From Flu Wiki 2

Forum: What If IT Doesnt Happen

21 October 2006

Anon for this one – at 17:24

OK…I have alienated a lot of my family and some friends because they think I am off of the deep end. I’ve been called a loon, not to mention a few other choice stereotypes. People act as if I am waiting on a alien ship to arrive or something…I have been preparing for a long time and have a lot of what I feel I need, IF, there is a future pandemic…but what if it never happens? That possibility is also out there isn’t it? Is it worth the loss of love from the person that I married, to keep on prepping, when it is only causing a deeper and deeper rift between us? Perhaps this is too much of an “emotional” thread, but not all of us are supported in our efforts to secure a reasonable amount of preps. I’m not talking about entire solar and water system for a home, just a reasonable amount of food and some extras for a few months. More than what you would need for an isolated incident, but not enough for what I feel I would need for an extended pandemic. I don’t think I am “out” there as opposed to a few of you guys who may have gone to some extremes, but I have done what I feel is necessary and still have a list of things I want to do,…Is it worth a divorce to be prepared? Or if it never happens, will I forever be the brunt of “bird flu” jokes?

moeb – at 17:33

interesting… sounds like yer headed for troubled waters anyway you cut it. hey I have solar, but then again it was all my money that bought it. perhaps yours is a budgeting problem? I do feel for you, allotment of dollars that can’t be linked to eating or regular use bought now for later use… can be a difficult commitment.

even in our own minds we will forever be a bit crazy in regards to bird flu… until it comes

Worried in Wales – at 17:36

I would imagine that a lot of us have been here to a certain extent.

Would it be helpful to say to your spouse “ok, maybe you don’t believe this is going to happen but it is really worrying ME - can you please indulge my little idiosyncracy on this one?” or perhaps make jokes yourself about your ‘paranoia’ so that they might be a bit reassured that if you still can laugh at yourself you’re not going ‘mad’. They might be able to appreciate that your actions show love and a sense of responsibility on your part even if they don’t agree with your assessment of the danger.

As far as the rest of the family and friends go - perhaps it would be best to stop talking about it with them - until of course TSHTF and they all want to talk to YOU about it. :)

Milo – at 17:50

Sometimes the ridicule does make one feel that they have no respect for your intelligence and common sense, doesn’t it? Very hard to deal with. I agree with W-i-W that joking about it yourself can make everyone feel better (depending on the circumstances, of course). The other day visiting my brother and s-i-l a little bird happened to hit the window. I said, “maybe it was bird flu.” Little things like that really help.

If the next pandemic is not caused by h5n1 or h5n1 turns out to cause a mild pandemic, or none of the serious problems happen, I expect a certain amount of jokes.

That’s Just Ducky! – at 17:52

Maybe friends and family don’t realize that pandemics are a regular occurance. I would say you could buy John Barry’s “The Great Influenza”, an account of the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic, and read them some passages. Tell them that pandemics are recurring events and scientists say we’re overdue. I would also tell them not to come crying to me when it happens and they haven’t stocked up any food and water, because I’ve got my own to take care of. They were warned. The squirrel who puts away the nuts lives through the winter, and the one who doesn’t starves.

KimTat 17:53

I don’t have a live in partner, but my family thinks I’m a bit of a loon. They humor me and probably make comments to each other about me when I ma not around. My daughter is angry with me for spending money on supplies and not on her, I’ve decided she is a tad bit spoiled. She has not gone without anything she needs.

She told me straight out—that she much prefers to not know anything about anything bad. She intentially ignores and blocks negitivity out including anyone who gets sick in the family, the news… she is 15, when I was her age…I could cook for a large family and take care of the whole household. If something happens to me, she will be in major trouble but she refuses to learn how to do anything practical. I’m at my wits end with her but don’t get me wrong she is a great kid, honor student, trustworthy, great sense of humor. Its my fault I’ve always made the kids put school first.

My adult son seems to get it and a few friends. What made me feel better tho was knowing that my neighbors who don’t hang out here are taking it very serious and preparing to SIP too.

I have the same thoughts too, ok the food will get eaten and I usually have what I need now instead of running to the store all the time.

I’ve gained alot of important knowledge, but did I really need the solar set-up? The 12 food grade barrells for water, I got them for free but will I ever use them? And the oil lamps and all that oil and propane.. and the sleeping bags and tents. I occansionally visulize people coming to take me away and my family shaking their heads saying poor delusinal(sp) Kim as they get rid of all my stuff in a garage sale.

Goju – at 17:57

I don’t care - I can now sleep at night.

Sniffles – at 18:14

My husband used to poke fun at me and my “new hobby” of drying food, canning, getting items at garage sales that could be useful for our family, and picking up canned/dried food and storing it around the house. My husband doesn’t joke anymore with all of the clusters happening and things spiraling rapidly. His grandparents cried and thanked us when we told them that we wanted them with us if something should happen. We will probably end up with many people at our house and my husband has now come to that realization.

A month or two ago, he asked me what we would do with all of this stuff if a pandemic never happened. I told him that the food would be eaten and we have already used some of the items when the power went out over summer. We were prepared and didn’t have to rush out to the stores. I told him that my biggest wish in the world is that he can make fun of me for decades to come for filling our closets and any nook and cranny of the house with stuff. His reply to me is that he wished that too, but he didn’t think it was going to happen - he is starting to hear the train whistle coming this way and thinks I am not blowing things out of proportion just because it is not in the news. He is reinforcing our message to our friends to prepare (this shocks me).

Sometimes people take longer to deal with potentially bad news and one way of dealing/coping with bad/scary news is to attack the messenger (us). Hang in there. If this does happen, you will be seen as a hero. If it doesn’t happen, you will still be able to use the items you have. I think thick skin is a prerequisite for all of us.

lady biker – at 18:20

Well, guess I can relate along with all you folks. My Significant Other walked out on me this last week. He couldn’t take it any more, but never said a word to me. So looks like I’m on my own with this. My family just sorta rolls their eyes and goes the other way, so I don’t mention it any more. I’m prepped as much as I will be able too for now. am hopeing to do a little more later if I can. Guess I just gotta pray and keep goin. Look for the good that comes from the bad, because I know there are others out there in worse shape. and I am not a whinner(sp). yet anyway……LOLOL

Green Mom – at 18:30

Well, you know, anythings possible we may NOT get pan-flu-wouldn’t that be lovely! I personally think its about a given but there is that (extreamly slim) chance it won’t. So what? In the last five years we’ve had a war, a major terrorist attack, a class 5 hurricane that took out a major American city, floods, droughts, ice storms,wild fires power-outages, “Storm of the Centuary”-well, ok that was more than five years but still…. THESE HAVE HAPPENED! If you really want to stay up at night and chew your fingernails to the quick, you can watch Discovery/Weather channel on the earthquakes/meteor hits/volcanic eruptions etc that have a high probablity of happening-and we won’t even talk about global warming/climate shifts.

