Keeping it Calm with the 3 C's

As a working-outside-the-home mom and wife, and especially a working-outside-the-home mom and wife with a handful of health conditions, it's easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted this time of year. Exhaustion leads to more pain so it's something I generally try to avoid, but I can't allow myself to avoid doing the things that make me happy and make my heart feel good, so I have to find the right balance.

I've realized recently that I can still be a present wife and mom and do the things I love without tipping the scales (most of the time) by dedicating time each day to one of my 3 C's.

What are my 3 C's?

1. Couponing

2. Crafting

3. Cleaning

On most nights of the week, after Logan has settled in to bed, I dedicate an hour or so to one of these 3 C's while I wind down for the night.
The first C, couponing, is my hobby. I started couponing about four years ago and now there's no way I can stop! I break out into cold sweats when I need to pay full price for anything. Couponing taps into my need to organize, feeds my fondness for shopping, and enables me to save money on things my family actually uses while building a stockpile of emergency food and supplies. I could easily spend time on this every day because there really are new deals daily, but by limiting myself to two nights a week (except during Harris Teeter Super Doubles!), I can spend one day finding deals and preparing for shopping trips and another night shopping for deals solo (!) while Ryan stays home with Logan asleep. Whoever knew the mom secret-- that shopping at Target alone could be so ridiculously pleasant?!
The second C, crafting, makes me happy, makes our home a bit more personal and comfortable, and enables me to feel like I really accomplished something. There's no other feeling like making something with your own hands. Crafty nights are great opportunities to get together with friends for a night in, catch up on thank you notes, make or write holiday cards, make gifts, bake treats, or even spend an hour (or two) on Pinterest planning your next project.
The third C, cleaning, is the necessary evil. Luckily, most of the day, most days of the week, we are away from home making messes that other people are paid to clean which means our home doesn't require daily vacuuming, mopping, bathroom wipe downs, etc., so two nights a week is generally enough to keep the critters away and not be embarrassed if people stop by. One uninterrupted hour is plenty of time to deep clean two bathrooms, sweep and mop the tile floors, or de-gunk the microwave. Moreover, in my mind, cleaning also means organizing! An organized space gives the impression of clean even if it's dusty! If the floors aren't crunching beneath my feet, I might spend a cleaning night on a decluttering or reorganizing project.
A bonus perk of the crafting and couponing in our apartment means I'm just hanging out in the living room with my hubby. We're able to talk, make plans, and watch our favorite shows and I don't feel like I'm missing quality time with him nor do I feel like a bump on a log zoning out to tv with idle hands and he's able to keep up with his hobbies at the same time.
If you feel like you just have too many things on your plate this season or feel like you've been focusing too much on just one thing, think about your priorities-- what would make up your 3 C's?

November Gratitude: Day 19

Today, I am grateful for:

• tea. And cough drops. And all the things that make you feel semi-human when you have a cold.
• sweet potatoes. I have an autoimmune reaction to regular potatoes-- I get painful charley horses all over my body and all I can do is lay in bed. Sweet potatoes fill the void and fill my belly! Tonight, I had a huge baked sweet potato with sour cream and bacon and it was perfection.
• the ability and creativity to occasionally make something from nothing.

November Gratitude: Day 18

Today, I am grateful for:

• holiday decorations! People put a lot of time, money, and effort into making their homes beautiful. Growing up, our home was always cozy and comfortable-- we always had a well-stocked fridge, something freshly baked, lots of blankets, and fun decorations. I think holiday decor and fragrances make a cozy home even more inviting and it's nice to have a change of scenery indoors as the seasons change outdoors.
• Ryan's job. It's his job that really keeps a roof over our heads, a car in our garage, and the bills paid. It's not often that you find people our age who have spent their whole career growing within one company. I'm proud of how much he's grown and the respect he has earned.
• blenders. We love smoothies in this family-- it's one of the easiest ways to get fresh veggies, by drinking them blended with fruit! We use our blender more than any other small appliance. One day, I hope to have a vitamix, but for now I'm grateful for the little blender we have.

