Nov192009
33 Comments
Things that cross a SurvivalMom’s mind
Sometimes, late at night, I can be found lying in my bed, staring at the ceiling, and wondering what the future holds. It’s not a peachy-keen future, although I’d dearly love to be wrong in that assessment. In no particular order, here is what crosses my mind in those dark, late hours.
photo by themajesticfool
- How will I get my gray roots touched up if we barely have money to survive?
- Should I stock up on Nice’n Easy Natural Dark Golden Brown, shade 120A?
- Will my kids be able to go to college? Will there even be colleges when they’re ready?
- Will I end up looking like those desperate, haggard women in the photos of the Great Depression?
- What if I saw a mushroom cloud right now, what would I do? Granted, it would be hard to actually see a mushroom cloud from my bedroom at two in the morning, but who said my thoughts at that late hour were rational.
- What would it be like to live in Canada? Forever?
- I really should get to the gym more often. If I ever have to make a break for it, if I ever had to run from terrorists, I’m not sure how long my legs would hold out.
- How long can a family live in a foreclosed house before the bank or the cops show up?
- If I move up to a .40 caliber for my concealed carry, how on earth am I going to conceal it when I’m wearing a tank top in the summer?
- Is all this a bad dream? Will it be like one of those Star Trek episodes where all hope seems to be lost, and then you realize it was just a pesky temporal loop?
- Is Gerald Celente a prophet or a little off his rocker?
- I wish I had never read Patriots.
- My kids don’t know it, but their future isn’t as bright as mine was at their age. (It’s right about here that I cry a little.)
- What if all that dehydrated food I bought at COSTCO tastes like crap, and we’re stuck with it?
- I really should learn how to start a fire with a flint. I’m just worried that my hair or fake nails will catch on fire and that I’ll look like an idiot when the fire department shows up.
- We probably should go camping more often so we’ll learn some practical survival skills, but then again, we have all those timeshare weeks we have to use up…
- Will Social Security even exist by the time I reach retirement age?
- What if life gets so bad and so hopeless that I lose my faith in God?
- Please, God, don’t let things ever get so bad that we have to use “reusable toilet paper.”
- Okay, if I look out the window tomorrow and see a group of armed bad guys heading toward our house, what do I do? (Paranoid Dad says, “Shoot the closest one first.”)
- I should have taken a Tylenol PM.
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Karen
As for #6… not a whole lot different… except you'd have 'free' health care… you'd be taxed at insane rates… most people would totally NOT understand where you're coming from… and um, you wouldn't be allowed to carry that .40 caliber anywhere, much less under a tank top…
This was a good post. Kind of a chuckle, in the sense of a nervous kind of laugh when you realize that the funny someone just made hit pretty close to home.
TheSurvivalMom
Hi Karen! This is just anecdotal, but a friend of mine flew to Vancouver earlier this year and sat next to a young man in his 20's. He was Canadian and was heading home to spend some time with his family. I have no idea how they got into this conversation, but he told her that his mom is HUGELY into preparedness and she has food stored all over their house!
I know Canada has pretty restrictive laws about gun registration, but just last week I read that they are seriously re-thinking their policies. Wouldn't it be ironic if our neighbor to the north began moving toward less government while we, apparently, are racing toward government control of everything? It's a very strange world we live in right now.
SueB
SurvivalMom-here I am up since 2 a.m. Wondering about my family's future and reading your blog. I have many of the same concerns. I have just lost my husband and have two disabled adult children that will need protected and cared for. So far my faith in God has carried me and He has given me an urgency over the past year to prepare as I am able. It comforts me to know that there are others out there who have had the same concerns and are making preparations. Thank you for your blog and all the information you have provided. You are making a greater difference than you will ever know.
TheSurvivalMom
Sue, your comment blessed me very much, just as you are blessing your children by preparing for the future. You sound like a very wise woman who pays attention to what is going on in the world and listens to what God is impressing her to do. What you're doing now won't go to waste and will probably make life easier on your loved ones if times get really tough. Thanks so much for sharing from your heart.
lvs_librt
LOL! Who knew mind-reading was real? Thanks for letting us know we're not alone!
God Bless!
TheSurvivalMom
I think it would be fun if everyone posted what THEY think about during those nights of insomnia! Glad you found my blog! Thanks for the comment.
seejanemom
You and I were seperated at birth.
Minus the fake fingernails, but double the Miss Clairol.
Barbara
1. Will my family understand the recipes and instructions that go with my food storage if I'm one of the victims of "whatever"?
2. Will my stored Miss Clairol still be good in 5 yrs?
3. Have I remembered every single solitary iota that my family might possibly need for every imagined scenario?
4. Can fake nails be used as firestarters?
5. Do my children and grandbabys understand that I push them to learn so much of the country's founding fathers because I expect them to do that very thing AGAIN someday?
