said that my mother, who was just sleeping and couldn't move her right leg, arm or speak may never get better.  The next 24 hours would determine what her body decided to do with the tissue surrounding the damaged area in her brain.  Would the surrounding tissue die or begin to regenerate?

Well, mom is a tough lady!  

She began to get better the next day and while she could only say yes or no, the tissue appeared to have decided to regenerate--or at least try.  Many prayers of many people around the country--both friends and family--were doing their work.  

God was answering that she would begin to heal!

Day by day mom was getting better.  First she could put a couple of words together and then she could move her foot and stand.  Her hand still didn't work but things were happening.

Mom was transferred to the rehabilitation hospital on Thanksgiving day where they would be working with her to strengthen and encourage the healing that had begun.  

Gman, dad and I ate our Thanksgiving dinner at Ponderosa which was located next to the hospital and was having a Thanksgiving buffet for lunch.  It was a good lunch and then off to the hospital to await the ambulance's arrival with mom.

The people at the rehab hospital were wonderful and well prepared to receive her.   They were upbeat and really set the tone for recovery!  Wonderful!  

I can definitely recommend DePaul Rehabilitation Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

We celebrated mom's birthday at the Rehab hospital a few days later with a sugar free cake, a divine chocolate cake and a fruit tray.  Gman, dad and I got there with the food and a bouquet of flowers and later, my brother Tom and his wife Nina and their daughter Heather and her hubby Matt came over to celebrate mom's birthday, too.

Mom finally was able to return home on Dec 12th.  She was able to walk with a walker around the house and she is talking in sentences--sometimes slowly, but talking and able to converse.  Her hand is working better all of the time, though still will take some time to strengthen.

All in all, she is a miracle from that day on Nov 19th when we were told that she may not even survive and if she did, may be vegetative for her remaining days--to walking through the house with her walker and talking with us!  

Our Thanksgiving miracle!

So, just in case you were wondering where in the heck I have been hiding--now you know!

Emergency 72 Hour Kit To The Rescue!

First, let me say that this doesn't have to do with Sandy, but I do want to say to everyone affected by Sandy that our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.  

I also want to encourage everyone to donate to the people who are in need due to the storms.  Gman and I have many friends and aquaintances in the Hudson Valley and NYC and want to help.  

When our small town in Kansas was flooded on Halloween night in 1999 and 900 families lost their homes, a group by the name of  International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) came to the community after FEMA and the Red Cross and other organizations had left.  IDES helped people of the community during the rebuilding phase to replace much needed appliances, vacuums and other essentials that seem to fall through the cracks for completing the long process to putting down roots in their own homes once again.  Please consider what you can help with.  If IDES receives more than is needed for this disaster, they will use it for the next one.  However you decide to help--thank you!

Now, back to my story...

G-man and I headed out to Kansas to visit family, friends and to see our doctors at the end of October.  We had several paperwork items and had to make Rocky and Tank legal.  In case you missed the info about Rocky, you can meet him here...

After purchasing Rocky, we had to have something to pull him, so we purchased Tank--a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 with a Hemi.  We needed the horsepower and wheel base when we went from Little Blue at 3,800 lb gross weight to Rocky at 7,800 lb gross weight.  I have to admit that I really like the Hemi--perhaps not so much at the gas pump, but in the power department.  :)

You know, I forgot to take a picture of the two together!  How bad am I?????

As with most of our adventures, our maiden voyage was not without it's interesting times.

We were supposed to meet my niece and her 2 year old son in KC.  They live in the southwest and just happened to be visiting relatives in KC.  We were going to meet for lunch.  

But, Gman was working until 11:00 so we couldn't get there in time.

Then, we decided that no problem, we would meet them for afternoon snack.  Somewhere between 2:00 and 3:00.

Until we were flagged over by a car.  One of the tires had gone flat on the camper.  So, we called AAA (thankful that I decided to spring for the RV/Camper coverage this year!) and then limped slowly to the exit that was just about 1 mile ahead.  We thought we would find a gas station where we could pull over and have plenty of room for the AAA truck to work.  

