Organized Chaos: Health & Medical Supplies
Organizing Our Health & Medical Supplies
Do you ever open the medicine cabinet for a bandaid or to get Tynenol for a child’s fever or something else and either everything falls out of the cabinet or you cannot locate the one item you need? I love to get items on sale, clearance, or with a coupon but it is usually not reasonable to stuff everything in the same cupboard in the kitchen and hope that you can find it when you need it. You don’t want any health or medical items somewhere young children can get ahold of it, it’s not food so the pantry isn’t really a great option either. Since all the items don’t need to be in the cupboard at once (do you really need 2 to 5 boxes of the same bandaids in the cupboard all at one time) you could store them someplace accessible yet out of reach.
Here are some more pictures on what is in the containers.
Health & Medical items organized on the top shelf on my husbands closet
The spot I discovered that works the best for our family is at the top of my husbands closet (thanks honey for sharing your closet space). He was super sweet and redid our closets with the wire adjustable shelving which makes it much easier to store items in the closet. For several years any extra items would be put in a box and stored on the top shelf of his closet. Whenever we needed to get something we had to lug the entire box down and go through it to see if we had what we need. I decided it was time to make it more accessible and user friendly. I bought clear plastic containers at Dollar Tree, put all the items from the big box into the containers, labeled the containers, and re-stacked them on the top shelves of his closet.
Far Left Stack
- Liquid Prescription Medicine
- Non-Liquid Prescription Medicine
- Medical Equipment Equipment – Blood Pressure Monitor, Stethoscope, etc…
If you notice out of all the stacks this one is the hardest to get access to (and for a good reason). Many of the items in this stack are prescription based and in order to get anything out of this stack you have to move at least one of the other rows. I intentionally put this in the hardest to reach place because these items shouldn’t be used as much and you don’t want someone to accidentally grab the wrong thing thinking its cough syrup.
Middle Stack
- Allergy Medicine
- Headache / Fever
- Tums / GasX / Stomach
Right Stack
- Cold Medicine
- Cough Drops
- Liquid Cold Medicine
Organized Health & Medical Items
Having the health and medicine organized has made the whole system much more efficient for our family. If we are out of bandaids I go into the closet, get the bandaid container down, and restock the bandaids. If I notice one of the containers is getting empty I will put that item on my list to look for in the sales fliers and on the clearance shelves. Once a container is full I no longer buy any more of that particular item until we need it again because what we have in stock should last us several months. This system has helped us save time, money, and energy. It is much easier finding what you need, to see what needs restocked, you don’t waste money on items you already have at home, and it looks so much better too
Left Stack
- Miscellaneous – items that don’t fit into any of the other categories or ones that we typically only keep one extra of since we don’t go through them as quickly
- Vitamins
- Heat Pads
Right Stack
- First Aid
- Bandaids
- Gauze / Medical Pads
This system has worked very well with our family. I think it is important that you find what works best for your family and go with it. It didn’t take me long to get this set up and it has been a huge time saver ever since we started using it. I would love to hear how and where you store these types of items in your home?
New Upromise eCoupons for August 2012
Upromise has posted their new eCoupons for the month of August 2012. Remember to activate your eCoupons to get additional savings. If you have not yet signed up for Upromise you can get more information regarding on our experience or directly at the Upromise website.
This month they have 41 coupons you can activate for bonus savings. Once you activate your eCoupons all you have to do is scan your rewards card or purchase the items at the store and the cash will be added to your account. You don’t even have to carry any coupons to get the rewards!
You can go to their website for more information on the Upromise program, it’s free to join.
Giveaway: CVS Gift Card
I am thrilled to announce a new giveaway on Blessings Multiplied! The winner of this giveaway will receive a $10 CVS Gift Card! As a parent August is the month we are wrapping up our final days of summer break, gearing up for the new school year, and preparing ourselves for the first time we have to take our little ones to the doctor. Thankfully as the kids get older they are getting healthier but it is always good to have a good stock of Kleenex’s, Vitamins, and other essentials items you can find in your local CVS. Shop the deals and you can really make this gift card stretch. Here’s how to enter the giveaway:
- Sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied. Sign up to receive Blessings Multiplied via email or like on Facebook.
