Have a Safe and Happy New Year (with a little history)

Did you know that New Year's is about the oldest celebration worldwide?

Did you know it was originally celebrated in March?

How New Year is said around the world

Arabic: Kul 'aam u antum salimoun
Brazilian: Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo means "Good Parties and Happy New Year"
Chinese: Chu Shen Tan
Czechoslavakia: Scastny Novy Rok
Dutch: Gullukkig Niuw Jaar
Finnish: Onnellista Uutta Vuotta
French: Bonne Annee
German: Prosit Neujahr
Greek: Eftecheezmaenos o Kaenooryos hronos
Hebrew: L'Shannah Tovah Tikatevu
Hindi: Niya Saa Moobaarak
Irish (Gaelic): Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit
Italian: Buon Capodanno
Khmer: Sua Sdei tfnam tmei
Laotian: Sabai dee pee mai
Polish: Szczesliwego Nowego Roku
Portuguese: Feliz Ano Novo
Russian: S Novim Godom
Serbo-Croatian: Scecna nova godina
Spanish: Feliz Ano Neuvo
Prospero Ano Nuevo
Turkish: Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Vietnamese: Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan


Learn more http://www.scribd.com/doc/46121338/Have-a-Safe-and-Happy-New-Year-with-a-little-history

No matter how you celebrate the New Year may it be a safe and joyful one for you and yours ;-}

Loving God, thank you for the gift of life in this new year.
Bless and keep me, my loved ones and special friends that we may continue to grow
in body, mind, and spirit, this New Year and always.

Let us know peace.
For as long as the moon shall rise,
For as long as the rivers shall flow,
For as long as the sun will shine,
For as long as the grass shall grow,
Let us know peace.

Creator of all things, God of love,
You have brought us safely to a new year.
Thank you for the many blessings of this past year.
Your bounty and love know no bounds.
Keep us all strong in faith and love of You, that we may be open to the unknown gifts of wisdom from You.

TNT

Intro - How to Make a Preparedness Plan that Works & Not Go Broke

“Anyone who is naive enough to think that bad things cannot happen here or to them, not only has their head in the sand; their butts are sticking up in the air waiting to be run over by a freight train”
My Grandmother

(It sounds really cool in Italian)

One of the hardest things to do in order to become prepared is to actually create and write down a formal preparedness plan that works for you. It takes time, money, effort and thought; which is way too inconvenient for most of us today. Yet it is the one thing that will boost your survivability quotient (your odds of surviving any crisis) and do so with the least amount of trials and tribulations.

We all know it takes precise planning to move to another location or move say a data center. A good 80% of the work involved is the planning – before the move. Preparedness planning is no different.

“Preparedness is not just about stockpiling, it's about having an actual plan.” Dr. Michael J. Ryan,
Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) global alert and response team

Through trial, error and personal experience over the years, I have developed a way to do this that appears to be working quite well for people of all walks of life and various levels of preparedness. This method is “needs” based rather than “crisis” based and will ultimately end up being in outline format.

It is also geared to take control of all those hits (big and small) to your survivability quotient that are within our realm of control. The end result is that this method minimizes many of the hits we take that are not in our realm of control; while at the same time reduces the chances of forgetting something.

Outline format also lends itself to re-arranging priorities; should one say move to Florida where you now need to consider hurricanes and floods or moving away from L.A. and its earthquakes. It is far more adaptable to these priority shifts without rewriting the entire plan.

As a side note: When I moved out of an area that allows me to remove an item from my Crisis I created an “Aside” section to my plan and put that particular crisis in that section. That way if I ever move back into or travel such an area again, I am all set.

So over the next few weeks I will attempt to walk you through each step to formulating your plan.

Sunday we will cover the Prerequisites

Pep On ;-}

TNT

Next Prerequisites - How to Make a Preparedness Plan that Works & Not Go Broke

Winter Celebrations, Christmas Traditions and Prayer

Winter Celebrations

Throughout history humans have created rituals to emphasize important transitional times in our lives. We mark and record these transitions on a regular basis based on the skies above our heads, to our own human designed calendars and create traditions. There is one common theme to our rituals, festivals and holy days throughout the ages, especially during winter – to be humble as we remind ourselves that humans are but a very miniscule part of the universe around us. Read on ...

