72 Hour Kits

With some of our tax return money, we are determined to update our 72 hour kits. Phil has one, I have one, and then we have a "bucket" of stuff that Phil's parents gave us. We are going to go through it all, reorganize, add stuff for Eden, and rotate out the food. As I've been researching 72 hour kits I'm learning that there are different reasons for having them.

I think I always thought of having one in case of disaster. I pictured us stuck in our home without contact with the outside world. Very War of the Worlds-ish. I hadn't really thought of having one in case we get evacuated (due to pending disaster). Of course, we want to be obedient to the prophet too and that is a pretty good reason to have one.

What are your reasons for having (or wanting to have) your 72 hour kit?

Conference Crochet Give Away

I didn't fall asleep once during conference this weekend! I LOVE conference and so enjoy the uplifting and inspired messages but lets be honest, sometimes in the comfort of one's own home it can become way ... too easy ... to doze.

My trick? you ask.

Well, I have used this for a few years and it always works.

I crochet.

So in honor of conference and staying awake, leave me a message about your impressions of conference and you might win this ( leave your message by Sunday, October 12th, at noon)

It is about the size of a child's blanket or a lap quilt for an adult.
Here is an up close and personal look so you can behold my crochet madness.
There is a cute little "rosebud" at each intersection.
Each square is a different crochet pattern.
Admit it, it is 'dorable and you want it!

As for me, I really enjoyed Elder Perry's talk about simplifying. Let's do it folks! Life is just too crazy and there is just too much of it that is NOT necessary.

I also enjoyed the talk (also on Saturday) by one of the 70 (and I have forgotten his name) about faith being a choice. I totally agree! I really have been learning that one. A year ago I was feeling pretty jumbled by all that was going on in our lives and I finally had to just decide to have faith. It wasn't a passive choice it was a very concerted effort.

I remind myself often that I choose faith!

There were so many other wonderful talks but I know you want to get to the end so you can post your comment and enter to win the conference crochet give away so I'll refrain ...

for now.

Food Storage Baby Style

I've been thinking about food storage more lately (along with a lot of others). Two weeks ago we had a really great Stake Conference. It was right as Ike was whirling around our neck of the woods. We were admonished to prepare for more disasters and storms (physical and figurative). I need to do better at getting a handle on our supply and then rotating it (and adding to it).

I think one of the reasons that this is hitting me more is because I am now responsible for someone besides myself. As terrible as it would be to be hungry myself, it would be beyond my imagination to see Eden hungry. How would I explain to her that she couldn't have milk or cheese or dinner before going to bed.

It made me realize that our powdered milk is low-fat and until she is two, she still needs to drink whole milk. I went to the store and found three options:

1. Whole Powdered Milk
2. Toddler Formula
3. Boxed Whole Milk (not dehydrated) - it does not require refrigeration

I chose option 3 for our immediate needs. I will probably also do some of option 1. She is six months away from being able to drink the low-fat stuff so I probably won't go crazy getting tons (she'd probably be fine drinking some low-fat stuff now).

Once again, being a parent totally changes the way I think about things. I am responsible for this adorable, bright, loving, amazing little soul (who, incidentally, calls me "mommy" finally!).