Survival for Blondes

Prepping Meets Romance … Say What Now?

by Heather Thurmeier

Oh yes, you heard me correctly! My newest book ESCAPE TO MY ARMS is a prepper novella … AND a romance! Woot! Two awesome things combined into one. I know on the surface, those two things don’t sound at all like they want to go together. I mean who wants to think about romance, and sweet moments and sex during the apocalypse? Um … I do! What kind of apocalypse would it be if we didn’t have anything good to hope for. Sure the world as we know it has ended, but does that mean sexytime has to go too? Does that mean we can’t find love and happiness without someone special? I think not.

 

Now don’t go thinking this book is all about the kissy stuff because let me assure you, it isn’t. Nope. This book also has bad guys! Excitement! Dangerous situations! Peril! Weapons! Violence!! And yes, I needed every single one of those exclamation points!

So what are you waiting for? This prepper romance is available now.

About the book:

Sara’s been preparing for this moment her whole life—she just never believed it would actually happen. With her bug-out bag and emergency food already in her truck, her only goal is to get to her family’s hidden bunker and wait out the pandemic that’s hit every major cruise ship port in the US. But her plan quickly falls apart. She’s out of gas, her route to the bunker is now a two-lane parking lot with no alternative in sight, and her only weapon is a pocketknife. For an experienced prepper, she’s made every rookie mistake.

Dane believes he’s safe in his cabin, off the beaten path and in the woods with his own source for water, electricity and an endless supply of food to hunt. After finding Sara stranded and alone, he’s suddenly not only providing for and protecting himself, but also the girl who wandered out of the woods and into his life. When looters come looking to take what he has, Sara and Dane’s only option is to make a run for their last hope—the bunker.

Can Sara and Dane find safety in each other’s arms and will they survive long enough to escape to a future together?

Excerpt from ESCAPE TO MY ARMS

Sara sipped her wine and nibbled on another square of chocolate. He was right. Again.

They didn’t know what would happen in the future. Hell, they didn’t even know if there was a future to look forward to at this point. So why shouldn’t they enjoy the moments like this one while they could? Moments when they were safe, warm, fed, and comfortable. They might not get many more nights like this if things kept getting worse, as they seemed to be. Best to savor the time while you had it instead of squandering it away with fights.

At this point, she didn’t even know what future awaited her at the bunker. Would she live with her family for the rest of their lives, never to interact with people from the outside world again? That’s sort of what they wanted, wasn’t it? Wasn’t that why they hadn’t told anyone about the bunker, because they couldn’t trust anyone?

What if this was her last night on her own? It might be her last night to live her life however she wanted to before she had to start making group decisions with her family.

“You’re right.” She polished off the last of her wine in a big gulp. Her head already swirled with the effects of the alcohol. She’d always been a lightweight when it came to getting drunk. Tonight would be no different. Good thing she’d planned to stop at one this evening. She had other plans for the rest of the night.

“Right about what exactly? I said a bunch of stuff.”

She put her wineglass on the floor and took his hand in hers. “You were right about enjoying this moment we have tonight since we don’t know what the future holds, or even if we have a future.”

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” He smiled, squeezing her hand.

“Yes. And then some.”

Sara took the wineglass from his hand and set it down next to hers, then straddled his lap, resting her hands on his chest. She pressed her mouth to his, delighting in the surprise on his face.

She wasn’t a throw-caution-to-the-wind kind of girl, but for once she was going to do just that, since she didn’t know if she’d have wind to be cautious of later on. Tonight, she’d live by her feelings. Tomorrow she’d go back to surviving.

Get a free sample, or buy the book for your Kindle, here:

Escape to My Arms ( A Prepper Romance)

Prepping 101: Prepping for Pets!

What happens to the pets when the SHTF?

If you’re a prepper, or a beginner prepper, then you’ve already thought about and planned for your needs when the zombies rise. But have you thought about your pets and what their needs will be? I love my dog, and my new kitten, so when the apocalypse happens, I want to give them a fighting chance at survival too.

For our shelter in place plan, I don’t think my pets need too much. I always buy 2 big bags of food when I go to the pet store to stock up. It makes it so I don’t have to go to the store as often, but it also provides me with a small stockpile of food for my pets. Hopefully if it was ever needed we’d be able to ration it to last a while. As for their water needs, we have a lake down the street from us. Now, I wouldn’t want my kids drinking that water, but I don’t think my pets will object too much to a little duck-poop flavored water.

But what if you have to leave? Have you considered what you’ll do with your pets? On the news you always see a story or two about the people who decide to leave their pets behind if they have to evacuate for a flood or storm or earthquake. But I don’t think I could do that. I think with the right prep and planning, our furry friends can be active partners in our emergency preparedness.

