We all know we live in crazy times, but really, that’s nothing new. There have been only a few times in our country’s history when the times weren’t crazy, and few times in our own lives when life was smooth and easy. So “crazy” is normal – new normal or otherwise.

Today I’m talking about how we can be prepared when “Crazy” comes close to home. Several years ago the train that runs along the edge of my little town derailed. At the time it was carrying several tanker cars of a toxic chemical and the toxic cloud began to spread through the town. Everyone had to get out and fast!

We don’t have any warning of something like that, where we might have a little warning of a tornado or a flood. All we can do is Get Outta Dodge!

Or what if we got stuck on the freeway/interstate. Like in a snowstorm or a major accident, or an earthquake, whatever, that prevented us from getting out and going home. That’s a real possibility!

What we need to do is prepare a GOODy Bag that we can keep in our car. (GOODy as in Get Out Of Dodge bag. The “y” is just to make it memorable.) I am basing the contents of my bag on the premise that I will be able to drive my car. In case of an electromagnetic burst that wouldn’t be possible. Or even maybe Civil Unrest, but I think I would have enough warning to get out of dodge in the last case. If you live in an urban area you might have to consider that you won’t be able to drive your car, and the contents of your bag will be a little different.

Plan for at least three days of being away from your home. Also think hard about where you will go. In my case it would depend on the emergency, and I suspect it’s the same for you. But think about it now. When an emergency hits is not the time to start planning!

And remember: One size does not fit all. Take what I say and make it fit YOU.

I’ve put a checklist in the Library for you to download. Just click on the word Library in the banner at the top of this page. There’s plenty of space in the checklist for you to make notes for your own circumstances. I hope you’ll start on your bag today. Or if not today, this week. The sooner the better. 

Okay. Here We Go.

WATER is the first thing we need to plan for. I usually keep a case of water in my car all the time. One case of 16 oz. water bottles would be enough for me and my three kitties. The experts advise a gallon of water per person per day. That takes into account washing and cooking as well as drinking. If you are planning on carrying everything in a back pack you might want to look into small filtration bottles for everyone in your family. Sources of water are usually around, although it might not be clean water. Unless you live in the desert. Then you need to map out where you can get water. As we all know, we can live without most everything except air and water.

FOOD is next on our list. I’m not planning on having a cooking source so I am putting in my bag snack type items that won’t need cooking. Things like snack bars, foil pouches of tuna (which won’t need to be cooked), lunchable-type snacks, beef jerky, and so forth. Maybe even some small cans of Vienna sausage, although they’re not my favorite things to eat. If you are planning on carrying everything weight is a factor. You also will need to rotate out your food items every six months. I plan on having a snackable party around my birthday (in June) and one at the end of the year. That way I’ll remember to do it.

CLOTHING: Just put a change of clothes in for each person. When you have your snackable party you can also check on the clothing – is it suitable for the season? Does everything fit? If you put in long pants then – if you have included scissors – you can cut the pant legs off to make a pair of shorts. Don’t forget appropriate shoes.

SHELTER: Again this depends on whether you are walking or driving. If I have my car, that’s my shelter. If I have to carry everything, that’s a different story.

LIGHT/WARMTH: Flashlights, of course. Again, you may need to think about weight and size. And don’t forget about batteries. When you have your snackable party, put new batteries in your flashlights. And check all the ones in your house too, while you’re at it. For warmth, I keep a blanket in my car. It might be a good idea to have some “space blankets” as well in case my blanket gets wet. And I know from experience that it can get really cold inside your car at night!

SANITATION/HYGIENE: I’m putting some packages of “Wet Wipes” type cleaner thingies in, along with some packages of alcohol wipes. And some latex gloves. And a roll of paper towels. Who knows what icky things we might encounter. Also some toilet paper and plastic bags – the grocery store kind, the kitchen trash kind, and a few big black trash bags. They won’t take up much space and weigh next to nothing. And the big trash bags can double as rain protection if I cut a hole in the bottom for my head. Or, if I have to sleep outside (carrying everything in a back pack scenario) they can be a ground sheet. Or even shelter if you thought to put in some clothesline. And – how can I put it? – toilet facilities. Smaller bags can be useful for that situation.

FIRST AID/MEDS: if at all possible, see if you can acquire at least a three day stash of your meds – a week would be better. You’ll need to rotate them frequently, like every month at least. A basic first aid kit is a good thing to have in your car in any case. I would also add the OTC stuff that I’m likely to use, like an antibiotic ointment, and probably something like Pepto-Bismol tablets or heartburn tablets. Probably Tylenol too. Everybody has their own needs and favorites.