Energy prices have soared, we have contaiminated food-e-coli in our greens, mad cow in our beef, salmonila in poultry/eggs….These are headlines everyday.

Now lets bring it down to a personal level-What if you or your spouse lose your job? Job security is not at all what it used to be. What if someone in your family gets ill and needs extended expensive medical care-that can wipe you out finacially. Even something relativly minor like say, a car wreck that totals your car and you can’t work for a few weeks- those canned goods in the basement look pretty damn good at that point. just a thought.

Kim-regarding your fifteen year old-I have one also. They can be fantasticlly wonderfull and incredably selfish and self centered at the same time. They eat a lot too. My husband, a child therapist, works with teens and assures me that this is a normal developmental thing and that most of them do outgrow it. He says I really should hold off strangling my son, even if he (the son) did eat all the bread and drunk all the milk in the house in the middle of the night while forgetting to close the basement door before the animals got out, because, if I kill him, not only would there be that whole child services thing to deal with, but also who would program the DVD player? ;-)

Anon for this one – at 18:33

I think what really got me was yesterday when I was talking to a neighbor about the possibilities of a pandemic and I was telling my “significant other” about it last night. The response was, “OMG, you didn’t, do you really want everyone to think that you have totally lost it?” Actually, I thought my neighbor was somewhat responsive, but he did seem to almost run to his car. :) And no, Moeb, it isn’t about money. I hate to admit it, but that is not an issue for us at all. I’ve been married for over 20+ years, can easily put away a couple of thousand a month in savings and investments, and for the most part have a happy marriage. My “other” just thinks I have lost touch with reality…perhaps I have. A Pandemic isn’t a given…I don’t want to begin hoping it will happen so that i will be justified. I think I will just “go with” what I have, and quit trying to put the final “extras” in place.

econ101 – at 18:34

KimT I occansionally visulize people coming to take me away and my family shaking their heads saying poor delusinal(sp) Kim as they get rid of all my stuff in a garage sale.

that is so funny

KimTat 18:35

Green Mom – at 18:30

Kim-regarding your fifteen year old-I have one also. They can be fantasticlly wonderfull and incredably selfish and self centered at the same time. They eat a lot too. My husband, a child therapist, works with teens and assures me that this is a normal developmental thing and that most of them do outgrow it. He says I really should hold off strangling my son, even if he (the son) did eat all the bread and drunk all the milk in the house in the middle of the night while forgetting to close the basement door before the animals got out, because, if I kill him, not only would there be that whole child services thing to deal with, but also who would program the DVD player? ;-)

LOL

My daughter and I look at each other sometimes, just after we get in a row-smile and remmind each other we will both out-grow this someday.

Urdar-Norway – at 18:37

Anon for this one:

if I was you I would just relax the hole prepping. After all you are better prepared than 90% of the population, that shold be enough, Now go and live your life! There will be time to catch that falling knife. And maybe picking up trecking as a hobby would do you all some good. For trecking you will ned some nice camping gears and skills, and it very good for your mind and health to get some fresh air :-) Or maybe woulantair for the Red Cross would be wise if nature is not at hand. Plentifull of skills and things to learn there, and you will be a social responsible person, not a “antisosial hide in the basemnet wacko” if some people thnik so.

Lisa in Southern Maine – at 18:39

Kim - My kids are both teens (well you know that from bait thread).. They are often seemingly selfish, narcissistic creatures, especially the older one. But they are, at their core, good people. I know that when life is not easy they will deal with it. Rise to the occasion. Other than the fact that they’ll have no choice I know they are truly good people and will be appropriately resilient when they need to be. I’d bet your daughter falls into a description similar to my kids, and will be strong and selfless when she needs to be too.

Anon for this one – at 18:42

Thanks Urdar…yes, I definitely have the camping gear..It would be nice if it were “justified”. I’m a great cook over a campfire, if I must say so myself. :) That in and of itself, won’t be a problem.

Lisa in Southern Maine – at 18:43

lady biker - sorry about your signif.other. Hope you’re OK.

Ruth – at 18:44

My husband refers to my prepping as my “bird flu stash”. I know he thinks I’m a little nuts, but oh well. One time he yelled down the stairs that we were out of toilet paper and my kids and I just started laughing. (I have enough TP for about 2 months.) We never run out of staple items.

crfullmoon – at 18:46

If people were keeping deeper pantries and using and rotating and replacing their stock,

keeping the financial cushion normally recommended for “rainy days” (however many months of income that is), and prepped, and practiced for outtages,

were taking extra first aid or repair classes, and forming CERT teams, or neighborhood watches, or getting community supported agriculture started in your area, teaching kids skills, (whatever sort of thing appeals to you and your area needs)

then coming home to a water main break/well problem,

or an unusually severe storm takes power lines down for a week or two,

or someone’s job vanishes,

or someone ends up in the hospital, and then comes home and can’t drive for a few weeks,

or there is some sort of wildfire/ earthquake/tornado/derailment/accident/fire with a toxic cloud that requires evacuating/blizzard with driving discouraged, whatevah,

people would be much more ready to take it in stride.

And, if some sort of emergency happens and the feds can’t help and the state can’t help, and the locals say, “We had no idea it could be this bad! You’ll have to cope on your own for an unknown time”, your family might be ready to do that.

We have already been officially warned; in a worst case pandemic, local communities are on their own, and we know how unready they are go through a pandemic influenza year

The generations who lived through the Great Depression, WWII, or, who live now in countries in turmoil would not think you are off the deep end, anon for this one; life can change in a minute, even for “good people”, even in a “modern” country. (1918 America felt very modern and medically advanced at the time, too.)

Spirit in the Wind – at 18:52

Lady Biker, I’m sorry too. This has got to be a hard time for you. Sending warm thoughts your way.

lady biker – at 18:53

Thanks Lisa in Souther Main……yea I’m fine. but it’s funny too cause I’ve been takin my feeling out in the kitchen. I’ve baked more bread than I know what to do with and got another batch rising. guess ya could say I’m perfecting my cooking skills therapudically….(bad spelling) but get the idea anyway.. and my house is so clean it squeeks…mrs clean here just keeps goin and goin …polished the door knobs……..think I need help..hahahh……..na…just a nap.

KimTat 18:55

Lisa in Southern Maine – at 18:39

Thanks, she is a good kid and has a goodheart. I was talking with my oldest last night and he thinks she has and is blocking things out because their dad has basicly abandoned them again, he started to get more involved briefly and then he got a new girl friend this year and ignores then again and she just prefers to live in her own world and block out negitive things. She takes it out on me alot, I know what she is doing and she will admit to being to harsh on me, but thats because she knows I will never leave or stop loving her.

Lisa in Southern Maine – at 18:57

Lady Biker - good way to direct emotional energy. Time to consider building a solar array - you’re definately up to the task right now! And if you need help eating that bread, well, me and the kids could offer our assistance!