So I made a Doggy Go Bag! Oh, yes … I did.

On my last run to the pet store, I was on the hunt for a collapsible dog dish to put in the car for those days in the warm months when we’re out hiking with the dog and he gets thirsty. We’ve run into this problem before with bad planning and have had to poor water into our cupped hands to get our Indy Jones a needed drink. But I’d like to do better this year. I found the collapse dish I was looking for and right beside it was a doggy backpack! The wheels started turning and all I could see was a hiking bag/go bag for my pup! Perfect.

Inside my Doggy Go bag:

• Collapsible dish (Can be used for food or water.) Perhaps I should have two in there?
• Plastic bag full of food (Luckily dog and cat both like the same food, although we do provide them with both cat and dog specific varieties.)
• A tiny water bottle
• Leash with poop bag holder attached (In the apocalypse, I’m probably not going to worry about picking up after my dog, but plastic bags could come in handy!
• Quilted vest
• Doggy boots (Necessary for walking in our cold weather!)
• Medications
• First aid supplies (small amount)
• Vaccination paper work (I’m not sure why you’d need this, but if you have room, it couldn’t hurt to print out a copy and throw it in there.)
• Small animal carrier (if your pet is small, this may be an easier option for bringing them with you. Although you could try to put a leash on a cat or ferret but they may not like you very much.)
• Tie-out stake and rope (could also use Paracord. I hear that stuff is good for the apocalypse, but I don’t know why. Seems this might be a good use for some.)

I figure with this Doggy Go Bag, my pets would be set for at least 72 hours, which is all you can really ask for from a go bag. And you have to remember not to pack your Doggy Go Bag any heavier than your dog can actually carry. My dog could probably carry another small water bottle, but I wouldn’t want to push him any further than that. A big dog like a husky or a retriever could probably carry a much heavier bag than my little King Charles Cavalier. Be smart about how much you plan for your pooch to pack.

I’m sure this bag isn’t perfect, but at least it’s a start and I feel better knowing I have something ready to go at a moment’s notice. And during the warm months I think we’ll try using this bag when we go on our hikes so the dog will always have the supplies he needs with him.

Do you have an emergency plan in place for your pets? What have you included that I’ve forgotten? Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts on prepping for pets.

 

Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders, and a reality TV junkie. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now lives in upstate New York. When she's not busy taking care of her family and pets, or preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse, Heather's hard at work on her next romance novel. Escape to My Arms, her first prepper romance, is coming soon to Decadent Publishing. You can find out more about her current and upcoming romance novels on her website at www.heatherthurmeier.com.

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER:  The Survival Blondes love all of God's creatures and do not endorse hatred of any kind. Not even of people, who totally suck sometimes. However, we are not judgey, and only hope that Heather, in time, can work through her spidey issue

Prepping 101: A Quick Start Guide For You

Easy At-Home Prep for the Non-Prepper

Being a “Prepper” doesn’t mean you have to become a survivalist with a bunker, two years worth of food and water, and a fear that the world as we know it is ending. I’m a bit of a prepper, but I don’t have any of those things. I consider myself a casual prepper. I like to be safe in the event of an emergency. And in my eyes, an emergency can be anything. Maybe it’s something terrible like a new plague or flu. Or maybe it’s something Mother Nature throws at us like a hurricane or a super snowstorm (I’ve been through both of those in the last year!). Maybe it’s just a longer than comfortable power outage. Whatever it is that’s headed my way, I want my family to be safe. So here’s my easy, Get Prepared list for the casual prepper.

1. Get a Go Bag.
Some people call these Bug Out Bags. Whatever you call it, get one and put it in your vehicle. Basically you want a good quality backpack that you can carry to take with you if you have to leave in a hurry. In it, you stuff a bunch of essentials you think you’ll need. Some of the items in my bags (I have 2, 1 in each vehicle) are: water, energy bars, first aid kit, flash lights, solar powered radio, rain ponchos, tube tent, foil blankets, candles, water bottles with filtration, carabineers, pocket knife, hunting knife, pencil, paper, hand warmers, glow sticks, waterproof matches, flint… I’m sure there’s more, but I can’t think of it right now.

2. A stockpile of food.
It doesn’t have to be big or expensive. You just need a little extra food in the house that can feed your family in case you have to shelter in place. I would say having at least 2 weeks of food is a must. Anything extra is up to you. If you’re interested in long-term food storage options, you can check out my post from Jan 2013 on that topic.

