Are You Prepared?

Emergency Preparation

52 Week Plan 

With an increase in natural disasters and threats of health epidemics, I have started an emergency preparation plan.  

A plan that will take up to 52 weeks to complete.

Whether this is a new trend or has been around for ages, I give major loss planning the respect it deserves. 

Where once I would go about life in my merry little world, I now take potential threats more seriously.

So earlier this winter I set out a 52 week emergency preparation readiness.

I have started to become educated on the how too's of this plan.

At first, I must confess, it was a little overwhelming for me.  So much information, so little knowledge or experience.

But after a while you get into a rhythm.  You set out your own plan and what works for you and your family.

Planning being the key word in this project.

I breakdown my plan into three categories:

1.  Emergency preparation for the vehicle.

2.  Evacuation - a.k.a. "Bug Out"

3.  Staying put at home.

*The above three I am going to discuss in three separate posts.

*In another post, I will also list and review equipment you will need and should have on hand.  

You would be surprised what you already have at home that will serve in an emergency situation.

Today's post is about my 52 week plan for staying at home during an emergency.

52 weeks to prepare, plan, purchase and set into motion.

Stock Up On Food

One of the best defences in being a "prepper" is stocking up on supplies.

I am preparing for a three month supply of goods and supplies.

Because of the cost of purchasing what you will need, do it over a 52 week period of time.

When you are grocery shopping, buy an extra item for your "stash".  Make trips into the dollar store  and buy a can of something or rather - can of veggies, soup or whatever works for you.

Keep in mind, be careful what you buy at the dollar store.  I tend to buy food there only.  

I buy my supplies and survival gear at major department stores.

As always, watch your flyers for food sales and special.  Buy what you would normally buy for you and your family, but now just add a few more of these items for your stash.

When you are purchasing your supply stash, keep in mind how they will be cooked.  Review your cooking method during this emergency time.  No hydro, means no stove or oven....keep that in mind.

I will talk about in another post, what equipment I will be using to cook my food.

How Much?

Who and How Many Are You Preparing For?

I am a family of three.  

I buy and stash what we like, what we eat, then determine a daily menu.

Three meals a day, for three people, for a three month period.

3 people x 3 meals x 3 months

Separate Your Stash

What works for me is to have my emergency stash separated from my day to day food and supplies.

How I separated my 3 main stashes:

1.  I bought a pantry for my "stay at home" stash.

2.  I have a shelf in the basement for my "bug out" bags.

3.  And a container that holds all my vehicle emergency supplies (I would have taken a pic, but it is out in the car....will get a pic next time I am out there!).

Within the pantry, I separate the three meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Each week when I plan my grocery list, I have a look at the meals already laid out in the pantry. and determine what I should pick up that week.

I rotate and replace this food every few weeks or so....if it doesn't get eaten in the meantime!

Eventually this pantry of food will makes its way down to the basement, but for now I like it upstairs making it easy for me to study each week what I need.

*If anyone is interested, I can do a separate post on what items I buy.

I also have just started to purchase "bartering items".

I found this website to very helpful when I first started to determine what to buy.

100 Items To Disappear First

Check your Government's website for disaster info.

In Canada -  Get Prepared

In the USA - FEMA

In Great Britain - GOV.UK

Red Cross  - Red Cross - Canada

Explore Pinterest for research material, that is where I got most of my info.

Diane

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I will be linking up with these parties

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House 

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style 

Blogger Home Tour - Our Home Away From Home

Welcome to the Blogger Home Tour series.
Featuring some of the finest homes on tour in Blogland.

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Met Maria from Our Home Away From Home

Her home has always been one of my faves with its elegant autumn hue colours throughout.

 As with the season, this home expresses much comfort, warmth and definitely a heartfelt welcome.

Maria and I started blogging about the same time.

I would see and visit her at a few parties.

Always admiring the love she generates into her home.

And now almost two and a half years later, I feel we are bosom friends.

And if she lived closer, I would be popping over for tea regularly and chat away the day!

She makes her home away from home in Texas, USA, but was born and raised in Madrid, Spain.

I can always see and feel a hint of her Spanish background throughout her home.

She is wife to retired Army and Mom to three children, one which is a Navy son.

A crystal Palace in Madrid, Spain

Let step inside and have a look around.

They built their home in 2008.

A custom built design, making their own personal and private place to hang their hat.

Love the foyer, double love the stairway.

Awesome metal art throughout the house. 

 Have a seat in the livingroom.

An even prettier living room dressed for Christmas.

The cutest laundry room.

If you have to do the chores, may as well be in a pretty room!

 An elegant and classy kitchen.

The breakfast area.

Don't you just love the family room?

I just might fall asleep in that big comfy couch! 

This is my very favourite room.

A little bit of Christmas detail in this room.

Love this coffee table, I might have to copy this look.

A very talented crafter and master of DIY projects!

With detailed step by step instructions on all things how too's - my kind of tutorials. :)

Love her back porch.  

She gives a detailed tutorial for these no sew canvas drop cloth outdoor curtains here

Simply a lovely home, I very much enjoyed showing it off today.

Thank you Maria for letting us take a tour.

Drop by her blog, Our Home Away From Home, and say hello!

Diane

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I will be linking up with these parties

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
 Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Thank You!

A great big thank you for the birthday wishes my friends!

This is the caramel cheesecake my daughter made me for my birthday.....and being the good daughter she is, left it behind!

I have been eating it all morning.....heaven.

I raised her to be a very wise woman, don't ya think!  ha

Diane

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