Lisa in Southern Maine – at 19:00

KimT - yes, my oldest withdraws to mull things over and come to terms with them too. Thank all higher powers she has you, and knows you are strong and loving enough to withstand her pain. She’ll be fine, with that kind of love, no matter how unreliable her father is.

KimTat 19:00

Lady Biker, I’m sorry—do you have someone staying with you?

From all the post of yours that I have read you seem like a very stong and sensible women and when your ready for more cleaning, come on over and help me organize my preps…cleaning and cooking is very good for when your outa sorts, sad and angy..I have a punching bag in the basement I used a lot when I went thru my divorce years ago. Thats when I took up Tae Kwon Do ;)

Anon for this one – at 19:01

crfullmoon- I couldn’t agree with you more. Unfortunatley, I am living and dealing with a person (people) who doesn’t(don’t) believe that this has ANY chance of happening. I am ridiculed left and right. My “other” did get the swine flu and said it was “nothing”. Despite my repeated warnings that the “swine flu” was a “minor” pandemic, my words go unheeded. My greatest fear of all of this, is to lose my family because I won’t be able to convince them to SIP and they will be out there taking all the risks. I have the “Great Influenza,” and have gotten some to read at least the “Afterword”, and its references to a pandemic and H5N1. I’m still not winning the “game”. When anyone sneezes at my house, they say “bird flu” and everyone laughs. Maybe we deserve to all die. My only concern is I know I have influenced at least a few others to “prep” and if all of this fizzles out, I think they will never trust me again as far as sounding an alert. I feel as if I have this one chance to make a difference.

Texas Rose – at 19:14

I’m with Goju – at 17:57.

Lisa in Southern Maine – at 19:15

Anon - you don’t need a pandemic to teach them, to make a difference. You’re already teaching preparedness, a rare skill in our society.

When they ridicule you, reflect back to them. How about not defending, not justifying, but just consistently reflecting back to them. When they laugh after a sneeze, how about calling them on it? Telling them “you know, it’s natural for people to ridicule what they don’t understand. How about taking some responsibility and educating yourself a little?” When they reply with “oh ya. cuz wer’re all goona die from the biiirrrd fluuu”, say “What do you know about pandemic threats? Have you read any of the information available?’.

When your partner gets angry at you prepping, reflect it back, no justification. “You’re angry about my prepping. It’s easy to get angry about somethng you don’t understand. When you care to educate yourself about this threat I’ll care to converse with you about it”. Harsh, you can probably soften it somewhat, but hopefuly overall picture conveyed.

Every time you defend yourself you strengthen their position, and reinforce your position as their scapegoat. Put their attitude right back on them. Stop owning their negativity. It’s hard to feel like you have to defend yourself all the time. Turn the tables. Be brief, consistent, and just keep reflecting what they say right back to them without apologizing, defending or rationalizing the careful prepping behavior you should be so proud of!

ANON-YYZ – at 19:16

If it doesn’t happen, all preppers will celebrate with a bigger tangible savings account of preps than the non-preppers. Your reaction now may be buyer remorse, but if you don’t prepare, you probably would spend some of the money on something useless. So prepping is good, you can’t lose.

Watching in Texas – at 19:26

Anon for this one - first of all, you have my sympathy in having to deal with this. My DH is supportive, but only up to a point. He does think a pandemic could happen, just does not want to hear about it all of the time and gets a little miffed when he finds canned vegies in the bathroom instead of toilet paper:-) On the other hand, I only have one friend who is prepping - everyone else that I have talked to thinks I am well on the way to insanity. My family, though, is prepping, although not to a great extent, at least to some extent. In dealing with your spouse, I would be tempted to not mention it anymore, but that is just my humble opinion. I rarely tell my DH everything I have done to prepare. It ‘s not that I am hiding it from him, just that he gets tired of hearing about it, so I just do it, but don’t talk about it much. Good luck with this. I’ve been laughed at too and I know it is hard to deal with. Keep us posted.

Anon for this one – at 19:38

Watching in Texas..sounds like we are in similar “boats”. I think I will just keep my mouth closed from now on, being as best prepared as I can, and taking what life has to deal me with as much grace as possible.

Lady biker…I hope your Significant Other didn’t leave “just” because of the preps. If everyone left me, I figure I would have “preps” for several years. :) Maybe that perspective will make you feel a little more optimistic. :)

Dr Dave – at 19:43

These are survival lessons for my teenagers and a hedge against inflation for my wife and me. Will we ever again find TP for 19 cents (US) per roll? Highly unlikely. Will my kids ever encounter another pandemic in their lifetimes? Absolutley. If it does not happen soon, it is a win-win situation. The opinions of others are like water off a healthy duck’s back.

anonforthisone,too – at 20:01

I spent some long and scary nights when I thought ‘IT” was happening and I wasn’t ready (had not started, actually), thinking through what was needed to survive and making it happen.

Got some negative/unsympathetic feedback. Decided that I am not going to back down. Attitudes changed.

I will not be disparaged in my own home for doing reasonable things that will help in any number of situations that many of you have listed out. That’s my decision and everyone else can deal with it. And you know what? They do.

Now I’ll admit I may be a little obsessed (less so now that I have some basics covered), they show some interest. There’s give and take but not about the fundamental question of to prep or not. That is not negotiable. If anyone wanted to leave because of that, I would question the soundness of the relationship. (“you want us to starve becasuse … why again??)

ColdClimatePrepperat 20:05

It takes time for people to “get it”. A year ago my husband was a bit baffled, possibly even slightly irritated, with my endless spaghetti jars full of rice and beans and my desire to keep at least 30 boxes of pasta in the cupboard at all times. Now he is fully engaged in the prep project too. I think he got there by first just understanding that the preps made me feel better, even if he did not get the reason himself. He understands the real danger himself now, because he was willing to listen to a few facts. He even now owns one of those unmentionable items that makes a loud bang noise. We have both come a long way towards facing some worst case scenarios. Our families now “get it” enough to have accepted our offer of shelter so we can all band together if need be.

I think sometimes people find it is less scary to think we preppers are all nutcases, than to face the possibility of a pandemic with high mortality. The human mind is difficult to influence when it is trying to protect itself.

moeb – at 20:09

also wishing Lady Biker the best, rebirth perhaps ;-)

lady biker – at 20:48

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts for me. and I wish Anon for this one all the strength and understanding she can get. Yes I am alone for this one, but I’m a born country girl so I’ve got some backbone to give me strength. There are a lot of things that happen or don’t happen, as the story goes, that we may never get answers to, but maybe somehow we will all be stronger and maybe a better person for going through the fire. yea no one told us that life would be easy, and we all have to take one path or another and hope it’s for the best but if not it’s a lesson learned. So tomorrow I think I might go buy some more rice and beans. catch yall later…….and keep smiling. we’ll get there eventually………:)

Grace RN – at 20:49

Party at Hillbilly Bill’s; no beans or rice permitted!

lady biker – at 21:11

Ok Grace RN……I’ll leave the rice and beans for another time but what about these 12 one LB. Hershey bars laying here on the table….my latest preps to be put away…….hahahahhaha

Anon for this one – at 21:12

And where is Hillbilly Bill’s again? and at what time? Is it BYORWFK?

