Prepare for a Snowstorm

by Linda Shapero
Preparation is key to avoiding a crisis

Most winters include a snowstorm or two. This is particularly
true for the Midwest and the eastern part of the country. That
being said, if you live in either of these areas, you should
know how to prepare for a snowstorm. Make sure you are ready
when one hits.

Heating, Power & Water Sources

Regardless of the type of heat you have, be sure your system
is in good working order. If you use oil or wood, make sure at
the beginning of the season that you've gotten enough
delivered that you can get through the winter and then some.
You may also want to consider purchasing a generator and gas,
but these must not be used indoors.

As far as water goes, if there is a chance that you will not
be able to get water from the tap, make sure you have bought
bottled water or, preferably, bottle your own up to at least a
week's worth.

Food

If you don't have a year-round pantry that you replenish and
you hear that a storm is on the way and your supplies are low,
you must make it a priority to get out and shop for food. Be
sure to have canned goods like soups, stews, spaghetti,
fruits, and vegetables and a good manual can opener (or two
handy), in case you lose power. Don't forget to get lots of
healthy snacks, as well. If you are cooped up in the house
over a lengthy storm, everyone will be eating more than they
usually do due to the fact that they are there rather than out
of the house following their usual routine.

Alternative Methods for Cooking

You may have to use a propane grill, regular barbecue grill,
or camp stove if you lose your electricity. Make sure you have
all related supplies like briquettes or propane ready to go.
Also, be sure to use these kinds of emergency cooking
substitutes outside only.

Emergency Supplies

Matches, several flashlights, lanterns, extra batteries,
candles, a weather radio (or regular radio or both), extra
blankets and comforters, sleeping bags for everyone, snow
shovels, rock salt for the sidewalks and driveway, kitty
litter for the trunk of the car are some of the necessary
items you'll want to have plenty of on hand. Make sure you
keep listening for weather information on the battery-operated
radio in case they are calling for people in your area to
evacuate.

Medications and First Aid

Always have a first aid kit available. Check it often to be
sure that items that have been used are replaced. Purchase
enough medication to get you through a storm. Most medications
are purchased in 30- or 90-day supplies, so you should be able
to get through as long as you haven't run out when the storm
comes. Any other special supplies should be purchased in
advance, as well, such as baby supplies or items for an
elderly member of the family, such as Depends, denture
cleaners, etc.

Clothing

Everyone should have warm clothing at his/her disposal. It may
be necessary to wear extra layers if the heat goes off. You
may have to camp around the fireplace, if you're lucky enough
to have one. With everyone in one room, you will stay warmer.
In fact, it's a good idea to shut doors to rooms that aren't
being used to conserve any heat.

Things to Do

Try to keep a box of various types of fun things that your
family likes to do if they are trapped inside for days, such
as books, cards, craft supplies, and games, etc. If conditions
are safe outside, you may want to all go out for a walk or to
play in the snow or go sledding to break the monotony of being
inside.

Knowing how to prepare in advance for a snowstorm will help
you tremendously. If you do your homework and get everything
you need, you will be well-fed and cozy while you wait out the
storm.

Take the Next Step:
- Discuss "Stocking for Winter" in the Dollar Stretcher
Community
http://community.stretcher.com/forums/p/20594/209923.aspx>

Thankful For The Food On Our Plates

Last night, my church held its annual pre-Thanksgiving dinner and worship service. As we left for the service, we discovered that the light drizzle was now freezing drizzle and that the winds were very blustery. As we struggled to get into the car and were complaining about the cold, I thought about those for whom this isn't a momentary thing but rather a daily occurrence. Those whose hunger knows no end, both physically and for kindness. Those who long for warmth, both from the cold and from their fellow human beings. Those numbers are growing in these hard times.

Today, we are fortunate to share dinner with our neighbors, who are also recovering from surgery. We will share love and laughter. May we all be so lucky.

There are so many people out there without a warm home.

And so many people without a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

However, there are many who do not have a table to sit at today. Many who are facing an empty plate.

So let's be grateful for what we have, even if Great Aunt Harriet is a pill and your brother-in-law's girlfriend refuses to eat anything but fallen fruit. If we have food to eat, we are lucky. If we are sitting in warm homes, we're fortunate indeed.

Would you consider making a donation today to Share Our Strength or your local food pantry? You can find out more about Share our Strength Here: Remember: hunger knows no season.

http://strength.org/

Today, along with an incredible group of food bloggers, I am putting up a photo of an empty plate, instead of tempting food.

Thanksgiving 2010 Reflections

As I reflect on another year passed, it seems that this year has been a harder one, a year of many mixed blessings. There have been surgeries, disappointments, loved ones who have passed on and many tears and heartbreaks.

Joys have also been present at the table: time spent with friends and family, laughter, leaning on others and knowing that they have your back, learning to be gentle with oneself, the list is endless.

