Mom. Wife. Busy Life.

Category: Family

8 Tips for Traveling with a Cat

After my husband and I moved to our first duty station to Pensacola, Florida, we were ready to adopt our first pet as a married couple. I love cats and we decided that our first pet would be a cat. In February of 2005, we visited a local rescue shelter. When we walked inside, there were several cats to choose from. The owner of the shelter told me, “You will not choose the cat, the cat will choose YOU.”

I walked around and looked at several cats, but I wasn’t too thrilled about any of them. Many just stared at me as I walked by. They didn’t seem too excited about us being there. However, as I walked towards the very last room in the corner of the house, I heard the sweetest little meow I’d ever heard. As I walked towards the crate, the sweetest little calico cat was rolling around, purring, meowing, and sticking her paws outside of the crate. I knew that “Candie” was the cat for us. She even reminded me of the cat we had when I was a little girl, “Jingles,” a calico cat. The owner was right. Candie did choose us. She was the only cat that expressed interest in us being there that day!

Here we are, year 2019. Candie is still with us today. We have taken good care of Candie for twelve years. She has adapted well to our military lifestyle as has moved all over the United States including Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and now Washington. She has lived in over seven different homes in her lifetime.

For every move, we traveled by car and Candie came with us. Now that we’ve moved several times, I consider myself a pro at traveling with a cat in the car. Here are a few of my tips when it comes to traveling with a cat.

Tips for Traveling with a Cat

1. Pick a decent sized travel carrier.

You’ll want your cat to have plenty of room to move around. For our most recent cross country move, we were able to use a soft carrier that Candie could stand up in. We placed it underneath the seat where the baby’s car seat is since that was the safest location for her during travel. I do recommend a hard carrier if you are placing your cat in an area around a lot of luggage, etc.

2. Pre-pack food and litter.

It can be a hassle to carry a large bag of cat food or cat litter around while traveling, especially if you are staying in hotel rooms. Pre-pack small storage bags with food for each pit stop or hotel stop. Keep individual storage bags of cat litter, as well.

Related: How to Keep the Cat Litter Area Clean and Tidy

3. Bring small bowls and a cat food tray.

For each stop, pour the food into a small pet food bowl and keep a bottle of water handy for the water bowl. Use a tray underneath to avoid spills in your vehicle or hotel room.

4. Use cat litter pan liners.

Your cat will most likely need to use the litter box while traveling and wherever you choose to stay. Pack a litter box for travel. Each time you stop to let your cat use the litter pan, place a throwaway cat pan liner in the box. That way, if your cat does use the pan, you can toss the bag of used litter easily after in the trash can. If you are looking for an easier option, check out these disposable trays that include litter!

5. Make sure hotels allows pets.

If you are staying at a hotel along the way, call the hotel ahead of time to make sure pets are allowed during your stay. You could be denied a room or charged extra if the hotel isn’t pet friendly and you have your cat with you.

6. Consider a collar.

If your cat isn’t micro-chipped, consider having your cat wear a collar with your phone number on it. Cats can get loose while traveling.

7. Have a plan during stops.

If you are traveling with your cat, you’ll need to plan for all stops. The car can get hot during stops, even quick restroom breaks. Have someone stay in the car with the cat if you are traveling with others. For example, when we stopped to eat, I would stay in the car with my cat while my husband and kids went in to eat. I would keep the a/c on and my husband brought me a to-go meal to eat. These were also the times I let her out of her crate to walk around the car and eat or use the litter box.

8. Talk to your vet for more tips.

Your vet may be able to give you additional tips and tricks for traveling with your pet. Discuss traveling with your cat at your next vet appointment.

Related: 12 Ways to Save at the Vet

Do you have any tips for traveling with a cat in the car?

February 20, 2019
Should You Have Your Child’s Birthday Party at Home or Away?

Should You Have Your Child’s Birthday Party at Home or Away?

When my daughter was little, I thought I would be smart and save money by having her birthday parties at home.

Just think of all of the money I could save (and the crafts I could do!) by making things myself!

How to Plan a Toddler Birthday Party

Birthday Party Ideas for Teenagers

Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before I realized that not only are at-home birthday parties a ton of work, but they aren’t always any cheaper, especially if you love to get crafty.

The next time your child’s birthday rolls around, you’re going to have an important decision to make: “Should I have the party at home or should I rent out a place?” Here are a few questions to help you make the best decision for you.

Do We Have the Space?