Another anon for this one – at 21:15

Well, I don’t know what’s in the air today, but when one of my prep orders arrived this afternoon my DH grabbed the package and said, “That’s it, this is the last one. I have put up with this craziness long enough. You are done and if you don’t believe me we are going to have some serious problems living under the same roof”. Wow.

I can relate to all of you. All my best lady biker and the rest of the anons. I still believe in what we are doing, more than ever.

Olymom – at 21:20

For Anon —it can be really sneaky to praise DH and others for whatever their strengths are — just keep ladling out “I really appreciate how you . . .” — be sincere — and sooner or later they respond -perhaps even with “how you do all this work for us” — I live in a male dominated household (even the retrievers are male) and it is easy to become the butt of jokes or sneers (particularly with teen males!) — I will call them on it “It’s not nice to sneer at some one who is truly trying” — but I’ll also ladle out the approval and it helps. Sometimes the sneers are about control issues. I’m a pretty strong personality and there are times when I don’t even realize that one of my guys is looking for space and is handling it by pushing on me (whose knee jerk reaction is to push back). I have to dig a bit to get to what the sneer and pushing is really about.

I am guilty of hiding some of my purchases (I figure I’ll ebay the unopened Berkey water filter next year or the year after that if things go well this winter) — and I’m willing to say to DH “You know, if I’m wrong about this winter, I’ll take this stuff to the food bank and get a tax donation receipt for us” if he does get fussy (hasn’t so far) — and sometimes it helps to turn into Barbara Wawa and interview the family --- “if time, health and money weren’t limiting factors, what would you like to do in the next few years?” etc — I fortify with chocolate first, because sometimes it’s something I already know about and I have just opened the door to hear about it IN GREAT DETAIL — but that can help get us to a happier place too.

Dear ladybiker, I went from boyfriend 1.0 to heartbreak 2.0 to improved boyfriends versions 3.0 to 6.0 and ended up with wonderful dude 25.0 — so I will hope you are on a similiar path. I now look back on the heartbreak time as life feng shei (cleared out the rubble and clutter) --- hmm, now you have more room for preps — and if the next upgrade version of fellow brings his own, you could be gravy . . . hmm, some one with massage training — spa SIP . . . now if it also came with a wine cellar . . . best of luck to both you ladies. Life’s a bxxxx some days, and that’s the truth.

Grace RN – at 21:22

Another anon for this one – at 21:15

Wow, that’s intense and very stressful. What’s been his take on this all along? Do you have kids? Is it a $$ issue? (My DH was kinda the same, but we’ve been married 35 years and he knows my ‘I’m doing it anyway so shut-up’look.

He leaves me alone now.

Another anon for this one – at 21:28

Grace RN Yes, it was quite a blow, so much so that I feel the need to be anonymous tonight. We do have children and while he has never jumped on the prepping band wagon, he has kind of let me do my own thing. I think there is some stress going on at work to the point that maybe he is considering leaving his position. So it probably does have to do with money. The best thing that came out of the arguement was at the end when he said well at least if I come home one day and say I quit my job we will have food to eat. And I smiled and said exactly….you get it! We kind of made up after that but I’ve been tiptoeing around all evening.

InKyat 21:31

Given what we know, we are wise to prepare, whether a pandemic comes this winter or two years from now or ten. We will still have been wise to prepare even if we end up looking like fools to others for a time. Actually, given the alternative, looking like fools is absolutely our best-case outcome ;→. Cyber hugs to those who are weathering a hard time from loved ones who don’t quite get it. But given the fragility of our JIT inventory systems and interdependent infrastructure, I doubt any of us will ever turn back.

InKyat 21:35

Olymom. H5N1 isn’t going away after this winter. It’s endemic in so many areas, there’s just not going to come a time when we are going to be able to say for sure, “This isn’t going to happen.” Keep that Big Berkey, so you don’t have to buy it all over again!

Anon for this one – at 21:36

Thanks for everyone for their word of advice and support. I’m tired tonight and plan on going to bed early. Tomorrow I should be back to my good old normal self. :) Hopefully, I won’t have any pandemic dreams that I will need to post first thing in the morning. Ha ha ha

I truly mean to convey my best to everyone. It seems that each of us has our own little hurdles that we are all trying to manage as best we can.

Who knows, if prepping causes a mass increase in divorces, maybe there will be a Fluwiki dating service later on. LOL (And I mean that in only the nicest, tongue in cheek way!)

An example of the perfect partner:

Fully prepped for two years, 10 cases of RWFK, lots of chocolate, solar array and 20,000 gallons of water. Likes puppies and likes to cuddle. Also have an AK-47 and 1500 rounds.

HillBilly Bill – at 21:37

Grace RN – at 20:49

We can do a mini-Woodstock, I’ve got the room!

senegal1 – at 21:39

Hi Grace RN. Sorry for your situation lady biker glad to see that you are dealing. Anon for this one — hang in there. Someone in our group that met today said it all for me: you pay money for insurance and you get nothing back from that; think of this as insurance against an emergency or lose of income or health AND you get it all back because you can use it later!

DoubleDat 21:42

anon for this one - does your family disrespect you on this issue only? If it is just this matter - I would stop where you are on the prepping and just resume your normal day to day life prior to prepping. The preps are there when you may need them. I would also quit trying to convince/talk to others in your real life about it. You have this online community to talk with for your emotional and informational needs on the subject - but obviously the people in your real life do not and will not “get it”. So don’t waste your energy and emotion trying to push it.

If this is just a more magnified situation from what is a normal mode of treating you - then I would seriously evaluate the relationships you are in. No one deserves to be treated with disrespect on a regular basis. Period.

Just my opinion. Only you know what the situation is truly like - and can answer the question of what to do next.

janetn – at 22:01

Do you have home insurance? Your house will propably never burn to the ground, or be leveled in a storm, but would your husband think it was wise to play the odds and go without insurance. Id ask him if he would feel secure without insurance. You wont look near the nutcase if you frame your preparations as a insurance policy akin to home insurance. If it doesnt happen its the same as the house not burning down but you at least have something tangable [food] with insurance you have canceled checks.

moeb – at 22:03

wickedly chuckles in the background

cottontop – at 22:10

I’m going to lady biker’s and getting drunk on chocolate!! On my way I’ll stop and get some krispy cream donughts! (I sincerely hope things find a way of working out for you, lady biker. I believe there is a reason for why things happen to us, and it’s only later down the road that we can see why, if we look. Good luck to you.)

