#OKQuake Shook my KC House ... God's Fault or Man's Fault? #faultline #freakingfracking

Growing up, I loved the show Laverne and Shirley. They were from the Midwest originally and those episodes were awesome, but then they moved to California. Sometimes there were earthquakes and they were flipping scary, and as a kid I was like, "I LOVE California and would love to live there but ... earthquakes. Holy crap. How helpless do you feel when that crap is going on?"

Now I know!

I'd felt a few earthquakes in my Overland Park, Kansas home over the years. At first I thought it was the dog UNDER the bed somehow shaking the whole thing by scratching himself then realized the dog was not in the room. Then I, watching too many horror movies as a kid (thanks, Mom and Dad), was like, "GHOST! POLTERGEIST!"

It probably happens more than I know ... I only feel these shock waves from Oklahoma when I'm in bed. One night a few years ago (2011?) my whole family felt them as well in different bedrooms. This morning's was the worst.

My husband had left for a bike ride half an hour earlier and I had JUST woken up and was contemplating getting out of bed. I mean, 7 a.m. is sleeping in for me.

Then the bed started its little shimmy and, yes, "GHOST!" went through my mind for like a second (don't judge). Then it kept going and I knew. Earthquake. In Kansas. Again.

I figured I'd just ride it out, but then the closet doors started shaking. No huge trucks going down my road to shake the house like sometimes happens. Just the whole house shaking and I felt ... well, helpless. But I feel like it's getting to be time to start doing some drills or something with the kids California-style?

Like next time should I wake them all up and run outside? I don't freaking know!

My husband's text back to me was: "Dang, hopefully it will bring my back door back into fitting." Seriously, our doors are starting to really get off kilter!

In the meantime, let's enjoy a few of my Facebook posts from this morning when I realized this junk might not be God, but may be something WE STUPID, ARROGANT, GREEDY HUMANS are doing:.

My first post, the most eloquent and informative: Earthquake.

Really, though, who thought up the name "fracking"? It's like when you are trying to cuss and that's your sub word. #okquake

Where the hell is Erin Brockovich when we need her? Does she have like a bat signal? #okquake

Forget the #zombieapocalypse. The new Midwest concern is the US splitting in half. #newmadrid #okquake

Ooh, I know! How about a super fun map of how the USA COULD look someday for my great-grandchildren: split in half! I say cremate me when I die because the cemeteries are going to be toast in my part of town. And it's cheaper.

If you love me and I make you laugh a little bit or until you pee your pants, please consider signing up for an email subscription. I have lots of informative and funny junk in my brain and am not afraid to share it!

Vacations To Keep The Kids Active

Have you ever had one of those vacations when the kids were whining about being bored? Even at the theme park, they’ll be in line for a while and getting fed up. While some parents might love the quiet and stillness of a lazy day on the beach, kids want to be on the go. If you’re looking for some great vacation activities, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are quite a few vacation ideas that will keep your little ones active until bedtime.

A winter vacation gives you all a chance to try new things. Older kids might fancy trying out some snowboarding. Maybe you want to revive your ski skills? Learning to ski for the first time can be a great family activity that you can all enjoy together. Colorado and Wyoming offer several resorts that provide quality instruction for family groups. Places like Jackson Hole could be the ideal location for a family winter break. You can choose accommodation like these Jackson Hole hotels, cabins, or even apartments further out.

Thanks to Flickr for the image

Do your children love camping? Why not pick a vacation hiking one of America’s great trails? Some parents may be reluctant to take very young children along. But active kids will love the opportunity to camp out in different places along the trail. Most trails have cabins or basic accommodation at various points. This means you can get a hot shower and other amenities. Plan a route that suits the speed of the slowest walker. You might need to invest in some lightweight travel luggage to avoid the kids getting too weighed down.