The first question you’ll need to ask yourself is if having a party at home is even a possibility logistically.

If you have your heart set on throwing a big party but you live in a tiny apartment with no yard, an at-home party may not be practical.

Your other options are to have the party at a kids’ activities place, to rent out a room somewhere or even to ask your friends and family members if you could have the party at their house.

How Much Do Other Venues Cost?

Next, you will want to compare the costs of each place.

Can you afford the venue you want? Can you have the number of kids you want without it getting too expensive? Tally up not only the costs of the party, but also any decorations and extras.

Then, compare that cost to the cost of having it at home. This can be tricky, since there is always more to buy, but do your best to think of everything you will need. Be realistic.

Can I Keep an At-Home Party Simple?

Today’s birthday parties aren’t like kids’ parties in the past, where you could just set out cupcakes and juice and call it a day.

Will your family expect you to throw an elaborate function, or will they be content with a small get-together?

Your level of craftiness and desire to “keep up with the Joneses” can make a huge difference.

Which Would Be Easiest for Everyone?

Of course, cheapest isn’t always best.

Sometimes it is worth it to pay a little more for your peace of mind.

Do you have time to organize an entire party, cook all the foods and clean your house? If not, having your party at another location may be worth the extra expense.

Alternately, do you have time to set up an off-site party? If not, keeping it simple at home might be best.

Which Would My Child Enjoy More?

Last, but certainly not least, you’ll want to consider what your child prefers.

While you will need to stick to your budget, if your child has his or her heart set on one place or another, you’ll obviously want to do your best not to disappoint!

Do you have birthday parties for your children every year? Do you host them at home or do you seek out a different venue?

February 13, 2019
5 Office Essentials for Work-At-Home Moms

I work from home seven days a week. Having an organized work space is very important for me. Without organization and order, I would not be as productive as I would need to be. As a work-at-home mom, I enjoy having a home office that works for me. I try to keep my office as clutter free as possible and keep only the basic office necessities that help me to do my job at home in my home office.

If you are a work-at-home mom, you may find the following items important for you as well! The items below are the items I use most often when working from home. Most of these items can go with you if you are an on-the-go mom!

5 Office Essentials for Work-At-Home Moms

1. Planner

I live by my planner. Without it, I would forget important due dates for certain blog campaigns and other important events and activities. Having a planner that fits in your purse is perfect because you can keep it in your home office and take it with you wherever you go.

2. Cute Journal or Notebook

Every mom needs a cute journal to write their thoughts and ideas in. My job requires that I “think outside of the box” often. I use a special notebook where I jot down any ideas that come to mind when planning out my blog posts. I like to create bubble charts to help me compile my ideas and thoughts as well as to help me organize my posts.

3. Comfortable Office Chair

Every mom deserves a comfortable office chair to sit in while she completes her work in her space! I spend a lot of time in my office chair writing blog posts on a regular basis. Add a colorful chair to your space if you like pops of color in your office.

4. Inspirational Coffee Cup

I love coffee. I enjoy working and sipping on coffee during my morning work hours. I collect inspirational coffee cups and as I’m drinking my coffee in the morning, these inspirational quotes remind me of how I need to live and who I need to be.

5. Decor

Every home office needs pretty decor in my opinion! If you work at home most of the day, you deserve a space that matches your personality. I spend a lot of time in my home office and I want it to look nice and be a place that doesn’t stress me out when I’m in there. I add a nice and simple floral arrangement and a yummy smelling candle. Check out inspirational wall art to add to your home office!

Each home office will be unique according to your own style and personality. I’d love to know what your must-have office essentials are in your home office as a work-at-home mom!

What other office essentials would you add to the list?

February 7, 2019
How to Create a Meal Plan

There are two things that I struggle with as a busy mom, eating right and knowing what to serve my family for dinner each night! Thankfully, I’ve made some changes in my life recently and my husband and I decided to start meal planning. We’ve been meal planning for two weeks now and we are convinced that meal planning is the way to go moving forward. I’ve experimented with making several new recipes over the last two weeks that I would have never made before starting our meal plan! I even pulled out my slow cooker and served two delicious slow cooker meals recently.

The truth is, I was so tired of eating the same thing night after night. We were buying way too much ground beef. The reason for this is that we love to serve food like spaghetti, tacos, chili, and hamburgers. What do they have in common? They all use ground beef! I knew it was time to add other foods including chicken. I also wanted to cut out more meat and add more “meatless meals” to our weekly meal plan.