First, I would be interested to know how many females here are prepping as opposed to males. It seems to me that there are more females. Why is this? Is it the motherly instinct to make sure she can continue to care for her family? Is it left over from a more primal source? While the males are more layed back, and only get serious when it’s in their face. Interesting.

If there’s one thing that we should all get from this if It does’nt happen, is that with everything changing around us, it’s important more than ever to have a stock. I call it insurance, survival insurance. And it’s something to fall back on when times get lean. I was fortunate enough to grow up with a father who loved camping, and stocking. He was always experimenting with drying different foods in the dehydrator, seeing what material would seal the best, and always on the look out for stuff to put in his stock. Being I was female and his only child, he still felt it important to pass this on to me, teaching me, so that I could help my family survive someday. If people want to get back to self-reliant basics, teaching our children how to prepare for disaster, man-made or natural, is the first step. I fear what the world will be like when they are our age. If “It” doesn’t happen, we will be well prepared for whatever does happen next. AND, never stop prepping. Rotate, use up, replinish. Keep scouring garage sales, thrift shops, and by the time the next “IT” happens, you’ll be living like the Amish. “What happened? Didn’t bother us.” PREP FOR LIFE. I don’t really talk about this with extended family, or friends, whom I know are’nt “getting it”. I really don’t want to waste my time or theirs upsetting them, when I’d much rather be enjoying their company. If my family and friends are’nt interested, I’m not pushing. Anyway, enough of my rambling. Let’s pray this will fizzle out, and take some lessons from this, and keep prepping. Disasters come in all shapes and sizes, at any moment. and pay attention to what’s going on around us more. (that’s the hard part) Backwoods Home magazine-people gotta check that out. Best self reliant magazine around. www.backwoodshome.com been a big fan for years. It might help you solve some prepping problems. let me know what you think

kc_quiet – at 22:12

I just never, ever mention bird flu anymore. Ever. Sometimes they will bring it up, and I’ll answer questions. Meanwhile I prep my rear off. I have the advantage of having survived some hairy stuff. Maybe they think I’m odd, who cares? If anybody says anything , for example about peanut butter I get all huffy and indignant and tell them “I will NOT have running out of peanut butter in the middle chemotherapy again!HMPH”(Funny thing is, we never ran out before either, but if they remember that they are afraid to confront me on it). I also will NOT pay more than 25 cents for toilet paper,run out to the store for JUST dogfood, whatever.(And my personal favorite:”OH! You think you just turn on the faucet and water is always going to come running out, Huh?) Most of the time I am really easygoing.The rest of the time I am odd enough that they just let me be me.

Ladybiker, I have read enough of your posts to know you will be just fine, no question in my mind. I pray for the pain to pass quickly and happier days to follow.

KimTat 22:18

I came to fluwiki to get information on the bf and stayed even when I felt I said something stupid because, well we are all fighting the same battle. Even when I don’t speak up its good to read that others are feeling and thinking the same things.

 I really don’t have anyone to share this with in my real life. I somtimes wish I had a cranky husband to battle with, because when tshtf they will be there for you and be able to help with the day to day stuff And you will be able to hold onto each other and give each other strength and love.

 Yet at the moment I make all the decisions, other then my daughter who wants me to buy her a car instead of an optional heating sources there is no one to tell me I can’t have this or that. There are trade offs.
anonymous – at 22:18

ok - I vote for the fluwikie dating party at a highly prepped out singles “mini-woodstock” campout at Hillbilly Bills. BYOeverything. The best prepped will undoubtedly get to choose whom to invite over to their campsite. Hillbilly Bill, when is this partaaaaa for all us who wannabe hooked up with a special person to SIP?

I could even find the energy to argue about prep organization techniques (though I have none) if I didn’t have to SIP alone.

Those of you have spats with loved ones periodically regarding preps, money, ego power struggles - smile - someone loves you.

stilearning – at 22:20

me above and beyond

Spirit in the Wind – at 22:26

My SO has been tolerent, but I still get amused looks and pats on the head which lets me know he’s induldging me. So…yesterday, when he said there was only 2 of us and did we really need to buy toilet paper 30 rolls at a time, I decided it was time to have “the talk.” It was easier than I thought.

I simply said “Babe, you can think I am nuts if you want to. Frankly, I hope I am. The truth is, I would feel horrible if the pandemic came and I did nothing to prepare for it. H5N1 is getting closer to pandemic strain every single day, and that’s only one of the possibilites. Knowing what I know, how can I NOT take action? How could I even look you in the eye when TSHTF and we are both hungry and thirsty and maybe sick when I had this knowledge? I couldn’t live with myself. I am doing what I have to do and it would help if you’d cooperate.” He said he understood and helped me put supplies away.

He said we could always feed the whole block after the next hurricane for a few weeks if the flu never comes. 8^) I think he is getting it!

cottontop – at 22:27

KimT- at 22:18 you can have my cranky husband! (someone asked me how long I have been married. I just looked at them and said,”since 1899.” Boy the funny look I got, and then the ah.)

Annonx2 – at 22:32

Anon -

It’s not worth it to loose the one you love over prepping and possible pandemic BF.

My 2 cents … tell your husband/wife that they are the most important person in your life, and they’re right - it’s time to set the prepping & focus on bird flu aside and enjoy life.

You’ve probably already prep’d significantly,for the other stuff you may need make a list for when TSHTF (and discuss what that point may be with you partner) and put the list and your bird flu concerns in a drawer.

You’ll still be able to buy what you need IF/WHEN BF Pandemic takes off. Yeah, I know, it’s BUY NOW BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER BE AVAILABLE AGAIN & PREP AS IF YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE IN BIOSPHERE II with no contact with the outside world …. don’t believe all the hype. My guess is 95% of population has not prepped, 4 % have 2 weeks of supplies, 1% have 2 months (my estimates are probably on the Optimistic side!).

Over rotation on possible future events is not healthy -

o It distracts you from living and enjoying life NOW - each and every moment.

o It is an escape from day to day issues … (with the justification that if I/we don’t do this/buy that we will die when BF comes).

o Let your fears around BF Pandemic go … live and love for today.

Np1 – at 22:41

My wife is more than likely to bump up what I propose to buy. I am very lucky as we have always been on the same wavelength as far as being prepared goes. Her family thinks we are both nuts. I am glad they do not live anywhere near. Kelly

stilearning – at 22:43

One of the distinguishing characteristics of being human is that we do think about the future, and planning for the future is very important.

Some of us believe that the future will be very different than our current way of living. Having faith in our future involves planning to live in a different way. Prepping includes many new skills and new ways of thinking besides stocking an inventory of goods.

mj – at 22:47

Olymom - massage therapist… Great Idea!

Anon for this one – at 21:36 - Fully prepped for two years, 10 cases of RWFK, lots of chocolate, solar array and 20,000 gallons of water. Likes puppies and likes to cuddle. Also have an AK-47 and 1500 rounds. - I like your thinking.