November Gratitude: Day 17

Today I am grateful:

• my husband is home from a five day trip! Parenting is a challenge when you lose your voice.
• for a boss who tells me to go home. Even though I couldn't sleep, I was able to rest my body and my voice.
• Logan has pooped on the potty three days in a row! He is on track to transition to his next level class on schedule. He is SO EXCITED to go to "preschool class"-- it's been a great motivator for potty training.

November Gratitude: Day 16

Today, I am grateful for:

• my senses, and knowing they work well most of the time. Sometimes I feel things, physically, a bit more than I should, thanks to my overactive nerves, but everything else is normal. Today though, I have a sore throat an no voice. Being a solo parent this weekend was really challenging! I couldn't raise my voice to respond when he was calling for me at the park today, we couldn't sing songs together, and I barely made it through one book at bed time. Logan was so sad when I tried to explain that I couldn't read more or sing because I didn't feel well and needed medicine. I don't know how parents are able to manage if they can't see, speak, or hear. I am so grateful those parts of my body generally work!
• for a husband who is a great father to Logan and a great support to me. I am so fortunate!
• grocery stores. I am fascinated with shows about Alaska, homesteading, prepping, and surviving, and while I believe I am more prepared for emergencies than most city dwellers, I am happy I don't have to do those things every day and am able to take advantage of grocery stores!

November Gratitude: Days 14 & 15

Yesterday, I was grateful for:

• my sweet friend, Bryana. Everyone needs a Bryana in their life-- a friend they can count on for just about anything. She is such a huge help to our little family and such a great all around friend, she's become a part of our family and I don't know what we would do without her.
• a regular paycheck, especially this time of year. During the holidays people are often stressed and will overstretch themselves and even steal to provide for the people they love. I feel fortunate that I am not in that position because I can count on my paycheck and have been planning for the holidays all year (note to everyone: Don't go in my closet!).
• Logan's bedtime routine-- it hasn't changed since he was an infant: Potty (formerly diaper change), bath or wash up, floss and brush teeth, lotion, jammies, books, songs, sleep. Works 98% of the time, no matter where we are. No matter how long the day feels, I know the routine will go smoothly and I get to end the day on a positive note snuggling with clean cutie pie, reading the books and singing the songs he loves.

Today, I am grateful for:

• the chance to take Logan to his very first play: Tiny Tim's A Christmas Carol. Despite the scary ghosts, he really enjoyed it. He had a great conversation with Tiny Tim after the show and told him he liked it and wants to see it again. He really wanted to go back immediately but I promised him we would see more plays this winter and we would definitely go back.
• the arguments I have with Logan. Standing by his opinion and actions shows me he has a strong character and won't be afraid to stand up for himself. I try my hardest not to get frustrated in these moments and try to turn them into learning opportunities.
• ice cream. Because some evil genius somehow created one of the most simple, most delicious, treats on earth, and it's my favorite. Logan's too. He likes pink.

November Gratitude: Day 13

On this "where the heck did winter come from?" day, I am grateful for:

• protection from the cold. Tonight, so many people are trying to sleep on the streets, in their cars, or in homes with unsafe or inadequate heat. It's snowing in November in DC. Some people will freeze to deaths tonight. I am grateful for our heated apartment, weather-appropriate attire, my cozy flannel sheets, and our ability to protect ourselves from the elements.
• new recipes! Especially the courage to try new things and the deliciousness when a new recipe turns out perfect the first time!
• friends I can be silent with. I try to be a good listener and I'm an introvert, so odds are I won't be doing most of the talking if we have a conversation. I'm grateful for friends who are comfortable enough with me to not feel the need to fill that silence and are as content to just be with me as I am to just be with them, enjoying being in the moment.

November Gratitude: Day 12

On this gorgeous day, I am grateful for:

• my wonderful colleagues. In addition to challenging me and pushing me beyond what I think I am capable of, they are supportive, kind, and generous. I'm so grateful to work with people who are passionate about their work and show compassion for the people they work with.
• a company with generous leave and benefits. By the end of the year, I will have used every sick, personal, and vacation day available to me, and I am so grateful I have them!
• flowers. I don't know anything about growing them or what different types are called, but I think they're so pretty and they always make me smile.

