Weathering YOUR Storm

I've been "gone" a long time, I know.  The forecast of Hurricane Sandy encouraged me get back in the groove.  Anticipating the problems and coverage of such a large scale disaster reminded me of the importance of what we do here at Everyday Providence. You can take simple and effective steps today to take care of your loved ones in a disaster or other chaotic times.

I began National Emergency Preparedness Month (September) with a bang, a conference, and a plan.  And then my life went absolutely crazy.  We had been living in tiny (albeit lovely) temporary housing, waiting for a perfect and permanent residence to be available.  My husband called during the conference to announce that we were moving as soon as I got home.  We're now putting the finishing touches on the move, and I wanted to share a few things I learned (or remembered) along the way.

• Don't try so hard to keep things interesting in the kitchen during times of change. Your well-stocked pantry can help keep meals going when life gets hectic.  Pancakes and waffles from a mix, canned soup and crackers, hot and cold breakfast cereal, frozen dinners (bought or made in advance), and easy family favorites can help you put familiar food on the table without the hassle and dishes of complicated meals.
• Give yourself a break! Pick your top priorities and let a few other things go.  We tried to eat somewhat healthy meals (priority #1), but we stopped recycling and we used paper plates occasionally for the few days of the move.  
• There are only 24 hours in a day.  Know that you have to let something go.  We put packing boxes and relaxation (family) time above cleaning.  When we were out of the old place, we gave it a good scrub.  When we were moved into the new place, a once-over cleaning removed a week's worth of dirt.
• It's ok to ask for help.  Twice we invited friends and neighbors to help with moving and unpacking.  A fresh set of legs and a new perspective helped rejuvenate us with the overwhelming task.  I love helping others, knowing that I've made someone's day better.  Let someone else do that for you, too.

I used these concepts when we were new parents (2005), when we lost power three times in six months with small children (2007), and in these weeks as we moved (2012).  Got any tips that make your life easier when the seas get a little rough?  I'd love to hear your ideas, too. Share your story with me here.

10 (Cheap) Things You Might Need in an Emergency (but won't have if you don't buy extra now!)

When disaster strikes, there's often no time to run out for supplies. A few inexpensive household items can go a long way to maintaining some sanity and civility.  Here are my top suggestions:

Gallon zip bags

• If you're using a cooler, these maximize space since bags are more compact than regular containers.
• Ideal for keeping many things safe and tidy, zipper bags also help keep less desirable items (and odors) sealed away.
• Perfect for various personal hygiene purposes, especially if there is a baby in diapers around.
• Keeps things dry in your backpack or anywhere else.  (Think books, cameras, wallets, etc.)

Back to School Tips

You may be saying a tear-filled goodbye as your oldest trots off to preschool (She'll be ok, even in you're not.), or perhaps the youngest is finally off to college and you have the house to yourself (Although you may not be home much anymore.), perhaps a friend has taken the plunge back into academia (Plan to treat them to homemade goodies soon.), and maybe it's YOU that's heading back to those hallowed halls (Way to go!).  Use these helpful tips to get everyone's  school year started off right.

• Get plenty of sleep. New people, new routines, and new ideas use up lots of energy.  Our brains and our bodies need a little extra down time about now. 

Are you backing up your home computer?

I've owned a computer longer than most people, and I've never lost a large amount of data.  Certainly, I've misplaced files, hit the power button before saving was complete, or forgotten to click "Save As" a few times, but I've never faced the total loss and devastation of viruses, lightning strike or hard drive failure... until now!  This week I said a sad farewell to my long-lived desktop computer.  This PC was ancient as computers go these days, but it plugged along just fine.  I was about to hand it over as "the kids' computer" when POW! Blue screen. Diagnosis - hard drive failure. 

Gross! Where did these pests come from?

We agree that bugs, lizards, snakes, and rats are bothersome as uninvited house guests.  But even sweet, furry woodland creatures are a catastrophe in your home.  There are a host of creatures that seem to be creeping into residences all over the US right now.  What's going on?

Bugs and other animals are influenced by many of the same weather disasters we have been facing here in the US.  Over the past few months, flooding and wildfires have forced many bugs and animals out of their natural habitat, often into residential and suburban areas that are build above flood plains.  Drought in other areas pushes wildlife to travel great distances seeking water that is often found in parks, fountains, pools, well watered lawns and possibly your bathtub.  Severe heat creates desperate situations for insects and animals that must seek any shelter, and some smaller creatures may find your home a comfortable fit.

