http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/7566501/Greece-debt-fears-hit-fever-pitch.html
Riddle me this, why aren't we hearing more about Greece from the lame stream media? Should the US investor be interested in one of the oldest civilizations on the planet falling apart - again? How much father does Greece fall before the rest of the EU can't prop it up any more? Last I checked there are several members of the EU that aren't in much better shape than Greece - like the UK, France and Spain. If you want to understand more about what is going on in our world financially, please take the time to read Thomas Sowell. All of his work is well worth your time.
As we learn more about the Greece free for all, it puts a little better perspective on our own mess. And therefore encourages me to stay the course prepping.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/apr/13/personal-income-falls-32-during-obamas-15-months/
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
things to think about regarding babies!
So in prepping a thought occurred to me. How do you prep for someone that's not here yet. I'm unable to have any more children, however, I do have a teenage daughter. What happens after the SHTF and suddenly we are back in a world that is not only (1400-ish) but also without that lovely little modern convenience called birth control. Provided that something were to happen and my family survive and after a while start to thrive again, how do I prepare now, for someone that isn't here - a baby (or 3!) Here's the first few things I thought of.
First, in a survival situation, what extra would you need for a pregnant woman. Yes, I realize women were having babies for thousands of years before western medicine came along, but, I would like to take measures for a HEALTHY mommy and baby. I am totally convinced that the healthier mommy is, the healthier baby will be. Nutrition. Realistically, women only need about 500 extra calories a day while pregnant and nursing. However, in a survival situation, an extra 500 calories might be pretty hard to come by. I decided to add "teen girl" vitamins to our rotating stock as well. There not as packed as actual pre-natal vitamins, however, having a teen girl in my house, rotating stock isn't a problem and they do have some very specific vitamins that are at higher levels in "teen girl" version rather than adult version. Plus, they do have the advantage of not having SO MUCH iron in them to cause frequent vomiting. (I could never keep prenatal vitamins down, no matter what I tried.)
Along with nutrition, exercise. I have never, ever understood women stopped being physically active while pregnant. An athlete doesn't prepare for the game of their life by sitting on the couch for 8 months, why would a woman ever think that was a good idea to get ready for child birth. Continuing with your regular exercise is so important until you become so physically uncomfortable that it's no longer possible. Even then, hop (creek, pond, whatever) in the pool and get some exercise there. It's good for you, good for the baby, will help keep your muscles strong which helps tremendously during delivery and getting back in shape after baby. The added benefit of the pool is that it helps relieve aches and pains related to looking like you swallowed someone's house. I exercised with two of my kids, and not with one. Two were really easy deliveries, the other almost killed me - and him - literally. BTW, sex is great cardio for a pregnant woman. Keep it low impact and comfortable and get that heart rate up(Boys, you may need to put in a little extra effort here, but considering how long it will take for momma to feel like herself again after, make it count!) . K, fun for you, good for momma and baby.
Pre-natal care. Prenatal care is nice, but not necessary (and after the SHTF - unavailable. Again, keeping momma healthy is top priority. In general, a women's body knows exactly what's doing to grow that child. Trust your instincts - that's what they're for. Of course, making sure momma is drinking and urinating regularly is the easiest way to keep an out for a UTI, kidney infection or the dreaded toxemia. Eating as healthy and balanced diet as possible is essential. Compression stockings are an excellent way to combat edema in the feet and legs and of course reduce the risk of a dangerous blood clot forming. I have extras on hand from surgeries in the family, and store them in a air-tight container in my storage. Also, be alert for excessive moodiness or strange cravings, these can be warning signs that something else is going on with momma. Of course if complications develop, seek out any medical help you can find.
Next time, how to have a baby the old-fashioned way. It's easier - and safer than you think!
First, in a survival situation, what extra would you need for a pregnant woman. Yes, I realize women were having babies for thousands of years before western medicine came along, but, I would like to take measures for a HEALTHY mommy and baby. I am totally convinced that the healthier mommy is, the healthier baby will be. Nutrition. Realistically, women only need about 500 extra calories a day while pregnant and nursing. However, in a survival situation, an extra 500 calories might be pretty hard to come by. I decided to add "teen girl" vitamins to our rotating stock as well. There not as packed as actual pre-natal vitamins, however, having a teen girl in my house, rotating stock isn't a problem and they do have some very specific vitamins that are at higher levels in "teen girl" version rather than adult version. Plus, they do have the advantage of not having SO MUCH iron in them to cause frequent vomiting. (I could never keep prenatal vitamins down, no matter what I tried.)
Along with nutrition, exercise. I have never, ever understood women stopped being physically active while pregnant. An athlete doesn't prepare for the game of their life by sitting on the couch for 8 months, why would a woman ever think that was a good idea to get ready for child birth. Continuing with your regular exercise is so important until you become so physically uncomfortable that it's no longer possible. Even then, hop (creek, pond, whatever) in the pool and get some exercise there. It's good for you, good for the baby, will help keep your muscles strong which helps tremendously during delivery and getting back in shape after baby. The added benefit of the pool is that it helps relieve aches and pains related to looking like you swallowed someone's house. I exercised with two of my kids, and not with one. Two were really easy deliveries, the other almost killed me - and him - literally. BTW, sex is great cardio for a pregnant woman. Keep it low impact and comfortable and get that heart rate up(Boys, you may need to put in a little extra effort here, but considering how long it will take for momma to feel like herself again after, make it count!) . K, fun for you, good for momma and baby.