3. Water!
You need water to survive. Do you have a water plan in place? If not, you should figure out what you would do for water if you have to shelter in place or if you have to leave. Do you have a water source? Is it safe to drink? What are your alternatives? I keep bottled water on hand at home and have filtering water bottles in my go bags. I know that probably wouldn’t be enough in a real prepper’s eyes, but for me, I think it’s enough. Hey, it’s better than nothing!

4. Heat.
What happens if there is an emergency in the cold winter months that leaves you without power? Do you have a heat source that is safe and clean burning? This is very important. A fireplace or generator would be ideal, but you have to do what is right for your family and within your budget. Whatever you do, MAKE SURE YOUR HEAT SOURCE IS CLEAN!! You do not want to endanger yourself by depending on a heat source that creates toxic fumes. Think about it now before you need it so you can make the best decision possible for you and your family.

5. An evacuation plan.
If you are told to leave, where do you go? What if you are separated from your family members at the time? Make a plan on what you will do in an evacuation, where you will go, and when you will meet. Make a back up plan incase plan A isn’t possible. Tell other (outside the area) family or friends where your meeting place will be in the case of an evacuation. That way, worried relatives will know where to search for you if needed.

Any preparation that you make in advance of needing it is a good thing. You don’t have to go all out and become a hardcore prepper if you don’t want to. But take a few minutes and think about what your needs would be in different situations and make a plan to prepare for them. I’m glad I did! After going nine days without power after Hurricane Sandy, I vowed to be more prepared the next time. So, when super snowstorm Nemo was on the way, I didn’t have to panic. I knew that I could keep my family warm, fed and entertained if we were snowed in or lost power.

Happy prepping!

 

Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders, and a reality TV junkie. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now lives in upstate New York. When she's not busy taking care of her family and pets, or preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse, Heather's hard at work on her next romance novel. Escape to My Arms, her first prepper romance, is coming soon to Decadent Publishing. You can find out more about her current and upcoming romance novels on her website at www.heatherthurmeier.com.

 

 

DISCLAIMER:  The Survival Blondes love all of God's creatures and do not endorse hatred of any kind. Not even of people, who totally suck sometimes. However, we are not judgey, and only hope that Heather, in time, can work through her spidey issue .

Got Preps? If not, what's in the way?

Are you working too hard to create the results you want? Do you feel like you are spinning your wheels without really making progress on your Big Goals? It may be the clutter clogging your rooms that is causing your problem!

You see, if your home or workspace is cluttered, that clutter is doing more than clogging and slowing down the chi, or life-force, in your physical space. It’s also clogging your mental space! It’s well documented that we function and feel our best in rooms that are ordered and attractive.

Imagine living and working in rooms with no distracting piles calling for your attention. Rooms in which you no longer have to search for items you need. Rooms which function efficiently–and feel wonderful. Rooms that your friends walk into and say “Oh! It feels so good in here!”

If you don’t right now have this kind of peaceful, positive environment, you aren’t yet allowing yourself to experience that powerful feeling of being “in command” of your home and workspace.

You may have tried to get rid of the clutter and get organized without success.
But NOW, I’m bringing you the combined expertise of 6 Holistic Professional Organizers and inviting you to join me in their first online event:

Holistic Organizers Melody, Annie, Erika, Nina, Julie, and Tracy have put together 7 inspiring content-rich calls in which you’ll learn how to:

• avoid the traps that keep us stuck in clutter
• learn the secrets to up-leveling your relationship with your home
• clear the judgement and shame you may be holding about the clutter
• adopt mindsets & practices that make De-Cluttering and Organizing easy, sexy and fun
• breakthrough whatever’s been holding you back from creating a peaceful, organized home that is singing with vibrant energy

The Holistic Organizers believe that it’s entirely possible for you and I to have homes and workspaces that function as Success Partners, homes and workspaces that function efficiently and feel wonderful, homes and workspaces in which we feel like the Powerful Women we are!

The key to manifesting the Life you want is having an environment that supports that Big Vision. And that’s what the Holistic Organizers (and I) want for you!

Here’s the link to join their TeleSummit now: I Want To Escape The Clutter

Got Gift Cards? Use 'Em Before You Lose 'Em!

*Please note that this blonde, Jen Tucker, recognizes that her issues can cross hair color borders.  She welcomes all people, with open arms, that have ever suffered from blonde moments, blonde jokes, or ate a Blondie brownie, regardless of the color at their roots.*

 

Hi!  My name is Jen, and I’m a gift card hoarder.

