Your Turn
Do you worry about natural disasters or get caught up in some kind of possible end of the world scenario? Do you stockpile food or have a shelter you plan on going to if something happens? I know some people who are prepared for anything and have tons of stuff in their garage. It is like looking at the garage of an extreme couponer but with more life saving stuff thrown in. What happens if the garage gets destroyed in the disaster though? I do have a flashlight. Not so much for emergency preparedness but because I sometimes get freaked out by noises in the corner of the basement at night and even though I can't see them with the flashlight usually, I know it scares them and makes them run away. Hopefully.
i have some water in the fridge.
ReplyDeleteI don't have anything. I used to keep water and cans of food, but haven't stocked up since I moved.
ReplyDeleteI have some stuff in our basement (bottled water, canned goods, etc.) because (1) that's where our pantry is located (small kitchen, not a ton of cabinet space) and (2) where we live gets hits regularly by blizzards and the occasional tornado warning. Honestly, if the pantry wasn't there, I don't know how much I'd actually keep down there.
ReplyDeleteSame here as what Seachica said.
ReplyDeleteI don't worry about end of the world stuff at all.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I try to do is keep water during hurricane season here on the East Coast.
I do think about this sometimes because I love post-apocalyptic shows such as The Walking Dead, Falling Skies and Survivors (UK non-reality series), but I live in a tiny apartment, so I have no room. However, I have flashlights, batteries, a radio, water, and medicines. (I actually have to keep antibiotics on hand because if I am exposed to dust mites all hell breaks loose.)
ReplyDeleteMy dad has loads of supplies in his basement, and if anyone takes anything, it must be replaced. I required gauze from his kit... and then had to replace it.
I live in NY which is a huge target for terrorism (obvs) but I don't think about these things because one can't live in fear.
ReplyDeleteI'm just mentally prepared. But I live in THE best spot in the event of an EMP going off, save for being wedged in between to power plants. But if I survive that, I believe my small town will be able to survive if we go all One Second After style.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should donate that book to our police chief. He should read it. Actually, everyone should. It's short, should only take you gals and guys a night to read it.
I keep a minimum of 2 weeks worth of non-perishable food and bottled water. I also have an old boom box, battery powered TV, battery powered fans and lanterns. I live on the Florida coast and do not want to be standing in line 2 days before Cat 5 Hurricane Chuck is coming through. The only thing I'll need to buy is a loaf of bread. I also keep at least 1/2 tank of gas in the car at all times. Omama - I read One Second After - scared me to death! I've been trying to gradually put more food aside as well as first aid stuff, etc. Between an EMP, a hurricane or a supervolcano, you have to have some preparation.
ReplyDeletenope. I lived in LA during K2 and I think I was the only one not cleaning off the shelves at Ralph's..last winter our furnace and lights were down during a storm the grandchild and I were alone and we ate cold pizza and read by candle light..okay I read she watched a movie on her ipad..but it was an interesting night
ReplyDeleteDon't really worry about end of the world zombie/2012 stuff. (Please No aliens tho!) Natural disasters yes. We have written plans and extra water/canned goods. I have been evacuated from my house by the National Gaurd do to the Susquehanna flooding. That was surreal! Legit out of the movies! Thankfully we didn't lose our house. But I did eat poptarts for 3 days. I learned to be more prepared.
ReplyDeleteSince Seattle is always expecting The Big One I really should be prepared but I'm not.
ReplyDeleteOK I have to be totally honest, ever since I got MS and can't really walk every time I see a disaster movie with everyone running to safety I worry that I won't be able to that! Ha!
No. I'll be one of the first to die in a Zombie Apocalypse.
ReplyDeleteThe electricity goes off pretty regularly so I have a crank radio, propane heater and cooktop, extra food in garage (because of small pantry)and other emergency supplies.
ReplyDeleteI also have a well stocked bug-out bag in my car since I drive long distances, but that is mainly because I want to have extra clothes with me.
