Category: Slice of Life

Moving without a Driver’s License

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

You will need to use alternate transportation if you cannot enlist the help of friends or family.//Photo courtesy of alvimann-Morguefile.com

Naturally, if you have a suspended driver’s license you will be unable to relocate your belongings to another city without having a trusted family member or friend drive your moving van. There is the option of hiring a moving company to transport your belongings but that can be rather expensive. If neither of these things are an option, then you will need to consider a final alternative to relocating with a suspended driver’s license. It involves placing your belongings into a storage unit and moving with only what you can transport via bus or plane.

  • Research the various storage units available to you locally. Keep your eye out for “move-in” specials and other attractive deals for new customers. Pick one based on price, location, and other things like lease terms. You will need to decide if you want a month-to-month contract or a lease like 6 months. You will also need to save about $200 to $500 in spendable income to help set certain things up in your new residence.
  • Begin moving your belongings into the storage unit with the help of friends and family.
  • Pack the things you will need once you move into your new location into your large bag. Things to include are important papers, identifications, contact information for all of your creditors including utility companies for your current residence and your future one, laptop, peripherals, and other electronics, and clothing to last one week for both business and personal use.
  • Move to your new residence and use the spendable cash to purchase things like plates, utensils, a lamp and other low cost household items you can obtain at second hand stores like Goodwill, Value Village or garage and yard sales. The largest item you may need to spend money on would be a good quality air mattress or a used mattress until you can figure out how to move the rest of your belongings.

Consider pairing down your items by hosting a garage or yard sale or sell your items on classifieds like Craigslist before moving the belongings into a storage unit. You could also mail items such as clothing and or bedding to your new residence approximately one week prior to your move. You can adjust the days of mailing depending on how much money you want to spend on shipping.

Expect to move some of the items yourself to your storage unit. If you do not have friends or family to help, then you may be forced to give your belongings away quickly to anyone who will accept them. Do not abandon items at a residence for any reason as you could be subject to fines from either your landlord if you rent or the city if you are homeowner and the left behind materials create a waste hazard. If you cannot give away your belongings to neighbors and relatives, then consider calling local churches of any faith to see if they are willing to collect your belongings for members of their congregations or any charities the churches might be affiliated with. 

Christmas Sheet Music Available Year Round

Posted by The Team –

For some, Christmas never goes out of season. //Photo courtesy of ppdigital/Morguefile.com

When I was in the 8th grade, all my friends were in band. I never joined because I couldn’t pick what instrument I was to play and my family was strapped for extra cash at the time. No one in my immediate family readily reads sheet music, and from time to time we’ve all held a desire or an inkling to learn a musical instrument. Sheet music has always been beautiful to me, much like the written word. It’s full of symbols and shapes that when read properly make beautiful sounds.

Recently, I came across Virtualsheetmusic.com. It offers a full array of music to choose from for download in a variety of forms and for print. What was of special interest to me was the Christmas Sheet Music. Christmas Sheet Music is available for guitars, flutes, harps, clarinets, trumpets and more. They also offer sheet music for music ensembles.

There are three different collections of Christmas Sheet Music. To download or print any of their sheet music, you’ll need to pay a onetime fee of $37.95,  for membership. According to their website, membership can make a great gift, especially for the music lover. I would recommend this site to others because of their wide selection, user-friendly interface and onetime fee, rather than a monthly membership.

Emergency Gear to Carry in Your Car

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

What would you do if you were unexpectedly stuck in your car?//Photo courtesy of gracey/morguefile.com

You never know when you will be stuck in your car. Maybe there is a blockage on the freeway or a road gets blocked and you feel as though you may be stranded. If you have the kids with you, do you have snacks on hand? How about medications and water? What about warm weather preps?

