DO IT YOURSELF

About three years into our marriage, my husband announced that he wanted me to learn to cut his hair so that he wouldn't have to take the time or the money to go get it cut.  We bought our first set of Oster hair clippers from Costco that came with an instructional video (yes, VHS) that taught the basics of cutting hair.  Clippers bought (check), video watched (check)...off we go.  He sat down and I started cutting.  He tried to coach me through that first cut, and I figured I knew what I was doing--after all, I had watched the video.  After awhile, whether it was my poor listening skills, or his poor coaching, the hair was cut to a satisfactory level and we didn't talk to each other until late the next day.  I figured that would be the one and only cut, but about 5 weeks later Jeff asked me to cut his hair again.  I was a little surprised, but agreed and it went much better.  The third time, I gave Jeff a buzz cut with scissors.  I learned a little bit each time and with his patience, I finally was able to do a pretty decent job.  I have now cut my husband's hair for over 15 years, and my boys have only had mom cuts.  I don't hire out, I only know how to cut one head shape one way.  But I do admit it has been nice to know how to cut my boys' hair.  It has saved us a lot of time and money over the years. 

Learning a new skill takes time to build it to proficiency.  It also takes a lot of patience both from yourself and your family.  But, if the skill provides a need and helps you become more self-sufficient, I think it is totally worth it.

Cutting hair may not be on your list of skills to learn, but maybe learning more about yard work, auto maintenance, housekeeping, or some other needed skill that you currently outsource would be doable.

I CHALLENGE YOU to think about learning a new skill you could learn to help your family become more self reliant

SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY

As we have moved around this grand country of ours, the concept of rain has changed everywhere we have lived.  In Northern Virginia, some years our garden flooded when we got more rain than Seattle.  In Colorado, we could expect an afternoon thundershower almost every summer afternoon.  Here, my little kids don't even know what rain is.

No matter where you live, having some extra money put away is always a good idea.  Our family has leaned toward the Dave Ramsey method of "emergency funds."  (I receive no monetary or product reimbursement from Dave, I just think many of the things he says make sense).  So, fan of Dave Ramsey or not, I am going to tap into a couple of his ideas for this post.

In Dave's "baby steps," he lists having a $1,000 emergency fund as the #1 financial priority.  If you need to use this money, make sure it is an emergency.  Christmas is not an emergency, that comes once a year and you can plan for it.  This is for if the car breaks and needs fixing or an unexpected health cost, etc.  I like this concept because it give a small cushion for life's unexpected happenings (which always seem to happen).  If it is used, be sure to pay it back as soon as possible so that it is always available.

Baby Step #3 is to set aside 3-6 months of expenses in an emergency fund.  I think this concept is extremely smart as it protects against bigger unexpecteds and allows one to be self-reliant in case of a job loss, disability, death, large medical cost, relocation need, and much more.  I have always thought that to help this 3-6 months of money last longer, a healthy food storage plan is helpful.  (Remember last week?).  If an event happens that my family will need to live on this emergency fund, we likely would need to live off of it for an unknown period of time and my goal would be to help it stretch as long as possible.

I often think of the advice the church gives when it comes to families in need:  Use all the resources you have first, enlist extended family help second, and ask the church for help third--and after all other options have been exhausted. 

Planning for the day when we need extra financial help is not only smart, it is responsible.

I challenge you to take a look at your budget with your husband and family and find a way to incorporate saving for a rainy day.   A $1,000 emergency fund should be established fairly quickly, but saving the 3-6 months of expenses will not happen overnight.  It will take thoughtfulness and diligence, but it is possible. 

DO THE MATH

I like things concrete.  I like to plan and have a way to execute that plan. I like to set a goal and have a way to accomplish it.  The phrase, "Get your food storage" is somewhat vague.  Early in our marriage, I tried to gather a little of this or that but never really knew if I was "there."

I was so excited when one Sunday we were handed a copy of a letter from the First Presidency outlining basic food storage needs.  These are foods that would "be required to keep [members] alive if they did not have anything else to eat." The letter also states that "When member have stored enough of these essentials to meet the needs of their family for one year, they may decide to add other items that they are accustomed to using day to day" (January, 2002).  These food and amounts are per person:

•  Grains 400 lbs. 
•  Legumes (dry beans, split peas, lentils, etc.) 60 lbs. 
•  Powdered milk 16 lbs. 
•  Cooking Oil 10 qts. 
•  Sugar or honey 60 lbs 
• Salt 8 lbs. 
•  Water (2 weeks) 14 gal. 

In the May 2006 Ensign, these guidelines were published again along with portion percentages.  Basically,  kids under 3 eat half the amounts, ages 4-6 70%, ages 7-10 90%, and ages 11 and up 100% (though I have also heard to do 150% for teens).

I have used these numbers and guidelines often during the last 17 years.  The needs for our family has changed, but it has been nice to be able to concretely do the math to know where I need to be for a start.

I guarantee you will want more than this list if you really did have to live off of your food storage for any period of time.  But, I do feel like this gives a really great start to where you need to be.  

