Survival Postive? Emergency Prep worked?

AngieM2 · #1 06/09/11, 10:25 AM

Hey guys - we're so busy starting to fuss at EACH OTHER, that we are going to lose the good this forum can do for those that need help gettig ready for anything from a broken arm and being home alone to tornadoes blowing thru, a flood, or possible government screw ups that result in a mess for us.

What are the positive things that have happened because you were ready?
What good feelings were you able to get, or be more relaxed about due to having a full pantry when the van of unexpected guest come over on a hot Spring afternoon.

I need to see some Positives, and I'm positive there are some.

We are getting way to just doomy and not enough helpful to each other.

Lets see how good this thread can be.

Ernie · #2 06/09/11, 10:30 AM

Hrm.

You know, I can't think of any really special events, but I will say that being prepped just makes life that much better all the time.

As an example, last night it was hot and nobody felt like cooking so we just opened up a couple of cans from the stockpile and enjoyed an easy dinner.

bluefish · #3 06/09/11, 10:38 AM

We have been having a hard time financially, and I feel like my preps are pretty well gone, but I still have more than a lot of people. It came in handy recently. We have been having a lot of flooding in our area, still are. Our house is ok, we are up on a hill, but we were totally isolated from any town. Even with limited preps, we were able to feed 4 extra people for a week more than was planned.

Knowledge is also good for a prep. Our daughter was born during that period and because we had researched and researched (I'm a bit of a research junkie

) the fact that we had her unassisted was ok. We were of a mindset to handle it and it all turned out good.

debbiekatiesmom · #4 06/09/11, 10:39 AM

my oldest daughter finally got a permanent place of her own to live in-yeah!! having my well-stocked pantries i was able to go "grocery shopping" for her w/o leaving home. and she didn't have to pay the the horrible full-price she would have had to pay to start out. it is so hard for someone starting out new w having to buy everything from scratch. now i can take my time and watch for the sales and bargains to replace what i have given her.
also, when i hear someone is in need as in having their house burn,etc i am able to just go load up a box full to give and it doesn't hurt nearly so much as making a run to the grocery store and paying full price. i am able to give more that way.

Becka03 · #5 06/09/11, 10:42 AM

reading this forum- I feel like I am way better prepared for a SHTF scenario-
I have more food stored- albaiet not enough as far as I am concerned... but more than I did have! possible enough to make sure my small family of 4 would not starve for at least 2-3 months...
I have enough TP to last 4 months
I have enough Coffee for 6 months!
I have my Hubby no longer thinking I am nuts- he has asked to have me label things as preps so he doesn't eat them LOL and he almost doubled the garden this yr- so we can can and store more!
My mom and I have talked so she is more prepared...
I am working on getting a BoB for my daughter moving to DC

I feel just better informed

Becka · #6 06/09/11, 10:57 AM

Angie, I'll share a positive experience that may cheer you up. This happened a couple of years ago and I was prepared.

Out of the blue, I got a phone call from my cousin I hadn't seen in a few years. My aunt and uncle were motorcycling the Blue Ridge Parkway and got hit with lightening. Their 3 children had come to the rescue from out of state, and the whole family of 5 needed food, shelter, and medical care for the aunt and uncle. They would arrive at my house in 2 hours.

During that two hours we had time to set up an air bed in the spare room. We dragged out extra pillows, blankets, and quilts, and I had plenty of food on hand to serve dinner. My medical supplies were stocked and ready and my housework was caught up. We had plenty of soap, shampoo, etc. and clean towels because all the laundry was done.

When they arrived, exhausted, I had a hot meal waiting and a place for everyone to sleep. They were so grateful. When they left the next morning, I had a few extra "cheapie" DVD's I gave them to watch on the long trip home. My aunt had to lay flat the whole time and watching those gave her something to do.

I'm so glad we were prepared!

starlady · #7 06/09/11, 11:22 AM

My boyfriend is going through a rough time having been laid off from his regular job... he's working 2 jobs plus shifts here and there but still not making as much money as he did at the old job, and he has no time for grocery shopping. Because I have plenty of food in the pantry, I can pull out enough for a few meals and take it over to his place now and then to help him out.

My own pay schedule is a little weird this summer - summer pay kicks in a little later than I'd thought, so I "missed" a paycheck (not really - I'm getting paid my full amount, just not on the schedule I'd assumed). Not a problem - I'll use my emergency fund to make sure the bills get paid, then pay the fund back as soon as I get my paycheck, and since I shopped sales and have a full pantry I don't have to worry about what I'll be eating.

Power went out here the other night in a thunderstorm. No worries - I got out my headlamp from my emergency kit, lit a couple of candles, fed the cats (also plenty of cat food stocked) and settled into a good book. As I mentioned in another thread, it was a good "warmup" for hurricane season as I realized that I didn't have a light by the front door to get me TO the emergency kit, so I stubbed my toes a couple of times! I now have a touch-light stuck to the inside of the door.

