Don't Tell Mom Hyundai Commercial

This is by far my new favorite commercial!!  Hahahaha LOVE IT!!

 

Hurricane Sandy Prep List

Hurricane Sandy Preparation List

I wrote this blog last year for folks who were preparing for Hurricane Irene, I thought I would republish it for those of you getting ready for Sandy!!  I was amazed at how many people came and read it, and some took it lightly that a hurricane was coming, only to find out later that having no electricity for a week, two weeks, or some even a month is noooo fun at all.  Prepare while you can, and I sure hope some things on my list will remind you and help you out with what you need to get done!!

One can't help but stay glued to the Weather Channel watching the current news and forecasts concerning Hurricane Irene. I had to write a short little blog about our experiences here in Texas. We live approximately 180 miles from the Texas Gulf Coast and Galveston. Until you see something like this in person, you just can't fathom what it's like. We live in a town that is along the evacuation route from the coast. We had miles and miles of people driving through our town with everything they own in their cars and gas cans strapped to their roofs. It was a sight that would make you want to cry for them. People would get stranded because they could not find a hotel and they ran out of money paying for gas.

People become angry when they are forced out of their homes, or supplies are not available. Start now, because dealing with the public later is not fun and you will not be able to find what you are searching for.

When Hurricane Ike hit several years ago, it had a huge impact even this far north. We lost electricity for FIVE days and there was SEVERE tree and home damage just 60 miles to our South. We had so many trees down that we could not drive down our road to go into town for about two days. Do not be lulled into thinking that since you are not immediately in the eye wall's path that you will not be affected.

Because this was not our first time to have one come through, we were prepared thankfully!!

Here are a few tips we've learned.

YOU WILL LOSE ELECTRICITY.

It is sooo much easier to cook at least one meal a day outside on a grill. That being said...STOCK UP ON CHARCOAL OR PROPANE FOR YOUR GAS GRILL NOW!!

Buy pre packaged foods that do not require refrigeration and try and keep those foods which you need to cool at a minimum....AND BUY FREEZER BAGS TO STORE THOSE IN THAT MIGHT GO IN COOLER....soggy food is NO FUN...

WHEN YOU LOSE ELECTRICITY FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS, YOU START LOSING THINGS IN YOUR FRIDGE AND FREEZER

Plan now on how you want to store some of those things from your fridge and freezer. Buy extra coolers and dry ice if need be.

DON'T FORGET DIAPERS AND FORMULA

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED....you will not be able to just run to the pharmacy if you run out....more than likely they will have no electricity either....remember...life will not be the same for a while

WAL MART SELLS PORTABLE BATTERY OPERATED FANS IN THE SPORTING GOODS /CAMPING DEPARTMENT.

You will want some of these. After a huricane, trust me, it's hot and humid and a fan is AWESOME.

That being said....STOCK UP ON D BATTERIES, they sell out FAST....they are a hot commodity after a hurricane and you will not be able to purchase them if you wait until the day of the Hurricane or the day before....

If you can, buy one of the battery operated radio/cell phone charger./flashlight/lanterns......trust me....these things come in handy when you have no way of hearing what's going on in the outside world.

Fill your cars up with gas, if people start evacuating, you need to be able to travel as far as you can. GAS WILL BE IN SHORT SUPPLY AFTER A HURRICANE.

DON'T FORGET....GAS STATIONS ALSO RUN ON ELECTRICITY FOR THEIR PUMPS....IF THEY HAVE NO ELECTRICITY...YOU CANNOT BUY GAS....FILL UP YOUR CARS IF IT IS AT ALL POSSIBLE

Along those lines as well, the ATM'S and Banks will not be open and or work.  Get extra cash out now.  You may be able to buy gas with cash and not be able to swipe your debit/credit card etc...better to be safe than sorry.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON STAYING IN A HOTEL AND EVACUATING....MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY....HOTELS FOR MILES AND MILES WILL BE SOLD OUT QUICKLY

The things you are used to now will not be back to normal for several weeks or maybe months.

