tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post3853307972458614945..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Preparedness. Totally free ways to get better prepared.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-22692354701155174692020-01-03T21:04:24.162-08:002020-01-03T21:04:24.162-08:00https://www.southernplate.com/preparing-for-emerge...https://www.southernplate.com/preparing-for-emergencies-practical-preparedness/ This lady is a marvelous cook and has several cookbooks out in the United States, but she is practical to the bone. She also has created recipes that she calls "Bags to Dishes" where everything you need for a meal is on the pantry shelf, in a single plastic bag!! https://www.southernplate.com/?s=bags+to+dishes I hope these can add to your preparedness!! Farm Quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01670652033638218941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-32632139718027293992017-01-19T21:30:41.813-08:002017-01-19T21:30:41.813-08:00Patti, That is a really good tip! Thank you!Patti, That is a really good tip! Thank you!Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70432264760488689642017-01-19T19:32:26.119-08:002017-01-19T19:32:26.119-08:00My mom had a file in a plastic case(could use a pl...My mom had a file in a plastic case(could use a plastic bag) on the outside of her Frig. I think they called it a vile of life. It had all medications<br />she was on. Allergies to medications. Her doctors names and phone numbers her er or ice contacts me and my sister. This was very helpful when the paramedics came. I thought this was a great idea. My daughter filled it out<br />and it had a magnet to hold it to the frig.<br />PattiPrecious People Preschoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284398084100195331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-6516746896873279912017-01-19T13:54:31.744-08:002017-01-19T13:54:31.744-08:00Yes Kelsy this is so important. I was not allowed ...Yes Kelsy this is so important. I was not allowed to drive until I could change a tire. My daughter carries a devise to break out the window in her car after all the flooding.Our car has ER supplies. I would like to add small stuff animals for children in case of any disaster.We have the basics but it would be nice to help the little ones. We were in a <br />rural area.We are now in a city. We have fire extinguisher up and down stairs. An emergency chain ladder upstairs in case of fire.<br />So many good ideas.<br />Hugs,<br />PattiPrecious People Preschoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284398084100195331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-90797631188297638852017-01-18T03:52:39.137-08:002017-01-18T03:52:39.137-08:00P.S. The photos from Vicky and Teri are inspiring!...P.S. The photos from Vicky and Teri are inspiring! Good work, ladies!!<br />Regards,<br />RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-71792105770077830372017-01-18T03:48:51.468-08:002017-01-18T03:48:51.468-08:00Hi Annabel and Bluebirders!!
This has been an int...<br /><br />Hi Annabel and Bluebirders!!<br /><br />This has been an interesting read! The thing is that you are all intelligent, and are given the sense to suit your individual circumstances - just as people have the intelligence to drive cars and, for the most part, arrive safely at the individual destination.<br /><br />Having experienced forestry areas where mobile phone signals cannot be relied on in the best of times, my husband and I practise getting to know how each other thinks and acts in various circumstances. In this way, we manage to find each other if separated - without modern technology! Similarly, we do not wear watches outdoors, and it brings a familiarisation with getting a sense of the time by the position of the sun. One of us is actually pretty good at this! I am learning!!<br /><br />I do have a path of free preparedness tasks before me. Some include cutting up recyclable fabrics (& simmering them for sterilisation) as bandages, and keeping American Indian-style 'possible bags' - with, say, wet weather gear; CPR masks; bandages; and fire starting kit - all near the door, ready for quick use. I intend to turn ordinary clothing into waterproof clothing, and make tin cloth (being both water proof and fire retardant) bags and clothing items. I hope to complete my own homemade fire starting kit. I am learning about the properties of wild plants - particularly in terms of emergency use. I am learning to make do without money. I am knitting woollen socks for winter warmth. This is the path I am on!