Southern Blessed Chaos

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Southern Blessed Chaos September 01, 2019

Severe Weather Prep Series Part 2: Hurricane

Severe weather can strike anytime and anywhere. Are you really prepared?

In this 2-part series, I want to help ease your mind and prepare for the worst when severe weather hits. In part 1, I discussed tornados and ways to prepare and tips on coping before, during, and after a tornado hits.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Southern Blessed Chaos August 19, 2019

From Summer to Back to School Easy Lunches

So, the kids have been out of school for the summer. If you are a SAHM like me, that means one phrase has been repeated over and over and over...

"MOM, I'M HUNGRY!"

Can you feel me, Mamas?!

There is breakfast, snack, brunch, snack, lunch, snack, snack, snack, pre-dinner snack, dinner, dessert, and bedtime snack. Whew! How do these little beings eat so much?!

And, I don't know about you, but the summers and first two months of school here in South Mississippi are HOT!

Monday, June 17, 2019

Southern Blessed Chaos June 17, 2019

Journey thru Her Storms

Lauren is my baby, my only daughter, and my last child.

When she arrived into our lives, she was a bundle of beauty and joy completing our little family of four.

Monday, April 29, 2019

Southern Blessed Chaos April 29, 2019

Severe Weather Prep Series Part 1: Tornado

No one likes to hear that tornado siren blasting, or the words "Hurricane Warning". Unfortunately, in the South, we have seen plenty of our fair share of both.

"This blog may contain affiliate links, which means if you click a link and/or purchase a product from their site I may receive compensation or a commission. However, all recommendations and opinions are my own. Grant it, I won't get rich, but maybe I can splurge on a cup of coffee! This won't cost you anything except the satisfaction of knowing you are keeping my coffee addiction alive."

Here in South Mississippi, it's a guarantee that one or both events will happen at some point during any given year.

In this 2 part series, I thought I would share with you some ways that you can prepare ahead of time and perhaps help with the days before it hits, during the storm, and tips on navigating the aftermath.

First, I want to discuss the powerful destructiveness of tornadoes.

"I don't think we are in Kansas anymore, Toto!" I just had to throw in a line from my favorite movie!

Tornado

A mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system.

Tornadoes can form within minutes, can be short lived or lasting for miles, and can be extremely unpredictable in nature. The devastation can be incredible and terrifying.

But, you can prepare ahead of time!

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A Tornado Watch has been Issued:

(This means current conditions conditions are favorable for a tornado to form.)

Designate a safe area for protection.

This could be a closet, bathroom, or storm shelter. This should be a room with no windows, preferably with no outside walls as close to the center of the house as possible. In my house, this is a walk-in closet right in the middle of my house. My bathrooms are along outside walls and have windows, so they are not a good safe place.

Go ahead and prepare your safe room in case a warning is issued. Once a warning sounds, there isn't a lot of time to gather what you may need.

A few supplies that we place there are: Heavy blanket, pillows, shoes for everyone in house (preferably tennis shoes or boots), socks in shoes, football helmets for kids (in case of flying debris protect their heads! Pots will work, as well), and flashlight with fresh batteries. I, also, grab any daily meds needed, put them in my purse and place it with the car keys in the closet.

I always keep an emergency first aid backpack with wipes, hand sanitizer, a small pack of tissues, some paper towels, band aids and gauze, a couple of trash bags, and antibiotic cream in that closet on a shelf. It's always packed and ready to go.

Crack open a window in the rooms where you are mostly staying.

This is so we can hear a tornado siren better as soon as it sounds.

Keep a close eye on the weather, local news, or the radio.

Having a weather alert radio is an excellent idea and money well spent!

Go ahead and put your phone and other electronics on charge!

If power lines are knocked down, you will be thankful for that full battery. Don't forget to charge your kids electronic devices, as well.

________________

A Tornado Warning is issued:

(This means a tornado has either been sighted or the current radar depicts one for your immediate area.)

Have everyone immediately and calmly go to the safe place.

My husband and I are always last since I am turning up the TV volume (to hear in our safe area) and he will pull all supplies from the hallway into the closet.

Kids put on their helmets then socks and shoes if needed.

The blanket and pillows are there to cover you to protect from any debris or glass.

If you can still here the siren, the danger is still imminent!

Stay where you are. Do not attempt to capture that cool pic of the oncoming tornado. Your lives are way more important than a viral Facebook video!

Listen for the siren to stop or, if like me and you can't hear one close by, listen for the newscaster saying all clear in your area.

________________

After the Tornado has passed:

First and foremost,
calm anxious kids and check for any physical injuries.

Check on your pets.

Most likely, they will frightened and confused.

Assess any damage first in the house.

Broken windows? Power outage? Roof damage?

Check the yard, driveway, and outside areas.

Any trees down? Road blocked? Power lines down? How's the car?

Check on neighbors, family, and friends.

Video any and all damage.

Now, here's where your cell phone camera will come in handy. This will help immensely with your insurance claims.

________________

Extra Tips!

Here are a few more tips and reminders that you need to be prepared for.

Do not go around downed power lines, even if you have no electricity!

Instead, report the downed lines to your power company as soon as possible.

Don't be so quick to ride around town to see the damage.

Power crews, emergency personnel, and road workers are working overtime to help your community after the storm! Unnecessary sight seers are just hindering their progress.

Until you have thoroughly accessed the dangers, do not let your kids play in any rubble.

Rusty pieces of sharp metal or broken glass can hide in the grass or debris.

When starting clean up, wear heavy duty work gloves!

