Purchases - Prepping vs Survivalism Thoughts

[rockriver]

yall are picking on my wife... and i wish you wouldn't.
sort of teasing. sort of truthing.
yep. she prefers to have several bottles of shampoo around.
i prefer several cannisters of stove fuel..
yep.. she has several tubes of toothpaste
i have a couple of pair of boots
and she has bought several quart jars
i went for a couple of boxes of .22 for the single shot
--
we all scoot along at our own speed.
--
a great friend- Bible scholar Christian buddy.
when we talk
he emphasizes "God will take care and provide"
i emphasize on " let's follow Joseph's example"
we maintain our friendship.
sunday... he called.. hey RR, you better go get some
cash and put it at your house.. the country's banking system
doesn't look safe/good/stable... RR, i'm serious he says..
i let him talk and finally told him that i agreed with his idea.
---
he's retired and his money situation is way better than mine.
--
but i'm glad to see he's doing something to take care of himself and his family.
--
he's coming around..

God's moving..

rr

[Knobster]

<snip> coffee, chocolate etc.

Hmm... coffee and chocolate... Gotta add a few things to my list!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

yall are picking on my wife... and i wish you wouldn't. sort of teasing. sort of truthing.

LOL Trust me I know! We usually compromise and I get shampoo:( The good news is with my cool army haircut and growing forehead or receeding hairline, I'm not which, it's lasting longer!
I dunno I just don't post it as "Prepping" for Survival. Like I said before I like saving money too.

[Lowdown3]

It's always about priorities and balance.

I hope the person in question at least thought to add low scent shampoos since this was a "prep item."

Let's face it also, it might behoove the women folks to NOT look well kept if something happens.

The gal that is all done up and looks like she just delivered beer and chicken wings (Hooters) to table 3 is probably more likely to be a victim of a sex crime than some gal that looks a little unkempt.

Currently, we "spruce up" a little bit when company comes, gals check themselves in the mirror, maybe put on a little make up, etc. Guys comb their hair, check to see if they remembered to brush their teeth that day ;) , etc.

In bad times it might be just the opposite. "Spruce down"- looking a little haggard, take out the false teeth for that emaciated look, the makeup might be to make the eyes look hallow, fingers dug into dirt to give a working hard with not water to wash look, etc.

This could be a matter of life or death for the people with the idea that "I'll make it in my subdivision surrounded by 10,000 starving pilgrims"

[Urban Survivalist]

The problem is the storage of it- you have to keep it protected or rodents will tear it up, nest in it, etc.

True just watch the video I posted to enter the members contest. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RTK0k-F_mg

[2682nscovell]

True just watch the video I posted to enter the members contest. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RTK0k-F_mg

Mice are terrible and from the hand of Satan! I am just getting started with my survival and preparedness... before I have really driven into purchasing mylar bags and containers; I have spent extensive time in making sure mice won't appear. I feel like the Van Helsing of my basement!

It is a constant battle but one that can be won with ease. Get bate blockers and place them in places that your pets or children won't be able to get to. Also, before actually sweeping or vacuuming the poop up you should spray it with lysol. I've been informed that if you wipe areas or the tops of your containers with vinegar then that will keep them away as well. It won't kill them, they just detest the smell. It's like a guy on welfare going to a job placement building.

Another thing to do is go outside your house, make sure to check for any places that a mouse could enter your home. Holes in walls should be patched up as soon as possible. Also, any vegetation around your house that might be touching your walls need to be cut back. Mice will climb branches that touch your home to find ways in. Look at your house like the Mexican border.

I would consider doubling your foods packaging. Put the mylar bags in rubbermaid containers. Wrap your boxed foods in plastic bags and then place them in containers as well. Anything open on a shelf will be used as grounds for mice. Actually, mice are just the beginning... If you have mice then you probably have roaches as well. It's time to declare war on the rodent and bug extremists!

Also, it looks like your storage is in your basement. I would suggest placing most of your food containers off the floor. Just incase your water heater bursts or the floor cracks and a major leak happens. I say this out of experience.

[monkeybird]

I read a novel recently in which the female character was out in the wild with her husband in the 1700s. She wrapped her chest tightly so that there was no curve and dressed as a man. She also carried a knife hidden on her person. It worked!