 

For Christmas, my sweetie pie husband, Mike, bought me a gift card to a spa, and I just couldn’t bring myself to book an appointment.  In my Jen-like thought process, if I spend the gift card, then it will be gone; spent, cashed out, at zero balance.  If I make a willy-nilly appointment “just because,” then I no longer have it to bank upon when moments of rub down bliss might keep me from running away from home permanently.   I’ve had this conversation with myself every time that little, plastic bugger in the back of my wallet pops into my view.  I should probably mention Mike didn’t bless me with the little plastic card of beauty this past Christmas.  It was Christmas of 2011.  Shameful, right? 

I know it sounds crazy that I haven’t cashed in this time of pampering.  What’s crazier is I recently discovered a percentage disappears from this particular card every year that I do not use it.  It sounds like robbery to me, and Jessie James at least used a gun on his prey!  The gift card is paid for, so why deduct money from unsuspecting beauty hoarders lovers like me?  This revelation got me thinking on a bigger scale.  What if you’re saving gift cards for a year or more to your favorite retailer for a special purchase?  Are you losing money on those as well?  Wasn’t there a law passed a few years ago saying, “Not so fast there, swifty!” so retailers couldn’t penalize gift card hoarders holders? 

I put on my Nancy Drew cap, and conducted a little research to pass on to you, my friends...  Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Gift Card Laws Vary State-to-State: The Credit CARD Act of 2009 was signed into law on May 22, 2009.  From what I gathered, most of this federal law actually pertains to credit card protection.  If you visit the site ScriptSmart, you can read more about the law, and also look up laws in your state.  My state of Indiana isn’t great at protecting consumers in this area, unless it applies to a gift card you can “reload,” such as Starbucks, or a major credit card gift card; Master Card or Visa for example.  Those retain their balance for five years without fees being assessed.    
2. American Express and The Gap are tops!  Thinking ahead to the graduates that will be excitedly waiting for you to show them the money this summer, Consumer Search has named AMEX and The Gap Stores (Gap, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athletica, and Banana Republic) most consumer friendly for gift cards.  It’s not all rosy, however.  The drawback for American Express is that their card is not as widely accepted as Visa and Master Card are, and there are usually purchase fees attached for the gift-giver.   
3. Big Box Store Winner: Sam Walton was the king of deals, right?  Wal-Mart might be taking over the world *Jen shudders* and that’s a good thing if you hold one of their gift cards in your hot little hand.   Creditcards.com favors Wal-Mart gift cards because they don’t expire, are reloadable by the consumer, offer online balance checks, and can be delivered electronically or shipped for free to customers.   Wal-Mart will replace funds if your card is lost or stolen too, which seems unheard of in this day and age.  Amazon gift cards were also ranked high with consumers along with Home Depot.     
4. Getting More Bang for Your Buck: Creditcards.com has a great article on how to get more moolah loaded onto your gift card and not pay full price.  Some of their suggestions are checking out auction sites, swapping miles and points for gift cards, and looking to social media such as Foursquare and Swagbucks, where you can turn “checking in” at local hot spots and surfing the net into cash.  I would suggest you refrain from buying them in a dark alley, however.  That can’t be good. 
5. Just spend it for crying out loud!  One of the biggest things I’ve learned while going on this little fact finding mission, was what I have wasting away in my wallet.  Two Lowe’s gift cards, one to a local diner, four for Starbucks, one to Build-a-Bear Workshop, and—wait for it—one to the defunct Borders Bookstore.  What in the world?!  I have a plethora of dollars that yearn to be spent, that have already been spent and gifted to me, and I’ve obviously gone Ebenezer Scrooge in some way, shape or form along the way.  Stockpiling my little plastic dandies is over.  If you’re in the market, I have a “collector’s edition” Borders gift card for you.  It’s one of a kind, so don’t delay!       

 

Jen Tucker has never met a gluten free cupcake that she didn’t like.  A former teacher and educator, she has worked with children in school, hospital, and enrichment settings. In her years at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, it was Jen’s job to bring the “hands on fun” into the visiting exhibitions in the galleries.  Jen broke away from writing children’s books and thematic units in 2011 with her memoir, The Day I Wore My Panties Inside Out which was a semifinalist in the humor category in the 2011 Goodreads Book Awards. She is a monthly guest blogger at the Survival for Blondes where she marries humor with preparedness; and also Click Lit Central. Jen lives in West Lafayette, Indiana with her husband, Mike, and their three children. 

You can purchase Jen’s latest book, The Day I Lost My Shaker of Salt, here.  You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook, her blog or on her website at Princess with a Pen.