  1. Start a box that is designated to stay in the trunk of your car or truck that is designated for emergency gear. Rubbermaid containers with snug lids work well for this.
  2. Put the jack and all necessary accessories to change a tire in this box or tub. Make a list of other things you could need.
  3. Include a first aid kit, a large water bottle for each passenger your vehicle can carry, and a spare change of clothes. The most important changes of clothes should be extra underwear, plenty of socks (in case they get wet) and t-shirts. Extra t-shirts/sweatshirts can be layered for passengers in the winter months or can be used to hang in the windows to block sun in the summer months depending on the situation.
  4. Carry things like a small bottle of aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Imodium. You can usually find these or their generic equivalent at your local dollar store. Carry extra medications you may be required to take in case of an emergency.
  5. Pack candles, flashlights and a fire source such as matches or extra lighters. Keep matches and lighters away from children. These can be used for light or to start a campfire if you’ve gotten lost in the woods or are trapped in a blizzard. 
  6. Consider word puzzles, coloring books and crayons and other fun type of games for kids and adults alike.
  7. The last important item: Toilet paper.

Even if you only have water, toilet paper and snacks you will be better off than if you had nothing. Do your best to be thorough however and customize the box to meet the needs of your family. Carry your emergency box whether you ever use it or not. You will find over time you will end up using at least one item and you’ll be glad you took the 30-60 minutes to prepare for your families safety.

Important!

**This list is not all-inclusive. Nothing can ever prepare you 100% fully for every conceivable emergency. You are still in charge of making your own decisions. Be as detailed as you can think of will only help you in the long run. Consult expert survival advice when preparing for dangerous trips or otherwise may run into dangerous rather than inconvenient situations while traveling.**

Bodysurfing in Mazatlan

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

This was the view from my room and where I spent most of my time swimming.

This was the view from my room and where I spent most of my time swimming.

Mazatlan, Mexico— Sun, sand and waves. Mazatlan, Mexico, has just about everything you’re looking for a first time visit to Mexico. Mazatlan offers everything from 5 star resorts to clean, quiet, laid-back lodgings offering all types of pleasurable activities.

The tales and rumors you hear about warm Caribbean waters are true. The wind was blowing lightly and it was hot. Hot is hot and hot was missed especially from a girl used to living in the famed Pacific Northwest. My towel lay in the cabana beach chair. The sand was warm and before me was the Pacific Ocean. Waves consistently rolled against the shore, each one the whisper got louder, “You’ve been waiting for this. Come to me.” I hadn’t body surfed in 15 years. My bikini was properly positioned.

This was it. I left stress, worry and responsibility completely behind. I ran towards the waves and my feet hit the waves with force and power. I didn’t stop and I was surprised at the warmth of the water. I jumped completely in, unafraid. Water washed over me, but so did joy. “How could anybody spend their whole life and not experience this?” I asked.

Visiting Mexico was one of the best things I could do for myself. I had been a single mom and was working full-time and going to school full-time. I had just graduated and I needed the break. The locals were friendly and helpful and the food was absolutely mouth watering. Portions are huge and the food was always fresh. When I lived in California, I considered myself a professional, part-time, self-proclaimed beach bum. Mexico embraces a slower way of life, emphasizing family, honor, manners and respect. It’s cheap too.

And just for a little while, I got to be a beach bum again.

How Could a Girl Ever Get so Lucky?

Posted by The Team –

“I need another bag,” I told myself. The pockets of my newly accidental shrunken jacket were filling up fast with my every day “necessities.” Pockets were bulging and from a distance, I looked like I could have been hiding things in my jacket. My all purpose backpack was too much just for the quick errand I was about to embark on. The video inventory of all my purses and bags flashed in my mind. I really didn’t have what I was looking for in terms of function, space or price.

To be honest, I really don’t need another bag.

I just need to make do with what I have. But since it’s late at night and I’ve got a little unwinding to do, I decided to do an internet search on for bags and purses. That is where I found zappos.com, specifically the Lucky brand of items.

Zappos.com features an entire online store full of clothing and housewares of various types. Being a “bag” lady (some ladies are shoe, hat, or purse ladies), I began to narrow down my search. Now I need to warn your right now, the prices vary anywhere from affordable for a bag to prices that make you wonder if the bag also will clean and fold your laundry for you! But the selection was pretty impressive. I also found the front page to be user friendly. It gave me a good starting point with everything clearly labeled, had an option for me to sign up for free notifications and made contacting them easy.

I did not allow myself to purchase another bag. I don’t need one. But, I did think to myself  if I wanted one that badly or shoes, or jeans, or housewares for that matter, with this site, how could a girl get so lucky?