I love to watch Doomsday Preppers, but I don't really believe any of it. If I'm wrong, oh well, I've lived a good life.
Grew up in quake country, now live in tornado alley, of course I have some stuff on hand.
ReplyDeleteBut all bets are off when a freak ice storm hits Texas! We know the end of the world is apon us! *snork*
But lets not forget the important stuff.. booze and chocolate, that is a must in anyones survival gear.
I started prepping about 4 months ago. So far, I have about a month's worth of food to feed 3 people. We have a cabin on a plot of land a few miles away where we can get away from the city in case of TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it) or SHTF (sh*t hits the fan). We have several fairly well-stocked first aid kits. We have several different ways of generating fire and filtering water. We each have a B.O.B. (bug out bag) and are fully prepared to defend what little we have. We are testing solar and wind power. This is the just the start, though, and our preps are constantly evolving and expanding. Eventually we'll have enough food, water and medical supplies to sustain 7 for a year (the two of us, our 4 adult children, and grandchild).
ReplyDeleteI think you live in fear when you're not prepared, and being prepared helps minimize that fear. If TEOTWAWKI arrived now, and you survived, where would your next meal come from? My next meal -- and the next and the next and the next -- would come from my basement. :)
We have some supplies and non perishable food in the basement. Better safe than sorry.
ReplyDeleteI'M WITH Jo Ella - hurricanes or snowstorms here at the east coast beach means stocking up on the booze, beer and junkfood. candles (cause I'm like you enty - afraid of the dark LOL) Of course if you've ever been to a grocery store before a storm you will see everyone else buys milk eggs and bread... why? beats me - french toast for the zombies??
ReplyDeleteI have candles, a generator, and a radio you wind up. I used to have some canned goods but we ate them.
ReplyDelete@ Stacey Charter, maybe because they have kids?
ReplyDeleteI used to keep extra supplies during hurricane season when we lived in the Houston area. Trying to buy things in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricane Rita was a nightmare.
But now, my two teenage boys eat every damn thing in the house. I always stock up before blizzards and that's about it.
@SusanB. I LOVED the book and the whole premise of. My kids say I must hate them b/c I am praying something of the sort happens, but it's really b/c I do love them and everything here that I want it to happen, as we're so far off course now, that the only salvation we have is in mass destruction and genocide.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I read the book a few years ago, and my kids and I went out and bought a bunch of legumes packaged in h2o (high protein and water, what you'd need) however, in a fit of late night munchies and being too lazy to run to the corner store, we devoured the beans. LOL, but true (nachos anyone?). And can I share, the power went out here for like 3hrs a few months ago, and we were like (ok, only I was like), what now? No Pandora!!!!!!! Jesus., take the wheel! AND even worse, I didn't have a single candle, only Champa incense. How's that gonna shed light? It was so funny. It really was. And then I asked the kids, how the hell am I going to make my goddamn veggie burgers if the microwave doesn't work! LOL, but this was me, verbatim. Luckily, my son was about to fire up the grill and then the power came back. It was hysterical. HEY, if you can't laugh at yourself, what can you do.
But still, I pray daily for an EMP, and 13.0, etc. For I cannot take things the way they are much longer. It's out of control. Sh*t dealing with the rebuilding and surviving would be a hell of a lot better then dealing with the insanity which I am dealing with and many of us are now.
Since Hurricane Katrina, this city shuts down if a storm is coming. Meaning you need to get the hell out of here. So I never let the gas tank get too much past 1/2 full.
ReplyDeleteIf zombies take over the world, I'm pretty sure that I'll turn into one. So no supplies needed for that.
Why us it always zombies? Thought there was no such thing.
Delete@Dixie....I always joke (half heartedly) that if the 13.0 comes and cracks the earth right in front of me (like in Clan of the Cave Bear film) then I'm gonna scream, "Last one in is a rotten egg!" -as I run for it and swan dive in.