Nope...

The exit contained, uh, NOTHING!  A defunct old time gas station and what appeared to be a livestock sale barn--chained and padlocked.  So, we sat on the exit ramp and waited.

My phone rang and the tow driver asked where we were located.  I told him and he had driven past and was turning around.

My phone rang again.  Tow driver again.  Where are you?  I told him.

WHICH highway are you on?  I told him...

We went through several things only to discover that he was in Kansas and I was in Missouri!  He was on the western side of Kansas---6 hours away.  

Okay.

So, eventually, after about 3 hours, a local truck arrived and changed the tire to the spare--the spare was only 30 lbs of pressure--should have been 50 lbs--who really thinks to check the spare????  Okay--maybe you, but not me.  I will now...

Anywho, he aired up the spare and we were off to meet my niece.  We finally connected at 6:00.  It was so good to see her and her son!

Then, on we went to Wichita, arriving at USI Campground about 11:00 p.m.  We drove in, didn't worry about being level, plugged in the electricity, opened the slideouts and dropped into bed.  Ahhhhhh....

Lovely!

Then we realized that the dogs had not been fed all day.  Poor guys! 

And then I realized that I forgot to pack the dog food!  The dogs had NO FOOD!!!!!  

And the store that I buy their food at was closed...

Then, I remembered that I always carry 72 hours kits in the vehicles for the Vehicle, People and Pets.

I headed out to the truck and got one of the vacuum sealed bags of food (enough for one day) from the dog's 72 hour kit and had happy dogs.  

I just take enough food for 1 day for the dogs and put it in a Foodsaver bag, vacuum seal it, label it with names and date and throw it in the kit for the dogs.  I usually do about 2 days worth out of each bag of food when I purchase it.  That way I build up a stash without breaking the bank all at once.  


I made a note to add a few vacuum sealed bags of food to the camper stash for the dogs too.   Just in case... 

Saved by the 72 hour kit!  They're not just for natural disasters!

Do you have YOUR kit?  With winter arriving shortly, please get one put together for your vehicle--just in case!

Need a list?  You can find them all over blogland.  A good place to begin would be the Red Cross which includes lists for home, work, car, pets and people with special needs.  Then, add items as you think of them to personalize the kits to your needs.  You can buy a kit or just start putting one together.

I found that Misty Marsh's blog is really good if you would like to follow her in a week by week plan to put a kit together.  Week 1 starts here...  She is on Week #3 right now, so just jump in and join along.  It's easy and fast to get your items together.  She has the week by week kit project going and then starts over when it is complete so that you can be sure that you have included everything that you need if you missed something.

I keep a 24 hour kit in my purse.  You could begin with something similar to that and work up from there. 

At the very least add some blankets, sand or kitty litter, shovel, power bars and snacks and bottles of water along with some first aid items to the car in case you skid off the road and need to wait for help.  Anything is better than nothing!

Take care!

Have you used your 72 hour kit?

Meet Rocky...

We have been contemplating an addition to our family and yesterday as we were out and about, we decided to just "take a look".  

Yep...

Just-Take-A-Look...

HAH!  HAH!

We drove off of the highway to Loveall's RV near Columbia, MO (where we purchased Little Blue a couple of years ago--okay about a year and a half ago) just to look and see what was out there--not planning to get anything for a year or two, but wanting to look and plan.

That's what I thought anyway...

We saw a few nice units.  Looked at new ones, used ones, old ones, more recent ones.

And Then...

Rocky caught our eye!

For all of you who don't know me, I name everything.
My vehicles,
My pets,
My computers,
My campers.
So, this is Rocky...

Rocky is a 2008 Rockwood Signature Ultralite about 30 ft long with TWO slides!  Yay!  One is a superslide.

Would you like a little tour?  These are from the dealer website, so not my photos, btw.