TheSurvivalMom
I happen to know that, yes, fake nails can be used as firestarters. LOL
prepperMom
It's good to know that I'm not the only one sitting up at night going through this list. It is our jobs as moms to cover all the bases and I take this job very seriously! Here are my latest worries to add to your list is:
1. I've got to get some books on soap making.
2. If I have to sew clothes from scratch, my kids are going to hate me!
3. I wish we'd have bought a house with some land to it!
4. I wonder how hard it would be to raise a few chickens in our nice swim community neighborhood!
As a side note, I'm a closet prepper. Anyone that I've talked to about prepping thinks I'm nuts. I'm currently praying about my response to those that I've talked to about prepping, that laughed at me and could be in a bind later down the road. Will I be humble enough to be kind and generous?
Thanks for making me feel like I'm not alone.
TheSurvivalMom
You're not alone, Prepper Mom! When I first began researching preparedness, there were entire days when I was paralyzed with fear. That's the main reason I started my blog, so there would be a place online that would be reassuring and yet offer practical advice.
OK, on to your list! I have been wanting to make my own laundry soap for ages and have saved a half dozen empty detergent bottles. I need to jump on that right away! I am just dreading grating that Fels-Naptha soap! Maybe I could delegate it to one of the kids….
I learned to sew many years ago in Home Ec. It's a shame that class was replaced by "technology" or whatever else school districts could come up with. As long as the pattern is fairly simple, I'm OK. Here's the thing, though. You can go to Target or Wal-Mart and buy something similar for half the price you pay for the fabric, pattern, and notions, not to mention the hours spent cutting, sewing, and hemming.
We have the same regret. I'd love a house on at least a couple of acres, and it's still our dream.
I'm not ready for chickens. We have four hounds that are bred to hunt, and I'm certain that THEY would LOVE chickens!!! LOL
I'm so glad you found my blog! Feel free to comment prodigiously!
VAMama
So far I love what you have posted. I've only been reading it for a few hours but am looking forward to reading everything. We live on 20 acres in Virginia and love it. We have horses but no other live stock except our loving 2 black labs and a cat which of course doesn't dig chasing mice, the dogs do that. LOL! Amd have chickens for eggs. I have planted 3 apples trees, 1 pear tree and will plant more once the weather has changed. I have blueberry bushes and am looking forward planting raspberry bushes which I love. We have wild muscadines (a grape) and tons of blackberries. I do have food storage and it makes me feel at peace either because I didn't go to the store and need something or if there is a "diaster" we have enough for a few months.
TheSurvivalMom
Your Virginia homestead sounds wonderful! Have you always lived a rural lifestyle? To city dwellers like myself, it sound idyllic, but I know you face challenges we don't face and vice versa. I hope you'll become a regular reader and comment often!
LizLong
A recent issue of Mother Earth News said that chickens will help get rid of ticks. I don't know about where you live, but the part of VA I live in has a HUGE tick problem. I just might get chickens for that express purpose! Anyhow, if you have problems with ticks, you might want to look for that article in Mother Earth News. It's on the cover of the issue.
TheSurvivalMom
I have seriously been considering adding chickens to our family. The summer heat in Phoenix was a concern of mine because they would be outside during the worst of it. The dogs, cat and turtle are allowed inside, but I draw the line at chickens!! LOL However, a friend of mine keeps three chickens in a shaded area in her backyard, and they're doing fine. What I would REALLY like is a goat or two, but that will have to wait until we move to a home on more acreage.
VAMama
We do have a medium tick problem but my suggestion besides having chickens is to have guineas. They LOVE to eat ticks. They are a little hmmm let's say not all that bright and can be down right goofy but other then that they do a great job on ticks.
TheSurvivalMom
I'll have to learn more about guineas. I have just started researching different breeds of chickens to see which ones might do best in our hot, dry climate. I'm worried that if I combine guineas with the other goofy animals we own, it might not be the greatest combination!
LizLong
I'll look into those. Thanks!
Diana
It's so great to know there are other normal, every-day women out there who are aware of the unstable economic situation we are in and are concerned with prepping! I suspect my neighbors think me a bit odd, since I turned most of our front lawn into raised garden beds (it's the only part of our land that gets lots of sun).
Keep up the good work, I look forward to reading more of your blogs.
TheSurvivalMom
You're not the first person who is growing her vegetable garden in the front yard! A good friend of mine is doing the same, and her plants couldn't be happier. I'm so glad you found my blog, and that we have one more SurvivalMom on board!
VAMama
My husband is an avid hunter and we have stocked up on 5 deer this season and 1 turkey. I pounce on Food Lion sales on meat, frozen foods (2 freezers) and canned goods. I test out the recipes and actually have them printed out and in a binder with the food storage. Funny what you can come up with without fresh foods. We have a huge garden every years and try to can what we can. I'm a good shot and hope I never have to use my skills to search for food or to ward off some crazed person. I don't buy bread products anymore and only bake everything fresh which we all love so much more. I also have herbs growing in the window to help with the taste of all the canned stuff. LOL! Thank you for making this site and I look forward to reading more.
