Blizzard of 2013



It's up to the windows

On Friday February 8th, we were the proud recipients of 26 inches of snow. I find it so amazing how panicked everyone in the local and state government gets when the weather turns bad. We endured a travel ban for 24 hours and when made to listen to the stupid advice of local media personalities. Stay off the roads if you don't need to travel, you should stock up on essential food items and water, have an alternative heat source. You don't say. Is this the first winter they have spent in New England? I mean really, if you are stupid enough to only have a days worth of food and you think it's cool to drive in blowing driving snow, you deserve everything you get. We got home, stayed home, had plenty to eat and wood to heat the house. I even made sure we had plenty of hot chocolate mix on hand. We never lost power so we watch movies, ate popcorn and watched the snow blow all around.




The drift in front of the front door

The next morning reality set in when we were up and out shoveling at 7am so Anique could get to work on time. For those of you who paid attention, yes we were on the roads during the travel ban. Funny how life goes on when the government does it's best to stop everything. Well, the drifts of snow where crazy deep and 12 ft of driveway covered by 26 inches of snow, plus the berm that the plow trucks left at the end of the driveway, ugh!, took about 2 hours to clean up completely. When you add in the help we gave to the neighbor to clear her berm and driveway, we were shoveling for about 3 hours. That is a lot of shoveling. We however persevered and finished the job.

Anique after shoveling her way down to the end of the driveway

The end of the driveway the street is just on the other side


 

The food storage schedule

I have spent some time going through a couple of different lists to come up with our master supply list. I think there will be some adjusting as time goes by but it is a starting point. You can start at the beginning or jump in at any week that makes the most sense for your family. I suppose the most important thing to start with is to figure out how much of what your family needs, then find a place or a couple of places to put all of the stuff. We have shelves in the basement and family room and I am starting to store things under the beds. I will be very happy when under the beds is full. I have a weekly break down of what to buy or collect each week. This could be done biweekly or monthly depending on what is better for you. I have also spent some of these weeks going through what I have and getting rid of stuff that has expired or we no longer use. So that when I get new stuff it has a place to go. I have not spent wildly (of course I can't afford wild spending but someday it would be fun to do it once), only about $40 - $60 a month. I expect that as the stockpile grows the amount will probably go down, unless the price of food goes up. So without further ado here is my master plan/buy list.

Week 1: 2 48oz bottle of oil / toilet paper
Week 2: 50 lbs of wheat / toothpaste
Week 3: 4 lbs Macaroni and 4 lbs Spaghetti / laundry soap
Week 4: 6 cans meat or fish / dish soap
Week 5: 1 28oz jar peanut butter / matches
Week 6: 5 lbs honey / candles
Week 7: 25 lbs sugar / shampoo
Week 8: 15 lbs dry milk / first aid kit
Week 9: 8 cans fruit, 8 cans veg, 8 cans beans or soup
Week 10: 6 cans meat or fish / bar soap
Week 11: 25 lbs rice / bleach
Week 12: 1 lb yeast / extra pair of warm work gloves
Week 13: 10 lbs dry beans / duct tape (not the decorative, craft type)
Week 14: 6 cans evaporated milk / garbage bags
Week 15: 2 3 lbs shortening or lard / paper towels
Week 16: 6 cans fruit/ razors & saving cream
Week 17: 50 lbs wheat / plastic wrap
Week 18: 10 cans tomatoes /  garden seeds
Week 19: 15 lbs oats / batteries
Week 20: 1 lb baking powder, 1 lb baking soda, 5 lbs salt / sewing kit
Week 21: 2 lbs yeast / water containers
Week 22: 2 48 oz bottle or oil / 72 hr kit bedding
Week 23: 15 lbs oats / 72 hr kit pocket knife
Week 24: 2 3 lbs cans shortening or coconut oil / school supplies
Week 25: 25 lbs of flour / school supplies
Week 26: 8 cans fruit, 8 cans veg, 8 cans beans / newspaper (think recycling)
Week 27: 25 lbs rice / deodorant
Week 28: 1 gal vinegar / luggable loo
Week 29: 10 lbs dry beans / scotch pads - sos pads
Week 30: 5 cans cream of chicken, 5 can cream of mushroom / can opener (manul)
Week 31: 5 lbs brown sugar / ziploc bags
Week 32: 10 lbs oats / tylenol, advil, asprin
Week 33: 6 cans meat or fish / counter mount apple peeler, canning supplies
Week 34: 25 lbs of sugar / 72 hr kit rain coat or poncho
Week 35: 50 lbs wheat / rope
Week 36: 6 cans meat or fish / 72 hr kit paper and pen
Week 37:1 lb yeast / hand sanitizer
Week 38: 5 cans cream of chicken, 5 cans cream of mushroom / feminine hygene
Week 39: 2 48 oz bottle of oil / axe and sharpener
Week 40: 50 lbs wheat / radio w/batteries
Week 41: 8 cans fruit, 8 cans of veg, 8 cans beans / paper plates, cups
Week 42: 1 lb yeast / lotion
Week 43: 8 cans fruit, 8 cans veg, 8 cans beans / canning supplies
Week 44: 2 3lb cans shortening / disinfectant cleaner
Week 45: 28 oz jar peanut butter / plastic sheeting
Week 46: 15 lbs dry milk / clothesline and clothes pins
Week 47: 15 gals water / tarps
Week 48: 10 lbs dry beans / emergency light sticks
Week 49: 2 48 oz bottle of oil / toilet paper
Week 50: 28  oz jar peanut butter / toothpaste
Week 51: 6 cans evaporated milk / laundry soap supplies
Week 52: 5 cans cream of chicken, 5 cans cream of mushroom / matches

