Dorm Room Essentials~

Hi everyone!  Wow...how did it get to be July already???  

I thought it would be fitting to share this list we created when our youngest left for college 3 years ago, as many of you are preparing to send your children off to college in the next couple months.  We have shared this many times with friends and family.  

This list is for a college student living in a dorm room with just a mini fridge/microwave combo and sink in the room, community bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry facilities.  It can be adjusted for apartment/suite style living as well (more pots and pans, kitchen, living room and bath items).

Dorm Room Essentials

Bedding:

Comforter or Duvet & Insert

2 Sets of Sheets

Blanket

Pillows

Mattress Cover & Pad

Mattress Topper (for extra comfort)

Throw Blanket

Decorative Pillows

Shower:

2 Sets of Towels/Washcloths/Hair Wrap

2 Towel Wraps

Flip Flops

Shower Caddy

Food/Beverage:

Set of plastic plates/bowls/cups/utensils (2 each, microwave safe)

Water Bottle(s)/Tervis Tumblers (lids/straws)

Ice Cream Scoop

Keurig/K-Cups

Small Dish Drainer (optional)

2 Dish Towels

Optional Food/Beverage:

Paper products (plates, bowls, napkins)

Disposable utensils (forks, spoons, knives)

Ziploc Bags/Plastic Storage Containers (snacks/leftovers)

Small Paring Knife (cutting up fruit), small cutting board

3 Drawer Storage Cart

Brita filtered water pitcher 

Study:

Laptop

Computer Cables (long Ethernet)

Printer/Extra Cartridges

Printer Paper

Backup Hard Drive

Copies of Software

Tray for Desk Drawer-for pens/pencils/etc.

Pens/Pencils/Markers/Dry Erase Markers/Hi-lighters

Notebook Paper/Spiral Notebooks

Stapler/Staples

Scotch Tape

Paper Clips

Push Pins

Post It Notes

Scissors

Bulletin Board/Dry Erase Board

Desk Lamp (optional)

Sink Area:

Drawers for Storage (makeup/hairdryer/hygiene products/etc)

Hooks or Bar for Towels, freestanding washcloth holder (optional)

Toothbrush Holder

Dixie Cup Holder/Cups

Caddy for Hair Accessories (hair ties, bobby pins, clips, hair ribbon, etc)

Soap Dispenser

Tissue Holder (optional)

Bath Mat or Throw Rug

Electronics:

TV and cables

Plug In Phone (in case of emergency)

Ipads

Cell Phones/chargers/longer charging cables

Alarm Clock/iHome

Emergency Kit:

Flash Light

Batteries (variety)

Screwdriver

Small Sewing Kit/Hem Tape

First Aid Kit:

Band-Aids (variety)

Neosporin

Benadryl (clear)

Advil/Tylenol

Cold/Allergy  Medicine (of choice)

Cortizone Cream (or similar for rashes/bug bites)

Thermometer

Nail Kit:

Files, clippers, nail polish/remover, cotton pads

Laundry:

Basket/Bag/Drying Rack

Supplies (detergent/softener-if used/stain remover)

Ironing Board/Small Iron

Cleaning:

Vaccum/Mop (optional)

Microfiber Cloths (for dusting)

All purpose spray cleaner/glass cleaner

Paper Towels

Trash Cans (by desk/food/sink?)

Miscellaneous:

Bible!!!!

Devotional Book

Family Pictures

Art for Walls

S hooks for hanging photos/art/etc.

White Sticky Tac/Command Adhesive Strips

Curtains/Rod-tension

Area Rugs

Underbed Storage Boxes

Double Hanging Rod for closet or storage closet

Dividers for dresser drawers

Clothes Hangers

Jewelry Holder

Shoe Storage

Backpack

Target, Wal-mart, The Container Store, and Bed, Bath and Beyond are all wonderful stores that cater to the college students this time of year.  Bed, Bath and Beyond even allows you to shop your hometown store, place an order, and then you can pick up at the location closest to your University.  Great for those attending school far from home.

*** I also wanted to take a minute to thank my sweet readers and IG followers for their heartfelt concern and prayers after our oldest daughter's horrific car accident just two weeks ago.  Her survival was nothing short of a miracle, and God's protection (and the fact that she was driving a Hummer)!!  The truck was totaled but she is on the mend, with only a few bruises left on her left ankle to show for the accident. 

Just a reminder to cherish everyday with those you love.  She had just spent the afternoon and evening with us, and was on her way home to her apartment.  We thank God for sparing her life every day!!  

Have a SAFE and HAPPY 4th of July weekend.

Reflections-Summer~

Hope your summer is off to a great start!

Easy Peasy Gluten Free Philly Cheesesteak Using Udi's French Bread~What's for Dinner Wednesday

First, my apologies for being MIA lately.  As you know from my last post, our baby girl graduated mid-May from Baylor.  We moved her home, and not two weeks later moved her sister into her new apartment.  I do not care to see boxes or a U-haul anytime soon!!  On top of that my sweet dad has not been doing well, as his heart has been in A-fib for almost a month now.  We are praying the medication they have him on will work in time, but if not he will be facing a rather scary, yet routine heart procedure.  Prayers are welcomed and appreciated!!

I am all about easy during the summer months when it comes to dinnertime meals.  These Philly Cheesesteaks take no time at all to whip up.

Ingredients:

Udi's frozen french bread (1 loaf will make 2 sandwiches)
Trader Joe's packaged roast beef
1 onion-sliced into thin strips
1 green pepper-sliced into thin strips
1 package provolone cheese (we used Trader Joe's)
Olive oil
Salt/Pepper
Tabasco (optional)

Thaw Udi's french bread, cut loaf in half, then slice each half again lengthwise to create sub rolls (you can also bake them without thawing, just follow the package directions).  *note-if you are not worried about gluten, just use whatever french bread you normally would.

Toast the french bread slices.

While the bread is toasting, heat olive oil in a large skillet.  Add the onions and peppers. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Saute until the onions are golden brown and tender.  Add the roast beef, continuing cooking while breaking up the beef a bit in the pan until heated through. Remove from heat. Top each bottom half of sandwich bread with the mixture.  Place slices of provolone on top of each.  Place open sandwiches in either a traditional or toaster oven at 350 until the cheese has melted.  Place top piece of sandwich bread on top (you can add a dash of Tabasco if you wish before doing so to kick it up a notch).

This takes about 30 minutes tops to create, and is so yummy!