Once you determine how much you need, the next step is where to buy it.  

If you want to buy it in one swoop and have it all packaged for you, Rainy Day Foods is a great resource.  They have  everything!  Shipping can get a little pricey, but if you find several families that want to do a bulk order, that would help on shipping costs.  Emergency Essentials also has some great pre-packaged options.  

If you are willing to package the food yourself, there are some great local options:

• WinCo (my personal favorite).  You can get anything they sell in their bulk section in a box or bag (even at a discount).  You can order online and have it delivered to the store, or you can order with customer service.  Be aware, they only take cash, debit, or checks.  Locations are in Temecula, Oceanside, and San Marcos.
• Church Cannery.  They have several of the basics that you can buy in bags.  They are located in Murrieta at 25855 Jefferson Ave #3H or in San Diego at 4722 Mercury Ave (which is close to the Costco Business Center).
• Costco.  I have found that White Flour, Sugar, Pinto Beans, and Rice are less expensive here.  In Kearny Mesa area, there is a Costco Business Center that has many different things that are available in bulk--think black beans, lentils, caramel, and more!

I challenge you to do the math.  Find out how much of the basic food storage items you need for your family.  Make a plan to get your food storage, either all at once or set a monthly goal.  Make sure you store it safely in the right containers, and be sure to rotate.  If you know you won't eat it, don't store it. Store extras of what your family likes the most.  Most of all, start storing something.

DISASTER PLAN

Did you feel the earthquake Tuesday?  I heard it more than I felt it.  Living in California has taught me that no two earthquakes are the same.  I was surprised that it was so big, a 3.8.

It seems there are fires all around us.  When my kids smell the smoke outside, they always come in worried that we will be evacuated again. 

In the mail today, I got a copy of San Diego County's Personal Disaster Plan.  In my email inbox this afternoon, I got an email from my insurance company with "California wildfires - tips to help you prepare" in the subject line.  They had a link that went to a website with a lot of really good information.  In the email, they also had some good suggestions:  

• Gather important documents, medications and valuables in case you need to evacuate quickly   • Take exterior photos of your entire home in case you need to file a claim later   • Register with your insurance company to manage your claim experience online   • If you've been evacuated, please call us about possible additional living expense reimbursement Instead of re-inventing the wheel, I CHALLENGE YOU to take a look at one of the links above and use them to help you prepare your family for our next disaster, whatever it may be.  Being prepared is a big step to not being afraid, because "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

BOOK OF MORMON PREPAREDNESS

I was totally planning on doing a very temporal preparedness post this week.  I had been thinking about earthquake preparedness and safety as well as water storage,  but something jumped out at me in my scripture study that just cannot be ignored. Plus there was that little nudge by the Holy Ghost that said, "This is it. "  So, either I or some (hopefully all) of you need this right now.  Please read with a prayer in your heart that you will feel The Holy Ghost whisper to your heart and mind the things that you should do.

The Book if Mormon was written for us, for our time, for our challenges, and to help us come closer to God.  Every story and every chapter were perfectly placed to teach each of us something.  

Mormon spends 2 whole chapters telling us about Amalekiah (Alma 46-47).  We learn a lot about him, specifically that he had a goal...and he would rest at nothing until his goal was obtained.  He wanted to be king of a people.   When he was unsuccessful at becoming king of the Nephites, he turned his attention to becoming king of the Laminates.  He stopped at nothing to achieve his goal.  He used trickery, flattery, murder, and lies.  And he was successful.  

Mormon also spends a significant amount of time.telling us about Captain Moroni (Alma 43, 44, 46, 48).  We know he was a talented Captain,  that he had a strong sense of right, and that he hated bloodshed.  He had a testimony of Jesus Christ and was willing to defend that testimony with weapons and his life.  He shared his testimony and reminded the Nephites what was important: our God, our religion and freedom, our peace, and our families.

These two men had many encounters, but what struck me was what happened before they met for the second time.  "Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God" (Alma 48:7).  

The Book of Mormon goes on to say that Moroni prepared his Cities, strengthened the armies, erected forts, and made their previously weak spots strengths.  "And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians" (Alma 48:10).

Moroni knew Amalekiah was out there.  He knew what this wicked man was capable of, and he knew that Amalekiah was out to destroy everything the Nephites believed in.  He knew that his people needed to be prepared, not only physically, but also faithfully for the long, bloody war that was about to come.  

Sisters, we are also at war.  This war began in the premortal life.  We chose then to follow our Savior and to fight against the devil and his angels.  Satan has been preparing for a long time, seeking to overthrow the kingdom and to rule over us.  He is using deceit, flattery, and lies, hoping to murder the souls of those belonging to the Betallion of God.  He wants us, he wants our husbands, and he wants our children.

But Jesus Christ also wants us, our husbands, and our children.  He needs us to prepare, to strengthen ourselves to defend our God, our religion and freedom, our peace, and our families.  