Pre-natal care. Prenatal care is nice, but not necessary (and after the SHTF - unavailable. Again, keeping momma healthy is top priority. In general, a women's body knows exactly what's doing to grow that child. Trust your instincts - that's what they're for. Of course, making sure momma is drinking and urinating regularly is the easiest way to keep an out for a UTI, kidney infection or the dreaded toxemia. Eating as healthy and balanced diet as possible is essential. Compression stockings are an excellent way to combat edema in the feet and legs and of course reduce the risk of a dangerous blood clot forming. I have extras on hand from surgeries in the family, and store them in a air-tight container in my storage. Also, be alert for excessive moodiness or strange cravings, these can be warning signs that something else is going on with momma. Of course if complications develop, seek out any medical help you can find.
Next time, how to have a baby the old-fashioned way. It's easier - and safer than you think!
ripping off Creekmore, aka 17 things about me.
1 I'm the oldest and middle child at the same time. talk about a complex.
2 my eyesight is really craptastic.
3 one of my favorite words is craptastic.
4 i have a TON of acquaintances, but very few friends.
5 i'm happiest on junkfood/movie night! as a family we eat a bunch of unhealthy crap and camp out in the living room in our jammies watching movies together. too bad we only do it maybe once a month.
6 i can count only 4 people in my life that i've loved that haven't betrayed my trust to the point of not speaking to them. 4 - sad huh. sadder still, three of them are under the age of 15.
7 the last time i saw my natural hair color was 1992.
8 my idea of a vacation involves the mountains, a tent, nicely broken in hiking boots and a good book.
9 i'm a better shot than my husband
10 i love gardening but hate being hot
11 i'm really not sure what the future holds. the earth will go on, us people however...
12 i'm good at sports, not because of my natural athletic abilities, but because of my work ethic.
13 i secretly play video games when noone else is around
14 if i had to guess about the future, i'd guess something along the lines of the fall of Rome. decadence, apathy and laziness led the way to demise of an empire. i see striking parallels.
15 none of my friends or family know i have a blog. i can imagine the ridcule now.
16 i didn't cry for 10 years. that part of me was so well defended, i didn't need to
17 i despise my own mother - for reasons I can't even begin to explain.
2 my eyesight is really craptastic.
3 one of my favorite words is craptastic.
4 i have a TON of acquaintances, but very few friends.
5 i'm happiest on junkfood/movie night! as a family we eat a bunch of unhealthy crap and camp out in the living room in our jammies watching movies together. too bad we only do it maybe once a month.
6 i can count only 4 people in my life that i've loved that haven't betrayed my trust to the point of not speaking to them. 4 - sad huh. sadder still, three of them are under the age of 15.
7 the last time i saw my natural hair color was 1992.
8 my idea of a vacation involves the mountains, a tent, nicely broken in hiking boots and a good book.
9 i'm a better shot than my husband
10 i love gardening but hate being hot
11 i'm really not sure what the future holds. the earth will go on, us people however...
12 i'm good at sports, not because of my natural athletic abilities, but because of my work ethic.
13 i secretly play video games when noone else is around
14 if i had to guess about the future, i'd guess something along the lines of the fall of Rome. decadence, apathy and laziness led the way to demise of an empire. i see striking parallels.
15 none of my friends or family know i have a blog. i can imagine the ridcule now.
16 i didn't cry for 10 years. that part of me was so well defended, i didn't need to
17 i despise my own mother - for reasons I can't even begin to explain.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
So what am I doing to prep today?
Well, for starters. I decided to get off my rear and get back on it.
Today, I'm spending my free time cruising the news and blogs to figure out what all I missed during my month long pity party. It's not terribly active, but a good way to ease myself back in to the swing of things without swamping myself - again.
Also today, I'm redoing my weekly schedule. It's spring and I need to spend time outside each day. I) for food production 2) for sanity! I have to manage to find time for work, kids, chores, church, volunteer activities, and well, me. Not an easy task and I usually think I need a clone. But, I'm changing up a few things, and finally learning how to say NO to new responsibilities. I am also starting a journal to record my duties so that I have an accurate account of what the heck I'm doing. The blog format is great. BUT, when the SHTF, I'm pretty sure all of this information will be lost forever. A journal however, I can keep.
Today, I'm spending my free time cruising the news and blogs to figure out what all I missed during my month long pity party. It's not terribly active, but a good way to ease myself back in to the swing of things without swamping myself - again.
Also today, I'm redoing my weekly schedule. It's spring and I need to spend time outside each day. I) for food production 2) for sanity! I have to manage to find time for work, kids, chores, church, volunteer activities, and well, me. Not an easy task and I usually think I need a clone. But, I'm changing up a few things, and finally learning how to say NO to new responsibilities. I am also starting a journal to record my duties so that I have an accurate account of what the heck I'm doing. The blog format is great. BUT, when the SHTF, I'm pretty sure all of this information will be lost forever. A journal however, I can keep.
Over it!
K, so I'm over my little pity party I was throwing myself . You know. I'm too tired. I'm too busy. I can't keep up with what's going on in the world, or even stick to my prepping plan right now. Over it. Done!