Cycling is a great activity for kids and grownups. There are hundreds of very scenic cycle routes across the country. You can even find safe routes to navigate around some of the cities. It’s a fun way to get from A to B. Of course, a cycling vacation could be the ideal budget package you need to explore parts of Europe too. Pick your own route or take a guided tour at your own pace. Don’t forget to take a bicycle repair and puncture kit!

Kayaking isn’t for everyone. Certainly, traversing the white water rapids can be somewhat terrifying! But if you’re up for it and your kids are on form, this can become one of their favorite vacation activities. Each day can be spent working your way along the river. Or you might just choose to kayak one day, sail the next, and even swim on the third. Water activities keep the kids active, and they’ll keep you pretty fit too.

So you’d rather be on the beach? There are still plenty of ways the kids can stay active here. Look for resorts that offer beach or waterfront activities each day. Volleyball, horseback riding, surfing, and snorkeling are all great activities for the family to enjoy while you look on from the lounger. You can join in, or simply make the most of the time you’ve got before they come running back looking for their next meal!

Enjoy your vacation.

Ideas For The Perfect Cheap Halloween Break In The UK!

The UK has a dark and ghostly history - making it a great place to visit to celebrate Halloween. After all, many British people have gone on to become legends of the macabre. Author Bram Stoker was inspired to write his legendary novel Dracula whilst staying in the gothic town of Whitby, North Yorkshire. The late Sir Christopher Lee, born in London, took the lead role in many an adaptation of Stoker's book and become a horror icon in the process. But that’s enough of all that creepy stuff! Halloween as a modern tradition is also, above all else, fun. If you’re thinking of packing your bags for an October trip overseas, here’s why the UK could be a great place to go.

The weather

During October, it is fairly likely to be cold and overcast in England. Autumn officially begins there during late September, so the country should be in the grips of fall by the time you arrive. Plus, it tends to get dark around 6pm during the British fall - setting the perfect scene for a spooky evening. There’s nothing like trying to pull off an all-black Halloween costume in 30 degree heat. So, the cooler climate of the UK can be perfect for the festivities.

Image source

The accommodation

If you’ve got some guts (and some very brave children!) why not try choosing some (supposedly) haunted accommodation? The options available include a whole range of hotels and bed and breakfasts across the country, each with their own story. Or, up your game and stay in a castle for a truly gothic experience. Each are fitted with all mod-cons, although if you have children of a nervous disposition it’s probably best to avoid! You can also find places to stay in major towns and cities for very reasonable prices, so your trip doesn’t need to break the bank!

The activities

Although it may not be celebrating quite as lavishly in the UK as it is in America, there are still plenty of things to do on and around Halloween. Try a ghost walk in an historical city – many tours also offer child friendly versions of their stories which will delight, amuse and shock. There are also plenty of shows available, such as the Blackpool Shows which are given a spooky twist around October. Additionally, there is also the option to take part in age-old traditions and customs too. Trick or treating, pumpkin carving and apple bobbing are all practiced in England during Halloween as part of the celebrations.

The history

England is a country shrouded in spooky myths and mysteries. Apart from the aforementioned Dracula, there are plenty of other scary figures from British folklore perfect for an evening ghost story. Plenty of London’s tube stations are said to be haunted and notorious serial killers such as the Yorkshire Ripper roamed the streets many years ago. There are plenty of museums suitable for all the family where you can learn more about myths, legend and fact. Plus, interactive experiences such as the Dungeons add a bit of humour to the macabre.

Image source

Interesting Ways To Use Solar Power To Bring A Little Light To Your Life

Photo Credit

Renewable energies are great. They’re good for the environment, your health and your wallet. So if you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet, it’s about time. Here are some brilliant ways that you can use solar power to bring a little extra light to your life.

Power Your Home

This is one of the most notable uses of solar energy and with good reason. Installing solar panels on your roof or having solar panels grounded in your garden can save you a small fortune. After panel and installation costs, any energy you produce is free. What’s more, you can sell any surplus energy back to an energy provider. So there’s profit to be made too. A good solar company can provide you with all of the information you need in such a beneficial investment. They will also aid you throughout the entire process. From consultations to installations and upkeep.  

