tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12154110204509794372024-03-13T01:22:37.398-05:00The Trailer Park HomesteaderLearning to Live Intentionally, Self-Sufficiently and Become Better Prepared, Even Within a Limited Space. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-58574603750808449022018-01-06T23:55:00.004-06:002018-01-07T22:39:06.332-06:00Seed Package Expiration Myths, Debunked!<div style="text-align: center;">
We've all noticed those dates on the back of the seed packages we buy, but what exactly does that mean? Do the seeds really expire? Let's find out...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCJ-0Fs3NY7fl_1peIJSjvHYLJ6tSCK7_rvxXa-NSHB-kOtOxyovUUs3-4EjBy6K0WBiG_GJ2SUbYzSdvjSamkaiy83Gu9uKBtwUc_qGS-kOGP9N_nuTIIGBsW5z6f2FwYW35o71Mw8vA/s1600/seed+package+expiration+myths.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="584" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCJ-0Fs3NY7fl_1peIJSjvHYLJ6tSCK7_rvxXa-NSHB-kOtOxyovUUs3-4EjBy6K0WBiG_GJ2SUbYzSdvjSamkaiy83Gu9uKBtwUc_qGS-kOGP9N_nuTIIGBsW5z6f2FwYW35o71Mw8vA/s400/seed+package+expiration+myths.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">According to Marie Woodie of </span><a href="http://www.hortmag.com/weekly-tips/propagation/whats-the-shelf-life-of-a-packet-of-seeds" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #073763;">Horticulture Magazine</span></a><span style="text-align: left;">, it's not so much the date that matters, but the variety of seeds and how they've been stored. It's true that some seeds will keep much longer than others depending on the variety of the seeds themselves. So how do you know which ones are viable Without testing them you </span>won't<span style="text-align: left;">, so let's look into how to exactly do that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>How to Test for Germination:</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First, you will need 10 seeds of the same variety, a paper towel, and some water. Place your seeds in a line on a damp paper towel. Fold the paper towel over and place it in a Ziploc bag. Place the bag in a warm area, but out of direct sunlight and keep it moistened. Make sure to check the seeds daily and remoisten the paper towel if it begins drying out. You should generally see germination within ten days, though depending on the seed variety it can take up to a couple of weeks. With this method, a pretty good result would be if at least half of the seeds germinate. You could also sow the 10 seeds directly into the soil in your garden to check the germination rate and the seeds reaction to your soil.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One very interesting article provides remarkable information regarding the longevity of seed life:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Beyond the realm of vegetables, some seeds stay viable for very long periods. Last year, with a little expert care, some seeds from botanical specimens found tucked inside a book for 200 years were successfully germinated. And seeds of the common wild poppy are thought to remain viable for up to 100 years. The incredible display of poppies which bloomed on the First World War battlefields in the years immediately following the armistice was a mass germination of dormant seeds in the soil. Poppies are adapted as a cornfield weed and are sensitive to soil disturbance, so four years of pelting with mortar shells was just what they needed to trigger them off - generations of accumulated seed suddenly brought to life" You can read more from this article <span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">titled</span> <a href="http://daughterofthesoil.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-i-love-out-of-date-seeds.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #073763;">Why I Love Out of Date Seeds</span></a><span style="color: #073763;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Did you read that 100-200 Years! So test those seeds and get to growing people!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"></ins><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Recently on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheTrailerParkHomesteader/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #073763;">Facebook Fan Page</span></a>, we gave away tons of free packets of seeds to participates in Our 3rd Annual Christmas Card Swap. Each package we sent out included a variety of 25 Certified Organic and/or Heirloom packets and a Garden Pouch Herb Kit all from <a href="http://amzn.to/2qBUCtq" target="_blank"><span style="color: #073763;">'Seeds of Change'</span></a><span style="color: #073763;">.</span> </div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThVou8CvZ-MLtBUdytm7Ib1yF_63vIdMV-9cWESC24NDBt7cGw6RR-LvP5KFqQYxvnOtIneun_nUfurofC24QACBj7_cLwtw3zG1gYXuRF9wtgYs8NKEEC5yHY4wcRBWBxI_B8c8fMQnZ/s1600/seeds2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="486" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThVou8CvZ-MLtBUdytm7Ib1yF_63vIdMV-9cWESC24NDBt7cGw6RR-LvP5KFqQYxvnOtIneun_nUfurofC24QACBj7_cLwtw3zG1gYXuRF9wtgYs8NKEEC5yHY4wcRBWBxI_B8c8fMQnZ/s400/seeds2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank you to everyone who participated in our card swap, we gave away over 300 packets of seeds! We would love to see pictures of your gardens this season, so be sure to share pictures of your harvest with us. Happy Planting!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-18007395449462073652017-10-22T20:04:00.001-05:002017-10-23T21:46:45.542-05:00How To Embrace An Off-Grid Lifestyle: Our Journey & A Step By Step Look At The Lifestyle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR4c7DC6rXFvKAMrh7qWNbkZS-3LbV_u8b7Gz_YkZoyf_N9UbgPGekafyJ7Pffc5ZiT_NB44Ya6wziVYS-B_JI3YPpSwF3agjzHDNm6_hLe6MjrTg5bVtN5eC2No0iq9ItS_Z4h2oLqUY/s1600/trayerbook1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="366" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR4c7DC6rXFvKAMrh7qWNbkZS-3LbV_u8b7Gz_YkZoyf_N9UbgPGekafyJ7Pffc5ZiT_NB44Ya6wziVYS-B_JI3YPpSwF3agjzHDNm6_hLe6MjrTg5bVtN5eC2No0iq9ItS_Z4h2oLqUY/s640/trayerbook1.png" width="392" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Image Credit: <a href="http://trayerwilderness.com/">trayerwilderness.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amzn.to/2ztDq9b" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">How To Embrace An Off-Grid Lifestyle by Tammy Trayer</span></a></h2>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<br />Amazon Book Description:</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Are you unsure of what it means to live off-grid? You've heard all kinds of stories and just don't know what to expect? Are you looking to be more self-sufficient or truly desire to live the dream of freedom?</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Blogger and off-grid homesteader Tammy Trayer shares her life and that of her family hoping to inspire faith and freedom into the hearts of readers.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">She and her family lived in an 8' x 14' canvas wall tent for 8 1/2 months while they built their off-grid home on raw wilderness land with no utilities.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">She strives to debunk off-grid living and help people fully understand the pros and cons of living an off-grid lifestyle by sharing her story and the ins and outs of off-grid living. You will find information shared on every aspect from their solar system and other alternative energy options as well as reliable companies to appliances and tools used on their homestead, their generator and large appliances, hacks to save energy, homesteading with special needs children, a look at a typical day on the homestead and more. Additionally, you will have access to many resources, printable pages and downloadable information. You can find her and her family at TrayerWilderness.com, on all social media and YouTube. Be sure to also check out TrayerWildernessAcademy.com where she and her family are teaching their homesteading, off-grid, traditional and wilderness survival skills to like-minded people just like you!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">#TrayerWilderness #EmbraceOffGrid #PositivelyEncouraging"</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div>
<h4>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Just To Be Fair, Let's Take a Peek at the Amazon Reviews:</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIBaseCSS-sprite_1x-c4a765aedd886dc04d89e7e93b6a02c59ecb7013._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 750px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 18px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 80px;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></i><span class="a-letter-space" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; display: inline-block; font-family: "amazon ember" , "arial" , sans-serif; width: 0.385em;"></span>Five Stars</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R3KCFSH11ZJHZA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01N7TCRXD" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIBaseCSS-sprite_1x-c4a765aedd886dc04d89e7e93b6a02c59ecb7013._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 750px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 18px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 80px;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; display: inline-block; font-family: "amazon ember" , "arial" , sans-serif; width: 0.385em;"></span>An interesting story and helpful resource if you are thinking of living off grid</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R3751ETV74YACB/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01N7TCRXD" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIBaseCSS-sprite_1x-c4a765aedd886dc04d89e7e93b6a02c59ecb7013._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 750px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 18px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 80px;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; display: inline-block; font-family: "amazon ember" , "arial" , sans-serif; width: 0.385em;"></span>Eye opening and insightful off-grid questions</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R152OQE054SFHE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01N7TCRXD" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIBaseCSS-sprite_1x-c4a765aedd886dc04d89e7e93b6a02c59ecb7013._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 750px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 18px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 80px;">ut of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; display: inline-block; font-family: "amazon ember" , "arial" , sans-serif; width: 0.385em;"></span>I love the thoughtful details in this book</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R188FJIH4NSS4L/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01N7TCRXD" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIBaseCSS-sprite_1x-c4a765aedd886dc04d89e7e93b6a02c59ecb7013._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 750px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 18px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 80px;"> out of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; display: inline-block; font-family: "amazon ember" , "arial" , sans-serif; width: 0.385em;"></span>Dreaming of an off-grid lifestyle? Here's what you should know.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RIVA5WO1IFURO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01N7TCRXD" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIBaseCSS-sprite_1x-c4a765aedd886dc04d89e7e93b6a02c59ecb7013._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 750px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 18px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 80px;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; display: inline-block; font-family: "amazon ember" , "arial" , sans-serif; width: 0.385em;"></span>Entertaining yet realistic perspective on living off the grid</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R22BEX6YRL8TF4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01N7TCRXD" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" title="5.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIBaseCSS-sprite_1x-c4a765aedd886dc04d89e7e93b6a02c59ecb7013._V2_.png"); background-position: -5px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 750px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 18px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 80px;">5.0 out of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; display: inline-block; font-family: "amazon ember" , "arial" , sans-serif; width: 0.385em;"></span>Be prepared to be taken on a journey of discovery ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a class="a-link-normal" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R10FKMF70ERP5Q/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01N7TCRXD" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0066c0; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" title="3.0 out of 5 stars"><i class="a-icon a-icon-star a-star-3 review-rating" data-hook="review-star-rating" style="background-image: url("https://m.media-amazon.com/images/G/01/AUIClients/AmazonUIBaseCSS-sprite_1x-c4a765aedd886dc04d89e7e93b6a02c59ecb7013._V2_.png"); background-position: -37px -368px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 400px 750px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: 18px; position: relative; vertical-align: text-top; width: 80px;"><span class="a-icon-alt" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: 18px; left: auto; line-height: normal; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: auto; width: 80px;">of 5 stars</span></i></a><span class="a-letter-space" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #111111; display: inline-block; font-family: "amazon ember" , "arial" , sans-serif; width: 0.385em;"></span>This story could have been totally absorbing. however, ...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Our Review: <a href="http://amzn.to/2ztDq9b" target="_blank">How to Embrace An Off-Grid Lifestyle</a>.</h2>
<div>