Kim - I’m just glad I have kids to do this for. Don’t always need a SO/DH/etc. And grandkids are the best reason of all to prep. I’d hate the thought of prepping for just me.

Lady Biker - I’m sorry for the pain, but glad if he was leaving he did it before PF and not during. Keep your chin up and I’ll see you at Hillbilly Bill’s where we can look at possiblities for a replacement for the idiot (I figure he must be one, since he left you). An upgrade is in order I think.

cottontop – at 22:56

annonx2 WoW! Well said. That pretty much is how you must do it. What I don’t understand, is if two people are friends, why does the BF and prepping become an issue for the other? That has nothing to do with the firendship. (excluding spouses of course) To me, that speaks alot about what your friendship means to them. either that, or they are really immuture.

Repomadman – at 23:01

Well, after reading some of the ladies comments I have to say I have it pretty good. The wife thinks I’m a bit off with the prepping (currently sitting at about 5 months worth), but tells me that after 13 years of marriage with enough good calls in the past she can live with it. For example, she now admits that she thought I was nuts when I completely sold all stocks in the IRA’s etc. 7 years ago before the crash or moved heavily into gold and silver a little over 3 years ago.

This my be heresy here, but I’m not completely sold on the BF. Do I agree it’s a possibility? Yes. Do I think it will definitely be a problem? No. I prep for many reasons. I’m in my mid 40′s and have been an amateur historian and economist for over 30 years. I’ve always been the type that would read a history text or economic text for FUN, and Lord help me if I miss my daily Wall Street Journal or can not get market updates. History repeats itself over and over again. Alot of people don’t realize that alot of economic principles are as much of a law as the law of gravity - supply and demand for example. There are certain economic principles that if ignored they will extract a heavy price - whether it is done by an individual or nation - and we here in the US have been ignoring those principles for decades. Just look at Argentina in the 90′s or what is happening in Zimbabwe right now for a idea of what is coming.

Sorry, I seem to be wondering. My point is that the BF is not the only reason to prep. My first bet for trouble in the future is an economic crash at a level comparable to the Depression. Might BF happen? Yes. In fact it may be the final straw in bringing on the crash, just as a terrorist attack could be that final straw or a massive earthquake in CA resulting billions upon billions in damages. If the BF dies out and in 2 years is nothing but a foggy memory I’ll be thrilled - one potential problem crossed off my list, but I’ll still prep.

cottontop – at 23:11

Repomadman-

you echoed my sentiments. In fact that’s what started my stocking in the first place many years ago. Hard times. And it got us through. In good times, I replished.

cottontop – at 23:15

Repomadman-

you echoed my sentiments. In fact that’s what started my stocking in the first place many years ago. Hard times. And it got us through. In good times, I replished.

no name – at 23:23

Lady Biker and Anon for this One…my heart goes out to you…Rats, what difficult postitions for each of you. Kim T: I am grateful that I am the decider on the state of my affairs. It makes it ALOT easier.

The 5 people who know I prep ALL think I am wwwwaaaayyy over the top. They don’t even know about the composting toilet arriving next week!!!

I sign all my emails concerning BF…Chicken Little, aka Little Red Hen, aka Bird Flu Fluzzy. My brother said he was worried that I was too nervous and scared. To that, I said “I’m not scared…I’m prepared…REALLY prepared.

We ALL hope “it” doesn’t come…but what the heck, I never see the day when I am NOT going to need toilet paper. I took everyone’s advice and bought food I eat anyway, I never see the day when I am NOT going to eating. I just need to start cooking in instead of going out!!!

On the other hand, FluWikie is an intense group. The fuel for a frenzied fire feeds the group fear/concern. As I step back and look at the situation from a prepared point of view I can see it. Before I was “ready”, I was frantic, focused and fanatical.

Maybe that is the survival instinct in play or being caught up in the moment, but I can’t and don’t want to be in that place from this day forward until “whatever, whenever”. Maybe that is what the “others” in our lives fear…that we will never get to that feeling of being ok again and “hidden fear” will dominate your/their lives forever…I can see their point of view.

I know I spend too much time on the computer feeding the emotions of BF preparation…I keep telling myself I have to stop or at least reduce my time here. BF has gotten in the way of my “Living”. This is not good either.

I need to restore the balance in my life, which maybe the same thing family and friends are asking all of us who are posting and reading this thread. Because the reality of living is “NOW” is all we have…where are we? on-line, instead of participating in the “real life” with those we love.

22 October 2006

Texas Rose – at 00:51

I echo Repomadman – at 23:01′s thoughts. AF is just one of the reasons I prep.

AnnieBat 01:20

Bear with me on this one - hopefully I can make my point in a sensible way.

For those of you familiar with the comedian Billy Connolly, he once said this: “You can have your own television show and say ‘last night while I was talking with God …’ and nobody bats an eyelid. But go visit a friend in a psychiatric unit and say the same thing and they wouldn’t even let you go home to get your py-jamas!”

By that, it is all relative to the situation and the setting, and prepping for BF falls very much into the same category. If it was mentioned daily in the media, people wouldn’t bat an eyelid at what we say and do.

And we who are already prepped (or prepping) speak in months and having everything for every situation. We are passionate about the need and the process. So, when we speak to others that are not on the same ‘wavelength’ we are not going to get greeted with enthusiasm. It is like teaching a foreign language - we have to start with the simple everyday phrases first then build from there as people grow in their understanding.

As to what we will do if IT doesn’t happen? Well we have often mentioned that we want to have a Wiki Reunion. Perhaps we could all go home and get our pyjamas, and bring about 10% of our preps to the party with us and we could live like kings for a week or two! (Then go home and slowly cycle all the accumulated goodies through the usual daily/weekly usage.)

LauraBat 13:18

I would LOVE to be proven wrong and never, ever live to see a pandemic of H5N1 or anything else. Unfortunately, to date, I haven’t seen any evidence that IT (or something else) won’t happen. So, I keep on prepping. Close friends/family sometimes tease me about it, but don’t give me too much grief. Maybe because I haven’t pushed them that much. I think that ramming it down anyone’s throat usually doesn’t get you very far. I definitely thought people prepping for Y2K were nuts, and I get the sense that people who don’t know me as well think of me a bit in that way as well. Personally I didn’t see the risk and thought it was a lot of hype over something that could be fixed. There was time and a lot of smart people trying to fix it. There are lots of smart people working on H5N1 but they might not be able to fix it - IT could easily spin out of control despite their best efforts.

I look at it this way - do I stick my neck out and risk being thought of as a bit off versus the alternative - watching family, friends and neighbors struggle and perhaps even die because they weren’t warned? They still might not prep, but I have tried.

And if IT never happens, I’m so much better prepped for many other disasters. I am a smarter shopper now, we eat out less and eat healthier. I know oodles about power alternatives I never knew existed (if we ever build a house it’s going to be solar). I’ve gained a better sense of what is important to me and what isn’t. And I’ve met some very smart and interesting people. So, even if I’m wrong, I still come out ahead.

