Plan and Prepare

 

Make a plan, then prepare accordingly!

I can only talk till I am blue in the face, for so long. Ok, I usually go beyond that, trying to help. The point is, are you preparing for what is being said to be a dark, cold winter? Are you prepared if world war 3 were to break out? Are you prepared if cyber attacks hit our power grid? Are you prepared if you can't get cash out of an ATM or use your debit/credit card? Are you prepared if internet/cell phones go out? Do you have a plan with family, to know what to do if chaos breaks out in your area? 

You can listen to just about any media source lately, and they are all talking about cyber attacks on our power grid, supply chain issues, and war. You can listen and read about the Fall/Winter weather conditions, that are being forecast. If you pay attention at all, you will know that the entire world has lost its collective brain cells, and nearly every country is battling with another. Even the state of New York has issued a generic, "what to do in the event of a nuclear disaster," video. I'm sorry, but when even mainstream talking heads are talking about the chaos...that should be alarming to all. 

So, I thought I would give my direction of thinking, and maybe it will help someone else. My family has spent decades living prepared. We have lived rural for a long time, and that means you plan, prepare and remain prepared for several months on end. Here is what I look at:

*I currently have 5 people in my house full time, I have pets, and livestock. 

*Food:  meats - roughly 140 lbs per month(family), vegetables - roughly 30 lbs.(family), fruits - roughly 30 lbs.(family), spices - this varies greatly, other - flour - 50 lbs., sugar - 50 lbs., rice - 8 lbs., tea/tea bags - 4 boxes, coffee - 2 canisters, baking soda - 2 lbs., baking powder - 2 containers, yeast - 2 lbs., Etc., . Pet foods and treats - cats(18 lbs month), dogs(50 lbs month)rabbit(2 lbs. month). Livestock feed - about 400 lbs. month, hay - about 17 bales a month, mineral - about 100 lbs. month. 

*Water:  It takes on average about 1 1/2 gallons of water per day, per person for cooking and drinking. It takes about 5 gallons per person, per day for cleaning and bathing and about double that if you have to wash clothes. It takes about 5 gallons of water per week for my pets, and about 150 gallons of water per week for the livestock. 

*Other necessities:  It takes roughly 40 rolls of toilet paper for 2 bathrooms per month, It takes a mid-sized jug of laundry per month, 2 bottles of dish soap, 2 decent sized bottles of hand soap. A bottle of body wash, a bottle of shampoo, a container of toothpaste, a tooth brush; per month, per person. It takes an average of 2 packages of female hygiene products per month. Other cleaners - Lysol, bleach, vinegar, comet, etc. - about a jug/container each per month. Wood for the furnace - about a log truck load per winter - a little extra in the event of having to cook outdoors. Propane - for the grills, about 3 per month. Storage bags,foil, wax paper, trash bags. Paper towels, disposable plates/cups. Foil pans for cooking outdoors. 

*Seasonal clothing: coming into winter months - bibs, coats, hats, gloves, boots, socks. How are the rest of your seasonal clothing adding up - jeans/pants, sweatshirts, sweaters, long underwear. 

*Because we are coming into the last months of the year - this is typically a time of many celebrations. Now is the time to start shopping for Thanksgiving and Christmas needs. The prices are only going up from here...so now is the best time to plan ahead. Make it a point to cut back on outlandish Christmas gifts this year. Get whatever shelf life/freezer items you can get ahead of time, while you can get them. We are just over 3 months from Thanksgiving, and 4 months from Christmas. Think about your traditional holiday meals and what you need to prepare them. Prepare your family for a more meaningful holiday season - where the greatest gifts are spending time with loved ones, instead of unnecessary gifts, and the gifts you give will actually be purposeful instead of stacking up in a corner less than a month after Christmas.

*Do you need bedding for your outdoor pets, indoor pets, cat litter. Make sure you have straw or pine shavings to help insulate dogs houses, chicken/duck nests, bedding for cows/sheep. Pine shavings work good in chicken nesting boxes too. 

*First aid/medical:  make sure to have a minimum of 2 months of needed prescriptions! Stock up on OTC meds - allergy medicine, Tylonal, Childrens medicines. Make sure you have at least ONE fully stocked first aid kit, although I recommend several. Bandaids - all sizes included the buttfly stitch ones, gauze,  medical tape, triple anit-biotic ointment, burn spray/cream, drawing salve, a plain bottle of elmer's glue(removes splinters easily), ace bandages.

*Recipes:  YES, I am including recipes as a plan. If by chance the grid or internet  goes down, you will not have the internet to refer to. Get the recipes you want WRITTEN on paper! Make sure you get recipes for things you may need but won't be able to get in a store - bread, desserts, etc.

*Alternative lighting:  Candles, flashlights, lanterns, batteries, matches, long stick lighters, etc.

*Extra fuel/diesel:  Make sure you have extra on hand at all times. Whether you need it for your vehicle(since many of the gas pumps are now electric), or you need it for a generator. 

*Other items: chain saw chains/bars, chain saw mix, ax/maul, tea kettle that can be used indoors or on a fire/grill, cookware that can be used outdoors, fishing equipment(just understand that those that do not stock up will end up flooding rivers/lakes, or wooded areas, attempting to find food), there may also be some that will attempt to steal yours, so always be ready to defend your home and family.

As I said, you need to sit down with your family and make a plan. If you are in the same boat I am, getting them to listen may be a challenge. It is necessary though. Have a plan for getting home, or if they can't to know where they will need to go. Have a plan for getting the items listed above. Let them be included in the planning and implementation of these plans. Make it your mission, your family mission to accomplish this as quickly as possible. 

This will give you a little jump start into planning and preparing. My gut instinct is telling me the next 4 months are going to be like a living hell, so please get prepared. Go through your home, look at everything you use on a regular basis. Then multiple that for the number of months you want to be prepared, and that is a good start. Look at everything from the obvious to the not-so-much so. Think of what you would need without electric, internet and cell phones. 

I hope this will help others that have been floundering to find a list of preparations. This is my list annually. I'm sure there are things I have forgotten, but this list would have you prepared.

