Being prepared for extreme stretches of rain

This has been the most rainy of weeks, months, and years I have ever seen. As a result, mine and many other yards are a mess and are wet. My driveway desperately needs to be regraveled. Also, there has been about a 2 foot wide pothole formed in front of the traffic light leading to the Walmart in Gaffney. I also cannot keep my shoes clean.

Here are some tips and pointers I have picked up for survival during these times.

1. Go out only when necessary and try to drive during the day if possible.
2. Check at least four forecasts for any updates and plan your days accordingly.
3. Don't park in grassy areas and use caution at bridges and mud holes. Like the giant pothole in Gaffney, it could be worse than you think.
4. Buy like you would for a winterstorm: stock up for days in advance.
5. Keep your natural cold and flu remedies on standby as temps do fluctuate during these times.
6. Dress with some sort of boots or cleated shoes, long coats and pants with high cuffs.
7. Watch out for flooding and leaky areas.
8. Have plenty of milk or a strong source of Vitamin D. Days without sunshine can emotionally deplete you.

These are some to help get you through these times. If you don't live in an area like Seattle or London, you may not be used to all of this. Therefore, be prepared and plan carefully.

Car information: key remotes

Many advancements in technology have trickled down to even automobiles.  Over the past couple of decades, it has been cool to have a keyless remote to unlock your car, trunk, start your engine, and serve as a security system. I wouldn't have a car without one.

Well unknown to me, if the battery in the remotes dies after the system alerts you that is low, you could be stranded.  Yes there are keys inserted in many of these newer remotes. But the car is programmed to recognize an active key or it will not start. That is equally confusing and refreshing.  My spare was misplaced in the middle of a cleaning incident also. Therefore, I had to pray as hard as I have in the past to get to the nearest store and obtain the proper tools necessary to replace my remote battery before I was stranded.

After looking at YouTube tutorials and contacting my sales rep about the warranty, I had my key remote battery replaced and was good once again.

Details can be missed at the point of sale and even within your own research and experience. However I know now and want to let others know to preserve their car remote and the batteries: know their shelf life and factory warranties. Knowledge is power and ignorance isn't always bliss. 

My backup should be found or replaced really soon, and I have three spare batteries. Therefore I am good and educated for a while.

Being that this is tax season and many of you are buying and upgrading your vehicles, this is the type of stuff to look for. Don't let yourself get stressed nor stranded, know what you have and how to properly replace it.

LeBron v KD: ok, let's talk

It appears the heir apparent to LeBron James's crown as the best overall player in the NBA is Kevin Durant.

Many could say a couple of other players, but player to player, stat to stat, and intangibles, KD comes the closest.

He isn't there just yet for various reasons.

The stats all time aren't in Durant's favor. Bron dunks more and doesn't shoot as much (doesn't mean he can't shoot). Nevertheless, Bron scores in other ways and will allow superstars to get involved to put the best product out there. Yes I know what team Durant is currently on, but Bron has now did this on three different squads.

While Durant is great, he hasn't showed killer instinct or the ability to take over a game yet.  You cannot show you are the best until you do this consistently.

Also, LeBron has carried many of his teams on his back. Durant has carried maybe two, and is surrounded by a superteam currently. LeBron let the league in minutes played for 3 or 4 seasons. Durant didn't even do that at OKC, although they weren't deep at the time either.

Finally, Durant still hasn't developed himself into being the face of the league. He has to score more, demand the ball more, be more aggressive, stronger (an issue he's had all of his career) and perhaps more visibility in the form of endorsements and giving back to the community. Bron may have a four year head start on KD but still stands head and shoulders above the rest there also.

Next year may be a year of changes for Durant. Could that come in going to a team like the Knicks and showing he can carry a struggling team to greater heights. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, just see things as they are.