Have you ever picked up a book and find you just can not put it down? You've sat there for hours and before you know it, you've read the whole thing! That is pretty much what you should expect to happen when sitting down with this one. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have known Tammy Trayer for a few years through her blog, podcasts, youtube channel and I've had the privilege of co-hosting a holiday show with her and Karen Lynn from Lil Suburban Homestead a few years ago. You can find that episode <a href="http://prepperbroadcasting.com/food/homestead-holiday-traditions-recipes/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a> if you'd like, but I never knew the personal side of the Trayers until I read this book. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What a fascinating journey Tammy and her family has had in building their off-grid lifestyle! The book begins by giving the reader a bit of backstory of how Tammy and her Mountain Man, Glen Trayer met, what their shared vision for living off-grid meant to them and the steps they took to begin their journey. Tammy also introduces her Mountain Boy, Austin, and how living an off-grid lifestyle has significantly increased his skills and contributions to the homestead. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One thing I absolutely loved about this book besides learning many new skills and ideas was that through her writing, her faith became almost something tangible. She describes various situations where they were in challenging circumstances, but she never lost hope and knew that they would make it through. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tammy dives into what it really means to live off-grid and the things that must be taken into serious consideration if one truly intends to embrace the off-grid lifestyle. Sure a romantic cabin in the woods sounds good, but when you have to consider how you will sufficiently heat the home, choose to build an outhouse or use a compost toilet, or live with or without refrigeration; the romantic notions may lessen for some. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I specifically appreciated learning about how the family is able to gather and utilize their skills with their food storage methods. For the Trayers this includes foraging, gathering, harvesting, butchering, raising, hunting, preserving, canning and fermenting. Can you imagine not only cooking everything from scratch, but nearly every ingredient coming straight from your own homestead as well? To me, that is remarkable! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This book is full of very helpful tips such as homesteading with children and animals, dealing with sickness and injury, and things to consider for dealing with emergencies in remote locations such as their homestead. It also includes many pictures of the family and pictures for reference on different topics. One example is their alternative energy and battery bank system they have installed in their solar utility room and a guide as to how it is maintained. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She also has a chapter on how to make a living while homesteading and living off-grid that was very interesting and gave me so many new ideas for myself. Not only does Tammy have multiple streams of income, it is a family affair as both her Mountain Man and Mountain Boy make high-quality tools and hand-crafted items as well! You can check those out <a href="http://trayerwilderness.com/store/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a> btw.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the last seven chapters of the book, Tammy gives money saving tips, budgeting ideas, the importance of creating a to-do list, how she learned that "Less is More", that slowing down is healthy and she encourages her readers to enjoy their own journeys. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I would highly encourage anyone interesting in learning more about homesteading and off-grid living to grab a copy of this book. I honestly believe that learning from someone who has the vast experience as The Trayer Family does will save you a lot of time, wasted energy, and frustration when building your own piece of paradise. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You Can Find How to Embrace An Off-Grid Lifestyle <a href="http://amzn.to/2ztDq9b" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a> and Please Visit TrayerWilderness <a href="http://trayerwilderness.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">HERE</span></a> to learn more.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Watch For My Upcoming Review on Tammy's Cookbook: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://amzn.to/2xXTBzc" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Trayer Wilderness Cookbook: Homesteading the Traditional Way (Volume 1)</span></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-58854886696681994542017-08-03T22:34:00.002-05:002017-08-03T22:48:07.580-05:005 Quick Tips: To Ease a Toothache<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6sedk5WV8KPPyuwp8PRkIusoYuyJHNF05-Z0KXVRolXuDnDj_OwT4tdhrhAGOvi0qxwsSF19bfNGc27sb1Oj1zSvoK9C6MAdY1qRAIB1IHI5iMp8DIZUHDoUYDpzY3AKbJOxkAB-jXt2/s1600/toothache2blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="528" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6sedk5WV8KPPyuwp8PRkIusoYuyJHNF05-Z0KXVRolXuDnDj_OwT4tdhrhAGOvi0qxwsSF19bfNGc27sb1Oj1zSvoK9C6MAdY1qRAIB1IHI5iMp8DIZUHDoUYDpzY3AKbJOxkAB-jXt2/s320/toothache2blog.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mainstream/4708369136" target="_blank">Digi_Shot</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I consider myself to be relatively tolerant of most minor aches and pains, but there is absolutely nothing more painful than a severe toothache.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently spent three days in absolute torturous pain that felt like I was either getting hit in the face by lightning repeatedly or being shot in the face...it is a toss up between the two.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The culprit? The WORST toothache I've ever experienced! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Here are the Top 5 Things I Tried and How They Worked:</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. <b>Gargling Warm Salt Water: </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the past I've found with minor toothaches this has always been a good general approach. If the pain is minimal it does give some relief, but for more severe situations it is not going to be the best option.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. <b>Gargling Hydrogen Peroxide:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes I know what you may be thinking, you shouldn't use this internally at full strength. Okay so here goes my PC word of warning: "Just Don't Swallow It!", see simple. I have had a lot of success in the past with this and in the most recent instance, I did find that this method gave me around 5 minutes of comfort at a time, but it was definitely not a lasting solution.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3. <b>Hot/Cold Therapy:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As the pain first began to creep up, I decided that I would try to soak in a hot bath to see if it helped to relieve the discomfort. I did have minimal relief from the hot water, but you could just use a hot compress as well. Later after the pain intensified I decided to apply an ice pack to the side of my jaw that was hurting and that too dulled the pain, but only minimally. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4. <b>Home Remedies:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Garlic/Onion- </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For minor toothaches I have used garlic or onion to dull the pain. This can either be with done with raw pieces of garlic or onion placed on the affected tooth or simply mixing garlic or onion powder with room temperature water and gargling until the pain subsides. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Vanilla- </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Another home remedy that can be helpful is using vanilla extract. Dip a cotton swab into the vanilla and apply to the tooth. If you try the vanilla, be sure not to get it on your gums or tongue as it can cause a burning sensation. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Baking Soda-</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A third option that can be very helpful is to use baking soda. You'll need a cotton ball, baking soda and water. First you mix baking soda with a little water and heat it up for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to get it too hot though, that will only make things worse. After you have warmed your paste, dip your cotton ball into the mixture until well covered. Now place it over the affected tooth and leave it there until the pain stops. This does not taste especially pleasant, but it can help a lot. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5. <b>Advil Liqui-Gels:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had previously seen this method online, but had never tried it until this episode. One quick note, the generic versions also work just fine. In fact I had the Family Dollar version which is labeled 'Family Wellness'. Take one gel cap and poke it with a needle or thumbtack so that the medication is able to leak out and either place the full gel cap on the tooth or as I did, saturate a cotton swab with the medication and apply directly to the tooth. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Which Method Finally Worked to Stop My Severe Pain?</h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was the Ibuprofen Gel Cap for the Win!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you find yourself in a similar situation and you try any of these methods, let us know if they helped. If you have other suggestions or proven methods, please feel free to share them in the comments. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
*NOTE: I am not a physician, nor claim to be. This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your
physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may
have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical
advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on
this website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-33982202544368992912016-10-24T20:12:00.001-05:002016-10-24T20:34:55.508-05:005 Natural Ways to Fight a Cold or the Flu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcnlvLx5vPR-PcpP7fkigcSvNOMUlCAL8Gv3UUa6lF_rAFCbgzkdgY1WlxknyY1KHILLvtjUFC1CDwsnA6_UnammQ99h7SqTOxSgJfGPXbzuITKQMgr6KOvEnqKTtRCZtUxhkIkQUnGbX/s1600/cold+and+flu.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibcnlvLx5vPR-PcpP7fkigcSvNOMUlCAL8Gv3UUa6lF_rAFCbgzkdgY1WlxknyY1KHILLvtjUFC1CDwsnA6_UnammQ99h7SqTOxSgJfGPXbzuITKQMgr6KOvEnqKTtRCZtUxhkIkQUnGbX/s400/cold+and+flu.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
5 Natural Ways to Fight a Cold or the Flu</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is that time of year again, the beginning of cold and flu season. Yuck! Although many of us would love to stay inside and avoid all those nasty germs lurking about in public, it is not always feasible. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, let's look at a few ways to fight off and relieve the symptoms of a cold or the flu, <i>Naturally</i>:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. Herbs:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of the best herbs to stimulate immune supporting white blood cells, T cells, macrophage and interferon activity is <a href="http://amzn.to/2e3lSX3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Echinacea</span></a>. This can be taken at the first signs of a cold and will help to ease the symptoms. <a href="http://amzn.to/2ezaym3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Boneset </span></a>is another herb that will help to stimulant the immune system and is one of the most effective herbs to fight a cold or the flu. It promotes sweating and helps your body to release toxins. Although you could steep it and drink as a <a href="http://amzn.to/2eBjuJD" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">tea</span></a> it is best to take it in pill form if possible, as it can be quite bitter tasting. <a href="http://amzn.to/2eKk3jb" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Yarrow leaf </span></a>is another highly effective herb that helps to reduce fever and is also an antiseptic. It can be steeped and drank as a tea. <a href="http://amzn.to/2eg7Hjh" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Peppermint leaf</span></a> has antiviral properties, promotes sweating to release toxins and is gentle enough to use on children. This is found in pill form or <a href="http://amzn.to/2ezgPy9" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">raw leaves</span></a> for steeping and making a tea as well. <a href="http://amzn.to/2eze7sv" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Ginger root</span></a> is a terrific herb that helps to warm chills and fight infection. It is known as the warming herb that helps to also alleviate stomach distress that is sometimes associated with a cold or the flu. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. Vitamins: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When it comes to taking vitamins, there are two that are a must have. These include <a href="http://amzn.to/2dE7Uih" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Vitamin C</span></a> and <a href="http://amzn.to/2f2gE2H" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Zinc</span></a>. Taking 1000 mg three times a day will help to shorten the length of a cold. Zinc helps to stimulate T cell response and helps to prevent a cold virus from replicating. Note that it is not recommended to take more than 50 mg of Zinc daily. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3. Homeopathic Remedies:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anas Barbariae also called <a href="http://amzn.to/2eFJhiL" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Oscillococcinum</span></a>, is a wonderful remedy used for onset symptoms of the flu. Some of these symptoms include ear pain, congestion, chills, frontal sinus pain and nasal discharge. It is recommended to take 3-4 pellets three times a day under the tongue. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"></ins><script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
4. Foods to Help:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you find yourself fallen ill, many foods have beneficial affects. To break up congestion try chicken soup or miso vegetable soup with plenty of garlic and onion. Garlic and onions both have antimicrobial properties that will help fight infection. Another terrific antimicrobial item is cinnamon. Add cinnamon to applesauce, sweet potatoes, or tea. Foods that are rich in beta-carotene such as sweet potatoes, help to strengthen mucus membranes in the lungs. Other helpful antioxidant foods that help are carrots, cabbage, mustard greens, turnips and broccoli. One always helpful favorite of mine, is hot tea with honey which helps to soothe a sore throat and helps to reduce coughing. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
5. Essential Oils:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It is commonly known that essential oils have multiple health benefits. Using an essential oil diffuser can help prevent other family members from getting sick. Some of the best oils to use are juniper, tea tree, lavender, peppermint, and rosemary. A personal favorite and very effective essential oil for treating cold and flu symptoms is called <a href="http://amzn.to/2eFBwJJ" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">thieves oil</span></a>. <a href="http://amzn.to/2eFBwJJ" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Thieves oil</span></a> is <span class="_Tgc">generally a blend of Clove, Lemon, Rosemary, Cinnamon and Eucalyptus. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="_Tgc">Remember if you do come down with a cold or the flu, getting enough rest is vital. It is during this time that that your body heals itself. Also don't forget to drink plenty of clear liquids to help flush out your system. Be sure to avoid caffeine and milk products as these can actually increase mucus production. This will only prolong your illness and make you feel worse. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: This post does contain affiliate links.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-27853758668814155552016-10-02T23:44:00.000-05:002016-10-02T23:46:33.127-05:00Learning to be Present in your Own Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZKhotkPbWhcqVU8zwSQG2Uo-hlDa2-26y8bjkBRPgTJ79j4kLz-W7otCXvVCRoBADRsbKAp74t0Bz635AW_R88Z_2bV_Ci28039Cpdiw47RytGyu0d2UyWL29wwfJ8TEp9pP4BC-O6Ba/s1600/Learning+to+be+Present.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZKhotkPbWhcqVU8zwSQG2Uo-hlDa2-26y8bjkBRPgTJ79j4kLz-W7otCXvVCRoBADRsbKAp74t0Bz635AW_R88Z_2bV_Ci28039Cpdiw47RytGyu0d2UyWL29wwfJ8TEp9pP4BC-O6Ba/s320/Learning+to+be+Present.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've had a few people ask me where I've been lately as they haven't seen any posts. It's simple really after facing many scary health issues months ago, I've tried to take things less for granted. It's funny isn't it that it takes something like that to shake you awake? Yet, sometimes that's exactly what you need. So briefly, I wanted to share just a few things I've learned along the way:<br />
<br />
<h4>
1. You are Always Stronger Than You Think!</h4>
<br />
I was fortunate to have a very supportive network of people surrounding me when things felt very dim. So for my strength, to them I give a lot of credit. Whether you are going through a health situation, a family or financial situation, or sometimes just a personal struggle to you I say, <i>be brave</i>. You can handle this, you are not alone, and you will overcome this difficult time. <br />
<br />
<h4>
2. Make Your Time Count!</h4>
<br />
Finish those things that you've always wanted to do. Remember that goal you set years ago and always said one day I'll do it? Today is that day! Personally I think we are all given talents of some kind, figure out what yours is and share it with the world. Maybe you were born to help others, teach others or comfort others, use that gift and the time you've been given and go for it. Don't live in the past, and don't end your time here, with regrets if you can avoid it and for goodness sake, have fun along the way!<br />
<br />
For me, at 38 years old I have now gone back to school to finish my graduate degree, bought a motorcycle and am learning to ride, and leading a new music program for those with Alzheimer's and Dementia. I am learning to live outside of my comfort zone, finishing a goal, helping others, and daring to live more courageously...in my own little way. <br />
<br />
<h4>
3. Consider Your Legacy!</h4>
<br />