- You can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing your best tip on keeping your kids and yourself healthy through the school year.
All comments must be made by August 31st at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.
CONGRATULATIONS to Our “More Than Enough” Book Winner!
The name has been drawn for the giveaway!
CONGRATULATIONS to
Lynette
for winning a
“More Than Enough” by Dave Ramsey!
Thanks for making a comment in honor of our Giveaway!
An email has been sent to you with more information*
Enjoy your new book!
Don’t forget to enter our next Giveaway (the next giveaway will be announced later this morning)!
*Giveaway must be claimed within 5 business days of the prize being announced. Failure to claim the prize within the allotted time frame means you forfeit the prize.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of August 1 – 7, 2012
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meat and Seafood
Ground Beef – $1.99 lb
Assorted Pork Chops – $1.69 lb
Grilling Steaks, Ribeye, T-Bone, NY Strip – $6.99 lb
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more.
Fridge and Freezer
Eggs (dozen) – $0.99
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, Buttermilk or Flaky (16.3 oz) – $1.00
Signature Select or Maple View Farms Slider (4 oz) – $1.00
Tony’s Crispy Crust Pizza (7 oz) – $1.00
Parkway (16 oz) – $1.00
Bright & Early, Orange, Grape or Apple Juice (59 oz) – $1.00
Popsicle Novelties (13 oz) – $1.00
World’s Fair Ice Cream (56 oz) – $1.99
Mantia’s Pizza – $1.99
Enhance Coffee Creamer (16 oz) – $2.29
Frozen Buttermilk Pancakes (10 count) – $1.00
Coburn Farms Yogurt – $0.50
Produce
Bananas – $0.44 lb
Potatoes (8 pounds) – $2.49
Grocery
Pepsi (2 liter) – $1.00
Use $0.55/1 coupon from insert 7/22 Sunday Supplement (Expires 8/11/12)
$0.45 each after couponGinger Evans Granulated Sugar (4 pounds) – $1.99
Duke’s Mayonnaise (32 oz) – $2.99
Chex Mix Snack Mix (8 oz) – $1.00
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 6/24 Smart Source (Expires 8/4/12)
$0.50 each after couponMrs. Freshley’s Fudge Brownies or Mini Donuts (7 – 10 oz) – $1.00
Kurtz Ketchup (32 oz) – $1.00
Save-A-Lot Soft Drinks (12 pack) – $1.99
O’Days Mac & Cheese – $0.39
Golden Flake Potato Chips (5 oz) – $1.50
McDaniel’s Classic Roast Coffee (32 oz) – $6.99
Kurtz Whole Dill or Hamburger Slices (32 oz) – $1.99
Portmann’s Salad Dressing (16 oz) – $1.69
Weston Vegetable Oil (48 oz) – $2.99
Sunny Delight (48 oz) – $1.00
Morning Delight Syrup (24 oz) – $1.89
Little Hugs Variety Pack (160 oz) – $2.99
Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce – $0.99
Kurtz Yellow Mustard (16 oz) – $0.69
Panner Peanut Butter (16 oz) – $1.99
Wylwood Canned Vegetables – $0.59
Granny Ella’s Vanilla Wafers (11 oz) – $1.79
Albaney Bakery Sandwich Cookies – $1.99
Save A Lot Today Toaster Pastries – $0.99
Bramley’s Grape Jelly (32 oz) – $1.69
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends. For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Heart Reflections: Living Life in the Fast Line….Going from 0 to 70 in Seconds
So often I feel like I am living life in the fast lane……zooming through life faster and faster. I don’t necessary hit the top speed but I am holding steady at a high pace for days and there is always some where to be or something to do. It is possible to fill up every blank space in your calendar (believe me I have seen it). There are those days, weeks, or months when I am just waiting for life to slow down a little bit so I can catch a deep breath, but when that glorious day arrives I realize that all the stuff I couldn’t squeeze into the schedule before hand has spilled over into that time that was once reserved for a quiet day.