November Gratitude: Day 11

Today, I am grateful for:

• moisturizer! I wash my hands over 40 times a day-- moisturizer is essential to keep my skin from chapping. Today, I couldn't wear moisturizer at all and I wanted to burst out of my skin.
• women and men with the courage and passion to break down barriers. In so many areas of life, we see roles and professions that are typically filled with one gender or the other but I am grateful for people who make their own paths and pave the way for others.
• advances in medical science. If not for medical research, I would be dead. If not dead, I would certainly be miserable and sickly. Thankfully, treatment has enabled me to recover from my major medical conditions and an understanding of how my flawed body works is helping me cope with the others.

November Gratitude: Days 9 & 10

Yesterday, I was grateful for:

• People who go above and beyond to create an experience and provide great customer service. We were at our local Home Depot picking up wood for a project. We live in an apartment, so all of our tools literally fit into one tool box, so cutting wood blocks is something that needs to happen elsewhere. The associate was so friendly! Not only did he cut two 16' long boards into 7", 8", and 9" pieces despite their policy of no cuts under 12", he didn't charge us, and he was eager to involve Logan, giving him eye and ear protection and handing him the blocks to put in the cart. What could have been a more tedious experience became a memorable learning experience for all of us. 

• A girl's night in. I love doing projects and I don't always like to do them alone. A craft night is the perfect way to gather girlfriends who might not know each other in a no-pressure situation because you get to know each other while working on a project This is the perfect way for an introvert to be comfortably surrounded by the people they care about. Plus, I love being the hostess! Everyone had a fun night and we created some awesome holiday decor.

• Sweet friends who have offered over and over to lend a hand and a prayer this week. Without family nearby, I don't know how we would get through the week without our wonderful friends!

Today, I am grateful for:

• The random perks that come with living in the nation's capital. There are so many amazing free and fulfilling things to do here on a daily basis. It's great to always have something fun to look forward to and new to learn.

•  TV. Yes, I love TV! I love that Ryan and I have favorite shows we look forward to watching every week and I love learning from TV. Without "Extreme Couponing" or "Doomsday Preppers" we would be so unprepared for life's little emergencies.

• My ability to comfort Logan. I think all moms worry they aren't doing a good job. Sometimes we need to watch for the signs our children give us every day. When Logan's scared he comes to me. When he's frustrated, I am generally able to help him understand why. When he's angry or upset, I know just what to do or say to soothe him about 75% of the time. I often worry I'm not doing enough, but these wins remind me I'm doing just fine.

November Graititude: Day 8

Today, I am grateful: - for time spent with my sister, brother-in-law, and adorable precious nephew Elijah. No matter how much time passes between Dani and I each other, it's always like we saw each other yesterday. And, my little nephew is so delicious, I just want to eat him up! - for real conversations on the phone with Logan. Sometimes, I think I take for granted everything he is already able to communicate, but as I was boarding my second flight today, we had a full conversation over the phone about what he had for dinner, what I had for dinner, the fact that I was going on two airplanes today and needed tickets, about the museum he went to with Emery, and how much he missed me. I am so grateful to see him develop. My baby is growing up so fast! - for my home and my own bed. After a whirlwind trip, there's no place like home.

November Gratitude: Day 7

Today, I am grateful: - For the chance to see my best friend marry the man of her dreams. He makes her smile and that makes me smile. - That this was my last California wedding! All of my California based friends are married now. :-) The next time I'm in California, it will be for vacation. - That my Dad is retired. He drove for three hours yesterday just to have breakfast with me and it was awesome!

November Gratitude: Day 6

Today, I am grateful for: - my sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, for all of the wonderful experiences I had as an undergrad and the friendships I formed that I know will last a lifetime. - safe flights. When you try to wrap your head around it, it's pretty amazing that for a few hundred dollars we get to be birds and can fly across the country in just a few hours. - southern California beaches. As soon as I spotted the California coast from the plane, I swear I could feel my heart smile. When I stepped out of the airport and felt the warmth of the sun and smelled the salty air, I felt content. And, to top it all off, this evening I fell asleep peacefully on the beach at a bon fire listening to the water from the bay lapping on the sand. I wish I could stay longer!