Walk in the main door on the right in the picture above and you enter the coach with the breakfast bar and stools to your left.  Stop, pull up a stool and talk to the cook--or have a snack!  It's hard to see, but there are 4 drawers there at the end of the bar and cabinets above the bar!  Mama LIKES storage for SURE!  The sink has the cover on it in the picture, but it is a double sink in brushed nickel.  You can see the stove and oven in front of the window there and above them is the microwave.  I know--hard to see...sorry!

To the right as you come in the door is the conversation area with two swivel rockers if you prefer comfort after the chat at the kitchen breakfast bar.  Nice storage above too...And see the speakers for the surround sound there?

In the SuperSlide is the loveseat (pulls out into a bed) 

and the dinette (here you can see it made up into a bed) along with the entertainment center.

Across from the dinette and loveseat is the kitchen--You saw the kitchen sink and stove area in the picture with the breakfast bar...Isn't that fridge pretty with the wooden panels?  And closest to you is the pantry with the little round knob there.  I was amazed at the storage...

On the other side of the Entertainment Center wall is the bathroom.  Look!  It has a potty!  Imagine that!  And a corner shower...and a linen cabinet above the loo...

And how about this?  A DOUBLE sink!  With two medicine cabinets, under sink cabinets and a row of drawers for all of the wonderful junk that we gals need to carry to make us look, uh, beautiful--yeah--that's it!  Beautiful!  ;-)  Or to store plenty of TP so as not to run out..

 You can't see this in the pix, but there are real doors on either side of the bathroom.  You know, the kind with a knob and everything!  There is one to the bedroom and one to the coach area.  Makes it nice if there are ever visitors traveling with us (or when Gman gets all nocturnal and goes out to the living room to watch TV in the middle of the night).

And here is the bed.  It is in a slide out as well, so it gives more room to move around in the room (and dare I say, room for our 160 lb Tank the pony dog to sleep on the floor in the same room).  There is a cabinet above the bed for stuff.  I like to use those cabinets for my books (kindle), glasses and the remote control and perhaps a snack or bottle of water...    You know--the important stuff!  You can see the baby flat screen layng on the bed there.  That gray square thing.  It is tiny, but then the room isn't exactly enormous.  We do have a 19 inch tv that we will probably put in there (we used it in Little Blue).

The TV sits here--on the dresser.  You can't really tell in this picture, but there are three doors in the dresser for hanging clothes and 2 nice big drawers under the doors for storage.  Also, under the TV is 3 drawers and there are two more large drawers at the end of the bed.  You can also lift the mattress on the bed and store goodies under the mattress.  I am in storage nirvana here folks!  I have had houses that didn't have this much storage!  You can also see the second exit door next to the dresser.  Nice if there is ever an emergency!

 So, Rocky just called to us.  He is a good fit for our needs.  We are trading Little Blue for the bigger Rocky.  Little Blue has been great and we have enjoyed our time with him, but it is time for something a bit bigger to keep the Mother Ship company.

I can't wait to take Rocky on the shake down trip in October!  

There is a lot to do between now and then, but I can't wait!  What fun!  I'll let you know how it goes!   :) 

Thirty-Two and Counting...

Thirty-Two Years Ago Today...


Amidst pomp and ceremony, satin and lace, tulle and roses, I married the man that I loved.

How can you NOT love a man in long tails????

Oh, and the preacher?  My brother Terry...

My brother Tom walking my mom down the aisle.  Somewhere a VW is missing some seat covers!  LOL

Me and my dad!  

Then off to Noah's Ark in the Honeymoon suite

(since razed)

And on to Silver Dollar City...

I caught him!  hehe!  Wait--NO--He caught ME!!!!  ;-)

And Marvel Cave...

In a shirt that proclaimed I'm with Her in a heart....

You know, with the heat records we are setting right now with days over 100 and over 90, we are tying the heat records set in 1980.  I didn't remember heat records in 1980...

I only remember HIM...

It's been a wild ride through many states and more than 30 houses...