Notice in the top right corner of the picture the “service engine soon” light is on. One of the things I found myself skipping (which is kind of embarrassing to admit) is my quiet time with God. Much like the “service engine light” on the van I need to be recharged or have a tune up as well. My relationship with Christ has a significant impact on all my relationships, yet there are days when I choose to neglect the most important relationship of all because life simply just gets too busy.
When life gets too busy and I get stuck running full speed in the fast lane God has a way of slowing me down and getting my attention. Earlier this summer my husband was in a car accident. If you just looked at the vehicle the damage looked devastating, but thankfully God spared his life and he walked away with only minor injuries. I am truly grateful for God’s protection and goodness in this situation. Over the past couple months as we’ve been juggling one car, looking for another vehicle, and spending some extra time together I am reminded of His amazing grace and mercy for me. I love my husband so very much, but God loves me even more and longs to have a personal relationship with me. Why would I hold back from the most awesome relationship in my life?
I make time for what is important in my life – God, family, work, ministry, friends or whatever else that may be. Every person gets 24 hours a day. How do I spend my day, what are my priorities, am I making a positive impact on the lives around me, or am I just rushing through the “to do” list and jammed packed schedule while trying to catch my breath in between? How are my relationships being effected by my decisions?
Sometimes the best thing I can do is stop, take a break, and enjoy extra time focusing on the what’s truly important. When my heart is in the right place, my relationship with God is open and honest life seems brighter because I don’t have to live life in the fast lane or have to be the one in control because He holds my life and future in his hands. Being a Wife, Mom, Friend, and everything else can be tough some days, but when you have your priorities in line it really can be quite enjoyable. We all need to take some time every now and then to slow down, relax, and service the check engine light of our soul.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
We were blessed with the opportunity to spend a long weekend away with the St Clair side of the family. All my extended family was able to make it out this year and it had been awhile since all of us were together for a weekend. It was great catching up with everyone. Thankful for the amazing blessing of having a family that gets together to relax and enjoy each others company.
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Attend Family ReunionRead regularly to the girls and have them read to meParticipate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids- Plan out the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes) Grand Prize for Completion – have a plan that I need to execute once we get settled back in at home from our travels
- S
pend time with extended family Narrow down what type of vehicle we want to get
Personal Goals
Spend extra time helping and making memories with my extended family
Home Management Goals
Put mail on hold for when we are awayLine up someone to come by and check on the house / pets while we are away
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork on projects with the family business
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – temporarily on hold
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – currently looking at cars and praying the perfect one comes along
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – temporarily on hold
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
- Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
- Plan out the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes) Grand Prize for Completion
- Spend time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Spend extra time helping and making memories with my extended family
Home Management Goals
- Check in with the person coming by and check on the house / pets while we are away
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work on projects with the family business
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Joy is Contagious
Book: “Starlight” by Kristin Earhart
The girls enjoy the book Starlight by Kristin Earhart. This book is about a little girl named Haley and her foal called Starlight. Haley did her best to train Starlight but it seems like Starlight was too busy having fun to listen until one night Starlight gets lost in the woods. Our girls really enjoy these books. They are great for the early readers especially if they like horses.
Kids in the Kitchen: Easy Parmesan Chicken
The girls have started making dinner for the family once a week. It has been fun coming up with easy and fun recipes for them to put together. My husband actually came up with this idea after the girls suggested they make chicken nuggets for dinner one night. This is a super easy recipe to put together and the only thing you really need to help the kids with is taking the hot pan out of the oven. It is really neat to see them get excited about cooking dinner!
Easy Parmesan Chicken:
- 20 to 25 Chicken Nuggets
- 8 slices Provolone Cheese
- Small can or bottle Pasta Marinara Sauce
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 pyrex dish. Line the bottom of the pyrex with one layer of chicken nuggets. Place the slices of cheese over the chicken nuggets. Spread the pasta sauce over the cheese slices and bake uncovered in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