Here is some news I find interesting.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6371EY20100408
Does anyone still think that Iran will come to the table and this will end peacefully? Personally after the statement earlier this week that the President made regarding our nuclear policy, I'm not surprised at all that Iran is emboldened. These people respect strength and pride. An apologetic President in the US does NOT inspire them to peace, it makes them laugh with disrespect at our weakness.
Anyone thinking the economy is getting better needs to read this - seriously.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100408/ts_alt_afp/useconomybankdeficit_20100408091746
It ain't over kids. Hell, it's just getting started.
M.D. Creekmore over at thesurvivalistblog.net had a totally awesome compilation of useful information up on Tuesday. I've linked it here for future reference.
http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/2010/04/ultimate-collection-of-survival.html/
As for my pity party, like I said. It's over. I'm back on track and ready to go. Get ready kids!
Here is some news I find interesting.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6371EY20100408
Does anyone still think that Iran will come to the table and this will end peacefully? Personally after the statement earlier this week that the President made regarding our nuclear policy, I'm not surprised at all that Iran is emboldened. These people respect strength and pride. An apologetic President in the US does NOT inspire them to peace, it makes them laugh with disrespect at our weakness.
Anyone thinking the economy is getting better needs to read this - seriously.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100408/ts_alt_afp/useconomybankdeficit_20100408091746
It ain't over kids. Hell, it's just getting started.
M.D. Creekmore over at thesurvivalistblog.net had a totally awesome compilation of useful information up on Tuesday. I've linked it here for future reference.
http://www.thesurvivalistblog.net/2010/04/ultimate-collection-of-survival.html/
As for my pity party, like I said. It's over. I'm back on track and ready to go. Get ready kids!
Monday, March 8, 2010
How to have "the conversation" with loved ones.
I'm sure everyone that has taken a long hard look around them and decided that the world is indeed going to hell in a handbasket has started trying to prepare. The biggest hurdle for most people seems to be having a conversation with the others in your household (or other immediate family) about what you are seeing and learning. It's an ackward moment to say to your husband and children, I think we need to build a pantry and stock it with a year's worth of food and supplies, so while starting this project a portion of our disposable income will indeed go to that - instead of the whatever you think you can't live without right now.
IMHO, it is the best tact to start slowly with conversations like remember when we were young and first married and lived paycheck to paycheck, I don't want illness or job loss to ever force us to decide between groceries and the light bill again, or something similar from a friends life. Then as the feeling of becoming self-reliant starts to build, start in with small projects that different members of your family would be interested in. Perhaps someone likes carpentry, suggest a building project like a solar dehydrator. Perhaps someone in your family is really into art, gently guide them to exploring dye and paper making. There are many examples of things you can gently guide your family into learning the skills that could come in handy after the SHTF. I encouraged our family to take CPR together. It didn't cost much and now everyone has that skill. My kids are also learning fabulous skills like homemade bread, yogurt, cheese and noodle making. I've got one that likes to cook, one that enjoys the science part of it and one that's just my good little helper.
All in all, I'd say, go slow. The fact that your on the path puts you well ahead of most everybody else. It's more important to go together, even if it takes a while, then to trek out on your own making waves or alienating members of your family. That will only lead to "i told you so" conversations later.
Oh, and another biggie for my family is reading. So, as part of my leading, I'm filling our home with books that I think will help them wake up and see what I'm seeing. But on their own terms, not with mom lecturing them. The books I'm showcasing are being read by members of my family as we speak. Some are starting to awaken. When they do, I'll be right there to help them on, and encourage the ones still in the dark.
IMHO, it is the best tact to start slowly with conversations like remember when we were young and first married and lived paycheck to paycheck, I don't want illness or job loss to ever force us to decide between groceries and the light bill again, or something similar from a friends life. Then as the feeling of becoming self-reliant starts to build, start in with small projects that different members of your family would be interested in. Perhaps someone likes carpentry, suggest a building project like a solar dehydrator. Perhaps someone in your family is really into art, gently guide them to exploring dye and paper making. There are many examples of things you can gently guide your family into learning the skills that could come in handy after the SHTF. I encouraged our family to take CPR together. It didn't cost much and now everyone has that skill. My kids are also learning fabulous skills like homemade bread, yogurt, cheese and noodle making. I've got one that likes to cook, one that enjoys the science part of it and one that's just my good little helper.
All in all, I'd say, go slow. The fact that your on the path puts you well ahead of most everybody else. It's more important to go together, even if it takes a while, then to trek out on your own making waves or alienating members of your family. That will only lead to "i told you so" conversations later.
Oh, and another biggie for my family is reading. So, as part of my leading, I'm filling our home with books that I think will help them wake up and see what I'm seeing. But on their own terms, not with mom lecturing them. The books I'm showcasing are being read by members of my family as we speak. Some are starting to awaken. When they do, I'll be right there to help them on, and encourage the ones still in the dark.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Random
Here's the color commentary inside my brain.
just finished a two week menu plan, and related grocery list. now, how many of the meals listed will week actually eat in the order prescribed - or for that matter at all - need more consistency in life.
haven't finished the garden plan yet - and by haven't finished, I mean I haven't started yet. too busy chasing kids and crap the past 2 weeks to really feel like I'm getting much of anything done.
reading "The Road" not sure if I like it. it's brilliantly written and all, but am feeling depressed without a mood elevating psychotropic in sight. i'm thinking it ends badly.
laundry room needs repainted - badly. my "free" help that painted it a couple months ago did such a craptastic job that you can actually see the drywall underneath in more spots than I care to count. and you don't exactly have to be staring at the wall to see them! Ugh. I should learn just to do things myself instead of wasting the materials by having to redo it later.
sewing pile has not been touched since last week - see aforementioned lame reasons of kid taxi-ing.
need a break and some decent sleep. also a trip to the eye doctor wouldn't hurt. thinking about lasek this year.
looking at the snow back east and wondering how people are doing? were they scrambling to the store between storms, or sitting back with cocoa, venturing out between storms to restock a wood cabinet.