“We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.”

Posted by The Team –

I work late at times, but being able to work at home offers that flexibility. Once in awhile I will have the T.V. on for background noise if something interests me. I like to flip through the religious programming. That’s how I stumbled across ministries like Matt Pitt and The Basement. I saw young people shouting at the top of their lungs out to God. You could see raw, unashamed, unabashed worship towards God. God is no respecter of persons, no respecter of title and position, and no respecter of the clothes you choose to wear in worship. God works in many circles, in many ways, using His servants and the Holy Spirit to show people that Jesus is the only way, truth, and the life.

Someone once told me that a lot of Catholics love and revere Jesus just as much as true Orthodox or Evangelical Christians. I’ve talked with those of the Catholic faith that know it is only by the Blood of Jesus they are saved, and not through works. They read their bible for themselves. They do their religious duties out of love to God and not out of fear. This is why I did not mind tuning into a traditional Catholic Mass last night. I didn’t know why I stopped there while channel flipping but I did.

I tuned in just at the time the Priest was beginning to speak, “Brothers and Sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ, I urge you to read this document, to read it, to sign it, and not just to sign it, but to live it.” I stopped typing and gave my attention. What was he purporting? What was he supporting? It almost sounds political and pastors/priests, etc…are not supposed to encourage their congregations on how to vote or to take a stance one-way or another or they could face consequences from our own government as a church.

I had to know what it was that led this brother (yes I called him brother as all who profess Jesus absolute Savior and Lord of their lives…our religious traditions may differ but it is Jesus who alone is Lord…in this and the common good we stand united), to put himself into a possibly precarious position. I listened on.

“On November 20, 2009, just a couple of days ago, religious leaders from Orthodox, Evangelical, and Christian faiths came together and released a declaration to our law makers, to the government, and as a call to any true Christian that we have a duty before God to uphold his Word and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all its fullness and truth…” He went on to say that two days after its release, that 15,000, people and counting had signed this declaration. The Manhattan Declaration. He mentioned the website www.manhattandeclaration.org to take the time to read it and to sign it.

He went on to pick out key phrases of this document that struck deep within me. This Catholic brother was speaking out of love, but he had the power of the Holy Ghost upon his words. They were powerful. As soon as he said the site, I had typed it in, downloaded it and began reading. I was inspired, emboldened, and it seemed I had once again experienced the Fire and Passion of the Holy Ghost. This document is respectful, logic, and united.

Christians rise up and UNITE and be true the callings and edicts that the Lord provided for you when you were saved and washed by His blood. Read this document, sign it, and live it. God is truly no respecter of persons. Jesus is the ONLY way, truth, and the life and He is King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s. Stay true to Him! Read the final paragraph of the Manhattan Declaration here:

 “Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryodestructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other antilife act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family. We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.”

For more information visit: www.manhattandeclaration.org

To learn more about The Basement visit: www.thebasementonline.com

Of Sugar Cookies and of Copy Editors…

Posted by The Team –

Too many sugar cookies from Albertson’s combined with a late night at the “office” equaled me rashly hitting the submit button. I had submitted an article that was well researched and in my opinion well written.

Except that after I pressed the both beautiful and dreaded submit button, I realized I had made a huge Freudian slip throughout the entire article, using the word “corporation” where it should have said “company.”

Pressing the back button, the famous CTRL+Z to undo my blunder and even clicking on the link to the article itself could not reverse the fact that this article is now sitting in my editor’s virtual desk where its waiting scrutinization with a fine tooth comb and magnifying glass.

Realizing there is NOTHING I can do to fix this at this point, I get up, go to the “water cooler,” grab some water, and try to breathe deeply. “Hopefully they catch this one and send it back for a rewrite.”

Wait. You’re actually wanting a rewrite? I shake my head. It must be done for the information’s sake. What’s the worst that could happen? Cruel and unusual remarks about how I suck as a writer and how the editor couldn’t believe I actually claim to have a Bachelor’s degree with that type of GPA when I couldn’t get a very basic business fact down throughout the entire article? Images of Jim Carey’s the “Grinch” character pops into my mind.

