Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sales This Week
Here's a list of the good sales that are available this week at local stores. Okay, it's not really a list, because we only found one store (Zingo's) that had anything worth reporting, much less buying. BUT Zingo's has shredded or bar cheese in 8 oz packages for $1.19, which is a screaming deal these days. They're also selling Richfood (store brand) frozen vegetables for 59 cents for 16 ounces. That's a great price. While we're there, we might pick up some pineapple and/or cantaloupe (depending on their size), and I'm going to buy some Equiline Band-aids (20-30 ct for $0.99) for our closet.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Reasons to Prepare (and a beginner's list)
If you’re not sure whether to come (this paragraph is like those notes that come in the magazine subscriptions: Open this ONLY if you have decided NOT to subscribe :>), I have LOTS of reasons for you to make it out. There are practical reasons: (1) getting started is the hardest part, and we’ll help you do that: (2) things are always easier and better if you do them with friends. There are spiritual/scriptural reasons: (3) “if [we] are prepared, [we] shall not fear,” and there’s always (4): 1 Tim 5:8 “But if any provide not for [her] own, and specially for those of [her] own house, [she] hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” I don’t know about you, but NOT being an infidel is high on my list. :> There is even a (5) superstitious reason: [and this is the 2nd reason that I couldn’t remember in church yesterday!] you know how, if you bring your umbrella, it doesn’t rain? I can personally attest to that, because I have had a 72-hr evacuation kit (in various stages of completion) since I was about twelve, and I have NEVER had to evacuate!! :> There are also financial and logistical reasons: (6) granola bars, bottled water and emergency ponchos are much less expensive NOW than they will be during the evacuation (that is, (7) assuming you can even buy them then). And if you’re still just not feeling ready to begin putting a kit together, this Thursday will be enjoyable and informative, and we might just (8) treat ourselves to some of the “stress foods” (i.e., chocolate!). (Too bad my son Matt has grown up and doesn’t pray for earthquakes anymore – he’ll miss out).
If you are planning to participate, I’d like you to take a look at this list below. These are things you might have around your house, and which you could bring Thursday night. Please bring whatever you have: if you have some extras, others can use them; if you don’t have enough for you and your family, you can snag someone else’s extras. And please come whether you bring anything or not!
Mini-toothpaste
Toothbrush & floss
Small (hotel) shampoo
Small soap
Washcloth & comb
Small (hotel) lotion
Chapstick
Purse-size tissues
Band-Aids
Emergency Poncho
Knit Hat / Beanie
Latex/Non-latex gloves
Knit Gloves / Mittens
Large Trash Bags
Kerchief / bandana
Water bottles
Matches
Toilet paper / Baby wipes
Card games
Mini-Flashlight (& Batteries)
Scriptures
Portable foods:
Instant Oatmeal
Cocoa in Packets
Granola Bars
Candy bars / Cookies
Beef Jerky
Trail mix
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Some Good Home Storage Sales
Hello! David found some good sales at Zingo's this week, so I'm listing the ones that may be worth your consideration (as well as your gasoline, to drive there!). We plan to call ahead and order large quantities of some of these -- if you want to do that, call 302-368-2310. I will be picking up ours on Saturday, and would be happy to get yours as well (just let me know). Happy Hunting!
Richfood Toasted Oats Cereal -- 89 cents for 14 ounces (Not as good as cheerios, but definitely a good price).
Homelife Whisper Soft Facial Tissues -- 89 cents for 160 ct. box (No idea on the quality, but a very good price).
Richfood Grape Jelly of Jam -- 89 cents for 32 oz. jar (We prefer the jam: easier to spread).
Richfood Peanut Butter, creamy or chunky -- 89 cents for 18 ounces (We stock up on this at 99 cents, so hey!).
Richfood Toasted Oats Cereal -- 89 cents for 14 ounces (Not as good as cheerios, but definitely a good price).
Homelife Whisper Soft Facial Tissues -- 89 cents for 160 ct. box (No idea on the quality, but a very good price).
Richfood Grape Jelly of Jam -- 89 cents for 32 oz. jar (We prefer the jam: easier to spread).
Richfood Peanut Butter, creamy or chunky -- 89 cents for 18 ounces (We stock up on this at 99 cents, so hey!).
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Personal Experience -- a Deadline.
I'm starting to feel that I'm talking to an empty room, shouting at a black hole, mumbling to myself. And it occurred to me that today, on our "fifth Sunday," is three months from the next "fifth Sunday" in October, when I will be speaking to the combined RS/Phd. SO, I decided to document and drive a three-month process to ... what? Get prepared? "Get" my food storage? The church's category is HOME storage, so I guess that works. I know I always work better when I have a back end -- a deadline -- when it needs to get done by.
I'm close to completing the 72-hr kits (with only water bottle carriers & blanket velcro attachments to add); the 2=week in-home (with no utilities) is pretty straightforward. I guess it's the 3-month and the "longer-term storage" that get cumbersome, expensive, and overwhelming. But, I have three months (13 weeks!) to plan it, buy it, make it, learn it, and GET IT. Then I can share what I learned and how I did it, along with develop some tools to help simplify that process for others. Sigh -- it sounds harder to teach others (read: get them hopeful and motivated enough) than to do it for myself.