Coffee Break - Marriage

 

Good Morning!

Well, I'm taking a minute before starting into anymore chores to share a topic of conversation in a group, that I had this morning. This topic is one that I don't have the most positive response to, most of the time. Many that know me, have heard my off-the-cuff, opinion about marriage. This morning, I broke it down, and thought I would share it here too. 

Yes, I am married and have been for 23 years. There have definitely been some major up and downs in more than 2 decades. That is to be expected. I also have a child that is planning his wedding. So, that being said, I have a serious bad taste in my mouth about marriage...it does not help having come from divorced parents. I've studied, for many years, the marriage statistics. They aren't good folks! The past 80 years have shown the likelihood of divorce is pushing 75%. So, why is that? Well, there are a myriad of possibilities. Everything from mental health issues, to lack of truly getting to know someone, to affairs/abuse or truly just getting lazy. The "experts" can put all sorts of fancy/technical terms and words into this scenario but I prefer layman terms. So, here are my 2 cents:

I do believe in marriage. I do believe that 2 people can find love, respect, friendship, and so much more together. However, I have seen first hand, when people get married....they get lazy! Let me explain. Once 2 people get into a long term relationship(marriage or not), the conquering quest is over. They got the prize. They no longer need to be on their best behaviors. All of this is true for men AND women. They no longer find the need to be romantic, thoughtful, or go out of their way to keep the respect of their significant other. They start taking each other for granted. They no longer take time to "date" their significant other. They start making assumptions and excuses. As years pass, these poor behavior choices tend to intensify and become the norm. The initial expectations from relationships begin to falter as each person makes excuses for the behaviors of the other. They find themselves in a deep rut, that only gets deeper the longer it's allowed to continue. The 2 people lose the ability to have conversations that are meaningful or beyond surface. Then you begin to bring in other issues that tend to be a lot worse. Both people at this point are not really unhappy, but not really happy either. So, now you have a big issue, and typically by this point, there are children involved...and THEY are the ones to suffer the most, but that's a whole different conversation. 

As a woman, I am a talker. I try to rationalize to everything. I want to talk through whatever thoughts I'm dealing with at the time. I know men and women are different. However, I can't help but wonder if there is some all-knowing-knowledge about marriage and relationships that neglected to be passed down. I know years ago, people just worked on their marriages, and stuck through thick and thin. I get that. At what point though, does that work become, all for naught? 

As I said, I have been married a while. We have had some pretty trying and even bad spells. We have reached that lazy point...both of us. While I can recognize that, I don't know how to fix it. There are so many, that I personally know, that have reached this same point. You aren't happy but you aren't really unhappy. You don't have the connection with your significant other that you really wish you did. You or your spouse feel like you're being taken for granted or disregarded. Yet, I see some, that have found their way out of that rut. No relationship is perfect, but you see and hear some that seem pretty damned good. I have a few relatives that have done what they needed to, and now seem so happy. So, I suppose there is hope on that front. 

I have tried to encourage my son and future daughter-in-law, to talk about everything. To understand that you can say "this will never happen to us," but to have a plan "just in case." To understand that every marriage has its ups and downs...and you can either work and grow together or you will grow apart. To recognize when they are taking advantage of each other, and to make sure it stops. To understand that finances, children, and extended family can be a major stressor for any marriage. To make sure they keep their independence while keeping their marriage bond the backbone of everything they do. To ALWAYS be each other's protectors in public, even if they have to go have a private yelling match. To understand that there will be times you are going to go to bed mad at each other...but learning to be respectful to each other and say, "I am mad, but I love you and we need to sleep on this, and take a look in the morning with fresh eyes." 

So, while I tend to warn off marriage, it's not because I don't believe in it, per-say. I just know, that too many rush into it with rose colored glasses and forget that marriage isn't about the wedding day. It's about everything that comes after that. It's the snarky remarks, the pet peeves, the conversations, the illnesses or debts, it's about the outside sources of influence, it's about the precious children, it's about the forgotten birthdays/anniversaries, it's about the burned meals, the hurt feelings. It's about holding hands and feeling the love through touch. It's about the plans for your future and working towards them together. It's about finding common ground when life seems to take on a life of its own. It's the late work shifts or second jobs to make ends meet. It's about the laundry piles, the dirty dishes, the dirt floors, and the empty gas tanks. It's about the emotional meltdowns, the hard conversations when things aren't going good. It's giving and accepting constructive criticism, without being an ass. It's snuggling into your spouses arms when the wolf or world is pounding on your door, and THEY are your safety. It's about raising those precious children to not only be productive members of society, but to kind and compassionate, and to see the way a relationship SHOULD be. 

So there are my thoughts from this mornings conversations.

Coffee Chat

 

Good Morning!

With the entire world in chaos, I seem to be feeling more anxious. A couple weeks ago, I began experiencing a bit of what I heard today, as a fear paralysis. That was a perfect description. I have struggled to explain all the chaos I have learned with my family. They get tired of hearing about everything. My husband made a comment yesterday, about how much of our lives are we supposed to put on hold? For me, I don't see a lot of our life as being on hold, but moreso being a more responsible life style. I'm struggling, as the overall manager of our lives, to pay down debts and make sure our family has what it needs. I haven't really felt like we have put much on hold. Anyway, after the initial fear response of not being prepared enough, not having enough of what would be needed if SHTF, not having the support or understanding from my own family...it allowed my own immune system to get down, which in turn lead to a couple days of migraines and getting sick for a week. Sunday, was the first day in a few weeks that I felt "normal." 

It's a strange position to be in right now. I've done this research, I've studied so much, I have sacrificed several things I personally wanted to do, all in the name of making sure I could take care of my family. I have spent a lot of time learning things that I knew nothing about. I have taken whatever extra money I could scrounge up from an already tight budget, to make a little extra towards paying down debts or paying them off, or putting towards backup plans for food/water or other necessities. I quit going just about everywhere to eliminate extra fuel expenses, I haven't bought any lumber and in turn haven't build anything new this year. I decided to focus on only what was absolutely needed. I expanded my garden to allow for extra vegetables to try to help not only with extra food, but better quality food. I have literally thrown myself into basic solitude to make sure my family is taken care of. Understand this, I am not bragging nor am I looking for ANY recognition. I am however, speaking my truths. 