ReplyDeleteKidding, but not.
food, water, flashlights, other lights, generator (which i didn't charge and found useless during the last power outage-duh), can opener, cash, first aid kit. we could take are of the neighbors for probably 3 days. but aince we live next door to an LDS family i doubt we'd need to. between them and us, i think we are set for a week.
ReplyDeletethe last power outage there was no internet. THAT, above all else really scared me. no info. would be pretty easy for some freak-show to cut off communication; then what???
Born and raised Angeleno here who's terrified of earthquakes. Always have been, but going through Northridge made it worse. Sure a 3.0 doesn't freak me out, but I try to avoid tall freeway interchanges during rush hour just in case.
ReplyDeleteI've also made my kids hike. We've been practicing for years, hiking in the woods, Sound of Music style. And at least in my little family, but it is our belief that the woman in the family would last the longest. My son complains about being thirsty while hiking, has to make noise, etc. My on again off again, he can barely walk. But seriously gals and guys, being prepared means being fit too. Like could you walk 40 miles if you had to? Just some things you need to think about. Do you know of someone who has a spring? Can you get there, etc. I'm surrounded by amish and they don't use electricity, so I think for the most part, things will continue to roll around here.
ReplyDelete//sorry, I love talking about this stuff.
///but will stop now.
Excellent point about being physically able to survive.
DeleteI stockpile designer shoes.
ReplyDeleteI also have a Red Cross Emergency Preparedness kit at home and in the car (living in LA you spend a lot more time in the car.)
and salt. Salt is important. Stock up. I heard salt would be of more value than bullets.
ReplyDelete//ok, I'm really done.
I live in Miami, so we're used to preparing for hurricanes during the summer. As of late, I've been stocking up on bullets, lots and lots of bullets. The whole zombie bath salts thing scares the crap out of me!
ReplyDeleteOMAMA, Will you be my friend? Salt, beer, liquor and chocolate will be the new currency, not silver or gold.
ReplyDeleteI love watching Doomsday Preppers, but I think they're all nuts!
ReplyDeleteI am a pit bull for protection..that's about it. Oh I have some water and a rifle that my dad used in 'nam. It might not work but it is impressive looking.
ReplyDeleteNo. Inventory shows I have an abundance of bar soap, towels, bedding and coffee mugs. Also a couple guns and several thousand rounds of ammo. No worries here.
ReplyDeleteLol...at the comments..too funny!
ReplyDeleteI/we are not prepared but I figure with all of the flashlights/lcd lights my husband has we'll be alright light wise.
I do think, ok if zombies were here ala The Walking Dead (which I love) I tell my kids I would go to the mall or somewhere where I can lock the doors and survive for a while, but then I think of Dawn of the Dead (that was in a mall wasn't it) and all bets are off :)
@hooked oncdan, and you forgot herb will finally be unleashed, growing freely, in total reckless abandon as the "weed" it is and should be, and be as free as prayer.
ReplyDelete;)
Come on emp in the wrong hands.
p.s. I'm everyone's friend as long as they're not down w/adults who have sex and deem it fit to have sex with children, and or protect those who do.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why no one likes me though, for real, in the flesh.
Caio gals and guys. I've really gotta go and enjoy the sunshine and hit the pavement for a jiggly jaunt.
Love, blessings and go get those legumes!! ;)
I could feed us for six months if I had to. It's a couponing thing. I know what the seasons are and get a year's worth at a time.
ReplyDeleteI live in dead center Hollywood, so I'm pretty sure I'm gone if it comes to EMP, but I do have supplies. I have a fireplace, propane and stove, 10 gallons of water, canned food, and emergency kit, which has eveything including all my computer back up. Wind up radio etc. Don't forget your pets! I keep and rotate about 20 pounds of cat food!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of post apocalyptic books. I loved One Second After, Patriots, and the Tomorrow Before I'm Gone series. (Book was made into a movie if anyone is interested).