<br /><br />With very warm regards,<br />Rachel HoltAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-36485446083705886372017-01-17T19:27:05.231-08:002017-01-17T19:27:05.231-08:00Dear Teri, Your pantry is wonderful and inspiring!...Dear Teri, Your pantry is wonderful and inspiring!<br />I think you have the balance right. Having spares of vital things means we can help someone in need whether its food, clothes, a rug... something. Also I learned from both you and Patsy to count non food and food as pantry items and look at it quite differently now. Thank you! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-33111228511618559562017-01-17T15:47:08.474-08:002017-01-17T15:47:08.474-08:00I've had the same thought about having a bike,...I've had the same thought about having a bike, mine has a basket on the front, or a person could pull a cart of sorts to haul items. Great idea for transportation if gas pumps weren't working! We might end up going back to horse and buggy days!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15471639876072617577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-53795875838675147302017-01-17T15:08:19.797-08:002017-01-17T15:08:19.797-08:00That is really good Lynette. How helpful. I follow...That is really good Lynette. How helpful. I followed the QLD gov preparedness website and the week by week plan. It was really good and we have nothing like it here that I can find. They are way ahead there. I wonder if other QLD readers can get a pack like this? It would be excellent. Asking the local council would be the way to go I think. Thanks for mentioning this. xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-51442093228787384782017-01-17T14:54:48.351-08:002017-01-17T14:54:48.351-08:00I finally got my hands on a 'goodie bag' f...I finally got my hands on a 'goodie bag' from our local Council - this has been handed out at many of our stalls where we have been talking to the locals about our Disaster Management Group.<br /><br />I am now the proud owner of a hand crank torch/radio/telephone charger. <br /><br />The pack also included advice on how much food to store per person, storage of said food and life span of water. How long frozen goods are acceptable (under full or 1/2 full freezer conditions) and a lot of recipes for one pot cooking (most are things that we wouldn't eat due to the reliance on chilli for flavouring). Also a magnet with information on it - various entities numbers to contact including one for animals. <br /><br />This was put together following the major flooding we had in 2011 so not outdated as some information can be.<br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXXAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-28944991062063815742017-01-17T14:35:44.687-08:002017-01-17T14:35:44.687-08:00Dear Annabel, Such a great post and discussion! T...Dear Annabel, Such a great post and discussion! Thank you for sharing my canning picture! I will be making notes and getting many of these things done/updated. Having a pantry (even adding a few items each week-both food and non-food items)should be a way of life. I agree with you, Annabel and others, that if we have things in our home we no longer need/use, then passing them on or having a yard sale is a great way to help others plus give us space for pantry/supplies. But keeping extras-such as blankets, towels, sheets, etc. is of major importance!! More than once I have been asked if I had any extras to share with family members! We recently donated a huge bag of clothing items, all in great shape, to the woman's shelter in our "big" city. It not only helped us but we were able to help those who truly need a lift.<br />I have been going through my craft supplies to start using up the things I have. I will donate those unneeded items and keep those I can use. I do have my list of things I want to make, and will have more time this year. I also have made a list of foods to bottle this year, and food gifts to make.<br />Many thanks for the great ideas, Annabel and others. I have work to do!! Love, TeriTeri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-86877441455076516232017-01-17T13:48:28.022-08:002017-01-17T13:48:28.022-08:00Dear Kelsey, So nice to see your comments again!!...Dear Kelsey, So nice to see your comments again!! I'm happy you are feeling better! A baby puts a new "spin" on preparedness, and I know you will do an excellent job preparing! Hugs, TeriTeri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-11357497898425790942017-01-17T05:29:37.201-08:002017-01-17T05:29:37.201-08:00Very very interesting and helpful indeed.