I have spent so much time outdoors this year, and that has been my time to reconnect with Source/God. You see, I don't believe in church, I believe in God. So, I refer to my time of insight as spiritual. Some of the biggest hypocrites and sinners proved to me that faith in God has NOTHING to do with a building. Many of us can sit and preach Bible verses all day long, but when we look at our actions....we are all sinners...we just may sin differently than others. So, instead I have learned to listen to my instincts. I listen to my gut. I do my best to be a good person, sometimes I fail. I am only human. I judge, I get angry, I hold grudges; I try not to, but it happens. 

 

Talking to a long time friend the other night, I realized a lot of things. I won't go into depth here, but it was kind of a smack to the head of many realities for me. Not bad, but kind of a wake up call. You see, when you work or strive to become or be what someone else believes you should be...you lose yourself and end up in a pretty dark place.  The same holds true when you feel you are the only person working towards being and doing better. I've really struggled, for a while now, in several areas. During my conversation, we were talking and it came out of my mouth, that I had become very angry at everything. Until that point, I couldn't pinpoint an emotion to fit what I had been feeling. Anger seems to be the best description. I've worked hard to keep my emotions to myself. By doing this, it has had me in a very dark place for a long time...I just never could put my finger on emotions. I don't handle emotions well anymore. I buried them for too long. 

I have been very blessed in life. That is not to say anything is perfect, but I do thank God for those blessings! However, I have learned a LOT of hard lessons in my life. Those lessons have changed me...some for the better, some not. I try very hard to not become calloused and unfeeling. In many areas, this has caused me to go to other extremes...like being too nice, or putting up with too much shit. Or making excuses for bad behaviors of others and allowing them to continue to be in my life. Sometimes, you hold so tightly to that last thread of hope, you don't realize it wouldn't hurt near as badly as just letting go. It's that letting go, that requires you to deal with other emotions. Some of which you can never get answers for, you can't rationalize, and when those emotions have existed for decades; you don't know how to manage them. 

I'm going to get this little chat published today but when too many lessons/emotions begin bubbling up, you need to address them. Talking through these things helps a lot of women, but not all. Find something that works for you. Don't keep things buried. It will bring out other things that could have been avoided.

The Universe WILL get your attention.

 

It feels that my life has been about intuitive and generational growth. I have spent so much of my life, trying to please others or blend in with some crowd. I knew in my young years I was different from most, but couldn't ever pinpoint why. I couldn't just go with the crowd, or be part of any group for any period of time. I never really fit in, anywhere. I could get along with most, but I never let very many truly into my inner circle. Trust has always been difficult for me, even now. It's been about 10 years now, that I began getting glimpses of, well...I haven't really ever understood what it was. It was a "push" here or there to do something, be somewhere, or even as simple as just smiling at a stranger. That in itself, my husband can tell you, ends up leading to an hour long conversation in a grocery store isle, talking to a stranger, and hearing their entire life story. This happens ALL THE TIME! It was about 10 years ago, that I began learning that I get these gut feelings when something happens - both good and bad. Up to and until the past decade, I ignored a lot of these feelings. I didn't think too much about the randomness of strangers literally stopping me at a store to talk. I didn't think too much about any of the oddities that I would "feel." However, things changed and I began finding myself ill or not able to sleep or some random head ache...only to be given a "feeling/thought."

That leads me to the past week, and actually the past 4 years too. So, let's go back a little to bring in how this past week has fit a pattern. Four years ago, we had returned to our family farm from a 2 year sabbatical away. We had only been back for about 5 months, my husband was back to working locally, I was working, teaching 4th grade and Junior in high school, while trying to reestablish our farm/homestead. We thought the change away from our farm would be good for our family, and that didn't pan out. Anyway, I found myself so incredibly busy, so overwhelmed, and even a bit angry. That year, my step dad had a back surgery that ended in finding out that he could never work again and me spending 10 days away from my own family. My dad had heart surgery and that was another 5 day stent away from my family, I had a work event that was 4 days away from my family...but that event was when these "feelings" began to explode. So, in 2018 I ended up spending almost 3 full weeks away from my own family, and dealing/facing situations that completely removed me from a comfort zone. It required a lot of time to speculate, a lot of windshield time while I was driving all over, facing some pretty harsh criticism and questioning my place in the grand scheme of things. While I have spent years saying prayers regularly, I have spent the past 4 years praying even more. I never found it necessary to blend in or fit a certain category of people, I still don't! I did want to find MY place. I needed to find MY place and MY peace. While I struggled for the first couple of years, once we got back to our farm, I realized...I had found MY peace and MY place. Then, I just had to figure out how to make it all work. 

I have learned so much over the 24 years I have spent with my husband. We've had plenty of ups and downs, and my own stubbornness has not helped...but here we are none-the-less. Now, I'm not going to let him off the hook either. You see, my stubbornness is only matched by his. Two stubborn, hardheaded people; will result in a lot of clashes!! Then you throw in major communication issues, and you have a recipe for major disruption. Now, you add in children(who are just carbon copies of us), stubborn animals, trying to work on a shoe string budget, multiple efforts to better ourselves failing and causing us more financial issues, and the issues beyond our control...and boy hardy, do you have one hell of an explosion waiting to happen. I took on the education of my children after bully issues the local school just would not fix. That was not in my plans. However, I'm glad we did it, and it helped when my daughter had the nearly fatal allergic reactions to vaccines and was basically allergic to everything except air. I was able to go back to school myself to learn holistic medicine to be able to care for her needs, while teaching my son, and being a full time mom. I learned to manage her allergic reactions, and care by managing the world around us to the utmost control. Gosh, was that tiresome, some days! I took a lot of grief about my parenting style, when most didn't understand or care to find out the reasoning behind it. All outsiders saw was healthy children, a frazzled mom, a cluttered/messy house, a dad that worked and provided. No one saw the helplessness I felt when I tried to do the right things, only to find out later they were not right for all...and I wasn't supposed to talk about it. No one saw the days I wouldn't sleep for fear of some reaction to something that was not allowed in our diets but was given anyway. No one felt the defeat of hearing that I should have a job, my kids should be in school, I shouldn't hover so much, I should/could whatever. No one saw the fear of letting my children go somewhere that I couldn't monitor what they were eating or drinking, to make sure we didn't have some sort of reaction. No one paid attention when I said please do not let them have these things. No one noticed that quit talking to most outside of my inner circle. You see, when you have children that have extreme allergies, you have to manage their lives differently. Which in turn, means that your life, is now fully dedicated to the best interest of those kids and what your needs are...really aren't as important. 

