Guest Guest Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 But I've just felt the need to make some changes around here to meet the current and immediate needs that we're facing. Schoolmarm and westie were going back and forth about stocking stuffers to give to those that are not preparing and SOMEHOW this idea came up. I feel a pressing need to try to compile some sort of manual, or series of manuals that we can share with others that might be interested...for the most part we are women who place a high priority on preparations for our families, and there will be very quickly many other women who will be just starting out, that will be fear driven to try to prepare for theirs. I'm not sure how this will all work, or end up organizing, but it's a start. A labor or love from all of us at MrsSurvival, in the hopes that what we have gleaned over time, might be passed on, helping others in the days to come. I'm thinking that maybe, to start off, we can think of a few subjects that could/should be in the first volume...perhaps a crash course on preparing for the short term...something to meet an emergency, or a last minute scenario...I dunno, I'm just throwing thoughts around...I know that there are tons of sites from FEMA, etc that talk about these types of things, but what I'm envisioning is more than that...more than a list of: buy 2 gal water, 1 flashlight, 19 batteries, 3 ziplock bags, etc...while details like that are good and necessary, there's so much more that goes into preparing... Once we decide on the categories we'll address initially, then I'll figure out a way to copy and/or move threads that are already in the site with the valuable information that's already been shared...from there we can build something that could possibly be put into a PDF type format that can be printed and shared with those that would be interested. This post is in reality, a written account of my thoughts in putting together a new idea...lol..it may not all sound logical or sane (westie's west of sane, I'm east...lol) but I think the idea bears merit, so help me out here...there are those out there that need help, whether they realize it now or not. Link to comment
Synn Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Yeah well you go girl! Do I need to get my notebook out and take notes? This is gonna be gooooooooooood! Link to comment
gardnmom Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 I think we should put a chapter in for children, say from 8 on up, that would give them an idea what to do until we get there if we should be away fom home.. Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Yanno Lois, you have a good point...one that I haven't addressed with my own children...I just assume that I am the "be all"/"where all"/"do all" kinda mom and that I can remain in control of things at all times. The fact is, I need to get my children organized so that they know what to do if THIS happens or if THAT happens... This is important. Link to comment
gardnmom Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Also we may be there and have the flu, will they know what to do? Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 I suggest we kind of shelter this forum until we have it sorted out better. Can we just kind of brainstorm as to what we feel is *NEEDED*? Like Lois' *excellent* idea about a kids' info sheet. "Emergency box" gifts and a booklet on how to use them. (What would you give a neighbor? A family member?) Bug Out Bag (BOB) content lists. Storage recipes. How to cook when the power's out. What to do if all you have is "regular" pans (instead of cast iron). Ways to create/conserve heat in the home if the power's out. Potty threads. Link to comment
PlanoPa Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 basic first aid with items on hand? Link to comment
Bamboo Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Another great idea Darlene.... Maybe some ways to get started. So many people think it is overwhelming (the conversation between Grammy and Westie comes to mind). All of the other ideas are wonderful. Link to comment
ricardo Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 We seriously need to get our children more aware of the possibility of something happening. Since they are in the minset of playing, school, friends, phone, etc. I'm just brainstorming here, but maybe we should have two manuals. One for adults and one for children. The one for children should be more of a fill in the blank for parents to fill in. Brainstorming here. For first aid, this is were the....... When the power goes out the flashlights are.......... so on and so on... What's your opinion? Link to comment
moonstar Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 My crazy idea. How 'bout a picture of an elderly white haired lady pushing a grocery cart by almost empty shelves of food, maybe 1 or 2 items on shelf, and the words ARE YOU PREPARED? as caption on the booklet? Link to comment
kaseyb (Supermom!) Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Darlene, it's a great idea and apparently, the ball is already rolling if you consider the great thoughts already posited in this thread! I've been exploring ideas myself on how to start a local group of women interested in canning, etc. Prior to Y2K we lived in another state and I was very blessed having many other women around to share ideas with and also, to actually coordinate projects with. I've yearned for that experience again and the only way I know to make it happen is to form a group. My thought is that such a group would greatly benefit from what is offered here on this board. I am tremendously impressed at the character and intelligence of the women here and I must say this place is a real answer to prayer for me. Link to comment