There is a book called The End of the World as we Know it, but the author (I feel) goes way overboard on storing grains etc. I should say overboard for someone who lives in a very metropolitan area.
Anyway, most important thing is to make your family aware of your plans if everything goes south. I have family in a very hidden part of the mountains who know of my plans, and the other half of the family just shakes their head.
My mother stockpiles food and stuff, but that is because she follows my grandmothers habits and buys in bulk when things are on special rather than any belief that the world will end.
ReplyDeleteMy grandparents and many of their generation grew up in WWII in the UK where food was rationed. When rationing ended in the 1950's there was a habit of being fully stocked all the time "just in case". It was a habit that stayed with them until they died.
I'll just chill and then rob and pillage my neighbors in case the world ends.
ReplyDeleteOMAMA your typing to gods ears on that herb situation. But with our luck there will be no way to light the bowl.
ReplyDeleteI'm not prepared. At. All.
ReplyDeleteBut the *sparkly shiny new BF* is, so as long as I can make it to his house, I'm cool.
/"I'm not interested in having a relationship" said the girl... until she met the boy...
@OMAMA - I too have stocked up on salt. Since I'm in south Florida, I also bought a fishing pole and some accessories just in case. I did read that in order to salt fish you need the kind of salt that doesn't have fluride or whatever that stuff is in it - or else you could poison the salted fish. Also got a windup radio last year, and tons of batteries. And guns and lots and lots of ammo. I don't see us leaving here in a total emergency - you get to a certain age and realize if you're going to die, you'd just as soon die in your own bed, but as long as we're here we're going to fight it. There are some sites that sell that long term (20 year shelf life) food but it's really expnsive. OMAMA, I know things look bad now, but I'd rather have these problems than worry about where my next meal is coming from, or whether or not I have electricity.
ReplyDeleteNothing.
ReplyDeleteI have a flashlight but I'm not even sure it works.
If IT happens. IT happens As long ad I have my first cup of coffee. Bring it!!!
I always keep all meds, no matter how old they are. Better than nothing. And always hv pen and straws to perform emergency trach. Kept gold jewelry to barter with. Those are my preps. Odd, but there ya go, lol
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, one other thing I do - Publix often has a Buy One, Get One Free deal on cheap wine. I always get it even though I don't drink much. I figure any kind of alcohol will be good for bartering. As for the Doomsday Prepper shows, I've watched them and the craziest thing I think they do is be on TV. Because everyone who knows them will know about their stashes and will be after them when TSHTF. The only people who know about our stash is my husband and myself. His daughter knows a little about what we have put away, but not everything.
ReplyDeleteNo stockpile. I'll set up my folding chair on the back deck and go out with a blaze of glory.
ReplyDeletecave men could even make fire, we'd always be able to spark it up. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't leave yet....LOL
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLiving in LA, I do have an earthquake kit in the house and another one in the trunk of my car. I also have a communication plan with family members across the city.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I have an earthquake kit for my pets, too.
I hope I'm home when the big one hits. I'd hate to be elsewhere, unable to get home, I would worry about my pets so much.
I know a guy who works for the govt. He is taking classes in disaster prep and growing your own food and survival training and he won't say if it's because he knows something for his high security clearance job. :\
ReplyDeleteI have had the misfortune to once call the power company about a downed line. The woman asked (NO FREAKING JOKE) if it was a "real" emergency. Her tone was snotty as if I called her off her break to inform her. I told her " You tell me since it's on a school playground; where small kids go; should I wait until one of them frys then call 911? Is that an emergency enough?"
ardleighstreet, wow, that's creepy! Now I'm getting paranoid. :)
ReplyDeleteI have no illusions about my spot on the food chain. Right after the shit hits the fan, I probably will, too. In a disaster movie, I'm the character that doesn't make it past minute 15.
