This week I had a lot of work done on the car...took a lot of $$$ out of the bank...did a good deal of food shopping...and bought a buncha stuff at a local wholesale club. NOT ONCE was I asked about Y2K, by anyone. All those brilliant replies, never to be used. As Mom used to say..."Ya got stuck, didn't you?" While I want this to be a non-event ( I like hot showers and imported beer) I am prepared for serious stuff. As far as "When is too much?" I can say that when you start to forget what you have and where you put it (like I just did w/a 55 gal drum!!) you have too much. I would suggest an index card system...

-- Mr. Mike (mikeabn@aol.com), November 29, 1999

Answers

I am in same place. I have canned veggies, up the Yazoo, (I think) but not enough meat items. Canned hams (Daks) went on sale, bought 7 within two days. How much is enough? How little is too little? Do I share with a starving neighbor or shoot him/her? Almost missed my own street on coming home from work. Where are the "answer books?". For those who read and blast me for having no sure stockpile of ammo. and hard core survival skills (kill a wild animal). I post this to you, "Which person, in your family, lived, forever?". There must be a plan, in all of this.

-- Hope the Best (Hardlooks@life.com), November 29, 1999.

I know what you mean Mike, just did the same thing as you before Thanskgiving. Now where did I put those lamp wicks? I do know where the toilet paper and solar shower is, very important items indeed.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), November 29, 1999.

Old filing cabinets make great, anon storage places. Packets at the top, liquids and smellies at the bottom.

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), November 29, 1999.

Just like my take on Bill Gates, you have too much money if your net worth exceeds the GNP of many countries. Your house is too big if you loose a 55 gallon drum :-). Just kidding. How much imported beer do you have stored in those 55 gallon drums and where do you live I might want to visit for a weekend.

-- squid (Itsdark@down.here), November 29, 1999.

My sister wants to organize our food. I say let's "discover" it. We'll just eat our way through the stores and have meals as they arise. Do have enough protein, guys. We have tuna, salmon, canned chicken and turkey (small), beef and turkey strew, MRI entrees. Have lots of canned veggies, fruits, and beans. Must have fiber.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), November 29, 1999.

The canned hams??? The ones I found at Safeway said they must be kept refrigerated. Are DAKs special? What's the point of a canned ham if I have to keep it refrigerated?

Just had my first meal using previously dehydrated hamburger. Worked great in spaghetti sause. Plan to do some more. Good way to cut the fat out too.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 29, 1999.

Linda:

I hate to admit it, but I've bought "Spam". I'm going to add it to the large jars of beans I've bought, or combine it with the Ramen Noodles. (High in fat, but for a short period of time, O.K.) Also, I have large cans of Chicken broth, so that I don't have to use the water for cooking;(it's of course sterile) also Beef Pepper Oriental, which has sterile water in it. Also, I buy a plastic pool every summer for my grandchildren and I'm going to fill it with water, some bleach and a container (box) of salt, to heat for bathing. (Dipping out small amounts to heat in the fireplace). Another thing I'm considering is canning lean ground beef in bouillion cubes and water to be used with the powdered mashed potatoes; also to can hot dogs in the chicken broth for the grandchildren whose parents won't pre- pare (my children)to which rice or noodles can be added; also dry soup mixes. Also lots of muffin mixes and the heavy-duty muffin tins to make them in.

Don't get discouraged; even though our loved ones may ridicule us and accuseus of a lack of faith, I remind them of Joseph, Noah, The ant, (go to the ant, you sluggard) and the five wise virgins. I won't have a gun in my house, so I'm praying that God brings to our door only those whom we can feed and care for. And that, like Jesus and the fish and the loaves, our tuna and muffins go far, with leftovers. Also, I hope the Pollies are right. When we prepare, we must prepare to be wrong, no matter which position we take, because I think we will suffer more if we don't and are wrong.

Remembering Our Loving Father, His Son, and the Comforter.

Connie

-- Constance A. Iversen (hive@gte.net), November 29, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Linda, DAK hams are shelf stable.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), November 29, 1999.

I thought I'd add this note just to let y'all know that as far as you think you've gone off the deep end there is even deeper water out there.

I know a fellow who bought 36 of the canned hams. His most recent trip to Sam's netted over 300 lbs of beans and rice. Not his last trip either!

When you can talk about multiple 55 gal drums of corn, THEN you're getting into the deep end of the pool.

-Greybear

-- Got Swim Fins?

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), November 29, 1999.

OT - -I just thought of something else I'd like to share. Earlier in the summer I investigated chemical toilets and other methods of waste removal, but because I was in such shock because I couldn't convince my two sons who could do the work, (and besides that they're too busy to do much helping), so that problem has remained unaddressed. But a couple of wekes ago I started thinking about porta-johns, with one of my first thoughts being: Aw - - they'd be too expensive. But I called today and they are $80.00 per month, with weekly maintenance visits included. So - - I rented one to be delivered December 27th, and which will be placed in our garage. In the beginning, I was telling a lot of people what I was doing to prepare, but now I'm keeping the porta-john to myself - - with the exception of my family! (And all of you.) I sympathize with the person who said she wishes she were a Polly. It would be nice to know nothing of this mess and go blythely to whatever happens. I like happy things. ;-)

-- Constance A. Iversen (hive@gte.net), November 30, 1999.