Hmmm. I've lived on the east coast, and I'm willing to bet that all of the "out to eat every night because we are both too tired to cook" people in my old cul-de-sac are about ready to eat their arms off. this thought amuses me for a moment, then I realize that's not very nice, even if they never did return the garden shears they borrowed.
reading up on Iran and the kook that runs that country. i feel sorry for the majority of Iranian people that are suffering at the whim of this nut job. pretty sure most of them think he's as crazy as I do - unfortunately, for them death is swift for those that question. really not in favor of the buddy buddy system they've (I mean Amadinejad) has got going with Russia, China and North Korea. It's like reading prophecy - and all you're missing is some nut job to jump start the process. read an op-ed today about Israel most likely course of action. I've read the book, One Second After, it scared the hell out of me. (but in a good, motivational way)
did my taxes - you're welcome washington.
just finished a two week menu plan, and related grocery list. now, how many of the meals listed will week actually eat in the order prescribed - or for that matter at all - need more consistency in life.
haven't finished the garden plan yet - and by haven't finished, I mean I haven't started yet. too busy chasing kids and crap the past 2 weeks to really feel like I'm getting much of anything done.
reading "The Road" not sure if I like it. it's brilliantly written and all, but am feeling depressed without a mood elevating psychotropic in sight. i'm thinking it ends badly.
laundry room needs repainted - badly. my "free" help that painted it a couple months ago did such a craptastic job that you can actually see the drywall underneath in more spots than I care to count. and you don't exactly have to be staring at the wall to see them! Ugh. I should learn just to do things myself instead of wasting the materials by having to redo it later.
sewing pile has not been touched since last week - see aforementioned lame reasons of kid taxi-ing.
need a break and some decent sleep. also a trip to the eye doctor wouldn't hurt. thinking about lasek this year.
looking at the snow back east and wondering how people are doing? were they scrambling to the store between storms, or sitting back with cocoa, venturing out between storms to restock a wood cabinet.
Hmmm. I've lived on the east coast, and I'm willing to bet that all of the "out to eat every night because we are both too tired to cook" people in my old cul-de-sac are about ready to eat their arms off. this thought amuses me for a moment, then I realize that's not very nice, even if they never did return the garden shears they borrowed.
reading up on Iran and the kook that runs that country. i feel sorry for the majority of Iranian people that are suffering at the whim of this nut job. pretty sure most of them think he's as crazy as I do - unfortunately, for them death is swift for those that question. really not in favor of the buddy buddy system they've (I mean Amadinejad) has got going with Russia, China and North Korea. It's like reading prophecy - and all you're missing is some nut job to jump start the process. read an op-ed today about Israel most likely course of action. I've read the book, One Second After, it scared the hell out of me. (but in a good, motivational way)
did my taxes - you're welcome washington.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
going room to room - organizing a house full of pack rats
That's it. It's official. I live in a house full of pack rats.
I knew going in that my 10yr old son was the biggest pack rat in the house, however, I mistakenly thought he was the ONLY pack rat. Oh contrare.
A lot of "prepper" sites, books, whatnot will offer you list after list of what you need to get along. My advice is - Kathy Harrison's advice. Go room to room, figure out what you have and what you need. Just In Case (How To Be Self-Sufficient When The Unexpected Happens)
(good book - on my shelf) Harrison offers a few "kit" lists in her book. I've reviewed them for my personal needs and have cut items and added items along the way. She, like others, stresses the need to store not only goods, but knowledge. Stashing away thousands of dollars worth of items in your basement is great - but if you don't have the basic knowledge of building a fire, patching a pair of jeans or baking a loaf of bread, all the money in the world won't do you a dang bit of good.
This is the process I set forth and it is working very well for me. I created a list - month by month of the room I would inventory, the supply list I would create, the items I would start looking to purchase, and the skill I would dedicate the month too. It sounds more involved than it really is.
For example, for the month of February:
-Inside - Revisit my laundry room, small pantry. Do these rooms have upkeep needs? (painting, repairs, supplies?) What is my inventory downstairs for these two rooms? What level of inventory am I at in these areas? 1 month, 3 months, 12 months? Use budgeted $100* to purchase supplies toward one year supply needs.
-Reading: The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
-Skill: brush up sewing skills, tackle mending pile, see if scrap tote has enough to start a braided rug yet. Sew 5 new pairs of boxers for each of the three males in household. (these are easy and can be knocked out faster than you think!)
-Outside: confirm gardening plan for year. place seed/plant order.
