Tornadoes in January are not unheard of but they are very rare. Tornado season doesn't normally begin until May. Heavy snow storms in Seattle and other parts of Washington are also rare but this  year they happened and people were not ready. the cities and counties were not ready either. We must take our family's safety and security into our own hands. Please don't think this can't happen to yo. Try telling that to those in Washington and Alabama today, and what about those in Utah who were without power for more than a week last month? They didn't live in the mountains and there was no snow, just wind and more wind.

Tomorrow on Ready Or Not we will continue the discussion for preparing your home for winter emergencies.

Please join us and share you experiences. 

Check each room for water leaks: You may not even notice the small things that are in need of repair in your home. We become so accustomed to living in our homes that we sometimes ignore small things that can make a big difference. Repair any leaky pipes or roof leaks. Even a small leak can create a huge mold problem.

Check each room for wiring problems: Repair frayed wires on lamps and appliances. If you don’t know how to do this check with a handyman or lighting fixture store. Fixes can be made for a nominal cost.

Secure unstable furniture in every room: Many large pieces of furniture such as bookcases and hutches are top-heavy. They could easily kill someone if they fall during a storm or earthquake. Hold the furniture and carefully rock it back and forth. If it moves at all it should be secured to the wall by adding straps, bolts, or braces. In earthquake country all large furniture should be secured to walls.

Look around: Remove or bolt down heavy items from over sofas and beds as they could seriously injure someone if the item were to fall.

Heads up: Are your ceiling fixtures bolted or secured to a wall stud?

Check shelves and ledges: In Mark Twain's “Letters from Hawaii” he wrote about the humorous art of dining on a ship as it tosses in the waves. Your home in an earthquake will be very much like that. Consequently, items displayed or stored on open shelves or ledges should be secured. You may need to add a molding or wood strip to the front of a shelving unit to act as a restraint for shifting items. Items on plant ledges should be very lightweight, or they should be secured making it impossible for them to fall.

Secure propane tanks: If you have small propane tanks stored for emergency cooking on a camp stove or barbecue, make sure they are properly stored. Always store tanks upright in a well ventilated cupboard with a door that closes securely to prevent the tank from falling during a storm or earthquake. The door should be ventilated – chicken wire works well. Tanks should be stored in areas that will not exceed 125º F. This may seem like an extreme temperature but it is possible for garages, sheds and car trunks to reach those temperatures in many areas of the world. Never store tanks inside your home. Always check tanks to make sure the valves are off before storing and never store an extra tank under a barbecue grill. Using soapy water you can check the tank and valve for leaks. The soapy water will bubble if there is a leak.

Check your mobile home tie downs: If you live in a mobile home or have one on your property check the tie-downs often. Even if no one is living in it, a mobile home can become life threatening as it may be torn apart by a storm and generate debris if it is not in good repair.

Check appliances: Install flexible pipe fittings and hoses, as they are less likely to break.

Stock up: Store extra water, food, toiletries, medicines, pet foods, and cleaning supplies now in case you are unable to travel to the store after a storm. In some cases there may not be a store left to travel to.

Take cover: Plan now how you will board up windows and doors if you have warning a hurricane or powerful windstorm is approaching. Store sheets of plywood that are pre-drilled to make installation faster. Store extra duct tape to help prevent glass from breaking and becoming flying debris. Store nails and screws to secure window coverings. At the very least, prepare to cover windows with blankets and sheets to help stop airborne glass from entering your home.

“Home is a shelter from storms – all sorts of storms.” ~William J. Bennett

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t's been a busy week and I have been doing most of my communicating on facebook. For those of us not dealing with the aftermath of Irene or for those who experienced Irene and are now more determined than ever to get ready, we need to go forward and keep working on our General Store. Let's talk about that first…This week add 2 pounds of cheese per person to your store. Now I know it's a challenge to store cheese bu there are options. You can store canned cheese, processed cheese spreads like Velveeta, waxed cheese or freezing cheese. Cheese which is unopened can also be stored for a long period of time, months, in the fridge. Another option is freeze dried cheese. For those who have been around for a while you know I am not a big supporter of dehydrated or freeze dried products EXCEPT as ingredients. Those now facing a lack of drinkable water understand why. Ask anyone in an area now underwater…..Freeze dried cheese is wonderful and a great way to store. If you are storing freeze dried cheese store one number 10 can for every four pounds of cheese. Check out Healthy Harvest if you are in the market for freeze dried cheese. 

Since we are now more than aware of the need for clean water after a disaster, this week add more water to the non food shelves in your General Store. You may want to consider purchasing a water container. These are available from 5 gallons in size to 55 gallon drums. Larger drums are great for the storage of water to be used around the home. Five gallon are the largest containers you should consider for water you will be taking with you should you have to evacuate. Water is very heavy. 

Now, for those not on facebook here are the tips for the past day. 

Aftermath Tip #8 Do not rely on salty foods for your nutrition when you have limited

water. While jerky may have a lot of protein it will also increase your thirst. Also opt for unsalted nuts

and stay away from pretzels.

Aftermath tip # 9 When cleaning up after a flood always wear work boots, hiking boots or rubber

boots over tennisshoes. There will be debris in the water which can cut through running shoes and

even leather shoes and there will also be snakes and other kritters in the water who have been displaced

from their home and they are hungry and scared.

Aftermath tip # 10 NEVER use your barbecue, a fire pit or hibachi inside your home. If it doesn't start

a fire the fumes will kill you.

Tip # 11 Generators can be such a blessing but they can also be deadly. If you don't know what you

are doing hire aprofessional to hook up your generator. Place generators at least 10 feet from your

home. Be sure you have both gas and oil on hand to replace when they run out. Never add gas or oil

when the generator is hot so plan ahead so it can cool down over night or during hours when you do

not need to prepare meals or work.