Strange that I am still only 29!

Happy Anniversary Honey!!!!  I'd do it again...

Payday--YAY!!!

Yesterday was payday!  Yay!  We always like payday.  We head to the larger towns around to shop and eat out.  Yay!

Yesterday, we tried Culver's.  I have never been to one but recently heard about them and their famous "butterburgers".  Gman asked, "What's a butterburger?"  Don't know--let's try them!

So, in we went--Gman somewhat reluctantly and me full steam ahead (normal for us!--me being the crazy one and all!)

They were tasty and Gman LOVED the fries!  We decided it was very much like Braum's which we really enjoyed but haven't been to in a while--and haven't seen in this area.  A fine start.

At Sam's Club I think I actually squealed when I was looking for something else and came across some Organic Quinoa!  (pronounced keenwa)   At least Gman looked at me like he was trying to decide if he should rush me to the psych ward or just put me in a straight jacket so I must have squealed!  hehe!

I have been eating Quinoa for a while now.  Several people have asked what in the world it is and several have told me that they tried it and really didn't care for it.

Well, first, it is a seed not a grain and it is packed with nutrition from amino acids to high protein!  Though I am not a granola cruncher, I have to eat 60-90 grams of protein per day so I am always trying to find ways to add protein and Quinoa is really good for that.  It is also naturally gluten free--for those of you who are watching that.

You use Quinoa like rice.  It is a bit nutty in flavor--more like Basmati Rice (which I LOVE).  It cooks quickly--at least quicker than rice--and I like to make a pot and then dish it out with some cinnamon, sugar (told you I wasn't a granola cruncher!) or honey (!) and some coconut milk (or regular milk).  Yum!  That is my fav way to eat white rice as well!  Could make rice pudding with this or use it in a pilaf or any way that you would normally use rice--soups, stuffed peppers, you name it!

Some people have said that they tried it and didn't like it because it was very bitter.  Yes.  You have to rinse Quinoa until the water runs clear to remove the coating on the seed or it will taste bitter.  A plus on the Quinoa from Sam's, it is pre-rinsed and ready to use!  Yay!  AND it was 2 lb for just over $4!  Yay!  I was getting it at the amish store for just under 2 lb at $7.75.  Find it by the rice.

So, with another little stash of Quinoa, I headed for the ZipFizz.  Unfortunately, they only had grape or orange.  I was looking for Pink Lemonade and the Berry Flavor.  This is like Gatorade.  One of these tubes is the same as 3-32 oz gatorades with only 30 calories for the whole tube!!!!!  I have had this late in the evening and not had trouble sleeping.  In this weather (100 degrees daily for what seems like a year, but has only been a couple of months so far (!) and more coming!!!!) I really need to replace electrolytes but the Gatorade just has so much sugar and is kind of expensive too!  This replaces the electrolytes and carries in my purse much more easily than 3-32 oz bottles of Gatorade would for sure!  And at just under $1 per tube is much more economical than Gatorade.

So, I got some grape and this morning ordered the Pink Lemonade and the Berry from Samsclub.com.  They will arrive in 3-5 days.

When I got home, I ran down to some friends house to deliver something that I picked up for them at Sam's.  They had my local honey.  Yum!  Nothing like honey from the hive!   Rich and dark (although it looks darker in this picture than in real life).

So, all in all, a good day!

Just to let you know--I didn't get paid or reimbursed for the above--these are just a few things that I really like and was excited to find!

It's been a while--I know.  This heat has really gotten to me.  Of course, since I have been Miss No Energy I also haven't been cooking to eat right which has probably compounded it.  So TIRED of this heat!!!!!!  So THANKFUL for a/c!!!!!!!

Since I only lost 5 lbs in the last 5 weeks (should have been more like 10!!!!!) I know I need to get back on the protein and off of the ice cream!  LOL

So, less ice cream and more quinoa pudding!   Yum!!!!!  And I am going to be using the honey for a new recipe which I will share with you if it turns out well...