November Gratitude: Day 5

Today, I am grateful for: - Love and support from friends and family in all its forms. Real life hugs, sweet sentiments over the phone, and words of encouragement on social media all helped me get through a tough physical day. - Chocolate. Chocolate also helps on tough days. - Wet wipes. When you pee 20-30 times per day, toilet paper becomes your worst enemy! Sorry for stealing all your wipes, Logan! I hope you had something to be grateful for today, too!

November Gratitude: Day 4

Today, I am thankful for: - The right to vote. Even though my mom is pretty vocal about US politics, I could only hear her words but couldn't see her actions because she's not a US citizen (although her words strongly influenced my votes for the better part of the early 2000s). I felt really proud today to be able to take Logan with me to the polls so he could see me doing my civic duty, even though he thought we were going to a boat, not to vote. Hopefully, he will be more engaged in politics at an earlier age than I was. - The gift of planning! Tomorrow night (Wednesday), the power is going to be off in our building from 9pm to 6am. I won't be home until 6pm, we're babysitting one of Logan's friends til about 8pm... And the next morning, I leave for a flight at 5:30am. Luckily, thanks to my planning skills, I was able to get packed today, plan a fridge-free and portable breakfast for Logan Thursday morning, and I intend to shower tomorrow before the power's off and do my hair and makeup at the airport. This could have been a disaster without planning ahead! - Hot tea at the end of a long day. After spending the morning voting and at a doctor's appointment, the afternoon at work, and the evening making dinner, folding laundry, playing with Logan, packing, putting together Logan and Ryan's backpack for their day out this weekend, and putting Logan to bed, I was desperately in need of some peppermint tea. I hope you voted today!

November Gratitude: Day 3

Today, I am thankful for:

- The inspiration I find on Pinterest. Even though Logan is potty trained, we have been reluctant to get rid of our beautiful Pottery Barn changing table. Thanks to Pinterest, our cleaned up changing table is now a buffet in our kitchen providing much needed storage space for our pots and pans, a stable spot to serve food when we have guests, and room in the kitchen to set up a recycling center next to it. It was a quadruple win that saved us a few hundred bucks on the buffet we've been eyeing. Keep sharing your creativity, people!
- A son who loves to help. As soon as he saw us moving the furniture, he was right by my side helping carry it, telling us how strong he was. When he saw Ryan with his tool box to tighten the screws, he ran to workbench for his hammer and screwdriver, ready to help. They best way to learn is to do things hands on and I'm grateful he's interested enough in the things happening around him to want to become involved.

- The crisp, cool, weather autumn brings. It's nice to have a break from sweating for no reason and a brief period to enjoy being outdoors before it's too cold.

November Gratitude: Days 1 & 2

Despite the actual history of the pilgrims, the native Americans, and the first Thanksgiving, I love that the modern Thanksgiving is a reminder to be grateful and to give thanks for all the good we have in our lives.


Every day this month, I will attempt to share three things I am grateful for. Please spread the love by sharing three things you are grateful for in the comments or on my or your facebook pages.


Day 1: I am grateful for...


1. A (mostly) reliable car. This year, we weren't able to take a lot of family vacations thanks to the number of snow days, sick days, wedding travel, etc., but we were able to enjoy a lot of weekend road trips. I always enjoy visiting old friends and exploring new places.


2. We did have a few weeks this week where our car wasn't so reliable, and I am grateful for friends who offered to drive us around and just lend us their cars.


3. Post-holiday sales! I was able to stock up on activities and decor for next Halloween plus some awesome stuff I can use all year at rock bottom prices at a post-Halloween sale. Black and white chevron and polka dot blank note cards aren't just for Halloween, I can use them for any occasion. I love a steal of a deal.




Day 2: I am grateful for...