A water main broke in my neighborhood a few weeks ago, and for some reason fixing it seems to be a lengthy, multi-part process in which they shut off the water to my block at times with no warning (thanks!). I've got plenty of water stored, though, so I'm never thirsty, and I just shower at the Y after my workout.

I look at being prepared like insurance. I may never have to use that water filter I made from 5-gal buckets and ceramic filters, but it's really nice to know it's there in case we get hit with a cat5 hurricane and are under a boil order for weeks. My boyfriend may get a good-paying job tomorrow or next month or next year, but in the meantime I can help make sure he and his son eat well. (That reminds me - gotta put together a casserole today! Noodles, tuna, cheese, and cream of mushroom soup were all on sale -- total cost for 6 servings will be less than $4.) Frankly, I don't subscribe to a lot of the end-of-the-world scenarios I see discussed here, and tend to back out of threads when I see the "fussing" begin - but there have been a LOT of threads here that have really helped me work on ensuring my peace of mind in the face of everyday challenges.

So thanks!!

edit: Oh, and because I NEVER travel anywhere without basic first aid supplies, when the guy behind me at last night's concert lost his earring, I was able to offer him an alcohol prep pad to wipe it before he put it back in his ear. Not a big deal and certainly nothing life-threatening (although I suppose it could have been if he'd put it back in without cleaning it), but added a little bit of goodwill to the world.

Kmac15 · #8 06/09/11, 11:27 AM

During Hugo, and the ice storm (was without power for 2 weeks for each) my family worked together and just used it as a learning experience LOL. When my DH had to have open heart surgery it was so nice to know that I didn't need to leave my house for food the whole time he was recovering. We went out together when he felt like it, and if he was up to it I ran into the store to get fresh stuff, but nothing was a do or die purchase.

Sunbee · #9 06/09/11, 11:52 AM

Lots of things: the wheel to the double stroller coming off at the county fair (multitool), my sis-in-law needing a screwdriver (multitool) in her kitchen, more power outages than I care to remember (flashlight). With kids, it seems like I'm always restocking the first aid kits.
One summer my husband had not much work, and we lived off our pantry all summer. If we couldn't have done that we'd've ended up having to deal with the food stamps people.
I can't begin to list the number of times we've called AAA, but any of those could've turned into a disaster without having that service (I do regard AAA as a prep and we have the 100 mile package). Any time you're broken down by the road side with small kids has plenty of disaster potential, at least financial disaster. When it's late at night (i.e., planned the trip so kids would be sleeping) it's worse.
The thing about prepping is so many things could be little disasters but, if you're prepped, you hardly notice them. Like my stroller: if we hadn't been able to fix it on the spot our day out would've been ruined. As it was, it was a five minute blip. So it gets to the point where the only things that hit your radar as disasters are the big things.

7thswan · #10 06/09/11, 12:16 PM

I've learned Alot form this site. For one, that I'm not alone in being concerned about what Tomorrow will bring and being prepared for it. As for good, my neighbor just stopped by, she brought me a jar for storage and will bring me the rest that she wants to get rid of. She is also coming back to get some raspberry plants. I've been giving all kinds of growing things to our neighbors. This is better for everyone that they can provide a little bit more food for themselves.

mightybooboo · #11 06/09/11, 12:37 PM

Debt free as possible,secure as possible,4x4 vehicles,Off grid food cooking/electrical production and pantry have all shown their worth.And pantry should have more even,learned what we do and dont eat on a day to day basis.

Aware that many dont get it and never will and collapse IS an option therefore.Remember the Mary Sunshines before the economic collapse,nothing has changed one iota for them (The new FEMA dwellers),see others who DID get a clue and thats uplifting,awesome for them.

But I wont use the sheep word,brings nothing to the table ive learned also,some folks just cant see,so be it,Ive learned to let em go.

Billie in MO · #12 06/09/11, 12:48 PM

Keeping the pantry stocked and toiletries are my biggest thing. I have always kept more and it has always paid off. There have been many times over the years that that was what we lived on with no money. When we moved back here in Oct of 08 that was what we lived on for almost a year. Bill had no job for 9 months and with a mortgage in CO and rent/utilities in MO there was no extra money. I even brought our fully stocked freezer when we moved.

Right now it is coming in handy because we had 2 unexpected car repairs to the tune of $3500. Ouch!! Right now I only go if I need perishables. Will have to go in couple of weeks as Bill's dad & step-mom are coming from Calif for a visit but again it will be mostly perishables.