Now that my kids are older, and they are more actively involved in their own care, I am in a weird position. I'm not an empty nester, as all my kids are still at home. They don't need me 100% of the time anymore. My work, for the majority of the last 2 years has been here on the farm. It's become my job, to manage everything and everyone. You see, my household is not all that different from most. No one sees the trash cans overflowing, no one sees the dirty dishes piling up, no one sees the soap rings in the showers, no one pays attention to dirt on the floor, unfolded blankets on the couch, shoes laying everywhere, or the other mountain of work that needs to be done...because, well, Mom will do. No one stops to think that Mom is home everyday, but talks to no one. Sure, I still teach, but that is different. To actually have a conversation, not having to try to get attention away from phones and computers, not having to try to talk over the noise box. We still sit down every night, as a family, for supper. For that I am eternally grateful. However, rarely do I talk or have conversations. I hear about the day from each of the boys, and my husband. We may talk about what needs to be done for preparation for winter, or what we need for feed....but that's it. That's all she wrote. Then, everyone heads off in their own direction. Most of the time, dishes aren't done until I get to them the next day. Supper eventually gets put up, but I refuse to do that, so it's up to the guys. For several months, I have just gotten where I go lay down in bed, watch a video or read a book. I can't have a conversation of the tv noise, and I refuse to battle for attention let alone doing so from a phone or tv. When you attempt to have a conversation and you either get a grunt or silence, it sends a message loud and clear. So, I don't even try. 

Over the past 2 years, I have learned to deal with daily back pain that has never really went completely away. I just keep going anyway. I have reached the point of almost full on menopause - which let me tell you is super annoying! Each time I have found myself feeling ill or just not quite right, I end up getting this push of going within myself. I get kind of down, not really depressed but close. It's like the Universe is pushing me to take stock in what's going on around me, and within me. Last winter, was the worst winter I can ever remember. I had lost so much excitement for Christmas, the gatherings, and everything. I was ready to just move on. I could not wait for spring to get here. I worked hard to learn new growing ideas and tricks. I learned more about the true history of the U.S. and several other countries. I had big plans for this year. In the Spring, after some heated discussions, we had expanded my garden area twice, and worked up the area for my strawberries. I ordered a cheap little greenhouse to put on my deck so that I could not only get some things growing early, but I could also get my hands in some dirt. I spent more time focused on my critters. Spending time taming down chickens, goats and to a much lesser degree ducks...I don't know how they will ever be fully tamed! I found that I needed something, something that I could focus on when I needed a release. What I found, was a strong desire to work with the soil, work with animals, and even though I haven't yet made the time or had the extra money - working on building things, and taking photos are still beloved past times. With the economic times of the past 2 years, I have put a lot of my own plans on hold to make sure that the things we needed, wasn't going to cut out every last penny we had. You see, a 6 month lay off, followed by slow times, followed by no projects and talk of another lay off, lead to a a changed employer, less money but still the same bills/expenses. So, I've made the sacrifice to make sure the necessities are covered...and my wants will wait. I have worked hard to make something grow in the crazy garden this year. I've put up a few things so far, but not near what I had hoped for. I still have a lot of canning and preserving to do. I have a large flower bed area yet to be worked up for next year, and another expansion or 2 for the garden too. 

I have truly thought about MY place in this crazy world. I found a passion working with veterans in the outdoors. I'm beyond grateful for a group that has helped me pick up the pieces and be able to keep going with that. I found a passion in gardening and critters - while I have always enjoyed both, this year has shown me that they are so much more than a hobby. I want to actually start our farm program for bringing kids, adults, veterans to our farm and showing them how a farm works. I want to be able to actually teach gardening and food preservation...not just to my own kids. These kinds of self-reliance should not just disappear as our elders pass on. I want to get rid of this fog that has had my brain in fight or flight mode for 2 years. I need to find my happiness again. It's an incredible weight to bare when you can't speak your peace, and you swallow that to keep peace. I believe my place is  breaking through traumas, my own and that of generations past. When you are constantly striving to avoid becoming/behaving in a way that has been shown to you, sure it's a strong force to constantly try harder, but it's also a nagging voice in your head if you don't achieve whatever you are aiming for....you are failing and back into mindset of trying to outdo whatever you were running from to start with. I hope that make sense. 

At this point in my life, I think my own expectations have left me floundering. I had hopes of still having regular dates with my husband, even if it was just going to supper and back home. Conversations that I could have with him about everything under sun, and knowing he was hearing even what I wasn't saying. I was hoping that I would actually feel heard, seen and appreciated. I had hoped that my children would appreciate the things I have done to try to help them, without doing everything for them. I know many people tell me how great they are, and how helpful they are...and I am truly grateful that I have raised children of integrity. I had hopes that seeing me work as I have for years, would give them the drive, determination and knowledge to go beyond anything I have been able to accomplish. There are many days, I feel pretty invisible. Sometimes, even lonely. The thing for me, I have a couple of amazing ladies I talk to, and they are my "cheerleaders." They are the ones constantly reminding me that I'm not invisible, even if you have to break out the whistle...  If you ladies are reading this, H & L, THANK YOU!!!! You're friendship, your encouragement, and your wisdom is more valuable to me than I could ever express!!! As for the rest, I keep going. I keep trying, and at one point, I may blow a gasket....but it's my frustration that I need to release. I won't make excuses for myself nor will I make them for anyone else. I believe you are either willing to pay attention to details, or you're not. No one can make you, you have to want to. Communication is the same way. You either want to make it better or you don't. Me personally, I'm a talker. I need to talk through things, and that means taking things apart piece by piece until it makes sense to me. 