Until later....

What's In YOUR Wallet--Or Why I Carry A Purse...

Joining Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Wednesday Blog Hop

Today I am going to share something with you that I don't normally share with people.  It is time to clean out the  luggage purse and replace anything out of date or used.


Why?


Well, some will think I'm crazy.  Some will think I'm smart.  Some will just not think anything at all, I suppose.  Some don't like to think of things like emergencies--it isn't comfortable.


But, I am coming out of the purse today...

I carry this in my suitcase purse...

What is this?  


This is a 24+ hour Emergency Kit that I put together.


Why?


Let's harken back to snowmageddon in the winter of 2010.  For the first time in history I-70 was totally closed all the way across Missouri.  That is from KC to St. Louis.  And actually beyond to IL and KS on either side.  The snow was deep and the road crews couldn't keep up with it.  People had to stay put where ever they were at the time--be it at work or home or at the nearest hotel (if available) or shelter--even their cars.  Even the news crews were stuck at work!  The film they put together in this area (to the music of Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice) was too funny!  They were all camped out at the station using baby wipes for bathing and wishing for sleeping bags--and a change of clothes.  What about Hurricanes and fires of recent years that displace people?


Things happen--in the winter--in the summer--in spring and fall storm seasons--that leave us unable to get home for one reason or another and if that happens, it's good to have some sort of gear and a plan to help us survive whether it is earthquakes, tornadoes, ice and snow storms, floods, fires on the plains and prairies, mountains or valleys, nuclear plants--you name it.


In that vein, this is my 24 hour kit--meant to get me through 24 hours at a minimum so that I can get to my car or home which will yield more supplies.


Let's look shall we?


*First, you see the stainless steel water bottle.  Non reactive and dark (important later).

*Attached is a carabiner.  These little guys are good for everything from holding things together to tying lighting up so you have your hands free.  1,001 uses.
*Attached to the carabiner is a small but powerful LED flashlight.  This little guy has a really bright light for a little thing.  I keep the batteries backwards so that it doesn't wear them down over time.
*Swiss Army Knife.  Contains screw drivers (phillips and flat), cork screw, scissors, can opener, nail file, tweezers and of course a knife blade.
*Whistle with magnifying glass, compass and thermometer.  Used to get attention, find your direction and well, know how warm or cold it really is and be able to make things larger if need be--like splinters.
Inside:  (are you ready????)

*3 coffee filters wrapped around a 
*pair of latex gloves with a 
*rubber band.  Coffee filters will allow you to filter water with sediment into the bottle.  Just put the filter on the neck of the bottle, use the rubber band to secure and poor water through the filter into the bottle to remove sediment.  3 filters--3 bottles of water.  Rubber bands are always helpful for other things as well.  Latex gloves for use on wounds or when touching or handling bio hazards or dirty items.  The coffee filters around them insure that the gloves will not get holes in them from being bumped around with all of the other stuff in the bottle.
*Insect repellent--with Deet--keeps mosquitos away and repels other insects while sleeping--ticks, chiggers, fleas---
*Iodine tabs or other tabs to make water potable.  Write directions on the outside of the packet so you know what to do.  These require that you put the tab into the water an leave in a dark place for 4 hours to sterilize.  Now you know the reason for the solid bottle.  Keeps it dark even in broad daylight so disinfectant can work.
*Panti Liners--These are great to use as a large bandage if needed for a larger cut or abrasion (hold with duct tape), use on pantie area when clean panties are not available, etc.
*Band aides--you know what to use these for.  Also great for areas where shoes are rubbing.
*Couple of tubes of sterile Liquid Skin.  Can be used to pull cuts together or as super glue.
*Neo To Go--Antiseptic spray and this has a topical pain reliever in it as well.
*Small medicine vial holds OTC meds--Tylenol (pain relief does not thin blood), ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory), anti-gas and antidiarrheal, tums-  
*Small medicine container holds 3 days of prescription meds plus antihistamine and decongestant.  Many prescriptions need to be taken everyday--or dire side effects will become evident quickly!  So, have extras!
*Needle case with sewing needles.  Used to remove splinters or make repairs to garments or even sew a wound.
*Sewing kit with buttons, safety pins, needle threader, thread.  Can be used to mend clothing, hold straps together and even suture cuts.
*True Lemon and True Lime.  These help with the taste of the water after sterilization (which can be rather unpalatable) 

