If the unthinkable ever happened, and you needed to survive, what kind of skills would you have? Would you make it on the streets…or conquer the great outdoors? Find out here!

Don't bypass edible plants, nuts, and even insects! Learn how to forage. Here are the basics for getting started on this fun survival skill.

Writing 10,000 words in a weekend - crazy, right? I thought so, too, until I did it! Here are my top tips for surviving the task and making it fun, too.

When disaster strikes and you are away from home, one of the best things you can do to survive is to become a gray man.

I get a lot of questions on my instagram @adios_candida about the cleanse/detox phase of a candida diet, AKA the hardest part! Some common things I hear: Why does my head hurt so bad? ** I feel like I have the flu! ** I have NO energy. ** I keep crying. ** I had no idea I would feel this lousy! ** Aren’t I supposed to feel amazing? ** All I want is to eat sugar & carbs! ** Will this really work? Let me assure you… this is all completely normal. That said, these feelings should all

Hey, Rebekah here! I updated this post on my new blog with a 2019 NaNoWriMo calendar and everything. View the new guide right here! Looking for something to read? Check out my FREE book, The Runaway House, on Wattpad: When Lee witnesses a murder, her only chance at survival is running. Somewhere along the way she meets a man who takes her to The Runaway House, a safe place for fugitives and runaways. There she begins to find peace, courage, love, and a real family. Check it out here. Hey, there! I'm glad you've stopped by to make your NaNoWriMo experience amazing! This is a two-parted survival guide. Part I consists of tips and tricks I've seen, heard, read, or experienced. Part II consists of supplies I’ve discovered are helpful to have handy. This is here to help you prepare for NaNoWriMo, along with struggling through it. Please, please don't read just summaries. You can do that at first, but click on the links. They're a lot more helpful than the summaries, and they're written by adults with more experience, not some sixteen-year-old girl who's only done NaNoWriMo once before. There’s a lot of information here, and quite a bit of it is repeated. But the more it’s repeated, the more important it probably is. I’ve been accumulating this information since May, so if this isn’t the best survival guide you can find, well…I wouldn’t be surprised. But I did put a lot of time and effort into this, so take a look. Who knows—you might even learn something (I did). Oh, and here's a random thing (that's not so random, really. It fits here). Go check out The Office of Letters and Light's blog. It's quite helpful. Image Courtesy of National Novel Writing Month. Part I: Tips & Tricks 1. Trick Yourself. In The Write Practice's post 7 Tricks to Write More with Less Willpower, Joe Bunting talks about how to trick your subconscious into writing for you (#3). This works, guys. I've tried it. It's very helpful for when you just don't feel like writing in general. (To be honest, this whole post is a great reference for NaNoWriMo AND writing in general.) 2. Write or Die. (No, not literally.) If you haven't heard of Write or Die by Dr. Wicked, I pity you. You need to check it out, especially if you're a NaNoer. I found it last year, at the end of November. Basically, the thoughts running through my head were something like this: WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU BEEN ALL OF MY LIFE? You set your word goal and a time goal, and then write (you don't have to get the desktop version one. There's an online version, under "apps")! But you can't stop for more than a few seconds without some form of punishment. Dr. Wicked's methods of punishment can be harsh or gentle, depending on the mode you set it on. But be careful! He will start erasing your words if you stop for too long. 3. Backwards NaNoWriMo. I haven't tried this form of NaNoWriMo yet, but I guess it works . Basically, you write a lot on the first day of November, and as the month goes by, you don't have to write as much each day. On Day 30, you actually only have to write one word. That's right. One. Word. 4. Watch People. Whenever you aren't writing, watch people. They'll give you ideas, and as the Write Practice says, they're "free inspiration." 5. Don't Edit. Whenever I read or hear tips about NaNoWriMo, this one is always there. Don't edit. It's a waste of your time until you're done. Right now, just write. You can't afford to edit. You don't have time, and personally I think editing can be very draining and frustrating. So just wait. 6. Have a Plot. Please, oh PLEASE. As Nathan Bransford stresses in his blog post Do You have a Plot?, you need to have a plot. Duh, you might think. But bear with me. If you actually read the post, it is explained that a plot is very different from a theme, and people tend to think of the theme as the plot. So before I get any more confusing, just read the post. Okay? No, seriously. Go read the post, make sure you have a plot, and if you don't, MAKE ONE. And make an outline, too. (I recommend the Snowflake Method, which was recommended to me by Amy Wallace. It's a lot of work, but so worth it.) I didn't have one last year, and it screwed me up. So have one. You'll stray from it, for sure, but you need to have one. That way, when you feel lost, you'll have something to come back to. 7. The Write Practice Again. Here are five tips from The Write Practice (yes, yes, I really do like that website) on how to win NaNoWriMo. They're simple tips, but very effective. 