So, I guess with the past week of feeling crappy...I was meant to think about all of this. I was meant to take it apart until I found pieces that made sense. I go off my "feelings," on about everything. So, when the Universe knocks me down, feelings are the place for me to start. Now, if I could just get a handle on it all, and lose this brain fog I've had for over a year!!! I will end this here, although there is so much more I could write. I've had a decade now, of learning to take a step back. Learning to pay attention to intuition and these freak illness moments/headaches. When you start seeing patterns, you need to pay attention. There is something you are supposed to be seeing. 

S.

WE didn't start this fire!

 

 

 

 

Welcome to chaos, keep hands and feet inside the car, and hang on like your life depends on it - because it does!

 

So many of us have said, prepare, stock up, grow a garden, pray. We've seen the writing on the wall for many years now. We've seen the increase of fire and fury just this year. We've watched the American government work for everyone BUT the American people.  We've watched this administration blow through our tax money, and raise our country's debt exponentially in the past 18 months. We've watched as inflation has risen, and recession nearing depression has hit. We've watched as over 100 food processing plants have burned, our babies can't get their formula, our seniors are having to choose medicine over eating, we've been told jobs are being created but businesses are shutting down due to a lack of work force, we have seen our GDP fall flat, a housing market crash that is inevitable, we've been spoon fed propaganda about first an illness with a 97% survival rate(unless you go to a hospital), and now another illness that has less than 10,000 cases world wide that is spread by homosexual intercourse...kinda sounds like an STD or AIDS. The worthless Congress has just passed a bill that was for "inflation reduction," yet it hires 87,000 NEW IRS agents going after those making under $400,000 a year, and 70% of their focus is on those making under $75,000 year. Sounds like an excellent waste of money to me. Yet, we are sending billions more to Ukraine for WHAT???? Is this blackmail money, payoff, or money laundering? No one seems to be able to answer what another round of billions is for. I suppose when you are as compromised as 90% of those in DC, anything is possible. How about this politicization of the FBI/DOJ?! Huh, so much for bipartisan agencies. So, it just so happens that one of the FIRST executive orders Trump signed in 2017, was for human trafficking. AND it just so happens, that the judge that authorized this siege on Mar-A-Logo was Epstein's attorney, and the attorney for the pilots of the Lolita Express. What a coinky dink, huh?! This was the final straw for this Mama!! 

While I have stepped out of my own comfort zone, and started sharing videos, out of concern for others...what have you done? While I offered to teach or help anyone that was trying to prepare their homes and families, what were you doing? While I busted my ass to try to get plants to grow in my garden, what were you doing? While I gave myself heat exhaustion to keep that garden weeded, watered and insect free, what were you doing? While I took whatever I could scrape up each month to add some canned items from the store to my pantry, what were you doing? While I took lessons, refresher courses to learn how to can other foods, preserve foods, butcher meat, and save seeds, what did you do? While I fought with my family, to explain a circumstance that none of us have ever experienced, what did you do? While I have gathered recipes from the depression era to learn how to stretch food, what did you do? While I was learning first aid techniques from years past to gain more knowledge, what were you doing? While I have been busting my ass to pay down debts, what have you done? While I have planned for animal feed/grains/minerals, learned how much flour/sugar/water/etc. my family uses on a monthly basis, what have you done? What have you done???

Will YOUR babies(no matter how old) have food to eat? Will YOU have food to eat? What about your pets? I have listened to every excuse under the sun as to why people can't or won't stock up, won't prepare. To be honest, I'm sick of hearing them! This event yesterday evening just lit a fire, that will not be going out. WE didn't light the fire, but you bet your ass, we will be fighting it! It is one thing to support politics of your choice, it's another to demonize/harass/weaponize a legal system that Constitutionally, is not to be biased. You see, what this farce fueled was exactly the opposite of what these corrupt politicians had hoped for. There were many of us, that were not willing to be dedicated to a party but instead chose from the person that seemed to be best for the job. Now, at least for me, this just swayed me aware from any and ALL Democrats, for life. I know there are many just like me. While we were undecided about Trump, for the 5 1/2 years he has been under attack, and have yet to stick him with anything...proves to me exactly what is happening. Not only that, but while many were in lockdown, and chose to do whatever....I researched. I learned about the executive orders Trump put through, I learned about where he donated every penny of his salary while he was president, I learned about extreme issue with human/child trafficking. I learned about the slush fund set up for those elected to buy off any trouble they got in, with our tax money. I learned the TRUE stories behind the wars, the banking industry, Russia, Bohemian Grove, Davos, the UN, NATO, the royal families, Operation Paperclip, Operation Mockingbird, the true origins of Covid, and so much MORE! I reread the Constitution, and the Bill Of Rights. I learned how our birth certificates have been bought and sold for DECADES. I learned that the laws being followed are Admiralty/Maritime laws, not common law. I learned that because of that law, our birth certificates are treated like a vessel lost at sea. We are considered chattle in their sales. So, yeah, I have spent my time educating myself. 

I've seen and preached for the better part of 3 years, about having your home prepared for the worst. I have prayed everyday for a better outcome, but....here we are, standing in the ring of fire. We are 90 days from the mid-term elections. These wingnuts have just signed, sealed and delivered a wave of change. You see, Treason, is a real crime. Punishable by death. When you have a large majority in elected positions that have committed Treason, High Treason, Crimes Against Humanity, Crimes Against Children, Money Laundering, Blackmail, Bribery, Quid Pro Quo....all those guillotines that Obama ordered...looks like they will be put to use, and NOT on the American people. So, while everyone out there wants to bicker and bitch about party lines, medical decisions, race, and "tacos" many of us have looked past these distractions to the actions taking place in Congress, Senate, Supreme Court and the White House. So, now I wonder when martial law will be invoked, as the military is our "last" line of defense from tyranny. 