Tip # 12 Raid that Emergency kit. Keep more of the heat out and preserve light, line windows with mylar

blankets from your survival kits. You will be amazed how it reduces the heat. During a power outage the

temperature soared to 114 degrees.Mylar blankets were placed on two sliding doors and the temp. went

down ten degrees in minutes. Next day the sun never had a chance to heat things up & it stayed cool.

Tip #13 I just heard people are taking back supplies purchased for Irene but never used. ARE YOU

CRAZY? Do not return those lanterns and Emergency kits. You just had an earthquake. Do you

not understand earthquakes give no warning, when they come you will need supplies NOW

and they may not be available? You live in the area of the US most lively to be targeted by

terrorists and rogue nations like Iran who would love to detonate an EMP and leave you without

power for months. Wake up!

Aftermath Tip #14 Before entering a flooded structure, make sure that all electric, gas and

oil valves are turned off.Damaged electrical can mean electrocution, leaking gas can cause an

explosion and fire with as little as a spark from turning on a flashlight.

Aftermath tip #15 When returning to a damaged home open exterior doors slowly, sticking may

indicate that the ceiling is ready to fall. Wait 10 minutes before entering to be sure it is

safe. Be careful as steps and floors will be slippery if you are returning to a flooded home.

Aftermath tip #16 Have you called your insurance company? Don't wait until you get home,

do it now. The sooner you get your claim in line the better. Your agent can advise you what you

need to be doing now to expedite your claim and to document your losses. Should you wake up

to find flooding or have a tree fall in the middle of the night

call immediately. Leave a message and your claim will be handled before those who have  

waited to report.

Aftermath tip # 17 Before you begin the cleaning up take pictures of everything. You want to

be able to prove the damage was caused by flooding or wind. Take more pictures than you think

you will need.

Aftermath tip # 18 While cleaning up take pictures of all items recovered which are damaged.

You can claim all these when you fill out insurance forms but you will want proof that you owned them

and proof they were damaged and/or destroyed. You will also want to keep a written record of all items

 to put with the pictures. If you have volunteers helping assign one of them to this task so you can

remain focused on other things. Have helpers take all damaged items to this person for inventory.

Aftermath tip # 19 It's important to dry out a flooded home ASAP to prevent mold. Release water

from ceiling by using a nail on the end of a stick to poke a small hole at the edge of the sag.

Poking a hole at the center could cause a collapse. Repeat the process working toward the center.

Test for water trapped in walls by removing the baseboard and poking small holes in the wallboard

about two inches above the floor. If water appears, cut holes to allow water to drain.

Aftermath tip # 20 I'm still looking for those who were victims of Irene for my radio show.

Please let me know if you are interested or know someone who can call and talk to about the gig.

Remove floor coverings from flooded areas. Take pictures and save a small sample of any

carpet/upholstery for your insurance adjuster. Take wet floor covering and upholstered furniture

outside to dry. Mold grows quickly and can be life-threatening.

Aftermath tip#21  When cleaning up after a flood be very careful to get everything

or mold will grow in places you may not have thought about. Wash and disinfect air ducts,

outlets, wall switches, light sockets, furniture, walls,  clothing, bedding, everything. 

Aftermath tip #22 If the basement is flooded, begin pumping the water in stages —

about 1/3 of the water per day. Do not pump the basement all at once because the

saturated soil could cause the basement walls to collapse.

Mark your calendars for the return of READY OR NOT next Tuesday night

6:00pm Pacific~9:00pm Eastern

My guests will be disaster survivors who will share with us what they have learned

and what they are now doing differently.

Begin Your Personal Preparedness Binder Today By Purchasing the

Totally Ready Newsletter.

Purchase Back Issues From Year One.

With cold weather conditions in place where they have been unheard of in the past, frostbit can become a real problem and one we should all know how to recognize and how to treat. Let's take a look.

Frostbite: Common warning signs include a progressive numbness and a loss of sensitivity to touch. The affected area may also tingle or feel as if it is burning. As the damage increases the pain begins to fade or eventually disappear. The skin changes color, it blanches, and may then appear red, and finally white-purple if allowed to freeze.

Frostbite can affect any part of the body, but the tip of the nose, ears, fingertips, and toes are the most likely areas to be affected.

In mild cases, full recovery can be expected with early treatment. Severe cases of frostbite can result in infection, or gangrene – the death of some body tissue due to the lack of blood supply.

Treatment of Frostbite

When you first notice signs of frostbite get out of the cold immediately when possible, and rewarm the affected area. Advanced frostbite can result in amputation or even death. Take it seriously.

Do not rub the skin in an effort to get blood flowing back to the area. This causes friction and can destroy already damaged skin and tissue, as well as increase the risk of infection.

To thaw frostbitten skin, immerse the affected part in a bath kept at a constant temperature of 104 to 105 degrees F for an hour or more, about the temperature of a baby bottle. This will cause the blood vessels to dilate and circulation to return to the area.

Rapid rewarming is painful. Take two ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen to dull the pain.

Do not smoke or chew tobacco. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels, reduces blood flow to chilled areas, and delays healing. If you do not have access to warm water, stick the frozen body part under an armpit or between your legs.

When the skin has thawed and rewarming is complete, cover the damaged skin with bandages and warm clothing. As soon as possible contact your doctor or go to an emergency room.

If there is any chance of refreezing a thawed body part, do not rewarm. Freezing, rewarming and freezing the skin again causes much more tissue damage.

Prevention of Frostbite

Before going outside in extremely cold temperature, apply skin moisturizer to the face, hands, and any other body part that may be exposed to the cold. Dress warmly, wear dry clothing, and stay out of the wind. Wear a face mask for extra protection. Wear heavy mittens instead of gloves in cold weather. When the fingers are together in a mitten they will stay warmer.

Children playing outside should be watched carefully to make sure that they do not lose or remove mittens or hat. Remember that wool clothing and synthetic fibers will keep you warm even when wet so always have wool items in your car kits.

Be extremely careful when pumping gas into your car if the temperature is below freezing. Gasoline on exposed skin evaporates very quickly, lowers the temperature of the skin, and makes it more susceptible to frostbite.

