No, I am not English, but I do celebrate Guy Fox Day (November 5) to some degree. Every Fourth of July and Guy Fox Day, I read the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. These are two very important documents that every American should be familiar with. This is a tradition I thought about after 9/11, and started after the US invaded Iraq. I read these two documents, pausing from time to time to think about how certain parts affect Americans as a whole and myself as an individual. When I have kids, this is one tradition that I will pass on to them.
I challenge everyone to read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution at least once a year.
November 4, 2009
October 16, 2009
Reuse to save on your preps
There are lots of ways you can save money on your preps by reusing items. I clean and reuse 2 liter bottles to store water. I save any kind of sturdy, resealable bags (from dogs or cat treats, individual servings of freeze dried food, etc.) to use place smelling things in while my family and I have to say in the fallout shelter. These bags are great for dog, cat, or chicken poo. I also save old socks. I wear my socks until they have holes too big to be comfortable, then I wash them, and put them in a sterilized bag. Socks can be used to help stop bleeding from gunshot, knife, or other wounds that may bleed a lot. I usually buy my coffee in bags, but from time to time I buy it in a can. The metal cans can be used to store small electronics (to help shield them from an EMP) or screws, nails, pencils, and a number of other things. The plastic cans are great as pots for growing a small vegetable or herb. I have grown tomatoes, peppers, and carrots in these plastic cans (without the lid on). Some of the plastic cans I fill with potting soil, put the lid on, and store it. This way, I can start growing vegetables in the fallout shelter without having to wait for the soil out side to be radiation free before planting the seed.
I'm sure there are many other things around our homes that can be reused for preps. Before throwing something away, ask yourself, "Is there any way I can reuse this?"
I'm sure there are many other things around our homes that can be reused for preps. Before throwing something away, ask yourself, "Is there any way I can reuse this?"
October 5, 2009
How to prepare for the future
I've shared about how to prepare for a nuclear event, and I think everyone who has a job needs to find at least $5 a pay period to use to buy preps. These preps could help you out of a financial bind - if your hours are cut, it's nice not to have to worry about buying as much food for a while. But that's the extent of their ability to help you. Everyone who has a job should also save at least $5 a pay period in some sort of savings account. If you loose your job, your preps will help keep you from starving, etc, but they will not pay your mortgage or rent, electricity, or water bills.
I have a CD that has the interest rolling back into it, and a savings account. I try to put $100 into my savings by my birthday each year. When my CD comes up for renewal, if I have more than $1000 in my savings, I take out the extra money and add it to my CD. My ultimate goal is to earn enough in interest that I can pay all of my bills and only work 1 or 2 days a week. This may not happen for another 20 years, but it is my goal.
I have a CD that has the interest rolling back into it, and a savings account. I try to put $100 into my savings by my birthday each year. When my CD comes up for renewal, if I have more than $1000 in my savings, I take out the extra money and add it to my CD. My ultimate goal is to earn enough in interest that I can pay all of my bills and only work 1 or 2 days a week. This may not happen for another 20 years, but it is my goal.
September 23, 2009
Nuclear Drills
How will you know if you are truly prepared for a nuclear event? Practice. Schools, businesses, and families have fire drills and tornado/hurricane drills, so why not have a nuclear drill?
Once the basics of your fallout shelter are laid out, (who's sleeping where, at least a few weeks worth of supplies are stored, etc.) you are ready for the drill. If you are serious about preparing, then you probably keep tabs on the news. You know when tensions are high between nuclear armed countries. This will give you a heads up: you can double check that supplies are in date, buy a few extra supplies (don't go broke buying supplies in case there is no nuclear event), and you can move some extra things into the fallout shelter. I have a small generator that is portable and solar powered. If a nuclear event seemed likely, I would move this into my fallout shelter in a metal trash can to try to protect it from EMP. I would also put my laptop, all rechargeable batteries and charges, and any other small electrical devices I might need later. I would also move may dogs, cats, and chickens into their cages in the fallout shelter. All of this will make going to the fallout shelter, whether a drill or not, easier and less stressful for everyone.