While there are many sheep that are following the crowd, and just doing what they are told....that cliff you are being herded towards so much closer than you think. I pray for everyone, even those that refuse to see the wold in sheeps clothes. Our nation, our citizens deserve to be told the truth. We deserve to demand accountability from our elected officials. We deserve to have OUR votes counts, every American citizen. We are ALL God's children, color/race/sex - none of that matters. 

WE didn't start this fire!

Let's Talk

 

So, let's chat. There is so much being thrown at us every minute of every day, it can be difficult to keep up. This doesn't even include the regular ups and downs in personal lives. It's true insanity most days, and the disregard of logic...WOW! The "experts" are just as clueless as the current political powers.So, let's dive into the stories I've read, the news I've read, and the conversations I heard/been part of. 

This week the employment numbers were released, claiming huge gains in job creation. That's great and fine, but NO ONE IS WORKING! What's the point in creating jobs, when they are too lazy to work?! Why didn't they report the fact that first time unemployment claims were the highest they have been for 2 years? How about factoring in how many people have quit seeking employment after their unemployment ran out. How about factoring in that these supposed job creations, many of them are businesses/job openings that were shut down due to the illness and NOT new jobs at all?! From a logical point of view, why is it that you can drive down about any street; from small towns to large towns and see help wanted signs in windows?! So, where did the work force go? That brings about yet another thought, have you noticed how many 45+ year old's are being hired over the younger generations? My personal belief is that it's due to work ethic. Most of the 45+ year olds, still believe in an "honest days work for an honest days pay." They don't need safe rooms, mental health days, or want to draw a paycheck without having to actually work. This "older" group isn't playing into the B.S. games of discrimination, they aren't wanting to be just a "warm body to fill a position," and they are willing to actually work when they show up. It's truly a sight when fast food and the likes, were forced into paying the higher minimum wage; while their workers either didn't show up or if they did...they refused to work. When you drive by a fast food place, they are hiring for $16-$24 per hour, yet the business is closed because they can't get employees. Unbelievable!!!

Before I get too far from the previous paragraph, I want to touch on a few other observations. Let's start with the housing market. I'm not a financial guru, not would I want to be. I'm just a wife, mom, and researcher. I've learned a lot over the past decade, some by choice and the rest by necessity. Looking at the housing market numbers is staggering. While I know locally, folks would argue that there isn't an issue. I beg to differ, in a big way. Anyway, nationally, home sales have stalled out. 30% reduction in home sales is substantial. The decrease in homes being built is massive. It's a tell tale sign of what is coming. While locally, land/home sales are still stupid high, I'm pretty certain that a massive cliff is just over the horizon. While some local land is selling for $5,000-$9,000 acre....when the crash gets here, which I believe will be before November, those numbers are going to drive a lot of people into bankruptcy. They will be upside down in their loans, and the values will be less than a quarter of what they paid. Time will tell if my thoughts are accurate, but looking back at the 2008 crash, we are currently in worse shape. Let's move on to inflation. "Experts," are claiming we are at 9.1%, but are predicting it to skyrocket to 18% or more - THIS YEAR!! Guys, we are already paying an average of $150-$250 PER WEEK more than we paid 1 year ago. Can you imagine what your budget will look like spending $300-$500 PER WEEK, just for bare necessities?! Can your budget handle that? Can you imagine a grocery bill that 1 year ago was $100 per week, now being $200+ per week? How about your fuel bill? Or your natural gas/propane/electricity? All these increases yet, not a single increase on your income. How will you afford to get to and from work, feed your babies, feed your animals, buy necessary medications???  When will you reach your precipice? 

Moving on. I've had 2 subjects weighing heavily on my heart recently. I've struggled as to how to address them. To say I have felt "judgey" lately is an understatement. I know I am from a different mold than many. That's ok, it takes all types to make this world go round. However, when I see and hear so many complaints about pricing, paying bills, and not making enough money...they I see or hear about some things others are still doing...I truly question these subjects. They are:  Moderation and Priorities. Before I dive into this landmine, I want you to think about how these subjects rate in your life. What are your priorities? Do you do anything in moderation or do you follow the "sink or swim" model? From my own eyes, I have spent a lot of time in that "sink or swim" mode, but do my best to use moderation as much as possible. As for Priorities, that is a lot easier....God, Family, Budget, Extended Family, Friends, Community. Obviously, it's difficult to have a hard/fast set of guidelines that don't bend when needed. I have spent nearly 24 years, focusing on MY family. 

Moderation to me, is doing things but doing them in a way that does not break the bank. Eating what I enjoy, but not focusing on food - eating to live instead living to eat. A quick note here...it only takes a quart of food, per person, per day to live. This is not to say, that we won't still be hungry, or want more...but that is all it takes to feed us. We have become a country of obesity because we don't use moderation. We think when we sit down to a meal, we have to stuff our faces full of food until we are so beyond miserable...they wonder why we pack on pounds and can't lose weight. On another side, it's the same with budgeting. There is a time and place for taking a break, but too many have forgotten this. Everyone rushes from this to that, and we have forced our children into this same destructive habit. God forbid our children be bored, and have to learn to entertain themselves WITHOUT technology! Instead, they are taught that being in every activity, every club, or every sport is the way of the world. So, while we, as parents, are rushing from jobs to home, to running our children to every circus under the sun....the parents become stressed out, the financial strain of the cost of these activities increases the budget, the kids think they have to have the latest and greatest gear/technology, and they become little shits when they are bored. Instead of sending them outside to find something to do or giving them household chores to teach them some responsibility, many parents allow technology to take over their minds. I saw this first hand. We homeschool. 2 years ago, we decided to try a program that was online. I was working outside home, and needed something that could help teach in areas that I wasn't able to give the time to. During that time, my child spent several hours a day on those course, a side note...they didn't teach anything valuable, and my child decided that it was ok to spend several more hours online...as long as there was some form of education involved. Well, that lead to a year of that nonsense, while I worked. As soon as I was back to being full-time mom....wow, did I have a lot of back tracking to manage. After a year, I have my child off social media, off online searches that brought up ads that were NOT child friendly, and am still fighting to lessen the amount of time spent online. These online classes may have been intended for "good," but the research from them led to having to truly watch closely as the ads that popped up were X-rated at best. So, when I talk about technology taking over their mind....this is a first hand experience. 