Avoid smoking or drinking before venturing out into extreme cold. Tobacco decreases circulation by constricting blood vessels, and alcohol interferes with the body's ability to regulate temperature.

Be ware and especially careful when children are involved. Frostbite is very dangerous. Take it seriously.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts/ready-or-not/

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Tonight we have an hour of radio news full of great information and several big announcements which will help to explain just why my posting has been a little spotty lately. Please be on hand to hear tips from a survivor of the 2010 blizzard in Baltimore. Nicole will share her insights and lessons learned. With winter rapidly approaching now is the time to prepare in case this winter breaks records in your area.  Listen to READY OR NOT tonight 6:00pm Pacific time.

We really never know just what is in store around the corner. This was predicted to be a  very bad hurricane season and with just a few weeks left it has been very mild. This has been predicted to be a very bad fire season in California and we are still very worried about what is really going to happen the next month. Yesterday there were wind driven fires around Sacramento. That is very unusual but since everything in California is tinder dry this year, not really surprising. Let’s face it we are not in charge and we really don’t know what is heading our way. You will hear from Nicole tonight about how she heeded warning to prepare years ago and it is now part of her family’s every day routine. When the warning came she had to do very little to turn a frightening scenario into an adventure. Yes, fire season is expected to be bad this year but even if it is not what have we lost by preparing? The real question is what have we gained? A sense of security for our children? Peace of mind for the adults? Added money in our pockets as we need to shop only when food and supplies are on  sale?

This week add to those store shelves and as you do so remind yourself that no amount of money or gold can purchase food for you family when store shelves are bare.Food the foodies in the group we are adding 6 pounds of grain per family member this week. Grains may include, wheat, rice, rye, popcorn to grind into cornmeal, oats, pasta, flours and more. Store those you use and learn to use others that are less familiar. Store a variety. Even if you now have oatmeal every morning for breakfast during a crisis you will be frustrated if that is your only option. We all want to feel in control during a challenge and having  options, even if you choose oatmeal every day, creates a feeling on empowerment.

With the cold and flu season approaching now is the time to add medications to our General Store. This week add over the counter medications for treating the symptoms of  coughs and sinus congestion.

Dont’ forget tonight at 6:00pm Pacific time! Tune in!

To Listen to past broadcasts of READY OR NOT visit:

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO WIN AN EMERGENCY KIT FROM HEALTHY HARVEST.

LISTEN TO THE READY OR NOT with Joyce Moseley Pierce  FOR DETAILS !!!

Tomorrow I will host Makana Hansen as my guest on READY OR NOT . Makana is an expert on saving money when shopping. She will discuss coupon shopping, not only for groceries but also other items we purchase often, and even those we buy just for fun. Be sure to have your questions ready so you can call in or join us in the chat room. Join us tomorrow, Tuesday September 21st at 6:00pm pacific time.

Food prices are set to rise again. We have been hearing for some time about the disastrous wheat crops in Russia and Pakistan this year. Exports have been eliminated which has dramatically but world supply and increased demand. As a result of these crop failures prices are increasing on wheat in every other region of the world, including in the United States. Australian bee colonies are being destroyed by an African beetle which mean increased prices not only on honey but also on all the crops bees pollinate.  None of this is good news for the pocketbook. We will just keep taking those small steps each week to prepare and the store our personal General Stores so we can weather the increases in price with little affect on our bottom line.

This week add insect spray to your shelves. The best time to reduce the wasp population is in early spring when you see your first wasp. I realize that is a long way in the future right now but if you have that spray on hand you can quickly kill those first wasps and save lots of headaches later. Wasp spray is also a great defensive weapon. You can remain 15 feet away from an attacker  while spraying them and slowing them down. It may sound harsh but it’s better than becoming a victim. After a disaster you will have lots and lots of unwelcome creeping and crawling “visitor” so be prepared now to deal with them when they arrive.

For our store shelves we are adding 2 pounds of cheese per person to our store. Waxing cheese is easy to do and will preserve your cheese for years while it sits on a shelf in a cool, dark place. There are complete instructions in the September 2009 Newsletter.

Today’s Tip # 20: Place a flashlight and whistle next to or slightly under each bed in the house. It is a good idea, especially if you are in earthquake country, to place these in a plastic bag or other container which can be secured to the leg of the bed where it can be reached without getting out of bed.

If you would like a copy of Joyce’s Moseley Pierce’s ebook All They’ll Need to Know to help you prepare your important documents get it at the special price for Ready or Not listeners at:

http://emersonpublications.com/?page_id=197

Review…Tips

For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

# 9 Inventory your kitchen, everything.

#10 Inventory your Family room/living room.

#11 Inventory your bedrooms.

#12 Inventory Office and formal dining room.

# 13 Inventory and update 72 hour kits. If you are just beginning collect back packs for every family member.

#14 Sort through medicine cabinet. Replace expired medications.

# 15  Copy your driver’s license, car insurance policy and birth certificates for your important documents file. We had a great show Tuesday night with tips and info about collecting important documents and just why it is so vital. If you missed the show download it and listen today.

#16 Inventory bathrooms and hall closets

#17 Inventory garage

#18 Make copies of your home owners or renters insurance.

#19 Make copies of the front and back of all credit cards and record the contact phone numbers for all cards on these copies.

To Listen to past broadcasts of READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/carolyn-nicolaysen/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO WIN AN EMERGENCY KIT FROM HEALTHY HARVEST. LISTEN TO THE READY OR NOT with Joyce Moseley Pierce  FOR DETAILS !!!

Last month’s Foreclosure numbers are staggering. Nationwide there were 95,000 home foreclosures, up 25% from the numbers last year! The economy can not rebound until these numbers change dramatically. Food prices are still on the rise and no one really knows the implications of the wheat crisis in Russia. Please continue to stock up on food and learn to use and rotate the foods you store.

