Who's That Girl....

...with junk in her trunk?  It's me! It's me!

I love the Spartan Cheerleaders! This is a small part of one of my favorite Spartan Cheerleader skits from SNL...they were at a volleyball tournament on the beach.  Sorry I couldn't provide a video for this skit, but none were to be found!  Unfortunately, this post is not about SNL or the Spartan Cheerleaders.  It's about what you should keep in your trunk!

I always think it's best to utilize the 7 "Ps" in whatever I do...Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.  While this little statement is a popular marketing tool, it basically applies to every area of our life...from blogging to craft projects to fixing dinner, and most especially, when we are on the road.

I came across this article and thought it would be something good to share with you...16 Things You Should Have in your Trunk.  No, I'm not going to share all 16 things...you can read the article for yourself here.  I will, however, share a few.

Jumper Cables.

You know what they are, you know what they do.  Make sure they are in your trunk.

First-Aid Kit.



Ditto.

A blanket. 


When you go out to buy a new blanket for your bed, buy one for your car.  I always have a blanket in my car.

Kitty Litter. 



No, this is NOT your portable restroom, although, now that I've just typed that, I suppose it might come in handy in an extreme emergency.....hmmm.  The main reason it will be in your car is to help you get tire traction in a slippery situation.  This is great to keep during the winter months.

Flashlight.

You might have to get out of your car in the dark.  You need to see.  Your phone is not a flashlight.  Even though you can download a flashlight app, it is not the same.

A multi-purpose tool.



Get yourself a dang Swiss Army knife Napoleon.

A tire gauge and air pump.


Digital tire gauge so you don't have to guess and....





internet image

...this air pump is cordless and rechargeable!

Please do read the article to see the other items you should have on hand.  Something that wasn't mentioned...water and food.  I like to keep a few bottles of water and some crackers in my car....just in case.

39 comments

  1. Good tips! I think I will put the old blanket in the car instead of buying a new one for the car though.

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    1. I try to keep a couple of blankets, some water and some crackers or pretzels….the other things….not at all! I really need to get them in my car since it is almost 10 years old.

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  2. And I have nary a one of them in my vehicle. I am NOT prepared...
    Brenda

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    1. Woman, at least put some water and a blanket in your car, oh and some crackers. I have none of these other things in my car, so I’m not fully prepared and have no room to talk! LOL

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  3. My husband has all of these things in his car!!

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    1. LOL....Soooo, does he need to transfer some of them into YOUR car??? ;-)

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  4. Great Ideas Benita. I think the food and water is a great idea too. Have a good week.
    Kris

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    1. I’m glad I ran across the article. I thought that it might be something good to share now that winter is about to set in! Have a wonderful week yourself…HUGS!!

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  5. Water...must have water. I also always wonder about people who get trapped on the interstate for 12 hours. Seriously, where do they use the bathroom?

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    1. Water is a must!! While I was typing this up, I remembered the snowstorm that hit Birmingham last year and those people were all trapped for 12 hours or more on the interstate. I wondered the same thing, because I know my little bladder would have me shivering on the side of the road in the snow every 10 minutes...LOL Guess this is where the kitty litter would serve a dual purpose. Sounds gross, but when you gotta go, you gotta go...and I wouldn't like going with 30,000 people watching me...LOL So this leads me to the next thing they left off the list...TP! ;-)

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  6. I was wondering about the kitty litter, but your explanation makes total sense. and it gives away what part of the world you live in. no need for kitty litter here :)

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    1. LOL....Petra, I live in Tennessee, southern US...over here, you get arrested for "indecent exposure" for using the restroom anywhere but in a restroom.....LOL

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  7. I also keep a can of "fix a flat" in my trunk - and have had to use it on more than one occasion!

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    1. That stuff is wonderful! I've had to use it before also....it does the job...there is no way I could ever change a tire!

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  8. Well, I have none of things-not one, except for the bottle of water...