Dining, Apocalypse Style

Note from Jen Tucker: Survival for Blondes readers are in for a special treat!  It is my honor to introduce you to a new member of our SFB family, Heather Thurmeier.  She is an author, a crazy girl, and someone who is passionate about preparedness.  So much so, that she wrote a novel about it.  I don’t want to steal a bit of her thunder, and will let her share all the deets with you.  I truly believe that we cross paths with others for a reason in this life, and one of the reasons that Heather and I met, was so she could spend time here with you all today.  Let’s show her a lot of love … Welcome, Heather! *Jen throws confetti and makes little zombie cocktails for everyone*

 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan on becoming zombie food if the SHTF one day. I also have no intention of going out to pillage whatever scraps are left on the supermarket shelves. But I still have a family of four to feed and that means I need a plan. 

I’m talking long-term food storage so that I can feed my family if I need to. And it’s important to note that this food could be useful in other emergencies besides just the zombie apocalypse. Last year I went without power for 5 days because a hurricane took down a few power lines. Luckily, my roads were clear and the nearby restaurants all had power so we could go out to eat. But what if we’d been stuck at home with no power and a fridge full of spoiled food?

So what are my options for fine dining during the apocalypse? There are more options than you may think and some of them don’t sound completely terrible. Of course, this is relative because when resources are scarce, you’ll eat just about anything that resembles food. But I’d rather eat something that tastes good and I don’t have to worry about it killing me, because I’m pretty sure there will be enough other risks without worrying about my food supply.

#1
Home Canned Foods
Shelf life:  6 months - 1 year

Embrace your inner pioneer and learn to preserve your own food! I grew up on the Canadian prairies and we had an entire wall of homemade canned food in our basement storage room. That makes it sound like we lived on a farm away from civilization but we didn’t. We lived in a city. Most of it was canned fruit, but there were also pickles and other veggies. I don’t think we got any more adventurous than that. But it was nice to know there was always a jar of food in the basement if needed. There’s just a few problems with this plan for me—I don’t know how to can anything, I don’t have any of the necessary canning supplies (jars, lids, giant pots) and I don’t have that much storage in my basement. So I’m not sure this option works for me, but it might work for you.

PRO: Learn to be more self-sufficient. Store only foods you like.
CON: You have to eat what you’ve made within the year. Yearly time commitment to replenish.
 

#2
MREs (aka Meals Ready-to-Eat)
Shelf life:  1 month - 5 years

PRO:  They are relatively small and easy to store.
CON:  Expensive. Short shelf life for the cost.

These are the field rations the military uses. I haven’t tried one, and honestly I don’t plan to. But they are an option. I do have them in my emergency bags that live in our vehicles. Are those MREs spoiling while sitting in my vehicle at a variety of temperatures? I have no idea. I guess I’ll find out if the SHTF someday and we make a run for it. Let’s hope they’re fine… Heck, let’s start by hoping we never have to run.

#3
Freeze-dried, prepackaged meals
Shelf life:  25 years

PRO: Long shelf life. Easy to prepare meals. Variety of hot food with good nutritional balance.
CON: Needs a heat source and clean water to cook. Cost. Storage room.

Each meal usually comes in it’s own sealed packet and all the packets are stored in a plastic pail. The thought is that the buckets are easy to stack and store in your home and easy to carry if you need to leave. You can buy a variety of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners as well as individual items like just fruits, vegetables, and meats. Some brands of long-term food even offer meal shakes, drink mixes like milk or juice, and coffee. Each container is treated in a way that maximizes shelf life of your food. So while this is not cheap, it is an option you only buy once and not throw away for 25 years.

Now this is the option I like the best. If you look at the meals, most of them look and sound delicious… Well, they definitely sound edible. I’m really not convinced they will be delicious. But I’d still rather take my chances with freeze-dried Chicken a La King versus homemade squirrel stew. And I have eaten freeze-dried fruits and veggies before without rehydrating them and they were crunchy and delicious! I’d snack on some of the dried strawberry chips right now if I had some. I like the variety this option offers in meals as well as the fact that they are hot, home-cooked style food. And really, when the zombies come banging on our doors, wouldn’t we all like the comfort of a hot home-cooked meal?

I’ve researched a few places online for this long-term food storage but haven’t yet decided which one to go for. Most have similar meals offered in each bucket. One place offered supplied in individual cans versus packets in a bucket. Another place offered a delivery schedule that you sign up for and every month they automatically send you a new bucket of food. Yet another place offered a free emergency stove and fuel with a purchase of their food supplies. Who doesn’t love freebies?!

PRO:  Long shelf life. Easy to prepare meals. Variety of hot food with good nutritional balance.
CON:  Needs a heat source and clean water to cook. Cost. Storage room.

Now you know what a few of the options are! I’m sure there are more, but this will get you started on your road to food preparedness! To find out more information about any of these options, Google “Long term food storage” and see what you find!

