WHY BOTHER LEARNING HOW TO DO THINGS THE OLD WAY?
As I sit here on my smartphone scrolling through my photographs, I recall how things used to be. You'd take a whole roll of pictures with your film camera, take the roll to be developed, and come back in a week or so to pick up your photos. Only then did you discover whether or not you captured the moment perfectly, or if it's just a blurry waste of time and money.
In these modern times, we point, shoot, edit, and make entire videos from our PHONES, as well as send them through thin air to be captured on the internet and distributed to other devices all over the world. Amazing just isn't a strong enough word to describe this technical wonder!
Why does this matter? Well, it's a good example of why we shouldn't let go too fast of some old ways. Those photos were tangible. The photos on our phones aren't, and many people today lose their precious memories because technology can fail. Recently, my phone glitched and I lost several videos I was working on.
Now, what if that happens to the electricity? Your car? The grocery supply systems? Emergency services? Are you prepared to handle being without food, water, transportation, electricty, medicine, first aid supplies, self-defense?
Many people think "Oh, I don't need to prepare for anything. I've got ramen noodles and band-aids. The stores have the rest". I promise you, you are WRONG. There doesn't have to be a huge end-of-the-world event or a superstorm in your area. A life-altering emergency needs only to happen to YOU and YOUR family to constitute an event!
I am giving you this expert advice because I've been there. All it took was an ER trip for my husband to find out our lives were upside down. There were times when the power got shut off, the water was off, the mortgage went unpaid, and the cabinets were empty. Paychecks don't come in if the breadwinner can't work, and I was a Home school mom with 5 children ages 13 to 4. Here's what I did:
*SACRIFICE: Sell all jewelry (or other items worth money but not really needed). It's not a life necessity. I hung on to my wedding ring until I absolutely had to sell, but guess what? We're still married without it! I paid the mortgage to save the house (which we sold later at a profit) and got the water and electric back on. Done.
*HAND WASH: I couldn't risk running up the electric bill, so with water and homemade laundry soap, I was able to take a clean 5-gallon bucket and a clean plunger and wash all the clothes. I rinsed them in the tub and hung them to dry. Wash for 7 was done every other day. Done.
*MAKE FOOD FROM SCRATCH: I took $30 and bought baking supplies. Flour, sugar, yeast, baking soda, etc. I baked fresh loaves of bread and dozens of cookies and sold them at local businesses. Got $200 and bought my family groceries to go with what I was growing. Plus more baking supplies to do the same thing week after week. Done.
*BE RESOURCEFUL: I took $17 to a thrift store and asked how many VHS tapes could I buy? The manager said if I took them ALL, I could have them. There were 12 large totes full. I sold them on eBay and made around $60 per week. I took that money and bought other stuff to sell until I was making about $1200 per month!
This all occured while my husband was in Intensive care off and on for 5 months. His long-term disability insurance finally started coming in and we started being able to breathe a little bit again.
That's just one personal experience. As far as an environmental event, I am a Florida native and have been through 5 major hurricanes. I don't think I have to tell you that it's devastating to have your life literally turned upside down by Nature, But being prepared makes it a whole lot easier!
We also have plans for sharing with others, an escape route, and hiding places if the need arises. The children are also trained to survive in case we get separated, i.e. wild edibles, self defense and weapons, and evasion techniques.
Please, take the time TODAY to prepare. You don't have to call yourself a prepper, just call yourself a responsible person! Prepare NOW and have no regrets later!
Now, I make blogs for Steemit while in town since we don't have internet. I will continue to do this because my husband's illness just went to the next level and I may soon be a widow. Our family will survive this and be stronger though!
My next "big" post will be on our survival backpacks so stay tuned!
FREE FOOD FOR LIVESTOCK HERE:
Thank you for sharing, that is really brave of you to share that with us all.
We forget the hardships of if one of our partners get sick , how to deal with that.
For far too long we tried to keep everything to ourselves. That doesnt help anyone. So if I can give anyone an idea on how to make it through, its well worth it! Come back and see us🌻
We have been through many of the same things, being prepared is always the best option. I like how you mentioned sacrifice, it is so true. not only to have to sell things but to do without. In the end for us it was a freedom. Best of luck! and as my drill Sargent used to say keep moving forward!
Yes freedom! I have gotten over so much stress by just letting go and focusing on the important things. Onward!