Sounds like a lot doesn't it? It's really not. I have a big notebook that I keep my storage inventory in. I have a master supply list, but I've also broken it down by area of the house. It's a bit of work to get started, but it's incredibly handy. I can walk into any room in my house and within a matter of minutes know exactly where I'm at with supplies and what I need to keep my eyes out for. I also have a section for skills we (the entire household is included on this) what to learn, and even master. Obviously the skills need to be age appropriate. But don't be afraid to let the kids challenge themselves from time to time. There are numerous skills that overlap. I've spent a month with each member of the house teaching them the basics of sewing up to each of them being able to follow an easy pattern to create something that they would use. To be honest, my kids are much more trainable than my husband, but I feel better knowing that I've taught him how to patch his own jeans and he's taught me how to change my oil.
If there are skills that you'd like to learn but not sure where to start. Check out your local county extension office, or community college. You'd be surprised how many low-cost classes are out there on a wide range of topics from sewing to canning to basic carpentry. You just have to be willing to look for them. If there is something you can't find a local class for, or if the cost is just too much, your local library has an amazing potential to make anyone that walks through it's doors an instant millionaire. (think of just the simple dollar value of all the books in your local library - now, how many of them could teach you something useful - saving you a TON of time and money)
*oh, budgeting. It's a biggie. Here's what I came up with. I'm the bookkeeper in my household anyway. So I went back 12 months and totaled our "dining out" monthly average. I then added Prep on my budget. I took the total and gave 25% back to dining out, and the other 75% to Prep. I spend $100 each month on my focus area(s) (if needed, any left over is added to the food storage total), I set aside $75 each month for my more expensive long term supply desires (well hand pump, new cook stove with hot water reservoir, etc.) and the rest is spent on food storage. Understand, all my trips to the grocery store are taken first to the pantry, the cupboards upstairs are restocked 1-2x per month, as needed. So I am slowly but surely building up toward my one year goal.
Another big goal with budgeting is debt reduction. I will NOT build my storage by incurring one more dime in debt. My husband and I want to be completely free of everything except the mortgage, living expenses and one car payment by the end of 2010 - WHILE building our storage. It was daunting at first, but when I sat down and conscientiously looked at how we spent money every month - I was appalled. Here I thought I was thrifty - wrong!
I knew going in that my 10yr old son was the biggest pack rat in the house, however, I mistakenly thought he was the ONLY pack rat. Oh contrare.
A lot of "prepper" sites, books, whatnot will offer you list after list of what you need to get along. My advice is - Kathy Harrison's advice. Go room to room, figure out what you have and what you need. Just In Case (How To Be Self-Sufficient When The Unexpected Happens)
(good book - on my shelf) Harrison offers a few "kit" lists in her book. I've reviewed them for my personal needs and have cut items and added items along the way. She, like others, stresses the need to store not only goods, but knowledge. Stashing away thousands of dollars worth of items in your basement is great - but if you don't have the basic knowledge of building a fire, patching a pair of jeans or baking a loaf of bread, all the money in the world won't do you a dang bit of good. This is the process I set forth and it is working very well for me. I created a list - month by month of the room I would inventory, the supply list I would create, the items I would start looking to purchase, and the skill I would dedicate the month too. It sounds more involved than it really is.
For example, for the month of February:
-Inside - Revisit my laundry room, small pantry. Do these rooms have upkeep needs? (painting, repairs, supplies?) What is my inventory downstairs for these two rooms? What level of inventory am I at in these areas? 1 month, 3 months, 12 months? Use budgeted $100* to purchase supplies toward one year supply needs.
-Reading: The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
-Skill: brush up sewing skills, tackle mending pile, see if scrap tote has enough to start a braided rug yet. Sew 5 new pairs of boxers for each of the three males in household. (these are easy and can be knocked out faster than you think!)
-Outside: confirm gardening plan for year. place seed/plant order.
Sounds like a lot doesn't it? It's really not. I have a big notebook that I keep my storage inventory in. I have a master supply list, but I've also broken it down by area of the house. It's a bit of work to get started, but it's incredibly handy. I can walk into any room in my house and within a matter of minutes know exactly where I'm at with supplies and what I need to keep my eyes out for. I also have a section for skills we (the entire household is included on this) what to learn, and even master. Obviously the skills need to be age appropriate. But don't be afraid to let the kids challenge themselves from time to time. There are numerous skills that overlap. I've spent a month with each member of the house teaching them the basics of sewing up to each of them being able to follow an easy pattern to create something that they would use. To be honest, my kids are much more trainable than my husband, but I feel better knowing that I've taught him how to patch his own jeans and he's taught me how to change my oil.
If there are skills that you'd like to learn but not sure where to start. Check out your local county extension office, or community college. You'd be surprised how many low-cost classes are out there on a wide range of topics from sewing to canning to basic carpentry. You just have to be willing to look for them. If there is something you can't find a local class for, or if the cost is just too much, your local library has an amazing potential to make anyone that walks through it's doors an instant millionaire. (think of just the simple dollar value of all the books in your local library - now, how many of them could teach you something useful - saving you a TON of time and money)
*oh, budgeting. It's a biggie. Here's what I came up with. I'm the bookkeeper in my household anyway. So I went back 12 months and totaled our "dining out" monthly average. I then added Prep on my budget. I took the total and gave 25% back to dining out, and the other 75% to Prep. I spend $100 each month on my focus area(s) (if needed, any left over is added to the food storage total), I set aside $75 each month for my more expensive long term supply desires (well hand pump, new cook stove with hot water reservoir, etc.) and the rest is spent on food storage. Understand, all my trips to the grocery store are taken first to the pantry, the cupboards upstairs are restocked 1-2x per month, as needed. So I am slowly but surely building up toward my one year goal.