I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to do for my long-term food supply, but I sort of like the thought of buying a coffee bucket regardless of what I decide for food. If the zombies come, I want to be bright-eyed and awake enough to take one out at 20 yards with my new kickin’ bow.

 

Heather Thurmeier is a lover of strawberry margaritas, a hater of spiders, and a reality TV junkie. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies, but now lives in upstate New York with her own personal Romance Hero (aka her husband) and their two little princesses. When she's not busy taking care of the kids and an adventurous puppy named Indy, or preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse, Heather's hard at work on her next romance novel. You can find out more about her romance novels on her website at www.heatherthurmeier.com.

 

 

DISCLAIMER:  The Survival Blondes love all of God's creatures and do not endorse hatred of any kind. Not even of people, who totally suck sometimes. However, we are not judgey, and only hope Heather can work through her spidey issue in time.

New Year's Revolutions

*Please note that this blonde, Jen Tucker, recognizes that her issues can cross hair color borders.  She welcomes all people, with open arms, that have ever suffered from blonde moments, blonde jokes, or ate a Blondie brownie, regardless of the color at their roots.*

HAPPY 2013!  We made it, my Survival for Blondes Family!  The Mayans must have forgotten to take into account Leap Years, Daylight Savings Time, velocity of wind shear, Arby’s Special Sauce ingredients and so many other crucial factors when it comes to calendar keeping.  Some of you exhaled a sigh of relief when you realized all was well, as you smacked the snooze button on your alarm.  Others might’ve cursed the fact they awoke December 23, and headed to work after spending their last Susan B. Anthony on hiring the band R.E.M. to headline their end of the world party.  How do we carry on after all that excitement? 

Let’s look at the New Year, and non-climactic end of the planet, as a “redo” of sorts.  I’m not talking resolutions.  I’m talking revolutions.  Making mini-earthquakes of change in your life that impact you, as well as help others at the same time.  I hear you groaning now .…  Ugh, Jen, that’s nice and all, but I don’t have time, I don’t have cash, and I just don’t have the Red Bull-laced energy to take care of myself, let alone someone else.  I hear you, people I hear you.  Let me give you a handful of ways to make some small changes that benefit you, and can be a blessing to others.

1. Loose the Leisure Suits - Look in your closet.  Look in your desk drawer.  Look in the place you fear most—under your bed.  What are you hanging on to?  Your Guess Jeans overalls from 1987?  The poodle candle you made in Girl Scouts when you were 9 years old?  Okay, maybe that’s only applicable to my closet, and it’s not doing anyone any good with me hoarding it.  Cleaning out the clutter in the closets, drawers and cabinets will lead to rediscovery of treasures, and also ready you to part with items others might treasure.  You know what they say; one person’s trash is another person’s ticket to the Antiques Roadshow.  Let it go and give it a good home elsewhere.  No more cluttering up your life.
2. “You want me to give away my friends?”- That little humdinger is what my mother said to me when I suggested she donate the multiple appliance boxes in her attic, which were full of books, to a library or retirement community.  I get that it can be painful to part with things.  Remember though, they are just that; things.  Not people, relationships, or memories.  The gift of reading is a blessing.  Pass a book on for someone else to enjoy too.  Like I told my mom, if your “friends” are sitting in boxes in your attic, isn’t that considered a felony?  Set them free and see them loved by others. 
3. Cut it out!-  I mean it!  Could you do it?  Would you be willing to cut one thing from your life to put a smile on someone else’s face?  This month I’m cutting out my birthday.  Let me back up just a tad and explain.  I love my birthday.  I would lobby that it be deemed a daily, national holiday.  Not to celebrate me, rather to celebrate another day of living life.  This year, I’m asking my friends not to buy me dinner (cringe), not to pick up a cute new bracelet for me (Eek!) or buy me a bottle of wine (Have I gone too far?).  I want them to cut one thing out of their lives for a short period of time, then donate the money they would’ve spent to make someone’s day brighter.  I’m leading the charge.  I decided no Starbucks or Sonic Happy Hour lime-cherry drinks this month.  Instead, I donated $25 through Kiva to help Halle’s company One Mango Tree provide material to Ugandan women who make garments and accessories, and also to educate new tailors, as Halle presents their goods in the global marketplace.  Let me be clear, Starbucks dates with my friends are a necessity to my sanity.  Yet, I think I’ll cherish having my girls over to my house a little bit more, where we can curl up and chat on the couch, while drinking Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate, while knowing I made a difference in a woman’s life.  *I believe in being a silent giver too, but doing this with you is something we should celebrate and infect others with together*       
4. The Cost of Love- NBC News reporter, Ann Curry, was motivated by the devastation at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December to implore people to commit to one act of kindness for each life lost.  The movement, coined #20acts or #26acts on Twitter, has made the nation devour their roles in random acts of kindness in a major way.  What a legacy to leave, not just to honor those who left their families too soon, but also for those who took the initiative to make a difference in the lives of strangers.  