Getting in (or out of) Your Garage in a Disaster

Let's take a look at the safety of your garage not only from intruders, but also from a disaster safety point of view. 

• You need to be able to access your garage during a power outage.  If the garage is attached to your home or has manual doors, you're probably fine.  But if your doors are only power lift doors, be certain that you have another walk-in door or access that you can use when the power goes out.

• Also, be certain that all the drivers in the family know how to disengage the door lift motor and manually lift the door.  In a weather or earthquake related emergency, you may need to make a quick exit by car.

Building a Framework to Hold You Up

When we were young, my husband and I 'winged' our way through life. We had the time, money, and energy to climb through some awkward and difficult situations. But then a new reality set in... 4 kids, a mortgage, and more than one round with unemployment.  Our life started to change and we changed with it. And I believe we learned a few valuable (preparedness) lessons along the way.

Schedule - I appreciate the spontaneity and freedom of living life without restrictive plans and commitments. But I've learned that too much freedom and too many choices often end in indecisive frustration. Consider; 'What do you want for dinner?' or 'What do you want to do this week-end?' Although I may occasionally have an answer, more often than not, I have no idea. To combat this (amid the chaos of a six person household) I have added certain flexible guidelines to provide a framework for our lives. We don't schedule routine commitments on Friday nights - no lessons or sports. This gives us a night to spend as a family or to visit with friends. I also composed a dinner schedule to diversify our diet and aid in deciding 'what's for dinner.' Monday - chicken, Tuesday - pasta, Wednesday - pork, Thursday - beans, Friday - fish, Saturday - beef, Sunday - pizza. I often rearrange the days to accommodate our activities or preferences.

Structure - A place for everything and everything in its place. When I need something, I like to go to the place it belongs and find it there in working order.  This depends on every item having a proper place that everyone knows.  It also means that maintenance and repairs need to be completed promptly.


Stocking Up - Having an ample stock of food and household supplies has really helped save time, money, and frustration.  We're never completely out of toilet paper.  I always have fish, chicken, or sausages and veggies in the freezer to cook up a quick dinner.  We keep "emergency" paper plates and plastic cups in our stash.  (Occasionally I deem a particularly hectic evening "an emergency" and breathe easier.)  Keeping extra over the counter and prescription medications around helps ensure fewer midnight runs to the pharmacy when unexpected illness or symptoms pop up.  Extra batteries, coffee, or school supplies can save the day over and again.

Saving - I can't tell you how many times our savings has, well, saved us.  Even a small amount when times were lean can allow you to buy a washing machine when the old one calls it quits.  That, in turn, saves me time (I can multi-task housework at home instead of waiting at the laundromat.), money (At $1.75 to wash and $1.00 to dry each load you'll pay for a new washer in no time, except you never get to bring the washer home.), and hassle (I do not enjoy lugging dirty clothes around... ever.)  This economy has played out in our household many times, luckily not always over a washing machine. 

Keeping it simple...

I'll admit it, my home was spinning out of control.  Family, home, career, and other assorted distractions left me worn out and frustrated.  The blogosphere is full of cute ideas and valuable suggestions for how to spend my time, decorate my house, enjoy my family, preserve family history, and a million other things that I never found time to do. 

But three things let me to the here and now...

1) No matter how hard I work, I cannot keep up with all the great ideas and the influx of stuff that bombards my life and my house.  We live in a stuff filled society, and it all seems to make it's way to my house.
2) Acte gratuite's revelation that a clean and orderly house would be a huge asset in a disaster.  I don't want to trip on the way out the door in an emergency.
3) My emergency management training has me thinking about what's important (people) and how quickly we can lose the rest.

So, I've had it up to here! (Imagine a dramatic gesture of my hand marking point on my body somewhere above the shoulders and occasionally above the head.)  And here's what I'm going to do...

1) I love the idea of a place for everything, and everything needs to have a place in my house, meaning if it doesn't fit here -- maybe I don't keep it.
2) If it's not irreplaceable, then it must be replaceable.  (Not brain surgery, I realize.)  If I don't use it, get rid of it.  If I find I need it someday, I'll leave my clean and orderly house, go to the store, and I'll get another one.
3) I recently made a list of words that should describe the items I'm keeping: immediate, far-reaching, uncluttered, plain and simple, useful, enhancing, sustainable, and valuable.
4) No more "Wouldn't it be cool if..." or "I'll keep this just in case..."  If I'm not using it now, it's probably not going to happen.  (Emphasis on replaceable items, not necessarily antiques or photos.)
5) I'm trying to teach my kids about setting boundaries, and something Dave Ramsey (financial guru) said hit me between the eyes.  Much of the junk (furniture, old clothes, etc.) that I need to get rid of, Goodwill won't even take.  It's junk, get it out of my house.