This list will change as time goes by and supplies are collected but it's a start.
Happy prepping!!

Yes, I'm still here...

Where ever would I go? I haven't blogged because I have been living life or at least dealing with it. Christmas was lovely and simple. Christmas evening brought a dead refrigerator and below freezing temps to the area, which was a blessing because the back porch became the refrigerator/freezer. Dan and I went out on the 26th and purchased a new fridge and a new dishwasher. Oh did I mention that we have been doing dishes by hand for many, many, many months. We picked up and hauled this massive fridge into the house during a snowstorm. Yeah that was fun. But, we have a working refrigerator that is totally cool, or as Kiah would say "it's totes cool". During all of this the car needed some major work and a new drive shaft. Is that one word? So that took time and money of which we have none now. Why does it always seem that when one thing breaks everything breaks?

So here we are at the start of another new year (of course by the time I actually post this it will be valentine's day), and the beginning of new resolutions. I have no plans of listing any of my new goals or family goals or any such silliness. We will be continuing our prep plans but that is all I'm givin' you. I will instead just wrap last year up and maybe give you a little insight of what is on the list for this year.

Dan- Spent most of last year traveling and working crazy long hours. He has been home for a few months which is totes weird. Has installed a dishwasher and refrigerator, worked on many little needs to be done projects at home. For which I am very grateful.

Stefanie- has been called to work in the nursery at church (again). Will miss working with the activity day girls. Has continued to homeschool four girls, lead projects to completion and failed at blogging. Has expanded her tutoring business (if you know of anyone who needs reading help let me know). Is expanding into teaching moms and kids (girls ages 10-12, will work with other ages) basic sewing skills. Thinking about doing a more widely based homemaking course and not just sewing.

Micah- going to school and working at the bank. Beyond that you will have to ask him.

Anique- working, serving in the library at church (my other favorite calling), helping at home and with homeschooling, coming up with way cool hair styles for her sisters. Cooking way yummy treats that we swear we won't eat and then eat them all. Preparing to put papers in to serve a mission for the Lord. We will let you know when we know.

Kiah- serving as the first counselor in the beehive class presidency, finding a whole new confidence, working on perfecting her cooking skills, becoming a decorator and master childcare provider.

Tessa- makes doll clothes (all of the time), loves to craft, is very excited to turn 12 and enter the young women's program at church. Has finish her Faith in God requirements and is trying to do it over again for fun. Reads everything and loves the library.

Kali- growing her hair out for locks of love. Loves piano, activity days, friends, pink, sparkly and treats. Has read every book on her reading list and is working on next years reading list.

Toran- learning to read, making lapbooks, has spent a lot of time playing and discovering the world outside.

