One Year Anniversary

I've learned a lot about preparedness and food storage during this past year and hope you have, too. Here are some good reminders from last year's post:

1. BEGIN WHERE YOU ARE:
Think about what you are already doing and what you have already in store.
Make an inventory of what you have.
Make a list of what you need.

2. SET GOALS:
Decide what you want to work on (ie. three-month supply, drinking water, financial reserve, longer-term supply, 72 hour kit, etc.)
Set reasonable goals (ie. weekly plan, monthly plan)

3. DO SOMETHING:
We can't do everything all at once, but we can do something.
Begin today!

Best wishes in your quest to prepare and enjoy the peace that preparedness brings!

Real Life -- Living It

Because we can learn so much from each other, Monday's posts will be "Real Life -- Living It" featuring a guest post.

“If men could learn from history, what lessons it might teach us!” wrote Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1831. 1 While it may sound surprising, a look at Church history can teach us about preparedness for our day." An article written by William G. Hartley entitled "Sturdy Shoes and a Waterproof Tent" includes:

"Lessons from Crossing the Plains -

1. When we ignore preparedness counsel, we can expect unhappy consequences.
2. Protect against nature.
3. Be accident cautious.
4. We should protect ourselves from uncaring or dishonest individuals.
5. Protect against discouragement.
6. Be creative and adaptive in difficult times.

Lessons from the Mormon Battalion's March -

1. During a crisis we may need to leave our family to meet community needs.
2. Water-purifying pills or filters are essential.
3. Writing materials and a camera are helpful resources.
4. Bread and other grain materials are important.

Lessons from the Saluda Disaster -

1. When the Spirit cautions us against something, we need to obey.
2. Up-to-date rosters of people are important, and parents need wills that specify who should have their children.

Lessons from the Pioneer Famine of 1856 -

1. In times of dire food shortages, we should be willing to share our personal food storage with others.
2. During times of famine we might choose to fast more often to provide for the needy.
3. When the course of our normal life is disrupted, it helps to fill free time with constructive activities.

Lessons from the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire -

1. Have sturdy shoes and durable clothing nearby in case of a sudden nighttime emergency, whether at home or away from home.
2. Have fire extinguishers in our homes.
3. Have emergency water on hand in sturdy, non-glass containers.
4. Have minimal cleaning items, such a moist towelettes, toothpaste, deodorant, face towels, and even small bags of detergent.
5. Have emergency food as we have been taught.
6. It is important to have two or three meeting places where family members can find each other in case disaster strikes and the family is scattered.
7. Be prepared to leave cherished belongings.
8. Ignore wild rumors that spread in panics and don't pass them on.

One Final Lesson -

Along with all of the practical lessons history teaches, one more lesson comes through: maintain good attitudes during troubled times. A sense of humor is like salve on a wound."

To read the article in its' entirety, click here.

(Source: William G. Hartley, “Sturdy Shoes and a Waterproof Tent,” Ensign, Oct 2001, 38)

Weekly Preparation Practice Checklist

I like how Donna Miller has "come up with a list of items that warrant practicing each week to prepare for an uncertain economical or governmental future." She says, "It isn't being pessimistic to actually WANT to and look forward to being able to be more self-sustaining and out of debt. It is prudent in our time."

Click here to view her 16-item "Weekly Preparation Practice Checklist" with explanations for each. Great list! (Thanks Donna!)

(Source: http://community.stretcher.com/blogs/homesteadmindset/archive/2009/03/03/weekly-preparation-practice-checklist.aspx)

Good Morning!

Just returned home from a four-day vacation with my two oldest daughters. It was their "Spring Break" and they invited me to come along. Loved spending time with them! Many thanks to my dear husband for "holding down the fort" while I was gone!

What I learned about preparedness while I was vacationing:

1. ALWAYS carry extra band-aids with you in your pocket, purse, or wallet!
2. ALWAYS carry spare change with you in case you need to purchase band-aids (because your spare band-aids are in your emergency car kit and/or hotel room.)
3. Think twice about wearing those summer shoes you haven't worn all winter (without socks to boot) especially when about to walk thirteen plus miles (unless you absolutely have extra band-aids with you!)
4. Take a good book along for those times when you are recovering from your blisters. :)

Because there was no "free" internet access available where we were staying, I was extremely grateful to have some good books along to read during those "down time" moments. One of my new favorite books is now "Let's Roll! Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage" by Lisa Beamer, wife of 9-11 hero Todd Beamer with Ken Abraham. Make sure you have a box of tissues with you when you pick this one up.

An important thing she stressed was to put our trust in God. I quote:

"Lately I've been trying to look at the bigger picture, to discover what I'm supposed to learn from all this. I'm sure I have much growth yet to experience, but I've gleaned a few insights. Probably the most important truth is that my security must be in God rather than in anything or anyone in this world.