1. Write with friends. 2. Write fast. 3. Don't edit. 4. Use a timer. 5. This isn't just about 50,000 words. 8. Don't Worry About the Names. Last year, I got stuck on names. I wanted them to be right, and it took up a lot of time to find the right ones. But I learned a lesson from that fatal mistake: forget about the names. Either already have the names planned out, or if you come across an unexpected but nameless character, use a random name generator, like this one. Specifically that one because it's more than a name. It gives you an address, an email, phone number, Mother's maiden name, birthday, and a whole bunch of other random information. And don't generate over and over until you get one that you like. Stick with the first one. You can change it all later. But when you're writing for NaNoWriMo, it doesn't matter. 9. Sometimes, You Might Need a Boost in Creativity. Shana Lebowitz compiled a list of 36 ways to boost creativity right over here. Some of these won't work for NaNoWriMo (I think visiting a country is out of the question, plus the whole asking for someone's opinion needs to wait until December. Right now you're just getting the words out, not trying to please someone else). But listening to music, writing by hand (even for a bit), or going to bed can be great options. 10. "Seeing is not Observing." In this article, the power of taking field notes to enhance your observation skills is explained. But to me, I got something for writing out of it. Whenever you aren't writing, have a notebook. Always. Even by your bed at night (we all know that's when the best ideas come to us). Notice everything going on around you. Write down how the little boy's smile turned into a laugh when his mom started tickling him. See that rose? Describe everything about it. Take a picture of it if you have a camera with you. Just remember this: always be observing, and find a way to put those observations into your novel. It'll boost your word count and give your scene a bit more depth. Besides, who doesn't like pretending to be Sherlock Holmes? 11. Reward Yourself. I got this one from over here. They'll give you links to other articles that explain why and stuff. The point of the post: reward yourself when you do something significant. Not after every sentence. If you finish your word count for the day, celebrate. Get more done? Celebrate. You're halfway? Celebrate. But do NOT celebrate by not writing. As it says in the article, "never reward writing with not writing. Rewarding writing by abandoning your schedule is like rewarding yourself for quitting smoking by having a cigarette." -Paul J. Silvia 12. Know How to Defeat the Two Types of Writer's Block. One of the NaNo pep talkers from last year (for the YWP), Ally Carter, wrote a post that helped me a lot. It's about the two types of Writer's Block, how to recognize them, and what to do about them. (Also, here are all of the pep talks from the YWP, and here are all of the ones for the "normal" NaNoWriMo. 13. Writer's Relief Comes to the Rescue! (Yet another great writing website!) Over at Writer's Relief, their staff have given seven very helpful tips for NaNoWriMo. They are: prepare mentally, clear your calendar, create an outline, have draft notes, stock the fridge (healthy food, guys), exercise, and set rewards. Go read the post. They get more in depth, and they're probably some of the best tips I've found while putting this thing together. 14. Timers are Great. You know they are. Don't deny it. They help keep you on track. Write or Die is a great one with a goal all set in, but if you don't like that, here's another one. 15. Make a Long Playlist and Don't Stop Until it Does. Don't stop for anything. No food. No internet. No messing around. Nothing. (Okay, you can get up to pee, but that's it.) 16. SURVIVAL. From The Office of Letters and Light, I show you eight tips they provide for surviving Camp NaNoWriMo, that are still very useful for NaNoWriMo. Or real life. S-Size up to the situation. (You can do it.) U-Use all your senses, Undue Haste Makes Waste. (Don't write so fast that your story is confusing, but don't write so slow that you can't finish in time.) R-Remember Where You Are. (You're among friends, it's okay to suck, and you're at the beginning of the rest of your writing life.) V-Vanquish Fear and Panic. (Forget about