For those who may be new to Totally Ready I need to take a second to let you know we are not about fear here. We are about information so you can make decisions for your family which will enable you to be safe and to thrive no matter what challenges are thrown your way. As those who have been around for some time know, I have been concerned about a pandemic for several years. Then, it happened! However, the pandemic we experienced was not the dreaded H5N1 or bird flu, but rather the H1N1, swine flu. It was mild, which is actually a concern for me. I am worried everyone will now look at medical emergencies, such as super bugs and a pandemic flu as not a big deal. This is not the case. These can, in fact, be very deadly and we are still at risk for this emergency, historically, it is overdue. We still need to be gaining knowledge and preparing. If you are in need of great (ok I’m prejudice) information on how to prep for and treat medical emergencies, especially a flu, check out my ebook Prep Not Panic

“The drug-resistant bacteria are already a widespread problem in India, and all of the cases reported in the U.S. and Canada cases of this bug have been linked to people who recently received medical care in Indian facilities. Dozens of cases were also seen in Britain in people who had recently returned from India where they had undergone medical procedures. Because of it’s origins, scientists have named the gene NDM-1 after New Delhi.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. cases that occurred this year were seen in patients from California, Massachusetts and Illinois. And so far, the gene has mostly been found in bacteria that cause gut or urinary infections.

The CDC is urging doctors to look for the NDM-1 gene in people recently returning from India or Pakistan — countries that according to officials — have the right conditions for widespread transmission.”

It’s obvious we’re losing the war against these “superbugs,” even here in the U.S., and here are five reasons why…

1. Over utilization of antibiotics.

2. Using antibiotics as a “cure-all.”

3. Medical tourism.

4. Massive legal and illegal immigration.

5. Lack of research and development.

http://health.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/09/14/new-superbug-on-the-rise/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogs%2Fhealthblog+%28Internal+-+Health+-+Blog%29

Tips 16-19: Again we are going to work on things that will take a little time, thus a weekend task.

#16 Inventory bathrooms and hall closets

#17 Inventory garage

#18 Make copies of your home owners or renters insurance.

#19 Make copies of the front and back of all credit cards and record the contact phone numbers for all cards on these copies.

If you would like a copy of Joyce’s Moseley Pierce’s ebook All They’ll Need to Know to help you prepare your important documents get it at the special price for Ready or Not listeners at:

http://emersonpublications.com/?page_id=197

Review…Tips

For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

# 9 Inventory your kitchen, everything.

#10 Inventory your Family room/living room.

#11 Inventory your bedrooms.

#12 Inventory Office and formal dining room.

# 13 Inventory and update 72 hour kits. If you are just beginning collect back packs for every family member.

#14 Sort through medicine cabinet. Replace expired medications.

# 15  Copy your driver’s license, car insurance policy and birth certificates for your important documents file. We had a great show Tuesday night with tips and info about collecting important documents and just why it is so vital. If you missed the show download it and listen today.

To Listen to past broadcasts of READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/carolyn-nicolaysen/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

Sunday October 20, 1991 our family came home from church and turned on the TV to listen to a favorite musical program only to be greeted by a horrible sight. It was the Oakland Hills firestorm in progress. The fire eventually killed 25 and destroyed 3,354 homes and 437 apartments and caused 1.5 billion dollars in damage. Thankfully, the firestorm last night in San Bruno, CA was contained before that degree of destruction could take place.

The community around Boulder, CO has been evacuated again as the winds have changed and are endangering homes once more. As in the San Bruno fire we are talking about a suburban area, not home hidden in the hills.

The Oakland Hills fire was stared by a spark in dry grass. The San Bruno by a gas pipeline explosion. Either of those scenarios is possible in all neighborhoods. There are 2 million miles, yes miles, of gas pipelines in the United States. Only seven percent of those are inspected each year. The pipes which exploded last night were 60 years old. What do you know about the pipes under your neighborhood? The neighborhood which was destroyed was not 60 years old but was built over existing pipelines which supplied neighborhoods a distance away which were built 60 years ago.

Please learn from the fires we are experiencing this week. Prepare now!

With this in mind our tips numbers 10-12 are:

#10 Inventory your Family room/living room. This room is probably where the most expensive equipment is located in your home. Take plenty of pictures, front, back, serial numbers, etc. for all of your equipment. Again, be sure to open all cupboards and drawers. If you have a DVD collection take close up pictures so the name of all the movies can be seen. Do the same with your CD and book collections.

#11 Inventory your bedrooms. Are you seeing a pattern here? When inventorying the bedroom be sure to take a shot of all your jewelry so each items can be clearly seen.

#12 Inventory Office and formal dining room.

We are not done with our inventory but we are done for this weekend. An inventory is essential when making an insurance claim. You will only get 40-50% of the value of any item you claim because the insurance company “charges” you for depreciation. If you forget items and want to claim them later you are out of luck. Please take time to make an inventory. If you have heirloom items or jewelry that has been appraised take a picture of the appraisal just in case your original is destroyed.

Doctor Prepper called and asked me to appear on his show tonight to discuss preparing for a fire. I know it is too short a notice for you to listen live but please listen to the download later tonight. Next Tuesday on READY OR NOT we will be discussing important documents so please join me at 6:00pm Pacific time.

Review…Tips

For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

# 9 Inventory your kitchen, everything.

To Listen to READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/09/08/ready-or-not–carolyn-nicolaysen

Back tomorrow with numbers 10- through 12!

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

Tuesday night on READY OR NOT we talked a little about fires and the fact that they can happen to any of us at any time. This week we have seen proof.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Great Kills Park, in Staten Island, where two brush fires erupted yesterday. Today’s fire went to four alarms but no major injuries or damage to property was reported. No evacuations were necessary, according to the fire department.