1. The things that fascinate Logan. Last weekend, we briefly watched part of the Marine Core marathon and Logan desperately wanted to run in the street with all the real runners. All week he has talked about running a race in the street and, today, we happened to catch the end of the NY marathon on tv and he was glued. We're searching for a 1k race he can run with Ryan. Hopefully he won't be too disappointed to run with other kids.


2. Friends who have become family. Since middle school, I have been blessed with friends who enable me to just be myself. Over the years, the number of friends I have like this has grown and our families have grown -- I can't explain how freeing it is to have relationships where there are no walls.


3. Phones and the internet. Even though my mom, sister, and nephew are on opposite sides of the country from me, I can hear their voices and see their photos and videos all day.


Happy November!

Evolution of a Fibro Girl's Wardrobe

It's been about three months since my last post which actually makes perfect sense. About three to four months ago, I really started to feel the pain and discomfort of a new fibromyalgia symptom. It's pretty common among fibromyalgics to have bladder problems but it was definitely new to me. My doctor is leaning toward a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis which basically feels like I have a urinary tract infection all of the time, I pee 20+ times a day, and I haven't slept longer than 3 hours at a time in months.


What does this have to do with my wardrobe? My clothes hurt! Wearing pants has become unbearable. I don't even want to try tights! And I LOVE tights! The temperature is dipping and it's really starting to feel like fall and the cute pants and colorful tights collection I've built may have to hibernate this winter because I have months of tests and procedures ahead of me to confirm a diagnosis and time to figure out a treatment plan that works for me.


As I slowly began to pack away pants this week (the complete opposite of what should be happening in October) I couldn't help but think of other things I've given away or packed away over the last couple of years while learning to live with fibromyalgia.


It started with high heels. I would wear them at work or on nights out. Who doesn't feel good in heels? I don't! At least not anymore. Leg cramps and backaches were my first fibro symptoms. Heels made those cramps and aches worse and longer-lasting. Slowly but surely, my shoe collection of varying heights had dwindled to a collection of colorful flats. Sometimes I feel a pang of jealousy when I see a woman on a pair of spectacular heels but my feet, legs, and back are grateful to be flat on the ground.


My shoulders and middle and upper back were the next spots on my body to flare up with aches and pains. Lightening the load in my purse seemed to work for a bit, but I felt completely unprepared for life carrying a practically empty bag when I prefer to carry an array of emergency supplies. All of my shoulder bags were packed up as I switched to cross body bags, but it wasn't long until I realized I needed to swallow my pride and start using a comfortable backpack to balance whatever I was carrying and help prevent muscle cramps and tension headaches. I carry a completely unfashionable backpack 95% of the time and even though it hurts my girly soul, my body is grateful.


And now I need to prepare for a winter without pants. I'm not looking forward to packing away my skinny corduroys and boyfriend jeans and replacing them all with midi and maxi length skirts to keep my legs warm (remember-- no tights!). I have a strong feeling I will spend most of the winter looking like a Duggar. It will definitely be weird but I know my body -- my lady parts, especially -- will be grateful.


I'll have to remind myself not to be jealous when I see women in heeled boots and skinny jeans, swinging their fabulous bags this winter. I'll have to remind myself that we all have different reasons for the choices we make when we look in the closet in the morning. Some women's bodies feel great in heels, pants, and purses, but you'll find me this winter trying as hard as I can to try to be as comfortable as a fibro girl can be in a long skirt, a practical backpack, and sensible shoes.

