"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience." Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Food Storage Friday--3rd Edition

Last week's busy Thanksgiving schedules necessitated a day of multi-tasking. So we "Food Storage Friday"-ed over lunch at the Pizza Factory.

Crystal called the meeting to order (after we ordered).


Our fearless leader came prepared with handouts for us all, and we shared ideas on 72-hour kits, and emergency car kits. We used the list to assess what things we need to add/update with our kits. I have emergency car kits in our vehicles, but do not have my 72 hour kits assembled.

(**gasp**)

What I mean by that, is that I do not have backpacks for each of us assembled and ready to grab in case of an emergency with everything I would need for my family for 72 hours. I know--I need to do this! Add this to the list of the million other things I'm behind on, and we've got quite a list.


So I've set a goal for myself to get my 72 hour kits ready by January 1st. (I guess you know what I'll be doing on December 31, since I'm such a procrastinator.) So much for the New Year's Eve party. Lol.

The other thing I really wanted to discuss was how to heat your house in the winter without electricity. This is something that has Brian and I really concerned. I'd love to own a big generator that would just run my whole house if the power was out, but that's not something we can afford right now. But I worry so much about keeping my babies warm in the wintertime if there was a disaster. Utah winters are cold!

Brian and I found this space heater that was 40%-off last week at Cabelas, and Santa will be bringing it to us for Christmas this year. This has eased my mind somewhat, that I could gather my family in my bedroom, close ourselves off from the rest of the house, and we'd have blankets, clothes, a bathroom, and I'd be able to adequately heat this space for us. We also stocked up on the propane while we were thinking about it, so we'd have it all done and ready to use.



Crystal, the queen of commitment (ha ha), made us go around the table and set a food storage goal for the week--one thing we were going to accomplish that week for our food storage.

Mine: Space heater (done) and fill my bucket with rice (haven't done yet)

Ann: Rice and onions

Ali: Sugar and gamma lids

Crystal: Buckets and gamma lids or space heater.

I love meeting each week and discussing what we need to do for Emergency Preparedness, but it is a daunting task. The more I get done, the more I realize that I am unprepared in so many areas.

  • How would you heat your house in the winter without electricity?
  • What do you have in your 72 hour kits? Does each family member have a separate backpack or have you combined into 1 giant backpack so you have less to carry?
  • Isn't the Pizza Factory yummy?

21 comments:

Lisa-Marie said...

You guys are amazing!!! Since gas prices are so low again, I think I'll drive down every Friday and join you!!!! ha. I guess I better get my own group together.

And that heater looks great! My hubby's brother lives in a home that is totally off the grid. That's where you'll find me in an emergency!

Anonymous said...

Your so awesome. You all will be prepared. Guess I better get started in the new year. Can't do any more right now.

Lauren in GA said...

You are so right...it is a daunting task and it stresses me out. The girls that write the blog, "Safely Gathered In" are in my ward and I cannot tell you how much I admire them!!

Great job go you and your friends!!!! Bravo for working so hard!

Wendi said...

Lisa-Marie--Come on over. You'd be the life of the party I'm sure!

Wendi said...

Lauren-I read that blog. It's awesome.

Jen Tornow said...

You gals are so cool! What a great idea to get each other motivated and generate ideas. I hope you keep posting about your progress. Food Storage/Emergency Preparedness is my goal for 2009. And believe me...you are WAY more prepared than me!

Photo Crazy! said...

I need you as my neighbor to get us into gear. I know my 72 hr. kits are out of date. Alan usually does a 72 hour kit hike and uses up the stuff...then we re-purchase it. I like the heater idea. My parents asked for a portable generator for christmas from the 8 kids. It is so you can take it from room to room and plug in what you need. I think they run around 800 or so. I love Pizza Factory.

Amy said...

Wowzers, you guys are getting so prepared, just a little jealous by the way. I have some serious planning to do myself. You'll have to let me in on some of your secrets. Can't wait for tomorrow.

oda41143 Missy said...

I admire your commitment to being prepared. lately, I have been working on getting my pandemic flu kit together. Not doing too well, but I have good intentions.

Anonymous said...

There are some GREAT kits here, as well as canned meats, cheese and butter, http://www.internet-grocer.net/product.html

JrJr Moreys said...

What a fun way to to get prepared and an excuse to get together! We have a propane fireplace in the basement...it is great to keep nice and toasty!

Heather S. said...

We purchased a generator a year or so ago. We also have a space heater. This way we can heat a room. We also planned that the generator would be great because we could also plug in the freezer and anything else if it were for an extended amount of time. Even if the power is out but we still have gas, we can still use our gas fireplace. We hope to get another fireplace for our basement some day, if we don't move.

I have our food 72 hour kits mostly put together. I still need to put together the clothes and stuff though. I was thinking oversized sweats would be good as well as safety pins. This way I wouldn't have to change out the clothes as often. we have separate backpacks purchased, but I haven't assembled them yet. We'll probably put the stuff of the kids who cannot carry them on their own into our bags. I do like the idea of a giant pack.

Heather S. said...

Sorry, didn't mean to write a novel.

Unknown said...

Wow! I am so impressed!! Along the lines of food storage, if you have not tried the food from www.shelfreliance, I would love to send you a sample of our Thrive products for you to try at one of your Friday get-togethers. In the meantime, if you use the code save15 you can save 15% off at checkout! We also have offer group ordering discounts. If you are interested in a sample, shoot me an email to rebeccasusannepickett@gmail.com

Wendi said...

Hey Sis--you are so amazing! Keep sharing your tips with me--so helpful!

Wendi said...

Oh yea--where did you get your generator?

Heather S. said...

Sears! We have the gold Sears mastercard and we periodically cash in our bonus points for Sears credit. We had enough for the generator. That's how we buy a lot of things. We just charge everything to our Sears card and then pay it off each month then we use the bonus points to get Sears points. You should check into it.

Marcie said...

I'm glad your sister mentioned the generator. I've been asking for one for two years. This year I am insisting we buy one for Christmas.....trying to make JIm have the practice buy it as a tax write off. I totally think we could justify that.

What a timely post. Let me know if you get any more info about them. I heard from more than one friend in KY a few months ago when their power was out for a week that a generator was a MUST.

I'll have to e-mail you about my kids emergency backpacks we always keep in the car. We use and rotate something in one of them at least once a week. They have saved me SO many times.

Robyn said...

What a great idea for a group!! Sign me up! Bryan and I are really good on our regular food storage but do not have our 72 kit ready either. I need to get on that, too!!

Cara @ Gardenview Cottage said...

Yipee for posting this!! Now I can FFF with you but from AZ!!! Have you ever gone to www.beprepared.com this is where I cheated and bought my families 72 hour kits. We then made an extra one for us to share with clothes, extra snacks, our emergency plan, family papers etc. It was so worth it because the MRE's last forever and everything came ready and I didn't have to gather stuff. Just an idea for you. Love that you are posting the info to motivate us all!

raising4boys said...

I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate these posts as well. I want to set a goal to get my 72 hours kits completed. I've stated but my struggle is with the food. Trying to find what works with our family and rotating is a pain for me.

Thanks for all your tips and ideas. Look forward to more FSF I'm sure after the holidays :)