How about you?  Could you hold the door to the supermarket open just a tad longer for the gentleman a few steps behind you whose pace might not be as quick as yours?  Could you leave a note telling your mail carrier how much you appreciate them in sleet, rain, and heat?  When’s the last time you paid someone a compliment for no other reason than it came from the heart?  Let’s move mountains, friends.  Let’s love one another with our time and talents.  Let’s make room for giving in our lives and spread it around.  I promise for every selfless act you commit, the joy you feel in your heart will overflow.  If you would honor my 42^nd year on the planet, by doing something good for someone else in 2013, I would be forever grateful.  Thank you. 

 

Jen Tucker has never met a gluten free cupcake that she didn’t like.  A former teacher and educator, she has worked with children in school, hospital, and enrichment settings. In her years at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, it was Jen’s job to bring the “hands on fun” into the visiting exhibitions in the galleries.  Jen broke away from writing children’s books and thematic units in 2011 with her memoir, The Day I Wore my Panties Inside Out which was a semifinalist in the humor category in the 2011 Goodreads Book Awards. She is a monthly guest blogger at the website, Survival for Blondes where she marries humor with preparedness. Jen lives in West Lafayette, Indiana with her husband, Mike, and their three children.

You can purchase Jen’s latest book, The Day I Lost My Shaker of Salt, here.  You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook, her blog or on her website at Princess with a Pen. 

 

Welcome to the Party, Pal

*Please note that this blonde, Jen Tucker, recognizes that her issues can cross hair color borders.  She welcomes all people, with open arms, that have ever suffered from blonde moments, blonde jokes, or ate a Blondie brownie, regardless of the color at their roots.*

Welcome to the Party, Pal

Nothing screams “holidays” more to me, than busyness.  Nothing makes me want to scream, until my vocal chords shred, more than being insanely busy.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas!  The holiday dinner parties while wearing stretchy pants, kissing under the mistletoe, and staying up until 3 am making sure that Santa’s head elf at our home doesn’t pull a hammy (or throw a hammer) while putting together The Barbie Dream House for our daughter.  Over the years, my husband, Mike, and I have cut a few things out of the schedule to stop running ourselves ragged this time of year.  I thought I would share with you some ways to stay sane, so you don’t take out your holiday spirit (naughty/crabby/ill-tempered are the attributes I’m going for here) on those around you this time of year.  Christmas movies can teach us a lot about survival, so let’s take a stroll through Hollywood, and learn a thing or two about keeping the yule cool.

 

1. Slipper Socks, Medium! (The Ref): You drew Cousin Alice’s name for the family gift exchange.  You and Alice are, to put it gently, polar opposites.  She collects poodle shaped candles and you — well — don’t.  Wouldn’t life be missing variety if we all adored collecting waxy pets?  Appreciate the differences we all have.  Personally, I’d never make it through the checkout without laughing my head off, purchasing a candle dog, and that laugh might just be what an overwhelmed retail worker might crave; a good giggle in the midst of busy shoppers.  Win-win!  You make someone’s day, and you make someone’s interesting collection that much more complete.  
2. Bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner and the people who sold it on sale. Amen (Home Alone): Your diet.  Do you kiss it goodbye for the month of December and start fresh New Year’s Day?  Do you pre-eat before heading to your sister-in-law’s house (I won’t tattle on you if you do)?  Ehow.com has some tips on how to avoid overdoing it at the holidays.  I choose to enjoy foods this time of year, but do so in moderation.  Rather than swill a Big Gulp size of my mom’s creamy egg nog, I drink one small cup very sloooowly, and enjoy every drop of it.  Yes, I lick the glass too!  Never leave a drop behind!
3. We’re your worst nightmare … elves with attitude (The Santa Clause): The holidays do not always bring out the best in us.  I have a difficult time on December 22; the anniversary of my grandmother’s death.  It will be 15 years ago, this year, since she died.  Grandma always made Christmas so magical for me, and I miss her deeply.  So I give myself that one day to feel sorry for myself and be crabby.  Then I shake it off because my granny would be so mad at me if I continued to be a grump-a-lump.  Not everyone can shake off the holiday blues.  Try to be a little more patient, and understanding, when someone you love just isn’t in the holiday spirit. Web M.D. has some wonderful tips if you, or someone you love, battles seasonal depression.
4. You do with mogwai what your society ... has done with all of nature's gifts. You do not understand (Gremlins): Gosh, that’s kind of deep, right?  And you thought I was going to go with that whole “Don’t feed them after midnight” bit, huh?  Be kind to the planet this year, and give a gift that’s eco-friendly.  Shop small businesses which invest in your community.  Choose a charitable project to do with your children, such as Operation Christmas Child, send a service man or woman a holiday card through The U.S.O, or look for ways in your hometown to make a difference in the life of someone else.  Love makes the world go round, so spread some of it around. 

