Tag: kids

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.**

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…