If you are a busy mom and you are interested in creating a meal plan for your family, here are a few of my own personal tips to share with you.

1. Pick a night to plan your meals for the week.

We like to plan on a Friday and shop for our groceries on the weekend. That way, everything is available and on hand for the upcoming week.

2. Select your meals.

Decide what you are going to make. I like to browse Pinterest for ideas. I try to serve chicken one night, beef one night, pork/sausage one night, and then have one meatless night. We save Friday for leftovers or eating out at a restaurant (or pizza delivery!) I also recommend creating a list of family favorites and picking from that list. It’s easy to forget all of the delicious meal options you can make if it’s not written down.

It’s also a good idea to “shop from your pantry” and come up with as many meals as you can with all of the food and ingredients you still have in your pantry, refrigerator, or freezer. This is a great way to stretch your grocery budget!

3. Write down all of the ingredients.

Read through each recipe and write down all of the ingredients that you’ll need. Browse through your pantry/refrigerator/freezer to see what you already have and scratch those ingredients off the list.

4. Go grocery shopping!

Head to the grocery store and purchase your ingredients for each meal.

5. Decide what days you will make each meal.

Plan out your meals and what days you will have each meal. Post your final meal plan to your refrigerator so that you don’t forget what you are going to make each day.

6. Be patient.

It can take time to get used to meal planning. Be patient and try to stick with it as long as you can! Have fun in the process and know that your time is well spent coming up with delicious meals to feed your family. You can even get the kids involved during the cooking process!

What tips do you have for creating a family meal plan?

January 26, 2019
How to Prepare Your Bathroom for Guests

If you have family or friends visiting soon, it’s important to get your house in tip-top shape. One of the most used places in your home during your guest’s visit is the bathroom. Even though this may be one of the smaller spaces in your home, it’s definitely one of the most important and most used during your guests’ visit. You’ll want your bathroom to be sparkling clean and organized for your guests.

How to Prepare Your Bathroom for Guests

1. Deep Clean Your Guest Bathroom.

Clean your bathroom from top to bottom before adding any extra decor or bathroom accessories. This includes the counter tops, sinks, mirrors, bath tub and shower, toilet, and the floor. Gather your bucket of cleaning supplies, your scrub brushes, and your broom and mop to complete this task. Here are bathroom cleaners that can use to complete this task.

2. Remove the clutter.

Do your kids use the extra guest bathroom? It’s a good idea to remove or hide any unnecessary clutter in the guest bathroom. If there are a ton of kid products and bath toys in the bathroom, minimize the clutter or put it away during the remainder of your guest’s visit. We actually remove 100% of our children’s bathroom items and place them in our bathroom during guest visits. This includes their step stools, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bath toys, hair accessories, and other items. Our children use our bathroom while our guests are here to avoid making messes in the guest bathroom.

3. Add clean towels and washcloths.

Make sure there are plenty of clean bath towels and washcloths available for your guests. Include hand towels, too. We like to put out our very best towels while our guests are visiting. If your bathroom is lacking spaces to hang towels to dry, place an over the door hook on the bathroom door to allow more space to hang towels when guests are visiting.

4. Create a special basket of toiletry items.

Many people travel light, especially if they are flying. Your guests may or may not have everything they need when they arrive. Prepare a basket of basic items that include the following: toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, razor, shaving cream, floss, or lotion. Other items may include cotton balls and cotton swabs, a manicure set, etc. While they may not need to use all of the items, it’s a nice gesture to prepare in case they do need certain items.

5. Have bath products ready for guests.

Add shampoo, conditioner, and soap to the shower or bath area. Other great items to have on hand include body wash, face wash, and a wash cloth. Check out these bath products.

6. Don’t forget the extras!

There are several other essential bathroom ideas that are perfect to add to your guest bathroom to make your guests feel right at home. These items include facial tissues, plenty of toilet paper, hand soap, air freshener, a trash can, hamper, blow dryer, hand mirror, brush, and hairspray.

Tip: Place a basket above the toilet to hold extra rolls of toilet paper. Your guests will appreciate knowing where to find toilet paper as they won’t have to dig around the cabinets and drawers searching for it.

A simple and clear soap dispenser adds a nice touch to any bathroom!

7. Add pretty flowers and a candle to the bathroom.

Flowers can add beauty to your bathroom. Choose fresh or artificial arrangement to add to your bathroom. Keep it simple! One nice floral stem can add the perfect touch. Add a candle to make the space feel warm and inviting.

