The Fireplace

Remember THIS post?

(Probably not)

Check out the bare naked fireplace

BEFORE

THE PROCEDURE

I was shopping for storage containers at Target when I came across the supplies I needed to dress the fireplace.

AFTER

And the best part...they were on clearance so I got them both for under 10 bucks! I always love a bargain. Now we just need to use the fireplace--5 1/2 years in the house and we've never used the fireplace.

D tells us to Be prepared. You knew yesterday that you would be hungry today. And you knew yesterday you would need clean clothes today. It is smart to do everything you possibly can in advance; you never know when a last-minute situation will make you glad you did.

Thanks to our crazy Utah weather I know today I'll be cold tomorrow. I should be prepared and get some firewood in case the power goes out and we have no heat :)

Happy Memorial Day

No project today!

Yeah for holidays!

The family is waiting patiently for the husband and the big boy to get home from the golf course so we can head to the lake...since I have a few minutes I thought I'd introduce my Aunt Pam's new blog.

Check it out!

preparedness365.blogspot.com

She's doing something every day for her food storage.

Adding to my food storage is on my list of projects for the year...

I've always wanted to store homemade apple pie filling.

But I have no idea how to can anything but freezer jam.

Thanks to this post I think I may be able to pull it off!

On a sad note.

Our little Chuck didn't make it 24 hours under the care of the husband and the children.

We had no choice but to chuck him.

Organizing the First Aid Supplies

Woke up again to snow falling and birds singing.

Snow covered tulips are depressing.

BEFORE...

This drawer's only purpose is to house the first aid supplies.

It's a mess and hard to find anything.

THE TOOLS

THE PROCEDURE
I cleared...then sorted and put like items into individual bags.


Upon finding matches, scissors and meds, I decided it would be wise to relocate most of the first aid supplies to a shelf out of the baby's reach.

AFTER...

I left the container with the band aids in the drawer.

D says With experience comes a kind of Sixth Sense which tells you just how much is a pinch of salt; it informs you, without unnecessary peeks, when a cake is ready to come out of the oven; it gives you a nudge to investigate when Junior has been a little too quiet for too long.

I think it was my 6th sense that led me to the first aid drawer...to save me a call to the fire department, poison control and paramedics.

72 Hour Backpacks in Less Than 72 Minutes!

BEFORE...

2 years ago I decided I was going to get serious about putting together our 72 hour backpacks.

2 years later this was pretty much all I had...

The backpacks have been hanging in the garage...where the temperature hits 120 in the summer and freezing in the winter. Can you imagine what food sitting for 2 years in that environment might taste like?

I wasn't about to taste it...although the 11 year old couldn't help himself and had to eat the jerky. Not sure if you can tell but the cheese and applesauce are a disturbing color of orange.

Check out the expiration dates...

AFTER...

I found these at Lowe's!

And with my coupon they were 40 bucks a piece--TOTALLY WORTH IT!

I like that they are "2 Person" and I feel secure knowing the US Coast Guard approved the food and water :)

Also, I took my sister Tricia's advice and put all the winter hats and gloves into a clear storage bin...

And here they all are in their new home!

I actually added a few extra first aid supplies and personal hygiene items to the gray backpack. This is the perfect place to store the backpacks--the temperature is nice and the closet is right by the front door for quick and easy retrieval.

It's pretty sad when a project I couldn't complete over the last 17 years of marriage has now been completed in under 72 minutes!

D shares with us a cute little poem called...

THE MINUTE

Just a tiny minute,

Only sixty seconds in it,

Forced upon me,

Can't refuse it,

Didn't seek it,

Didn't choose it,

But it's up to me to use it.

Just a tiny little minute

But eternity is in it.

(Anonymous)

The husband and I still have a ways to go in the EP (Emergency Preparedness) department.

We'll address more EP when we move to the garage within the next month or so. It will probably take a lot more than 72 minutes, maybe 72 hours, but hopefully not 72 days.