Chicken broth preferably should be in small cans. Once a container is opened it will spoil sooner or later unless refrigerated.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), November 30, 1999.

2"A warrior still dressing for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won."4Trusting oneself is foolish, but those who walk in wisdom are safe. 5Destruction is certain for those who think they are wise and consider themselves to be clever.

1Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. 27I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, "Fly to the mountains for safety! 32Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the LORD means safety.

17Stop putting your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. How can they be of help to anyone? 16Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When their breathing stops, they return to the earth, and in a moment all their plans come to an end. 15It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people. 14From the greatest to the lowliest - all are nothing in his sight. If you weigh them on the scales, they are lighter than a puff of air.

19You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. 20Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a place of refuge for their children. 21The LORD is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in him. 22How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

23Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 11Between the city walls, you build a reservoir for water from the old pool. But all your feverish plans are to no avail because you never ask God for help. He is the one who planned this long ago. 10Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.

29My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold, my high tower, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. 28Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 26And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us.

25Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you. 24Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. 31You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you! 30They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

(The New Living Translation) 1-Proverbs 3:5 2-1 Kings 20:11b 4-Proverbs 28:26 5-Isaiah 5:21 6-2 Corinthians 1:9 10-Proverbs 11:28 11-Isaiah 22:11 14-Psalms 62:9 15-Psalms 118:8 16-Psalms 146:3,4 17-Isaiah 2:22 18-Jeremiah 17:5 19-Psalms 65:5 20-Proverbs 14:26 21-Nahum 1:7 22-Psalms 36:7 23-1 Timothy 6:17 24-1 Peter 5:7 25-Psalms 9:10 26-2 Corinthians 1:10 27-Psalms 11:1b 28-Psalms 23:4 29-2 Samuel 22:3 30-Psalms 112:7 31-Isaiah 26:3 32-Proverbs 29:25

-- lookin up (trusting@gotfaith.com), November 30, 1999.

Ditto on the deep-end!

My overkill is food.

When I first started preparing last year, I went for canned meats first. I knew it would be the most expensive. So for about 6 months I bought vast quantities of canned meats. I have every thing from sausage gravy and chipped beef gravy (gotta top those biscuits!!) to chicken chow mein. I even have some kind of bulk sausage in a can and 26 cans of whole chicken (Don't ask! :-) I don't know what they are like. I'm saving that for one of those 'gee, lets try something different today' days!). This is in addition to the small canned chicken, turkey, and ham. I did restrain myself with the Dak hams...I only have 12. I never realized there was such a variety of canned meats. Like sliced turkey and gravy, chunk beef and gravy, barbeque chicken and barbeque pork. I tried to get variety (ok, I admit it, I tried to buy at least one of everything in the store) and the foods we normally eat.

Then I discovered home canning meat. Yippee!! Now we have canned ground chuck for spaghetti and tacos, and I canned some hamburger patties (now if I could learn to make hamburger buns!) I canned sausage patties, and pork tenderloin (want to scare someone away from your food? Put that at the front of your pantry!), bacon, and smoked sausage, beef stew meat, and small beef roast. I still want to try some boneless pork chops and steak.

We have 40 cake mixes and ready made frosting. (Gives a whole new meaning to 'Let them eat cake'!) Sounds good, but never have we had 40 cakes in a year. Cake, that requires - EGGS. So I now have 24 laying hens. (gets deeper and deeper doesn't it? But hey, now I have fertilizer for the garden!)

Honey, boy do I have honey. I normally do not use honey very much, but I got to thinking about those biscuits again! :-), so now we have about 30 pounds of honey :-( And jelly, on my gosh,the jelly. (I have decided I am obsessed with biscuits). As a side note, do you know they make a banana flavored spread now?

Everytime I pass the baking section in the grocery store, I think about...chocolate (bet you thought it was biscuits)! So I have cocoa powder and chocolate chips in massive quantities. And spices. We have just about every spice that durkee makes. Got to do something different with rice and beans. All this food, all this COOKING! Oh my gosh, what am I going to cook with? So now I have 3 campstoves (to be fair, only bought one new one, we had 2 for camping) and vast quantities of coleman fuel. And tinfoil for box ovens (and the occasional hat), and, and... You get the picture.

To say we have gone over the deep end is an understatement. Will I have to go to the grocery store next year? Not for much. Fresh milk instead of canned or powdered, and fresh vegetables and fruit occasionally (especially when the cans of fruit and vegetables all start to taste alike).

My house is no longer a house. It has become one gigantic pantry. Everytime I swear I am finished buying food, I think of just one more thing we will probably need, want, or crave next year.

