The Shower Project

I'm hosting a bridal shower for my cousin tomorrow--the house was in need of some serious cleaning so I've been busy all week...these were in need of some serious dusting

So I dusted, dusted...
and dusted some more.

Cleaned out the fridge...

And decided it was about time I took down all of these and dusted the shelf...BEFORE

(For the record...it was still snowing in May)

AFTER

D says when storing holiday decorations (and snowmen)... Large plastic bins make ideal storage containers. They can either be placed on shelves or stacked on the floor. It is important, of course, to label the containers. You may prefer to use stickers, rather than writing on the bin, so the contents can be changed, if necessary, over the years without "messing up" the bin.

72 Hour Backpacks in Less Than 72 Minutes!

BEFORE...

2 years ago I decided I was going to get serious about putting together our 72 hour backpacks.

2 years later this was pretty much all I had...

The backpacks have been hanging in the garage...where the temperature hits 120 in the summer and freezing in the winter. Can you imagine what food sitting for 2 years in that environment might taste like?

I wasn't about to taste it...although the 11 year old couldn't help himself and had to eat the jerky. Not sure if you can tell but the cheese and applesauce are a disturbing color of orange.

Check out the expiration dates...

AFTER...

I found these at Lowe's!

And with my coupon they were 40 bucks a piece--TOTALLY WORTH IT!

I like that they are "2 Person" and I feel secure knowing the US Coast Guard approved the food and water :)

Also, I took my sister Tricia's advice and put all the winter hats and gloves into a clear storage bin...

And here they all are in their new home!

I actually added a few extra first aid supplies and personal hygiene items to the gray backpack. This is the perfect place to store the backpacks--the temperature is nice and the closet is right by the front door for quick and easy retrieval.

It's pretty sad when a project I couldn't complete over the last 17 years of marriage has now been completed in under 72 minutes!

D shares with us a cute little poem called...

THE MINUTE

Just a tiny minute,

Only sixty seconds in it,

Forced upon me,

Can't refuse it,

Didn't seek it,

Didn't choose it,

But it's up to me to use it.

Just a tiny little minute

But eternity is in it.

(Anonymous)

The husband and I still have a ways to go in the EP (Emergency Preparedness) department.

We'll address more EP when we move to the garage within the next month or so. It will probably take a lot more than 72 minutes, maybe 72 hours, but hopefully not 72 days.