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    1. Okay, you and Brenda need to chat and come up with a game plan to get at least 2 of these things in your cars…LOL

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  9. I don't have any of those in my truck! I figure I have a cell phone to call for help....dumb! What did we do before cell phones?!

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    1. Before cell phones?....kept blankets, water, food and kitty litter in the car...LOL....or either walked 3 miles to find a phone booth. I'm going to form a little support group for you, Brenda and Jemma....LOL

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  10. Great tips! I wouldn't have thought of kitty litter! Thanks for sharing these! :) ~Rhonda

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    1. You are quite welcome...and I would have never thought of the kitty litter either, but a bag will be going in the back of my car...long before jumper cables...LOL

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  11. Great tips, Benita! I have half of them. Where we live in AZ we don't need the kitty litter for snow, but I was wondering how it would work for mud, I've gotten stuck after a monsoon storm, and had to be pulled out! The swiss army knife my husband carries with him, so when I'm riding with him I have it. Thanks for sharing! hugs, Christine

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    1. Thank you and you are welcome! When I saw the article I knew it needed to be shared...we women don't think of some of these things. I think it is supposed to work in any weather to give the tires traction. I will be getting some for my car as we do get ice and snow. I've been stuck before and do not like it at all! Hugs!!

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  12. After 2 years, ago when we had our multi day ice storm. In Birmingham, many of those (including a blanket) stay in my car year round. ...

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    1. That storm was horrible….my sister was stuck for over 12 hours in that mess. I was stranded years ago in another one of those freak storms…my car turned over in a ditch and I had a 6 month old baby with me….no coat, no blanket, no anything. Since then, I make sure that I have blankets and some water…

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  13. I have a few of those things in my car!

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    1. I have blankets, water and some crackers….I will add the kitty litter for traction. The rest is the hubster’s responsibility. I just want to be warm, fed and dry….like a baby! ;-)

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  14. Excellent advice!!!

    Especially for the majority, who venture far, in their cars.

    Said because at our "olden" age, we only go to grocery store, etc., and back. :-) But even doing that, in our real winters, kitty litter is a good idea.

    .•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
    Hugs and magic
    Tessa

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    1. I'm so glad I ran across this article, as it does have some excellent advice. We do venture far and wide in our vehicles...and I need to have more of these things with me. When I'm with the hubster, I don't worry, because he handles it all. And yes, you have lots of snow and ice up there, so even going to the grocery store becomes treacherous! Lots of hugs and magic to you...it's about that time! ;-)

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  15. i used to carry all that stuff too... when i worked and commuted a half hour from home.
    now that i'm retired... i just cosy up and home and don't go out.
    our ice storms thankfully only last a day or three at the most!
    but ALL of that is GREAT advice!
    and to be stranded with a 6 month old baby! dear heaven! you should be the FIRST to have learned that lesson ... to always carry that stuff!
    and guess who else does? and even some things not mentioned... like hand warmers...
    the marine! but of course! LOLOL.
    now i'll go read the link. they probably mention hand warmers in it too! :) thanks for this great reminder!
    XOXOX♥

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    1. Hand warmers! That is something that I definitely need to keep in my car and no, it doesn’t mention it in the article. It was a horrible experience that taught me to keep the basics in my car, in the event of an emergency. I never want to be stranded again. Something else that I need to keep in my car is some extra socks and thick-soled boots. Those are a must for being stranded in the winter and I don’t keep those in the car. Thank you for reminding me of those things! :-) See how wonderful this blogging world is….more heads put together to make a better list of necessities!  Much love and hugs to you!!

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  16. **Warning – this comment contains a 4 letter word. I woke up today to 31F and SNOW on the ground -ugh! If you live in an area with snow you need to include in your emerg-kit snowpants, boots, hat and gloves, a shovel in case you get stuck in a snow bank, matches, a candle and tin can for heat in your vehicle if it konks out– you can get frost bit or freeze to death in a very short time in –40 weather we get here. Your rubber car floor mat also works for traction in snow or mud if you don’t carry kitty litter-if you do put it in a container as cleaning up a punctured bag is no fun I know from experience! I drive the highway so need to be self sufficient as it takes forever for a tow truck to drive out of the City. I have a 4x4 Suburban so a tow rope is handy for pulling stuck people out or getting someone to pull you out. See why snow is a four letter word on the Cdn Prairies?!

