Preparedness for when

ginnyknit

I was going to suggest a layer of chard in a lasagne. I got some spinach cubes frozen from Mr S and hide that in all kinds of meals

I nearly died in 81, was dead for a couple of minutes in 83, given 6 months to live without surgery in 84 and almost murdered in 88 by a pyschotic army seargant so am really determined to live since then. I would definately kill for my kids and take on an entire army of zombies
if they came near my darling grandson.

I spend my days getting OH through crisis after crisis and I think my prepping is a way of being in control of something. I really need to up my medical supplies and work on certain things that OH may need. We just averted 999 call for him today by my monitoring certain things and dealing with them but it was a close call. I have a bag ready by the door with his hospital kit in. I can breathe again and try and relax now after a scary few days and little sleep due to my worrying. Tbh I dealt with it so well this tiime that you wouldnt think there had been a problem and he is up and pottering.

Popperwell

Ginny, How many households are living through such scenarios and just "Getting On With It!" Sending Hugs...

ginnyknit

Thats what worries me Pops, I have a friend who lost her hubby a couple of years ago and her health is failing now but she lives a little too far away for me to 'nip round' just to check on her. We keep in touch by text but she is one of lifes carers and isnt used to accepting help. I cannot just look after my own family, I would be a terrible friend if I didnt try and look after her too. Her own family didnt even step up when their Mum was ill and so my friend had to run around after her and eventually moved her in with her till she passed away a few months ago, it was after that loss that her own health deteriorated. the annoying things is her sister is district nurse ( or whatever they call them now) for her area and never even phones her :mad:

Popperwell

ginnyknit wrote: »

Thats what worries me Pops, I have a friend who lost her hubby a couple of years ago and her health is failing now but she lives a little too far away for me to 'nip round' just to check on her. We keep in touch by text but she is one of lifes carers and isnt used to accepting help. I cannot just look after my own family, I would be a terrible friend if I didnt try and look after her too. Her own family didnt even step up when their Mum was ill and so my friend had to run around after her and eventually moved her in with her till she passed away a few months ago, it was after that loss that her own health deteriorated. the annoying things is her sister is district nurse ( or whatever they call them now) for her area and never even phones her :mad:

Sadly, it doesn't surprise me...having family/friends does not always guarentee they are there for you and if you are alone (and many are these days)one does wonder what lives they are leading.

I think I mentioned(and I hate making assumptions)I used to look at her in Tesco's and though "Poor dear looks like she is looking for bargains and struggling on a pension"

Somehow we ended up talking, she is two years younger than me! Looking after an elderly mother(sounds a bit like I was)She has a brother and sister who doesn't help.

Unlike me I suspect they own their home but I bet if the Mother needs care in a home, that home will have to be sold and/or if the mother dies I bet the other brother and sister want to sell it and then I bet this kind caring daughter will be looking for a roof over her head.

How many are living in similar scenario's?

Again, I have had one CAB advisor say to me find somewhere smaller to try and avoid the future problems of CT, rent increases and the new BT. Yet another has said that smaller suitable properties are practically non existant around here so what do you do?

I may try and and survive and stay put or and it will take some getting used to but could be the answer to try and get a lodger in(possibly two)but that is all new to me and as yet I have no idea how to go about it and be safe.

Things are so scary and so many are vulnerble.

charlies-aunt

Lots here at the moment that resonant with me -

I spent fifteen years caring for first my Mum and Dad and then my dad on his own - I'm married, we both work full time -I was working nights at the local hospital and my children were tiny when I started caring .

. . . . dear brother is also married but no children and no pets - I used to go 3-4 days a week and when things got tough, every day sometimes twice a day (30 mile round trip). DB would go 2-3 times a year - birthday and Christmas if they were lucky - as he would usually drop cards and presents round at my house for me to take as he was -naturally - too busy despite working less than half a mile away

Don't begrudge a minute spent with Mum and Dad and I would do it all again but as an unpaid carer, it was hard juggling home, children, work, finances, time - sad to say my Dad ended up going into a Nursing Home as I eventually just couldn't cope when he became bed bound - the same night that he went in, after not seeing him for nearly two years, my brother let himself into Dad's bungalow and cherry picked any possessions worth having.

I'd like to be noble and say that I'm more sad that angry with him but it would be a lie - at Dad's funeral (which I organised and paid for) he cried like a baby because he was going to miss him so much - I'm very bitter.

Fruball

charlies-aunt wrote: »

Lots here at the moment that resonant with me -

I spent fifteen years caring for first my Mum and Dad and then my dad on his own - I'm married, we both work full time -I was working nights at the local hospital and my children were tiny when I started caring .