"Think about it: the World Trade Center represented economic power, success, and security, yet it was shaken and destroyed in one hour or less. The Pentagon is the symbol of our nation's military might, yet it, too, proved vulnerable. Where can we find true security in these days?

"The men and women in the Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and aboard the four hijacked planes were some of the best our nation had to offer. They were the picture of intelligence, energy, and power. Yet their best wasn't good enough to keep the enemy from attacking, maiming, and killing several thousand people.

"But I have found safety and security in a loving heavenly Father, who cannot be shaken, who will never leave me or forsake me, and in whom I can trust completely. For those looking for hope, I recommend grabbing the hand of your heavenly Father as tightly as possible, like a little child does with his parent. God is a hero who will always be there when you need him."

--Lisa Beamer, "Let's Roll! Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage," pgs. 300-301

Bounce Back From Anything

This morning, while waiting for a doctor's appointment, I picked up a "Woman's Day" magazine, (February 1, 2009 issue.) I read an article in the "Live Well" section entitled "Bounce Back From Anything" that had this to say:

"REGAIN CONTROL
'Anxiety is what we feel when we believe two things: that something bad is about to happen and that we don't have the ability to cope with it,' says Dr. Reivich. To calm those pit-of-the-stomach feelings, focus on the things within your control. 'When you take purposeful action (even if it's cleaning out your closet!), it lowers your anxiety level and puts you in a place mentally where you can take on bigger hurdles,' she says." (Woman's Day Magazine, February 1, 2009, "Bounce Back From Anything", pg. 22.)

I thought how this applies to preparedness. Preparedness brings peace. When we FOCUS on building our food storage and managing our finances (purposeful action), it does help lower our anxiety levels and "puts you in a place mentally where you can take on bigger hurdles." THINK about it -- then DO something -- TODAY. :)

How Would One Prepare for Financially Hard Times?

"1. The breadwinner in the family should make every effort to stay employed and keep earning wages or salaries, profits, and benefits.

2. Try to build tenure or seniority with your employer, and demonstrate both creative and productive skills.

3. Keep knowledge and skills current through continuous upgrading; thus, you can compete with the best and offer the best service or product available in your field. Even family members not employed should do the same. Where possible, everyone should have or work toward a potentially marketable skill or product.

4. Protect yourself during a recession—or times of inflation—by keeping monthly expenditures well under control. It is no time to have any excessive debt or large installment payments. Also, you may not be able to borrow money for major things like houses, farms, or businesses. Wait until money is more available and the interest levels are moderate.

5. Have an emergency cash reserve. The longer or deeper the economic downturn, the greater the need for ready money in such cases as unemployment, reduced income, illness, or injury.

6. As much as possible, get ownership and clear title (or deed) to cars, major appliances, homes, farms, businesses, etc. During a recession or depression, repossession, foreclosure, and garnishment—and the resulting risk of bankruptcy—are more likely since cash demands continue and income may stop. Ownership of your major possessions would provide you with great security.

7. Have an adequate one year’s supply of food and clothing. It takes most families months and even years to build a good supply and learn how to store and rotate it properly. Get started now.

8. Be willing to make significant life-style changes. Economic hardship could force you to sacrifice many comforts and luxuries such as recreation, travel, nonessential clothing, eating out, entertainment, and gifts; can you make some of these changes voluntarily now? Expenditures might have to focus on essentials such as food, housing, utilities, health care, and transportation.

9. Organize your extended families to give help to each generation as needed.

10. Self-reliance is important. Knowing how to make bread, sew clothes, make gifts, toys, and home decorations, paint the house, fix the plumbing, etc., will become increasingly valuable. As much as possible, be able to sustain life. Grow a garden, cultivate fruit trees, keep animals, etc., wherever practical, or have access to these resources.

One of the best defenses against a recession or a depression is owning things like food surpluses (such as grain, sugar, corn, rice, beans, and dried fruits), precious metals and gems, coal and wood, land, etc. They have intrinsic value, demand for them stays high, and they can be used in many ways.

11. Be good friends and neighbors. During hard times, you’ll be exchanging products and services much more."

(Source: “Questions about Coping Financially: Welfare Services Suggests Some Answers,” Ensign, Jun 1980, 12)

Preparedness Baby Steps

Becoming prepared can be a bit overwhelming at times -- especially if you're looking at the BIG picture. It's a little like trying to eat a whole elephant -- you can do it if you take one bite at a time. Well, lucky for us, someone has cut the task down to bite-size pieces or "Preparedness Baby Steps" in the following areas:

• 3 Months of Savings in 7 Steps
• 72-Hour Kits in 10 Steps
• Car Kits in 10 Steps
• 2 Weeks of Water in 3 Steps
• 1 Week Food Supply in 7 Steps
• 3 Month Food Supply in 10 Steps
• 1 Year of Food in 20 Steps

Check it out at: http://pgward.org/ep/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/preparednessbabysteps.jpg

"Just pick an area to work on and do it one step at a time."
(Source: Emergency Preparedness, http://pgward.org/ep/archives/233)

Miracle on the Hudson

As I learn more about the recent plane accident that occurred in New York referred to as the "Miracle on the Hudson", I've thought a lot about the pilot and how one person can make a difference. He was prepared and he remained calm.