fear. It's pointless. Instead, have a plan, stick with it, and stop worrying.) I-Improvise. (An acronymn.) Ideas Mayday Option Punting the Critic Reinventions Open Doors Volume Interaction Sidestepping Experimentation V-Value Living. (People, experiences, etc. are our inspiration. We need them, and we can't shut them out. No piece of artwork is worth losing someone over.) A-Act Like the Natives. (Learn from the professionals, but don't be mislead by fallacies. Basically, writers write. So write. A lot.) L-Live by Your Wits, But for Now, Learn Basic Skills. (Make the story exciting while still improving on alliteration, metaphors, dialogue, etc.) 17. No Plot? No Problem! The Office of Letters and Light has come up with three things to keep in mind while brainstorming for your plot. 1. Ideas are like celebrities. 2. Document everything. 3. Two stormy brains are better than one. 18. Just Write. Sometimes, that's all you need to do. Just write, write, and write some more! 19. Forget Everything You've Just Read. I've read over and over again that, when it comes to writing, the rules are optional. There's almost always some exception (including exceptions to this rule). So if something isn't working for you, maybe you can break that rule. You're a person. I'm a person. We have different opinions, lifestyles, methods, etc. Some rules work for me, some don't work for you. Part II: Supplies 1. Healthy food. Don't let yourself go completely unhealthy while you're going through NaNoWriMo. Writer's Relief suggests over here that "maintaining a healthy diet will keep you focused and alert for the long writing journey ahead of you." 2. Notebook, Pens, Pencils, etc. Always carry these. ALWAYS. As mentioned earlier, if you decide to take field notes, you'll need these. Besides, you never know when a brilliant idea will pop into your head. And, as I have often experienced, I forget that idea if I don't write it down. (Especially at night. That's why I have a special notebook that I keep on my nightstand.) 3. Your Favorite Movies. Yes, movies. And TV shows. Whatever you need to help you get over your problems, whether it's Type 2 Writer's Block (as mentioned here) or a lack of inspiration. Compile a list of your favorite movies/episodes and keep it handy. But don't watch one EVERY time you feel tired. Sometimes you just have to push through, because sometimes what you're feeling is Type 1 Writer's Block being sneaky. Watch out for him. That little bugger wants to ruin your November. Don't let him. 4. An Awesome Mug. Picture this: you're writing away on a cold November night, wrapped up in a blanket with a mug of tea or hot chocolate or coffee or whatever you prefer. And what mug are you sipping your hot beverage from? It could be this fantastic Writer Mug, designed by yours truly. I worked hard on this and lovelovelove it, and you should too! Buy it (or browse other products!) here. 5. Your Brain. Please don't forget this. Just...please. While it might be quite amusing for others to watch you try to write 50,000 words in thirty days without your brain, you'd be in a lot of pain. 6. NaNoWriMo Calendar. It’s helpful to have your goals written down. Even if it’s just your normal calendar with the wordcount goals written on every day, do it. I have one at the end of this post that you can use. You can set it as your desktop background or print it off or whatever. It has the number day, the wordcount goal, and an inspiring quote/note, along with a couple challenges and prompts. (Don't like mine? Google search for one and you'll probably find one you like.) 7. Character Profiles. These will come in handy, I've heard. What color were your character's eyes? Refer to the character profile instead of searching for it. Stuck on not knowing how your character would react to a certain situation? Look at their personality in their character profile. Of course, these should be made before November 1st. You can find the Official NaNoWriMo Character Questionnaire right here. The Write Practice has the 35 Questions to Ask Your Character From Marcel Proust. Both are wonderful. 8. An Outline. Outlining probably isn't your favorite thing. I get that. It's not my favorite either. But it must be done. The Snowflake Method is the long way around. But there are others. Even if you just write the beginning, middle, and end of the story—it's something. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800x607 1024x777 1280x971 1600x1214 EDIT: Here's a 2015 NaNoWriMo calendar for you all! Good luck this year! 2016's Calendar: Unfortunately, I didn't get around to making a 2016 calendar for NaNoWriMo. But I found this lovely one by Kiriska on DeviantArt! Have any tips or tricks I didn't mention that you love to use? Post them in the comments! I am also planning on posting a series of reminders, bits and pieces of encouragement, and possibly some interviews during November, so stay tuned! (Edit: you can find those in the 2013 archives.)