In Boulder Colorado, residents evacuated from the Boulder Heights, Pine Brook Hills and Carriage Hills neighborhoods were being let back into their homes. But at 12:30 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office reinstated the mandatory evacuation order after an updated weather forecast predicted wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

Tuesday’s fires in Detroit swept though several neighborhoods, including some that were well-tended and others filled with deteriorating vacant houses and weed-filled lots. Detroit Fire Commissioner James Mack said it was the worst spate of fires since the 1980s, when firefighters regularly battled hundreds of arsons on the night before Halloween. No injuries were reported, but people in some charred areas complained that firefighters took as much as 90 minutes to respond. funding has been cut for firefighters and the effects were evident. Eight five structures were lost.

Fire can and do happen everywhere. If you were forced to evacuate your home what would you take? I have thought about this quite a bit and of course the usual come to mind, photos, journals, and 72 hour kits so I would have my important docs and a few other vital supplies. But what else? My grandma’s engagement ring and one of a kind family photos on the wall.

I was speaking with a reader yesterday and she said she would take her recipes. It reminded me of another friend whose home burned three years ago. When I called to lend my support one of the first things she said was, I lost all my recipes. Friends got together and made a recipe book but we had no idea what she had in her’s. We could only share our favorites.

If you had to evacuate quickly have you thought about what you would take? Please share with us what that would be.

Tip # 9 Since we are talking about fire today let’s take a step in preparing for a fire, just in case. Today take digital pictures of everything in your kitchen, everything. Open every door, every drawer, the oven, anywhere you have anything stored. Be sure to take a shot of each wall so you get anything hung on the wall. In the event of a fire or any other disaster which damages or destroys your home, the insurance company will ask for proof of the items you are claiming and wanting replaced.

Review…Tips

For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

To Listen to READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/09/08/ready-or-not–carolyn-nicolaysen

Back tomorrow with numbers 10- through 12!

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

If you missed my radio show last night it is now ready to download so please go and listen and please let me know what you think and what you would like to hear next.

For our money saving tip this week I have been thinking food. I have posted many tips for saving money on food and specifically food storage. On September 21st I will be visiting with a couponing expert on my show READY OR NOT. Please tune in to that show as I am a self confessed non couponer and I have given her the challenge of converting me. Even if you have never considered using coupons I am sure there will be tips you can use.

The tip for today for saving money is to learn to cook from scratch. Now by that I mean make things on your own but not necessarily by dragging out the flour and sugar and baking powder. If your store has regular sales on brownie mix for 99 cents that is cheaper than buying the individual ingredients and far…cheaper then buying a tray of brownies and even cheaper than those that come in that little box for $1.29. With an inexpensive brownie mix you have the makings for many many desserts. If, however, you’re making a casserole it is cheaper to purchase the ingredients and make them from scratch. Bread is much, much, cheaper to make than to purchase. In the April 2010 issue of the newsletter there is a recipe for the Easiest Ever Bread. That bread, which require no previous experience and no kneading, costs 30 cents to make. Yep, that’s right only 30 cents, when was the last time you paid 30 cents for a loaf of bread? If you use a loaf of bread a week you could save over $100.00 a year, just on bread! The bread looks just like the picture above and tastes great! I will devote the October Newsletter to easy, yummy and inexpensive recipes and tips for those wanting to gain more skills. This week try making something from scratch that you have never made before. Questions? Please ask!

Tip # 8: Stash some cash. To this point our tips have been free so now is the day for a little investment. Put away a few dollars each week until you have a small stash for your emergency evacuation kit. You should have about $100.00 in each adult kit. This should be in small denomination bills, nothing larger than a 10. This money will then be available for small purchases when there are no ATMs and credit card services available. If you have $100.00 to invest right now go to the bank and get a variety of small bills and place them in your kits. If you need time add to your stash each month until you have enough.

Review…Tips

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/09/08/ready-or-not–carolyn-nicolaysen

Back tomorrow with number nine!

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

Heat waves are dangerous and they are deadly. Rolling blackouts and power outages are a real possibility and make matters even worse. There are things you can do to make the time safer for your friends and family. Don’t wait to take action. Do it now.

Following are a few steps you can take to help make heat waves a little more bearable:

1. It’s O.K. to raid your 72 hour kit… That’s right, 72 hour kits are not just for earthquakes and hurricanes but for any emergency. Your kit should include Instant Cold Packs. Place them on the neck or forehead for the best results. Mylar Blankets placed in the sunniest windows will cut down on the heat entering your home. Move the blankets as the sun moves or just leave them in place. These blankets are also large enough to cover a sliding door without piecing. You will be amazed at how quickly the temperature in a room will drop when you cover your windows with these blankets. Mylar blankets are also great to use outdoors to create shade as they reflect the sun’s rays. do this now and if the power fails you will be able to keep your home cool longer.
2. Get wet. Take a shower and don’t dry your hair, take a dip in the pool and don’t dry off (if the pool is in the sun don’t stay in too long), run through a sprinkler, keep a spray bottle nearby and mist your face (also great for your complexion), use wet compresses on your neck or head, keep a wet washcloth by your bed to cool yourself through the night, wrap your head in a wet bandanna, or soak your feet.
3. Drink lots of water, lemonade or juices, but never anything with caffeine or alcohol as these will raise your body temperature. Sodas will only increase your thirst. Popsicles are also a great way to stay hydrated. If you are thirsty, you have waited too long to drink.
4. Eat cold foods. This is the time to eat sandwiches, salads and other foods that are not heated. Avoid large portions of protein foods as they will increase body temperature. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
5. Cook outdoors if you feel you must have a hot meal. Crock pot cooking is also a great way to keep the heat outside. If you don’t have outside spaces, plug in your crock pot in a room you are not using such as the laundry room.
6. Keep blinds and curtains closed.
7. Move activities, including eating and sleeping, to the coolest room in the house. This will normally be on the lowest level of your home and in a room with an exposure that does not receive direct sunlight.
8. This is one time when you shouldn’t be concerned with how much television the family watches. Play board games or read, but don’t be too active.
9. Use your outdoor umbrellas outside the windows receiving direct sun. Outdoor canopies, tarps, and dining flies also work well.
10. Wear loose, light colored clothing.
11. Sit next to a fan. Remember fans do not cool the air, they only move it. You become cooler as the moisture on your skin evaporates. This is the reason you want to stay wet!
12. Skip the exercise routine and working outside.
13. Go Shopping! No kidding. Go to the grocery store or mall and window shop. Taking in a movie or going bowling are also “cool” pastimes.
14. The elderly, young children, pregnant women and those taking diuretics are most vulnerable to heat related emergencies. If a member of your family is taking any medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if they are more susceptible to the affects of the heat.
15. Check on housebound and elderly – neighbors and friends – and get them to a cooling center. Be sure there is a plan for their care when the cooling center closes. Many centers close for the night. Nighttime can be the most dangerous time of the day. We assume the temperature will be lower at night, but this is not always the case – especially in the city. All those roads and sidewalks retain heat during the day and as they release it at night the temperature remains high. Same thing for suburban congestion – several homes on an acre of land with homes just a few feet from each other is a bad idea.
16. Visit a friend or relative out of town. The temperature in the city is usually several degrees higher then the temperature in a country setting.
17. Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. (see yesterday’s post)
18. Turn off lights and the computer in the rooms you are trying to cool down.
19. When it cools down at night, if it cools down, open all the windows. Close them again mid morning as it starts to heat up.
20. Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even with the windows open. The temperature in a car, with the windows open, can reach 120º F within a few minutes.
21. If you are stranded in your car, place mylar blankets on the roof and over the windshield and rear window, on the outside of the car. Weight them down with rocks or anything you have on hand. You can also secure them by closing them into the door. Keep the windows open. The mylar blankets will reflect the sun, greatly reducing the heat.
22. Remember your pets. (see yesterday’s post)
23. If you need to go outside, wear a wide brimmed hat and sunscreen.
24. Find a cooling center by calling the police department or fire department.