*Alcohol Prep Pads--clean and disinfect wounds, use if injections (like insulin) are needed, etc.  Make great fire starters in a pinch too.
*Moist wipes--clean your hands, spit bath, clean cuts and scrapes--you name it, it will clean it.  I use these all the time and have to keep replacing them!  If needed, they can be reused for washing face and neck and staying cool by rinsing with water.

~~~~

*String.  Use for all kinds of things from tying lighting up to making a makeshift shelter.
*Eyeglass repair kit--includes a tiny phillips and flat screwdriver and little screws to put glasses back together.


*3 feet Duct tape marked in 6 inch increments wrapped around a
*paper clip.  Do I really have to explain the multitude of uses for duct tape in an emergency or daily basis?????  The paper clip has uses as a light weight hook and I have heard of people using those as a fish hook too.  Paper clips just come in handy.
*Nail clipper--aside from clipping your nails this is useful to clip thread, string, even small leaves and branches.
*Nail File--nails, but also works as sand paper on rough edges.
*Glow Sticks--give light for 8-10 hours so you don't have to use up batteries.  Can also be used to signal.
*Money in small bills and change.  If power is out, cash registers, etc don't work, so having correct change will really be helpful or if you need to use a vending machine (when power isn't out)
*Cigarette lighter--start a fire, seal ends of strings, even heat things up if needed or sterilize things like needles.

~~~~

*Dental Floss.  Good for flossing, use as string, can even use to stitch things together if needed.
*Tooth brushes with picks--includes toothpaste preloaded.  Need to keep teeth clean, and can also use to scrub small areas if needed.

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*Protein Bar--keep that protein up and calories to keep you going.

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Yes!  All of this fits into that one container in my purse!  It is one stop shopping for a 24 hour stay.


Now, what else might there be if I have my purse?  


Well...

*Hand sanitizer with another carabiner.  This also works as a fire starter if needed.
*Mugger Slugger--Pepper spray
*Saline Spray--Use to cleanse wounds or keep sinuses from drying out and giving you a headache.
*Tape Measure--Use this ALL THE TIME!!!!  For everything from measuring furniture to getting the trailers straight.  Measure items that I need to purchase that have to fit into a defined space--you know--like a refrigerator (but that's for another post!)

~~~~

*Cheater eyeglasses (good even if you don't need glasses all of the time just in case you need something to magnify)
*Small LED Flashlight that fits into the eyeglass case

~~~~

*Sharpie, pen, paper--can write notes for others with directions etc.
*Old credit card (in my case my old AAA card) wrapped with more duct tape.  Also makes a great scraper if needed.
*Pocket tissues--double as TP
*Hand Warmers--These can be useful as toe warmers, hand warmers, put in your hat to keep heat from escaping through your head, put under covers or emergency blanket to help warm up.  BE AWARE!  These act as oxygen absorbers--like the stuff you put into foot buckets to keep food fresh and air tight--so don't use in an air tight space!!!!!  Be sure there is adequate air supply!
*Emergency Blanket in a freezer ziploc bag.  Bag can hold clean water while more water is being sanitized--can also be used to hold hazardous or dirty items.  Emergency Blanket can help with heat loss and shock.  Can also be used to create a shelter by using duct tape on the 4 corners, make a small hole in the duct tape, tie to a tree for shade or shelter from rain.  Can also be used as a rain catcher to run into a ziploc bag or your water bottle for drinking.  Also, a ground cover.
*Rain Pancho in freezer ziploc--Keep dry--stay well...also good to wrap around supplies to keep them dry and safe

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*5 Hour Energy--Yes--I am addicted to caffeine!  Good coffee replacement and added benefit of B vitamins. folic acid and niacin--AND energy!  If you need to stay away and alert--you need something to keep you awake!  At the very least, it will keep those caffeine headaches away...
*Zip Fizz--Replaces electrolytes and potassium.  Each tube is like 3-32 oz gatorades.  Add to water and drink.

