bake something fragrant, even if it’s just slice and bake cookies
Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real-life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging”, as I know each of these pieces represents something…
listen to an instrumental playlist while watching the rain or pretend it’s raining
Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…
With floods, fires and hurricanes becoming more powerful and frequent, it feels like the Earth becomes a scarier place every year. To regain a sense of control, here’s a set of 5-year, 1-year and 1-hour disaster goals.
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN is often the most difficult and expensive.
It might involve a new roof, a basement remodel or landscaping. But before you do that, you need to assess your particular risk, said Jeff Schlegelmilch, the director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University.
Do you live in earthquake country? Are you in a flood plain? Consider calling the geology or forestry department at a local university, or comparing flood maps. In fire zones, you might hire a retired firefighter to help you look for red flags, like flammable siding or vulnerable trees. Call your insurer to identify risks, too.
All the experts I talked to agreed that some of the most important parts of long-term preparation are free: getting to know your neighbors, learning who might need special care during a natural disaster and who has camping gear or a generator.
THE ONE-YEAR PLAN involves actions you can afford to take this year.
In wildfire-prone areas, for example, that includes thinking about what firefighters call the “defensible area” around your house, and how you can make it more resilient. You should also review your home insurance policy every year, said Alex Greer, an associate professor of emergency management at the State University of New York at Albany.
Lastly, discuss your emergency plan with your family once a year. Talk about where you will gather during a disaster and how to evacuate.
THE ONE-HOUR PLAN depends on proximity.
Your evacuation plan might just be “grab the dog and drive away fast.” But you might have a little while to prepare. If you haven’t already gone through your house and made a video of your possessions for insurance, do it if you have time, Greer said.
No matter where you live, it’s good to have a “go bag” that includes important documents, like birth certificates, deeds and wills. Don’t forget medications, glasses and other necessities. Also, make a list of family treasures to quickly grab, like children’s art or other precious mementos.
Brew tea in your coziest mug and sip it slowly
Positively Purging-I welcome your feedbacks in the comments and your likes and passing the real life wisdom on to others as I embark on this new venture of “positively purging“, as I know each of these pieces represents something…
My husband and I have been married 10 years. I’m 84 and he is 75 now. My vision was to travel a bit and enjoy retirement. Two years into the marriage he started falling, after many neurologist visits and many medical tests it is severe neuropathy. He cannot walk or drive, he works out three times a week in an effort to maintain what mobility he has.
I work daily to keep him motivated and supportive. Nevertheless, I want to travel. I want to be free. I don’t know what to do. I’m so frustrated. Do I stay with him, or do I leave and go my own way? I feel so guilty when I think this way, but this is not what I signed up for. I don’t know what to do. Please, help me.
Dear Wife: No one knows what they’re signing up for when they begin a relationship, particularly marriage. We are all almost guaranteed to be presented with unexpected challenges. Part of the solution involves accepting what we cannot change. But an equal part involves knowing when and how to reach out for help.
So, there are other options besides leaving him and staying stuck. First, it’s helpful to acknowledge that this is not what he chose. It’s a hard situation for both of you, in different ways of course. It’s OK to acknowledge that this is not how you saw your life going. Preventing yourself from doing so will just lead to resentment, which will poison your marriage.Next, have a conversation with him about bringing in help that will allow you time to travel and refresh yourself. That might look like a home health aide, a friend or relative, or someone else, depending on the specific needs he has. Ask him about his feelings on the matter. He may well want you to pursue this part of your dream.
Traveling involves coming back. It’s possible that some of the guilt and frustration you’re experiencing stems from feeling trapped. There are some aspects of his health challenges that are keeping you both from the lives you wanted. But take a lesson from the way he works out regularly to maintain mobility. He can’t do exactly what he wants but is doing what he can. You can, as well, while still maintaining a connection to and caring for someone that you love.
Real Life of an MSW 