DON'T FORGET....JUST BECAUSE AN ELECTRIC LINE IS DOWN ON THE GROUND DOES NOT MEAN IT'S NOT "LIVE"...DON'T TOUCH IT, DON'T LET KIDS NEAR IT....

I want to also say, if you live in a home that is surrounded by large trees, please use caution if you are within 130 miles or so of this hurricane. Tree tops can snap and fall on your home and injure you and your loved ones. If I can forewarn anyone then I will feel like I've done my job.

It might also be prudent to buy a chainsaw if you think you can operate one safely!!  Looks like there will be many many trees down with Sandy!!

OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU FROM HERE IN TEXAS

Below is a Hurricane Supply List from NOAA

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices— foods for infants or the elderly— snack foods— non-electric can opener— cooking tools / fuel— paper plates / plastic utensils
Blankets / Pillows, etc.
Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes
First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs
Special Items - for babies and the elderly
Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes
Flashlight / Batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
Keys
Toys, Books and Games
Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Pet care items— proper identification / immunization records / medications— ample supply of food and water— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

AND HEAVEN FORBID YOU HAVE TO BE EVACUATED TO A SHELTER WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE....HERE IS HOW TO MAKE A 72 HOUR SUPPLY KIT

http://selfreliantsisters.blogspot.com/2009/01/sample-72-hour-kit.html

Wishing you all the very best and STAY SAFE!!

Witch Halloween Party Inspiration

This year we are not going to be holding a Halloween party, but if we were this is the theme I would have used!!  I came across so many of these ideas online that I thought I would share in case someone else is needing a little "inspiration"!!

 

What started the whole "witch theme" was this cupcake from Foodnetwork.com!!

 

Cupcake Inspiration

 

I would have had this "cupcake" recreated into a cake with witch legs sticking out of the bottom!!  It's  just too cute!!

 

You would need one of these cute wreaths on your front door!  The blog that is linked to this photo "no longer exists"...but this would be super easy to make.  Just buy a yard or two of black tulle and cut it into kind of small strips, and then get an orange ribbon to attach it.

 

 

 

 

 

I also saw this cute idea on how to decorate your windows for Halloween from MarthaStewart.com

 

Window Cutout DIY

 

 

 

 

Decorate your front porch with these Cauldrons found at Wal Mart and then pool noodles from the Dollar Store!!  Just buy some cheap stockings to top them off!!

 

Witch Leg DIY

 

 

Or you could also put a few of these on the porch!!  Super cute black cat pumpkins!!

 

Black Cat Pumpkin DIY

 

 

 

 

 

Add in a few glittery witch hats on your tables for centerpieces!!

 

Witch Hat DIY

 

 

A few bats here and there would be super cute!!

 

Bat DIY

 

 

 

This is one of the cutest ideas I've ever seen for serving Halloween Candy!!

 

DIY Monster Pedestal Jars

 

 

 

 

 

 

 These "eyeball" cake balls served on a fork are PERFECT for Halloween fun!!

Eyeball Cake Balls

 

 

 

 

These would make some of the cutest party treats EVER!! Take a bag of cotton candy and then add in a plastic spider for a creepy effect!!

Spider Cotton Candy DIY

 

More cute treat ideas!!

 

Marshmallow Ghosts!!

 

Marshmallow Ghost Treats

 

 

 Top everything off with some free printable drink labels from the Hostess with the Mostess

 

Free Jar and Candy Printable Labels

 

 

More Free Printable Halloween Drink Labels

 

Free Halloween Drink Labels

 

 

 

The cutest drinking straws EVER!!

 

Spooky Stripey Drinking Straws from Sweet LuLu

 

 

 

Hope this gives you a little inspiration to get your party started!!  Please leave me a comment and let me know if you plan on using any of these ideas!!  I love it when my followers share their party ideas as well!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mesquite Championship Rodeo Adventure

Earlier last week I won four tickets to the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, in Mesquite, Texas!!  I went quite a few times as a kid since I lived so close to there, and my daughter has been with me once, but my grandson and hubby had never been, so this last Saturday was

RODEO

NIGHT!!

