Preparedness for when

pineapple

Morning preppers
Here in the baltic north I haven't even planted my runner beans yet. It was scheduled for this week but I see we are forecast lashings of rain and heavy winds
Potatoes are showing above the soil in their bags - I may have to cover them up and I can see me propping up a brolly to protect the lettuce!

Anyone else watch 24 hours in A&E? I can't stop myself - it's like prodding an aching tooth. It's good for making you feeling better about your own circumstances though

On a cheerful note I see from the email spam headers (cos I never open spam) I'm being encouraged to join a 'dating wives' site :huh: but on a lighter note I seem to have won a a lottery I never entered, plus a mysterious benefector has transferred a few zillions to my account. It's probably OK to buy an extra bar of Aldi chocolate then. :rotfl:

mardatha

I've got daffoldils and forget me nots out - the honeysuckle is just showing buds, and my tatties aren't even planted yet. And I can't find the lettuce seeds.
If the SHTF can I just come and stay with one of you lot?

[Deleted User]

We've got room MAR, come on down to us and we'll sort the world out between us!!!!!

Cheapskate

You could come to us, mar, we're far enough south of you to have slightly better weather, I'm half scottish and we have some cracking sweet shops round here! :rotfl: *And I DON'T grow kale!!

A xo

D&DD

Well I can always hide the Kale plants quick if need be Mar You'd be welcome here any of you as long as you promise to eat some of this couscous mountain...

Never got as far as the food stash yesterday we were too busy sorting out garden stuff lol but what a lovely day,really perked me up to have normal,likeminded company :D

Off to the shops to change a blazer this morning M&S seem to have got a bit skimpy on their cutting so I'm going to have to go a size up and alter it myself,pain...

Will pop in the 99p and £ shops while I'm there see what preppy stuff they have

Have a great day all XXX

katieclampet

HI all, been away for a few days, so having a catchup. My things in pots (mostly salad leaves) are doing well. I am thrilled to think I can just pick them, wash them and eat them, straight from the front garden. Has inspired me to think about growing something else! (I am sure most things are a lot more difficult)

Someone mentioned keeping a couple of screw on bottle tops in their BOB, that's a really good idea and will keep the next couple I have, and put them to one side.

I am interested to know how other people have got their family on board with prepping. Mine think having a good food stock, toiletries etc is just common sense (and money saving since stockpiled while on offer).

However encouraging them to have a BOB, or discussing possible power cuts in the future (by way of encouraging family members to invest in few items that windup/solar powered) seems to be a step to far. They just think I am scaremongering.

I have tried to discuss a bug out/bug in/ where to go in an emergency plan, but no one is really interested. Obviously that is there choice, but I just wondered whether anyone had any success or tips to encourager family non preppers on board?

katie

lillibet_dripping

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

Just been for a wander round my extensive garden, lol. There are flowers on the runner beans, buds on the peas, potatoes peeping through soil & blossom on my apple trees.

And a partridge in your pear tree?:D

GreyQueen

katie, the "getting the family on board" is one of the hottest issues in prepperdom, just look at some of the sites, it nearly always comes up for discussion.

The general consensus seems to be that you can only nudge them along gently and/ or prep secretly. Or risk isolating people and, in extreme cases, losing relationships.

One thing you could do is, when the media throws up stories of people having to evacuate their homes at very short notice (fire, flood, gas escape, chemical leak etc) gently lead the conversation around to what it would have been like if that had happened to them.

You could say something like; Just imagine if we'd ended up in the sports centre (like them) with only our pajamas on, and no idea when we'd be allowed back home. And what if you didn't have your phone or your purse or even your keys? Or even a toothbrush?! Ick!

Let them think about the reality of that and maybe casually mention that you have a go-bag with a few bits in it; washbag, one change of outer clothes inc a warm layer, few pairs undies.

A lot of the stuff in my bag is just that, with an overflow mesh bag containing a pair of trainers, pair of socks (more in the go-bag) and a GoreTex shell jacket. The idea is that if I had to grab-and-run, everything is within a few feet of the bed. I wear PJs so wouldn't be indecent out on the street but could quickly add socks and trainers and jacket from the outer bag, sling the go-bag proper on my back and be ready to spend a few days away from base and have my medications, money and documents with me.

Or you could remark that it's just a different form of insurance really; they have buildings, contents, motor, perhaps life insurance, critical illness cover, so why not an alternate?

F'rinstance, almost everyone I know has smoke detectors. I know two people (separate incidents) who have probably had their lives saved by them, but most people won't ever have a housefire but we still think it right to have the detectors just in case.

We human beings have poor understandings of probability. We think if something hasn't happened before, it's improbable that it will happen, and therefore we don't need to make provisions to mitigate the worst effects. People in Cyprus didn't imagine that the Troika would encourage their government to steal from their bank accounts, did they?

It's a hard one, but worthwhile persevering with, I think. I've stashed candles and some cash (my own) at my parents' place for their use in an emergency. I'd be happier if they had cupboards full of shelf-stable foods but I can't sell that one - yet!;)

Rosetta92

katieclampet wrote: »

I am interested to know how other people have got their family on board with prepping. Mine think having a good food stock, toiletries etc is just common sense (and money saving since stockpiled while on offer).

However encouraging them to have a BOB, or discussing possible power cuts in the future (by way of encouraging family members to invest in few items that windup/solar powered) seems to be a step to far. They just think I am scaremongering.

Mine think some stocking up is sensible - looking for bargains seems to be in our DNA :rotfl: And when I first left home my mother told me never to be reliant on only one source of fuel. Have never discussed BOBs - perhaps cos I'm just starting to organise one for myself. Trying to plant the seed in my OHs mind first before I discuss with wider family.

Speaking of seeds - hearing all the signs of spring with other folks planting on here is encouraging me to get started - especially since we finally have some sun today.

One thing to add: big thanks to whoever posted about free Book People delivery on orders over the weekend. Expecting delivery of two more prepping books now :T

mardatha

Just sitting here thinking that I'd be the only person over the age of 12 who would break into the nearest sweetie shop if the SHTF :rotfl::rotfl: