Giving Thanks

I am getting ready to board a plane on Wednesday evening for the first time in 15 years.  It would be awful of me to leave without recognizing a handful of people. I am only where I am today through hard work and support from some people I hold very dear to my heart.

Suicide Awareness Day

Today, September 10th, is National Suicide Awareness Day. This is my 2nd Annual post about suicide awareness. While I suffer from Bi-Polar Disorder, I am one of the lucky that do not have suicidal tendencies. However, somewhere in the world, someone dies of suicide every 40 seconds. That is 90 people every hour, 2160 people every day, or just under 800,000 people every year.

What you don't see with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I am sure you have seen the millions of ice bucket challenge videos that are going around right now. They are on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and the list goes on. What you see are people being willing to freeze for just a few moments to raise awareness for a disease that few people really know about. What the videos do not show is the full effect of Lou Gherig's Disease.

Lock up your guns!

As a parent, you are constantly worried about keeping your children safe. You make sure the smoke detectors work, you put up baby gates, and you take care to make sure they are not exposed to vile things on the internet. However, 1.4 million homes in the United States contained guns that are not locked up or protected in any way.

Apparoo App Update - Manilla!

On April 24, I told you about a financial organizational app that I love and use, called Manilla.

Unfortunately, I received an email tonight that they are closing down. Please heed the email and take care of your account and documents!

Helping your children find their "Junga"

More television shows are coming out targeting teenagers craving for “reality.” Unfortunately, these shows display lying, cheating, sex, and other behaviors that I do not want my children to be watching. I do not want them thinking that they are okay, just because they see them on television. I know that as parents, we are to teach our children the difference between reality and fantasy (television), but the media is making it more difficult.

Basic Tips to Survive if You Are Snowed In

Today's blog comes from a guest blogger. Thank you Aaron for jumping in and helping out with my March Series!
With the increasing range and intensity of the types of extreme natural disasters we as a planet have faced over the past few months, there has been a notable surge in homeowners wanting to purchase equipment to ready themselves for any situation, no matter how far-fetched or unrealistic it might seem at first glance. Whether it is because of the immense flooding that occurred in certain parts of the UK or the recent polar vortex that attacked the east coast of the United States, many people now want to be ready at a moment's notice for all weather situations.

Worst-Case Scenario: How to Survive a Flash Flood

Today's blog comes from a guest blogger. Thank you Aaron for jumping in and helping out with my March Series!

You may have seen the news recently about the severe flash flooding that plagued the UK last month causing February 2014 to be officially reported as the "wettest winter in records since 1910." (
Source) Consequently, serious flood warnings are still in place and thousands of homes have been rendered uninhabitable due to the disastrous conditions that normally accompany such extreme weather. During its most dangerous and calamitous period, the UK Environment Agency set up its own interactive online map where you could input your zip code to gauge how much danger your household could be in if the flood waters continued to rise.

#WomenInspire Blog Campaign

I’m celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by blogging for the #WomenInspire Campaign sponsored by USC’s masters degree in social work. Join the blog carnival to honor a woman who has inspired you!

 

Natural Disasters - Flood

Continuing on with the natural disaster portion of my March series, I am dedicating this post to floods. Floods can come in two forms, flash flooding and river floods. The scary part of flooding is that it can happen to anyone. They are known to cause massive amounts of damage and cause major financial set backs, especially if you are not prepared.

Natural Disasters - Hurricanes

Continuing on with the natural disaster portion of my March series, I am dedicating this post to hurricanes. Much like tornadoes, these monsters can have different category strengths and have the ability to destroy everything in their path. Hurricanes, however, bring with them water ... LOTS of water. Which after the hurricane has passed, leaves behind bugs, mosquitoes, mold, mildew, and many other problems.

Natural Disasters - Tornadoes

To start my March series off, I want to talk about the natural disasters that lead to mass shopping trips. Those shopping trips drive me CRAZY. I call it French Toast weather ... everyone is out to buy bread, milk, butter, and eggs. So, heaven forbid the storm of the century comes ... at least you have bread, milk, butter, and eggs. Seriously!

My March Series: Emergency Preparedness

While tornado season does not really have a start date or stop date, here in Kansas, the weather gets temperamental in March. Of course, we have had a very cranky winter too (going from 60 one day to snow 2 days later). I wanted to take a month and really cover being prepared for emergencies.

{PSA} With the holidays approaching

It is vitally important to remember that everyone has their own battles. How you treat someone could affect them positively or negatively.

{PSA} From Bloggers to Facebook Fanatics

I RARELY share recipes on FB if it contains anything more than a photo and a link. It is not that I do not like the food, it is just that I am a blogger. Being a blogger is NOT easy work. We work VERY hard to secure sponsors and use Google Ads to make money. Sponsors are not going to want to buy ad space OR offer us cool things to review and offer to your viewers if our hard work is plastered on Facebook without proper citation.

Oct 15th: National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day

This month is unbelievably hard on many families. It is the month when breast cancer awareness is pushed with pink ribbons and pink fountains. This is something that is near to my heart. I have lost several loved ones to this horrific disease. One who was just a few years older than me and left behind a husband and her young children. It runs in my family, and is something that I will have to inform my children about getting checks and making it a priority.

My Stand Against Bullying!

Before I get into the main topic of my post for tonight, I need to state that I have been a busy little worker bee today. I have posted a cover photo for this blog, and I have created a second blog to host my sample work! Please let any of your friends know that I am currently accepting private clients and I do have the ability to work quickly. You can access the new blog from the tab above this post that reads "Writing Samples."


Now ... onto my public service announcement.

Talking Serious Right Now

USC’s MSW Programs Blog Day.

*may contain hard to read information*

I like to keep my blog uplifting and down to Earth. Unfortunately, there are life events that do not always allow that to happen. Everyone knows the past year has been extremely tough on my family and I am very thankful for my husband. He was there beside me every step of the way.

Let's back up a bit.