Safety Lady – at 13:23

I agree with almost all of the posters. If it doesn’t happen, I have over a year’s worth of groceries. I will save because of inflation. I can garden, I am woman, I am strong.

lady biker – at 13:39

just say the word, I’m ready for that py-jama party, and I have enough #10 cans of dried blue berries, apples, peaches, and strawberries to make the worlds biggest fruit bowl or a heck of a bunch of pies. I got dessert covered. hahahhahah…..I have a feeling we’ll all do ok……but last nite I said in my prayer….thanks for the understanding people I’ve met here…it is a bigger help than a lot of people know. and so a heartfelt THANK YOU again and may God bless yall………:)

anon – at 13:44

Anon for this one, First, I find it interesting that you and I both are not posting under our regular handles. Is it sacrilege to question ourselves like this? IMHO, I think the wiki might have a bit of group think going on right now. Are we reinforcing each others fears about a worst case scenario? I believe a pandemic will happen at some point and I think it is good to have some supplies set aside. However, it is not necessarily going to be a civilization buster. It could be a mild or moderate pandemic. Who knows? I think when people post that their significant other is thinking of leaving them over the BF preps that it is time to reassess what you are doing. Get off the wiki for at least two weeks and think about it. There are many on the wiki who are utterly convinced that this thing is happening soon and that it will be a civilization buster. I respect their ideas and agree that it could happen. But is it likely to be that devastating? No, in my opinion, I don’t think so. Final thought, if you are digging yourself into a debt hole, ruining relationships, or find yourself constantly worrying about a pandemic, I think it is worthwhile to ask yourself if you have taken this a step too far. Take the time to decide for yourself what the risk is and what measures are right for you.

KimTat 13:48

Being the ultimate decision maker in my house has its rewards and its downfalls. Knowing I am responsible for everything makes me stay on an even keel most of the time. My bills are paid, I go to work and even socialize. I don’t preach the bird flu mantra everywhere I go anymore but if its brought up I try to listen and inform when possible.

A co-worker brought in the AARP article for me to read since she new i was interested, but she was using it as a way to dissuade me from prepping?

She said that it wouldnt happpen for 5 more years and they had “seed” starter for a vaccination so there was nothing to worry about that the government would take care of and resucue everyone.

This is an intelligent strong independent women, she picked up on a few words “may” happen in up to 5 years and the seed starter and ran with it to confirm her own beliefs and desires without the possiblities of anything else. TPTB could scream it from every rooftop, front page news in every paper… and people still wont panick. Maybe very few would but I don’t think they need to worrie about mass hysteria.

Ive written letters, handed out flyers and cards, printed out gobs of data and talked both reasonably and emotionally to a wide variety of people. I’m not done attempting to help but i’m moving on.

diana – at 13:54

no advice. Sorry that prepping is a problem for both of the ladies. I will say one thing. Forget about prepping and make a date with your husband that he will never forget.

CabinLassat 14:01

Quote from above…”When your partner gets angry at you prepping, reflect it back, no justification. “You’re angry about my prepping. It’s easy to get angry about somethng you don’t understand. When you care to educate yourself about this threat I’ll care to converse with you about it”. Harsh, you can probably soften it somewhat, but hopefuly overall picture conveyed.”

I say, harsh? As I was reading that statement I though I heard the clang of a cast iron skillet on his head. I am not bitter.

Fiddlerdave – at 14:56

I’ve had people say “Look at the Y2K crisis - it NEVER happened. These scares are silly!” Well, because businesses and government were HIGHLY motivated to not have even a mild crisis because the computer networks and financial systems are how they make and COLLECT money, so WAY over $400 billion (some say a trillion or more) was spent to prepare! And VOILA! NO CRISIS! ONLY because of preparation, things went fine! I have made a few people thoughtful with this explanation.

Anon for this one – at 15:01

OK..this is my last post as an Anon…after this I will go back to my regular “handle”. :) I just didn’t feel comfortable talking so freely about something I was feeling so emotional about yesterday. A new day, a new perspective. :) I have decided (thanks to everyone’s input) to just relax my prepping for the time being. I have so many preps of so many different “kinds” that I do feel secure in what I have and what I have accomplished. We will not starve and I have enough to help a few others if need be. :) I love my DH and my kids more than life itself, (thus the prepping?) so no way am I going to allow this thing to pull us apart. I am going to try to be more understanding of why he feels the way that he does, vs. how it seems to be against how I feel. We both love each other and that is the most important thing. If that part weren’t true, I doubt I would have put so much energy into all of this. Maybe spend some money on something fun, for both of us? >;) Thanks again, it is nice to have a “family” that doesn’t think I’m nuts! Sometimes, the road just gets a little bumpy..

anonforthisonetoo – at 16:45

Anon for this one – at 15:01

It’s very big-hearted and generous of you to see it that way. Hopefully he would do the same for you, if the situations were reversed and you were pressuring him.

Mrs. Tweedy – at 18:02

This is my first post…lurking since January :)

My family loves the movie Chicken Run. So when I go on one of my prepping trips to the store and come home with cases of tin and 25–50lb bags of this and that… my husband always asks “why do we need this stuff?” and I always reply… “because those chickens are organized” and we have a good chuckle.

IMHO, If DH told me to stop prepping I would ask for a compromise. That way we could agree on what is reasonable…and I would feel better about having had his stamp of approval.

Best wishes to all of you!

NW – at 19:36

The other day my daughter said to me “Remember when you were all freaked out about that bird flu thing?” I replied “Yeah, I’m still watching it but not really freaked out any more” and that’s the truth. A potential pandemic is exactly that - potential. It is neither a certainty nor a remote possibility. It is somehwere in between. I’ve gone from thinking the chances are 10 to 1 to thinking more along the lines of 1 in 10. Still pretty high but not overwhelming odds.

I am fortunate in that I am a single parent and don’t need to worry about convincing someone else about anything. One of the major advantage of that status. I sympathize with those who must contend with that type of situation and frankly am not sure how I would handle it except to say that if it were between preparation and losing someone I truly loved of course I would choose the loved one. But I would also continue to educate myself and watch the situation and be prepared to take urgent action if things “heat up”. There is a time when a possibility becomes a probability and hen a certainty. We are not there yet in respect to BF.

no name – at 19:38

Fiddlerdave @ 14:16

When comparing Bird Flu to Y2K…Y2K was a mechanical problem with machines that humans designed. The problem was taken seriously and adverted.

Bird Flu is a biological problem that humans have no control over. Nature is in complete control.

While the projected consequences are similar, the origin is totally different.

RobTat 21:18

Anon for this 1;

Just thought I’d come in late on this one with my experience. Had a similar problem but we have kids and I just put it to my wife staight. I said “If you are right and I’m wrong (along with long list of credentialled sources, Osterholm, Webster etc), then we’ll have some extra rice. The impact of that is….? If you are wrong, and all these people who have been working with virus’s for many years are right, the impact will be….? Now I want you to go look at our kids and convince me that you are right. Now read this material, please and tell me what you think”

That changed everything. Has your partner actually read Osterholms writings?