If you could only grow one food as part of your emergency preps, which one would it be? If you ask me, it would most assuredly be this.

If you want to know how to deal with a narcissistic parent and recover from their criticism and unrealistic expecations, we're sharing 7 tips to help!

Paper clips have many survival uses from making weapons to fixing your glasses. Here are 24 reasons to stockpile some paperclips.

Steps you should be implementing in your budget and finances during this coronavirus pandemic to stay afloat financially during this time of crisis.

Would you be able to start a fire in the wilderness? Here's how the Vikings started fires with the help of two unique natural substances.

It's hard being a perfectionist writer. No joke. You all who fit the qualifications know what I mean. The urge to edit everything. The desire to make it right the first time. The need for every chapter, every scene, every word to be perfect. That doesn't fly come NaNo time. It's easy to read the rules and learn the guidelines. Easy to tell yourself "just write." And way, way easier said than done. After six years of NaNo and seven attempted novels, I've learned a few things about NaNo, first drafts, and not pulling your hair out when all you want to do is Make. It. Perfect. 1. Redefine Perfect on a Draft-by-Draft Basis I think we can all come to a near-consensus on when our first draft perfection streak started: the first time a teacher, probably in middle or high school said, "This is a big project, so I want you guys to turn your first draft into me by next Friday." First draft? What's that nonsense? We'd been writing essays start to finish since our very first one. We'd perfected the last-minute, overnighter A+. Our first drafts are our only drafts. So we'd write up our turn-in-ready essay and make a few changes to dumb it down, give the teacher something to review. It really shouldn't have worked, but it did, and it ingrained in us the confidence that we don't really need to worry about drafts. We'll get it right the first time. HahahahahHahahHAAHAHaaaaa Thing is, though, a novel isn't an essay. There's a lot more room for error in 50,000 words than there is in 5,000. And when you realize 30k in that you have to completely redo everything because of a plothole you left in the third chapter, it's easy to give up. It's a failure, and we don't want to fail. Nothing less than an A, right? The trick is to redefine "perfect" to the individual draft, to move the goalposts of perfection one draft at a time. Author Jane Smiley said, "Every first draft is perfect, because all a first draft has to do is exist." Accept this as the gospel truth. The first draft's goalpost isn't "ready to publish," it's just "written." It doesn't matter if there's giant gaping plot holes. "No plot holes" is the goalpost for draft two. Or "no typos" or "no atrocious grammar" or whatever you want that second draft goalpost to be. Not "perfect perfect" though. That's at LEAST third draft, if not fourth or fifth. 2. Just Because You Wrote It Doesn't Mean You Have To See It So you just wrote a 2,000 word scene and realize "this isn't working." You have to scrap it all. A whole day's writing, down the recycle bin. But before you hit that delete key, stop! You wrote that. And maybe part of it is salvageable or belongs in a different scene. Don't shortchange your wordcount or do something you may regret. Just hide it. You've got a number of options to make the bad text go away without actually going away forever. Make the text white or use black highlight on black text. Change the font to an unreadable one, like Wingdings. Move the text to the bottom of the document, several pages down, or if you're using a program like Scrivner, to a separate file. You may be able to think of other tricks to make your mistakes disappear. Whatever you choose to do, implement it, from single sentences to whole chapters. During the first draft, and especially during NaNo, don't just delete haphazardly. That's part of draft two. Write that on your goalpost. 3. It's Okay To Skip Around or Come Back Later If you're anything like me, you like your perfect drafts to be written in one long swoop, start to finish, Chapter 1 to The End. You write a book just like you read a book. Maybe the thought of breaking it up gives you cold sweats. After all, how can you accurately write the scene where the hero finally meets the villain if you don't know if the love interest is there or not, or if there's a mentor figure the villain's supposed to kill that you haven't introduced yet so you don't even know his personality! This is me telling you, it's okay. It's okay to skip that awkward conversation if you don't know how to write it yet. It's okay to jump forward to the end when you too happy to write the death scene. It's okay to come back later, whether it's a huge event or a name for a minor character. Leave yourself a note, highlighted yellow and surrounded by attention-grabbing symbols (I like to do [ADD ____]). You don't need the paragraph or scene or chapter to be perfect now, only complete later. And I'll tell you why. You don't complete puzzles by doing one row at a time, in order, right? You get the pieces and parts you can figure out first (the outer frame, the obvious, odd colored pieces, etc) and then use those to fill in the rest. You can do that with your novel. It's just a puzzle where you decide what the picture is. 4. You're Always A Winner It can feel like if you don't get that purple verified bar, you've failed. You'll want to pretend you never even tried, to make November and NaNo have just not happened for us. We're perfectionists because we don't like failure. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, even if we do everything right, we just can't win. Maybe life got in the way, or maybe you lost your drive. Whatever the reason, you lost. But you've also won. Whether you finish November with 100 words or 49,999, those are words you didn't have before. You WROTE. You created something that didn't exist before, and you have the road paved to keep going. There is nothing stopping you from keeping going beyond November. You don't have to put down the story and never look at it again just because you didn't finish it in the course of one month. The "victory" goal of NaNo is 50,000 words, but the real goal of NaNo is to just write. Did you write? Congrats. You've won. What did you win? The right to call yourself a writer. Heck yeah, that's awesome. And what are a few colored pixels compared to that? ******** So, perfectionists, let go of your hair. November is coming, and you're going to write, and it's going to be just fine. Self-inflicted bald spots only lead to more stress. Scientific fact.