When the time comes and people are reflecting on your life, what do you want them to say about you? "Man that person was a jerk" or "They were always such a pain". No of course not, hopefully you'd like to be thought of as a fun-loving, charitable, compassionate person, etc. I would much rather people rejoice and remember me fondly. I would hope some of my knowledge and skills pass along to my stepdaughter's and one day they can pass them down themselves. The best thing we can do (in my opinion), is to live the best life we can and make the most of all of the experiences we have.<br />
<br />
Dear friends, learn to be present in your own life and be "all in" in those moments that matter. We all have to face the daily grind of life and time can slip away from us so easily. But in those extra moments: have fun, live bravely, serve others and like I said earlier... make it count!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-73623469743286620102016-04-30T01:09:00.004-05:002017-02-24T21:20:14.570-06:00Getting Back to Living: After a Health Scare<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrdBRy3F2QN2T4twJ9ZqLnKUl9Uxb2_M4-Fl6cQNfRiSy1T8dgIIcPRMuvWz60E_jOCqJ7unrdhdNmQMPb35MTpqXFENWZxlhgwTIFoDgq0urepeTAtvIov5z5qPASK9BQX_2htcCPcvi/s1600/Getting+Back+to+Living+TTPH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrdBRy3F2QN2T4twJ9ZqLnKUl9Uxb2_M4-Fl6cQNfRiSy1T8dgIIcPRMuvWz60E_jOCqJ7unrdhdNmQMPb35MTpqXFENWZxlhgwTIFoDgq0urepeTAtvIov5z5qPASK9BQX_2htcCPcvi/s1600/Getting+Back+to+Living+TTPH.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Have you ever received news regarding your health that stopped you right in your tracks? If you answered yes, then I definitely can relate! </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
As some of my readers know I suffered a health scare earlier this year and decided to post about it <a href="http://thetrailerparkhomesteader.blogspot.com/2016/01/health-issues-facing-my-own-personal.html" target="_blank">here.</a> After really giving a lot of thought about it I decided that if I did, maybe I could encourage people to share my experience and save a loved one of their own. I just want to say that I received a lot of positive feedback and had women tell me they would get screened because of my post. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Simply humbling, thank you. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
When my health scare began, every negative thought that could run through my mind...did. Emotionally I was completely overwhelmed and being uncertain about my fate was paralyzing. To all those out there that have been or are going through a similar situation, my heart is with you. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Quick Update:</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I went back to have a procedure called a colposcopy. This is a procedure where a physician goes in and takes several biopsies of the cervix. In my case, he had to take four samples of tissue. In full disclosure, this was a very painful procedure. I was then to wait a week for results. One week later the nurse called to say that I had severe dysplasia, but thankfully nothing appeared cancerous. Relief! She did say that because he saw many abnormal changes, he wanted to do a deeper procedure called a leep. One month later I returned and was less nervous as so far the news wasn't life-threatening. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
When I arrived I asked the nurse to have the doctor review all the findings with me so that we were on the same page. When we reviewed, I was told that all of the biopsies did in fact come back pre-cancerous; stage 0 cancer. <insert meltdown here>. Second disclosure: This procedure was also very painful, I was couch bound for a week afterwards. I once again waited a week and got the call, they had removed all of the pre-cancerous cells and found no underlying cancer in the deeper tissues. Hallelujah! I was advised to come back in one year for a recheck and we would go from there. </div>
<div align="center">
Did I mention I'm horrible at waiting?<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 83px; width: 417px;"></ins><script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<u><br /></u><br />
<u>New Found Hope:</u> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Now that I am on the other side of situation, I can not tell you the weight that was lifted. Was all the hell I went through, worth it? Absolutely! I was literally beginning to make funeral plans and could not focus on anything else but the doom & gloom I was imagining. No more! </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I honestly feel like a different person now. I realized how truly blessed I am and appreciate the thoughts and prayers of so many. I had an amazing support system through many prayer warriors and my loving husband. Without his support, I would have gone literally crazy with all my worrying.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
This situation has changed me in so many ways. I have became a strong advocate for women's health and regular screenings. I have learned to really enjoy and embrace those in my life. I'm blessed enough to work in the long-term care field, and my situation has even given me a new appreciation for showing love and affection to all those around me. I realized that if something were to happen to someone I love, my residents, my co-workers or even myself, I want to ensure that I am daily telling them how much I loved them and how much they've meant to me. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I can finally see the light at the end of my self-induced tunnel. This experience has relit the fire inside to finish the things I've started and pursue goals I once thought were out of reach. I have even enrolled back in school to finish the few classes I have left on my MBA. </div>
<h4 align="center">
I am finally getting back to living, and it feels amazing!</h4>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
xoxo- Sharon </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Last note: Please ladies get those screenings regularly, they can save your life!</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<h2 align="center">
</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-42044354548797253812016-01-09T23:44:00.000-06:002016-01-09T23:49:55.541-06:00Health Issues: Facing my own personal SHTF<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Or03c1kyhrqRcyW-dKox1YLsNB1clPaW0r0irzubxRrlCE-LG5upoPrXdWbFbEnebWtEN3SsiifAw-23rHO4-uQz9ZB5LsBX4XrHij6dMSHzZT2OQ1ZAOyjh9ese7xykqEI1qhhBWHZv/s1600/health+issues.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Or03c1kyhrqRcyW-dKox1YLsNB1clPaW0r0irzubxRrlCE-LG5upoPrXdWbFbEnebWtEN3SsiifAw-23rHO4-uQz9ZB5LsBX4XrHij6dMSHzZT2OQ1ZAOyjh9ese7xykqEI1qhhBWHZv/s400/health+issues.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First, I have to THANK everyone who has contacted me to find out just where the heck I've been! For a number of months now, I been laying low a bit and for good reason: My Health. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My family and many of my friends are "in the know", but I felt that it might also be encouraging to some of my readers to share with you this information. My hope is that my experience might help some of you ladies and also for you men, who have ladies in your lives too. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Where it all Began...</h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Out of ...<i>pretty much</i> the blue, I began having a lot of pain in my lower back and stomach. Then I began having excessive bleeding (sorry guys) for a few days. I tried to remain calm and even went to work despite the situation. One day after only a couple of hours of being at work, I was in so much pain that I had to immediately leave and go to the doctor. After a few tests, the doctor walked in, sat down and told me I was having a miscarriage. My reaction? Shock! After 37 years of infertility, a miscarriage? ...I was devastated to say the least. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was given medicine, put on bed rest for a few days and was told I needed a follow-up to make sure everything was okay. Twelve days later I went to my appointment and had to do a few tests. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
A New Issue...</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After completing many rounds of tests the doctor said everything looked fine, but that if any issues came up they would call within a week. Nearly a week had went by and since I hadn't heard anything, I began to feel relieved. I shouldn't have celebrated so soon because on the seventh day, I received the call. The results of my pap came back showing serious abnormalities in my cervix. I could definitely hear it in the doctors voice, she was very concerned. Apparently, this was serious....</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of the most influencing factors that concerned her, is that cancer runs through my mother's side of the family. She explained that my results showed that I have something called ASC-H, which is atypical squamous cells, that cannot exclude HSIL which is a high-grade type of squamous intraepithelial lesion. What does all this mean? Basically from what she found, I have 14 indicators that point to the possibility of having cervical cancer. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The next step is to have a procedure done called a colposcopy. They go in and take a biopsy of the cervix, and then we wait. Did I mention, I <i>hate </i>waiting! Due to the fact that I am one of the millions of people without insurance, I've already had to wait months to have this procedure done. Thankfully though, the company I work for was just bought out and we will now be offered insurance beginning February 1st. You already know I did not waste any time, I scheduled mine for February 3rd!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But until then, we wait...</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
What I want you to do, Now....</h2>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
Ladies and Gentlemen (with ladies): I can not stress to you enough the importance, of making sure you are having your womanly check-ups done <u>regularly</u>. Please, <b>DO NOT</b> be like me. I ignored having it done for ten years,<i> ten years people! </i>I could have dropped dead and no one would have known why. Don't do that to your family and those you love. You are loved and needed, I mean it.</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Are they a bit uncomfortable? Yes. Is it even a little embarrassing? Yes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">But more importantly, it Can SAVE your life!</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
I want you all to learn from my mistake and please do not wait. Get checked out. If you don't have insurance, no problem. You can be seen at your local health department, usually without any out of pocket expense. If you have young ladies in your life, daughters, granddaughters, nieces..etc, please encourage them to get examined regularly. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
My Hope...</h3>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
My hope, of course, is that this turns out to be simply nothing and everything is fine. However, I do know that I will never take getting regular health exams for granted again. Whatever will come, I will make it through and probably post about it for anyone interested in following along. In the meantime, please heed my warnings though and do not take your own health for granted either. </div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
Much Love, </div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
Sharon<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-20924279011624004892015-11-29T15:34:00.001-06:002015-11-29T16:39:36.988-06:00FREE Local Disaster Preparedness Training<br />
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJMy9MWm3LZSIPmBnlTVy3ia5zXW5rhZgD373g7MlQXoWBmP3AiQzVL8HBynHgyO0ySRjFSVEgFYTG5pV_usco7pg2CArAv8GZkEW-YNDU7A0kDqEDOqifvOgO08flAIeYnaC7Ks3RZiL/s1600/cert+article+art+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJMy9MWm3LZSIPmBnlTVy3ia5zXW5rhZgD373g7MlQXoWBmP3AiQzVL8HBynHgyO0ySRjFSVEgFYTG5pV_usco7pg2CArAv8GZkEW-YNDU7A0kDqEDOqifvOgO08flAIeYnaC7Ks3RZiL/s400/cert+article+art+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (pictured above our CERT Team practicing rescuing a trapped victim, cribbing and transporting the victim)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many people may not be aware that they have a few great disaster preparedness resources and training classes offered in their own areas, and best of all.... they're FREE ! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of these programs is called CERT, aka Community Emergency Response Team. The program involves three weekends of hands on training and ongoing training opportunities there after. You can learn skills to be able to help those in your community before, during, and after disasters. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The 9 Units of CERT Training Include:</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Disaster Preparedness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fire Safety</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Disaster Medical Operations 1</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Disaster Medical Operations 2</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Light Search and Rescue Operations</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CERT Organization</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Disaster Psychology</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Terrorism and CERT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Course Review and Disaster Simulation</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the Disaster Preparedness unit, students learn about what types of disasters are typical in their areas and how the CERT team helps in each of these situations. They also learn about home and workplace preparedness, the potential impacts of each hazard and how to reduce the impact of hazards through mitigation. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In unit 2 Fire Safety, the students learn about fire chemistry, fire and utility hazards, hazardous materials, and fire suppression safety. They also perform hands on training of suppressing a fire. Students are split into teams and practice entering in a fire, suppressing it and safely exiting. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Units 3 & 4 are focused on Disaster Medical Operations. These sections are important in learning the correct ways to assess and treat a victims wounds. The units cover treating life-threatening conditions, triage, public health concerns, establishing medical treatment areas (triage area), conducting head-to-toe assessments, treating burns, wounds, fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, and nasal injuries. Students also learn how to treat cold & heat-related injuries, bites and stings. These units are hands-on and students will practice all of the above skills through special rescue simulations. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In unit 5 the CERT students will be introduced to Light Search and Rescue through information and physical training. They will learn about safety during search & rescue operations and conducting interior and exterior search operations. Students will perform multiple simulations finding and rescuing victims in various situations and treating their injuries. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unit 6 introduces students to the structure of the CERT Organization and it's purpose. They learn about the chain of command and purpose of each division. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In unit 7 Disaster Psychology, students learn about disaster trauma, team well-being and working with survivors' trauma. In a disaster, CERT members may be exposed to many situations that are uncomfortable and even traumatic to themselves and the victims they are assisting. According to their manual, "Techniques covered in this unit will help you manage personal situations so that the needs of all survivors, including victims and CERT members, can be met". </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unit 8 covers Terrorism and CERT. Students learn what terrorism is, about various terrorist targets in their area and the different types of weapons terrorists use. They will also learn detailed information about CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-yield Explosives) indicators, how to prepare at home, work, and in their own neighborhood for these types of events and how the CERT members respond to these events. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The last unit reviews the information from the previous chapters, a final exam and perform a final exercise that simulates a disaster situation. Depending on the situation the instructor choses, students will have to arrive on scene, assess the situation, perform an exterior and interior assessment, search and rescue operations and perform medical triage on victims found.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Even More Information:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Upon successful completion of the CERT training members receive a go bag with equipment that they will have on hand, if<i> and</i> when they are dispatched to respond to a local disaster. Students will also be required to complete a few online courses and tests on the FEMA website as directed by the instructor. After each of these trainings are completed, the student receives additional equipment based on their level of completion. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Making the Choice:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A small number of students that attend and complete the CERT training, do so just to learn the skills to utilize for their own disaster preparedness plan. However, an even greater number of graduated students become active members on their local CERT team. <br />