I'm close to completing the 72-hr kits (with only water bottle carriers & blanket velcro attachments to add); the 2=week in-home (with no utilities) is pretty straightforward. I guess it's the 3-month and the "longer-term storage" that get cumbersome, expensive, and overwhelming. But, I have three months (13 weeks!) to plan it, buy it, make it, learn it, and GET IT. Then I can share what I learned and how I did it, along with develop some tools to help simplify that process for others. Sigh -- it sounds harder to teach others (read: get them hopeful and motivated enough) than to do it for myself.
Friday, July 15, 2011
July Sales
As a (hopefully) helpful side note, these are some food-storage type sales going on through the 21st of July:
Zingo's has Richfood Frozen Vegetables on sale 2 for $1.
Acme has Hunt's Pasta Sauce for .79cents (if you by ten and get $5 instant savings :>).
ShopRite has canned tomatoes 12/$6.99 (limit two sets of 12);
Kleenex boxes for 99c (limit 4 per variety); and ShopRite canned vegetables at 12/$4.68 (with a limit of two sets of 12).
Happy Hunting!
Zingo's has Richfood Frozen Vegetables on sale 2 for $1.
Acme has Hunt's Pasta Sauce for .79cents (if you by ten and get $5 instant savings :>).
ShopRite has canned tomatoes 12/$6.99 (limit two sets of 12);
Kleenex boxes for 99c (limit 4 per variety); and ShopRite canned vegetables at 12/$4.68 (with a limit of two sets of 12).
Happy Hunting!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Joplin, Faith and You
I'm trying to figure out how to help everyone (myself definitely included) to believe and act on the reality that we need to be prepared: spiritually as well as physically, with a little social/emotional strength thrown in there. My calling is specifically on food storage, but I have a hard time separating "food storage" from its context of all-around provident living and general preparedness. "Mere physical preparation is not enough to get [us] through."
I know that faith is the first step. Faith is not just about belief, but also includes doing something about what we believe (remember, Joseph Smith said that faith is a principle of action!).
One of the Joplin church members said: “For me, being prepared means … I don’t need to worry,” she said. “I know that if I’ve done my part by preparing myself spiritually, having food storage, and being willing to share with neighbors and others, I have a sense that I’m going to be okay—that the Lord will bless me whatever happens.” She describes action: the prayer, study and obedience that prepare us spiritually; devoting the time and energy to prepare temporally; and opening our hearts and hands to give freely where needed. ("Other ward and stake leaders say that even if members didn’t end up using their home storage or emergency supplies themselves, having those things put them in a position to help others who needed it.")
I'm not sure how to motivate or inspire anyone out there to get up and get going on this, so I'm going to start my own journey and report what I've found. Now that Girls' Camp is over, I'm going to get moving! (Won't you come along?)
I know that faith is the first step. Faith is not just about belief, but also includes doing something about what we believe (remember, Joseph Smith said that faith is a principle of action!).
One of the Joplin church members said: “For me, being prepared means … I don’t need to worry,” she said. “I know that if I’ve done my part by preparing myself spiritually, having food storage, and being willing to share with neighbors and others, I have a sense that I’m going to be okay—that the Lord will bless me whatever happens.” She describes action: the prayer, study and obedience that prepare us spiritually; devoting the time and energy to prepare temporally; and opening our hearts and hands to give freely where needed. ("Other ward and stake leaders say that even if members didn’t end up using their home storage or emergency supplies themselves, having those things put them in a position to help others who needed it.")
I'm not sure how to motivate or inspire anyone out there to get up and get going on this, so I'm going to start my own journey and report what I've found. Now that Girls' Camp is over, I'm going to get moving! (Won't you come along?)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
15 More Minutes
Take another 15 minutes, and visit the church website. Click on provident living (bottom left), and then the Home Storage link (under Family Living). This will take you to the text of the church's brochure. (Or click this link: http://providentliving.org/channel/0,11677,1706-1,00.html ). Read over it with a prayer in your heart. You will notice that the first thing they ask you to work on is your regular food, then water, then money (okay, a "financial reserve"), and lastly, the longer-term stuff that we all think of whenever "food storage" is mentioned. Let's rewrite our attitude: this isn't (just) about food -- it's about being prepared and living providently! Remember, the Lord will help us to obey.
That said, we started with water mainly because it's so easy. Now, let's think about food. I'm in favor of it! But we're starting small and easy, so if you're already too busy, just pick up double of your canned goods during your shopping this week. If you're strapped for cash, your first step could be to organize what you do have (and make note of what and how much). Another option, if you can't think of where to start, is to email or phone me and just have a conversation. (I am very nice.) The trick is to just get started by doing something. Today, you've read the church's brochure, read this blog entry, and thought about things. So far, so good.
That said, we started with water mainly because it's so easy. Now, let's think about food. I'm in favor of it! But we're starting small and easy, so if you're already too busy, just pick up double of your canned goods during your shopping this week. If you're strapped for cash, your first step could be to organize what you do have (and make note of what and how much). Another option, if you can't think of where to start, is to email or phone me and just have a conversation. (I am very nice.) The trick is to just get started by doing something. Today, you've read the church's brochure, read this blog entry, and thought about things. So far, so good.
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