I'll share a few revelations that I've made...
1) We don't need more that two sets of sheets for each bed.  (And maybe a flannel set for winter.)
2) Four flour sifters is too many.  (Even though these were different sizes and styles.)
3) I'm never gonna use my old cell phone on a float trip. (Like the man at the cell store suggested.)
4) Someone else may actually need that thing.  I places two car seats, a microwave, and a bunch of other junk at the curb and watched each item find a new home. 
5) If I ever lose that stubborn 20 pounds (or more) I'll want new clothes to celebrate.  Give the old ones away.
6) Space costs more than stuff.  Don't believe me? Ask a builder about the cost per square foot for construction.  Very few places in my home does the value of the clutter exceed the cost of that space.
7) My attachment to my stuff lasted until I put it in the trash can, then I usually feel freed.  And I glory in the space I have reclaimed.

... a time to keep and a time to throw away... Ecc. 3:6

Scheduling tasks

I remember vividly a conversation where the other person revealed that they chose to use a daily medication instead of a single monthly dose (which was truly cheaper and safer) because they might forget it once a month, but they could remember it if it was part of their daily routine.  I was dumbfounded.

Then I had kids.  Since having children I have forgotten many things that used to seem second nature.  My time, my stuff, and even my mind are not my own anymore.  Little voices and little hands routinely derail my plan for the day.  (Don't get me wrong, I love my family and appreciate many perks to parenting, but that's a later post.)  I lay a bill in an obvious place to remember to mail it, and someone lays their art project over it.  Forgotten bill!  I make my way downstairs in a ratty t-shirt to get my work shirt out of the laundry, and WWE erupts in the living room.  Forgotten shirt! I absolutely must make cookies for the meeting tonight, but a sick kid has to be picked up from school.  Forgotten cookies!  And if you're like me, some mornings you forget to brush your teeth.  (This is not a routine occurrence, of course, but it's happened more than once.)  So remembering to do routine maintenance on everyday items is not usually going to happen unless it's scheduled and on the calendar.

I've been working on a list that I'll share with you.  If lists are not already your best friend, get to know a good list and see if your can build a healthy relationship.  I'll bet you get along just fine.  I'm just starting. And I would appreciate any suggestions and additions you might have. 

• Daily Medications - I put daily medications in a plastic days of the week medication box.  Then I add refilling it to my weekly 'to do' list.
• Pet veterinary appointments - I make the next appointment at the office and put it on my calendar.  It's easier to move than to remember.
• Pet grooming appointments - Some groomers will set up your appointments for the year.  You may be able to get a standard day, too.
• Pet monthly medications (heartworm, flea & tick) - Give these on a memorable day or date like the 15th or the first week-end.
• Replace furnace/air conditioner filters - Do this every month for the health of your family and to keep your unit working efficiently.
• Pay bills - Set up auto payment through the bank or the company itself.  Pay bills twice a month on a schedule and a plan.
• Change the oil in the car - Most of us drive a routine number of miles a month.  Determine how often you need an oil change and put it on the calendar.  Make your next appointment when you have service performed.  Make sure they are checking other fluid levels, tire pressure, and safety issues as well.
• Have furnace/air conditioner cleaned - Have professional service done once a year, or according to the manufacturers recommendations.
• Renew computer virus protection - Pay for upgraded software annually, but remember to do included software updates at least monthly or as often as updates are available.
• Family and Friends' birthday cards and gifts - Start a birthday calendar, or enter dates in your digital calendar to renew each year.  Shop for all the cards you'll need once a month.
• Test smoke/fire alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms - Test these using the test button or with a smoking match once a month.  Replace batteries annually.
• Refill routine prescriptions - I refill all my household prescriptions at the same time once a month.  If you have a smart phone see if your pharmacy has an app for this.  I scan mine and it's done.
• Balance your checkbook - Do this once a month.  If you've never balanced your checkbook, learn how. It's a great time to check in on your budget as well.  Saving up, keeping cash on hand, purchasing gear and stocking up on food and supplies are an important part of preparedness.
• Write to your sponsored child every month - If you don't currently sponsor a child in a developing nation, I urge you to consider it.  Almost every one of us can afford the $1 (or so) a day to redeem a child from dark hopelessness of poverty.  I hope you'll consider sponsoring a child and starting a friendship that will certainly last that child's lifetime.  Click to Compassion International or World Vision to learn more.
• Call a long distance friend - I tend to get busy with every day things and forget to reach out to important people that I don't see every day.  Make a phone (or Skype) date - pick a day and time to call a special someone.
• Have lunch/dinner with friends - I try to have lunch with a friend once a week.  But if I don't schedule it, it doesn't happen.
• Walk exterior of home looking for maintenance and safety issues - I try to do this at least once a month and after every storm. 
• Check home and garage interior - Look for the dreaded electrical octopus and other fire and safety hazards.  Make sure there are adequate clearances for walking through.  Rearrange furniture and appliances or have an electrician install a needed outlet.
• Schedule family haircuts - You know those people who take a picture every morning?  You'd laugh at me and my kids if we ever did that.  Our busy schedules often leave us looking shaggy.  If I make the next haircut appointment, we're taken care of.