Quoting from a story by Erin McClam on the Associated Press: The pilot,

"Chesley Sullenberger spent practically his whole life preparing for the five-minute crucible that was US Airways Flight 1549." ...

"On Thursday afternoon, as Sullenberger banked his crippled Airbus A320 left over the Bronx, steered it over the George Washington Bridge and down the Hudson River, his life and 154 others depended on his expertise. The jet's twin engines had apparently been disabled by a collision with a flock of birds."

It truly was a miracle that no lives were lost. I also believe his life-long preparation played an important role in his own and others' survival. He was able to remain calm because he was prepared.

A passenger shared how the pilot's calmness affected him and others:

"The cabin was almost completely silent when Sullenberger came on the intercom seconds before the plane hit water."

"I can tell you verbatim: `Brace for impact,'" said Mark Hood of Charlotte, N.C., who was flying home after a work trip. "He said it in a calm, cool, controlled voice. It was a testament to leadership."

"Had he let any tension leak into his voice," Hood said, "it would have been magnified in the passengers."

I was also impressed how the pilot was the last one out of the plane, making sure everyone was safely out. He was also the last one off the rescue raft. His calm, clear thinking enabled him to help others and save lives.

What can I learn from all this?

• Life happens, so do miracles
  
• Be prepared
  
• Stay calm
  
• Preparedness brings peace

(Sources: Me, "Pilot's Life Had Prepared Him for 'Miracle Flight", by Erin McClam, Associated Press)

Weekly Food Storage Plan

Here is an idea to help build your food storage week-by-week:

12th Ward's "Stow it Away Plan" or "Fun Food Storage"
Time waits for no man (or woman).
"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing. ..." D&C 88:119

THE INVITATION
You are offered this invitation to participate in THE PROGRAM by following THE PLAN. We have prepared this gift to you to encourage food storage in your own home. This program includes all the basics except wheat, plus many other items which will be beneficial for your family in times of need.

We encourage you to accept this invitation with enthusiasm. Talk to your family members about it. Get them involved.

Purchase your items, date them, store them wisely, rotate them and replenish the supply. At the end of the year you will have made great progress on this important program.

With great love for you and your constant efforts. 12th Ward Relief society Presidency

THE PROGRAM
"From Brigham Young's time to the present day, latter-day prophets have counseled Church members to store food for times of need. Recently, the First Presidency spoke again on the subject. We encourage you to follow this counsel with the assurance that a people prepared through obedience to the commandments of God need not fear." (Letter to priesthood leaders, 24 June, 1988). "A year's supply of good storage is beneficial in several ways:
1) It provides peace of mind as we obey the counsel to store.
2) It helps ensure survival in case of personal or natural disaster.
3) It strengthens skills in preparing and using basic foods."
(Ensign, June 1989, page 40, "Home Storage - Build on the Basics")

THE PLAN
1. Each week, tear off one coupon and add it to your regular grocery list.
2. Get a marker for marking the dates on items to aid in rotation.
3. Buy the largest amount you can sensibly afford. It is better to buy a little and get started with your food storage program than to go in debt or put off any progress until you can afford to buy the whole year's supply at one time.
4. Replace items as you use them. Remember these coupons are for items in addition to your regular grocery list.
5. Watch for sales or other specials. Grocery stores don't always have the best buys.
6. If you miss a week, skip to the next week. Don't get behind.
7. Share your "hot buys" and bargains with others in the ward.

Week 1
Medicine chest: feminine products, Pepto Bismol, cough drops. (You won't want to go get it when you've got it.)

Week 2
Canned meats: tuna, Spam, dried beef, etc. - at least 10 cans

Week 3
Personal products: soap, deodorant, toilet tissue, shampoo, lotion, etc.

Week 4
Assemble an emergency sewing kit. Thread, pins, needles, buttons, snaps, zippers, tape measure, scissors.

Week 5
Solid vegetable shortening. Less expensive than oil, but buy oil if you prefer.

Week 6
Juice: avoid watered products. Get 100% juice: lemon, orange, pineapple, etc.

Week 7
Toothpaste, floss, razors, shaving cream. Consider your family's needs.

Week 8
Mixes! Cake, pancake, muffin, Bisquick. Purchase or make your own.

