2018 NEW YEAR RESOULUTIONS--PREPAREDNESS

I have a friend who takes New Years Resolutions very seriously.  She and her husband come up with amazing goals.  But what is even better...they keep them.  One year they resolved to lose weight, and they did!  She remarked near the end of the year that they had lost a whole person (about 110 lbs) between them.  Another year, she determined to play the piano better and pick up where she left off about 30 years earlier.  I was her piano teacher and it was amazing to see her work ethic as she practiced and came to lessons week after week.  When the recital came around, she really did not want to play, but decided she would--but thought seriously of wearing a sign that said, "This is what happens when you quit piano as a kid, and your mom says you will always regret it."  I want that sense of purpose as I make my 2018 goals.

Remember as you set your goals to make them S.M.A.R.T.   Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Provident Living (my calling) includes helping you--and me--become self-reliant, helping us help ourselves so that we do not have to rely on others, and so that we are in a position to help others when they need it.  The categories of provident living provide a wonderful outline for goals to set.  I challenge you this week to make resolutions to help you and your family become more self-reliant in 2018.  Here are a few ideas:

SPIRITUAL SELF RELIANCE  Increased Church and/or Temple attendance, Meaningful Scripture Study, Purposeful Prayer.
PHYSICAL HEALTH Exercise, Good Eating Habits, Good Sleeping Routine.
EDUCATION Learn A New Skill, Obtain Knowledge by Reading Good Books or Attending Classes,  Increase Job Proficiency,  Receive Know-How for a New Job.
HOME STORAGE AND PRODUCTION Plant a Garden, Preserve Food, Store Clean Drinking Water, Obtain a 3-Month Food Supply, Build a Year Food Supply
FINANCES Make and Stick To a Budget, Work Toward Getting Out of Debt,  Gradually Build a Financial Reserve.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Make 72 Hour Kits, Have Plans for Several Types of Emergencies, Build a Family First Aid Kit for Home or Car.

“All of us are responsible to provide for ourselves and our families in both temporal and spiritual ways. To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies.”

--Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

2 Weeks Post Fire

On Tuesday I drove down Lilac Road.  It was sobering, to say the least.  The scorched ground, pink ribbons tied to mailboxes and fences, signs thanking the firefighters and first responders and the smoke smell still in the air was a fresh reminder.  Driving down Redondo Drive was also severe.  Seeing the melted vinyl fencing and the fireplace that was once a home was a vivid reminder that fire is a real threat and it can break out very quickly putting any (or all) of us at risk.

So here we are, 2 weeks post-fire.  I am determined this time to not forget what we learned.  I analyzed the fire last week, but I think it is important for you to do the same with your family.

THIS WEEK, I challenge you to : (1) Make a list of 5 things you did right during the fire.  (2) Make a list of 5 things you wish you would have done during the fire.  (3) Make a list of ten things you would absolutely want to take with you and tape it to the inside of a cabinet.  (4) Make sure your house has 100 feet of defensible space around it--clear brush, debris, trash, trim trees etc. (Firefighters have always made it clear that if there is no defensible space, they cannot even try to save your home).

I know it is Christmas, but it may give you a bit more time together as a family to meet these goals.

Shari Kooyman sent me some great tips for getting the smoke smell out of your home--Thank you Shari!  There is a product called Bad Odor Sponge.  Several years ago I purchased mine from Major market.  I have used it to remove smoke damage to clothing and to papers of grandsons home that burned down.  Major Market is sold out, but in stock has one called the Wizard.  The manager said you could try it and if you did not like it you could return it.  Or you can find Bad Odor Sponge on the internet.  When I was finished using I just screwed the lid back on the container and was able to use it again.  I also used this to remove musty odor from genealogy record that had been stored in totes for years.  Also you can put a couple of briquette in paper bags or bowls and they will absorbs the smoky odors.  I have used this to remove musty odors from old books and papers.
A couple of tablespoons of real vanilla in a bowl will also absorb the smoky odor without adding artificial odors to the air.  Vinegar put in bowls placed in different rooms will also help to remove smoky odor.

Fire...what we learned and what to do

The Lilac Fire.  Wow, are y'all still reeling?  I am.  We were lucky to be with good friends in San Marcos.  The kids had a fun day with a giant tree swing, trampoline, and bocce ball.  I hope all of you were able to find good places to go.

This is our second evacuation.  After the first one, we talked and made some plans for if it happened again.  But, when the fire broke out Thursday, I couldn't remember any of them.  I've had some time to think it over, and here's some good and bad things that we did was well as lessons learned and ideas for the future.

The Good:  (1) We had a designated place to go.  Actually we had several.  people are so kind.  It saved a lot of time knowing right away where we should evacuate to.  (2) I had signed up my cell phone to receive emergency alerts.  This helped me know when the evacuation order went out and where I could find more information.  (3) My car had gas.  I try to keep my car with 1/4 tank of fuel at all times.   (4) All the house windows were closed.  I had the presence of mind to check all the windows.  Homes often burn from the inside out when embers are sucked in through open windows , open garages, or old roof vents.  (5) I made sure my visiting teacher and ward leadership knew we were fine and told them where we were going. (6) Staying calm.  Even though I was pretty much freaking out inside, I knew that a calm, confident demeanor from me is what my kids needed.  I was in charge of 10 children--they all got their cues from me.  My 3-year-old got scared and started to cry, but because I was acting conifdent and calm, she only needed a small reassurance that we were going away from the fires and that we would be OK.  