TheSurvivalMom
VAMama, it sounds to me like YOU are the one who should be writing on this blog!! You and your family have become very self-sufficient, which is the long-term, ultimate goal of most preppers. Thanks so much for visiting my blog and commenting.
VAMama
No you are doing a great job at this blog. I grew up spending summers on my grandparents huge farm and learned a great deal from them. My husband has always had people in his life that were outdoors men so he has learned a lot over the years too. We love living in the country and love living the country life. Not to say I don't go to Walmart every week to get groceries because I do I just am now at a point where we can just replace the items we use with new items. We are still a normal family he works I work pt we play with the WII, watch TV and and do the school field trips. I would however rather win a ton of money and stay home and homeschool but hey one step at a time. LOL!
TheSurvivalMom
All the skills and knowledge you are passing on to your kids is priceless. If they don't appreciate it now, they will in the future.
Michelle
VAMama, do you mind if I ask approximately where in VA you are? My daughter has attended Liberty University in Lynchburg and the surrounding area is gorgeous.
TheSurvivalMom
Virginia is so beautiful, and I have actually been keeping Liberty University in the back of my mind for my kids. Of course, we'd all have to move out there together.
)
LizLong
Lisa, in the summer, why don't you try a concealed carry purse? They sell them on eBay, just make sure to get one that locks. It should have an itty bitty key-lock so no one else can access your weapon if you put it down while you're visiting or something, but you can unlock it and keep your hand on the weapon if you're anywhere particularly suspect.
TheSurvivalMom
I haven't seen CC purses with locks! The main reason I haven't gone the purse route is because I am so prone to setting my purse here and there and not always being 100% in control of it. It would be bad enough if someone stole my purse with my wallet inside, but if there was a gun also? Yikes. Not only would a loaded gun be in the hands of a potentially very bad person, but I'd be losing a darn valuable piece of property. I'll have to give this some more thought because carrying a holster doesn't always work for me.
Michelle
I am new to your blog … found it through Preparedness Pro's website. I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I have read so far. I am so looking forward to reading more and getting to know more of you. We have five children and are relearning the things we grew up with.
One of the additional things I think about (cuz' I think I can put a check next to all you listed!!) is LOCATION. We are planning to purchase property when we can (yes, the $$ thing), and am curious about different places people live and some of the pros/cons of the areas. I spend time in the night pro and conning different locations in the country to homestead.
LizLong
I read something to the effect of this: for most people, with normal jobs, the exurbs are probably your best bet. The city core will be…challenging to get out of. The close in suburbs not much better. The exurbs give you a chance to beat the crowd in escaping, or have enough space to provide (somewhat) for your family if you shelter in place. While being four to six hours, like Rawles says, may be good if everything truly falls apart, the reality is that it hasn't now and we all need to work – and may still, if it's an Argentinean style economic collapse not a Jericho-like collapse of everything.
For location, you need to consider the weather your family likes and where your extended family is. I don't care what the other benefits, living in the heat and dry of AZ would make me homicidal. I have friends who LOVE the weather in AZ and the summer humidity where I live would make THEM homicidal. Knowing that your parents / siblings / other loved ones can probably make it to you (with a small amount of notice) can also bring huge peace of mind.
Worried in Tn
Like you I am up at 1am reading this blog, wondering what is gonna happen. I have a wheelchair bound mother, 2 adult mentally handicapped brothers (adopted and brother in law) grown kids with babies, and last but not least, a beautiful 5 yr son. I lose alot of sleep thinking of how to protect and feed them under our current curcumstances. I have not been prepping long, and we dont have any land to speek of. no way to move.
I can use all of the advice I can get!!
Hang in there, and hopefully we can all make it together
TheSurvivalMom
Hey, at least your eyes are open and you realize that our future is uncertain and so is the timeline. It's very possible that you may have years in which to become better prepared. Focus on water storage and purification as one of your first steps. Do you have access to water if your town's water supply should shut down due to an emergency? Can you store water both inside and outside your house? Have several ways to purify water if need be, including boiling, a WAPI (search for details here on my blog), bleach, a SteriPEN, etc. Food storage comes next. You'll find plenty of info here on my blog as well as in webinars that I teach. There are dozens of food storage websites as well. Research, training, and skills can often be acquired at no cost and are equally important in prepping. Stay in touch and let us know how you're doing.
carolbee
land of some kind is essential! or..
IF.. total anarchy develops my personal plan
IF UNABLE to survive in place
will be to take all weaponry
and GET TO THE NEAREST STATE PARK CABIN!
where there are fireplaces, game to hunt & eat, perhaps fish in a stream, and surrounded by timber to BURN.
and if have a cache of seeds..land to garden.
toilet needs..dig a trench..cover with newly dug dirt..add ammonia or lime when needed
there are PLANTS that an be used as toilet paper if needed. google and plant it now.
also..if you have some land?
start an orchard (or at least an apple tree)