Before I move on to priorities, I need to add in some responsibility. It is every single person's responsibility to educate themselves, not just through their schooling, but every day of their lives. Our world is changing so rapidly, and common sense has long since flown out the window. When you have people discussing abortion as an option for babies clear up to their 18th birthday....you have lost my support of pro-choice. You just shoved me into the pro-life catagory, and using murder charges for those that choose to kill a living being...no matter their age. These extreme idiots, you can thank for pushing many of us that were in the middle zone, into the far opposite direction. For many of us, it's the extremes that push us in opposite directions. I can tell you, from my own stand point: I have never cared if you are gay/bi/lesbian/trans...until it was forced down my throat. If this is truly a religious issue, which I doubt, then it's those folks that have to face judgement...not me. I have never been racist against skin color, but I am very much so against trash of any color or creed. I have never been against religion, so to speak, until those that are supposedly, "religious" showed me how hypocritical they were...spewing Bible verses one minute and clearly "sinning" the next, but it's ok because they came "clean" the next time they attended church. I had never considered myself a "feminist," because to me, that opened a door to more B.S. and clearly, my thoughts have been right. In my 47 years, I have NEVER been oppressed. I have NEVER been hired to do a job that I did not receive equal pay for a male counterpart. I have NEVER felt degraded by being out of the work force. However, I have been degraded by people that claim I am "just a stay-at-home-mom," or that I needed to go out and get a "real job." Let me tell you this, you want a REAL job....become a stay-at-home-parent. Become a parent that educates their child, themselves. Become a spouse of a hard working person, that has always provided. Become a truly parent, that doesn't ship their kid off every time they decide to go out and party, drink, or drag your child through every Tom/Dick/Harry you decide to have a romp in the hay with. Become the parent that has to lose their ego, so they can co-parent that child without playing mental games and forcing that kid to constantly have to be a pawn in the parents games. You want to know what oppression is, look back to 2020. Think about how willingly so many complied to the un Constitutional crap; masks, lockdowns, business closures, forced vaccinations of a non-approved emergency use only trial drug. That's oppression. 

I'm moving, I have too much to do, to keep going but you get the point...I hope. Now, for priorities. This goes hand-in-hand with everything. It was once a priority to put God, family, country; in that order. I do believe in God, and I do still put him first. However, people have become beyond selfish. It's become a "me," society. It's the "I'm offend, I'm special, I'm worth more," time. Well, I'm all for having confidence in yourself, but there is a line that is crossed when it becomes all about ego. Now, as anyone over the age of 16 should understand...you have to work to earn money, to earn the things you want. Too many, have lost that lesson. At this point in time, everyone thinks they "deserve" free everything. From college loan payoffs, to "free" money, to "free" food, etc. As an adult, you should know, that you have to pay your bills, don't get into debt that you can't pay off in 5 years or less if need be, you have to take care of kids if you have them, you have to buy food. The thing is, I'm seeing so many people complain about the price of food, gas, utility bills...yet they are running off to vacation, off to some entertainment venue, yet they can't be bothered to fill their pantry or do any kind of stock up. Sorry, you loose my sympathies when you aren't being an integral part of your own self-help. You see, if you go stock up on food, it's going to cost you a minimum of 42% MORE than it did 6 months ago. Having foods in your pantry that have a shelf life 2-3 years out, can save your budget. I am all for growing and preserving your own foods, but I'm also realistic. There are people that just don't want to do that. Having canned soups, stews, vegetables, meats, etc. in your pantry is a back up plan. Whether that be because you lose a job, the world stops - again, the shelves run bare because of shortages or whatever, or even the lesser degree of natural disasters. As you use those pantry items, you need to replace and rotate them. Imagine if you went to a grocery, and there wasn't bread, meat or canned goods. Could you survive or feed your child/spouse? You? I'm going to go out on this limb. If you don't have a fully stocked pantry, enough for at least 3 months, you better reevaluate your priorities. I don't care if you have to buy 5 canned goods a week, you better step up to the plate. I promise you, if you think you are just going to go to a food bank, or to another person's home if you run out of food...you are delusional!

 

I'm going to finish today with a few more facts. Amazon has laid off around 100,000 workers, now Wal-Mart/Robinhood/Oracle is laying off. Amazon has closed or stopped construction on over 16,000 distribution centers due to lack of goods, mortgage rates are set to soar in coming months, The fudged numbers that came out in the July employment numbers will self correct as the bottom continues to fall out of the economy. You better buckle up, this is going to be one hell of a bumpy ride. Especially, for those choosing to keep their heads in the sand.

S. 

Coffee Chat - August 1 - National Coffee Month

 

Hello August, you sure got here quickly! I've read this morning that August is National Coffee Month. Huh, no wonder people are talking about the craziness of a day or month for everything under the sun. We get an entire month for coffee? It's 365 for me! My blood type is coffee. I don't function well without it's caffeine pick-me-up. 

I have so much to talk about all the time, but very few that actually want to hear it. That's ok. I am not capable of thinking in a box. I have always been a "why?" type of person. Telling me to do something, because "I said so," was a catalyst for me doing it my way. I don't do well  being told I can't do something. I've found myself realizing each day new thoughts that make more sense to me as I have gotten older. I no longer need to argue to get my point across. I will state my opinion, and if/when others choose not to listen or hear what I have to say, I walk away. I am only one person, not everyone's beating post to use and throw away. I may not be a genius, but I hold a lot knowledge and do my best to be a good person. I help those I can help. Once I no longer feel appreciated, respected or feel as I have been used...I'm done. I walk away. I don't hate anyone, but sometimes it's best to walk away before I do.