PETS: Again, I’m figuring on having my car, so I would put in a week’s worth of food. I use disposable litter boxes for my cats, so it wouldn’t be hard to put a litter box in the trunk of my car. Actually, I do have one in there; I use it to put things in to keep them from rolling around. Then put in some litter – won’t need a lot – and I’m all set. Oh – I have some large cat “cages” that I got when my cats and I moved cross country. They fold flat so I could actually store them in my car. If you have dogs, or birds, or guinea pigs, you’ll need to plan appropriately. If I were walking I don’t know what I’d do about pets other than dogs or cats. My previous cats would walk on a leash. Maybe I’d better start training these kitties to do the same! Again, if I were walking and had a dog, the dog could carry his/her own food etc. in little saddlebags. Even Chihuahuas could do that.

COMMUNICATION: The first thing that comes to mind is our cell phones. Of course. In your car you probably already have charger cables for them. But what if the cell towers are down? (like in a tornado, or hurricane.) Maybe I could drive to where there was an active working tower. Maybe. I actually have a license for a ham radio and I have one in my car, but most people don’t. How would you keep in touch with loved ones who are worried about you? In your important documents place also put contact numbers of people who live a distance away. In case you are able to get a call out you can let someone know how you are and where you are. You will also want to have some way of signaling for help if necessary. Consider flares (if in car), really loud whistles, and even a mirror. You can keep up with the weather and outside news if you have an AM/FM NOAA weather radio. Mine can run on batteries (but needs to be recharged) and can be crank powered.

TOOLS: Don’t get too carried away! In my car I have a multitool thingy which has a knife on it. And scissors. Don’t forget the scissors, and make them big enough to be useful. I also have a small home toolkit which has a hammer, several screwdrivers, pliers, and other useful things in it. Rope is always handy, so I have a “hank” of clothesline. Duct tape too. Maybe heavy gloves. You’ll know what you are likely to need. Oh, and tools for my car – maybe socket wrenches. And a tire jack. I wouldn’t know how to fix my car, but someone might come along and know. Having the tools would help. Maybe a compass? I would need that, since I am directionally challenged.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS: maps. We all depend on our GPSs to tell us where we are or get us where we want to be. But if they’re not working… maps are handy. Make sure you know how to use them. I have a book of maps of Pennsylvania that is a Sportsman’s Guide that shows all the back roads as well as the larger ones. Even abandoned mines. Really detailed! Now – here’s the risky part. You really should have COPIES of your important documents like driver’s license, SS card, identity cards for your kids, etc. Here’s the problem: You are carrying your total identity with you. If someone holds you up or ransacks your car, your identity is stolen. You will have to judge whether the risk of losing all your papers in whatever emergency caused you to flee is greater than having someone steal your papers from you while you are fleeing. Your call. But one thing that is needed is your list of contacts.

RELIGIOUS /SPIRITUAL: I have a pocket Bible in my kit. There’s lots more things that I would like to have, but that is the most basic. You might want to take a book of daily devotions, or affirmations, or whatever reminds you that you are not alone and the Holy One is ever-present and loves you.

ENTERTAINMENT: If you’ve got kids with you, this will be a BIG item. Playing cards – good for both adults and kid’s games like Go Fish and War. Some paper and crayons. Paperback books for both adults and kids. A journal and pen/pencil. (Pen doesn’t need to be sharpened. Mechanical pencil?)

CASH: In a natural disaster like a tornado, hurricane, flood, etc. the power most likely will be out, which means that ATMs won’t work either. So having a small amount of cash will be useful. You don’t need to go overboard. And keep in mind that you could be robbed too. But it might be useful in case your car breaks down and you want to pay someone to fix it. Or trade cash for something you need.

FINALLY, what are you going to put all this stuff in? In my car I could get it in a large cardboard box or plastic tub, or, first choice, a large carry-on bag. Preferably one with wheels just in case I have to walk somewhere. If you plan on walking anyway, you will have to carefully choose your backpack. There are many kinds and styles to choose from.

A couple of last minute thoughts: Don’t let your gas tank in your car get below half-full. And keep a list of what you have in your GOODy Bag and check it at least twice a year. Update any information, test out your plan, and Rotate, Rotate, Rotate.

And to quote St. Peter, “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares about you.”

Whew!

This is a lot of information. I’ve put a checklist in the Library, for you to fill in what you need for your circumstances. Please go to the Library and download it. Just click on the word Library in the banner at the top of this page. Remember the password – create.

