Praying for Oklahoma

Seeing the devastation coming out from the tornadoes in Oklahoma has been heartbreaking. All tornadoes are bad, but as a parent who was driving home after spending the morning at school doing one of my monthly volunteer shifts, hearing schools with students inside hit me pretty hard. I can't imagine. I don't want to imagine what those parents are going through because watching from the safety of my home in the NW corner of the country is hard enough.

I wrote about a tornado hitting a school in one of my books. But given I write sweet romance with happy endings, it happened on a weekend with no one there. The soccer fields and school were torn up, some houses damaged, but very minor, a plot-device like other natural disasters such as an earthquake I've used.

I sure wish I could rewrite the tornadoes in Oklahoma. But I can't. So I'll pray for all those affected and look for other ways to help. Here's what I've found so far:

1) Texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 sends $10 to the Disaster Relief fund. You can also donate online.
 
2) Texting the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the Salvation Army. You can also donate online.

3) Donate online to the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief fund. Click here to be taken to their site.

There are also many fur-covered victims of this tragedy, too. A Facebook group has been created to help those with animals. Check out Moore Oklahoma Tornado Pets Lost & Found. There are pictures of animals missing and/or found as well as links to other places that may have animals.

If you find any other links, just post them in the comment section and I'll add it to the list. Thanks!

Figures...

Hubby out of town and two kids wake up sick. All my plans for the week must now change. Sigh...

I can so relate to these kitties today.



Hope you have a nice Monday!

Cato is back!

Our puppy Cato is back home with us. He's been with the breeder since the first weekend in April. Boy, has he grown! We're hoping he can stay permanently. He had a couple issues that needed sorting out so we'll see how he does.

Unfortunately that meant sweet little Nash went back to the breeder. We miss him, especially my son. Nash is a very nice little puppy. So much smaller than Cato, but he's nearly three months younger, too. But it was great to have him for the last six weeks! I spoke with the breeder last night and he's doing fine.

So is Cato. It didn't take long (a few minutes) for him to remember the house and get very excited. He even ran to where his old cushion used to be. (Nash wet on it so it had to go away, but we'll get Cato a new one.)

Needless to say, we're all very happy and happy that our baby boy is back home!

Whole 30 Take 3

Cake on Day2? Now that's my kind of diet!

I'm on Day 25 of my third Whole 30 (did the others last year.) It's been easier this time around. I haven't missed not having cake on the diet or candy or had any real cravings. Maybe it's because I know what to expect. Maybe it's because I feel so much better. Or maybe it's because I like having my pants fit looser already!

The key to success that I learned during the second time is preparation. The first time I had a pantry and fridge full of things I could eat. I printed out recipes, figured out menus ahead of time. The second time I didn't. It was awful. I made it the thirty days but was so sick of salad and meat I set myself up for failure when it was over which is why it's taken me 8 months to try it again.

This time I wasn't as prepared as the first time, but I did better than the second. To keep me on track when it's over I ordered a sample pack of food from Pre-Made Paleo that I can heat up if I don't have time to cook as well as some Primal Pacs. My biggest problem is when hubby goes out of town (which happens a lot) since he does most of the cooking around here. I'm hoping having some ready-made-food/snacks will keep me on track after Day 30!

Hope you have a great Wednesday!