Is survival outfitting still game?

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You know it is. I may be spending money on some things that bring doubt to my mission, and that is fine. I will choose some things which are not survival based. I will probably be buying some type of air conditioning and fans soon too. That changes nothing regarding my plans to become more sustainable or stocked.

I must admit to being a bit tripped up. There are so many things to do, so many products to buy, so many skills to gain, and an unknown timeframe within which to work. Money, as always, is tight. Stretching it in the wrong way may be luxurious foolishness. Or it may simply be seen as enabling other work to go forward in a carrot and stick manner. Back to the topic. I was stumbling through what to do. Many of the things I thought I had investigated well, it turns out, I had only scratched the surface regarding. Long term storage items, I now find, can be bought in bulk (25 or 30 pounds depending) which can then be parsed into either 5 gallon buckets or #10 cans, both can be sealed with moisture control devices. I have no idea how much to buy of any one, how much of one compared to the other, or how to solve that mathematical problem logically. As well, finding several of the items on the short term food storage list is proving very problematic. Some things simply are not available. Neither of those problems is insurmountable, it is just with 10,000 other things going on right now getting to them is proving... difficult.

In my reading of SurvivalBlog, I find many articles which either reinforce my notions or teach. This article gives me a very good idea of how to go forward in a more logical manner. Part of the confusion goes beyond what and how much, but where to start. This systemic thematic process discussed and practiced by the author is a hugely helpful article. I would say, in the most recent offerings, it is one of the finest pieces for my particular situation. I put it here both to show and hopefully remember.

At this point, there is not a lot I can do. My mother will be here and though she might like some of the notions, she is not here for that and probably not a great fan of the reason for the notion. As an older single woman these subjects are very frightening to her. Oh, sure, she is a big girl. But she has learned, over time, that everybody is limited and women much more so than men. So, though I will give her a rough outlay of what I would really like to do, show her some of the things I have done, and let her know she has a place so long as a total collapse can be foreseen enough to travel that far, I will not go too much further. Our work is simply about setting up the house in such a way that she will feel satisfied that her son can sort of muddle his way through a normative life a bit easier and with some comforts provided by a woman's mind and hands.

Then again, some things will be of benefit to us both. A clothes line will most likely go up. Air conditioning will probably go in, along with a few more fans. Food and devices, both survival and other, will be better stored in order to take stock and lay hands upon as needs require. Some of that which is dual use will be intentional, some of it not so much so. But for the next month, due to money being put into my home in these ways, and maybe a month after until I can regain control of my finances, I simply will be more cautious about spending too much in any way. One thing I am strongly considering, when she arrives, is becoming a member of Sam's Club. As a frugal to the bone woman, this will satisfy some of her worries and potentially some of my short term supplies. A case of tuna, a case of this, a case of that, things I will use and store.

After that, I will begin making better plans. Though I had really hoped to begin with rabbits this summer or fall, the thematic system seems to argue against that. Still, all plans are somewhat individualized, so I may go ahead with that. However, home security weighs strongly on my mind. This home, in no way, at this time, is secure. Dogs would have no problem gaining entrance, people might actually be entering as is. Then again, I have thought that before. Forgetful? Perhaps. But how I got out of a locked door, since I only lock the deadbolt when I leave and not the handle, I am still unsure. Never mind, just that I would like to secure this place a good deal better than it is currently. Short term and long term, including finding plants which would make entering ground level windows more than a bit problematic... the problem there? nothing seems to grow on the north side of the house, and of course the generic problem of finding a plant or plants which fit the clime. As well, I will be tracking down and pricing local medical training opportunities. Some may be free? I would like both the skills and practice involved, so some volunteer work may be in order. Getting past my... dread of medical... We will see. I have gotten over my dread of heat, so who knows.

So, just because I am currently adrift on the survival ocean, without seeming heading or bearing, while I am spending crazy money on non-involved issues, while my head is shoved into a workaholic pace on other things, I am very much alive and well in planning and assessing things... at least academically. That is no help in keeping unwanted critters out of my home nor will it feed me if the food system fails, but it is what I have. Further, I have been folding pieces of these plans into my other affairs... a bit at a time, like always.