. . . . dear brother is also married but no children and no pets - I used to go 3-4 days a week and when things got tough, every day sometimes twice a day (30 mile round trip). DB would go 2-3 times a year - birthday and Christmas if they were lucky - as he would usually drop cards and presents round at my house for me to take as he was -naturally - too busy despite working less than half a mile away

Don't begrudge a minute spent with Mum and Dad and I would do it all again but as an unpaid carer, it was hard juggling home, children, work, finances, time - sad to say my Dad ended up going into a Nursing Home as I eventually just couldn't cope when he became bed bound - the same night that he went in, after not seeing him for nearly two years, my brother let himself into Dad's bungalow and cherry picked any possessions worth having.

I'd like to be noble and say that I'm more sad that angry with him but it would be a lie - at Dad's funeral (which I organised and paid for) he cried like a baby because he was going to miss him so much - I'm very bitter.

That is so sad Your brother is obviously as horrid a person as mine. Let karma deal with them :A

ps - I am bitter too

suburbanwifey

I'm feeling rather pleased with myself but a little nervous. After reading all these posts you good ladies make and becoming rather involved in both this thread and this preparedness thing myself (I'm enjoying it, makes me feel good preparing, knowing that if there is trouble in the future, I can cope and look after me and mine etc) I have also taken excellent advice from it. None of us know everything, together we are a formidable force, gaining in knowledge, education and resourcefulness I trust you ladies and your advice and I'll just say I am honored to have been included in your thread and my comments appreciated, thanked and responded to :beer: So, I'm nervous as I have just invested in something I have never used before and don't have a clue how to use - a food dehydrator - this one here As I am a Uni student I get a fabulous discount from anything I buy from Amazon so I got it cheaper than the price advertised, however, I haven't a clue how to use one or what to do with it, but your posts on the benefits of one of these has encouraged me to buy.

Can you advice me on what are good things to dry (is that the right term?) and what is best to try for a beginner? I have visions of packing out Kilner type jars (I always get mine cheap from car boots, they always have tons of them, not always Kilner branded but I buy new seals from eBay to get them looking brand new and give them a good clean and sterilise etc.) with lots of healthy, tasty goodies preserved for if the SHTF type scenarios etc.

Help and advice please

Popperwell

I am more sad having lost Mum but do if I allow myself get bitter feel as though we were stressed more by those who were supposed to care for Mum and my care towards the end and wonder if something was missed but that won't bring her back nor help the time I have that remains if I beat myself up.

I count my blessings in having had such wonderful parents who made me who I am but my possessions are few and not valuable but they can't be taken with me. No one to leave anything to(who'd want second hand PC's, TV's Cd's, kitchen equipment, furniture and clothes. And the photo's won't mean anything to anyone but me.

They'll end up disgarded and it will be just as though we passed through this world and we'll soon be forgotten so I have to try and make the best of what the future holds...the thought of being in a home needing care or a home fills me with horror.

I'm not too pleased that time remainding is spent being so frugal it hurts and with all the changes coming in our lives are likely to be a worrying time.

Still enough of being miserable. Got to try and keep smiling. And survive...Besides Mum would have me as stronger than that...

So I have to be and if not careful its comes across as self pity and so many have or will go through similar scenarios.

As for the learning of how to use gadgets still have to use my combi microwave properly, a halogen oven too...but my slow cooker has been amazing.

valk_scot

One thing that older folk have going for them is the knowledge bank in their heads. In a post apocalypse world the old will get some protection and support because of their knowledge ...or the would in normal tribal situations anyway. So I'm hoping that even if I'm too creaky without my drugs to be of any use hunting or growing crops I'll still be worth keeping around because I know how to grow said crops!

The skill base will mostly be in our heads, remember. We won't have internet, it's either books (if you can find them) or pass down the skills from person to person.

GreyQueen

Popperwell, I once heard something profound; 80 years after your death no one will remember you.

And that counts for people who are currently famed and beloved of millions, as well as us Joe and Josephine Ordinaries. Even those who have children and grandchildren carrying their genetic heritage through the coming generations will be simplified by time's passage down to a handful of anecdotes and maybe some knick-knacks and the odd old photo or two.

I find that comforting somehow, to realise my ultimate complete unimportance the grand scheme of things. Not in a negative and regretful way, but with a sense of freedom.

About 25 years ago, I stood in the ruins of an ancient building on a headland at Peel on the Isle of Man looking at a very small stone box sitting on the grass. It's inscription had me laughing so hard, I wrote it down in my little book of quotes;

Bishop Samuel Rutter, died 30th May 1662, Peel;

In this house which I share with my brothers the worms, in hope of the resurrection to life, lie I, Sam, by divine grace Bishop of this Island. Stay, reader, look and laugh at the Bishop's Palace.