22 Things I Love About Logan: Age 2 Years, 8 Months

1. He will say the "sh" and "s" in "shoes" but not in other words. For example, "I want to wear my Piderman shoes to cool today" which means "I want to wear my Spiderman shoes to school today."
2. He gets jokes. He knows that the mouse and strawberry wearing glasses, mustaches, and noses in "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe, Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear" is funny. He also thinks it's hilarious to hide from mommy and daddy under the couch cushions or blankets and doesn't realize we know where he is because (1) we can see his legs and (2) we can hear him giggling.
3. He plays a mean air guitar on anything that could possibly be a guitar.
4. All toys and objects now serve multiple purposes: a bench is not just a bench, it's a train an the cross bar below the seat is a luggage rack for our shoes which are suitcases.
5. He lays on the floor to get up close and personal with his toys, even when we're in a store. I want to know what he's thinking about when he's down there.
6. He's showing some natural talent for sports! Ryan and I both grew up playing sports so seeing him show an interest in everything makes us so happy! We play soccer in the hallway and he can dribble well, he can hit a baseball even without a tee, he loves to smack the dimples off a golf ball, he can bounce a basketball five times, and he can run... fast! He likes to watch sports too! He was cheering right along with us during the World Cup, he loves going to daddy's softball games, and we carve out special time to watch "So You Think You Can Dance" together every week.
7. The way he asks questions: "you want to play trains with me, Mommy?" with his head cocked to one side.
8. All emergencies, start with "uh-oh!" or "op!" He get's "op!" from me. I don't know where it came from. Sometimes I just make noises. One common phrase in our house right now, "uh-oh! Pee-pee's coming!"
9. 95% of the time he is such a good boy. For a mom with fibromyalgia, having a child who is generally well-behaved, a good listener, and can focus on one activity for an extended period of time is such a blessing.
10. He still takes naps. Two hours a day, every day. And, most of the time, getting him to sleep at nap time and bed time is a breeze.
11. The way his face lights up when I pick him up after school. It erases all of my stress from the work day.
12. The way he asks me to pick him up: "you have to carry me." I always want to respond, "I do?"  Also, "you have to hold my hand." I can only think, "yes, sir!"
13. When he's frustrated, he throws his head back and walks away, huffing, just like Ryan and me -- sometimes he's too grown for his own good. 
14. He is learning how to match things. He can match most of the alphabet and shapes, even poorly drawn shapes. This week he held up an airplane to my chalkboard airplane which looked more like a shark or a bird and said, "it matches!" It's time to start playing Memory!
15. He loves to play games! My dream of having a family that has a weekly family game night may actually come true!
16. He has an opinion and preferences and isn't afraid to share them. He chooses his own clothes and shoes (despite our suggestions), he prefers pink ice cream with M&Ms above anything else, and he's not afraid to say, "I'm all doooone" or "I don't like that."
17. He LOVES Mickey Mouse and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He doesn't like any other cartoon. This has pros and cons: if we need to do something that requires our nearly undivided attention we know he will sit and watch an episode almost without blinking and it's something we can take away when he misbehaves, however, it also means we've created a little addict and I know kids aren't born with bad habits -- we create them! I feel the guilt even though I am happy to see him have emotional attachments and responses to situations. He actually talks to the TV when they ask questions... maybe it's not so bad to know he responds well in a digital world?
18. We were able to potty train in 3 days! 
19. His concept of time. When he's not ready to finish whatever he is doing, he always asks for "two minutes!" We give him two minutes, or sometimes five minutes, but he really has no idea what this means other than more time before a deadline. He also like to add "right now" to the end of sentences, but not in a demanding way. 
20. His hugs. Logan is a great hugger.
21. Hearing him say, "Mommy! Where are yooooou?!" when he wakes up. He doesn't come out of bed to look for us or wander around looking for something to play with until we wake up. When he's up, he's ready for mommy and tells me, "I need my milk and my breakfast and I need to watch Mickey" while also narrating our walk down the hallway (all in one sentence): "it's dark in here, turn the light on, turn the blinds on, I'm cold, I want my Oma blanket..."
22. Our bedtime routine. He takes a bath, we sing "Row your Boat" or "Five Little Ducks" depending on which toys he plays with, he needs to make footprints on the rug when he comes out of the bath, we brush his teeth, he chooses his own underwear, he sits on my lap while we put on lotion and get him dressed, he runs out to give Ryan a big bear hug and tell him goodnight, sometimes we Skype grandma and sing songs to her, we sit together and read at least two books, sometimes he reads one book to himself for "five minutes", he gets his doggy and shark and asks for his Thomas blanket, then we lay in bed to snuggle and talk about the day or sing a few songs until he tells me he's ready to go to sleep. He's so sweet at bedtime. It's my favorite.

I love my little boy -- he's growing up so fast!