Thanks...Very very interesting and helpful indeed. <br />Thanks LynetteDreamer Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15798874760180764959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-9591491764251484912017-01-16T17:58:44.026-08:002017-01-16T17:58:44.026-08:00Annabel, our local Lions club put out a small book...Annabel, our local Lions club put out a small booklet in a plastic pocket with magnets on the back - this is called Emergency Medical Information Book. It is about the size of the old bank books that we use to have many years ago - each individual in the house should have one. Looking at it I should be able to scan it and email it to you. <br /><br />One thing I forgot is to record any medications that you take - natural or prescribed by a GP/Specialist. Often when things happen you cannot remember all you take. <br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXXXAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-45025080253882392722017-01-16T16:54:48.970-08:002017-01-16T16:54:48.970-08:00Dear Kelsey,
I remember when you went through that...Dear Kelsey,<br />I remember when you went through that time and how much your pantry helped! That was wonderful. I totally understand what you are saying about how a baby totally changes your priorities and ideas about preparation. I feel the same now with Grandchildren. I think of them in all my preparations and when formula was in questionable supply I keep spare here at all times. You really have to plan ahead in a whole new way. It is very motivating that is for sure! Thank you for your tips they are excellent! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-2695256755349926192017-01-16T16:51:41.482-08:002017-01-16T16:51:41.482-08:00Thank you everyone for your tips on free things we...Thank you everyone for your tips on free things we can do. This is quite a list now! We picked up some to implement right away.... dating our fuel for the generator and rotating it for one thanks to Tania. <br />Writing the prescription list out thanks to Elaine.<br />Jane made me think that a bike would be a really good idea. Thank you all!<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-46026668808069050422017-01-16T16:47:21.493-08:002017-01-16T16:47:21.493-08:00Dear Lynette,
Thank you for so many good points. Y...Dear Lynette,<br />Thank you for so many good points. You have reminded me of something I heard years ago... it was about children knowing their address. It sounds simple enough but a young teenage girl was looking after younger children and the house caught fire. She did the right thing and called the right number. However she didn't know the name of the street! They got her to go outside and look at the number on the house and to see if she could see a street sign but she couldn't. it was terrible and didn't end well. Yet you could see how it could happen. I always remembered it. <br />Some things are so basic that they are overlooked. And so many things are free to do or implement! Many thanks Lynette, Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-87970307587679449372017-01-16T16:14:59.672-08:002017-01-16T16:14:59.672-08:00One suggestion I can make is to make sure that eve...One suggestion I can make is to make sure that everyone is conversant with how emergency numbers work - here in Australia we use 000 but when I was trying to teach my Brownies via roll play they would use numbers that they had heard on the TV. <br /><br />If you dial 000 here you may not get onto your local State emergency number -you need to be prepared that you are going to be asked a series of questions to enable you to be put onto the right service. You will be asked your address and nearest cross street - be aware that we have duplicate town names through out Australia so you need to be clear about the State. <br /><br />This is something that even children can be taught.<br /><br />Also if you have dead locks on your doors make sure that you have your keys handy. We have keyed our door locks the same so front door and back door we only need one key. <br /><br />Some people put a little hook behind the door with the key on, others have them in a certain place and it doesn't change. For older people who are on their own and may have a fall etc a lock box which can be fitted to the front of the house and needs a combination to access it is the perfect answer. <br /><br />My mother in law has one of those medi alert systems where she wears a pendant around her neck and she presses it if she needs an ambulance (ie. has a fall etc). The emergency services have the code to get into the lock box so they can gain access to the house using a set of keys from the box without her having to worry about how they are going to get in.<br /><br />If you have toddlers or older people who wander be aware that they can easily gain access to any keys that are left around, my mother insisted on putting a set of front door keys inside right beside the door. My uncle, who had taken to wandering was living there and he escaped one day - it was panic stations until they found him.<br /><br />As for smoke detectors - ours have battery back up should the power go out. We have had faulty ones and had them go off in the dead of night - no one popped their head out of the door or asked the next day if we had a problem.<br /><br />Some are so sensitive that even an insect can set them off.