Things we are looking forward to:
Summer science with the O's
Homeschool conference in April
birthdays
girls camp (both Kiah and Tessa will go this year)
global warming (also known as summer)

Happy Thanksgiving

Tuesday we made our way to the library to stock up on books and movies before the holiday. The objective was to make sure that both Tessa and Kali had enough to read for the whole weekend. I think we came close. Kiah of course found some interesting cookbooks and Toran got a couple of Cam Jansen books, so overall I think we are good. With Tessa and Kali it is all about quantity, yes quality is important but if you don't have enough, these two can become a problem. They will begin with the nothing to do whine and head right into the can you craft something plead, and it just generally is not good. So the solution is to make sure we have plenty to read all weekend.

a weekend of reading

Wednesday we bake, we are baking pies, rolls and starting a couple of side dishes. This is Kiah's favorite holiday, mine too. We made two pumpkin, one apple and two chocolate cream. Sounds yummy. Anique made aunt Stacey's rolls, these have become a favorite. They can't be good for you because you just want to eat a 100 of them but boy are they fabulous.

Thursday or Turkey day we are crafting, watching Christmas movies, putting a puzzle together, smelling the turkey cook, setting the table and generally having an easy going family day. Later we will make a list of the many things we are thankful for and eat until we can't move. We will share scriptures of thankfulness and stories of pilgrims looking for religious freedoms, we will share accounts of God's hand in our lives and be grateful for His love.

Doctrine and Covenants 98: 1-3
1) Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;
2)Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord,
3)Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory, saith the Lord.

When we give thanks for everything we are promised that the things we ask for will be granted if it is for God's glory. We find joy when we give thanks to God for all He does in our lives.
May everyone have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Mormon Helping Hands in the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

Mormon Helping Hands in the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

About 150 people from our stake went to New York this past weekend. Some of whom are in this video.

It's Thursday and we have a plan

After a very disappointing Tuesday night and a Wednesday of feeling hopeless and wanting a change. We have made a plan to put ourselves into a better place come the high water and the hot place we know is coming. We have decided we are going to become preppers. It is true, we will do most things with the thought of how does this help us 1) pay off debt, 2) add to the food/product stockpile, 3) make our home more energy efficient, 4) in a disaster. Disaster defined as anything that makes life more difficult to deal with.
The plan is obviously in the early stages and we still have a lot to decide and figure out but for Christmas we are all getting 72 hr. kits and we are drawing out the plans for the food storage room. I am going through all of the lists and figuring out what we need to add to our food storage so we are not as affected by rising food costs. The girls are planning the garden for this spring and we are making plans to butcher chickens and order baby chicks. I wish I could get a milk cow or goat. That would be so cool. The Lord has said, if you are prepared ye shall not fear. I think that means physically and spiritually, so we are doubling our efforts in the spiritual realm as well. We are stepping up our scripture study and understanding, scripture memorization, more meaningful prayer and looking for ways to have meaningful family service.
This week I am making the master plan for the year and we will start the prep. I hope to have a years worth of food and supplies by this time next year. I will be adding to our skills list as well. We already make our own laundry soap and would like to add bar soap, shampoo, chapstick, lotion as well as learning to can. This is a skill that I believe will be very important to have and the girls will be much better off if they learn it young. I hope to receive canning jars and a canning pot for Christmas. I am thinking about a pressure cooker as well but that may take some time to get my nerve up.
I also hope to stockpile fabric, patterns, school curriculum/supplies, cleaning supplies, first aid and paper products. This will take time but we have a new determination and zeal to follow the Lord and the prophet in being prepared for whatever comes.

Peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.
Doctrine and Covenants 121:7

The Pumpkins are finished and...

they look good!

Anique, Kiah, Tessa and Kali all carved a pumpkin by themselves. I carved three. Every year we get comments on our pumpkins, this year was the first year that people asked to take  pictures of them. I find it fun that the little kids stop and look at the pumpkins and loose track of the fact that they are there for free candy. I even heard many kids say things as they walked away like "why don't our pumpkins look like that?", "when are we going to carve our pumpkins?". It makes one feel pretty good about one's pumpkin carving skills. As a side note, does anyone else think it is funny that for 364 days of the year we tell our kids don't take candy from strangers and once a year we march them around in silly clothes and tell them to take the candy and say thank you? It just feels wrong(as I eat peanut butter m&m's).



I carved the two at the top, Kiah the one in the middle, Kali the one on the bottom. That tree took 3 hours to carve.

Tessa carved the one on top, Anique the one in the middle and I did the one you can't see.

Here is the one you can't see up top. I loved how simple it was to carve.