Are you ready if an emergency happens while you're at work?

I think the most important place to be prepared for emergencies is in your home because, for most of us, it's where we spend most of our time. Where's the second most important place? Your place of employment! It's where you spend the most amount of time outside of your home. If your work leads you to spend a ton of time in your vehicle, read this post: Emergency Kit for Your Vehicle and add some of the items listed below to your car kit.

If you work anywhere other than your home or your vehicle, you should be prepared to either shelter in place or evacuate at any time. If you aren't ready yet, now's the time! An emergency could happen today! I work in a big office in Washington, DC, just blocks away from the office. On my way to and from work, I pass several important buildings including the FBI and the Pentagon (among others). In the 5 years that I've been here, we've had earthquakes, blizzards, hurricanes, tornado warnings, and major shooting incidents nearby, and that doesn't take into account things we don't know about. I keep a small backpack and change of shoes under my desk filled with supplies I may need in case I am unable to leave the building overnight or need to get home without the aid of electricity or transportation. Bear in mind, if you usually use a car to get to work, you might not be able to get to your car to get home. Or, you might have to leave your car on the side of the road somewhere while trying to get home, so having a bag like this will be useful for you car commuters as well.

This backpack cost me $8 during a back-to-school sale last year and the shoes are old running shoes with a pair of socks in them, ready to go. I always commute in comfortable shoes because I use the metro (subway) to get to work and I feel like I should be ready to walk in case it shuts down or is compromised, but if I know I'm going to have to walk all the way to Logan and then home, I'm happy I have shoes that are designed for that task. Now is the time to get a backpack because back-to-school sales make them inexpensive everywhere.

So what's inside the bag?

• Water (walking in DC in a sweltering summer would be awful without water and, if we had to shelter in place, we might not be able to access our water in the building)
• Whistle (if someone is looking for survivors, I want to make sure I am found)
• Granola bars and protein bars
• Canned fruit 
• Candy (for extra energy when the blood sugar is low)
• Tape (for leaving instructional signs for friends and family)
• Paper and markers (for writing signs and notes or starting a fire)
• Headlamp and spare batteries (for walking in the dark)
• Toe warmers and hand warmers (for walking in the cold)
• Ear plugs (if DC is getting bombed and I make it out, I want to keep my hearing)
• Face masks (for keeping out dangerous particles)
• Hat (for protection and shade)
• Working gloves (for moving things out of my way)
• Sunscreen (try to do anything with a sunburn!)
• Chapstick with SPF (ditto)
• Tampons (because you never know when an emergency will happen!)
• Toothbrush (we need out teeth to eat, no matter what)
• Toothpaste
• Antibacterial gel
• Iodine wipes
• Medicine: stomach, cold, allergy, pain, aspirin (aspirin to help someone having a heart attack)
• Neosporin
• Band-aids
• Medical tape
• Two ponchos (to keep Logan and me dry)
• Plastic bags (in case something gets wet)
• Matches in a plastic bag (to start a fire)
• Copies of identification, insurance, passports, and emergency contact list
• Copy of my friend Bryana's emergency contact list (she has a copy of mine, so we can contact  families)
• Cash
• Road map (there are a few ways to walk out of DC)
• Rubber bands
• Snack for Logan
• Moby wrap (for carrying Logan a long distance if I can get to him but can't get home or to our car)
• Sweater, underwear, and pants for Logan
• Pocket knife

I'm planning on adding:

• An innertube or some other flotation device in case I need to get home and the bridges aren't accessible (I can swim, but I don't know how well I can swim with a backpack!)
• Large garbage bag (to keep everything I'm carrying dry in case I need to cross the river)
• Pepper spray
• Insect repellent

In comparison to pre-packed 24-hour get-home bags, this is pretty light in both weight and content. Even though I have to cross bridges and a river to get home, I only work 4 1/2 miles away from home. On most days, my commute is a total of 28 minutes, 16 of which are spent walking. If you have a lengthier commute, you might consider a more comprehensive bag like this one because you might have to face some crazy elements and crazy people trying to get home to your family and your stuff.