I lived without a stove for 2 years once. Learned I didn't need one as we had a grill, a hot plate, a crockpot, and toaster oven. Told Bill the other day I want to get another toaster oven to use in the summer. Have been without power following a hurricane , made it thru just fine in the hot sticky humid MS coast air! Know I can do it again. Right now we have no air conditioner in hot sticky humid MO!!

Have camped up in the high country in CO for almost 2 months in a tent. Have lived in a 5th wheel travel trailer for 2 years before. When Bill was still in the military, on average we moved every 18 months, so I was always being put in new situations and had to either sink or swim! Guess I swam because I'm still here!

While I am not prepared as most of you here, I do what I can with the resources I have and continue to strive for more. And continue to read and learn from everyone here and how I can apply it to my situation.

timfromohio · #13 06/09/11, 12:52 PM

Storms came through earlier in the week and my fine neighors, who are aware of my fanatical obsession with firewood, called and I'll get several loads of free wood. That's my positive for the day!

Billie in MO · #14 06/09/11, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timfromohio

Storms came through earlier in the week and my fine neighors, who are aware of my fanatical obsession with firewood, called and I'll get several loads of free wood. That's my positive for the day!

Oh yeah!! I forgot about that! Bill has a new co-worker and they just closed on their house 2 weeks ago. Big huge dead tree in the yard. We get the wood for free, too!!! Spent last Sat there helping the tree trimmer guy. Tree is right by the house so it has to be trimmed before they can bring it down. Left our flat bed trailer there for them and brought home all the limbs we could in the back of the truck.

timfromohio · #15 06/09/11, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billie in MO

Oh yeah!! I forgot about that! Bill has a new co-worker and they just closed on their house 2 weeks ago. Big huge dead tree in the yard. We get the wood for free, too!!! Spent last Sat there helping the tree trimmer guy. Tree is right by the house so it has to be trimmed before they can bring it down. Left our flat bed trailer there for them and brought home all the limbs we could in the back of the truck.

Nice score! Especially since the tree guys will do a lot of the work for you.

I get giddy over free firewood.

Mr.Hogwallop · #16 06/09/11, 01:36 PM

Mmmm...most all my relatives are dead so, they dont visit much.

Nothing really bad has happened around here for.... decades. With any luck it'll continue until I'm worm food.

The power went out last week and I missed watching "the event". That was pretty traumatic.

Oh they arrested my neighbor last week. He punched his wife in the face while they were fighting. The cop asked me "can you go put steves dog in his house?" and I hesitated and he said "do you have a problem with mr.XYZ?" I said " no he's cool, I have a problem with Mrs.XYZ shes NUTS"

He laughed. I put the dog in the house since she had run off after punching steve in the face... but he's the one they arrested. Go figure.

That disrupted my day for... 5 minutes.

When something horrible happens I'll let you know.

Mr.Hogwallop · #17 06/09/11, 01:37 PM

On thinking about it, a van full of relatives and small kids pulling in the driveway unexpected would be pretty horrible...

That gave me the chills.

earthkitty · #18 06/09/11, 01:51 PM

Not long ago, one of the kids said we were almost out of (fillintheblank). My 23 year old nephew, who lives in an apratment above our barn, said,

"No way. Your mom has more of everything. It's awesome."

Then the other day I got the biggest compliment I think I have ever gotten from hubby. He always gives me a hard time about spending money, I tell him I would rather have food and supplies than dollars.

He said, "You know, I looked around the other day, really looked, and I realized that no matter what happens, you really can take care of us all. So, thank you."

woohoo happydance

As far as how my planning has helped, this past winter when storms knocked out power or even threatened to do so, no one panics. Bring in firewood for the stove, grab a latern, no one really cares.

It is very comforting to know that my kids feel safe. And it is very satisfying to see what once was seen by my family as me being a paranoid negative worrying doomer has transformed into we can live through anything because we are prepared kind of peace.

We now life a completely different lifestyle, and it is fantastic. My extended family is slowly seeing the light as well.

bourbonred · #19 06/09/11, 02:31 PM

Earthkitty, I completely agree. My teens and hubby started out thinking I'd lost my mind. Now we're all more at peace with where the economy is going. Not happy about it, mind you, but hubby and I aren't worrying. This forum has helped, for information, and sometimes just a laugh. Knowlege really is power.
BTW, Angie, my folks just got back from a mission trip to Sneed, AL to help after the tornado damage. They went down to help a homesteading family of 13 rebuild after losing their father. Don't know if that's close to you. But their stories of the damage they saw this far after the event were awe-inspiriing.

megafatcat · #20 06/09/11, 02:38 PM

Happens everyday, everyone preps to some degree, some folks do not take it beyond brushing their teeth.
Today, my Suburban started and drove fine with 287,000+ miles on it because I maintain it as well as I can afford. The tires were OK because I noticed the screw in one and had it repaired during my weekly check, before I had a flat.