Showing posts with label projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label projects. Show all posts

Sunday, April 27, 2014

A Bedroom for Aiden, Parts 2 and 3


Remember this post back here? Well, since then we've been working slowly towards getting Aiden a room of his own. After he painted, he moved his desk in (we got him that early in the school year) and has been using the space for homework and hanging out. Since he loves the Arizona Cardinals, he wanted a red and black color scheme. I threw in the gray to make it not so harsh. I thought one of the big Expedit shelving units from IKEA would be a perfect storage solution for him and it came in this beautiful red gloss finish. So, that was our purchase in March.

Then, because I can only do this as finances allow (no going into debt!) we waited until last weekend to be able to get his bed. This would really make the room his own. Back to IKEA we went, and we got the Hemnes bed, which matches his desk.

It's so fantastic the way he can just do all the work. (tee hee)



He's such a good worker and a methodical guy.


And I love that he'll include his little brother.


When I got home from work this morning, I got to see his hard work! He said he slept so well on his new bed. It's a Queen, which makes a huge difference to this long and growing-longer boy who's been in a twin top bunk up until now.

We still need to get real bedding (a comforter/quilt and shams) and curtains. But that will have to wait for another month.








Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Preparedness: A First Aid Kit



I've been meaning to do this post for a year! I put this super first aid kit together last year during my Spring Break after getting the inspiration from this blog post. I took the boys to Walmart and we started shopping! I love the way a tackle box can organize everything and make it easy to access supplies in a hurry.

Let me give you a tour!


Opening up the lid, I have all sorts of emergency supplies right on hand:


I have tools, like a stethoscope (I keep my good one at work, but I have this one here, plus another one in my car's first aid kit), and a digital blood pressure monitor (plus batteries). I keep my other blood pressure cuff in my car's kit.



I keep cleansing and disinfecting liquids up here: hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, betadine, eye wash, antibacterial cleaner, saline syringes, and then also aloe vera gel and petroleum jelly.



 Also tucked on top in this top compartment I have hand warmers, an ice bag, goggles, an emergency blanket, and a sling.


On the right side compartment on top I keep some tape, a tourniquet, some gauze, cotton balls, and a few saline syringes (which could be used to flush wounds or eyes).


On the left side is a digital thermometer with extra tip covers (what if I'm helping a group of people?), some bandage scissors, and a pen light.


With the lid closed, there are two other compartments on the sides.


On the left I have some glucose tabs and some sore throat lozenges, as well as my CPR mouth shield and an emergency airway.




On the right I have N95 respirator masks (which block out viruses and other airborne pathogens) and then some lighter face masks which are good for short time periods. I also keep gloves here for quick access.



Opening up the front compartment there are three cases.


The first case is for fever and pain. I keep my good temporal thermometer here, children's and adult's pain medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin), a mouth/dental pain kit, an ice pack, and dosage syringes.




The second compartment is for allergies, bites, and stings.


I keep bug bite/sting treatments here, along with seasonal allergy meds, and Conor's Benadryl and Epi-Pens (which I also keep in my car and my purse.)


An extra inhaler and even a snake bite kit is kept here.


The third case is for tummy and bowel problems. Antacids, anti-diarrheal, stool softener, laxatives, motion sickness, indigestion/heartburn medications, plus clean up and disposal supplies.




On the either side of the tackle box are two other compartments that I keep basic first aid supplies and wound management supplies in.


Plus, next to the case, I have a disposable gown and some other face masks slid into the space.


Also, some moleskin, which can be a lifesaver! (or at least a foot saver!)


In this case I keep a variety of sizes of bandaids, plus latex-free bandages. Also, different kinds of tapes, gauze, steri-strips, wraps, antibiotic ointment, and liquid bandage.




All of that slides right in!


On the other side, (sorry this picture is blurry!) I have other first aid supplies.


Cotton swabs, a razor, alcohol swabs,


a lighter, electrolytes, tissues, an Ace bandage, sutures,


 a scalpel, tweezers, scissors,


and some sterile gloves tucked on top.


 Having this kit brings me such peace of mind. Everything is gathered into one place, is organized, and is portable. There are a few other things I'd like to get (like a blood sugar monitor, for example), but I think it's pretty comprehensive overall.