The Bad:  (1) I did not have a written plan.  My brain turned off when I saw how close the fire was.  We were one of the first potentially in its path.  All I could think of to do was to get everyone out.  We left the house pretty quickly, but once I got to where I was going, I wished I had grabbed a few irreplaceable items.  (2) No food or clothes...I had meant to put together 72 hour kits for my family after the last fire, but it didn't happen.  Luckily I was able to hit Costco (Everyone got new Christmas PJs early!) and our hosts were more than generous, but I still felt like I should have been more self-reliant. (3) I did not check on those I visit teach right away.   I was so wrapped up in my own evacuation that I didn't even think about it.   I was able to touch base with a few of my sisters after we returned home.  (4) Power outages were not something I had even thought of...we should have planned what to do if we were able to return home with no power.

Things I learned:  (1) Texting is always best in an emergency.  Thank you to all of you who contacted us to make sure we were OK.  However, I found it challenging to try to answer phone calls while I was trying to coordinate things with my husband, find out where all the kids were, and get everyone all packed up and gone.  I was able to respond to those who texted eventually, but the phone calls were tricky to deal with (I did not even check my voicemail until 4 days later).   Also, as a result, I did not answer the reverse 911 evacuation call.  I suppose that's why they send texts and emails also.  (2) Have a wifi call app.  The friends we evacuated to live in a place where my carrier does not have cell service. We did have WiFi, so we connected to the WhatsApp which allows us to call or text over WiFi instead of the cell networks.  (3) Many forms of communication were helpful.  I was able to receive texts from Bishop and an email from Bro. LeBlanc.  

What I am going to do... (1) Make a list of all the things, in order from most important to least, that I would want to take.  These would include, photos, journals, and my 4 year-old's blanket.   Also include what items would be good to have--Bro. LeBlanc made a great list (Assemble documents, birth, SSN, insurance, medical, accounts, Gather cash and credit cards, Jewelry, pictures, heirlooms, Clothes for several days, include a jacket, Sleeping bags, Water, Food, Medications, Pets and pet food. Keep your cell phone charged, bring your chargers with you, Sturdy shoes or boots, Flashlights with spare batteries, Hygiene items)  I will put this on the inside of one of my cabinets so that I can have something to go off of when my brain dies.  (2) Make 72 hour kits!  This would have helped with food (we evacuated before we ate lunch and my kids were starving!) and if I would have had 72 hour kits complete with toiletries and changes of clothes, it would have helped on several levels (watch for an upcoming 72 hour kit assembly activity!).  Luckily I was able to hit Costco and Wal-Mart for some food and clothing, but getting things for 11 people adds up quickly!  (3) Prep my family for several types of disasters and what people's roles were in different scenarios.  After the Hurricanes hit Florida this summer, we talked about emergency preparation for Earthquake and an in -house fire.  We did not discuss a brush wildfire at that time, we also did not discuss protocol if my husband was not in the area (which he was not for this fire).   Prepare better for power outages--have working flashlights and ready-to eat food (72 hour kits again!).

Blessings Received:  Throughout the fire, I felt that Heavenly Father was watching out for us.  There was no loss of life.  The winds that were supposed to be so gusty on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, were not.  Fire Crews from all over (even Utah!) came to help and did a marvelous job.  I watched church members, friends, and homeschool groups, gather together via text, email, etc to help each other and provide support.  There was a true spirit of concern and love conveyed so sincerely.   I felt so much power of the human spirit, the watchcare of church leaders, and the Lord's love poured out in abundance.  I am glad for the opportunity to serve and help clean up our community and to take this experience and become more prepared for the next time.

HOMEMADE BREAD

Years ago, Grandma Stoddard was famous in Salmon, Idaho for her bread.  The story goes that when the members were asked to raise money to build the first church building in Salmon, Grandma made bread to sell, and it always went first.  My sister-in-law asked for her recipe before she passed away, and Grandma wrote it all out--I think it was 6 pages long.  Sometimes Jeff will pull out our copy of the handwritten recipe, but luckily another sister-in-law simplified it so I can make bread quickly for our everyday use.  About 10 years ago, I started making bread on a regular basis to help stretch our grocery budget.  Now, except for a bought loaf here or there, it's about all we eat.

GRANDMA'S HOMEMADE BREAD

6 c. water
3 T yeast (4 T if whole wheat) + 1 T sugar
*Put in mixer, stir with spoon and let sit for a few minutes
1 c. oil
10 c. flour (can be whole wheat, or half wheat/white)
1 c. sugar
1 c. potato flakes
1/2 c. dry milk
4 eggs
3 T salt
 *Mix for 4-5 minutes or until smooth like cake batter
*Add wheat flour (about 6-10 cups, depending on humidity) until not sticky
Let rise for 30 minutes, shape into loaves and let rise (covered) in loaf pans for 30-45 minutes (until it is the size you want your loaves to be)
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  Makes 5-6 loaves.

Now, I realize that bread-making is sometimes overwhelming.  Here's a few hints I have learned over the years:
Use good yeast.  The best yeast I have found is SAF Instant yeast (found at WinCo, Costco Business Center or online.  Red Star from Costco works almost as well)  Keep your yeast cold, I keep mine in the freezer in an air tight container.
Wheat!  I find that newer freshly-ground flour works best.  If you have older wheat, never fear!  There is a product called Vital Wheat Gluten, available at several sites online, and probably at Sprouts (I haven't looked recently).  Substitute 1/2 c. vital wheat gluten for 1 c. flour.  It works wonders and helps your bread be more light and fluffy!
Practice:  Just like anything else, good bread takes some practice.  The ingredients are cheap and bread-fails can easily be made into french toast.  AND, if the loaves turn out rock-hard and totally inedible, I'm sure the missionaries would appreciate them to chuck at mean dogs if they find themselves in a life-or-death situation.

I challenge you to make bread once between now and the new year.  It is a great thing to know how to do, and if you already know how, I promise it will be a great treat for your family to make it again.