Preparing your bathroom for your guests will not only help your guests feel more welcome, it also helps cut down the requests your guests have, such as, “Do you have any hairspray? Toothpaste? Toilet paper, etc.?” Everything will be ready to go during their visit. It’s always a good idea to give your guests a short tour of the bathroom area and show them where everything is so that they don’t have to guess where the essentials are.

Do you have any other tips for preparing your bathroom for guests?

December 11, 2018
5 Ways to Stress Less this Holiday Season

During the holiday season, there’s a lot going on and our to-do lists almost seem never-ending. There’s meal planning and preparations, organizing and cleaning the house for guests, holiday parties to attend, gifts to shop for, and life to live while completing all of these tasks. The kids still have to be taken care of in between all of the holiday madness and there’s little time left to focus on ourselves as moms. This season, take a deep breath and follow these tips below to stress less this holiday season.

5 Ways to Stress Less this Holiday Season

1. Schedule a massage.

Dealing with aches, pain, and stress? Schedule a massage. Don’t keep putting this off. You deserve to unwind and refresh this holiday season. There’s so much pressure on moms to get it all done and still feel good at the end of the day. The truth is, we don’t always look or feel our best when we are left feeling frazzled and over-committed during the holiday season.

2. Shop early.

Time is flying by this month and Christmas will be here before we know it. If you haven’t started your holiday shopping, start now! Create your list of people to buy for and start shopping at your local retail stores or online in the comfort of your own home. Try not to wait until the last minute to shop for your loved ones. Plan now and make it a goal to get it done soon.

3. Ask for help.

You can’t do it all. As much as we like to think we are all “Super Moms,” the truth is, we are all human and can only do so much. Eventually, all of the added pressure to do it all can be dangerous to our health. Have the family pitch in to help during the holidays. Kids can help with chores. Don’t be afraid to ask your husband to help lend a hand during this busy time of year.

4. Exercise.

Our busy schedules often leave little time to find time to exercise. Exercise can make a big difference during the holidays. Go out for a walk on a pretty day. If it’s cold out, walk the mall. No need to pay a lot for a gym membership! Exercising may help some of the stress melt away.

5. Learn to say no.

With an already very demanding holiday schedule, people may often ask you to do things that you simply won’t be able to do because you are already committed to various other tasks. Learn to say no. While this is easier said than done, your time and your health is valuable. Leave some time in your schedule for your family and for yourself.

The holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful. Following the tips above may help you feel less frazzled and can help you enjoy the holiday season more.

What tips do you have for a less stressful holiday season?

November 26, 2018
3 Tips for Backyard Tailgating

It’s tailgating season! Read our Tips for Backyard Tailgating!

When you hear the word tailgate, what do you think of?

I think of football, tasty food, snacks, ice cold beverages, and time spent with friends and family.

With a few months of football left including the Super Bowl, there’s still plenty of time to plan your next backyard tailgate party.

Throwing a tailgate party can be simple when you consider the following tips below.

Tips for Backyard Tailgating

1. Plan your space and gather outdoor supplies.

How many people will you be hosting?

Plan out how much space you will need for your backyard tailgate party. Set up a space outside with tables, chairs, a canopy, and if possible, a TV for entertaining your guests (unless you’ll be moving your party indoors when the game starts).

Fill up coolers with ice and add a variety of beverages for your guests. If you have kids attending your party, you’ll want to set up a space with fun activities to keep the little ones entertained!

2. Choose your menu and beverages.

Food and drinks are the most important part of any tailgate party in my opinion.

Your guests will most likely arrive hungry, so be sure to serve a variety of food, snacks, and beverages. We like to serve chicken wings and finger foods at our tailgate parties.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to serve chicken wings, pick up Franks RedHot Bone-in Wings! You can find them in Original Flavor, Buffalo Flavor, and Kickin’ BBQ Flavor.

Not only are these chicken wings quick and easy to make, they taste great, too!

3. Make Cleanup Easy

Use paper goods for quick clean-up including paper plates, cups, napkins, and plastic utensils. Cover your tables with a plastic table cloth that can be thrown away after your party.

Set garbage cans around your space that can be seen easily by guests, but also out of the way to avoid attracting bugs to your tailgate party.

If you are planning your next tailgate party, consider these tips above for a successful party!

What backyard tailgating tips do you have? Leave a comment below!

October 29, 2018