Another big goal with budgeting is debt reduction. I will NOT build my storage by incurring one more dime in debt. My husband and I want to be completely free of everything except the mortgage, living expenses and one car payment by the end of 2010 - WHILE building our storage. It was daunting at first, but when I sat down and conscientiously looked at how we spent money every month - I was appalled. Here I thought I was thrifty - wrong!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Ex-John Edwards mistress Rielle Hunter tries to block ‘private and personal’ video | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment
Ex-John Edwards mistress Rielle Hunter tries to block ‘private and personal’ video | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment
is there anyone left in the public eye that hasn't made a sex tape with someone other than their spouse?
is there anyone left in the public eye that hasn't made a sex tape with someone other than their spouse?
hmm, starting to think about spring!
So I'm starting to think about spring already. I always plant flowers and a small garden each year. This year I'm thinking a bit bigger. I've read several gardening books so far. My favorites so far are "The Backyard Homestead" and "The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It." I have a few others on my list at the local library. ***Key*** Check out what your local library has to offer before you hit Amazon. There are some really good materials out there, and some that are not so hot, at least for me. So I check out a book from the library, pour some time into and then decide if I think I need to purchase it for my stockpile. Sure, living in a rural area my selections are limited, but the library combined from reviews and recommendations on line are helping me streamline what I think I should have on hand for reference.I don't see much point in spending a bunch of money on books that I may or may not glean anything from when that money would be better spent on rice or building a dehydrator.
So, I have a nice big backyard, for living in town, I am working on a plan to convert more of my yard to food production than I have in the past. I'm not super woman, nor do I plan to do this all at once. I have prioritized what I feel I should definitely get moved or started this year, and what can wait until next year.
First, flowers that serve no purpose other than decoration-bye bye! There are plenty of fruit bearing plants and herbs that will produce beauty with a purpose. Given that I live toward the northern end of Zone 5 I need to be careful when considering my choices. Along with books, I am utilizing my University Extension website for tips and ideas on what grows best in my area. But, I must also consider what I've grown in the past, what's done well, and what hasn't.
For example, I live in the corn capital of the universe, however, after several failed attempts I know that corn doesn't like my backyard. However, if I go a mile down the road to my in-laws, corn grows easily. So, I'll use that space in my yard for something else and convince my mother-in-law to let me use some of her lawn to grow corn. (wish me luck on that one!)
My husband works for one of the largest fertilizer producers in the country, yet this year I plan to start composting so that down the road, I'll have what I need, just in case.
Plus, in the past I've grown things that I like, but most of my household won't touch - green peppers - so I'm going to container a few things that aren't well received and give that space over to something we go through tons of - like more onions.
I'll post my crop plan when I get it finalized. If you have any ideas, please leave me a note.
So, I have a nice big backyard, for living in town, I am working on a plan to convert more of my yard to food production than I have in the past. I'm not super woman, nor do I plan to do this all at once. I have prioritized what I feel I should definitely get moved or started this year, and what can wait until next year.
First, flowers that serve no purpose other than decoration-bye bye! There are plenty of fruit bearing plants and herbs that will produce beauty with a purpose. Given that I live toward the northern end of Zone 5 I need to be careful when considering my choices. Along with books, I am utilizing my University Extension website for tips and ideas on what grows best in my area. But, I must also consider what I've grown in the past, what's done well, and what hasn't.
For example, I live in the corn capital of the universe, however, after several failed attempts I know that corn doesn't like my backyard. However, if I go a mile down the road to my in-laws, corn grows easily. So, I'll use that space in my yard for something else and convince my mother-in-law to let me use some of her lawn to grow corn. (wish me luck on that one!)
My husband works for one of the largest fertilizer producers in the country, yet this year I plan to start composting so that down the road, I'll have what I need, just in case.
Plus, in the past I've grown things that I like, but most of my household won't touch - green peppers - so I'm going to container a few things that aren't well received and give that space over to something we go through tons of - like more onions.
I'll post my crop plan when I get it finalized. If you have any ideas, please leave me a note.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
dont romanticize.
There was a grandma I adored, and one - not so much. Now, I can glean lessons from her - kinda.
The other was quite a bit older than my favorite and had survived the dust bowl in eastern Colorado dirt poor with just her, her sister and their young widowed mother. I'm not sure if it was the debt their much older father left her mother with when he keeled over (he was an awful man by all accounts) which led to both of the girls growing up so malnourished for so long that neither one would ever be able to bear a child. Or the fact that after years of work and sacrifice by them and their mother, my grandmother within months of graduating from college found herself and everyone they knew struggling yet again as the Depression gripped America that led her down the path which eventually turned her into, well, just a miserable person.
This particular woman, and I mean that in EVERY sense, had money stashed in banks in 3 different states, not to mention physical cash hidden in 2 houses, yet she still felt the need to stand in the back yard over an open fire with a giant pot making her own lye soap. She still drove the car her husband had purchased in 1965. She even saved the foil wrappers that margarine sticks came in and would wrap potatoes in them for baking stating that that was plenty of butter on a potato for anyone. In a sense now I appreciate her frugality.