Heat-related emergencies are very serious. Add a power outage and the results are deadly. Protect yourself now by accumulating items which will help through the emergency and learn how to use them. Teach your family members the dangers and warning signs now.

Check out today’s show with Halli!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/08/06/guest-carolyn-nicolaysen-preparedness-expert (solar activity, power outages and stocking a General Store)

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends

With all the solar activity this past week and more on the way we are going to continue some options for living off the grid, just in case. A major concern is always water. For those on a well this is crucial to survival and for those relying on municipal systems there may also be days or weeks when the treatment plant is not operating or not operating at full capacity. After hurricanes, wild fires, earthquakes, tornadoes etc. there will be time when the water is flowing but has been contaminated. No problem, unless there is also no power to boil before your drink.

Have you heard of the SODIS method? Solar disinfection (SODIS) was developed in the 1980’s to inexpensively disinfect water used for oral re hydration solutions used to treat diarrhea. In 1991, the Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology began to experimenting with the SODIS method to treat water in third world countries where water was often tainted and making the population sick. The World Health Organization has now approved this method of purifying water.

A combination of UV rays and heat causes the destruction of disease causing organisms.

SODIS is a simple and inexpensive method of purifying water using solar light. Purifying water can be expensive if using propane to heat water to boiling. During an emergency using precious bleach may also not be a viable solution. SODIS water disinfection needs only plastic bottles and sunlight, making this a task you can even delegate to children.

SODIS method steps:

1. Clean clear PET bottles. Get into the practice of storing some of your water in clear plastic juice bottles and you have this covered. Even individual commercial water bottles can be reused for this purpose so do not discard them during an emergency once they are empty.

2. Filter water through a clean cloth or cheese cloth to remove any foreign material, insects, debris, etc.

3. Fill bottles with filtered water and tighten cap.

4. Place bottles in direct sunlight for at least 6 hour if sunny or two days in cloudy situations. To increase efficiency and water safety place bottles on a reflective, metal surface. A mylar survival blanket works well for this purpose.

5. Store water in these bottles and drink from the bottle or pour it into a clean cup.

Simple. Be sure you leave bottle in the sun the entire time as there is never a guarantee that all organisms have been killed. Err on the side of too much sun.

Benefits of SODIS are:

Proven reduction of viruses, bacteria, and protozoa in water

Proven reduction of diarrheal disease incidence in users

Simplicity of use

No cost

Water tastes good

Drawbacks of SODIS are:

The need for pretreatment, filtering water.

Length of time required to treat water

Only small amounts can be purified at one time.

Need to prepare ahead and have bottles and a reflective surface on hand.

Not 100% effective if every step is not completed.

SODIS will not remove chemicals from water so never use this method if you suspect there are any chemicals in your water source.

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends

Yikes it’s hot! With record temperature in the United Sates this week it is a good time to review the danger signs. Yes, the heat can kill and it can do it quickly if you ignore the signs. Review the symptoms and the treatments below and pass along a link to this information to family and friends who may live in the southern and eastern parts of the United States where temperatures are reaching 120 degrees in some areas.

Know the signs:

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscle pains and spasms due to heavy exertion and dehydration. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal that the body is in trouble.
• Heat Exhaustion: Someone suffering from heat exhaustion will have cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; sweat heavily; have a headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and general exhaustion. Body temperature may be normal, or may be rising.
• Heat stroke: Someone suffering from heat stroke will have hot, red skin; lapse of consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Their body temperature can be very high, as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry. If any of these symptoms are present call your doctor or hospital for treatment directions. If you have any doubt, call for help.

Treat Immediately:

• Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can cause further dehydration, making conditions worse.
• Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Increase ventilation by opening windows or using a fan. Cool them down as quickly as possible. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give them aspirin or other medications. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 911 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Place victim in front of an open window or fan. Never leave a victim alone. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water, is vomiting, or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

Know the signs for pets:

1. Pet owners need to recognize the symptoms of heat stress in animals. Watch for heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, restlessness, excessive thirst, lethargy, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation and vomiting.

• Treatment: Until you can get medical help move the animal into a cool area, apply ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck and chest or immerse the animal in cool water. Get the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

The heat can be deadly. Check on neighbors and friends to be sure they have a working air conditioner and plenty of cool drinks and foods. Check back tomorrow for tips on surviving a heat wave.