As I count my blessings, many thoughts come to mind. Here are just a few:

I am cognizant that every struggle contains blessings, even when I can't see them clearly.

Perhaps I find myself more thankful this year because I've relied more on others this year, with surgery, recovery and the jumble of emotions that go along with. Maybe it's a hazard of growing older, I don't know.

I am thankful for the love and care shown to me by those I count as friends and family. I am thankful for your cards, phone calls, flowers, e-mails and words of encouragement when I feel frail, small and vulnerable. I am always touched by your pride in me and your affirmations that my presence in this world makes a difference in your lives and the lives of others.

I am thankful for having shelter when the days are warm, the rain falls, the wind howls, and the snow pelts. I am cognizant of those who do not have safe shelter.

I am thankful that while I may never be rich, that I have enough and also enough to share with those who are less fortunate. May that always be the case.

I am thankful for peaceful passings of loved ones, for in death we learn how to live life fully, with appreciation and with joy. May we not need death to remind us to do those things.

I am thankful for injustice, for it teaches me to look into the darkness and to be the light, be the hope and to share what I can - whether time, skills or money - for the benefit of others.

I am thankful for the cruel words that I sometimes face; they remind me to be kind. We are not always privy to the private pains others carry.

I am thankful for health issues; they have taught me how to take care of the temple that is my body, how to eat and savor nutritious food and how to enjoy the process. I am thankful to live in a country where nutritious food is relatively easy to obtain, but am reminded that even in the land of plenty, some still do not have enough. May I be reminded that enough is plenty and to share my bounty.

Most of all, I am thankful for the opportunity to see another day and to be surrounded by friends and family.

I leave you with these thoughts:

I am very thankful to have all of you as my friends.
I count my blessings when the day ends.

I have food and remember some do not.
I have shelter and realize that's a lot.

I have more that I will share...
Even though I'm not a millionaire.

As Thanksgiving rolls around...
I feel grateful to be safe and sound.

I feel fortunate to have so much more...
Then they sell in any department store.

For good friends, old and new,
For trees of green and skies of blue.

For all the food that makes me drool,
I'm thankful that the price went down on fuel.

I'm also guided by the power above.
My riches are found in those that I love.


I applaud each of you and everything you do, everyday.
I honor your victories and I understand your struggles.
I am inspired daily by your thoughts and comments.
I give thanks daily, that you are part of my life.
I am fortunate to have such cherished friends.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, and those you hold dear.

Weepy Day

is

weepy today and isn't bothered by that. I suppose that Veteran's Day,
recuperating from surgery and the hormonal roller coaster it brings, and
the ex's cancer might have a little to do with that. Today, I am at
peace with my tears.

Hallelujah Chorus at Macy's

I came across a link to this in a newsletter I get and almost didn't look at it. What a joy I would have missed! Here you go and enjoy!

http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2010/11/awesome-pop-up-hallelujah-chorus-at.html

HOOD TO HERO

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. Please take a moment to thank a veteran, no matter what you think of war. They have sacrificed more for you than anyone other than God.

HOOD TO HERO
by Joseph Walker

As a high school senior in the early 1970s, there were a lot of places I wanted to go: Europe, Hawaii, backstage at a Chicago concert, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room. But there was one place I actually had a chance of going where I definitely didn't want to go.

Vietnam.

Don't get me wrong. I was as patriotic as the next guy. I loved my country. I was almost an Eagle Scout. And I could play a version of "The Star Spangled Banner" on my tuba that could bring tears to your eyes. At least, it brought tears to my band teacher's eyes.

And it wasn't that I had strong feelings one way or the other about the morality of the war. I registered for the draft like I was supposed to when I turned 18, and I wasn't thinking about burning my draft card or moving to Canada or anything like that. The fact is, I didn't know all that much about the war's political implications, and I didn't really care -- not like I cared about my '62 Caddy, my collection of Neil Diamond records and somehow getting a date with a cute little sophomore named Becky.

When it comes right down to it, I didn't want to go to Vietnam because... well, there just isn't any other way to say this -- I was scared. Scared of the jungle. Scared of the Viet Cong. Scared of napalm. Scared of Agent Orange. Scared of Russian weapons. Scared of body bags. Scared of being injured. Scared of being killed. Scared of my high draft number.

Of course, that wasn't my public position. As far as everyone else was concerned, I was just really focused on getting my college education. And doing some volunteer work for my church. And getting married and starting a family. All of which was true. But the cold, hard fact of the matter was, I was interested in those things because they were a lot less frightening than Vietnam -- notwithstanding the prospect of finals, homesickness and potty training.

So it was hard to know what to say when my high school classmate, John, told me he had joined the Marines and would likely be shipping out to 'Nam before the school year was out.

