Preparedness

So there are lots of things lately that have scared me into getting some food storage started and just becoming more prepared in general. The major earthquake in China recently was the first thing that scared me.

We live in a 118 year old house, in the basement, on the wasatch front where an earthquake could happen anytime really. Scary much? The Earthquake in China was devastating. So many people, including children in schools, died. It is likely that if we had an earthquake close to the magnitude of China's, we would not survive, let alone need all the items I've been preparing, but just in case, might as well be prepared right!?

Also, last month our ward conference was completely about being prepared. They briefly spoke about being spiritually prepared, which is of course more important than anything, but they really emphisized food storage and other preparedness topics. Ever since then, I've slowly, but more quickly than in the past, been gathering prepardness items. I have always been putting it off and using the lack of space in our one bedroom apartment as an excuse. But I realized that with some rearanging and some new added shelving as organization, it could be done. We are far from a year's supply, and I am still not quite as prepared as I would like to be, but I feel much better now.
Here is a list of items I have in 1 out of 2 72 hr. kits I have put together in addition to a regular food supply. If you see anything you can think of that I should add that I haven't thought of yet, just let me know. I plan on continuing to add things constantly and I am open to ideas.

(1) Small Scissors
(1) Small flashlight
(2) Crunchy oat bars
(1) Chocolate chip granola bar
(1) Canned tuna
(1) Can opener
(1) Whistle
(1) Toothbrush with floss
(1) Hand warmer
(2) feet warmers
(1) Rain Poncho
(1) Heat Blanket
(4) Lighters
(1) Hand sanitizer
(2) “AAA” Batteries
(2) “AA” Batteries
(2) Elastic bands
Post-it notes
(1) sharpie & (1) pen
$______ Change (emergency money)
Feminine Hygiene
Multi-Vitamins
Ibuprofen
(2) Sudafed
Tylenol PM
Band-aides
Cotton Swabs
Pocket size tissues
Hotel size Shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion
Pocket knife
Sunscreen
Chapstick

It's smart to keep a 72 hr. kit and a First-aid kit in the car as well. We spend so much time in the car, you never know what could happen and what you will need while you are away from home.
Here are some other miscellanoues items I've read that are good for preparedness...
Having a fire extinguisher on hand, keeping your gas tank atleast 1/2 full, keeping extra fuel on hand.

Father's Day

Cute neighbor boy

Pretty sweet shift bonding

So tonight I went to the BEES Game with Skyler and some of my co-workers. We finally managed to pull of a "shift bonding" activity. We have planned activities in the past but they have always failed. Then recently I had a thought... "Hey! I have some pretty sweet hook-ups with my brother-in-law! We should go to the Bee's game!" And so it was, I arranged it thanks to Tony! Thanks man! This time most of us managed to get there. Jeremy, the big sports fan and the only guy on our shift, was totally stoked to come but last minute couldn't make it for some reason or another.
We had pretty awesome seats, but we sat pretty much where all of the foul balls go. We nearly got smacked in the face from one of the foul balls. The ball was coming right towards us, really fast I might add, and hit the ad sign right above us with a big smack! then ricocheted another direction. Yeah we totally freaked.
The game was lots of fun. Here are some pics from the night.

Brit, Laura, Me, Skyler

The game
Hm
The anticipation!!!
My Prince
We were pretty sure this was the helicopter carrying President Bush from Park City to Salt Lake City, but who knows.
The mascot helping the crowd with the YMCA.

the fam

...or most of us.



This photo was taken last week after we had a BBQ. I made THE BEST turkey bugers for everyone. They were oh so delicious! I nervously put the camera on one of the kids' motor scooter seats. It makes for a pretty descent makeshift tripod!

I've been tagged...

Ok, so I've been tagged several times now, maybe it's time I actually do this for once...

The Rules:

~Each player answers the questions about themselves, then tags 5 other people.

What was I doing 10 years ago?
Let's see, I was 14 years old. I was what I would consider an awkward teenager trying to figure out who she was and get through horrible life in jr. high school.

Five Snacks I Enjoy:
*Piece of toast with Adams Peanut Butter, honey, and sliced banana on top.
*Honey nut cheerios with strawberries
*JAMBA JUICE!
*My new favorite guilt-free cookie Skyler has been making recently. I can't believe they are actually healthy.
*Ovaltine!

Five Things On My To Do List Today
*Get over the fact that Archuleta didn't win American Idol, even though I really liked both David's pretty much equally. Cook totally deserves it! I just had a place in my heart for the cute little guy.
*clean the messy pile of paperwork on the counter
*watch more season 3 of 'Medium'
*Go to bed

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
*Invest
*Buy a nice but simple and comfortable home
*Share it with those who would really need it/fund my way to Africa to volunteer
*I'd finally be able to buy all the photo equipment I want for sure
*Travel!!!

Five jobs that I have had:
*Personal assistant at my dad's computer store
*Cashier/sales associate at Michael's crafts (erghh!)
*Office Assistant for Nevada appraisal company
*Residential advisor at 3 treatment centers
*Photographer assistant

Five of my bad habits:
*Twisting my hair around my finger
*Grinding my teeth at night! ah! That's so bad!
*Emotional eating
*spending too much of my time on flickr and processing photos in Photoshop
*Overreacting

Five places I have lived:
*Kaysville, UT
*Provo, UT
*Las Vegas, NV
*Henderson, NV
*Salt Lake City, UT

Five People I Want to Get to Know Better:
A nice way of saying “Tag. You’re it!”

...Everyone reading this!;)

6 Random Things:
*My legs are killin me from my P90X-Plyometrics workout! I'm not going to be able to walk tomorrow! I'm not even kidding.
*I have ADD. I have the hardest time concentrating on anything really.
*On days I don't work and am home alone, I have music from my iTunes playing almost all day until Skyler comes home. It's too quiet! That'll change once kids are in the picture someday!
*I am addicted to watching Oprah and reading her bookclub books
*Skyler won movie tickets from the radio for the new Indiana Jones movie for Thursday night. Totally excited!

Photography Blog

I've finally created a blog for my photography. I will continue to post my photos on flickr, but this will just be another avenue of sharing them. I hope that you will check it out as often as you would like!

Also, if you have any cool ideas for a photography company name feel free to let me know. I have been brainstorming and haven't loved anything so far so I am sticking with my name for now.

Nicolette Francis Photography Blog

Celebrating 3 years...

Yesterday was our 3 year wedding anniversary. We were just talking in the car the other day how we don't feel the need to say "I can't believe it's been 3 years already! Time flies!" Though it certainly does seem more romantic that way. But it does feel like it's been 3 years. I'd say it feels like exactly that long. All of the wonderful and the difficult times make it seem that way.
I am grateful for how much I have grown these past 3 years. You don't really think about it until you actually look back and think wow, I have learned a lot! I have things I am proud of and things I've learned from to try to improve and strengthen our marriage. I am so grateful for finding the perfect person for me. Sometimes I am in awe at how right we are for eachother. He really compliments me. And I would hope that I do the same for him. I look forward to spending eternity with eachother along with our current and future family.

We decided Our Anniversary was as good an excuse as any to get away for a little bit. We didn't go far. We went to Park City, but that was far enough for me. We stayed at a hotel at The Canyons Resort. We did some shopping at the outlets, did a lot of relaxing in the hotel, and went to some cool restaraunts. It's nice to get away even just for a day.

Here are some of my favorite photos of us taken 3 years ago




Cheers to the next 80 years!