I hope we never have to use any of this, and that our twice a year “snack” parties are a greater excuse for getting together with friends and families and having a good time. But it’s like car insurance: when you need it you need it.

Thanks for checking in. Hope I didn’t scare you but instead gave you a start on keeping yourself and your family safe. You are awesome and I know you take the best care possible of your loved ones.

Love and Blessings,

Carole

 

Well, I WOULD love my dog if I had one. I have three very possessive cats, and no yard to speak of for the dog to run in. And no time either to take him/her/it for walks several times a day. All the same, I have owned dogs – or rather they owned me – for most of my life. And I miss not having one around the house.

Having a dog – or rather, having a pet – has a lot of benefits. Here’s just some of the benefits rounded up from the Internet:

• A pet adds structure and routine to your life.
• It gives you a reason to get up in the morning
• Provides sensory stress relief
• Helps decrease blood pressure
• They make you feel safe
• Playing with a pet elevates your serotonin levels
• Pets Help people socialize.
• They provides companionship

Adds structure and routine.

              Oh yeah. My cats let me know when it is time to get up in no uncertain terms. And when it is time to feed them. If I had a dog it would let me know when it was time for a walk. NOW. Yup, structure and routine.

A reason to get up in the morning.

              Same as above. One of my cats has evidently been given the job of seeing to it that I am up. Her technique is to walk across my face. And back again. If that doesn’t work she will sit on my chest for a few minutes and then start the walk–across-my-face routine again. It is practically a sure fire way of guaranteeing that I get up. The only way to avoid it is to get up first.

              Even more important than that, having  pets means we are responsible for someone other than ourselves. They depend on us for their well-being, for their very lives. They really can’t fend for themselves very well without us. That’s a very good reason for getting up in the morning.

Provides sensory stress relief.

              Few things are more calming than petting your cat or dog. A dog will look up at you with love in it’s eyes; a cat will purr. Calm. Calm. Calm.

Helps decrease blood pressure

              The calmer we are, the lower our blood pressure goes, as a general rule. If your blood pressure is sky-high I’m not saying that all you need to do is pet your dog. I AM saying that petting your dog can help de-stress you and thus lower your blood pressure.

They make you feel safe.

              Well, dogs might. Cats couldn’t care less, generally speaking. A nice deep doggy “woof!” usually makes folks think twice about coming in uninvited.

Playing with a pet helps elevate your serotonin levels.

              That’s definitely a win-win deal. They’re happy, we’re happy. What’s not to like?

Pets help people socialize

              That’s true for dogs. And maybe cats too. If I’m at somebody’s house that I don’t know well and they have a cat, I’m likely to socialize with the cat. And eventually with the human. But that’s just because I’m an introvert.

              Taking a dog for a walk though is another matter, especially if you live in an urban area. You meet lots of people who are also walking their dogs, or people who would ordinarily just nod and walk on. Now they will stop and admire your dog and first thing you know you are deep in a conversation. Walking a dog is a time-tested and excellent way to meet people.

They provide companionship.

              That is true for any kind of pet. Well, most any kind of pet. I don’t know about snakes or lizards. Or tarantulas. Even fish will get to know you. And provide that structure that we talked about.

              Even mice, rats and guinea pigs provide companionship. But dogs and cats are the best of all. They love us, and want to be with us. They miss us when we are away. And we can grieve their passing as much as we grieve anyone we love.

So there are some perfectly good reasons for having a pet. And if you have a pet – particularly a dog, there’s a certain amount of information that’s handy to have all in one place. Which means you don’t have to hunt through that stack of random papers looking for the last bill from the dog groomer, or hunt in your checkbook or credit card statement to find out when was the last time your dog had a checkup. Although my vet kindly reminds me when it’s time.

Still, wouldn’t it be nice to have all that information in one handy place? Of course it would! Your freebie for this week is a Tracker for all the information you can think of pertaining to your dog. It’s in the Library so you can easily download it. It’s set up to track the information for two dogs, in case you have more than one.

It contains basic info about the pet like name, breed, color, size, and so forth. Then, in addition, it tracks vet visits, vaccinations, illnesses, special medications, heart-worm meds, instructions for pet sitters, and more.

You can download the file and then simply print out the pages you want, hole punch them, and insert into a ring binder. Easy! Again, just click on the word Library at the top of the page. Remember the password: create.

So that’s it. I’ve got one for cats too. You will be able to get both of them when my Etsy store goes live, probably closer to the end of the month. Black and white versions will be available on Amazon as well.