I also now recognize that she was also a tad bat-shit crazy. I spent A LOT of time with this woman - A LOT. This was a woman that only purchased clothes from The Jones Store, only bought the same kind of nylons and undergarments year after year, meticulously pined her hair every single night of her life and slept like a corpse in casket. You know, flat on the back, hands folded across the chest - super creepy. She also measured herself each and every day of her adult life as far as I know. Let me explain. She had this long metal ruler in the top drawer of her dresser. Each morning she would take out the ruler, lie back down and place the ruler across her hips. If her belly came close to touching the ruler, that day she worked twice as hard and ate half as much as the day before.
As an adult now, I'm pretty sure there's a clinical term for her - probably several (not to mention drama queen of the universe) . Still now, for all her strange meanness, I can kind of see some things I should have paid more attention too.
She never through anything away until it was worn out past the point of repair. She did all her own yard work, mending, cooking, canning, cleaning, preserving and financial planning. She survived her husband by 30 years yet I have no doubt that she was this kind of driver long before he was gone. I'm not sure whose idea it was to adopt a child, but I've always had an inkling that it wasn't her. Even though she was a teacher, I always got the impression that she had a certain distaste for children. She didn't like to go anywhere in public with my younger siblings. She thought they had been babied to the point of uselessness. Me, well, she tolerated me. I don't think out of any real affection, but because she had me so much of the time that I was properly trained. I was dressed by her in clothes far beyond anything my parents could afford. My hair was perfectly set every night I stayed at her home. My little black patent mary jane's were shined spotlessly. My coat and pocketbook always matched and I wore jewelry which I was never allowed to wear out of her sight. Precious little necklaces, bracelets and my gold "baby" ring which was always tied to my wrist with a pink ribbon. I was taken to church, to ladies circle, to visit at her friends and relatives homes. My siblings and mother were never brought along. I was the little doll to show off and therefore acceptable to be seen with.
Why am I droning on about this? Well, first off I guess I haven't thought about any of this in probably 10 years and now that I have it's just sort of all pouring out. Also because as some of us are looking back to a "simpler" time for guidance on how to be prepared, yes, there are valuable lessons to be learned. But I think it's important not to romanticize the past. Our grandparents, and great grandparents did not live inside Rockwell painting. They were real people-just like us. And they were just as messed up as we are. So if you can't seem to work on your "old skool" skills 10 hours a day like "grandmother" did, don't sweat it. They weren't all that we would like to make them into.
The other was quite a bit older than my favorite and had survived the dust bowl in eastern Colorado dirt poor with just her, her sister and their young widowed mother. I'm not sure if it was the debt their much older father left her mother with when he keeled over (he was an awful man by all accounts) which led to both of the girls growing up so malnourished for so long that neither one would ever be able to bear a child. Or the fact that after years of work and sacrifice by them and their mother, my grandmother within months of graduating from college found herself and everyone they knew struggling yet again as the Depression gripped America that led her down the path which eventually turned her into, well, just a miserable person.
This particular woman, and I mean that in EVERY sense, had money stashed in banks in 3 different states, not to mention physical cash hidden in 2 houses, yet she still felt the need to stand in the back yard over an open fire with a giant pot making her own lye soap. She still drove the car her husband had purchased in 1965. She even saved the foil wrappers that margarine sticks came in and would wrap potatoes in them for baking stating that that was plenty of butter on a potato for anyone. In a sense now I appreciate her frugality.
I also now recognize that she was also a tad bat-shit crazy. I spent A LOT of time with this woman - A LOT. This was a woman that only purchased clothes from The Jones Store, only bought the same kind of nylons and undergarments year after year, meticulously pined her hair every single night of her life and slept like a corpse in casket. You know, flat on the back, hands folded across the chest - super creepy. She also measured herself each and every day of her adult life as far as I know. Let me explain. She had this long metal ruler in the top drawer of her dresser. Each morning she would take out the ruler, lie back down and place the ruler across her hips. If her belly came close to touching the ruler, that day she worked twice as hard and ate half as much as the day before.
As an adult now, I'm pretty sure there's a clinical term for her - probably several (not to mention drama queen of the universe) . Still now, for all her strange meanness, I can kind of see some things I should have paid more attention too.
She never through anything away until it was worn out past the point of repair. She did all her own yard work, mending, cooking, canning, cleaning, preserving and financial planning. She survived her husband by 30 years yet I have no doubt that she was this kind of driver long before he was gone. I'm not sure whose idea it was to adopt a child, but I've always had an inkling that it wasn't her. Even though she was a teacher, I always got the impression that she had a certain distaste for children. She didn't like to go anywhere in public with my younger siblings. She thought they had been babied to the point of uselessness. Me, well, she tolerated me. I don't think out of any real affection, but because she had me so much of the time that I was properly trained. I was dressed by her in clothes far beyond anything my parents could afford. My hair was perfectly set every night I stayed at her home. My little black patent mary jane's were shined spotlessly. My coat and pocketbook always matched and I wore jewelry which I was never allowed to wear out of her sight. Precious little necklaces, bracelets and my gold "baby" ring which was always tied to my wrist with a pink ribbon. I was taken to church, to ladies circle, to visit at her friends and relatives homes. My siblings and mother were never brought along. I was the little doll to show off and therefore acceptable to be seen with.
