Category: Family Life

Tips on Preparing for Natural Disasters!

As I am preparing for Tropical Storm Isaac to hit my area, I wanted to write this post. I live on the Gulf Coast which means hurricanes are something we have to deal with from time to time. There are always items you should have in stock, but especially during times of the year where natural disasters are more common. For us Hurricane Season starts June 1st until November 1st. No matter where you live or a natural disaster is local to your area, there are certain supplies we all should have in our house.

  • Batteries (D for flashlights and AA)
  • Flashlights, candles, lanterns
  • Bottled water
  • Non-Perishable foods (canned & boxed food)
  • First aid kit
  • Weather radio
  • Gasoline
  • Generator
  • Cash

If you have young children, then extra diapers and formula unless you nurse.

What about your house?

Always pick up items that could get blown away like lawn chairs, patio furniture, and such. Also, you might want to board up windows, or clean out gutters. It’s always a good idea to have extra towels if you need to mop up excess water or blankets.

If you know a storm is coming, then charge up your cell phones and laptops ahead of time. You will want to have a charge and texting is a great way to keep in touch with loved ones to let them know you are safe or to contact someone for an emergency.

I have a couple of small fans to run on a generator so I can at least stay somewhat cool during a power outage. I also like to wash clothes before a hurricane hits so I have clean clothes as who knows how long before I have power again. It’s a lot of little things that you forget in the midst of trying to pack up items if you decide to evacuate. Bring toilet paper with you as well as many of those essentials as you can get stuck for hours trying to leave. Know your evacuation route and maybe you can stay with family or friends that are out of the storm’s way. Also, it’s a good idea to keep your important documents in one area including insurance and such so you can grab it. I also like to bring jewelry I can’t replace (I don’t own much) and pictures with me. I have a list of things that I have to take that I can’t replace for the worst case scenario.

The main thing is stay calm, have a plan of action, and know who or how to contact someone during an emergency or extended period of a power outage.

Please share your tips on what you do to prepare before a natural disaster or even after.

Kids and Baby Coupons Roundup List!

Here is a great list of all the current Baby and Kids coupons! You can print these twice. Enjoy the list.


$3.00 off Loads of Love™ 3x Concentrat Detergent

BabyScholars.com First Toy Purse or Toolbox Giveaway!

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The Melissa & Doug Toolbox Fill and Spill play set will keep your little builder busy with 9 plush tools and a handy toolbox with a handle marked like a ruler. Toddlers will be delighted to fill up their tool box and spill out the contents over and over again! Tools included are a hammer, screwdriver, saw, nails, screws and blocks and a drill that vibrates. This Toolbox Fill & Spill is constructed of the highest quality materials and phthalate free-plastic.

My First Purse play set by Baby Gund is the perfect gift for your girly girl. Features a cute plush purse with an embroidered label that says “My First Purse and pretty stitched flower accents. Accessories include a cell phone that “rings”, small change purse and close mirror compact. The Baby Gund My First Purse play set inspires imaginary play and is perfectly sized for little hands. Little girls will love to fill up their purse just like mommy!

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Have a Happy Fourth of July!

I hope everyone has a very Happy Fourth of July today! Be safe if you are outside in the sun today so use plenty of sunscreen and drink lots of water!

Enjoy the day and remember our country is celebrating it’s Independence today and thank your current and past military for protecting and serving their country!

My Do Over Moment

My “Do Over Moment” would be not to have regained half my weight loss. It took me 14 months to lose 100 pounds so not sure why I would gain back 50 pounds? I do know a few of the reasons I became lazy and no longer motivated to stay on top of my weight loss. The picture above is me at my lowest weight in April of 2011 with my husband. I had lost 104 pounds at that point and weighed 189 pounds. I was wearing a size 12 pants and Large in tops. I felt fantastic, had lots of energy, and my face literally glowed as you can see in the picture. I hadn’t felt that good in years since I was in my early 20’s. I was 36 years old in that picture. I received so many compliments. So what happened?

I think the biggest reason I began to regain the weight back was I went back to school full time. I never finished my college degree and had dropped out after three semesters of school. That would be my next do over moment. I did complete that goal. I began to eat like a college student. I was so busy trying to juggle, school work, my son and husband, and trying to blog. It was just so much easier to eat out for lunch daily and eat out for dinner many nights. I was so tired and stressed trying to get back into the groove of being back in school. I also stopped exercising which I did daily before.

I didn’t gain back the weight overnight. It was a slow progression, but the more junk I ate, the more I craved it especially sugar. If I had to do that over again, then I would have definitely prepared meals on the weekends for during the week. I also would have taken advantage of the free gym and exercise classes my University offered their students. I would have made myself more accountable. I also would have reminded myself how great I felt and looked so why would I want to gain weight again. I had so much confidence.

I did graduate this past May with my Associate Degree in General Studies. I’m extremely happy I did finish that life goal, and decided to go back to school again in the Fall to get my Bachelor Degree. Here is a picture of me in my cap and gown but 50 pounds heavier.

Even better news is that I am on the right path again to losing this weight. I have already lost 8 pounds as well as several inches. I am getting back into my good habits again and am determined now to let anything stop me.

Speaking of do over moments, the Frigidaire Gallery™ Dishwasher gets dishes fully cleaned the first time, so there are no dish do-overs. Nearly half of adults admit to re-washing and/or re-drying dishes after the dishwasher cycle has been completed. To prevent dishwasher do-overs, Frigidaire® is stepping in with its new Gallery® Dishwasher featuring the OrbitCleanTM Wash Arm, ensuring dishes are cleaned right the first time.

I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All the opinions expressed here are my own.