I'll confess that no female I know loves to dress up more than I. I love all that girly stuff, make up, great hair, great clothes, etc. etc. But I also know that safety is a whole lot more important. All one has to do is read the accounts of conflicts from across the centuries. Seems rape and murder are priorities with the victors. Lowdown is so right about scents. As a nurse I can tell you I never to wear any type of scent. While the wearer may not smell it, those around them do. I have a friend whose perfume lingers after she's left the room. Nice for romance, terrible for security.

[2682nscovell]

I read a novel recently in which the female character was out in the wild with her husband in the 1700s. She wrapped her chest tightly so that there was no curve and dressed as a man. She also carried a knife hidden on her person. It worked!

I'll confess that no female I know loves to dress up more than I. I love all that girly stuff, make up, great hair, great clothes, etc. etc. But I also know that safety is a whole lot more important. All one has to do is read the accounts of conflicts from across the centuries. Seems rape and murder are priorities with the victors. Lowdown is so right about scents. As a nurse I can tell you I never to wear any type of scent. While the wearer may not smell it, those around them do. I have a friend whose perfume lingers after she's left the room. Nice for romance, terrible for security.

Scary thoughts, which gives me all the more reason to protect my wife and daughter.

[Red]

O_O ...wow, I am so glad I found this group! As a mom/woman, I find myself thinking more about the "homesteading" side of these issues, ie, how to keep everybody COMFORTABLE. I see that I am missing the balance of surviving beyond food.

I realize that security is neck and neck with food, but I avoid thinking about it because I am not "legally allowed" to own a weapon. (I had a run in 10+ yrs ago and have striven to stay law abiding ever since.) Whats a girl to do? Let somebody jack our food and bodies, or obtain something under the table?

I've always tried to teach my kids to "obey the rules" to stay out of prison(where their dad is).

Now I may need to break them myself.

Any thoughts are welcome, and I so apreciate the patience with the "wet behide the ears" kid :)

[Matt In Oklahoma]

O_O ...wow, I am so glad I found this group! As a mom/woman, I find myself thinking more about the "homesteading" side of these issues, ie, how to keep everybody COMFORTABLE. I see that I am missing the balance of surviving beyond food.I realize that security is neck and neck with food, but I avoid thinking about it because I am not "legally allowed" to own a weapon. (I had a run in 10+ yrs ago and have striven to stay law abiding ever since.) Whats a girl to do? Let somebody jack our food and bodies, or obtain something under the table?I've always tried to teach my kids to "obey the rules" to stay out of prison(where their dad is). Now I may need to break them myself.Any thoughts are welcome, and I so apreciate the patience with the "wet behide the ears" kid :)

No one here is going to tell you to break the law in your preparations. There are other options for defense that will keep you within the limits, so you do not make a return trip where you won't do anyone any good, such as crossbows, tasers, pepper spray etc. Do some research on whats allowed in your area.
I would also think very hard about what can be done to harden your place so make it more inaccesible.

[Klayton]

@Red: as Matt stated, it is NOT illegal for you to have a weapon, it is illegal for you to have a firearm, and depending on your state illegal for you to have a knife that has no other purpose other than fighting (read large bowie knife in your purse in the middle of a city, or a lockblade for that matter). But as a Mom and a Prepper you have to take the NINJA way out. No law (that I know of) prevents you from having knives in your kitchen, and I mean A LOT OF NICE KNIVES. No law (that I know of) prevents you from purchasing SEVERAL pitchforks, to turn your compost pile in the backyard... You get the picture? Be safe our new prepper friend, don't break the law, just understand it's limitations. :)

[Sunshine]

@Red
I'm a mom of two and my husband is away most of the time working in China. So I can relate to protecting yourself and your children. Fortunately, my children and I are trained in martial arts. We train 6 times a week, 2 hours a day in private lessons (for many years) and have a home dojo to train in as well. I suggest taking self defense classes. Get your children involved too. There's a multitude of defenses to learn. From taking someone down with pressure points, taking a gun away from an attacker, to breaking knees, wrist etc.. You could also learn to use martial art weapons, which some household items could be used in it's place. And it's not expected that a random women can kick your butt with a broom. It's really unexpected for a women and 2 kids to kick an attackers butt. And women to women it's very empowering!!
BTW I do have guns and we practice shooting often.