<br />
<b>Why not learn life saving skills and more importantly, put them to use to help those in your own community!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Find More Information or Sign Up for a CERT Class near you <b><a href="http://www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<i>Personal Note:</i><br />
<br />
As a current member of our local CERT Team, I highly recommend the training to everyone. My instructors were wonderful and VERY knowledgeable. The training I received will absolutely help me to be better prepared for my family and also to help in my community. A Huge Thank You to my instructors J. Wingate & J. Tankersley! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-70027137185774468852015-06-11T22:17:00.000-05:002015-06-11T22:17:26.593-05:00Valley Food Storage Review<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://valleyfoodstorage.com/products/white-bean-lime-chili-camping/" target="_blank"><img alt="https://valleyfoodstorage.com/products/white-bean-lime-chili-camping/" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIGLI5scppMyvge_B5cKPA-JivbOTK7DhObv_Cag-O_VOVDFmN2TxTjBWGpkvm-7DXC9Rjiou0d0ZMtnj7Gqwy5Q2RtNXw0ymg1YP-3dt1mVNrkLrDU621zIwEqfhh2B-ZQBkf9fbW-ld/s400/TTPHfoodReviewValleyFoodStorage.png" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://valleyfoodstorage.com/products/white-bean-lime-chili-camping/" target="_blank">Valley Food Storage</a> Review:</h2>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ever wonder if those food storage packets you see online or in the camping isle really tastes as good as their name? Yeah, I did too. So the good folks at <a href="https://valleyfoodstorage.com/" target="_blank">Valley Food Storage</a> sent me one of their most popular entree's, White Bean and Lime Chili. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First let's look at the packaging: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjqxQDG3OWa6P0UqsQzlqOz6Wd8C4D2QSCFIzgzXJTzd-M-Y6-z36zOczPc-4w5EwXIpRPjjt742ZfL1-iwCAKwaThOV0jcTRaxeVssXo_ifL95vn6py_U9kpOJM1jVJtXdbbKZ2IKebz/s1600/valleyfood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjqxQDG3OWa6P0UqsQzlqOz6Wd8C4D2QSCFIzgzXJTzd-M-Y6-z36zOczPc-4w5EwXIpRPjjt742ZfL1-iwCAKwaThOV0jcTRaxeVssXo_ifL95vn6py_U9kpOJM1jVJtXdbbKZ2IKebz/s320/valleyfood1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All of their meals are sealed in a heavy-duty mylar bag. This helps to keep the food shelf stable for up to 25 years. You will also notice on the package that their products are "Made in the USA". Maybe it's just me, but I prefer to buy products that are American Made as often as possible. This package also states that it contains: 2 Servings, No MSG, No Trans Fats, No Oil, Sea Salt, No Cholesterol and you just add water. The ingredients, allergens, nutritional facts, and cooking directions. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On to the details...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Honestly at first when I received the package, I wasn't sure that I would like a lime chili. I mean...lime in chili? ...not sure about that one!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
According to the directions<em>..."Bring 2 1/4 cups water to boil or 2 cups for thicker version. Whisk in entire contents of package, bring to boil. Turn down heat to a gentle boil for 15-18 minutes. Let stand for 5-7 minutes to thicken". </em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<em></em> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Conveniently my nephew John agreed to be the taste tester, but I tried it first. For me it did have a little bit of a kick, but was surprisingly good. My nephew on the other hand, ate ALL of the rest of it...nearly two full servings of it! He said he thought it was great and that he would highly recommend it to others. The mixture of flavors were unique and that it was very filling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although I would have liked to test a couple more entrees for comparison, from our experience; <a href="https://valleyfoodstorage.com/" target="_blank">Valley Food Storage</a> gets a thumbs up in our book!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You can check out all of the food storage kits, water and camping supplies, emergency kits and other products <a href="https://valleyfoodstorage.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or Call them at 1(800) 403-8182.</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-44393168871026337372015-05-25T00:09:00.003-05:002015-05-25T00:17:51.762-05:00The Illusion of Preparedness: Our Story<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHqp3rzf42LiIyxPeBYAccbiFYGdYj4pFJvw9N_TpsJ0vCWIhqN2TXSAEXACNiT0hn2np26SJtInuGnu2FKzIls3RnTFGSrzQ3E7C3tF7a4mQOW_NTFbeedivT2FlPIbLcg9iQQVtSc7J/s1600/illusion+of+preparedness.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHqp3rzf42LiIyxPeBYAccbiFYGdYj4pFJvw9N_TpsJ0vCWIhqN2TXSAEXACNiT0hn2np26SJtInuGnu2FKzIls3RnTFGSrzQ3E7C3tF7a4mQOW_NTFbeedivT2FlPIbLcg9iQQVtSc7J/s400/illusion+of+preparedness.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Think You're Prepared? So did I...</span></u> </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you had asked me a few months ago if I thought we were truly prepared, I would have confidently said yes. It turns out I was wrong... and I have the feeling that others may have fallen into this same thinking. So what changed my mind? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The answer to this has a few moving parts really. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The first, was that a few months ago my husband became very ill. (The reason for my absence the last few months) Though he had been having some slight issues with a high liver count and joint swelling. Since all of the <em>many</em> tests came back clear, the doctor felt that it was nothing more than a fatty liver and arthritis. The doctor said that this could be solved quite easily with a better diet, exercise, and of course medication. He made great strides with this new regiment too, in fact he lost 30 pounds and felt pretty good. Now fast forward to 8 months later... he had mysteriously turned very jaundice, could not walk, barely moved, had gotten double pneumonia one week, pleurisy and lung scarring the next, a liver count at nearly 1000 (normal being 0-65) <em>and</em> he missed weeks of work. Honestly, I wasn't sure that he would make it or that I could, without him either. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>What does this have to do with prepping...? Everything!</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One thing that some people might not generally consider is the "here and now" when it comes to prepping. What if your spouse/partner becomes ill or worse? Have you made provisions for that? I know that it may seem morbid to think about now as we are all trying to prepare for the future or even a post-shtf existence. But what if? You may have read articles on preparedness that advise you to get out of debt or straighten out finances and if you're anything like me, you may have not given it much thought. For me, that has definitely changed. I realize now that our family would not only be emotionally devastated, but because he was the only income...also financially. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ins></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The second time that we realized that we were not as prepared as we thought, was in early February. After having a very mild winter, the snow and ice finally came. When it did, for the first time ever our pipes froze and stayed frozen for a week. Sure we had provisions, but we soon learned that it was nowhere near enough. So the lesson here my friends is, if you think you have enough stored water...<strong>triple it</strong>, you don't. It took a lot more water than expected for drinking, bathing, cleaning, laundry and caring for our pets. We won't make that mistake again !</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our most recent slap in the face, was this tornado season. As some of you know we live in Oklahoma...and tornadoes LOVE us, but the feeling is definitely NOT mutual! On May 6th a tornado was heading straight for us (again), but turned and hit a few miles down the road. It destroyed many of our friends and neighbors homes. Now don't get me wrong, I've been through them before. I've even lost a home to one back in 1991 when I was a kid. But being a person who thinks of themselves as "preparedness minded", I would have never imagined how unprepared our family truly is. We've only been living in the illusion of preparedness.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong> I'll share a prime example:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yesterday while at work another tornado was tearing through Pocasset and making it's way towards us. Since we have no shelter in the trailer park, my family promptly came up to be with me at work. Though we have no shelter there either, it is not a trailer and does have an area for staff and residents to hunker down in. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Does the husband grab our pre-packed bags of important items? Negative. Does he grab the firearms and ammo? of course...lol At this point I was thinking, it's a tornado not a dang invasion, sheesh !</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>What Have I Learned....?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Being fully prepared is an illusion</u><strong><u>.</u> </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
However, there is a point to this personal saga. <em>We are just like you, we still strive to be prepared. </em>Everyday gives us the opportunity to access our preps and most importantly our plans! We have definitely found some issues that we need to work on and changes are in the works. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As cliché as it sounds...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>A preparedness lifestyle is all about the journey, not just the destination!</strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-64898269945063335012015-03-01T18:01:00.001-06:002015-03-01T18:01:12.062-06:00Be Prepared For Anything: Review<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EJ5bbCDiPkw/VPOoGeKUfCI/AAAAAAAAB_s/5nAKgE-j38s/s1600-h/dales%252520book%252520cover%252520%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="dales book cover " style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="dales book cover " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4zjkRCXyiq8/VPOoIv9zpiI/AAAAAAAAB_0/PjWf1gqAVhA/dales%252520book%252520cover%252520_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="223" height="321"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="4"><a href="http://amzn.to/1DHsjGC" target="_blank">Be Prepared For Anything: Building Your Foundation for Survival</a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"> by Dale Goodwin of Survivalist Prepper</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">My <strong>Favorite</strong> Quotes From the Book: </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">“We need to take a logical look at a sometimes illogical world and formulate a plan that gives us the best possible chance for survival.”</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">“Let’s take a step back and look at our situation realistically and with a level head, after all the reason we prepare is so the end of the world doesn’t become the end of the world.”</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="4">My Initial Thoughts:</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">The first thing I love about Dale & Lisa Goodwin, is that they are realists. They are not like some prepper types who use scare tactics and overdramatize situations. They are also generalists like me, so they feel that it important to be prepared for a variety of situations. While these can include the mother load of shtf scenarios, they also include everyday personal disasters like job loss, illness, or the loss of a family member. In the book, Dale uses rational thinking to give the reader things to consider. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><u>What’s in the Book?</u></font></p> <ul> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 1- The Real Black Friday</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 2- Cause and Effect- Security</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 3- Possible Disaster Scenario's</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 4- What is a Prepper</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 5- Building the Foundation</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 6- Funding Your Prepper Lifestyle</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 7- Building the Community</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 8- Supplies and Planning</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 9- Lost Skills of the Past</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Chapter 10- Taking Action</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4">Plus a 60 Day <strong>FREE</strong> Membership to the Survivalist Prepper Academy</font></div></li> <li> <div align="center"><font size="4"><strong>FREE</strong> Access to Downloads and Resources to Help in Your Prepping</font></div></li></ul> <p align="left"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="4">Dale uses his experience and his many many hours of research, to bring to you information to help you build your own solid prepping foundation. As he mentions, “You can’t run until you learn how to walk.” In <a href="http://amzn.to/1DHsjGC" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">Be Prepared For Anything</font></a>, you will learn practical information to ensure that you and your family are prepared regardless of your financial or personal situation. </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">For newer preppers, on page 55 Dale has compiled a useful list of “Tips for the Beginning Prepper.” He also explains how to get back to basics and become properly prepared. Yes, there is such a thing as being <em>properly </em>prepared. He even helps you to avoid stockpiling the wrong items. As many seasoned preppers can attest, this has most likely happened to them at some point early on too. Not only will you learn about supplies and techniques, but Dale discusses the mind and body aspects of prepping as well. </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">So what if you have a stockpile of “stuff”, but then find yourself either having to leave it behind or worse <em>taken </em>from you? He has that covered as well by offering a list of skills that you will need to learn now, while times are calm. Dale also encourages readers to take action and build a network of like-minded people so if and when the S hits the fan, you don’t have to go at it alone. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">A quick excerpt from the book: </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sfaRe5Pv8Gs/VPOoM10ccmI/AAAAAAAAB_8/c5KwExDmTfY/s1600-h/book%252520excerpt%25255B44%25255D.jpg"><img title="book excerpt" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="book excerpt" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NmitMS6vMsQ/VPOoQzplXrI/AAAAAAAACAE/SKg2DYquRNw/book%252520excerpt_thumb%25255B42%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="440"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Grab Your Own Copy of </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://amzn.to/1DHsjGC" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff" size="5">“Be Prepared For Anything: Building Your Survival Plan” <br>by Dale Goodwin HERE</font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Visit Dale’s Site - <a href="http://survivalistprepper.net/" target="_blank"><font color="#ff0000">Survivalist Prepper HERE</font></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-6132443928052084382015-02-28T15:59:00.001-06:002015-02-28T15:59:23.295-06:00Aftermath: A Story of Survival Review<p><font size="4"></font></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6ZZ7iat_2VI/VPI6MGN0NrI/AAAAAAAAB_A/o2khQa5uzGM/s1600-h/aftermath%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="aftermath" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="aftermath" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-at8sWdoM-lo/VPI6N1Os03I/AAAAAAAAB_I/xhGoTmjls5k/aftermath_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="319"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="5"><a href="http://amzn.to/1wzgLQF" target="_blank"><strong>Aftermath: A Story of Survival by LeAnn Edmondson</strong></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">LeAnn Edmondson lives in Southeast Alaska with her husband and four fur babies. LeAnn is widely known for her site <a href="http://www.homesteaddreamer.com/2014/12/08/aftermath-story-survival-now-available/" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">homesteaddreamer.com</font></a>. She also writes for PREPARE Magazine and is a fellow member in the Professional Prepared Bloggers Network. LeAnn says that her biggest dream is to have a cabin in the woods…<em>and </em>high speed internet!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"> (two of my biggest dreams too..lol) </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Now onto the Book !!!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="4"><u>The Basics…</u></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">When IT happened, Jimmy Walker knew that something big was going down. This was the real deal and thanks to his prior prepping and planning Jimmy was prepared. Now that’s not to say that there weren’t some unexpected obstacles, that’s putting it mildly, there were! Jimmy sets out to bug out to his cabin and along the way escapes disaster more than once. He unexpectedly meets with some likeminded people, who eventually turn out to be more valuable than he could have ever imagined. Once the word spreads that things have fallen apart on a global level and the U.N. has seized control, people are faced with being taken captive by the U.N or form a resistance. Just when things can’t get any worse Jimmy along with his friends Captain, Amie, Al and those in their group, find themselves a target of other survivors who plan to take what resources they have …by force. Which threat is worse? Read the book to find out!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4"><u>What I Loved…</u></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">To say that I was impressed is an understatement. LeAnn did an excellent job crafting a story that was so easily imagined. In my mind I could see the story playing out and it was hard not to get lost in it. Over a course of about eight hours I had gobbled up the book and was sad to get to the last page. I loved Amie’s character who reminds me a bit of a strong, sassy, and tough as nails Annie Oakley. The way she reads people and situations is clever, and often even surprised Jimmy (the main character). Jimmy is a great character who uses his prior military experience to his advantage, and finds himself in a leadership role that is surprising even to himself. Captain, Amie’s father, also ex-military and like his name falls right into the role of being the one in command. He uses critical thinking and tactical planning to try to keep his fellow survivors safe <em>and</em> meet the threats that they find themselves faced with. </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">I <strong>highly </strong>recommend Aftermath: A Story of Survival. It is fantastic and shows the importance of community and how banning together can be beneficial, especially in a survival situation. </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Grab Your Copy of <a href="http://amzn.to/1wzgLQF" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">Aftermath: A Story of Survival HERE</font></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Visit LeAnn Edmondson at <a href="http://www.homesteaddreamer.com/2014/12/08/aftermath-story-survival-now-available/" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">Homestead Dreamer HERE</font></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="4"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-66121110239543299012015-02-05T10:04:00.001-06:002015-02-05T10:08:54.752-06:00The Organic Canner Review<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently read through <a href="http://amzn.to/1F9VPou" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Organic Canner</span></a> by Daisy Luther. I have to admit,
I was already a Daisy fan after reading her book <a href="http://amzn.to/1yMV0h0" target="_blank">The Primed Pantry</a>, but I was
hoping this one also measured up. Not only was I <u>not</u>
disappointed, but I was absolutely <strong>thrilled</strong> with this book! </div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSt3JWe0tisqr0nQpE6siRwyti3D-QS6B9vDu3X9HF05RX7pSZ53fPVBZ0JiqR8DgSK50AARLlVPCStpEOg1kHu8_F2UPlyAbCfme-gMAt_1I05pmzSJY2jQzOc_hsXqpKDSlY60Ck75T/s1600/organic+canner+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSt3JWe0tisqr0nQpE6siRwyti3D-QS6B9vDu3X9HF05RX7pSZ53fPVBZ0JiqR8DgSK50AARLlVPCStpEOg1kHu8_F2UPlyAbCfme-gMAt_1I05pmzSJY2jQzOc_hsXqpKDSlY60Ck75T/s1600/organic+canner+pic.png" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do You Know Daisy a.k.a The Organic Prepper ?</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
She rocks, no really she <em><strong>does</strong>!</em> But
first, let me go ahead and share her bio:</div>
<br />
<blockquote>
“Daisy Luther is a freelance writer and editor who lives on a
small organic farm in the Pacific Northwestern area of the United States . On
her website, The Organic Prepper, Daisy writes about healthy prepping,
homesteading adventures, and the pursuit of liberty and food freedom.”
</blockquote>
<br />
<div align="center">
See, told ya !</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div align="left">
Now back to <a href="http://amzn.to/1F9VPou" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Organic Canner</span></a>…</div>
<br />
I already l-o-v-e canning so any book about canning really kinda
hooks me right way. This book is no exception, but it’s definitely more than
just a “how-to-can” book. Well, I should say those instructions are in there
too, but what I really enjoyed was the ‘beyonds’ as I’ll call them. <br />
<br />
One thing I love about Daisy, is the way she writes. The tone
and verbiage is real, informal and down to earth. I for one, really appreciate
that because it makes you feel like you're right there just talking with a friend.
<br />
<br />
No worry newbies, she’s got you covered with the different
equipment it takes, altitudes, what to pressure can and what to water bath can
it’s all there in the “Canning 101” section. (pssstt…it’s terrific
btw)<br />
<br />
Now on to what I particularly loved…the recipes! Daisy has some
great <strong>original</strong> recipes here, and many that I would have never
thought of. Let me share a few examples:<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<u>There’s…</u></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Renegade Taco Sauce </div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Barbeque Canned Beast</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Thanksgiving Soup</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Bestern Southwestern Chicken Soup</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Meximeat</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
Deep South BBQ</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
and SO many more!!!</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<div align="left">
If you think those sound fun, get a load of just a
few of her chapter titles: <em>We Be Jammin’, Just Call Me Condimental
</em>and<em> Are You Nuts. </em>All fun aside,<em> </em>Daisy also has terrific
information on removing pesticides from produce, proper tomato prepping, and
fruit & vegetable canning charts. </div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
The Amazon description says: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"From time immemorial, preserving the harvest was a vital preparation to face the barren winter months ahead. Different methods have been used throughout the ages and many of them, although modernized somewhat, are still used today. Canning is the perfect solution for those seeking natural food sources, for gardeners, for those seeking a more self-reliant life, and for those interested in preparedness. Declare your independence and free yourself from the toxic grocery store items that are masquerading as food. Learn to preserve the bounty from your garden and local farms, savory hormone-free meats, and nourishing meals created from your own carefully selected ingredients. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced home canner, you'll love the easy-to-follow instructions, delicious recipes, and directions for safely preserving your own creations."</blockquote>
<br />
Oh and one more note: it’s also written in larger print so
whether you have poor eyesight or (are like me) and like to prop open a cookbook
to follow along while cooking, you’re gonna love it! <br />
<br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4 align="center">
Click <a href="http://amzn.to/1F9VPou" target="_blank">HERE</a> to get your
own copy of The Organic Canner by Daisy Luther and be sure to visit her site: <a href="http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/" target="_blank">The Organic Prepper</a></h4>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-8829801488789267752015-02-03T08:37:00.000-06:002015-02-03T09:00:48.035-06:00Alpha Farm: The Beginning Review…<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://amzn.to/1CsD3uj"><img title="alpha farm pic" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="alpha farm pic" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iKdJ_xZli4k/VNDdEbky6fI/AAAAAAAAB-g/xFL9PG0BDuw/alpha%252520farm%252520pic%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="290"></a></p> <p><font size="4">In Annie Berdel’s first post-apocalyptic book <a href="http://amzn.to/1CsD3uj" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">Alpha Farm: The Beginning</font></a><font color="#0000ff"></font>, I found myself glued to every page vividly imagining every scenario as it was playing out on each page. Though this book is written by a woman, it is not for the faint of heart! You’re not going to find soft, fluffy, or anything sugar coated inside. It’s the real deal, and the language is too. Speaking of that, here’s your fair warning: the book does contain descriptive sexual situations (including rape) and vulgarities. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">But wait…<strong>don’t</strong> let that turn you off, this book has A LOT to offer. </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4">Annie does a remarkable job of keeping readers on their toes throughout the whole story. She also cleverly uses this book to teach others about preparedness by way of giving lists of preps, asking the reader to consider different scenario's and what they might do. Through characters, Annie also shares directions for preforming tasks such a starting a fire, I.C.E (in case of emergency) contact info, emergency binders, homemade cleaners, recipes, and the importance of having food storage, a network of trusted people <em>and</em> a plan in place. </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="4"><u>About the Author:</u></font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="4">Based in Indianapolis, Annie Berdel is a self-proclaimed advocate of educating women in the art of personal protection and self-reliance.</font> <p><font size="4">As an aspiring writer, Annie took her advocacy and dove into the dystopia genre with strong female lead characters.</font> <p><font size="4">A passion for firearms, herbal medicine, knives, slingshots, home<br>canning, Kali street fighting, Kempo karate and furry animals fuels<br>the fire and adds countless stories to be told beginning with her<br>inaugural book “Alpha Farm, The Beginning”.</font> <p><font size="4">Wife, mother, business professional and bibliophile, in her spare<br>time, Annie likes to stretch the boundaries of survival in a Post-<br>Apocalyptic scenario.</font> <p><font size="4">Wanting to leave The Big Blue Marble better than she found it for<br>her children and grandchildren, Annie is always learning, always<br>loving and always looking for ways to help people become self-reliant<br>and better prepared for whatever may come.</font></p></blockquote> <p><font size="4"><u>More About the Book:</u></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="4">From the beginning, Emma was always looking for modern ways to becoming self-sufficient. Following the signs of a faltering economy and a nagging in her Spirit to return to her family farm, Emma begins rebuilding a life independent from The Grid and away from her high stress corporate job. </font> <p><font size="4">Is it any wonder that when a localized Electromagnetic Pulse is detonated over the New Madrid Fault Line and The Grid is taken down, that Emma immediately goes into action? Well, at least until Senator Varga and her personal Army shows up at Emma’s door. That is one curve ball that Emma was not expecting. </font> <p><font size="4">Calling her fellow Prepper Chicks into action, follow along as a Modern Day Underground Railroad is formed, a long forgotten way of life is pulled back into action and they all adjust to A World without Rule of Law.</font> <p><font size="4"></font> </p></blockquote> <p align="center"><font size="4">Grab a copy of Annie’s Book, <a href="http://amzn.to/1CsD3uj" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">Alpha Farm: The Beginning</font></a> today and see for yourself just how <strong>real</strong> <a href="http://prepperchicks0.homestead.com/index.html" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">Prepper Chicks</font></a><font color="#0000ff"></font> survive, even when SHTF. </font> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-6965793784534723402015-01-11T23:46:00.001-06:002015-01-11T23:57:07.560-06:005 Steps to Getting it Done…<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PM7OZosrPTQ/VLNfqlZpDeI/AAAAAAAAB9w/ussy78dPZgQ/s1600-h/time01%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="time01" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--i9yveFMcm8/VLNfrd5X-8I/AAAAAAAAB94/IMgJwKcC9h8/time01_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="263" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="time01" width="263" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I recently heard the term “borrowing from tomorrow.” Though I can’t remember where, I do know that when I heard it I couldn’t get it out of my head. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Just think about this for a minute…borrowing from tomorrow. What comes to mind? Time, money, credit, or maybe the term is a bit confusing all together. So what do I mean..?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s look at this, from the “Time” standpoint. Have you ever borrowed time from tomorrow? If you’ve ever put something off or procrastinated to do a project until another day, then you my friend have borrowed time. Instead of doing something today, you’ve put it off. Don’t worry we’ve all done it, and honestly I often find myself struggling with this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes I just don’t feel like doing something, ok I admit it… I can be lazy. So when I actually thought about it, I realized just how this tends to snowball and disrupt everything else and many times everyone else too. Instead of being free and clear to work on project #2, I’m playing catch up to finish project #1.</span><br />
<div align="center">
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><span style="font-size: large;">
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