I wish for you and your families a peace that passes all understanding this holiday season.  I’ll catch ya later taters in the New Year. 
Thank you, for being a part of the Survival for Blondes family!  We appreciate you so very much.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa,

Jen

XOXO

Jen Tucker has never met a gluten free cupcake that she didn’t like.  A former teacher and educator, she has worked with children in school, hospital, and enrichment settings. In her years at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, it was Jen’s job to bring the “hands on fun” into the visiting exhibitions in the galleries.  Jen broke away from writing children’s books and thematic units in 2011 with her memoir, The Day I Wore my Panties Inside Out which was a semifinalist in the humor category in the 2011 Goodreads Book Awards. She is a monthly guest blogger at the website, Survival for Blondes where she marries humor with preparedness. Jen lives in West Lafayette, Indiana with her husband, Mike, and their three children.

You can purchase Jen’s latest book, The Day I Lost My Shaker of Salt, here.  You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook, her blog or on her website at Princess with a Pen.

COULD SINKHOLES INDICATE MAJOR EARTH CHANGES ALONG NEW MADRID FAULT?

The most powerful earthquakes in the history of the United States happened along the New Madrid Fault in 1811 and 1812.

Those earthquakes were reportedly felt more than 1,000 miles away. Scientists assure us that one day we will once again see very powerful earthquakes along the New Madrid fault.

It is only a question of when it will happen. Today, the New Madrid fault zone covers portions of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi.

However, a major earthquake of magnitude-8.0 or greater would likely have a dramatic effect all the way from the Great Lakes all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico.

When most Americans speak of the “big one”, they think of what may happen along the coast of California someday, but the truth is that a New Madrid earthquake could potentially do far more damage. So is there evidence that the New Madrid fault zone is waking up? Yes, there is.

According to Bloomberg, there has been “a sixfold increase in the number of earthquakes that have shaken the central part of the U.S. from 2000 to 2011″. Much of that increase is being blamed on human activity such as mining, drilling and fracking.

READ MORE:
Sinkholes and The New Madrid Fault

http://bit.ly/TFGYtB

Sinkholes, Explosions, and Earthquakes

http://bit.ly/TFHWWO

Earthquake Warning Late 2012 Early 2013 - New Madrid Fault - Overdue

http://bit.ly/TFI7l3

World's First Prepper Movie

 

Coming in the Fall of 2013 ... S4B just heard that FullSpectrumSurvival is working on a 30-minute feature film - The Prepper Movie - that will follow groups of preppers after a world shattering event.

This FREE online crash-course will show you how to survive in a lawless environment with material for even the most advanced preppers.

You will be able to purchase DVDs and Blurays in full 1080p. In this 2-hour version, combat veterans and hardcore preppers will cover the tactics and preparedness methods involved in each of the film's major scenes.

We will keep you posted on any new developments on this exciting new project.

Kousa Dogwood Cherries & Dogwood Jelly Recipe

The FORAGING FOODIE was busy working on an article about dogwood cherries, but we found this fantastic blog and decided it was way more awesome than what we had so far …

 

Kousa Dogwood Cherries & Dogwood Jelly Recipe

 

HAVE A LOOK AT ONE OF OUR FAVORITE FORAGING BOOKS ...

The Everything Guide to Foraging

 

And have you seen the FORAGING FOODIE's Pinterest board?

Foraging Foodie / Pinterest

 

Marie Alessandro, a dedicated and passionate foodie, will join "Survival for Blondes" on the 2^nd Wednesday of every month, to share with us the Joy of Foraging. Marie is a catering professional and manager at the ZuZu Restaurant & Nightclub at The Middle East Cafe, Cambridge Massachusetts. She is also the social media consultant/coach for organizations such as The Mayor's Office of New Bostonians, GENIUS, Latin Syncopation Entertainment, Boston Tango Society, and Salsa Libre. She has a background in theater and entertainment, is a student of Certified Ethical Hacking, and was an early adopter of internet development and technology in the mid-90s, including blogging, media sharing, and social media.