PACE yourself...

Remember in "What about Bob?" when Bill Murray's troubled character took an unprecedented cross country trip using the "Baby Step" method?  Preparedness always comes in baby steps.  Slowly building, adjusting, adding, modifying, until one day we find ourselves ready (more or less.)  Each essential item and process needs to have multiple resources, especially in an emergency.  PACE is an acronym that addresses the need to prepare in layers.  Each need (shelter, heat, food, water, light, communication, transportation, etc.) should have several back up plans.

PACE stands for:
Primary
Alternate
Contingency
Emergency

Example 1:  An everyday situation where we use the PACE method is calling a friend or family member at work. Primary - Call the cell phone. (No answer.) Alternate - Text a message. (No reply.)  Contingency - Call their desk at work. (Call goes to voice mail.) Emergency - Call the company receptionist... or the police. (I guess it depends how big the emergency is, right?)

Example 2:  Cutting a string from your shirt hem. Primary - Get scissors and cut it. (Scissors aren't there.) Alternate - Use nail trimmers.  (They aren't in the medicine cabinet.)  Contingency - Use a kitchen knife. (The knife isn't sharp enough to cut it.) Emergency - Chew the string off with your teeth.

Example 3: Power goes out at 3:00 am, and you need to get down two flights of stairs in the dark. Primary - Grab the flashlight you keep in your nightstand, right? (Your kids "borrowed" the batteries, ugh!) Alternate - You keep a pen light in your purse. (You left your purse on the kitchen table.) Contingency - You light the candle from the hall table.  (There are no matches.) Emergency - Your cell phone, which was at your bedside, casts enough light to get to another flashlight.

See? Easy! When making a plan, purchasing gear and supplies, and storing items.  Keep the PACE principle in mind.

Your Emergency Framework

Each individual has a certain capacity and defined expectations for the support we will receive in a disaster.  When we need a bandage strip, we expect it to be in the first aid kit.  When we call for help, we expect someone to come running.  When we dial 9-1-1, we expect someone to answer.  When we need an ambulance, we expect it to arrive right away.  When these things do not happen, some of us are capable of handling the situation, others are not.  As an event grows in scope (more people, more distance, more impact), the assistance available from first responders (like police and fire departments) and friends and family diminishes -- as it is divided among more and more people in need, the help gets spread too thin.

The good news is that local, state, and federal governments are working hard to learn, prepare, and practice making the best use of limited resources.  Departments are planning ahead to share resources and assist one another in times of need.  In the midst of tough economic times Emergency Managers are getting creative and downright frugal to prepare for the risks that our communities face.

Take a minute to think about what you could tolerate for a day or two or three... At my house a power outage is never a problem, UNTIL it occurs in below breezing weather.  Flooding wouldn't affect my home, but could keep my husband from coming home from work.  If an ice storm stopped all transportation, how long could we go without going to the store?  What if when we got there, the store was empty. What if an earthquake destroyed our water supply for a week... a month?  I am prepared to handle situations within my tolerance, but I must plan for those catastrophes that exceed my tolerance.  I can buy equipment (a generator, a water filter.)  I can stock up (candles, kerosene heaters, bottled water, canned food.)  I can ask for help (Making plans for special assistance you might need is always prudent.) I can train to take care of myself and friends and family (Red Cross First Aid and FEMA Disaster Training). 

What about you?  What have you done to build a framework of support to help you when things go wrong?