Christmas Traditions and Prayer

Work of Christmas Begins

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.

-- Howard Thurman, adapted

Christ’s Mass - Christmas - Christ’s Birth - The word 'Christmas' comes from Cristes maesse, an English phrase that means Mass of Christ. The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years.

What are the beginnings of: The Christmas Star, Christmas Trees, Yule log, Christmas Ornaments & Lights, Tinsel, Candy Canes, Christmas Stockings, Christingle, Mistletoe, holly and ivy, Father Christmas and more then read on ...

“Thank you Creator for all the opportunities you have provided me with this year.
I ask only for patience, tolerance and understanding toward all that you have created and the wisdom to grow and live with it in harmony and peace.”

TNT

Week 24 - 24 Weeks of Crisis Supply Procurement

Week 24

Grocery Store

• Plastic wrap
• Aluminum foil

AND

Use the remaining monies from the money jar to acquire any items you determined you are lacking from your review last week.

To Do

• Become “go-bagers”. Take your go-bag with you everywhere. Ladies, put your purse in this bag. Men, this can also be your brief case. Kids this can also be your book bag. Many of today’s backpacks are made to also hold your laptop. Keep a copy of your emergency contact numbers in each go-bag: individual, home and vehicle (RV, boat, plane).
• Keep your pets in mind for water, food and first aid storage. (Remember for dogs and cats a diet of dry food will require more water)
• Continue to hold regular practice drills
• Rotate food, water and medical stores
• Learn new skills and practice the ones you have previously learned
• Continue to record the items you have purchased for crisis use in the Documentation Book/Binder and update any emergency data as it changes.
• Check out the links found on these sites http://nmurbanhomesteader.blogspot.com/ & http://www.scribd.com/TNTCrazyLady for detailed information, specific checklists, historical and wilderness skills, links to other informative sites and the like.
• Repeat the procurement schedule as need to acquire all your preparedness needs. Food storage items will especially need to be repeated to accumulate your desired food stores. This will give you approximately 6 days worth of food and water for one person and pet.

** When quantities are listed that is per person in your household.

“Security is mostly superstition.” Helen Keller

At the end of 24 weeks your Documentation Book should be complete. You should have established a plan and have accumulated enough of the basic goods for one person, plus food and water for one person in, one household, for a minimum of 6 days.

Now just repeat until you have acquired all that you feel you need for the timeframe you feel you need it for.

Note: If you do not need the Infant/Toddler; Pet; Earthquake stuff – use those monies to collect the items you feel you need more of than this accumulates.

"When making your choice in life, do not neglect to live."
Samuel Johnson

What you should end up with for one person per household (for apx 6 days):