Week 9
Spices and herbs you can use most often; pepper, bay leaves, cinnamon, oregano, etc.

Week 10
Eating rice makes us nice! Secure 10, 15, or 20 pounds.

Week 11
More first aid, gauze patches, swabs, cotton balls, fikrst aid tape, etc.

Week 12
Pasta! Buy at least five pounds. Select a variety.

Week 13
Dry milk - 40 oz. will make 5 gallons. Get what your family will need.

Week 14
Peanut butter!!!!

Week 15
Ready dinners: ravioli, pasta, oriental, boxed, frozen - get what your family will eat.

Week 16
Flour - buy at least 10 extra pounds for a small family, 25 extra pounds for a large family.

Week 17
Dry soup and crackers.

Week 18
Gelatin and pudding mixes.

Week 19
Garden seeds - lots of vegetables. They are full of vitamins, minerals. Include a few flower seeds. In times of emergency, our spirits needs brightening, too.

Week 20
Safety Week!
A length of cord or twine, flashlight and batteries (dated)

Week 21
Freeze-a-Cheese! You can freeze cheese in blocks, but it is easier to use if you grate it first and freeze it in bags. Then you can grab the amount you need all ready to use.

Week 22
Paper towels, aluminum foil, garbage bags, freezer bags, sandwich bags, etc.

Week 23
It's "Dress-your-burger" week. Mustard, catsup, relish, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, etc.

Week 24
White sales! Buy a blanket or some sheets.

Week 25
Sure-Jell, Certo, parafin, lids and rings - other canning supplies OR buy some jams and jellies.

Week 26
Fill those water jugs!

Week 27
Canned milk. The December 1989 Ensign has great ideas for using canned milk.

Week 28
Canned goods - whatever your family likes.

Week 29
Back-to-school Sales! Paper, pencils, journals, envelopes, postage stamps, etc.

Week 30
Baking powder, soda, cornstarch, yeast, etc. - for baking days coming up. Dry yeast freezes well.

Week 31
Tomato Week! Juice, whole, sauce, paste - make it or buy it.

Week 32
Can some fruit (or buy some canned).

Week 33
Buy an extra 25 pounds of sugar.

Week 34
Can or freeze lots of vegetables OR buy some canned or frozen veggies.

Week 35
Get those dry beans, peas, legumes, lentils.

Week 36
Sweeteners - brown or powdered sugar, honey, corn syrup, etc.

Week 37
Iodized salt - 10 pounds. It seasons, preserves. In a pinch, it's toothpaste.

Week 38
One (or more) gallons of vinegar. It's a great cleaner, too!

Week 39
Canned soups and boxes of crackers.

Week 40
Popcorn - go for the big twelve pound bags.

Week 41
Canned goods: fruits or vegetables.

Week 42
Vitamins: Vitamins "A", "C", and "D" are particularly important.

Week 43
Ingredients for baking - cocoa, coconut, nuts, chocolate chips.

Week 44
Rolled oats, corn meal, Cream of wheat - get what your family will eat.

Week 45
More vegetables and fruits: canned or frozen.

Week 46
Detergent, bleach, cleanser, ammonia, disinfectant cleaners. Use coupons when available.

Week 47
First aid supplies: Band-Aids, calamine, neosporin, etc.

Week 48
Candles, matches. Put in a sturdy box you can located in the dark.

Week 49
Vegetable Oil - Get a good quality.

Week 50
Extra baking supplies for those Holiday treats.

Week 51
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Week 52
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
You've given yourself a great gift - Security! But don't just pat yourself on the back. Start up again in the New Year to rotate and replenish those supplies you've used.

Good Counsel

"Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we can care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.

"We encourage members world-wide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.

"We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve."
—The First Presidency

(Source: All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage, Feb. 2007, 1)

Welcome to My Blog!

Welcome to my blog about preparedness. This is where I've chosen to organize the things I've learned (and the things I'd like to learn) about preparedness. Hopefully, this blog will help others as well as myself in our quest to become better prepared. This blog is meant to be shared...pass it on.

COMMENTS:

Melissa said...Thanks for creating this blog! I think it's a great idea, I definitely agree that as we are prepared, we don't need to fear. (November 13, 2008, 1:16 pm)

Sue said... As always, you are amazing Sister! Great ideas, thank you! (November 13, 2008, 2:34 pm)

Julie said...You are very organized! I do my ward newsletter each month and we have a preparedness message by a guy in our ward who is over preparedness. There's a lot of good info. If you're interested in the articles, let me know and I can email them to you. He's done a lot of research on different areas. You may want to add some of them to your blog. (November 13, 2008, 7:50 pm)

McJenn said...Thanks Kathy for all your work and time and sharing! (November 13, 2008, 8:24 pm)