Thanks for hanging in here to the end. I think you’ll find this freebie useful if you have a dog. You could even use it for a cat too, if you wanted, (although you probably won’t need the heartworm pages.)

Thank you for being the awesome folks that you are, and for reading my posts and newsletters. You’re the best!

Hope you have a tail-wagging kind of day.

Love and Blessings,

Carole

Or Self-Love. Whatever you want to call it. That’s not something I’m very good at, so this post is for me as well.

There’s a lot of information around about self-care/self-love, so I think I’m not alone in needing reminders. Women of my generation were taught to think of themselves last – if at all – and that often got passed down through the family. So here are some warning signs and some suggestions. As usual, one size does not fit all, so take what you can use. Oh, and I’ve made a one page reminder sheet that you can download and stick on the refrigerator, or the mirror, or wherever. It’s in the Library. Just click on the word Library at the top of this page. The password is create.

So here are the warning signs:

You don’t have much interest in anything.

              If somebody were to ask you what you do for fun, you wouldn’t have an answer. TV is your source of fun. There are days when showering is too much trouble, and as for eating – well, another peanut butter sandwich is fine.

              I talked about this in a previous blog – It’s called “languishing,” and you can find it here. In the midst of the Covid Days it was pretty common, and still is. Covid hasn’t gone away, and while I’m not expecting another lockdown the news these days is very depressing. If this fits you please pay attention to what’s going on with you mentally, emotionally and physically. This can get serious!
              Along with this feeling of “meh” is a shorter temper. Little things can make you mad, when you used to overlook them. When you’re not feeling much love for yourself it’s easy to start criticizing others, which leads to lack of patience, which leads to…. Well, you know.

Get Organized.

              Your desk is a mess, your car is trashed, you can’t walk through your living room without stumbling over something, there’s dishes in the sink, on and on and on. Not only is it unsightly, it leads straight to that feeling of overwhelm. No matter where you look there is something that demands your attention. It’s easier to just turn on the TV and watch anything. All In The Family reruns. ANYTHING! Of course when you come back to reality the problem is still there. Hygge moments are VERY far away!
              (If you’re not sure what “hygge” is, “hygge” is a Danish word – pronounced hue-gah that means a moment when you realize that what you are experiencing is cozy, comforting, somehow special. You can’t create a hygge moment, you “recognize” them.)
              The FLY Lady – Marla Cilley – says to take everything out of your sink and pile it on the counter or wherever, and then scrub that sink until it shines. Dry it. Wax it with furniture polish if you want. Really do a bang-up job on that sink. Stand back and admire it. Then commit to keeping it that way. You know how one thing leads to another, and pretty soon you are tackling the clutter in the living room and your spirits are out of the cellar, you’ve bought a bouquet for the hall table and who knows? A hygge moment just might happen.

Talk Nice To Yourself.

              We all have an internal critic. Mine sounds like a combination of my third grade teacher and my mother. “Why can’t you do anything right? What’s that B doing in Gym? Why can’t you get all “A”s like your friend? That’s fine, but you could have done this and this and this much better.” And so forth. You know the drill. The problem comes when we believe the internal critic is right and we add our own voice. “I can’t do this.” I failed at everything I tried, I’ll fail again.” “I’m not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, young enough,…” Fill in your own blanks.

              Would you talk to your best friend that way? Of course not. Your best friend would be telling you that you ARE good enough, smart enough, etc. and following up with examples. “Remember the time you…?” Be your own best friend. Put affirmations on little cards and tuck them into places where you’ll see them during the day. When you realize that you are indulging in negative self-talk, change the subject! Becoming aware of what you are saying to yourself is half the battle.

You Are What You Eat.

              “Yeah yeah. I know.” But we also know that it’s true. Pay attention. If need be, start a journal where you track what you’ve been eating. Writing down HONESTLY (no cheating, no saying “Oh it’s just a little snack, it won’t matter”) may be an eye opener. Maybe look into changing some of your eating habits.

              Make meal times pleasant. (You eat in front of the TV? Or the computer? Or standing at the sink? That shiny bright sink?) Ooops. Not so good. If you live alone that’s a habit that’s very easy to get into. Maybe you could share a meal with another single-eater once or twice a week.

              If you have others in the house with you, how can you make mealtime special? No electronics might be a good start. Even before that, have a meal TIME. So many families have lost this. Sit down together with those you love and share a home with, and have a meal. Talk and LISTEN to each other. Ban topics of dissension. Make it leisurely. (If we’re dealing with teenagers here you have your work cut out for you.) Nonetheless, it’s worth trying, and also not worth getting all uptight about. The idea is to have a nice relaxed time with those you love.