<br /><br />I am not a minimalist - I love good linen and there is always a use for it. Single fitted sheets make great table cloths when on a picnic or on outdoors tables. Flat sheets can become tents when draped over furniture, cut up and turned into cot sheets and the list goes on. I am often reminded of the western movies my father loved to watch and the women would lift their skirt up so high and rip the bottom of their petticoat off to stem blood flow or wipe a fevered brow.<br /><br />The pantry is one thing that I cannot go minimalist on - came in very handy when I had two sick children and I couldn't get to the shops. <br /><br />Now we live in an area that can be cut off by high waters (flood and king tides combined) I just love the fact that I do not have to go and try to find something to eat - it is all right there in my pantry.<br /><br />What I am after is a 3 wheeler like Jane - haven't seen one advertised for a number of years. We have 2 wheelers but my balance has gone and I am not comfortable using one anymore.<br /><br />Have a great week everyone<br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXX<br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-50284080532277143802017-01-16T15:48:29.392-08:002017-01-16T15:48:29.392-08:00Also be aware that if they go off, even in the dea...Also be aware that if they go off, even in the dead of night people will ignore them.<br /><br />We have had faulty ones going off in the wee hours of the morning and even though we live in an area where there is no sound at night no one popped their heads out of the door to see what was going on.<br /><br />Lynette<br />XXXXAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-52859894420344032032017-01-16T15:29:06.893-08:002017-01-16T15:29:06.893-08:00Following on from Kelsey's comment, have a pla...Following on from Kelsey's comment, have a plan to regularly check your fire alarms. Checking them regularly costs nothing and may save lives.Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964345893499561504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-27791807916096002132017-01-16T15:02:38.109-08:002017-01-16T15:02:38.109-08:00I love these ideas. I love the one of having a wri...I love these ideas. I love the one of having a written copy of numbers. I have all my numbers stored in my phone. I also like the idea of having copies of your id and etc. My husband and I were just talking last week how we need to check our fire alarms and have ER items. Mrs. Chrissy Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09516870555452352931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-42289110677644594362017-01-16T13:57:36.283-08:002017-01-16T13:57:36.283-08:00Annabel, this post is full of good practical, doab...Annabel, this post is full of good practical, doable wisdom. I'm going to go down the list of things you've suggested and make sure all is in order here at our house! Love those pantry pictures!patsi @ a working pantryhttp://aworkingpantry.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-77205341299967862012017-01-16T13:47:40.070-08:002017-01-16T13:47:40.070-08:00Dear Marge, You have done exactly what I what have...Dear Marge, You have done exactly what I what have done. Passing things on to others that we don't need anymore is great and the things we can no longer use being passed on gives us room for the things we do need. <br />I found a lot of room in my pantry this way. I had some odd things in there! <br />I continually have to work on organisation and I think sorting is continuous and what was once useful eventually is not like as you say outgrown clothes, toys that are too young, hobbies that have passed and well many things! Stuff just comes in! You have done well and taken the sensible approach. Well done! And thank you! Love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-25054698942844833232017-01-16T13:40:18.620-08:002017-01-16T13:40:18.620-08:00Dear Allegra, Thank you for your comment. Years ag...Dear Allegra, Thank you for your comment. Years ago I was moving house and I had a big garage sale and got rid of many things I once liked. I had a lot of knick knacks and ornaments and I basically got rid of them all. I still basically do not have ornaments. I like to have things that are beautiful and functional and I don't like clutter. It makes me anxious! <br />So I surround myself with flowers and things I just love and I also like light... I don't like rooms to be dark or dim. I could go on and on lol<br />So I understand what you are saying. But there seems to be an extension of the concept to getting rid of your pantry supplies, linen, and everything that having backs ups of is sensible. I think it could leave people very vulnerable indeed. <br />I also believe in passing on things to others that we cannot use as it will bless them. <br />So there is the sensible and the mad. We have to be wise about which is which! Then we can have a home that is lovely to us and take care of everyone as well. <br />Thank you for the interesting discussion! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-10968600554375120012017-01-16T13:32:46.657-08:002017-01-16T13:32:46.657-08:00Dear Cookie, Thanks for this. I have seen little e...Dear Cookie, Thanks for this. I have seen little emergency stoves like what you are talking about. I think the scouts and outdoor/camping stores have amazing things that are really brilliant in an emergency and the skills to make up something like this are really clever. Being able to cook and heat water are so important! Thanks for this! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.com