a "been-there" mom of six offers encouragement
to wives, young mothers, and those not so young,
and simple common-sense approaches to
the "ings" of life:
child-rearing (hints and helps), homemaking (all areas),
cooking (simple, cheap, and do-it-yourself)
making (toys and gifts), preparing (for the unexpected),
maintaining (sanity and peace in this increasingly crazy world) and more---
all aspects of making the most of making do on little---
and having fun in the process.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Part 7 - Gain Peace of Mind by Having a Complete First-Aid Kit for times . . .


when it will take more than a kiss to make it better!

This post concludes my "Just in Case" series. 

 I sincerely hope these posts have made a difference.

Your answers to the following questions will tell you if they have made a difference in your life: 

  • Have you started thinking about what your family will need in times of need?


  • Have you started taking steps so you will have the items on hand to provide for your family when the need arrives?


Getting started begins simply by doing just that, basically putting one foot in front of the other --- taking one step, then another, then another. 


  • Will you continue gathering basic emergency needs until you have sufficient for each family member for, at the very least, three days (72 hours of basic survival amounts of food and water)?


Self-Discipline is the ability to carry out a resolution after the enthusiasm is gone!


If you missed the two (un-numbered) posts that introduced this series please go back and check them out. Actually, even if you did read them initially 

I ask that you look at Why are Realists Called Alarmists again --- Please! As one picture says more than one thousand words can say, viewing these emergencies are vivid, indelible reminders   of how fast things can change and how horrific these changes can be.

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/05/are-you-prepared-for-emergency-national.html

One thing we know for certain is . . . we never know for certain!

Simply Preparing for "Just in Case" Brings Peace of Mind gives a simple overview

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2013/05/simply-preparing-for-just-in-case.html


It really can happen --- you may suddenly find yourself in a situation that requires . . .

     more than a kiss to make it better!



Last year, as I began my  "What If . . ." series, I posted on the wisdom of assembling a comprehensive first aid kit "just in case."  

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-if-your-first-aid-cupboard-is-bare.html

Important Note: The supply list included in the below post was compiled about 30 years ago when, as a Church group, we assembled our kits.  Since the majority of the items are still "accurate" I didn't see any reason "to reinvent the wheel" as the saying goes.  You may not recognize a few of the old "stand-by" liquids listed but many are still available and still totally appropriate.  Your pharmacist will be able to advise you in this area and make suggestions/alternatives.

If you are creative you can save a lot of money in putting this kit together by 

  • substituting, where practical, things you already have on hand*
  • finding items in your cupboards that may be duplicates 
  • going in with a few friends so you can divide and share


* Following are a couple of internet sites for making your own band-aids/bandages. There are numerous other sites if you want to search further.

The first one is an  excellent and extensive but simple tutorial from July/August 1995 Backwoods  Home Magazine, shows several different types made from used white bed sheets or similar white material and  "ace"/elastic bandage wraps from stretch-type pants. The second one teaches you haow to make an "ace"/elastic bandage wrap from athletic socks.

http://theamericansurvivalguide.com/a/c/BHM/Emergency%20Prepardness%20and%20Survival/Medical/How%20to%20make%20your%20own%20dressings%20and%20bandages...By%20Marjorie%20Bur.pdf


http://www.ehow.com/how_5892269_make-elastic-bandage-home.html


Being ready "just in case" brings peace of mind---the peace of mind that "will allow you to sleep when the wind blows" . . .



A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him.

A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace.

The young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well.

The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, "I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.

The story about the young farmhand illustrates a principle that is often overlooked about being prepared for various events that occur in life. There was nothing dramatic or sensational in the young farm hand's preparations -- he just faithfully did what was needed each day.

Consequently, peace was his, even in a storm.

It is that simple!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Part 6 - Gain Peace of Mind by Being Prepared If Women's Personal Products are Unavailable. . .




Uh-oh here comes Gail with another one of her unmentionable
posts. 

 A few days ago I  directed a long-time and long-time-no-see friend  to my blog for the recipes for microwave bread and butter pickles and Greek Yogurt.  Because of the date of our exchange (and thankfully just in time) I remembered to warn her that the first post she would encounter would be the one on "disposing of human waste."  I assured her it  was not my usual blogging topic.

The fact of the matter is  --- 

no matter who we are, at what point or station or circumstance in our lives  we all gotta go and for some --- flow.  And it is helpful if the under-discussed could be openly-discussed. 

Sanitary Hygiene Products were a  most welcome invention back in the day. What may surprise  many of you is 1) back in the day actually wasn't too many "days" ago and 2) necessary sanitary products aren't necessarily sanitary!

When I was just getting started, these products came in plain brown wrappers.  

If you want to learn more and, more importantly, want to learn of some alternatives just-in-case --- simply click on each of the following. 

This first one gives you some interesting history on where the commercial products all began and some back-then-frank-talk you will probably find amusing.

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/06/what-if-i-dared-discuss-feminine.html

This next post is the getting-back-to-the basic whys, wherefores and, most important, how-to's ------ just in case you want them or may need them. 

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-if-you-consider-going-back-to.html

I haven't even tried to give time-line assignments for this post but I hope you will give yourself some time to get past the yuck factor and consider the possibilities of  knowing how to go back to the basics ---- just in case. If you do choose to be prepared in this area I hope you will not put off preparing.

I am Simply Gail, trying to be down to earth  in broaching these basic plain-brown-wrapper subjects. Sorry Heidi, I don't feel it is TMI.