Some of us are going off the deep end with matches, others with duct tape. With me, it is food. I still worry that 250 pounds of sugar is not enough. That I have underestimated the amount of flour I need, or that I am forgetting some vital ingredient that I am counting on. I have made lists, and more lists.

Before you think I am totally crazy, you should know that I grew up as an Air Force brat. My dad got paid once a month, and Mom would go to the commisary once a month. So we kept a full pantry all the time. If my pantry does not contain at least one month of food at ALL times, I feel very insecure. There is a lot of security in knowing you have something to eat.

Being aware of this, I have ensured that I do not 'panic' because I do not have food in my pantry if TSHTF. The way I see it, there will be plenty for me to worry about then, without worrying about food!

Anyone else out think they have gone overboard with food?

-- Dian (bdp@accessunited.com), November 30, 1999.

Thanks lookin up, for liftin me up.

-- Prophetess (infowars@yahoo.com), November 30, 1999.

Oh Dian,

I am right there with you! I have yet to buy one whole canned chicken though (probably because I end up with approx 10 roosters every 6 wks or so that need to be butchered). I finally stopped on the stocking up of candy - bought lots at Halloween but my hubby sniffed them out and we ate IT ALL! The only thing things left in that bin are the cheap sandwich cookies I had bought......

Just yesterday I brought home another 20+ cans of tomato products and my hubby raises his eyebrows and comments "I thought you were done with that?" - well you know you can never have too many tomatoes....

Super glue! That's what I forgot! Must get more.....

Bye!

-- Kristi (securxsys@cs.com), November 30, 1999.

Dian:

Thank you for a most humorous post. Got bisquick?

-- Anita (notgiving@anymore.com), November 30, 1999.

Anita,

LOL, oh yes, I have bisquick! (hint: makes great, easy dumplings to go on top of canned stew!)

-- Dian (bdp@accessunited.com), November 30, 1999.

Tom Carey: Thank you for that input. I chose large cans because I have a large family ( a lot of them DGIs ) so figure if I add the dry soup mixes and Spam or the canned hot dogs to it, it might be palatable. Also, I've gotten the large ones for canning the hot dogs.

Now, I KNOW that Spam and hot dogs are not ideal foods, in fact never use them, but when you're feeding children, they sometimes won't eat what they don't like, ('though I imagine they'll learn to like things they've always stuck their noses up at). I remember my mother who went through the depression with three children (later five) and who came from a genteel Southern background, serving stuffed heart, brains and eggs, and even tongue.(Beef) These were not things she had served before the depression, mind you!

If things get hairy, we'll sure miss JIT living!

-- Constance A. Iversen (hive@gte.net), December 01, 1999.

Hello all-

A while back, I wrote a freeware Access database to help those who wanted to organize their neighborhoods and their supplies in preparation for Y2K. (Who is a Mechanic, where are the babies/shut-ins, who is has oil heat, etc.)

Well, I've written an updated version for Access97 and Steve Davis has graciously agreed to make it available at his Coalition200 web site.

You can get it at:

http://www.coalition2000.org/#What's

The new version includes a couple of neat things I needed:

-Preps inventory system so you can list and print out what you need, what you have and which cupboard it's in (after 6 months, who remembers where they put the backup deodorant?...). It also includes an extensive pre-made inventory based on the one at Ted Derryberry's site. You can use either one.

-A collection of several of Robert Waldrop's excellent ready-to-print prep handouts. (Thanks, Robert!)

It's free, but you'll need a copy of Access97 or 2000 to use it. (I thought about making a run-time version, but it would have made a 5-6MB file; tough to download.) This one is 154KB zipped.

Hope it's useful. Hope it's unnecessary.

-- Lewis (aslanshow@yahoo.com), December 01, 1999.

--lookin'up:

I agree withall you've posted, because it IS Scripture. But I can't forget Noah, Joseph, the ant and the three wise virgins. I know God allowed me to find out about Y2K, and I am responding. It;s not because I'm selfish, I don't think, because I won't own a gun and I plan to share. Also, didn't your family forebears prepare a year in advance in former times, before our present system? Just as we shouldn't judge each other in matters of holy days (some keep every day and some keep certain days) we shouldn't judge each other about Y2K.

Of course, friends and acquaintances kid us and say they'll come to our house. We all need to ask God for wisdom. Wealthy people (who are busy counting their money from Wall Street investing)should thank us for a booming economy, because while we're not many in numbers, our buying must be affecting the economy positively. I contend that if Clinton had appointed a man of Churchill's stature in'96 or '97 and we had all gradually prepared it would have boosted the economy even more; if various people had saved and conserved (the way Joseph did)in the good times for the bad times, it would not have been so expensive, either. Programmers have been able to get large salaries partly because of the lateness of the remediation.

Another thought I had: I'm glad the cash I took out in the summer did't cause the stock market to crash, or I'd feel guilty!

-- Constance A. Iversen (hive@gte.net), December 01, 1999.