Vintage cooking skills seem to be a dying art in the general population. I You don't have to be a homesteader or prepper to appreciate that there a skills.

The modern frugal homesteader is someone who makes the most of what they have – be it food, clothing, tools, and other belongings.

Even the most harmless looking scenario can turn into a full-blown problem at any moment. These 7 tips can prevent you from dropping your guard in a life-threatening scenario.

It's time to charge more as a freelancer. Us freelancers need to decide our worth and actually ask for it! Click to read through these money-making tips.

I talk through my experience doing Vlogmas as a smaller creator for the first time. What I will change for next time, the mistakes and the good stuff that happened!

I’ve found some AMAZING resources for worldbuilding your fantasy novel that I just had to share with you guys. As always I want to note that I truly value and believe in high-quality resources that are actionable and deliver actual results. I’m so not about those fluff resources that over promise, u

Want to know the secret to winning NaNoWriMo? Are you ready? Here's the secret, my friends: get ready to write like crazy. So what is NaNoWriMo? It stands for National Novel Writing Month and takes place the month of November, when crazy writer kids get together and try to writ

Dear Pregnant Teachers and Teacher-Partners, Congrats! You're going to be a parent, in addition to having "your" kids at school. It's going to be a fun, but sometimes difficult, ride. Below is a list of tips specific to teaching that I couldn't find in any baby book or app when I needed them most. Some teacher friends and I are sharing our best ideas to make YOUR journey smoother! Our dog totally knew what was going on! First Trimester We all know the feeling of "teacher tired", right? The physical exhaustion meets immense to-do list, combined with never-ending stress? Well friends, sorry to say this, but there's an even lower level of tired, and it's called first trimester hormones. Here are some ways to deal: 1. Conquer how to go to the bathroom more (or less) often. Between morning sickness and having to pee, you'll be going more often. You can either get a teacher buddy to watch your class for you, find a similar strategy, or try to go less often by sipping your water and coffee instead of chugging them. (NOTE that I am NOT telling you to drink LESS water. I just mean that you may have to pace yourself a little better than before.) Tell a coworker who can duck into your classroom if you need to use the restroom (puking). I was lucky - I had another pregnant teacher, and we helped each other out! - Lauralee Moss 2. Change your relationship with food, especially snacking. Sure, you knew some foods would be off-limits during pregnancy... but in addition, you may have food cravings, aversions, struggles to eat enough (i.e. morning sickness), or struggles to not eat everything in sight. I actually gained more weight than I should've during first trimester, due to the combination of decreased gym time (caused by my ALL DAY morning sickness) and increased snackage. You may need to change what and when you eat, and that does NOT mean you're being unhealthy! My favorite foods were portable ones I could eat in small bites and/or quickly: apple sauce cups, grapes, Wheat Thins, yogurt in tubes, and that sort of thing. 3. Your brain might explode. There is SO much to think about now! Everything from your health (and baby's) to your timeline (like your due date and maternity leave) to gender reveals, nurseries, registries... you get the idea. It can be tempting to just lie on the couch with the internet all night, instead of working on school stuff. (*Raises hand* Guilty...) Fight your worrying overthinking by limiting your screen time if needed. You have many months until baby is born, and far less time for the kids or teens you'll see when you go to school in the morning! 4. Do NOT wait to... Ask your doc questions, especially with morning sickness, to make sure you're not struggling with something fixable. Buy a sea band! They might not look cute, but it WORKED for my morning sickness (somewhat), and it can be hidden with enough watches and bracelets. Start your baby registry gradually (so it doesn't get overwhelming). Go to the store(s) in multiple trips with different people each time. Tell (certain) people. I regret not telling certain adults sooner, because it meant that I missed out on valid pregnancy advice they could have given me. You don't HAVE to wait until 8-12 weeks for EVERYONE if you don't want to! The morning when my cravings struck! Second Trimester You know that feeling of a "good" teacher day? The one in which you accomplished everything you wanted AND looked good doing it? That's second trimester in a nutshell. You have comparatively more energy, less symptoms, and a cute bump that's becoming visible. Enjoy the burst of energy during the second trimester, but don't over do it. Remember, that it's still just a job, save some energy for after school, too. - Lauren @Teaching in Stripes 1. You might eat like a Hobbit. Remember how hobbits eat 6-7 meals a day? (Breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, and so on?) You might become the same way, especially if/when your aversions and sicknesses subside. This means you'll likely have to change what you pack to school, when you eat, and WHAT you eat (in order to not inflate like a balloon in a science lab). Keep small snacks in your pockets! It's hard for teachers to constantly be eating, but I got really sneaky about popping in M&Ms while I quickly turned my back to do something else. The kids didn't know I was pregnant until the second trimester, so I didn't want to have to explain