Move Around.

              Sitting is the new smoking, so they say. I spend a lot of my time on the computer, and I have to set a timer to remind myself that it’s time to get up and move. Scrub the sink. Fold the laundry. Take out the trash. Whatever.

              More than that, show yourself some love by signing up for a yoga class, or schedule in a walk every evening instead of watching TV. Go dancing. Really take it seriously. It will make you healthier and all those endorphins will make you happier too.

You Are Busy Doing For Everyone Else and Don’t Have Time For Yourself.

Schedule some “Me” time. Everyday. This is where many people are gonna dig in their heels and balk. “I’m too busy.” “You don’t know my schedule – I can’t possibly do that.” “My family won’t let me.” Etc. Etc. Etc.

              Of course your family won’t let you. You’ve been at their beck and call for their whole lives. But now it’s time to love yourself. They’ll adjust, and you – once you get over feeling guilty and find out how much you need this – will never let it go. Get a manicure. Or a massage. Take up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. You might find you hate it, so try another. The idea is to explore what pleases YOU. (No, you won’t get struck by lightning. I promise.) Take a class. Have a long chat with your bestie who moved to the other side of the country. Whatever. Just schedule it in and DO it. Even if it’s only 20 minutes, it’s YOUR 20 minutes.

You Are A Slave To Your Cell Phone.

              Our lives are run by screens – cell phone screens, TV screens, computer screens. Create some Technology-free time and space.

Make it  habit to have some time when you can just NOTICE. First thing in the morning is nice, if you can manage that. Just time to notice the day. Maybe have a quiet time with the Holy One. Get the day off to a good start.

              The next best time is just before bed. Turn off all screens. Write in your journal. Share your day with your partner. Read. Have a nice quiet routine to wind down the day.

It’s Become All About You

You realize that everything is revolving around you – you wishes, your likes, your day. You’ve forgotten that there are others in your world, others that you care about. So here’s the remedy – Gratitude. You know – have an attitude of gratitude. Old saying, but oh so true.

This is probably the most important thing we can do for ourselves. It takes the spotlight off ourselves and our problems, and reminds us that life is good. No matter how difficult and uncertain it might seem at the moment, our lives are good. So make time to count your blessings. Maybe a scheduled time while you’re journaling, maybe random moments. Whatever works for you. Be thankful for those others in your life, even the annoying ones. You’ll be glad you did.

So that’s it. That’s what I’ve gleaned from my research. I’ve distilled it down to a one page reminder for you, which you can download from the Library and print out. Just click on the word Library at the top of this page. You’ll need the password = create.

Thank you once again for sticking with me, and reading clear through to the end. You are awesome, and I love you for it!

Have a hygge-filled kind of week!

Love and Blessings,

Carole

Hardly yawn. There’s a lot of fussing going on about Back to School time in the Country right now, with people arguing about masks or no masks, vaccinations or no vaccinations, and who says what about whom. Hardly our usual run of the mill time.

But back to school happens, even if your kids or grandkids are homeschooled. Or (ugh! Are enduring online classes.) And with that time of year we have a zillion little details to keep track of.

To help keep track of all those details I’ve made a Back To School Planner for Parents and Grandparents. You can find a selection of pages from it in our Library this week. Just click on the word Library at the top of the page – and

enter the password create – and you’ll find it.

So what will you find in it?

• A calendar, of course.
• Pages to write all that contact information like the school principal, teachers, and the folks on the emergency call list.
• School Holidays and Special Days. Can you remember off the top of your head when Christmas Vacation starts?
• Back to School Preparation pages – so you don’t forget something
• The names of your child’s teacher(s) and how to contact them
• The subjects your child is learning and how they are doing
• Supplies list
• The School timetable – Where your kid(s) are supposed to be at any given time
• Notes about those all-important Parent/Teacher meetings

  

Having all this information in one place can cut down on the last-minute stress that anyone who takes care of kids knows all too well. Just print out these pages, put them in a binder, and keep it handy. Oh – and fill in the information too. (But that goes without saying.) Not only will it be useful but if you make notes it will give you a brief snapshot of the school year when you are done.

Just click on the word Library at the top of this page and type in the password – create.

These pages are just a sample from the full-sized planner that I am publishing on Amazon. If you want the whole thing simply go to Amazon and search for Cat n Mouse Books Carole Bergman. You’ll go to a page that lists all of my books published on Amazon. Or click here.

Thank you for opening my post and reading to the end. I hope this will be useful for you. You are certainly a blessing to me!

Love and Blessings,

Carole