Qty Item
1 “Heatalter” fireplace grate (puts more fireplace heat into the house instead of up the flume) If needed
1 “I” brackets to secure furniture to walls, If earthquake zone
1 “Mess Kit” (pan, plate, bowl, cup)
1 3 Ring Binder
2 Aluminum foil (heavy duty)
2 ammo handgun (box)
2 ammo rifle box
2 ammo shotgun (box)
1 Assorted reusable plastic containers (for food and freezer)
1 Assorted screws, nails, nuts and bolts (including wood screws)
1 axe-hatchet/hammer/crow bar tool (All purpose)
1 Backpack for go-bag
1 backpack, duffel bag or rolling luggage (household or vehicle go bag)
1 backpacker binoculars If being “mobile” plays a big role in your Crisis Plan
2 bags Heavy duty large garbage (pkg)
1 baked beans (with meat if possible) can
1 Batteries Extra (preferably rechargeable)
1 Beans 5 lb sack
1 Blankets and or sleeping bag for each household member
1 Bleach Plain liquid (gal)
1 Boy Scout Field Book (check out the used book stores for this) or if you are the expierenced outdoors type – SAS Survival Manual (just search the web to download for free a digital copy, then print it out)
1 Bungee cords (1 pkg)
1 Camping supplies fuel for stove & lantern
1 Camping supplies lanterns
1 Camping supplies stove
1 Camping supplies tents
2 Can Opener – Hand Operated
2 can opener Extra hand operated or GI
1 Cereal dry box
1 Cereal Instant oatmeal or cream of wheat pkg
1 Chapstick
1 child proof latches for cupboards and cabinets, If needed
1 Coffee Instant
1 Comando Saw
1 Compass
1 Condoms
1 container , Waterproof portable plastic with lid for use for important papers not accounted for in your Documentation Book/Binder
1 Cordage (rope) all purpose
1 Crackers Animal box
1 Crackers Graham box
1 Crescent wrench
1 Crowbar
1 Denture care items If needed
1 dish towels, cheap pkg
1 Disposable dust masks
1 Eating utensil kit (knife, spoon, fork)
2 fire extinguisher ABC (per retreat and vehicle, at least 2 per retreat/house)
1 fire extinguisher Extra ABC for each floor and or room of your home, including garage
1 First Aid: “butterfly” bandages, various sizes pkg
1 First Aid: activated charcoal
1 First Aid: Adhesive bandages, assorted sizes
1 First Aid: Anti-diarrhea medicine (Lomodium)
1 First Aid: Antiseptic
1 First Aid: Aspirin and or acetaminophen, ibruprophen, naproxum sodium
1 First Aid: Bee Sting/Insect Bite Kit
1 First Aid: Compresses pkg
1 First Aid: Dental Kit (includes antibiotic treatment, pain gel and temporary filling/caps)
1 First Aid: Disposable hand wipes
1 First Aid: elastic ace bandages
1 First Aid: Eye wash and patch kit
1 First Aid: eyeglasses, Extra If needed
1 First Aid: gauze or bandages roll
1 First Aid: Ipecac syrup
1 First Aid: Latex gloves
1 First Aid: Liquid hand soap and or waterless anti bacterial wash
1 ech First Aid: OTC medications – adult and child (Benadryl, Sudafed, Pepto Bismal, Cola and or Ginger syrup)
1 First Aid: Rubbing alcohol
1 First Aid: Scissors
1 First Aid: Sewing Kit
1 First Aid: Snake Bite Kit
1 First Aid: Splint
1 First Aid: Splint sticks for fingers and toes
1 First Aid: Suture kit
1 First Aid: tape
1 First Aid: Thermometer (Get one of those “strips” instead of a glass/mercury filled type or battery operated digital type)
1 First Aid: Tweezers
1 First Aid: Vitamins and or herbal supplements/remadies
1 Fishing hooks pkg
1 Fishing line pkg
1 fishing rod collapsible, Optional
2 Flashlights with batteries
1 Food for special diets, if needed
5 Fruit can
1 Fuel Extra for camp stoves, heaters, grills, lanterns, etc each
2 Fun Stuff: Travel board games, playing cards, harmonica, activity books, pleasure books, etc.
1 Gloves Fireplace
1 Gloves Heavy work
1 Hammer
2 Hearing aid batteries, if needed (pkg)
1 Infant Items (if needed): Extra plastic bottles, diapers, baby food or formula – Think ahead if you are going to be potty training and or your infant will be weaning to toddler food - do not purchase for more than two weeks worth of these items - weeks
3 Juice lg can
1 ech kitchen tools Hand powered hand grain grinder, hand mixer, etc.
1 Kleenex box
1 Ladder emergency escape for at least one window in each second+ story room
1 Lantern Battery powered camping or extra flashlights and batteries (preferably rechargeable)
2 Large plastic food bags (ZipLoc type)
5 Meat can
1 Medications: If Needed, extra RX or see your physician for a prescription to mark
1 Milk powdered box
1 Milk unsweetened evaporated or condensed can
1 Miracle shammie to use as towel pkg
3 MRE’s pkgs
1 Multi-Tool: Leatherman Tool and or Swiss Army Knife
1 Pasta pkg
1 Peanut Butter
1 Pencil, paper, sharpener
1 Permanent marking pen
2 Pet food for any pet (10lbs)
1 Pet: Carrier for your pet
1 Pet: Leash for your pet
2 Plastic wrap
1 Pliers
1 Pocket sized first aid book/guide
1 Powdered flavored drink mix (Gatorade and the like) Instant
2 quick energy snack, protein or food bar (box)
1 radio Portable AM/FM – preferably hand crank, solar or rechargeable battery operated
1 Reusable plastic containers
1 Safety goggles
1 safety pins various sizes pkg
1 Saline solution and contact lens case If needed
1 Sauce tomato can
1 Shovel Folding backpackers
1 signal mirror
1 Smoke detector with battery (rechargeable preferred)
3 soup, stew or the like ready to eat
1 Space Bags (for those blankets, pillows, sleeping bags)
1 Space blanket
1 Sunscreen
1 Super Glue
1 Tape Double sided heavy duty
2 Tape Duct
1 tape Masking roll
1 Tape Plumber’s (roll)
1 Tea Instant
1 Thermal underwear (top & bottom)
6 toilet paper (rolls)
2 Toothbrush
2 Toothpaste (can be travel size)
3 Towels paper roll
5 Vegetable can
2 Velcro (roll)
1 Video tape or digital camera memory stick/DVD
1 Vise grips
2 water barrels with wheels, towing handle and gravity spout - 2- 5 gallon or larger
6 Water (gal)
1 Water purification filter and or tablets
1 wheat (bulk) Un-ground, whole grain (2-5lbs)
1 Whistle emergency
1 Women’s Heigene- sanitary napkins/tampons
1 Wood (cord)

