Get your Priorities Straight!

Just thinking out loud here.

You need water to survive.  Without it, you can last maybe 2-3 days before major dehydration and dehabilitation sets in- then death. So, figure out how to get water and get it purified. Since this is the #1 priority for survival, you should have multiple ways to get clean drinking water for you and your family.  Think bleach, boiling (doesn't have to boil), filtering, etc.

After you have water, you're going to start thinking about food.  But really, you can last for months without it.  We Americans are mighty fat (in general) and carry a lot of food storage with us.  But, to be working at your top condition (and thinking) you need food.  It will also help to keep you healthy (avoiding dehydration, falls, accidents, etc.).  Short term (1 year) you should have a good supply of food stored.  Longer term, you'll need a garden and the seeds, knowledge, and tools to work it.  (Just started selling non-hybrid seeds at my website.)

If you have food and water, others are going to want it.  So, you are in instant danger.  To keep yourself safe you need to have a plan that will surely include firearms.  Follow the laws in your jurisdiction; but if you can, buy guns from private parties at gun shows.  Train with your guns and get educated on how to use them in a fight.  I personally recommend, at a minimum, a .22 cal rifle, a shotgun, battle rifle (AR or AK), and a pistol (in that order).  Heavy on the .22 ammo (How many gun battles do you think you can survive- 2? 3? 4? before your luck runs out.)  Remember, if it has really hit the fan- you aren't going to be concealing anything- and a pistol just ain't going to cut it (except as a back up). 

Once you have water, food, and a way to defend your supplies, you will need a place to store them and yourself. Some may argue that the shelter comes before guns, but if you have food and shelter, but no guns, you won't have either for long- besides most ppl already live in some kind of shelter. There are two main schools of thought on the shelter.  Either shelter in place, or bug out.  (I believe the best option is to prepare for both and do what it right at the moment.)  I like the combo option best- since I currently can't live at a retreat year-round.  Plan to stay in your suburban home as long as you think it is safe to (consider marauders, sanitary conditions, etc.), and then bug out to a safer (though probably less comfortable), remote location when you feel you must.  But have a plan.  How will you get there?  Do you have it stocked before hand?  Can you walk there?  Do you have enough gas in the car to get there?  What alternate routes are there?

There are lots of things to consider when preparing, but this is how I place my priorities.

Garage sale finds

This weekend I hit up a few garage sales and picked up a few items.  I got a US Load Bearing harness- with 4 ammo pouches and 2 grenade pouches and three canteens with carrying cases.  All of the canteens have the adapter to fit the hose for drinking out of your gas mask.  I washed everything and tried on the harness-

I have to kind of laugh at that harness purchase though- I hope I'll never have the opportunity to use it- but I know that it might come in handy if I ever need to do combat patrols when it hits the fan. Till then, it will just sit in a box- or if I can get someone to do some small unit patrols with me, I might use it for training.

Bega Cheese?

I finally tried the Bega Cheese I sell on Amazon. I had heard good things about the cheese, but really didn't know what to expect. You have to open both ends of the can, and then push it out in one piece. I used my cheese slicer to make grilled cheese sandwiches today.  It slices easily and doesn't crumble. The taste is excellent- very mild and on the soft side. The kids really liked it. I enjoyed it both on the sandwich and plain. Why cheese in a survival kit? Well, you need certain fats that dairy can provide. Also, just surviving by eating your food storage may not be that fun- but actually enjoying the foods you've stored can make a big difference by having some comfort foods. I now have a case + and will likely order some more- because grilled cheese sandwiches on homemade bread is too good not to have in TEOTWAWKI. Bega Cheese is from Australia- and can store for 20 years. I want my larder deep and diversified. Cheese is now part of it.

Additional plans for the cabin

I thought I would add a little bit tonight. I got the small ATV running and had a good time at a church daddy-daughter camp-out.  I also ordered another grain mill for back up (2 is 1 and 1 is none).  I got my meat grinder in the mail this past week (ready for the venison).

For the cabin, I've got a number of plans in the works:

1. Add gutters and cistern for water storage.
2. Add a built-in counter/kitchen area on the deck with a pitcher pump and sink.
3. Build a shelf system
4. Add cabinets

 Also, just wanted to remind everyone that I have my survival library posted on-line for free downloading at my website http://www.year-supply.com/preparedness-library.html

Been a while since I've posted.  I've done a lot of work up at the cabin.  Build a covered porch and added an awesome picnic table/railing for it.  I've been cutting a lot of wood too.  I set up a deer feeder and have seen tons of deer at all times of the day looking for corn.  Fired up my box wood stove for the first time and baked crescent rolls and brownies in the oven!

I really like my picnic table built in to the porch.  It is so convenient and saves space.  Thanks to Tyson for helping me build it.

Planning to take some deer this season to fill the freezer.  I have seen deer EVERY time I've been up to the property.  I also picked up another kids-size ATV for the the young'ins.  We have a great time up there just messing around. It's not running well yet- but it'll get there.

My website traffic has tapered off, but the Amazon sales of Red Feather Butter have been going strong.  I recently added some new dehydrated and freeze dried food products -so, please check it out and order some stuff from me!