Monday, April 27, 2009

Swine Flu

So, unless you have been living under a rock, you have probably been hearing an awful lot about the dreaded swine flu over the past few days. I'm not really freaked out by this, but it has got me thinking.

For the past year I have been so focused on getting my year supply of food and other commodities that I think I have missed the mark just a tad. I came to the conclusion that what I should be focusing on first is getting a fully stocked three month supply and then move on to the bigger picture. I think of the people in Mexico who are being encouraged to stay indoors, whose churches and schools are closing, and wonder if any of them have a three month supply of anything.

So, my new goal...a three month supply. I sat down with my husband and we wrote down all the meals that we eat on a daily basis. What would we want to have stocked in our cupboards and freezer to make sure that, if we do reach a pandemic and are stuck in our house, we will be able to live as close to normal as possible. We divided our list into breakfast, lunch and dinner categories and then wrote a list of things we are missing that we need to purchase. It is not going to happen over night, but thanks to already starting our food storage, we are close (relatively speaking that is).

Also, I've said this before, but make sure you have a three month supply of things other than food...like toilet paper, diapers, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, garbage bags, medicines, etc...

Apart from food and these other necessities, I have been looking at yard sales for entertainment items for my family. I have purchased quite a few board games for all ages, books, puzzles, coloring books, play doh, etc... Anything to make being "stuck" with my family a more pleasant experience.

If any of you have things you are doing to get prepared, I would love to hear about them! I am always looking for fresh ideas to get my family ready. :)

3 comments:

Nanette said...

This is such a great reminder!

Nanette said...

Oh, one thing I am trying to get together "just in case," are the essential church type items: hymn books, conference on cd, batteries for the cd player. I want to get a nursery manual and lots of pictures. I guess right now the distribution center has a new book of all the art. I really need to look into that. If you can think of anything I am missing let me know. Did I send you that email about sanitaion in an emergency? I think it has some good ideas.

Sara said...

We just purchased the Gospel Art Kit (GAK) from the distribution center as well as "Behold Your Little Ones" nursery manual. They have made FHE nights so much easier to do! I highly recommend them. However, make sure if you buy the GAK pictures that you pay the extra money to get the nice divided folder they come in. Trust me, it's worth it!

And no, you did not send me anything about sanitation, but I would love to get it!

Thanks Nanette!