I love this. I won't get into story telling here, but over time, my own trials and tribulations will come out like this in posts as well. Trust me when I say, I've been where you all went, in more than once instance and in more than one hurricane, both literally and figuratively speaking.
I really needed to see this post today. Thank you!
Thank you back! Im hoping that we can learn from each other...theres so much I didnt post in order to keep from writing a novel. Looking forward to yours!
Well than wait for the movie, because mine is not just a novel ,it's a flipping two week miniseries!
I'll break out my popcorn preps Lol!
Solid plan!
Wow, I am SO PROUD of you! Probably doesn't mean much coming from someone you don't know from Adam... But, WOW. I am so impressed and proud. You are STRONG and CAPABLE. You are a beautiful role model to your family and your husband must be so proud to have a wife like you.
Please keep telling us about things you've done to survive. I wonder sometimes what I'd do... I've no job, our mortgage is $1500/mo and I'll never make the kind of cash that husband does. Though if I were unfortunate enough to lose husband, I would find a smaller home on much less property, for sure.
I am just at awe by you.
Your warm wishes mean more to me today than anything else (its been a rough week, lets just say)! Thank you🌹
You're absolutely welcome! <3
If you ever need to chat, let me know and we will figure out a way!
Thats an awesome offer🐝
No problem! :)
I'm so sorry for your struggles. I too was a homeschool mom but my husband's illness came much later. I have been a caregiver for 5 years and can relate to your financial situation in many ways. May God bless you and give you courage to keep going and raising your children the way you are convicted. Resteemed! Upvoted and following
Im right with you there. Its been 5 1/2 years for me. Sometimes sharing the struggle lifts the weight of it all. Thank you for reading and sharing (followed you too!)
@farmandadventure
I want to commend you for your keeping the faith as it is not an easy task. I have gone through recent challenges myself with having taken care of my father for the past 5 years, but your story makes my situation seem easy by comparison. Please know that you have a host of people praying for you and here to encourage you , too!
Upvoting your post!
Caregivers need each other! The prayers are appreciated as well as the kind words. We can support each other when the times get tough🌻
Thank you! I agree and please know that God will see you through no matter how tough it may seem, @farmandadventure
Another great post straight from the heart! It def pays off to be prepared! And you are such a brave person for doing that all by yourself!
We can only be brave when we know we have someone to be brave for...thank you for the warm comments🌻
True that ღ ღ ღ
@farmandadventure
I really hope the Steemit community could help get behind you and help you during this difficult time. I have seen how Steemians have stepped up to the plate on other occasions to reach out to those with a truly just cause. So I would like to give a shout out to @papa-pepper @breakingtonight @craig-grant @sweetsssj and any other who would wish to show their support in any way possible. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! 🙏
You are too kind! I spoke about my husbands illness in another blog (Ankylosing Spondylitis). I may try to do a more in depth post soon. Your support means the world!
Thank you!! You are in our prayers!! I admire you as a wife and mother. May God be with you and give you strength and peace.
I'm sorry to hear that about your husband. While unfortunate that you had to live without the comforts or even the financial security most people enjoy your story is a testament of your strength. And hopefully it will serve as a warning to those who think their lifestyle is secure enough to not have the skills to survive a similar situation.
It is my strongest hope that by sharing this information, Ive helped someone. I see so many people losing the will to keep fighting because they feel there isnt a clear way out. Sometimes, you just have to clear the path yourself. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow you are a super woman. Sounds like you were pulled in so many directions and thrown into the fire all at once. I know at times when life events occur we don't see an end and we don't know which way to turn. Some people shut down and let the event take over their life. You seem so strong from what you have been through and didn't allow the situation to consume you. I am sorry for the pain you went through and continue to be subjected to. I can't begin to understand and all I can do is pray for your situation. Thank you for sharing something so close to your heart and entrusting others with such information. God Bless you and your family and may all the Lords Blessing be bestowed on you.
I have had some very strong women in my life who showed me that we can pull the family through hard times. I was also blessed with some strong male role models who put their skills and work ethic to work for them. There were some times when I realized I could lose my husband and felt like I would just fall apart. But then your kids are there and you know it's not time for that. Like my granny used to say "Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and WORK". Thank you for your kind comment🌻
You are so welcome! I love the saying "Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work". I also like the one " When things are to tough to stand then kneel". Have a Blessed Day!