ReplyDeleteI did (as much as one could in a small apt) for the first year or so after 9/11 since I live outside of DC...I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Mainly I spent my $ on putting together a really comprehensive go bag w/not only food, water, a radio, med kit, etc. but even space blankets & a tent. It sat in my trunk for ages and the hot sun prob made the foodstuffs spoil (hmmm...should prob check that). Now the bag sits in my laundry room, and I keep some stuff on hand, but...in my area, odds are I'll end up a victim b/c if the DC area gets hit traffic will be so horrible and people so panicked that I wouldn't be able to get out anyway. Me & the pups will have to hunker down and make out best we can...but I won't go down w/out a fight ;)
ReplyDeleteSurvival plan. Ditch some people ASAP...as in not letting them in the house when the zombies arrive. Pack my cats/dogs and.as much.Crap as possible in my car and go to family meeting place. No inlaws or steps allowed.
ReplyDeleteHave guns will travel. Will not be in a pack. If it comes to that I'm small, fast, quiet and phyiscally fit. I'm better off.alone
ReplyDeleteUsed to live in hurricane country, now in tornado alley, so we have a generator. We have plenty of guns and ammo. Most importantly, we have a plan - it's all about the survival of Team Frufra. Whatever it takes. And when the shit hits the fan, you gotta act fast, without pity.
ReplyDeleteWe have a friend who's stockpiling the 20 year canned food and God knows what else. So when it all goes down, we're going to ease our way into his home and knock off his whole family and take their shit. I'm only half joking. I mean, if it's go time, it 's go time. Civility is out.
And ardleighstreet, don't worry too much about that friend. There are plenty of kooks with high security clearances.
OMAMA, you crack me up! Jesus take the wheel!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I know what you mean about the power outage panic - we were without power following a hurricane for seven days. By about day five, I was loosing it 100 times worse than my kids. It was like 98 degrees with 100 percent humidity - I had a real moment of clarity about how child abuse happens.
Not much of a plan other than grab the dogs. That's my plan for any disaster. GRAB THE DOGS. Will worry about the rest later.
ReplyDeleteRaymonda, my parents too. It's an obsession. I'm not sure if other European countries have that same habit. I looked up what the rations were during WW2 once and it made me cry, so then I kind of understood their point of view more.
ReplyDeleteI live in Manhattan and keep go bags at work and home. No big deal: water, hand cranked radio/flashlight, a little cash. I also have at home a gallon of water per day for 3 days + food/supplies for the friends I've invited to stay with me if need be. Again, no big deal, and I don't dwell because I know I have the basics covered. Hurricane, blackout, whatever...if I make it through the initial event I'm solid.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the Midwest. Tornado's one went by my house 3 yrs. ago. I mean right by, all the other houses around had $10,000 plus damage to them. I have a generator (severe storms with no power for 10 days), a stock pile of food and my own armory. I do not think it will be zombies, but rather some weather related thing. We have all ready made plans for what to do.
ReplyDelete"know a guy who works for the govt. He is taking classes in disaster prep and growing your own food and survival training and he won't say if it's because he knows something for his high security clearance job. :\" hummmm. makes me think we should be buying seeds. if i had to grow my food i'd starve to death!
ReplyDeleteone of our neighbors has a big-ass off road vehicle he takes it to their place in the desert. awhile back i saw him take enough water to fill a smimming pool out their in the back of that thing. which is probably the only way you'd be able to get around. i doubt my mini-van would get us very far....
enty, can you post the answers to all the blinds if there is such a thing?
@RJ, LOL and you might be better off !!
ReplyDelete@OMAMA - My sister made me read One Second After and it scared me to death (esp. since it takes place 20 minutes from my house!). I didn't even know what an EMP was, but I think that would be the worst case scenario when TSHTF or ITEOTWAWKI.
ReplyDeleteI have nightmares about natural disasters and end of the world type scenarios. I keep saying I'm going to make a shelf in our basement but it hasn't happened yet. :-/