Prep On!

TNT

TNT’s List of Preparedness Checklists

I have accumulated a number of checklists over the years covering various preparedness type crises.

I recently organized them into a spreadsheet for some friends of mine.

This Excel Workbook has a tab for all the “crisis’s” and the link to the source, so you can download these yourself. I also included a summary of the various checklists for each source.

For some reason Scribd felt this was a copyright breach, even though nothing is listed as mine and the source link is there for the reader to go to and get or download all the detail.

Soo, if anyone wants a copy of this workbook please request one via a comment on this post @ http://nmurbanhomesteader.blogspot.com/ and I will send to you.

This workbook contains Tabs (worksheets) for the following:

• How to Use this Workbook
• Preparedness General
• After Crisis Checklist
• Shelter In Place
• Important Documents
• Evacuation
• Special Needs
• Animals, Pets, Livestock
• Go Bags, etc.
• Car Kit
• Home Hazards (Fire, Carbon Monoxide, etc.)
• Boating
• Lake, River, Stream Safety
• Flood
• Cold, Influenza, Pandemic
• Crime Prevention & Safety
  
• Dust Storm
• Elevator
• Airline Travel
• Tornado
• Windstorm Damage Mitigation
• Landslide
• Avalanche
• Earthquake
• Hurricane
• Tsunami
• Volcano
• Explosion, Bldg Collapse, Debris
• Riot-Public Disturbance
• Public Health Disasters (Oil Spill, Chemical, Biological, Bombs, Radiation and Nuclear threats)
• Terrorism
• Economic Threats
• JWR List of Lists
• Recap of Resources and their links

Keep on Preppin ;-}

TNT

Week 23 - 24 Weeks of Crisis Supply Procurement

Week 23

Hardware/Home Improvement/Sports, Misc Store

• Battery powered camping lantern with extra battery or extra flashlights and batteries (preferably rechargeable)
• Space Bags (for those blankets, pillows, sleeping bags)

Grocery Store

• Reusable plastic containers
• Large plastic food bags (freezer)
• 1 can meat
• 1 can vegetables
• 1 can fruit
• 1 can juice
• 1 can ready to eat soup, stew or the like
• Pencil, paper, sharpener

To Do

• Review your needs list to see what you are missing or need more of and designate remaining monies from the money jar for acquiring these.
• Complete another form to your Documentation Book/Binder.
• Record the items you have purchased for crisis use in the Documentation Book/Binder.