Remember….Tomorrow morning I will be speaking with Halli again. We will cover our latest General Store purchases and I’m sure more about the solar flare. The great thing about her show is that we can change direction the morning of the show if a disaster should become evident even five minuted before broadcast time. Visit with us on Friday morning 7:00AM Pacific time. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends

I am really out of the habit of listing food to be added to our General Store each week so this week I left you without a task. So sorry. This week add 5 more cans of fruit per family member. Over the past three weeks we have added fruit twice and desserts. Don’t you love…this plan? We will get to the other food groups but the summer is such a great time to freeze, dry and can fruits inexpensively that we are going to take advantage of the cost savings.

A few months ago we began talking about solar flares and coronal ejections and the possibility of damage to our electrical grid and other negative affects. The time has come. We are beginning to see increased activity on the sun.

“The sun’s surface erupted early Sunday morning, shooting a wall of ionized atoms directly at Earth, scientists say. It is expected to create a geomagnetic storm and a spectacular light show — and it could pose a threat to satellites in orbit, as well.

Leon Golub said: “It’s the first major Earth-directed eruption in quite some time.”

The solar eruption, called a coronal mass ejection, was spotted by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which captures high-definition views of the sun at a variety of wavelengths. SDO was launched in February and peers deep into the layers of the sun, investigating the mysteries of its inner workings.

The interaction of the solar particles with our planet’s magnetic field has the potential to create geomagnetic storms or disturbances, in Earth’s magnetosphere.

Fortunately for Earth-bound observers, the atmosphere filters out nearly all of the radiation from the solar blast. The flare shouldn’t pose a health hazard, Golub told FoxNews.com.

The radiation “almost never” makes it to ground, he noted, though pilots and passengers in airplanes may experience increased radiation levels akin to getting an X-ray.

The solar particles also could affect satellites, though scientists think that possibility is remote. Orbital Sciences Corp. believe a similar blast may have knocked out Galaxy 15 satellite permanently out of action this year.

This type of solar event has both government officials and satellite manufacturers worrying.

NASA scientists warned recently that high-energy electric pulses from the sun could cripple our electrical grid for years, causing billions in damages. In fact, the House is so concerned that the Energy and Commerce committee voted unanimously to approve a bill allocating $100 million to protect the energy grid from this rare but potentially devastating occurrence.” *

In an interview this morning Dean Pesnell, a Solar Dynamics Observation scientist further commented in a Fox News interview. He explained that particles from the sun take approximately two days to reach the earth. What is happening on the sun right now is not unusual. The prominance eruption and solar flares we saw on Sunday occur in cycles. We are currently finishing a solar minimum which means there has been little solar activity. This minimum has been longer than most so scientist fear the solar maximum may be stronger that the last which ended ion 2001. The solar maximum is expected to peak in 2010.

He commented that right now satellites may be affected and loose their ability to maneuver and could also loose parts. This will affect communication satellites mainly which include, TV, radio, and cell phone communication. Civilian as well as military flights may also need to cease to fly over the poles as they do now as communications with planes over the poles may become impossible. Astronauts may also be exposed to higher levels of radiation although it will not affect us on earth.

He confirmed that as we move forward these events will become more powerful and could have much greater affects. None of this is really new to those of you who have been reading this blog for a while now. We have talked about all of this but there is now more evidence and more scientist are talking to support our concerns and our preparations.

Yesterday I was at a sporting good store and they had Dutch Ovens on sale for a price I have not seen in a long time. I needed another as I am seriously planning for an extended power outage from solar activity, terrorism or whatever it may be. I asked at the counter if I could order 12 more at the same price and they said yes! I was so excited. I knew a few friends wanted ovens to give to their children as gifts so I asked for a bunch. The point here is, if you see a great deal it never hurts to ask if you can get more. If an items is not on sale and you want several ask about a discount. This is such an easy way for a store to make quick money. No stocking and no worry about whether or not the item will sell, guaranteed money.Don’t be afraid to ask. Get a group of friend together and decide what you need in your preparedness stash and start asking. This can even be a great approach to grocery stores for your food storage needs.

Emergency preparedness=Emergency Management and Survival!

FYI the photo today is of a coronal mass ejection similar to the one on Sunday.

*http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/08/03/spectacular-northern-lights-signals-sun-waking/

Remember….Friday morning I will be speaking with Halli again. We will cover our latest General Store purchases and I’m sure more about the solar flare. The great thing about her show is that we can change direction the morning of the show if a disaster should become evident even five minuted before broadcast time. Visit with us on Friday morning 7:00AM Pacific time. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends

The Tax Foundation was established in 1937 to help Americans understand the implications of tax legislation and to understand tax codes. There website says:

“The Tax Foundation has launched a “Bush tax cuts” calculator at www.MyTaxBurden.org, which allows taxpayers to compare their 2011 federal income tax liabilities under three scenarios: if all the Bush tax cuts expire completely at the end of this year, if they’re all extended into 2011 or made permanent, and if President Obama’s budget is adopted, which includes a combination of expirations and extensions.

Taxpayers can type in basic information-such as filing status, wage income and number of dependents-along with optional more detailed information-such as capital gains and dividend income, state and local taxes paid and other itemized deductions-and determine what their federal income tax burden would be in 2011.”

As an example of what the elimination of these tax cuts will do: a couple making $100,000 per year will pay $12,500 in 2010…2011 the tax will be 15,700 or an increase of 3,200. For a couple with two children making $100,000 the taxes will go from $8,600 this year to 12,600 next, or an increase of $4,000. The alternative tax code requires tax payers to calculate their taxes two ways and to pay the larger. If this code is not adjusted one in three taxpayers in the country will have to calculate their taxes in this manner. Please check out the calculator for yourself to determine how this will affect you. Bottom line, taxes will go up for all Americans not just the wealthy on January 1st if the Bush tax cuts are allowed to expire.