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    1. WOW...snow already?! I'm so sorry, I know you were hoping for some warmer weather for this weekend! Those are definitely things to keep in your vehicle since your temps drop down so low. But some of those are good to have even if the temps don’t drop down that low…being stranded in cold weather is never fun, regardless of how long or short the time period might be! The lowest we've ever had is -2. I've been trying to get some of our weather up your way....guess it didn't make it! :-( Maybe it will warm up and be over for Halloween this weekend!

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  17. Good advice....I do have the jumper cables but none of the other items. I guess I better get better prepared since winter is on its way and my commute is 1 hour one way. UGH!

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    1. A one hour commute is horrible!! And yes, you definitely need a few more of these items. Kari had a few things I want to add...I primarily keep blankets, water and snacks...but I need to have a few more things!

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  18. I always have water and I used to carry the other stuff, but haven't in awhile. I'm wondering where I would keep it all in Humphrey, my mini cooper LOL

    xo

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    1. LOL…yeah, you definitely don’t have a lot of room in Humphrey….maybe a little tote bag with some snacks, a blanket and hand warmers? Definitely would have to get creative! Hugs!!

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    2. Hey Rue since Benita is on a “blogiday” I thought I would have a convo (**TOTALLY tongue in cheek kidding on all of this) with you about your special emerg kit needs. But first since Benita is not here, lets gossip about her alleged “blogiday” I can’t believe she needs a break after the slack last 2 mths she has had – yeah she had some challenges closing their sale on the new house, found a new office and set it up, moved, unpacked, went back for another load, decorated, had a blog fall tour, worked, even successfully made a craft, shopped and gave away a gift, painted a table, traveled with work, blogged, made curtains, bought a mirror, started on her ORC and hosted a Halloween party but sheesh - “just who does she thinks she is” taking a blogiday? That is just all in the course of a regular wknd for me (hahaha!)

      So I have two theories about what is really going on 1st - She has gone overseas to search for the perfect vanity to wow us with – if so there goes the keep it under $200 budget Hubster dreamed of - poor guy! 2nd theory is that she has gone in for a face-lift touchup – I mean look at the picture of her on her blog she really looks no more than 28! Sometimes she mentions her hormone therapy, grown kids and grandkids and frankly that just confuses me, who is she talking about?!? Hubster looks older than her in that picture and she claims he is 8 yrs younger than her and there is no way he is only 20 -ya know what I’m saying? If she is really not 28 then I am pretty sure the “work” related trips she talks about are just code for “I am keeping it fresh and getting more work done”! ;)

      Well I better cut to the chase as you never know when Benita will pop back in – so I used to drive a little red 2 seater with next to no trunk space and have two Emerg-kit suggestions for you. When you are that tight on space I would suggest you tuck a pair of false eyelashes and a pretty scarf in your glove compartment. Note this Mini Emerg-Kit should not to be confused with a Walk of Shame kit. Instead at first sign of car trouble, pull over and put on the false lashes, bat them and wave your scarf and if extra drama is needed dab at your eyes with it too while you do your best “yoo-hoo damsel in distress” routine! You got those gorgeous Scarlet O’Hara looks so within minutes you should find this most effective! The second option is get an AAA Motor club membership and let them do the dirty work.

      Now I know the first suggestion may sound a little demeaning to women but really it is still a DIY’er project and not all that simple for me at least – I find it takes less time to change a flat tire than put on a pair of false eyelashes ugh! LOL !! Always remember as Roy and Dale sing in Happy Trails to You “Some trails are happy ones, Others are blue. It's the way you ride the trail that counts, Here's a happy one for you.” :)

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  19. Great tips Benita! I'll have to check out the article.

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    1. Thank you ma’am…there are some interesting things in the article but I love that others added a few more things in the comments.

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