Why am I droning on about this? Well, first off I guess I haven't thought about any of this in probably 10 years and now that I have it's just sort of all pouring out. Also because as some of us are looking back to a "simpler" time for guidance on how to be prepared, yes, there are valuable lessons to be learned. But I think it's important not to romanticize the past. Our grandparents, and great grandparents did not live inside Rockwell painting. They were real people-just like us. And they were just as messed up as we are. So if you can't seem to work on your "old skool" skills 10 hours a day like "grandmother" did, don't sweat it. They weren't all that we would like to make them into.
Hi. Its Me!!!
Hi there everybody! (more like the 2 people that have actually looked at this blog.) I just wanted to point out the link on M.D. Creekmore's site. I think you might recognize the author of this reader feedback.
Friday, January 22, 2010
This is a site that I have found helpful.
I'm not sure why with the thousands and thousands of survivalist, prepper, preparedness (yada yada) sites out there why I return to this one over and over. Oh, I know. Perhaps it's because M.D. Creekmore doesn't preach gold and guns at me with every post. I mean he's a guy so yes, guns make him giddy. But this site doesn't make me feel that because I'm not living on a compound in the wilderness I'm somehow not taking any of this very seriously. There are other sites that I find useful and I'll post those from time to time. I just want you to know that Creekmore has an e-book called, "It's the end of the world as we know it - and I feel fine." available for free download on his site. It's pretty concise, which I appreciate, because I don't have hours and hours each day to spend doing this stuff. I do still have a life...and a job...and 3 kids...and, and, and!
I'll start reviewing some of the multitude of books I have read next week.
Please remember all of my opinions on sites, books, whatev- are based on my point of view. I'm just a middle class, middle of the road, middle of America mom. If you disagree, please feel free to jump ship and find another blog. I won't take it personally. However, if you do agree, please drop me a note and let me know.
OOOO, just remembered. I'm going to try really hard to give you some pictures of my favorite things this weekend. We'll see how far I get!
I'm not sure why with the thousands and thousands of survivalist, prepper, preparedness (yada yada) sites out there why I return to this one over and over. Oh, I know. Perhaps it's because M.D. Creekmore doesn't preach gold and guns at me with every post. I mean he's a guy so yes, guns make him giddy. But this site doesn't make me feel that because I'm not living on a compound in the wilderness I'm somehow not taking any of this very seriously. There are other sites that I find useful and I'll post those from time to time. I just want you to know that Creekmore has an e-book called, "It's the end of the world as we know it - and I feel fine." available for free download on his site. It's pretty concise, which I appreciate, because I don't have hours and hours each day to spend doing this stuff. I do still have a life...and a job...and 3 kids...and, and, and!
I'll start reviewing some of the multitude of books I have read next week.
Please remember all of my opinions on sites, books, whatev- are based on my point of view. I'm just a middle class, middle of the road, middle of America mom. If you disagree, please feel free to jump ship and find another blog. I won't take it personally. However, if you do agree, please drop me a note and let me know.
OOOO, just remembered. I'm going to try really hard to give you some pictures of my favorite things this weekend. We'll see how far I get!
Awake! Finally, took me long enough!
So, I woke up last year and started looking at the world around me. I'm not sure what took me so stinkin' long, but whatever, I'm awake now. And let me tell you, some of the things I see now scare the hell out of me. So what's the point? I mean, sure things stink on ice, but hey, what are you going to do about it. Well, that's just it. Or I should say this is just it.
First I decided to prepare myself and my family for whatever comes. It doesn't really matter what the "it" is. It could be economic collapse, pandemic, asteroid (not holding breath). Or just something as everyday as job loss or family illness. Whatever the "it" is, I am now convinced that most, if not all, of us face some sort of "it" during our life.
I then turned to "dear internet" as a source of planning, preparing, you name it. I found a lot of good solid stuff. I also found a lot of weirdo's. (a lot) Good stuff I found was in the form of a few well written, concise, non-sky is falling books. I will review some of them in upcoming posts. I also found a few really good sites that I felt better served a person like me. Middle of the road, in middle America.
Now that I am on this path, I get a few (ok, more than a few) strange looks from others that I have shared this information with. Most think I'm suffering from an early mid-life crisis or that I've gone off the religious deep end. Neither is true. I just woke up.
The purpose of this blog is more of a journal for myself. I want a record of where I started and where I'm going and how I get there. Perhaps a few will join me along the way. If so, come on along. I'm sure it's going to be one heck of a ride.
First I decided to prepare myself and my family for whatever comes. It doesn't really matter what the "it" is. It could be economic collapse, pandemic, asteroid (not holding breath). Or just something as everyday as job loss or family illness. Whatever the "it" is, I am now convinced that most, if not all, of us face some sort of "it" during our life.
I then turned to "dear internet" as a source of planning, preparing, you name it. I found a lot of good solid stuff. I also found a lot of weirdo's. (a lot) Good stuff I found was in the form of a few well written, concise, non-sky is falling books. I will review some of them in upcoming posts. I also found a few really good sites that I felt better served a person like me. Middle of the road, in middle America.
Now that I am on this path, I get a few (ok, more than a few) strange looks from others that I have shared this information with. Most think I'm suffering from an early mid-life crisis or that I've gone off the religious deep end. Neither is true. I just woke up.
The purpose of this blog is more of a journal for myself. I want a record of where I started and where I'm going and how I get there. Perhaps a few will join me along the way. If so, come on along. I'm sure it's going to be one heck of a ride.
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