</span><br />
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></ins><script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div align="center">
<div align="center">
<div align="center">
<div align="center">
<div align="center">
<div align="center">
<div align="center">
<div align="center">
<h2 align="center">
So what does this have to do with Getting Things Done? everything! </h2>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;">Think about it, how could I ever possibly get anything finished this way? It’s time for a change and I’m sure that if I struggle with this, plenty of other folks do too! So let’s do something about it:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Step 1: Prioritize</u></strong> </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;">This can be chores, preps, purchases, etc. Just getting things in order and <strong>writing it down</strong> is definitely the first step to take. Heck make a list to check off if that works for you. What chores are the most pressing? For instance, in the winter many homesteaders would say preparing their animals for the coming cold would be at the top of their lists and with every changing season, comes new tasks they must perform. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;">What about preppers? Some preppers might say that the first thing to do is to start stockpiling supplies. However, the proper first step to always do is research, research, and more research. SOSA= Skills over Stuff <strong>Always</strong>! Let’s face it, if they don’t know the first thing about how to use the equipment and more importantly how to survive <em>without it</em>, then the “stuff” is useless. Prioritize the skills to learn first. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>Step 2: “One Bite at a Time”</u></strong> </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, you’ve got the list in hand…now what? Since your list is <em>presumably</em> already prioritized, you just start at the top. Whatever you have listed as your number one, that’s the one to tackle first. No matter whether these tasks are daily, weekly, or monthly; you now have your starting point. So now..<em>begin!</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em> </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--kql6nwvNoE/VLNfsMrLekI/AAAAAAAAB-A/vTU0fnfbsVk/s1600-h/how_do_you_eat_an_elephant2%25255B9%25255D.png"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="how_do_you_eat_an_elephant2" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hzFalZ-rEhw/VLNfs3uv0ZI/AAAAAAAAB-I/jRHlz6WoU7U/how_do_you_eat_an_elephant2_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="how_do_you_eat_an_elephant2" width="310" /></span></a></div>
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Step 3: Reward Yourself</span></u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As crazy as that sounds, people really do perform better when there is an incentive involved…especially to do things we don’t <em>want</em> too. Of course the kind of reward depends on you. Maybe it’s a trip to the craft store, gun range, a night out, or a nice luncheon after a certain number of tasks are finished. For me, perhaps it would be an extra hour or two of sleep <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CQIqV2bmFeQ/VLNftfnIfMI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/xRFDAzglQhc/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> ….yeah I’m lame like that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Step 4: Keep it Rolling</span></u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes the hardest part is keeping the momentum going. I completely get it, I do. So how do you keep it rolling? Get off your duff, and get it done. I really think that once the ball is rolling and you are seeing things get checked off, you’ll be hooked. This should also make you proud that you are accomplishing so much and not wasting anymore precious and fleeting time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Step 5: New Habits = New Goals</span></u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">One </span><a href="http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0908/09080401" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">study</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> I read, suggests that it takes 66 days to form a new habit not 21 days that is sometimes mentioned. Okay, so let’s work with that. After 66 days of you finishing and crossing tasks on your list, you might be surprised at how much confidence you’ve gained and how awesome it <strong>feels</strong> to finally get things done that you’ve either been dreading and avoiding. You’ve just formed what I would call a good work ethic. You started <em>and</em> finished, you should be proud of yourself! </span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But wait, that’s not all. Now comes the time to create a new list and make new goals for yourself. Whatever you do, <strong><u>don’t</u></strong> put it off. If you do you are at risk of falling back into your old ways, lose your momentum, and dang it you’ve already come too far to do that! Instead, start back at the first step and work through them again and again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hey... You’re still here? Come on, Go make that list! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-8580677278702749762015-01-08T14:16:00.003-06:002015-01-10T17:24:55.214-06:00Getting Your Family On-Board with Prepping<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9WEN0a7vMiU/VK7jENwvTYI/AAAAAAAAB9E/pdkPmA7WiSk/s1600-h/family%252520prepping%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="family prepping" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ddni_6sFL1M/VK7jIBfqmII/AAAAAAAAB9M/xHxqOq7cUCg/family%252520prepping_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="327" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="family prepping" width="481" /></a></div>
<h2 align="center">
</h2>
<div align="center">
</div>
It's rare that all the members of a family become interested in prepping at the same time. I suppose there's a family somewhere who all watched Doomsday Preppers together or some apocalyptic movie and decided that they needed to prepare, but like I said, they are rare. Typically, one member of the family becomes interested and then has to convince the rest.<br />
<br />
The big problem is that we've all been trained to trust Big Brother government to take care of us. We've all heard how FEMA is ready to roll, at a moment's notice, to provide millions of dollars of emergency relief and services to those in need. The only thing is, FEMA doesn't have all that great a track record in providing aid. Oh, they show up after disasters and they act like they're making a difference, but by the time they actually get there and get set up, the citizens of our great land are already doing the job. <br />
<br />
That's why there are situations where communities turn down FEMA's help. Not only does it arrive late, but like anything else associated with the government it comes with a heavy price in red tape. The victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy learned that lesson, as they waded through red tape to try and receive some disaster relief. <br />
<br />
If you're like me, you don't trust the government to bail you out if a disaster strikes. But convincing your other half that you are right and the government is wrong may be a challenge. Some people just prefer wandering around with blinders on, hoping that they'll never have to see how scary the world really is.<br />
<br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Prepping Solo </h4>
Trying to prep solo, without the support of your family, is a sure recipe for lots of strife in the home. Prepping isn't exactly cheap, so you're going to have to take money from other things, in order to be able to do what you think you need to do in order to protect the family. Unless your budget situation allows you to do that, without it causing other family members to feel the pinch, you can count on that causing problems. <br />
<br />
It is possible to do some prepping alone, without the aid or even agreement of your family. Typically, couples have some money that they consider their own personal money. It may not be formally declared as such, but both partners are allowed to spend a certain amount of money on their own interests, without it being considered a problem. If that's your case, you could spend "your money" on prepping, while your spouse is spending "their money" on other things. Not an ideal solution, but workable. <br />
<br />
The other thing you can do is to start doing things that could be considered prepping, but could also be considered useful for your life in general. For example, if you're buying the groceries, then start watching sales and buy extra when you find one. Your spouse won't think it's suspicious that you have three months worth of spaghetti sauce, when you explain that you got it half off. <br />
<br />
That idea can be extended to other areas as well. Putting in a vegetable garden is a great prepping project. It's also a great project just to eat healthier. So, go ahead and put in that vegetable garden, telling your family that you don't trust GMO produce. <br />
<br />
Well gee, since you have a vegetable garden, it would make sense to put in a rainwater collection system. That way, you can use rainwater to water the vegetables, rather than having to use chlorinated water from the tap. That's bound to be better for your veggies. You may as well start composting too, as that will help with a continued supply of fertilizer for your garden. <br />
<br />
Hopefully, you're getting the idea. When hurricane season rolls around, buy a couple of extra flashlights, some batteries and a few sandbags. After all, the government tells you to do that, so what could possibly be wrong? <br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Convincing Your Family to Prep </h4>
Okay, so you can get a start, without having to have your family on board. But you're not going to be able to get all that far, without their help and agreement. So, the same time that you start your own prepping projects, you need to start a campaign to get your family on-board with what you're doing. <br />
<br />
The problem here is that you are trying to change some rather fundamental beliefs. That's not easy. You see, our modern society conditions us to count on society at large, rather than ourselves. That's diametrically opposed to the prepping mindset, which says to trust yourself, because you can't trust society to take care of you. So, expect it to take a while. Here are some keys to use in your campaign: <br />
<br />
<h4>
Be Patient </h4>
Don't expect to change your spouse's mind overnight. It took you some time to wake up to the idea of prepping, so expect it to take some time for them to do so as well. They'll need to shed the idea that they can count on society and government to meet their every need. That's a pretty ingrained thought pattern, so it might take a while. Nevertheless, with patience and persistence, you can help them through that struggle. <br />
<br />
<h4>
Be Realistic</h4>
The worst thing you can do is start talking about the zombie apocalypse or the Earth's axis shifting. You don't need to come across as one who's got a screw loose, but rather one who finally has it tightened. True preppers are more concerned about much more realistic potential events, like hurricanes and the collapse of the economy. Start there, not with an asteroid striking the earth and ending life as we know it. <br />
<br />
It helps to find an area where your spouse is already concerned. If they start talking about how bad the economy is, you've got an opening. If they are afraid of having to ride out a hurricane, use that as an opportunity to look into how you can prepare to ride it out safely. They are much more likely to get on board for something they are concerned about, than something you are concerned about.<br /><br /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</ins></div>
<br />
<br />
<h4>
Be Reasonable </h4>
Don't expect your family to change your entire lifestyle, based upon your pet concern. You might want to put 75% of your income into prepping, but your spouse probably wants to eat and pay the mortgage. Make your requests reasonable, so that they have to work hard at justifying their refusal. If they look unreasonable in refusing, it works to your benefit. <br />
<br />
Be reasonable about the time it is likely to take to prep as well. Pretty much everyone goes through a stage, right at the beginning, where they feel like they've got to do everything in the next week, or it will be too late. Unless you have enough money sitting around, gathering dust, to do that, you won't succeed. Instead, develop a reasonable budget and a reasonable approach to your prepping. Remember, every step you make, makes your family one step more secure. <br />
<br />
<h4>
Be Interesting </h4>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Find ways of making the things you want to do interesting. If you expect your spouse to start shooting, and they've always been afraid of guns, you've got an uphill battle. Likewise, if you expect them to start camping with just the equipment they can carry in a survival kit. Better to start them learning things that they find interesting. That's much more likely to get an enthusiastic response. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Remember, you're trying to develop a team. That means that you have to motivate, rather than command. If you have to fight with them to get them to do what you want them to do, you're losing the battle. Find ways to tap into their interests and bring them on board that way. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="638"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CZTBy0yMqu8/VK7jKq-lEsI/AAAAAAAAB9U/3hi_qTshXX4/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="clip_image002" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_BL7z_ZORFc/VK7jL3Z1GkI/AAAAAAAAB9c/uC-5WWL7_Kk/clip_image002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="108" hspace="12" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="clip_image002" width="108" /></a>Dave is a 52 year old survivalist; father of three; with over 30 years of survival experience. He started young, learning survival the hard way, in the school of hard knocks. Now, after years of study, he's grey-haired and slightly overweight. That hasn't dimmed his interest in <a href="http://preppingplans.com/">survival</a> though. If anything, Dave has a greater commitment to survival than ever, so that he can protect his family. You can learn more about Dave on his site, <a href="http://preppingplans.com/">PreppingPlans.com</a> or email him at <a href="mailto:dave@preppingplans.com">dave@preppingplans.com</a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-55692831047221428632015-01-07T18:41:00.000-06:002015-01-08T12:04:05.693-06:00The Trailer Park Homesteader: Product Review Series Part 3 Ep31<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqTI9WMnQz87bUbIHXVBjxFMNly11AzRx1lbaejD6afRq3S232KqyD04qxuAQ-4iBzmN4GexwVd853K-Yqtn19uHgJ-i_idRDJhb6AYgWCRTiolo1mm-1AjofMS540aj4e4x7SOK-A4IX/s1600/EP+31+image+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqTI9WMnQz87bUbIHXVBjxFMNly11AzRx1lbaejD6afRq3S232KqyD04qxuAQ-4iBzmN4GexwVd853K-Yqtn19uHgJ-i_idRDJhb6AYgWCRTiolo1mm-1AjofMS540aj4e4x7SOK-A4IX/s1600/EP+31+image+.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/3283147/height/360/width/640/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: currentColor; height: 47px; width: 640px;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
In Part 3 of her product review series, Sharon is reviewing the Wonder Oven handmade by Joyce Moseley Pierce of <a href="http://preparedineveryway.com/blog/" target="_blank">Prepared in Everyway</a>, the Cube Stove and the Wapi water pasteurizer from <a href="http://www.sunoven.com/" target="_blank">All American Sun Oven</a>. Sharon also brings listeners news on her current projects and information of future topics. <br />
<br />
<br />
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-2059096800305300382014-12-30T23:00:00.001-06:002014-12-30T23:34:16.109-06:00The Trailer Park Homesteader: Review Series Part 2 <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafo-hmh_F-wnab5ahq8F6IA7VdYWyB-CnCxClAsXxTithVpWhTEkawv4G0OBEAGiPGzDEw8VPXwo05uJ0bCqE7ExIWqYForAq3vWQUTsZzfnn1S-ZW93hzElz8t1Y4cjc48o12EZlu1j_/s1600/TTPH+EP30+350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafo-hmh_F-wnab5ahq8F6IA7VdYWyB-CnCxClAsXxTithVpWhTEkawv4G0OBEAGiPGzDEw8VPXwo05uJ0bCqE7ExIWqYForAq3vWQUTsZzfnn1S-ZW93hzElz8t1Y4cjc48o12EZlu1j_/s1600/TTPH+EP30+350.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="250" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/3268330/height/250/width/250/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: currentColor; height: 89px; width: 504px;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="250"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
