2008 September 19

preparing for power outages- surviving Ike

September 19, 2008 · by Penny · Leave a Comment

Since we live out in he country it is common for our power to go out in a storm, or even when there isn’t a storm. Or sometimes for no reason at all. Here are some of my best tips to stay prepared and not be quite so uncomfortable.

have a bible and know where it is
have oil lamps and oil and matches, and know where they are
have a hand crank or battery powered radio
have a supplemental heat source, kerosene heater or wood for the fireplace
have cast iron pans that you can cook in over a fire
an outside propane grill can be cooked on, keep extra propane handy
always have gallons of water stored
have flashlights with batteries
if you must have some source of electricity, buy an invertor, price from $29.99 and up, decide how many watts you must have, these can be hooked to your car battery if needed, but only for small stuff, will easily run your pc or charge your laptop, or a radio, or just about anything without a heating element, maybe a microwave if the invertor is big enough and the microwave is small
keep your gas tank full, (I know LOL)
have a car charger for cell phones
keep your freezer full at all times, if there is extra room fill it with water in 1 gal buckets or 2 liter bottles, do not seal until frozen, when the power goes out KEEP FREEZER SHUT, stuff will last for days if you do this, use up what is in fridge
have on hand a manual can opener
be on good terms with your neighbors

These are just normal everyday things for us, but can sure make you city folks more comfortable. :lol:

Filed Under: life in the country, Penny Raine article ·

consider it pure joy…

September 19, 2008 · by Penny · Leave a Comment

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

I was reading about what a friend from Texas has been going through since Ike. She has no power but other than that is ok. Some folks have it real bad but for most the biggest problem is just no power. I got to thinking about all of the times we have been without power. when you live in the country it is not uncommon, in fact pretty much expected for the power to go out. Not only do we adapt but somtimes it is downright fun. It is all in the attitude. So learn to see some joy in the situation!

Just for the record I hav also been through some really hard serious trials, about as hard as they get, and while I would not consider those fun, I would still say it is all about attitude. I know my Lord loves me, and I know I am in His hands, and I know that whatever circumstance He decides I need to be in is the best place for me. I would not trade His love for anything. Each trial makes His love even more real.

join Robin for more Fruit of the Spirit Friday

Filed Under: word of the day ·

Favorite Friday Freebies- join in!

September 19, 2008 · by Penny · Leave a Comment

Here we are again, throughout the day I will be adding to this list. Please know that I try to check out as many of these as I can, but always procede with caution. You might get an additional free email address for all coupon offers and such. I try to only post ones that do not require you to give much info and almost all of them I apply for myself, so like I said I try to check them out but procede with caution.

Want to join this meme? Do you know of a freebie offer this week? Post on your own blog, then link to my blog here and leave your link in the Mr. Linky below.

Of course my favorite is the Homeschool freebie of the day, it is something different offered everyday, always a free download with no hidden agenda. http://www.homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com . On my Bless-my-Budget.com blog I have a widget that shows what their freebie is everyday.
free 9 lives kitty food click here
this is another favorite, I love these vitamins. Get a 14-day supply of your favorite vitamin – FREE! FREE Nature Made(R) Liquid Softgel Vitamins. Only while supplies last! Click Here they will also send you a coupon by email, at least they did when I joined
free tip from me, BUY THE SUNDAY PAPER, even in our small town it is worth it, our paper costs $1.25 and on the average I save $12-20 dollars a week, like when I find cheese for at least 50% off and take my ad to walmart to have them match, we love cheese so when it is on sale I stock up. At $1.67, it helps make a very frugal meal
another free tip from me, if you enjoy and type of crafting or sewing, or scrapbooking or anything similar sign up for the email newsletter from Hobby Lobby, they will send you a weekly coupon, that you can print often up to 40% off, that is what we used for my daughters wedding last May, you can use one coupon per day per person, so if you go everyday of the week with all of your friends that is good, they also have great gift items

Filed Under: Favorite Friday Freebies ·

Thursday Thirteen

September 19, 2008 · by Penny · Leave a Comment

This is something new I found at Audra Krells blog. It is called Thursday Thirteen. Mine is about living in the country.

Thirteen Things about me, and why I love living in the country

1..I can have chickens
2..I get fresh eggs
3…I can plant a huge garden
4…we can eat fresh veggies
5…We save on our grocery bill
6…we can have a dairy cow
7…we get fresh milk, some other Thursday I will share 13 things we do with it
8…I can sit on the porch early in the morn in my nightgown
9…my youngins can play without being bothered
10…we have a million lessons from nature
11…we have room for horses (more than 13 of them)
12…I love being in the midst of God’s creation
13…I love the sounds
now THAT was fun! want to join in?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Filed Under: life in the country, Thursday Thirteen ·

trying something new – beads!

September 19, 2008 · by Penny · Leave a Comment

Fall is a lovely time to learn something new. I don’t know if it the changing colors of the scenery or what but I suddenly feel creative. I love bright colors, especially ones that happen naturally. I have a friend that creates jewelry, and I love looking at the different colors of beads she works with. I don’t really wear much jewelry but I sure like to look at it. And I remember when I was younger i love to make jewelry, there was a store near us that had every kind of bead you ever wanted, but they were more “novelty” or crafty. This morning I stumbled upon a site that has the real thing, and oh are they beautiful!. Vibrant colors. Beads of Cambay has wholesale gemstone beads. And they aslo have freshwater pearls. I have never seen anything so pretty. If your creativeness gets serious enough to start a business they even have wholesale discounts of up to 30%. Now that would be fun, to create all day long. Think of all the reasons you could create something with beads, holidays, birthdays. Or maybe even for your self! Beads aren’t just for jewelry either, they make great embellishments for handbags, purses, sweaters, hair barrettes and more. Hmm, what would you make?