For each of us, this will look a bit different.  It may take the form of significant conversations, teaching our sons the evils of pornography and helping them have a plan for when (not if) they encounter it.  It may look like having important conversations with our daughters about the sanctity of life and the miracles that happen when procreative powers are used appropriately,  and help them make a plan for when (not if) the temptations come to sell themselves short.  Preparation may look like teaching a stubborn 2 year old to fold his arms during prayers, or helping a 7 year old learn the Articles of Faith before baptism.

Personal preparation is vital also was we read and study the scriptures, pray fervently, attend the temple, and seek the Lord's guidance to make our weaknesses become strengths. (I have also heard that if couples will regularly do these things together, it will strengthen marriages and tie them together more firmly).  

I CHALLENGE YOU to know, by personal revelation and the power of the Holy Ghost,  what you need to do to prepare yourself, your husband, and your children against the onslaught of Satan.  Yes, it's that important.

BEFORE THE TIME OF PREPARATION HAS PAST

I hate to sound like a broken record, but after reading President Ballif's email this morning, I am feeling compelled to write about fire again.

In our two evacuations I have learned that things can happen really fast.  When the call comes to evacuate, the Prep time is over...ready or not, you have to go.

Please read over at least 1 of my previous posts about fire.  You can read them here, here, and here.

I CHALLENGE YOU to choose at least 1 thing to do today just in case those winds stir up a little too much excitement.  I will be putting together my list of things to grab if I have 10 minutes or less.  I would be in big trouble if I forgot my baby's transplant meds!

FIRE SEASON

Ready or not, here it is.  We had warm Santa Anna winds earlier this week and along with that came fire warnings.  I was always told that October is the biggest fire month.  With warm days and dry grass, it usually is not a matter of if, but when and where the next fire will erupt.  And it doesn't happen just in October.  We have been evacuated in May and December.  Two years ago, I believe the statistic was that 97% of our ward was evacuated in the Lilac Fire.  It can be pretty scary.

So, now is the time to be prepared.  There are a lot of things you could do, but I'll give just a few ideas that you can do quickly.  You can refer to this post, ( http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/08/last-week-we-drove-to-motherland-i.html?m=1)  and this one (https://byesboos.blogspot.com/2017/12/firewhat-we-learned-and-what-to-do.html?m=1) for other (and yes, more of the same) ideas.  Prepare as much as you feel you are able. Pick 1 or 2 things to do every week for a month (or longer!), and do not procrastinate.

(1) Talk about wildfire as a family.   Establish a meeting place if evacuation takes place and phone lines are down.  Know where you will evacuate to.  Designate a friend or family member within a reasonable distance to stay overnight with if needed. Talk to them about your plan.  If you plan to stay at a hotel, know ahead of time where you will go.  Review "worst case scenario" situations and how your family will deal with them.  

(2)  Gather vital records and insurance documents in an easy to grab and go manner.  Some prepare emergency binders, some have a portable file box that is easy to take quickly.

(3)  Make a list of important items you need to take if you are evacuated.  Put the most important items on the top and go down the list from there.  You may have 10 minutes, and you may have an hour to evacuate.   Your brain will turn off in an emergency, a list helps to make sure you don't forget and it gives clarity and focus.  Ideas are medications, diapers and baby food, your 4 year old's blanket he will not sleep without, vital documents, etc. Keep this list somewhere very easy to find, like taped to the inside of a kitchen cabinet.

(4)  Prepare your yard.  San Diego Fire requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures.   Keep weeds, grasses, etc mowed down. 

(5)  Prepare grab and go kits.  72 hour kits, complete with Pajamas and a change of clothes are great.  At least have a bag ready with food, water, and maybe a game or other time-passing item.  A car kit with food and water is a good idea too.  If you have mice around, like I do, consider getting cans of food with easy open tops.   Don't forget plastic silverware.   I promise if you are stuck in traffic, a cold can of soup will taste wonderful.

(6)  Store sentimental items in plastic bins.  Most of our homes are equipped with fire sprinklers, so we may come home to water as well as fire damage.  The water may save our homes, and plastic bins may save our stuff.

(7)  Close the windows.   Most homes burn from the inside out as embers are sucked into the house through open windows or roof vents.  San Diego building codes changed after the 08 fires to prevent attic vents from sucking in embers (make sure you get the newer vents if you plan on reroofing).  You cannot always control the vents, but you can control your windows. 

(8)  In the event of evacuation, tell your ministering sisters/brothers where you are going.  Also check in on those you minister to.  If you know the fire is close to a certain member, and you do not minister to them, please DO NOT call them.  Texting is OK, but they are probably trying to evacuate and getting phone calls from half the ward is distracting and hinders what they need to get done (ask me how I know...).  They will appreciate your texts and feel your love.

(9) Register your cell phone with the local reverse 911 service.  This provides information you want to know...like when it is time to leave and when you can go back home.

Of course, there is always more, but I CHALLENGE YOU to choose at least 3 things to do now to be prepared when fire comes.