Spirit in the Wind – at 22:06

I like your style RobT. That’s it in a nutshell.

Fiddlerdave – at 22:54

Truly, robT!

23 October 2006

RobTat 04:28

I mean, we are talking about our kids and each other DYING from this pandemic, arn’t we?

Is there some part of this that isn’t understood?

Kristy in CO – at 13:41

I’ve been away from the Wiki for a while, and I think it was good for my mental health. I was really obsessing over prepping for quite a while. The bad side to that, is that when you stop reading about it, you begin thinking that it won’t happen.

There has to be a happy medium.

I believe that we WILL in fact see a pandemic in our lifetime. Will it be H5N!? who knows.

But besides that there’s still hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, the threat of biological or nuclear attacks…the list goes on.

There are so many things out there that we SHOULD be prepared for, because in the end, the people who are prepared…are the ones who are going to survive.

diana – at 14:23

anon for this says she is prepped. Why on earth stress yourself and a good marriage if your partner doesn’t see things your way. Some people will not see a problem until it shows it’s ugly face, has huffed and puffed and blown your house down. But anon is prepped comfortably well beyond the governments recomendation. She has worked on her preps for the family, now is the time to spend time shoring up the relationship, which has been threatened.Everyone has to go with the situation that they have. Some have money limitations. Some are anxious, some are relaxed, some are satisfied with the minimun, others need maximum. Some think prepping ever more is worth stressing their marriage. There are two sides to every situation. Anon is deferring to her husband for the present. Good for Anon.Any good marriage survives a lot of stresses and strains. Hopefully this is only a temporary stressor.

Urdar-Norge – at 14:48

prepping is not a lifestyle for everyone, and thanks for that. the world would be a boring place if everyone had it as a hobby :)

waprepper – at 16:21

“Is it worth a divorce to be prepared?” I could not be prepared without my husband… we live in a relatively high crime area now, and I can’t imagine what it will be like when TSHTF - we are going to need each other - it may even come to sleeping in shifts, etc.

I am crazy about the guy and madly in love with him, but even if he were a total jerk I would still want him around to man the shotgun! ha ha.

And he has no idea how to cook from scratch or to use a canner… maybe the divorce rate will go down because of all this??

RobTat 19:27

Personally, if my significant other completely discounted something that I was passionate and committed about, I would find that demeaning, no matter what the issue was. Doesn’t mean they have to agree with me, just that my views were taken seriously. And if they would not even examine objective evidence that supported my view, then what does that say about the person, the relationship?

The point I was making about the kids is that a parent’s job is to protect our children. Numero uno priority, in my mind. So a parent doesn’t really have the right to just intellectualize something away in the face of credible evidence that their child is at risk, do they? I know parents that are making an ACTIVE choice not to prepare….and I just don’t get it. It frustrates the hell out of me.

 We need some really credible people to stand up and say to the sheeple, “Hey, this could be really, really bad! So prepare, and hope it isn’t.” Nabarro, Webster, Osterholm are trying, so what is it going to take? Just unrelenting persistance?
Wolf – at 20:11

Hello all, My favorite advice on this thread so far has been from diana to ‘slow down the prepping and make a date with your husband that he’ll never forget!’ Great, under any circumstances. I’ve had the stuffing knocked out of me also lately. Oldest kid has told me “The next time you want to buy a case of food or whatever I want you to make a reservation somewhere and TAKE SOME TIME OFF!” We both work 2 jobs (He’s also a fulltime-honors- student) and we’ve spent the past decade caring for my alzheimer’s afflicted mother (at home throughout, until she mercifully passed), then my schizophrenic daughter (in semi-supervised living after 3 years of destruction) and are finally working our way out to daylight. I explained how I didn’t want all of this to have been an exercise in futility; how very much I want us to make it through this… He said “Ma, if it’s half as bad as you say it could be, I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to make it. I don’t want to rebuild the whole damn thing again. I just don’t.” We’re not speaking just now.

Carrey in VA – at 20:13

waprepper – at 16:21 maybe the divorce rate will go down because of all this??

Carrey in VA

I’ll bet your right! I think it will help folks not to take their spouses fpr granted.

InKyat 20:37

Wolf - I’ve heard much the same from my daughter. I wise up and lighten up, but I don’t give up. We both adjust. I hope the tension eases.

KimTat 20:43

Wolf, I just went through that with my daughter, we are talking again, I continue to prep as needed and just don’t talk with her about it. I never really talked that much about it with her anyway..I don’t think?

Maybe i have been over the top and a bit emo and I didn’t realize it.

We that are prepping see the potential and have gone and going thru the different adjustment stages our family and friends haven’t and we probably do sound abit emo at time.

We come here for education and fellowship,, like minds…and all..thank goodness we can share our thoughts and help each other plan and get thru some of this.

31 October 2006

crfullmoon – at 09:13

Wolf, all the best for your oldest. Like Winter and Summer and day and night, we all have low ebbs and hopefully there will be a higher tide for strength for the future when needed. Our task as a species. This is the ride we get through the Universe.

DC – at 15:34

KimT I also have no DH to share plans. This could be seen as a good or a bad thing, depending on whose post you just read! Its just me and the cats here. No-one —friends or family- wants to talk about BF. My only outlet is fluwikie.

IF no BF hits there are always other concerns- what if I lost one of my top clients (I’m self employed) or TB hit or …. Well I have a “savings” account in all of these preps. And it does give me peace of mind knowing I am well supplied.

I have prepped for my parents - just in case- if I could get them here in time. BUT I imagine I would probably be going it alone. So I have wracked my brains and read the threads covering “I hope” all possible needs/ emergencies.

I think that I could hold out alone for almost 2 years with the supplies I have which include large numbers of vegies seeds, water capture devices, non-electric heat and cooking, meds, an arsenal with plenty of ammunition, a well fortified yard, and a hiding place for supplies.

I might get awfully lonesome, but I’ve decided I would look at it as a spirtual retreat, like the old sage that wanders off to a mountain cave to meditate for a few years.

blackbird – at 18:37

DC - There’s an upside and a downside to everything, isn’t there? You get to make the calls without any opposition, but also without any help (not that having a SO around necessarily means help!).

Sounds like you have covered the bases and are ready for many different eventualities. My sense of the time period is not necessarily 18–24 months of straight isolation as much as lack of confidence in what happens in between waves. Or, actually, after the first wave.

I like your approach of taking this as a retreat. Best of luck to you!

Cloud9 – at 19:23

I’ll wind up with a life time supply of spam, some neat camping gear and a rather interesting gun collection. My dad’s Y2k stuff carried us through the 04 hurricanes quite well.

Bump - Bronco Bill – at 21:24
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