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*Couple more Protein Bars
*Peanut butter or cheese crackers
*Mints
*Gum--I chose peppermint because peppermint helps with sour stomach as well.
*Nuts--great nutrition and fat
*Small chocolates (will they melt--uh yep--will I care if I am stranded--uh NOPE!)
(Note here that I have used these items a lot when I missed a meal because I was in a hurry or just needed a snack to "keep me going".)
Not seen here is my current Sunday School book which gives me something to read and study.  I used to carry a book as well, but have recently started using my phone with a Kindle App which syncs with my Kindle so I can read as long as my phone battery has power.

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This is just the first in my emergency supplies with each grouping of supplies meant to enhance and lengthen the time usage of the other.  (They work together and stack to go longer and longer)  


In other words, I have 24 hours or so in my purse, then I have a car kit which will give me another 3 days or so (4 days total now) and then I have your 72 hour kits (now I have a week) and then I have supplies at home--see how things add up?


Traveling in an RV, I am probably more aware of possible emergency situations than I was when living in our stick built home, though I was always prepared for emergencies there as well since we have always lived where there are natural disasters (earthquakes, tornadoes, ice and snow storms, floods, fires on the plains and prairies, mountains and valleys, nuclear plants nearby--you name it) so I wanted to be able to have preparations just in case--at home or away.  


For me, "Be Prepared" is not frightening to think about, but feeling more calm and confident of the ability for myself and family to survive during emergencies.


So, do you have a personal 24 hour emergency supply with you?  What do you carry?  What are you going to add?


Hope you enjoyed my post.  For more great posts on Sustainable, homemade, emergency preparedness, etc, hop on over to Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Wednesday Blog Hop. (but leave a comment here first!  So happy you came to visit!)

Thursday's Things In A Row...I'd Rather Have a Bottle In Front Of Me...

Joining Pat at A View From The Edge for Thursday's Things In a Row.

This made me think of the words to the older song--"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotamy."  Do you remember that one?  I don't even know who did it or the rest of the song, but those words stuck with me.

I keep running into people who are using wine bottles in their gardens for everything from lining paths to just decoration.

This first one is decorations in a small garden area.

These next bottles are in a garden and were painted by the owner first rather than left natural.

They both add a lot of interest to gardens.

I also found a great idea on Pinterest for using wine bottles.  You can use bottles in your plants as waterers rather than purchasing those little glass ones at the store--and they hold a lot more water than the purchased ones.  I would think any old bottle would do.  Can you see a Coke Bottle here?

I happened to have this red bottle and put it in my tomato plant.

 The blue bottle went into my little flower planters with red petunias and white geraniums.

Just fill the bottles with water when you are watering during the day and turn it upside down in the pot where it will allow the water to drain as the soil dries.  It really does work great!

Thanks for dropping in!  For more great things in a row, visit Pat's blog...go on!

Thursday's Things In A Row...Numbers

Joining Pat over at A View From The Edge in Thursday's Things In A Row...

Last week we were sitting in the 5th wheel when my eyes began to sting and my nose was watering.  I noticed then that I could smell ammonia--strongly.  I looked at Gman and asked if he smelled it.  It hit him just as I asked and right after that our propane detector started screeching.

We immediately evacuated and I shut off the a/c, opened the windows, turned on all of the fans to vent the camper and grabbed the camper manual.

Nothing.  Nada.  No help...

So, I tippy toed into the camper, through the nasty smell and grabbed my computer.

After googling "ammonia smell in the camper", I found out it was the fridge.