** When quantities are listed that is per person in your household.

“Perfect Freedom is reserved for the man who lives by his own work, and in that work does what he wants to do.” R. G. Collingwood

TNT

Castle Doctrine? Stand Your Ground? Duty to Retreat? I Like Make My Day!

Castle Doctrine? Stand Your Ground? Duty to Retreat? I Like Make My Day!

"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are safe."
Luke 11:21

Find out all about this and a state by state listing @ http://www.scribd.com/doc/44801174/Castle-Doctrine-Stand-Your-Ground-Duty-to-Retreat-I-Like-Make-My-Day

TNT

Cheap & Cool Pantry Can Organizer

Well folks you can make one of these suckers yourself, I’ve done it a time or two and the instructions are all over the web - But if your time and cardboard is limited try TheCanOrganizer.com.

These handy devils are first in first out rotating storage containers for canned goods.

• Cupboard Organizer 4 Pack $11.96
• Shelf Organizer 4 Pack $13.96
• Pantry Organizer Pack of 4 $15.96

Plus if you order 5 packs (any size so you can mix and match) you get a 10% discount! This saves quite a bit on shipping costs. So check them out and get a few for yourself and then as gifts to other Prepper friends.

Now if you are like me and have many other things to spend your greenbacks on, so the cheaper the better is the way to go. After all we frugal Preppers don’t care what is what as long as our food storage and pantry is organized! So there you have it, TheCanOrganizer.com gives you the ability to organize your canned goods and give a great functional gift to a friend – all at a very cheap price!

Get the scoup @ http://www.scribd.com/doc/44616263/Cheap-Cool-Pantry-Can-Organizer & http://www.thecanorganizer.com/

Prep On ;-}

TNT

Top Show Stoppers to Preparedness

I have been the self-reliant, independent Prepper type since the 70’s. For the last 10 years I have been helping friends and acquaintances get prepared and for the last year I have been helping strangers get prepared through my blog, scribd.com documents and in public talks, etc. When I was recently asked “What are the top reasons why people fail to prepare or fail in succeeding to prepare?” I had to stop and think for a minute before I answered. This is what I came up with and although these are not ranked, they are the biggies in my book.

• The “rose colored glasses” attitude: You know the “that will never happen here or to me, etc.” or “people are too inventive and ingenious to have or let that happen” type of people.
• The “you’re just a doomsayer, no one can prepare for everything” mentality. Are the Boy Scouts doomsayers?
• The “I just don’t have the time and or money to do this” attitude.
• The “that is what such-n-such (S & R, the government, fire & rescue, law enforcement and the like) are for” attitude.
• The “it’s just a gimmick by (corporate or individual) entities to rob us and make money” or “this is just the governments way of keeping us scared” mentality.

All of the above have a few things in common:

• Lack of thought
• Lack of knowledge
• Lack of formal planning
• Fear of change and the unknown
• A general lack of self and confidence

My mantra to fighting all of the above is “Don’t let the bastard win” and bastard can be anything or anyone.

• An exercised brain (thought) collects knowledge.
• Knowledge is gained through thought and research.
• Planning is accomplished via thought, research and then written down for formalization and continuity.
• Fear is conquered through knowledge and planning.
• Change cannot be stopped, only altered and adjusted to and is an opportunity to learn something new.
• The unknown is something to think and learn about so it becomes less threatening and often familiar or known.
• Confidence comes from knowledge and skill, coupled with an “I can do” attitude.

For more detail and tips see Top Show Stoppers to Preparedness @ http://www.scribd.com/doc/44506510/Top-Show-Stoppers-to-Preparedness

Keep on Preppin ;-}

TNT