why I was snacking all day (or change the rules about snacking in my classroom!) so hidden, bite-sized snacks really helped me survive. - Rachel M. 2. Everyone will react differently. You're so excited to tell people (and for more people to recognize your bump), but be prepared to receive the full range of reactions to the news that you're pregnant. In particular, be ready to have a poker face if you get... Questions about whether or not you're coming back afterward/next year (blunt, but true) A student (or six) who obsess over your pregnancy and get baby fever Students, parents, or school people who don't care, are disgusted by babies, and/or want you to "suck it up" (even if not in those words) Parents who need surprising amounts of reassurance (and details) about how your maternity leave will go and if their child will still get a top notch education Comments about how big you are, questions about when you're due, and unsolicited opinions (no matter what grade/age your students are!) 3. There's suddenly a LOT to do. Whether it's dealing with the nursery, a baby shower, the pile of baby books to read, or doctor appointments, be ready for your work/life balance to be tested even further. You may have to do more tasks in small doses to get it all done over several days (instead of in marathons in one sitting). I asked for help. At work. At home. I'm the type of person who wants to do everything and do it well, but narrowing down my "to-do" list to the most important tasks and asking friends, co-workers, and family to help with the rest made a world of a difference. - The Reading & Writing Haven 4. Do NOT wait to... Gradually accumulate maternity clothes. Hit up store sales, garage sales, coupons, and deals; start with basics (like tank tops and pants) and items that mix and match well. Don't drop big bucks all in one store or all in one occasion; your bump grows more slowly than you might think. Start your sub plans. You'll be SHOCKED at how long this can take to get done, especially since you're chipping away at 6 weeks or more of plans in addition to your normal daily workload! (More on this later, but grab a FREE maternity/paternity leave checklist here!) Puppy supervised the growing bump closely! Third Trimester You know how all students learn differently? Well, third trimester is a little different for every woman, so teacher-parents may have different experiences from here on out. Whereas my first two trimesters were pretty textbook, the third one wasn't exactly the same as other women in terms of what I felt and when. 1. You might not be able to get around the classroom easily. I had a harder time weaving around desks/students, bending/squatting next to their desks for a conference, sitting on the floor (more like getting back up), and walking (waddling) quickly from one place to another. Do NOT be shocked when your feet or back give you trouble, and do NOT feel bad if you have to plant yourself in a chair and ask students to come to you, especially in the last month! Let the kids help you, prepare at the beginning of the third trimester for your sub, rearrange your desks so you can move around easily (not kidding, knocking stuff off student desks with your tummy is a real thing). - Jen White 2. The shoe struggle gets (even more) real. I'm pretty religious about my teacher Crocs, but one day they betrayed me: they CAUSED my feet to swell more than other shoes! And then, eventually, my feet swelled enough in the final two weeks that I couldn't put them on, even if I wanted to. Thank God that it was February, and I had a pair of bigger boots that I could wear daily! Just be ready to buy another pair sometime this trimester. Sorry... Wear whatever footwear works for you! Even if you're normally a teaching in pumps & pearls kind of mom-to-be, this is the time to allow yourself a compromise of slippers, crocs, or whatever you feel most comfortable (aka - that your feet fit into!) wearing. - Madame Aiello 3. Maternity leave prep takes forever. Okay, I forewarned you about this above, but now it's really true: parent leave prep CAN take longer than you think, depending on what you are required to leave behind for the substitute teacher, and you want to be super-extra-ready in case baby shows up earlier than you expected. This is the time I started labeling my room for the sub (I kept it simple and just taped post it notes to the outside of cabinets and drawers so they knew what was in each one). If you need to leave sub plans, work on them a little each day and try to finish by 35 weeks so you don't have anything to stress about at the end! - Foreman Fun Pro Tip: Leave your desk clean, well-labeled, and ready for the sub every night of the ninth month, if you can. You never know when your "last day" is, and you don't want to scramble more than necessary on your way to the hospital. Make sure those sub plans are ready to go at a moments notice! My youngest son was supposed to be born in mid-October but he was born in September and I worked the entire day I was in labor thinking I was having Braxton-Hicks! - Lisa from Mrs. Spangler in the Middle 4. Do NOT wait to... Finish thank-you notes. You will NOT want to write these during maternity leave, even if you think you're going to "have more time" then. (Ha... more on that later!) Finish your "go bag". You never know if that baby is coming early! Keep Reading... There's a forthcoming blog post from me about teachers on maternity/paternity leave, as well as adoption. In the meantime, you can read more pregnancy blog posts here... Lauren's post about Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy at School The Daring English Teacher's Teaching While Pregnant Survival Guide Presto Plans' post about How to Survive Teaching While Pregnant