It’s time to add another non food item to our General Store. With all the discussion about water in our yahoo group we are going to prepare for water shortages by stocking up on paper cups this week. Add a minimum of 100 cups per family member. This may sound like a lot of paper cups but that is figuring only one per day! It does not account for those who may just, drop in, when they discover their preparations are not sufficient. We all have a list of those we have tried to counsel and we know when the crisis hits, they will come. Consider those as you plan. Also, consider if the crisis we are facing is not contaminated water or a power outage causing water shortages but a severe pandemic you will want more than one cup per ill person per day as you will be discard them after every use. When dealing with a pandemic you will not have the energy to care for the ill and also wash dishes and continue with all the other household chores. Disposable cups will be an absolute necessity.

I would advise you to store both cold cups and cups appropriate for hot drinks. I have started storing more hot than cold because they are more versatile and can be used for serving hot foods like beans, soups and stews, as well as drinks. They will also hold up better for a full days use.

Finally purchase only paper cups. If we have an extended power outage we may be dealing with a major disaster and may not have trash collection. Paper products can be burned, plastic will emit dangerous gases and will be a danger to your family.

For those who are just beginning the food portion of their General Store we have added fruit. Today we are adding desserts. Yep, start with the important stuff…You should have asked your family about their favorite desserts so this week add the ingredients to make eight desserts. This could be as simple as a cake mix or the individual ingredients for your favorite cookies. Consider some that could also be made if the electrical grid were down. There are a few recipes for Dutch oven desserts in the April 2010 issue of the Totally Ready newsletter. This week…store eight desserts!

****Win a Consultation!***

To help motivate you to share I am offering the chance for you to win a personal one hour consultation. This will be a phone call where you can ask any questions you may have. You may even ask a group of friends to join you on a conference call or just using your speaker phone. To win one of five  consultations just refer five friends to blog.totallyready.com and our yahoo group. Have them mention your email address when they log into the yahoo group and leave a comment on any blog post. Ten friends and you get two chances to win. Fifteen friends and I will call you, guaranteed! It’s that simple. Watch for other special offers as we progress. I know I don’t want to look back when things get worse and think I could have done more to help you.

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends



Did you miss me? I have had the worst time trying to post while I was away from home. I finally gave up so here is the post from last Friday and I will revise and post today’s tomorrow. Sorry for the delay here and on the yahoo group but now I’m back in the groove!

It’s so easy to run and turn on the tap and expect clean water to flow. Unfortunately that is not always the case. There are dozens of reason we could find ourselves thirsty and desperate. This is just one experience we can learn from:

On Friday night, instead of doing the dinner dishes right away, something on the television caught my eye and I sat down to watch it with my husband. Before long, it was time to go to bed, and when I walked into the kitchen to put my glass in the dishwasher, realized that a sink full of dirty dishes was still waiting for me. What made that even worse was that when I turned the faucet on to start washing them, nothing came out!

We live on property with a well, so we knew that we weren’t “out of water.” With flashlight in hand, my husband went to check on it, and discovered that the pump wasn’t working. There wasn’t anything he could do, so we decided to go sleep in our RV. We’d just returned from a trip and the fresh water tank was full, so we knew that at least we could use the bathroom and shower until we got the pump fixed.

Next morning, we called the man who works on our well. He came out with everything he needed to repair it, but the damage was beyond repair. We needed a new pump and he would have to pick one up and come back the next day to install it.

That meant going another 24 hours without water. Water is one of those things you just take for granted until you have to do without. You just turn the faucet and water comes out, right?

Fortunately, we had bottled water stored for drinking, and some quick hand washing, but not enough for bathing. If it hadn’t been for the RV, we would have had to go to our daughter’s house for at least our daily showers.

We did, however, discover a couple of other resources for water:

1. Having a two story home means that you have lots of water pipes and they’re full of water. You know this because generally, when you turn the faucet on, water immediately comes out. I took three empty food storage barrels to the ground level and turned on the outside faucet. I was able to capture enough water to fill all three of the buckets. We put one in the kitchen and dipped water out of it with a measuring cup to wash hands. We put another in the bathroom to fill the tank if necessary.

2. We have a water softener system with a tank under the kitchen sink that filters the water. This water comes out of a smaller spigot – similar to those that produce hot water on demand. This tank probably holds about 5 gallons of water, so I was able to use it for cooking. That came in handy for meal preparation and I didn’t have to use the bottled water.

3. The hot water tank is another source of extra water. We didn’t have to get into it, but at least it was there.

We survived thirty-six hours without water without too much inconvenience, but it’s making me think about what I could do to make it even easier if it ever happens again.

What we do now:

• The 55 gallon barrels in our shed that are meant to hold water are now full. Because we have the well, we’ve never been too concerned about filling them up. I wouldn’t want to drink the water out of them, but we could have used it for bathing if we had more than a simple pump to remove the water. That’s definitely something I’m going to be checking on this week.

Sometimes it’s good to have a minor emergency just so you can figure out a way to become more prepared. It’s even better if someone else has the emergency and it helps make you more aware. Take some time to assess the water situation in your home and come up with a plan you can implement now in case you ever find yourself without water. Even if you have city water, you might have your line temporarily shut off in the event that a main line is cut or has a leak. It’s always better to come up with a plan before you need it because you can think more clearly, and generally have more options when you’re not in emergency mode.

****Win a Consultation!***

To help motivate you to share I am offering the chance for you to win a personal one hour consultation. This will be a phone call where you can ask any questions you may have. You may even ask a group of friends to join you on a conference call or just using your speaker phone. To win one of five  consultations just refer five friends to blog.totallyready.com and our yahoo group. Have them mention your email address when they log into the yahoo group and leave a comment on any blog post. Ten friends and you get two chances to win. Fifteen friends and I will call you, guaranteed! It’s that simple. Watch for other special offers as we progress. I know I don’t want to look back when things get worse and think I could have done more to help you.

Confused about the solar storms NASA is anticipating? Take some time and listen to my show with Halli.

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My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010