logcabinmama Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Darlene, you are really coming up with great ideas. This forum will be very helpful for many people. I so agree with what you have all said. Lois is so right, the children need to know what to do and how to handle different things that could happen. Just last week we talked about fire safety here as they had been talking about it in school. They needed to know what to do if there was a fire here. Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 One thing I have been ruminating on for a while is the idea if there was a disaster NOW, and I wasn't prepared, what do I have in my house that I could use differently to help us survive? I don't have a lot of ideas on that yet, but I was thinking particularily about electronics, if electricity was permanently gone. There is always the idea from the movie Castaway to use video tapes for rope/string. The ironic thing is that I actually have that movie on VHS. Now, with this new thread and booklet idea, I think such a list would be handy for a non-prepper to have. Any other ideas for reusing common household stuff? ~Jo Link to comment
ricardo Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Quote: One thing I have been ruminating on for a while is the idea if there was a disaster NOW, and I wasn't prepared, what do I have in my house that I could use differently to help us survive? I don't have a lot of ideas on that yet, but I was thinking particularily about electronics, if electricity was permanently gone. There is always the idea from the movie Castaway to use video tapes for rope/string. The ironic thing is that I actually have that movie on VHS. Link to comment
gardnmom Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Start with a foreword are you prepared for...... Then move to the 72 hour kit for your BOB then maybe a word about creating a menu of a week or 2 of meals and what you need to prepare them. and then expand on that to how will you cook it. how will you light your home. What are your first aid plans what will your children do and how should you prepare them..... Link to comment
jillg Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 What about pets? I know lots of people have cats and dogs and those MIGHT not be so hard to bring or let free, but I know if we had to leave the house, we wouldn't be able to take 12 birds with us, and I'd probably let them free outside ) What about making your own salves, ointments, oils for things? I hate buying things with ingredients I can't pronounce. And with your own, you know how strong it is. Link to comment
kaseyb (Supermom!) Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 WS, check out www.sproutpeople.com for growing sprouts your birds can eat. Some other pets too I think. Link to comment
mk7925 Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 I started my notebook this past summer. Have one for the house and things like making a water filter from a soda bottle. The second one is for cooking and food things. Kept mine old notebooks from y2k. Link to comment
ricardo Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 Quote: what will your children do and how should you prepare them..... Lois, did you see my *brainstorming* idea? What do you think about the fill in the blank idea? Last night I quized my kids at dinner. Where are the flashlights? They did not know. I asked what if there was a really big storm and the power was out and you needed to get up, what would you do? My oldest said go back to bed. Link to comment
gardnmom Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 The fill in the blanks idea is about the only thing that will work, children of different ages would have different answers and different assignments. Also we all will explain it differently. The idea behind it is too set some guides that need to be addressed with our children. If I am sick this is what you should do If I have the flu..... If there is a tornado warning..... If there is an ice storm and I can't get home to you... If I get hurt by falling debri.... Link to comment
Linda Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 i like the line this form is going. good thinking. ok gals get out your note books and start posting. saftylady how about the soda pop water filer??? we need titles really like the children one idea. Link to comment
Freetobeme Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 When my kids were still at home, we did the what if scenarios on a regular basis. Not just for disasters either. What if someone is lurking in the backyard, breaks in, etc.? We did this long after they were grown. If your kids are younger, make sure you reasure them that everything will be ok and that they just need to know what to do in the unlikely event that _______________ happens. Kind of like fire drills at school. Link to comment
jeffiner Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 There is a board game for kids called "What If" Its all about different scenarios and what to do. Texmex Link to comment
kde_batt Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 How about a chapter on defense of yourself and your property? How far are you willing to go to defend it? Also, how to avoid attention from outsiders, for instance, when you have lights and no one else does, cover the windows... also what if you're cooking outside and the smell draws a group of people to you who have no food and you only have enough for your family? How about a chapter on killing and cleaning animals for food... whether you hunt or raise your own, that might be necessary to know at some point... just a couple of ideas. Link to comment
Guest Guest Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 **Cat puts her hands over her eyes and backs away from the computer screen...** *SIGH* I've had a headache all week, and strange dreams. Link to comment
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