Garden Lights

Use the sun’s energy to give your garden an extra glow when it gets dark. Solar powered garden lights soak up the sun’s rays during the day. They then use the energy at night to bring themselves to light. They’re particularly great for garden parties or summer BBQs if your guests want to stay for a few drinks after the main event.

Pond Lights

There are thousands of pond accessories out there. But nothing can quite make a pond stand apart from the rest like lighting. If you have a rockery or plants around the pond itself, solar lights can be nestled away out of sight. They won’t be massively noticeable by daylight, but come night they’ll light up and draw attention to your pond, making it a feature like no other. This is also a great health and safety feature.

Pool Heating

Energy derived from solar panels can be used to create heat. If you’re lucky enough to have your pool, you’ll know that it can be pretty daunting jumping in when the water is cold. Solar energy can heat your pool for you. They will circulate the energy they create around your pool and getting in will be like sinking into a nice, warm bath.

Phone Chargers

If you’ve ever been to a music festival, you’ll understand the overwhelming importance of a phone charger. It’s not until you’re lost in the middle of a field of strangers and haven’t seen your friends for about six hours that you realise how handy having a functioning phone is. Solar panelled chargers are a great fix when it comes to charging your phone while you’re out and about. These solar panels are small and portable and will keep your handheld device running for days at a time.

Gadgets

With such huge investment in renewable energies, there are now thousands of solar powered gadgets and toys to choose from. Gone are the days when you’d open a Christmas present, only to be disappointed that you don’t have the necessary batteries to power it up. From mini solar cars to miniature reading lamps and wireless keyboards. Solar powered gadgets can make your day to day life easier or serve as a brilliant, alternative gift for birthdays and other big events.

Storm Coming? Here's How To Handle It Properly

If you know there’s a storm coming, then you want to make sure that you’re well prepared. Some storms can be more dangerous than others. Some can cause many problems in your home. At the very least, they can end up scaring your pets and children silly! With that in mind, here’s how to handle it when you know a storm is coming:

Make A Risk Assessment

If you know a storm is coming and you have time, make a risk assessment in and around your home. It’s so important that you take a look around and make sure there are no accidents waiting to happen. For instance, a big tree with loose branches could cause a problem in high winds. Do your best to clean up any risks so that you and your home can remain as safe as possible.

Store Away Garden Furniture And Toys

If you have garden furniture and toys, don’t risk leaving them in the garden. Store them safely away in a garage or shed. If you don’t, you could end up with your child’s toys all over the street, or worse, coming through your window!

Strengthen Your Home And Garages

Find ways to strengthen your home, garage, shed, and any other area that could become damaged in the storm. Make sure you use special products to protect them regularly, and that they are securely locked and sturdy. The roof is the most exposed area on the home, and can easily become damaged in a storm. Make sure it’s safe. Make sure there are no gaps where water or wind can get in either, as you could leave yourself susceptible to a flood. The only thing you can do then is find a reliable flood cleanup place to help you minimize the damage.

source

Stay Away From Windows And Close Your Curtains

In serious storm instances, windows can become broken by things flying into them due to the high winds. It’s a good idea to stay away from your windows and keep your curtains closed to protect you from any glass that might break.

Make Sure You Have A Good Insurance Policy

A good insurance policy that will cover you for this kind of thing is essential. Make sure it’s suitable for your needs, and that you contact them ASAP should you experience problems.

Explain To Your Children And Comfort Them

If you have children, chances are they don’t like storms all that much. You can minimize their fears when you explain to them the science of a storm, so they understand it better and feel they have more control over the situation. Talk to them about their fears and make sure you validate their feelings. Don’t tell them that they are being silly! You can also comfort them and ask them what they want to do to feel better. This might be listening to their music, or making a fort where they feel safe.

Stay calm next time a storm comes and use this advice as soon as possible!