For the first time this year, I decided to spend 5 minutes last night grounding. Walking or sitting with your bare feet in the grass is such a unique feeling. Where I sat, the grass felt like carpet under my feet. When you force your mind to slow down, and just breath...you can actually feel the stress leaving your body. My 5 minutes turned in to about 20. I truly loved the feeling of not living in fight or flight mode, even if just for a few minutes. You see, the past decade has been one of extreme chaos for me. So many ups and downs, that I lost focus. I lost sight of my own goals and direction. I began "feeling" differently. I have learned that when my intuition starts nudging me, I need to pay attention. I learned that my own beliefs, while different from most others, is not right or wrong...it's just different. I have had to learn to accept myself, flaws and all, all over again. I began the next cycle of my life, child rearing years to maturity. I've had to accept that actions speak way louder than words. I've learned that when I need to really pay attention to my thoughts, I pull into myself. I've learned that no matter how hard you try, you can't save the everyone...they have to make an effort too. I've learned who I want to be, and who I definitely do NOT want to be. I've learned that I love learning, love gardening, love experimenting, and being free to express my own truths even if others disagree or don't believe them. I've learned that being a mom, is not only the hardest job I've ever done, but also the most rewarding and the most precious gift ever. I've also learned that when my children are disrespected or hurt....I will come unhinged. I'm still learning how to blend a family, when they aren't all biological. I've learned that family isn't blood, that just makes you related. Family is those you love and who love you, unconditionally. I've learned that my love of learning, can take on a life of its own, if I let it. However, I have learned so much in just the last 3 years. You truly can only grasp the depth of realization of a decade of so much insight, if you've experienced it. It's been 10 years of what I can only describe as ascension. I have truly grown, as a person, so much.

As I have said a million times before, my mind moves at mach speed 95% of the time. You never know which thoughts will stick out, or when. I have channeled that energy into gardening, learning, and my family. I've struggled through many bumps in the road. I'm only human. I have made some rash decisions that have turned out ok, while others, not-so-much. I've made decisions that seem rash to some, but have weighed on me for more years than I can count. I actually reached out to a counselor friend for some guidance in several areas. Thankfully, she was gracious enough to explain a few things to me, and help me to find a means to release my own negative energy. I just have to remember them when I get really angry. 😏 I have spent a lot of my adult years writing in journals. That had helped me to keep some of the negative at bay. When that quit working, I needed another outlet. I had gotten so bogged down, that I had quit doing so many things that I enjoyed. I'm slowly, trying to refind those things. There are so many areas that can become toxic, and you don't even realize it until you are forced to see it, from the outside looking in. It's pretty incredible what you see when you back up, take away the expectations and negativity, and see an issue with a different set of eyes. Learning to be insightful and think logically is truly a blessing, and sometimes a curse.

Today is the start of a new month. A new time to be grateful for what we have. The world is in full chaos. The cluster of a shit show at the hands of many corrupt world "leaders." We've seen many prime ministers, presidents, and other government officials resign. We've seen the economies of many countries fall into shambles. We've seen an antique financial system start to crumble. If you've done any research, you know that the history as told to us all growing up, is nothing more than propaganda. We have seen the corruption in our own country stretch through all 3 branches of government, and into state and local levels too. We've found out that our elections, for at least the past 5 decades, have not mattered. Yet, we are all supposed to just get out and vote anyway. If you question the vote, you are considered a "conspiracy theorist." Which, by the way, was a term invented by the CIA to discourage anyone from questioning the Warren Report on the assassination of JFK. 

I plan to spend a lot of time in my garden, with my critters, in my yard, and with my family. The heat has returned for a bit, and the pool is no longer usable, so...outdoor work will be in the early morning or late evening hours for awhile. There is lots of canning coming up. I recently shared several pictures of my canning of vegetable soup. It will be very good when the weather changes to cold! I still have beef stew, stew meat, sausage, potatoes, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, salsa, chicken, jalapenos, and banana peppers - to can. Zucchini, peppers and maybe some green beans to freeze. I have so many extra eggs, I will be making up several batches of noodles and freezing a few more for baking later. My chickens tend to stop laying about November, and pick back up around March. So, having eggs saved will get through the busiest egg using season - baking! We spend May through November planning for December through April. That's life on our farm. You have basically 26 weeks to hunt, gather, and build; to cover your butt for the other 26 weeks. A lot of our farm life revolves around the weather/weather predictions. When the forecasts start appearing for winter, we pay attention. Our area for this winter, is predicted to have above normal snowfall. So, from experience, that usually means not as bitter cold, but lots of precipitation - generally because, it doesn't usually snow when the temps drop into the negative numbers. However, other forecasts have stated that it could be another La Nina year for weather. This means the colder than normal water around the equator, brings in strong winds and colder than normal temps. So, we are doing a lot of preparing for the worst and praying for the best. It's getting extra hay if needed, making sure we have plenty of animal food on hand in the event of major snow/ice storms, having plenty of food on hand for our family, making sure there's plenty of straw for bedding to keep animals warm, it's working to get the house ready, wood cut, vehicles prepared, tractors and equipment ready, making repairs to sheds/coops/houses for the animals. In other words, it's a lot of preparation for who knows what is going to happen! 

With our country in such a mess, I have become a broken record of plan, prepare, and stock up. I know everyone is sick of hearing it, and I'm sick of saying it! There is a phrase I have had to go to, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink." We can't save the world, single handedly. People have to get off their duff and do something to help themselves. We can preach till the cows come home, and there are some that just won't hear it, no matter how much you preach. When you do your best to take care of yourself, and those you love...that's all you can do. There will some that listen, and that will be grateful for your words...but they are few and far between. Too many people allow their ego to get in their way. No matter how many facts or how much evidence you give them, they know it all, about everything. That's when you have to just bless and release them. 

I believe I will end this chat for today and get busy. Folks, everyone is struggling with something in their lives. Be the type of person you want to see in the world. Share a smile, be kind to everyone you meet - the most difficult people, need your kindness the most, and be blessing to someone. 

S.