1. Rice pudding with diet cream soda

Everything has a purpose—sometimes 2 or 3 of them! Recycle items for storage, utilize leftover foods and create new tools using these tips.

Vintage frugal tips for your homestead. It is no secret that the generations that came before us seemed to know these frugal tips as a way of life.

What if a disaster knocks out the power to your home, leaving you without a refrigerator? Here are nine ways to keep your food cold.

If you're going to live on a homestead this winter, especially one deep in the country, you need to do some prepping.

If you run an online business it’s important to know how to increase sales during a recession and use the right strategies to keep your business afloat.

While it may not feel like it in the early stages, it's definitely possible to survive your divorce without falling apart

How to research the women in your family. Genealogy research advice and links to help you research the women in your family tree.

Here are some of our favorite old wives’ tales from the 1800s. We make no distinction between fact and fiction, so try them at your own risk.

How to find Irish censuses describes which Irish census returns survive after the explosion and fire which destroyed the Public Record Office in Dublin during the Civil War. It also shows how these can be accessed free of charge, plus some substitute suggestions.

Most people throw away tin cans without a second thought, but as you'll see, in a survival scenario they can be put to good use.

As a military spouse one of the things we seem to gain the most experience in is moving. My husband has been a Marine for over 20 years and we have had our fair share of moves over the years. So I thought it would be helpful to give you some of my top…

During a nuclear war, the thing most people have to deal with is radiation. Here are some OTC items that can help.

If you're a prepper and there's nothing on TV, subscribe to these channels and your Youtube feed will fill up with hours of great content.

There’s nothing worse than staring at a blinking cursor on a blank page with a deadline looming. If sheer force of will could magically convert us into Jane Austens and C.S. Lewises, we’d all be a lot more productive and a lot less self-conscious about the way we write. Unfortunately, it doesn’t wor

Learn about the most common BPD triggers, how to recognize a BPD episode, and how to manage triggers and symptoms of borderline personality disorder.

Your characters may live in your head, but how well can you get into theirs? Sarah Fox has 6 fantastic tips to get to know your characters in unexpected ways.

NaNoWriMo can be very hard to accomplish and only those who are prepared to succeed WILL succeed. We have some top tips to help you win NaNoWriMo.

Grab their attention, keep it, and have a great day!

Conflict is the life blood of drama. YA authors gleefully thrive on the tears and broken hearts of their readers. Readers wail and cry and tweet and then co ...

In order to make your body language a first impression booster, you want it to communicate 3 main things: openness, confidence, and interest.

Trying to work the night shift without your "tool kit" is like going into battle without armor (or a work shift without coffee for some...). You're doomed to fail before you've even begun!

To survive your second draft, you can’t tackle everything at once! Instead, you need something to focus on, specifically your novel’s structure.