They’re good editors, they’ll catch it and when they rip you a new one, just take it because let’s face it, you royally screwed up that time! I see myself beating my head up against the wall, but don’t actually do it because it might wake up the kids. ARGGGH! I can’t believe I did that!

Deep breath.

Do it again.

Ok, so we’ll just hope they catch it and they accept the truth behind my screw up…I was writing under the influence of yes–, too many sugar cookies.

Wait. Who’s we? I’m slightly disturbed at my thought process. I continue arguing with myself the excuse is not professional despite being the truth. How would I relate this in “corporate—eez” if I was still working for a regular boss?

Ah, I have it. I do realize the oversight. I was putting in longer than normal hours and the detail simply escaped my attention. It’s not acceptable that it happened and I will be sure to put into place certain actions to ensure it never happens again….

Hmmm…yawn.

The reality of the situation is that writers and editors alike are far from perfect. Although writers are supposed to carefully proofread their work (and for the love of everything good and true make sure their facts are straight!) to the point where an editor would have to do nothing more than say, “Send this off to press,” we screw up sometimes and our editors are like good shepherds there to guide us back onto the trail, even when we’ve done our best. And whether we admit or not, we writers are very grateful for it.

 I’ll deal with whoever “we” is tomorrow.

Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer and Siberian Huskies

Posted by The Team –

You may not care and this may not matter, but its a cold, crisp, fall morning. Stillness. Fog. There’s a chill in the air. And Peppermint Mocha flavored coffee creamer was released a month earlier than normal in the season. I bought six bottles of it since it only comes out during the winter season.

Except it’s fall now and the early release was a pleasant surprise. The Siberian Huskies are pecking at one another out back. Onyx is challenging Ruby for leadership again. I’m confident she will put him in his place. Ruby is the oldest and established herself as the Alpha Leader with ease several years ago. Onyx whines incessantly thorough the day. He wants me to get involved in his battles. I won’t. It defeats their natural order of picking and following leadership within their ranks. If the boys, Onyx and Cobalt get into it, I have to separate them. No easy task.

The kids have had breakfast and now I get to blog before going off to church. The vivid dream (nightmare) I had last night seems to put itself in the forefront of my view as I try to figure out its meaning. I’m still grieving (or whining) that Man vs. Wild is not on Discovery at its usual time slot and I cannot seem to locate episodes of Survivor Man either. Guess I’ll have to buy the box sets for myself for a Christmas present. I’ll work overtime to get it.

My feet are warmer now that I’ve bathed, put clean clothes on and am wearing my favorite old time fall/winter boots. I’ve had them for years (10+). Won them in a bonus contest at an old job I had back then.

The only decision I have to make today is whether or not to work on my work at home crafts from New England Craft company or write for Demand Studios for work today. I rarely take a full day off, twice a month at least. My schedule doesn’t allow for a real day off between the house, kids, pets, and working from home. I work when time allows for it. I take advantage of it. Things will hopefully settle into a regular type of schedule more than it is now, but when life happens, life happens, and at least working from home, I get to be here for it!

Ruby just slammed Onyx into our chain linked fence. He’s protesting but not hurt. He’s actually much larger and stronger than she, but he doesn’t realize it. I must check on them. Ching, Ching, Ching, Growls…There is more slamming than normal.

The dogs eagerly greeted me at the back door, Onyx breathing heavily, Ruby just staring at me. Cobalt had occupied himself by digging a fresh hole in the yard. He is proud of his accomplishments (he’s not always 100% there). All seems to be OK. I have a strange urge to watch The Incredibles and read excerpts of Charles Finney’s writings. Hmmm…Today will be weird. I can tell. Better have a second cup of Peppermint Mocha coffee…

About

Posted by The Team –

Misty Bledsoe lives in the Puget Sound and holds a Bachelors degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Computer Programming from American Intercontinental University. She has been writing for more than 15 years for both offline and online publications both under her own name and psuedonyms.  Her primary blog is found on this site and chocked full of useful information on a variety of topics.

(c)2008-2010 Misty S. Bledsoe. All Rights Reserved including code manipulation. No part of this blog may be reproduced without the author’s expressed written permission.