Everyone should have a bag filled with extra clothes and an extra pair of shoes (if you have kids, make sure the clothes and shoes are a size or two too big, so they won't outgrow the clothes before they can use them). Once a drill is called, everyone should grab their bags and anything else they are responsible for taking to the shelter (older children and adults can take the rest of the guns and ammo, younger children can take a small bag filled with snacks or entertainment, for example). Some drills may only be about getting to the shelter, while others should be about living in the shelter. From time to time, spend a day or two in the shelter doing everything like you would if there had been a nuclear incident. It is important you do everything like you would if you have to stay inside the shelter. Use the bathroom, bathe, cook meals, entertain yourselves, be on guard, everything just like you would have to do during a real event. Also, make sure everyone practices light and noise conservation. During a real event, you wouldn't want the wrong people to know you survived because they heard you laughing or saw some light coming through the window.
Don't scare your kids, but make sure they understand how important it is. Kids are taught how important fire drills and tornado/hurricane drills are, so teach them how important nuke drills are. Have a plan for picking them up from school if it looked like an event was about to happen, and tell them your plan so they won't worry. Make sure you kids know that you will always do your very best to keep them safe.
Once the basics of your fallout shelter are laid out, (who's sleeping where, at least a few weeks worth of supplies are stored, etc.) you are ready for the drill. If you are serious about preparing, then you probably keep tabs on the news. You know when tensions are high between nuclear armed countries. This will give you a heads up: you can double check that supplies are in date, buy a few extra supplies (don't go broke buying supplies in case there is no nuclear event), and you can move some extra things into the fallout shelter. I have a small generator that is portable and solar powered. If a nuclear event seemed likely, I would move this into my fallout shelter in a metal trash can to try to protect it from EMP. I would also put my laptop, all rechargeable batteries and charges, and any other small electrical devices I might need later. I would also move may dogs, cats, and chickens into their cages in the fallout shelter. All of this will make going to the fallout shelter, whether a drill or not, easier and less stressful for everyone.
Everyone should have a bag filled with extra clothes and an extra pair of shoes (if you have kids, make sure the clothes and shoes are a size or two too big, so they won't outgrow the clothes before they can use them). Once a drill is called, everyone should grab their bags and anything else they are responsible for taking to the shelter (older children and adults can take the rest of the guns and ammo, younger children can take a small bag filled with snacks or entertainment, for example). Some drills may only be about getting to the shelter, while others should be about living in the shelter. From time to time, spend a day or two in the shelter doing everything like you would if there had been a nuclear incident. It is important you do everything like you would if you have to stay inside the shelter. Use the bathroom, bathe, cook meals, entertain yourselves, be on guard, everything just like you would have to do during a real event. Also, make sure everyone practices light and noise conservation. During a real event, you wouldn't want the wrong people to know you survived because they heard you laughing or saw some light coming through the window.
Don't scare your kids, but make sure they understand how important it is. Kids are taught how important fire drills and tornado/hurricane drills are, so teach them how important nuke drills are. Have a plan for picking them up from school if it looked like an event was about to happen, and tell them your plan so they won't worry. Make sure you kids know that you will always do your very best to keep them safe.
September 2, 2009
Lunch During Long Emergencies
Lunch can be an important part of the day, especially during long emergencies when you may be working 12-14 hours a day repairing your home, tending a garden, or any number of other things. Taking a 30 minute break to eat lunch will be a welcome relief. But what's the best way to make a healthy, filling lunch when the power may be out and cooking fuel may be limited?
I like to make roman noodles and a vegie for lunch. Take a can of vegetables (I think corn or peas work best), empty into a pot and add 2 or 3 cans of water to the pot. Add noodles and cook for 5-15 minutes (depending on how high the cooking temperature is). Let it cool for a few minutes, then enjoy. Make sure you also eat the liquid because some of the vitamins from the vegetables will be in there.
I like to make roman noodles and a vegie for lunch. Take a can of vegetables (I think corn or peas work best), empty into a pot and add 2 or 3 cans of water to the pot. Add noodles and cook for 5-15 minutes (depending on how high the cooking temperature is). Let it cool for a few minutes, then enjoy. Make sure you also eat the liquid because some of the vitamins from the vegetables will be in there.
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