Turns out it was the last competition of the season, and the Rodeo Series Champions would be named that night as well!!

We went out to eat at Joe's Crab Shack, which is by far our favorite place to go out to eat when we are in a big town!!

Payton just likes to go so he can play on their playground!!

My husband thinks it's funny that I want my own salt and pepper shaker set of Corona Bottles!!  He was teasing me and told me to stick these in my purse haha......SOME DAY I WILL HAVE YOU CORONA BOTTLES...it's hard to get them since we rarely ever drink and never drink beer LOL

I just like them because they remind me of good times we've had!!

We finally got there after having a yummy yummy meal!!

My beautiful daughter and grandson had to stop and snap a photo!!

My grandson just HAD to keep wearing his sunglasses, so this is where they ended up...on the back of his cowboy hat!!

We had great seats, right by the chutes!!  It was right up my grandsons alley, he got to watch all of the cowboys sitting on top of the chutes and getting ready to ride!!

They have a contest for the kids called DASH FOR CASH.  The kids all go out on the arena floor and line up, then they let two calves out with ribbons on their sides...the kids chase after the calves and whichever child pulls the ribbon off wins some cash.  It was the biggest crowd of kids I have ever seen and PURE CHAOS.

Afterwards Payton got mixed up and forgot which entrance onto the arena he came out at and we couldn't find him for a few minutes...that was SCARY...ACK....we all were leaping up and looking for him!! 

This picture is a blur....which is EXACTLY how the kids looked :)

Some people sitting next to us got

Cotton Candy

 so we had to get Payton some too...he was one HAPPY LITTLE BOY!!

THIS IS HIM, WITH IT ALL OVER HIS FINGERS HAHA!!

We had such a good time watching all of the riders and all of the extra entertainment!

My grandson was kind of sad, he just COULD NOT understand why he couldn't be out there riding around with the rest of them!!

There was a little 11 year old boy riding on one of the "pickup" horses, Payton was so mad that we didn't bring our horse so he could ride too!!  He was sooo mad and it was so sweet and funny to us!!

Afterwards everyone got to come down on the arena floor and talk to all of the Cowboys/Cowgirls who had won the series.  Naturally Payton wanted to talk to the "All Around Cowboy"...Brady Wilson!!  He was such a super nice guy and let Payton hold his championship belt buckle while we took a picture.  He talked about that for most of the ride home!  Thank you Brady!!

If you are ever around Mesquite during Rodeo Season, I suggest you stop in!!  It was so much fun and a great way to spend a weekend evening!!

Hurricane Isaac Preparation List

*Last update as of this morning 8/24/2012  is the watch is most likely to be issued for South Florida and the Florida Keys...y'all need to be on the ball and really preparing as soon as possible.  The possible landfall area extends from South Florida all along the southern gulf coast all the way to Houston right now. 


I wrote this blog last year for folks who were preparing for Hurricane Irene, I thought I would republish it for those of you gettin ready for Isaac!!  I was amazed at how many people came and read it, and some took it lightly that a hurricane was coming, only to find out later that having no electricity for a week, two weeks, or some even a month is noooo fun at all.  Prepare while you can, and I sure hope some things on my list will remind you and help you out with what you need to get done!!

One can't help but stay glued to the Weather Channel watching the current news and forecasts concerning Hurricane Irene. I had to write a short little blog about our experiences here in Texas. We live approximately 180 miles from the Texas Gulf Coast and Galveston. Until you see something like this in person, you just can't fathom what it's like. We live in a town that is along the evacuation route from the coast. We had miles and miles of people driving through our town with everything they own in their cars and gas cans strapped to their roofs. It was a sight that would make you want to cry for them. People would get stranded because they could not find a hotel and they ran out of money paying for gas.

People become angry when they are forced out of their homes, or supplies are not available. Start now, because dealing with the public later is not fun and you will not be able to find what you are searching for.