"They can't do that, can they?" I asked, worried almost as much for him as I was for me. "Don't they have to let you graduate from high school first?"

"I'm 19, almost 20," he said, shrugging his shoulders. He smiled at the puzzled look on my face. "I got held back a year," he said, smiling. "Maybe two, I don't remember." Suddenly I felt less embarrassed about how easily he had pinned me during a 9th grade wrestling tournament. It looked like man against boy, because it was.

"Look," he said, "you know I've never been much good at this school stuff. About the only thing I'm any good at is fighting in the parking lot after football games. So I figure I might as well go someplace where they don't give you detention for fighting -- they give you medals."

For the first time in the six years I had known John, I saw peace in his eyes. Peace -- because he was going to war. It didn't make sense, but then, few things did those days. I just knew that John, the parking lot warrior, had found his nobility. He was willing to go someplace and do a job that a lot of us were unwilling to do. In fact, just the thought of going there and doing that scared some of us to death.

And that made him a hero -- at least, to me.

I don't know how many hoods have become heroes in the service of their country. But every Veteran's Day I think about John and others like him who fought for peace.
For their country, and for themselves.

-- Joseph Walker msn.com>

Post Surgery Update

Good morning friends,

I am now a week post-hysterectomy and finally get past a few hitches in the healing. There are many concerns with abdominal surgery and even more when the bowel tears in the process of the surgery. It has been repaired, but keeping the plumbing working with meds that work against the plumbing has been a bit of a challenge. Nausea was pretty intense as well,so the dr. prescribed a drug for that and I now feel nearly human. My energy levels are still reducedand that's OK. As long as I have no problems sleeping, I will sleep.

I admit to having cabin fever, though. The highlight of my day is when someone calls or comes by to check on me. It does matter. I am looking forward to going to the Empowerment Network monthly meeting this Saturday and seeing friends and making new ones. Perhaps if things go well next week, I can get back to actively mentoring my mentee. We'll see.

The dietary transitions are going fairly well. I can definitely tell when I've had wheat, though. The meal sits heavily on my stomach and gives me gastro issues. More convinced than ever that the changes I'm making will benefit my health greatly.

Gotta Read The Labels

Since researching the effects of soy on endometriosis, I have made a commitment to go soy free. I must admit that of all of the dietary transitions I've made, this one is the one that is proving the hardest.

It seems that the food producers - in their never-ending quest to label things 'high protein" - are adding soy protein or lecithin to darn near everything. Even things that aren't remotely related to a soy product - like almond milk! The hubber went to the grocery store and bought me a bunch of gluten free, dairy free and he thought - soy free - products. Several of the products contained some form of soy. Not good. I have started keeping a list of the brands to avoid and why and we will have to refer to it and really carefully read labels. I do but the hubber is learning. He is wonderfully supportive so I appreciate his efforts in this journey.

For someone like me whose body goes into overdrive with estrogen, having an estrogen accelerator like soy is not a good thing.

This is definitely a learning experience.

This Week's Beautiful Spot on the Web

OK, I'm a day late and dollar short, but forgive me. I was wrapping up all of the loose ends before today's surgery. There will be no more posts from me until the end of the week. I expect to be home Thursday or Friday.

Without any further ado, here is this week's entry:


http://pearlshomeandgarden.blogspot.com/

This beautiful blog just invites me in and feels like having a cup of tea with a good friend. Beautiful pictures, yummy recipes and wonderful conversation. Jump on over and give it a look! And don't forget to tell them that I sent you.

My Name is Paulissa And I Am An Omnivore

I was given a good round of butt chewing over my use of the term vegetarian while still eating chicken occasionally. To put this into context, I have many friends who while eating vegetarian most of the time, enjoy the occasional fish or chicken dinner. Usually this occur once a month or so. Since they are more vegetarian than not (proportionally), they term themselves vegetarians. I never thought much of having to qualify it with a different term. I posted a link to a chicken recipe and the backlash and vitriol was swift and quite amazing. One woman told me that I would burn in hell for being so insensitive. It was certainly not meant to be offensive. Wow, really?????

To each his own but the vitriol for not using the term omnivore because chicken occasionally ends up on my menu. Oh the horror! I understand that the choice to eat or not eat meat is intensely personal and some people avoid it for moral objections, some people do it because they don't feel the food is safe, some decry cruelty and still others do it because their bodies rebel against the food. As for me, I am going gluten, soy and dairy free because those are the 3 things that contribute to endo and since there is no guarantee of no further adhesions even after the hysto tomorrow, I want to do what I can to keep from having any furtho endo surgeries. So. . .more plants and less processed foods and sugar figure into the mix with the side effect of weight loss.

I just don't believe in demonizing food and what people eat. Sure, some foods are healthier than others, but we have freedom of choice and should allow others to exercise theirs. For the record, I am not a big fan of labels. I believe they negate anything said after the label is used.