Yep.  I opened the fridge and by golly, it was warmish and the freezer wasn't a freezer anymore.

So, after getting estimates for the replacement of the fridge, during which we found out that a 12 cu foot fridge in a camper is roughly the cost of a sub zero monster house fridge, we decided to go the household fridge route and headed out to shop.

What does this have to do with things in a row?  Well, take a gander at the numbers that the car was showing us as we headed out to shop...

Actually, when I started to take the picture, it was 111 which was a perfect set of things in a row.  So, I just had to show you this...

This was day 9 of 11 days of over 100 degrees in a row!  That was a record set back in the 1930's.

Hear me whimper folks!

Last year, this area had 3 days of triple digits for the WHOLE SUMMER!!!!  The summer before, was ZERO!!!

We are now enjoying the balmy mid to high 90's and going for another record--30 days of over 90 degrees in a row...

The ground is cracked and dry, the crops failing and the people with cattle and swine will be selling off at losses, with many in danger of going out of business and losing family farms.

Please pray for rain and relief for the midwest.  If not for these fine folks, then for your pocketbooks as the prices for everything from produce to meat and fuel will be going up dramatically.

The a/c units are still working well...knocking on wood!!!!!

How is the weather where you are?  Anyone having a nice summer????

For more Things In a Row (and more fun things in a row!!!!) go over to Pat's and enjoy--hopefully with a cold drink while in front of a fan sitting over an a/c vent!   :)  Stay cool!

Thursday's Things In A Row...Flag Day

Hi Everyone!  Back from vacation.  Had a great time!  Saw a lot of friends and spent time with our son.  Enjoyed it a lot--of course, that's what vacations are for, right?


I'm joining Pat at A View From The Edge for her Thursday's Things In A Row.


Today is Flag Day, so in honor of Old Glory, the small town next door had her waving throughout as we were delivering meals-on-wheels.

Does YOUR town fly their flags on flag day?


For more great things in a row, go and visit Pat--better yet, join us!

Thursday's Things In A Row...Bike rack?

Joining Pat over at A View From The Edge for Thursday's Things In A Row.

I was at the hospital yesterday and saw this:

Sculpture?

Bike Rack?

Bike Rack made to look like a sculpture?

What do you think?

For more rows, check out Pat's blog...

Thursday's Things In A Row...Spring Changes...

Joining Pat over at A View From The Edge for Thursday's Things In A Row.

This week I took all of my pix with my new camera phone.  I haven't used it yet, so here goes...
Let's start in Tom and Nina's Garden to see what is new this week...

I don't have pix yet, but the hummingbirds are back!  Yay!  Nina let me know because a hummingbird flew into the greenhouse and got caught.  She was trying to lure it back out the door with a feeder...hope it worked.  So, I guess it is time for me to put out some feeders to see if I can attract some to our new site here.  Cross your fingers for me, okay?

Look at the Wisteria blooming above the bench by the little fish pond...

Not sure what these purple flowers are (maybe Alum???).

The purple Iris are coming out now along with the white ones...

These are Syberian Iris that came from my grandma's house in Pennsylvania one year.  Tom got some and I got some.  I had to leave mine behind when we moved one year, but Tom and Nina have a nice patch of them that I can visit by the big fish pond...

On the other side of the big fish pond are these little duckies at mom and dad's house--dad made these and painted them--he's good like that...

And something new is happening in the Victorian Cottage of my niece and her hubby.  Remember that I told you about their home and you got to see a little outside view of it during the Victorian House Tour of Tom and Nina's house here?  They have lots of rows in their bathroom...Ugh...

This is Heather and Matt--Matt moved just as I took the picture...BAD MATT...hehe!

I told them that you guys are gonna want to see all of the changes that they have made to their cute cottage.  It is truly amazing!  Heather and Matt both agreed that they have a TON of pictures!  You are gonna LOVE it!  :)

Thanks for stopping in and now, head on over to Pat's blog to see more Things In A Row...