When Hurricane Ike hit several years ago, it had a huge impact even this far north. We lost electricity for FIVE days and there was SEVERE tree and home damage just 60 miles to our South. We had so many trees down that we could not drive down our road to go into town for about two days. Do not be lulled into thinking that since you are not immediately in the eye wall's path that you will not be affected.

Because this was not our first time to have one come through, we were prepared thankfully!!

Here are a few tips we've learned.

YOU WILL LOSE ELECTRICITY.

It is sooo much easier to cook at least one meal a day outside on a grill. That being said...STOCK UP ON CHARCOAL OR PROPANE FOR YOUR GAS GRILL NOW!!

Buy pre packaged foods that do not require refrigeration and try and keep those foods which you need to cool at a minimum....AND BUY FREEZER BAGS TO STORE THOSE IN THAT MIGHT GO IN COOLER....soggy food is NO FUN

WHEN YOU LOSE ELECTRICITY FOR MORE THAN 48 HOURS, YOU START LOSING THINGS IN YOUR FRIDGE AND FREEZER

Plan now on how you want to store some of those things from your fridge and freezer. Buy extra coolers and dry ice if need be.

DON'T FORGET DIAPERS AND FORMULA

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED....you will not be able to just run to the pharmacy if you run out....more than likely they will have no electricity either....remember...life will not be the same for a while

WAL MART SELLS PORTABLE BATTERY OPERATED FANS IN THE SPORTING GOODS /CAMPING DEPARTMENT.

You will want some of these. After a huricane, trust me, it's hot and humid and a fan is AWESOME.

That being said....STOCK UP ON D BATTERIES, they sell out FAST....they are a hot commodity after a hurricane and you will not be able to purchase them if you wait until the day of the Hurricane or the day before....

If you can, buy one of the battery operated radio/cell phone charger./flashlight/lanterns......trust me....these things come in handy when you have no way of hearing what's going on in the outside world.

Fill your cars up with gas, if people start evacuating, you need to be able to travel as far as you can. GAS WILL BE IN SHORT SUPPLY AFTER A HURRICANE.

DON'T FORGET....GAS STATIONS ALSO RUN ON ELECTRICITY FOR THEIR PUMPS....IF THEY HAVE NO ELECTRICITY...YOU CANNOT BUY GAS....FILL UP YOUR CARS IF IT IS AT ALL POSSIBLE

Along those lines as well, the ATM'S and Banks will not be open and or work.  Get extra cash out now.  You may be able to buy gas with cash and not be able to swipe your debit/credit card etc...better to be safe than sorry.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON STAYING IN A HOTEL AND EVACUATING....MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY....HOTELS FOR MILES AND MILES WILL BE SOLD OUT QUICKLY

The things you are used to now will not be back to normal for several weeks or maybe months.

DON'T FORGET....JUST BECAUSE AN ELECTRIC LINE IS DOWN ON THE GROUND DOES NOT MEAN IT'S NOT "LIVE"...DON'T TOUCH IT, DON'T LET KIDS NEAR IT....

I want to also say, if you live in a home that is surrounded by large trees, please use caution if you are within 130 miles or so of this hurricane. Tree tops can snap and fall on your home and injure you and your loved ones. If I can forewarn anyone then I will feel like I've done my job.

OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU FROM HERE IN TEXAS

Below is a Hurricane Supply List from NOAA

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices— foods for infants or the elderly— snack foods— non-electric can opener— cooking tools / fuel— paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Special Items - for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Toys, Books and Games

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools - keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Pet care items— proper identification / immunization records / medications— ample supply of food and water— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

AND HEAVEN FORBID YOU HAVE TO BE EVACUATED TO A SHELTER WITH MANY OTHER PEOPLE....HERE IS HOW TO MAKE A 72 HOUR SUPPLY KIT

http://selfreliantsisters.blogspot.com/2009/01/sample-72-hour-kit.html

Wishing you all the very best and STAY SAFE!!