Something that few think about after a tornado are the dangers of uprooted and confused wild life. Wasps, hornets, and bees may have had disturbed nests and may be on the defensive. Be watchful!

Talking about wildlife, be sure to be vigilant with snakes, as well.

Fallen limbs or rubble are perfect places for them to be hiding. Another good reason to be wearing boots!

I bought a water and fireproof lock box years ago (best investment ever and very affordable!)

Every few months or so, I make sure our important papers...birth certificates, insurance, family contacts, favorite snap shots, small amount of cash...are kept in the lock box.

A lot of these tips can be utilized in the event of a hurricane, as well. Typically, if you are in the path or outlying areas of a hurricane, you may experience a few tornadoes from its spin off.
(As if a hurricane is not scary enough, Mother Nature!)

Part 2 of this series will discuss the various ways to prepare before, during, and after a hurricane moves through your area.

I hope these tips will help you prepare and bring a little ease of mind when severe weather strikes!

Do you have any helpful tips?
Let everyone know below in the comments, and as always feel free to share with others.

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Sunday, April 14, 2019

Southern Blessed Chaos April 14, 2019 parenting

Life Lessons from My Kids

As a parent, we all know there is a steep learning curve!

Life lessons can happen anytime and anywhere...even from our kids!

"This blog may contain affiliate links, which means if you click a link and/or purchase a product from their site I may receive compensation or a commission. However, all recommendations and opinions are my own. Grant it, I won't get rich, but maybe I can splurge on a cup of coffee! This won't cost you anything except the satisfaction of knowing you are keeping my coffee addiction alive."

Here's a peek at just a few of the things that my kids have taught me...the good, the bad, and the ugly!

Splash in every rain puddle possible.

If you make the screeching high pitched scream long enough, Mom will give in.

No scream needed for Dad, just look like you are going to do it.

Ask why often.

You don't have to draw in the lines to be proud of your picture.

Simple things can be fun.

Sometimes all you need is a cardboard box and your imagination.

Say 'I'm sorry' like you mean it.

Don't apologize for being you.

Always kiss the kittens.

Everyone dances to the beat of their own drum. Sometimes you are the drummer and sometimes you are the drum.

Just dance.

Life is God's Etch-a-Sketch. Every day you get a fresh shake.

It's ok to have a meltdown every now and then.

Roly Polys are magical creatures.

Pizza contains all the food groups.

Pizza doesn't solve all your problems but it can solve a lot of them.

Never stop learning something new.

Get excited!!! About everything!!!!

Be silly and laugh at yourself.

Water tastes better from a garden hose.

Sometimes you just need to eat dessert first.

Don't just do crafts with glitter...Wear the glitter...Be the glitter.

Give BIG hugs.

If you listen to the rain, you can hear music.

Anything can be an adventure.

Mommy is pretending to sleep.

Daddy is actually asleep.

If you don't like the song playing, make one up.

Always dance.

There is no such thing as too much syrup.

Being on time is overrated.

If you are gonna make splashes...splash big!

Broken colors can still make the picture pretty.

As parents, we must not forget to listen to our children. We have all fallen into that "tuning out" stage at one time or another!

Just remember, without growth life can become monotonous and stale. It doesn't matter if you are an adult or a child. Learning and growing should be a life long activity!

Play with your children.

Have a full on conversation with them.

Ask questions and listen to their responses.

You may be surprised and learn something new from their innocent wisdom!

And most of all, love them and savor the time you have. Their childhood is but a whisper in the wind.

Before you know it, that wind will carry them on to being responsible and wise adults.

I hope you enjoyed these life lessons as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you! Speaking of sharing, give it a pin, tweet, or share!

For more wise, funny, and insightful conversation from my kids, follow the hashtags #laurenism and #chadism on my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages!

See all my posts and more creative and family fun ideas on Pinterest!

Until next time, check out these amazing and creative ways to change up your Easter Basket!

Sunday, April 7, 2019

Southern Blessed Chaos April 07, 2019

A Spring Bucket List for Families

Springtime...what a beautiful time of year! It can, also, get pretty pricey.

What do I mean? Well, Easter goodies, Spring wardrobe, yearbooks, Spring pictures, Prom, Spring Break, and don't get me started on Graduation costs!

If you have kids, you know how those expenses can add up quick!

I'm always on the lookout for free or cheap activities that we can enjoy as a family. And I adore sharing them with you!

Here are just a few of my favorite ways to get my family outside when Spring rolls around!

Take a walk

Go on a nature hike

Splash in water puddles

Play in the rain

Go on a picture scavenger hunt

Plant a tree

Spend the afternoon in the library

Have a picnic in the park

Go to the zoo

Climb a tree

Chase butterflies

Go wading in a creek

Camp out in the backyard

Stay up late and count stars

Create a garden

Build a firepit in the backyard

Roast marshmallows under the stars

Make a fort outside

Have lunch in your fort

Visit the local greenhouse and get some flowers to plant

Build a birdhouse

Make a birdfeeder

Paint rocks with fun or inspiring sayings

Walk around town and leave them for someone to find them

Make ice cream sundaes

Bake some cookies

Visit the local farmers market

Take a nap in a hammock

Make a sun catcher

Go fishing

Go to a lake and feed the ducks

As you can see, it doesn't have to blow your budget to have Spring family fun!

Just get outside, make memories, and enjoy your family time!

What would you add to your Spring Bucket List? Do you have a favorite?

Let me know in the comments! And as always, feel free to share!

Want more budget friendly family fun?!
Be sure to check out my Holidays and Parties

page for more fun creative ideas!