In this episode, Sharon is taking on part two of her product review series. This episode features the Breathing Mobile Washer and the TSM Products 32298 Vacuum Sealer. She also shares tips for doing laundry manually and gives listeners the recipe for "Rita's Laundry Soap".<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To see Sharon's written product reviews, check out the following links:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thetrailerparkhomesteader.blogspot.com/2014/12/washing-clothes-manually-and-easily.html" target="_blank">Washing Clothes Manually and Easily</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://thetrailerparkhomesteader.blogspot.com/2014/12/tsm-products-32298-12-vacuum-sealer.html" target="_blank">Tsm Products 32298 12" Vacuum Sealer</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/thetrailerparkhomesteader/TTPH_Ep30_Review_Series_Part_2.mp3" target="_blank">Check out this episode!</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-17742940703937311542014-12-29T10:00:00.002-06:002015-09-20T02:36:54.105-05:00The Non-Parenting, Parent<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jQdrukAZOb4/VKF4crQRi5I/AAAAAAAAB7o/IDgYJ4PDCN8/s1600-h/unparenting327.jpg"><img alt="unparenting3" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8cCqE1hpV_s/VKF4luxToXI/AAAAAAAAB7w/4VUdXON58Yw/unparenting3_thumb25.jpg?imgmax=800" height="348" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="unparenting3" width="509" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I’ve always wanted kids, but… </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Oddly enough even as a young girl I always knew that certain health issues I had, would probably leave me not being able to have children. As it turns out, I was right. With no real reason to point too, as they say ‘it is what it is’. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">This has turned out to be a blessing for me. I say that b</span><span style="font-size: medium;">ecause here we are many years later, and I have found myself in the role of a step-mom. Now this</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> <em>is</em> a very rewarding position to be in, but because I am not one to sugar-coat things… I have to say it <em>can </em>also be challenging as well. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">When the girls were little, that was easy. All we had to do was take them out, have a little fun and they were entertained. Now though that they are teenagers, it’s a whole new ballgame! </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">I was raised by my grandparents, but for all intents and purposes they were my parents. They were definitely from a different generation than my friends’ parents, and I don’t mean just chronologically. The things that they worked to instill in my sister and I include; going to church every Sunday, praying over every meal, to work hard at home, school, and professionally, to be honest and fair, to always do your best despite the obstacles, to respect your elders as well as others and to love freely and unconditionally. Then there were the more physical skills they taught; cleanliness is next to Godliness (hence the white glove room inspections…yeah, seriously!), feed your pets before yourselves <em>always</em>, kids help in the garden, care for the animals, and help in the yard. In my house, manually pulling weeds along fence lines <em>was</em> one of our punishments and though we only had 2 1/2 acres… we despised it!</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Children today have changed, heck the whole world has changed from when I was growing up. Today’s world is about instant gratification and with the help of the internet, a lot of it is as easy as tapping a screen. I really think this has affected the way children not only develop intellectually and socially, but also how they perceive and decipher information. Parenting has become more challenging and then throw a step-parent into the mix, yeah…that’s fun. <insert sarcasm here></span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Like all families, we have definitely had our challenges…disagreements…and fights. Hey it happens, especially having all girls. This really didn’t become an issue until they began to become ‘young ladies’. It’s like when they get around 13, God flips on this switch and says ‘watch this, this’ll be fun’…and then maybe grabs some popcorn! </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">At the beginning of this new ‘phase’, to be honest I did not take well to this whole new sense of entitlement that began to appear. Okay, so maybe “did not take well” are not the right words…it made me <strong>mad</strong>! Nothing was ever good enough, “how come we didn’t have money like their friends’ parents” and how in the world were “we the only poor people around”. You know the typical, ‘I want, I want’ teenage behavior. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now as a step-parent, I felt that all of this was nothing more than unappreciative nonsense. My husband, though a man generally with a dominant personality, is a big ol’ softie when it comes to his girls. He would rope the moon for them if he could and truly love every minute of it. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I suppose it is because he had a very bad childhood. Without going into personal details, he truly knew what going hungry and living without <em>actually</em> was. This is a huge reason that he is the type of Father that he is today. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>On to non-Parenting:</strong> </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">What do<em> I</em> consider non-Parenting to be? </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">First let me mention that this specifically refers to step-parents. Here’s my definition: </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">“It is being supportive but not letting your own unrealistic personal expectations interfere with your decisions regarding or relationship <em>with</em>, your step-child”.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Basically because of the way that I was raised, I felt that they too needed the same. Things that were not tolerated in my parents house would absolutely not be tolerated in mine; if I had any say in it. I was putting my foot down!</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">But…this is just wrong. I can not project my own unrealistic expectations onto them, and other step-parents shouldn’t either. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">I had to learn to let their parents, parent. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Don’t misunderstand, this doesn’t mean that step-parents shouldn’t have a say in making rules or even disciplining the children. You are apart of the family too after all. Instead, it’s usually more beneficial to work alongside the parents in a supportive manner. </span><br />
</div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s face it, the parents are going to allow things that perhaps you wouldn’t. They’re going to say or do things themselves that you probably wouldn’t. But unless it puts the children or others in harms way, then you and I simply have to let it play out. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Even when we might be secretly thinking they’re crazy and that maybe things will back fire. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">One bit of advice for new step-parents is: Avoid trying to be a "friend" to the kids. This <strong>in my opinion</strong> is a terrible idea for parents. It causes children to not see you as an authority figure, and only further convinces them that they don't have to listen to you. Do yourself a favor, and wait until they are grown to try that approach. Friendliness is fine, but playing the "friend role" or being the "buddy"...will definitely complicate things, especially if they confide something that you have to "tell on them" about. (just my two cents, though)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Even with all of that being said, I <strong>still</strong> feel that being a step-parent is a huge blessing…even when the kids <em>are</em> being knuckleheads! </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">P.S.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Oh…and no we don’t do the white glove tests in our home, sorry mom and dad you tried! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LnlqkAG_jQ4/VKF4nWgJoiI/AAAAAAAAB74/Zytg8LM06eA/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></span></div>
<br />
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-28878865711113497482014-12-27T18:31:00.002-06:002014-12-27T18:37:56.700-06:00Washing Clothes Manually and Easily:<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vtlxkckMrxA/VJ9Ogdmi7mI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/dp2ESjGpAbE/s1600-h/breathing-washer-12.20.14-01415.jpg"><img alt="breathing washer 12.20.14 014" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yqkASCZPHSw/VJ9Oh2Odc3I/AAAAAAAAB6g/ZQXtDxylL6Q/breathing-washer-12.20.14-014_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="360" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="breathing washer 12.20.14 014" width="254" /></a><br />
</div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">While today we can enjoy washing clothes with a push of a button, one skill that is important to learn is washing clothes manually. If you lost power and weren’t able to wash in your automatic washer, have you practiced doing it manually? Wait..did I say, <em>practice</em>? Yes!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Not that manually washing clothes is overly complicated, but knowing how to do it effectively does matter. Typically you would use one bucket (or other container) for your soapy water and another for your rinse water. We actually prefer one wash bucket and two rinse buckets, to get out all that soap and grime. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If you are fortunate enough to have a washboard, then washing will go quickly <em>and</em> you’ll get a good workout too. There are many different types of washboards, but we recommend trying the <a href="http://amzn.to/1xqIMPJ" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Maid-Rite Washboard</span></a>, <a href="http://amzn.to/1xXC8A4" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Behrens Large Washboard</span></a>, or the one pictured above that we use called the <a href="http://amzn.to/1D0OeaT" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Breathing MobileWasher</span></a><span style="color: blue;">. </span><span style="color: black;">All of these options are affordable ranging between $16-$22.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">At first glance the <a href="http://amzn.to/1D0OeaT" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Breathing MobileWasher</span></a> might look more like a bathroom plunger, but don’t let the look fool you <em>it works</em>! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UcwSgmrNQys/VJ9Ok3jDEJI/AAAAAAAAB6o/TLdZ7CeErzI/s1600-h/WP_20141227_003%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WP_20141227_003" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AkPGuAyyPjU/VJ9OmKlKGQI/AAAAAAAAB6w/GHmdYqssXLA/WP_20141227_003_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="232" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WP_20141227_003" width="409" /></a><br />
</div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now that you know what cleaning tool to use, maybe we should talk about the type of soap too. When using a washboard, we prefer to use a bar of Fels-N</span><span style="font-size: medium;">aptha. You can pick this up in single bars in your laundry isle, or online in bulk <a href="http://amzn.to/1rry0Ge" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Fels-Naptha 24 count</span></a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">For washing with a MobileWasher, I use homemade laundry detergent. It is super cheap to make and depending on which recipe you use, works extremely well. <span style="color: black;">This</span> is my all-time favorite recipe for laundry detergent: <span style="color: blue;">‘</span><a href="http://thetrailerparkhomesteader.blogspot.com/2014/02/diy-moms-super-laundry-sauce.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Moms Super Laundry Sauce’</span></a>. Another alternative though is a simple homemade liquid detergent recipe as follows (I recommend using fels-natpha in it): </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jp_6SRKuTHQ/VJ9OpHXW7cI/AAAAAAAAB64/otDcbAw_3Fw/s1600-h/Laundry%252520Soap%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Laundry Soap" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d6FPAplNsjU/VJ9Oq-1DX0I/AAAAAAAAB7A/4O6coRnNXU0/Laundry%252520Soap_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="374" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Laundry Soap" width="519" /></a><br />
</div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If you happen to use store bought detergent or just prefer to stockpile it, I would choose one that is specifically made for cold water washing. This allows you to use cold water on all of your clothing, without the need for wasting resources to heat the water. At times this can be also especially important, if your resources are limited and you can not afford to use any extra resources to heat the water. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Now that we’ve covered the washing of the clothes, let’s talk about wringing and drying them. Wringing clothes out manually, takes a lot of work…and a lot of muscle! Years ago when I lived in a little duplex, I had to hand wash all of our clothes in the bathtub, hand wring them, and hang them out. I did all of that without a washboard too, which made things <u>really</u> tough! I look back though on that time, and am glad that I learned those skills. Yes it sucked <em>royally</em>, but If I had to do it now with just soap and water; I could. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">So let’s get to wringing! You have a few options when it comes to wringing out your clothes. The first of course is to just do it manually. If you are in good physical condition and enjoy getting a good workout, this may be the method for you. However it is important to tell you that depending on the amount of clothing to be washed, you are going to be exhausted. If you are an older person, someone with more limited mobility, or a person that just wants to get it done quicker, you may consider using a <a href="http://amzn.to/1zoEKT2" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">manual wringer</span></a> to assist you. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">You can get a complete setup using items like these:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<a href="http://amzn.to/1zoEKT2" target="_blank"><img align="left" alt="GetPreparedStuff wringer" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CbbFlg26KbQ/VJ9OrjMQTWI/AAAAAAAAB7I/RSTrUOEOlLc/GetPreparedStuff%252520wringer%25255B21%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="GetPreparedStuff wringer" width="304" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/1rrDj8H" target="_blank"><img alt="Dover twin tubs" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zJhsE2z8tb8/VJ9OssdSx_I/AAAAAAAAB7Q/Yqil7oEcNlg/Dover%252520twin%252520tubs%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dover twin tubs" width="304" /></a><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">You could also just build your own setup like this one found at <a href="https://www.blogger.com/www.small-cabin.com" target="_blank">smallcabin.com</a>: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.small-cabin.com/forum/6_2154_0.html" target="_blank"><img alt="small cabin" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-45eMPFDyRro/VJ9OuaZHMZI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/X30h___GsI0/small%252520cabin%25255B36%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="246" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="small cabin" width="321" /></a></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">One quick note: add a bit of white distilled vinegar to your rinse water to help soften the clothes. Also before you hang each item, shake it out. This helps to remove excess water and pull out any large wrinkles. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">To hang you can use a <a href="http://amzn.to/1xXYC41" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">regular clothes line</span></a> set in between two poles if you have the space, a <a href="http://amzn.to/1xr5pnk" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">retractable clothes line</span></a>, or an <a href="http://amzn.to/1wSVjJZ" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">outdoor umbrella style clothes dryer</span></a>. In case of bad weather, you of course may need to hang clothing indoors. I usually do this in the shower so the excess water can drip down the tub, but you can also use a <a href="http://amzn.to/1JVEHqg" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">drying rack</span></a> if you prefer. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">There are two keys to proper drying. The first is to use durable wooden clothespins, either the <a href="http://amzn.to/1xr70tn" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">traditional style</span></a> or <a href="http://amzn.to/1wSYS2K" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">regular style</span></a>. Personally, I’m not a fan of plastic clothespins. They break too easily and are a waste of money. The second key to hanging is proper spacing. If the clothes are crammed together, the clothes will not fully dry. Scatter them out a bit, as space allows. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Ta da…..</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">See there if you were to lose power, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">you now know how to wash and dry clothes manually & easily! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Two Last Reminders:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">1. Remember to bring in your clothespins when not in use, especially if you use wooden ones. Otherwise they can get all mildewy…(is that a word) and funky, and who wants that!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> </div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: medium;">2. Did you know that drying clothes outside can literally save you hundreds of dollars a year? Seriously! Check out this <a href="http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/dryers.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Cost Per Load Calculator</span></a> to see for yourself. </span></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br /></div>
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-91545591127557144062014-12-25T00:00:00.000-06:002014-12-25T00:00:00.098-06:0012 Days of Christmas Giveaway: Day 12 Grand Prize <br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to Day 12 of Our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! </h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDabJ76osvbdFUGj5ZSMMyQLzb5JfuRz8Dw8n_ptQt7W8SfRQa76K0_lTwr5DRAPT7Xjg7N-bo9ZVKTR2a6nh8jHWtlpMp3WeLKeYiz-vGZp8kbPjHEZI1QeycMn3ymnnfW8w2Y_je5gag/s1600/grand+prize+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDabJ76osvbdFUGj5ZSMMyQLzb5JfuRz8Dw8n_ptQt7W8SfRQa76K0_lTwr5DRAPT7Xjg7N-bo9ZVKTR2a6nh8jHWtlpMp3WeLKeYiz-vGZp8kbPjHEZI1QeycMn3ymnnfW8w2Y_je5gag/s1600/grand+prize+.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Grand Prize is a $100 Amazon Gift Card</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sponsored by:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://thediyhomestead.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The DIY Homestead</a></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
from </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Trailer Park Homesteader</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">& </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>All</b> of Our Sponsors</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Good Luck and Thank You All For Entering !</u></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="57b0e85316" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/57b0e85316/" id="rcwidget_fbpf49q3" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<br />
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank You to <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="http://thediyhomestead.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The DIY Homestead</a> </b></span>for Sponsoring Our Grand Prize! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-29776199514755410262014-12-24T00:00:00.000-06:002014-12-24T00:00:01.054-06:0012 Days of Christmas Giveaway: Day 11 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to Day 11 of Our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! </h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyO11PNUIFZEf8E_aI_-ZADnLgxV652F9j7YD5DDzmNZDMqlgBvSbp-z237p6mpS7m_ROAggdlV55pCTRtr9nNDv4pvuJDSmtk9w19DbCHNModQUUJ5v-spyvJfOT_RzOwR05fHJNaUnEP/s1600/dale1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyO11PNUIFZEf8E_aI_-ZADnLgxV652F9j7YD5DDzmNZDMqlgBvSbp-z237p6mpS7m_ROAggdlV55pCTRtr9nNDv4pvuJDSmtk9w19DbCHNModQUUJ5v-spyvJfOT_RzOwR05fHJNaUnEP/s1600/dale1.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Today's Prize is the Bug Out Bag First Aid Kit w/Bonus Everstrike Fire Starter</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Provided by:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Shtfshop.com </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">(The Survivalist Prepper Preparedness Store)</span><br />
<br />
<u style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">Good Luck and Merry Christmas!</u><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">About:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This kit was put together with bugging out in mind because size and weight do matter. There are 100 different little things that make up a good bug out bag first aid kit and it can cost quite a bit to but these pieces individually.</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">The Bug Out Bag First Aid Kits weigh just 10 ounces and are also ideal as a travel first aid kit for cars and suitcases.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-bottom: 1.2em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">This is the level one bug out bag first aid kit so it doesn’t have everything you might think about, but it does have everything you need. </span></div>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Bug Out Bag First Aid Kit Includes:</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Water proof pouch</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Pair Nitrile Gloves</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Surgical Mask</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Antacid Packets</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Advil Packets</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Potassium Premanganate (Small vile)</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Disposable Thermometer</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Bacitration Ointment</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Iodine Swabsticks</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Xeroform Gauze Dressing (1 X 8)</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Medihoney Dressing (3 X 3) (Or Another Specialty Dressing)</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Hand Sanitizer</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Emergency Blanket</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Mastisol Liquid Adhesive</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">6. Alcohol Prep Pads</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">7. Curad Bandaids</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Set Tweezers & Scissors</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Gauze (2 X 2)</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Large Bandages (4 X2)</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">6. Steri-Strips (Sm, Med, Lg)</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Coban/Vetwrap</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Ace Bandage</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">DISCLAIMER: Some of the individual items in this Bug Out Bag First Aid Kit are subject to availability and might be substituted with an item of equal or greater value and quality. The list above will be updated if changes are made.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="57b0e85313" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/57b0e85313/" id="rcwidget_xqur7suc" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank You to Dale of <a href="http://survivalistprepper.net/" target="_blank">Survivalist Prepper</a> & <a href="http://shtfshop.com/">Shtfshop.com</a> !</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-83952355708173973732014-12-23T00:00:00.000-06:002014-12-23T00:00:01.618-06:0012 Days of Christmas Giveaway: Day 10 <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
Welcome to Day 10 of Our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_k6tfW-YQH2QGp-Nu4DbBol_-38vC9fj-D6Yj7rp5iOaJCHL6pEiELAkyIQmrUjM7FKe6UidklGvMfyfWDrPp_cRGQX8XtcDz8zV1UCsququDyJT0xK9OEp7q2RfTuPmyW6w30fP4bpPg/s1600/andre2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_k6tfW-YQH2QGp-Nu4DbBol_-38vC9fj-D6Yj7rp5iOaJCHL6pEiELAkyIQmrUjM7FKe6UidklGvMfyfWDrPp_cRGQX8XtcDz8zV1UCsququDyJT0xK9OEp7q2RfTuPmyW6w30fP4bpPg/s1600/andre2.png" height="400" width="333" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today's Prize is a Pandemic QuickKit by Contagion Survival</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This item sponsored by the <a href="http://facebook.com/NebshipShop" target="_blank">Nebship Shop</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Good Luck and Merry Christmas!</u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
About:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
Contents:</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
Blue Coveralls w/Zipper (one size fits all)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
Hair Net</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
Goggles</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
N95 Respirator Mask w/Exhalation Valve</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
Latex Gloves 2-pair</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
Bio-Hazard Disposal Bag</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
PAWS Antimicrobial Handwipes</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
Hand Sanitizer Gel Packs - 2</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="57b0e85312" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/57b0e85312/" id="rcwidget_rgyy4cy9" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank You to Andre of the <a href="http://facebook.com/NebshipShop" target="_blank">Nebship Shop</a> ! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-68690389783599856142014-12-22T14:51:00.001-06:002014-12-22T22:12:27.864-06:00The Trailer Park Homesteader: New Show Info Ep29<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/destination/id/236374/height/360/width/640/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: currentColor; height: 360px; width: 403px;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
</div>
<br />
What's New:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you've listened to any of my previous shows then you've probably noticed that I tend to talk more about preparedness, than homesteading itself. Ironic perhaps seeing how I'm the Trailer Park "<em>Homesteader</em>"! My reason I suppose, is that preparedness really is where my heart is at. We believe,</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>"Homesteading leads to being more prepared, and being prepared leads to being more self-sufficient" </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong> </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But don't worry, I'm not going hardcore prepping either. Besides preparedness and homesteading, I also want to incorporate other topics as well such as:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Family</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Education<br />
Health</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Recipes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Product Reviews</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Current Events</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How-To's</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Interviews</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hunting & Survival </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyday Living Topics</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also, my husband will be co-hosting some of the shows with me. This really is a new adventure for both of us, and our listeners! <span style="text-align: left;">So that is what you can expect with the new shows and I sincerely hope that you will tune and give it a listen. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">All new shows will be available here, <a href="http://prepperbroadcasting.com/trailer-park-homesteader/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Prepper Broadcasting Network</span></a>, iTunes and Youtube. All of my previous shows can still be found on <a href="http://radio.thesurvivalmom.com/smr-host-sharon-pannell/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">The Survival Mom Radio Network</span></a> and on iTunes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/thetrailerparkhomesteader/TTPH_Episode_List.wpl" target="_blank">Check out this episode!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- corrected in post ad -->
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-6715801392155292" data-ad-slot="8911442166" style="display: inline-block; height: 60px; width: 468px;"><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</ins></div>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1215411020450979437.post-6153755618080032812014-12-22T00:00:00.000-06:002014-12-22T00:00:07.699-06:0012 Days of Christmas Giveaway: Day 9 <br />
<h2 align="center">
Welcome to Day 9 of Our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! </h2>
<h2 align="center">
</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUQ9jgl65TPaahgLQZWXWudPud9nEKNCumPzdeTBBi73DS9P9JtGAGgODU29GyGJrfVbwAt6lsv5MhdEC205ga-VbuelYJaJwtYvtgx1eBplExi1EyWQl0cGovLVy-SOu612YbCHtrohV/s1600/our+HHH+jennifer+owen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUQ9jgl65TPaahgLQZWXWudPud9nEKNCumPzdeTBBi73DS9P9JtGAGgODU29GyGJrfVbwAt6lsv5MhdEC205ga-VbuelYJaJwtYvtgx1eBplExi1EyWQl0cGovLVy-SOu612YbCHtrohV/s1600/our+HHH+jennifer+owen.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Today's Prize is a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/OurHHH" target="_blank">Natural Essential Oil First Aid Kit</a>:</span></strong></div>
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong> </div>
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Provided by Jennifer Owen of Our Happy, Healthy Home</span></strong></div>
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong> </div>
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Good Luck and Merry Christmas!</u> </span></strong></div>
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong> </div>
<div align="left">
About:</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Each bag, measuring 7 1/2" X 5 1/2" X 3", is fully lined and has two layers of fleece interfacing to pad and protect your oils. The pockets hold each bottle securely so you don't have to worry about things getting out of place. The zipper extends around three full sides of the bag, so you can easily see all of your essential oils. The bags are machine washable. The First Aid Quick Guide lists common first aid situations and a list of essential oils that have been shown to be effective. It also includes recipes for all natural hand sanitizer, sun screen, and bug spray using essential oils.<strong><u> The oils and products shown are for demonstration only.</u></strong> Bottles and Primary Usage Guides are available separately in the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/191469064/natural-essential-oil-first-aid-kit-or?ref=shop_home_feat_3" target="_blank">OurHHH Esty shop</a>. Zipper colors may vary.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="57b0e85311" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/57b0e85311/" id="rcwidget_r6s8xck5" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Thank You to Jennifer Owen of OurHHH.com</strong></span> <script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14442933858459769214noreply@blogger.com3