Something Bad is About to Happen...

[MamaSheepdog]

Patriotism is getting higher, I believe!!

I think so too. People are finally waking up and taking notice, and more and more are becoming politically active.

But it is hard not to feel pessimistic and think that it is too little, too late.

Look at the Confederate flag issue, for instance.

We bought the battle flag when the whole brouhaha started, and have been proudly flying it daily since!

We have a neighbor who is in "The Sons of Confederate Veterans", and he looked up Hub's family, and found that my Hubs has a confederate ancestor that served (and was killed in battle) in the original Virginia Militia!!!

History, NOT hate!!! We cannot allow our history to be erased or altered.

Has the United States made its share of mistakes? Yes. But we have learned and grown from them. Pretending that they never happened and rewriting history is NOT the answer.

There will be looting and there will be an increase in crime, but we will also see people coming together more. In fact, an economic collapse is exactly what we need to get back on the right path, even if it means a lot of pain for some time.

I believe this as well.

I feel very sorry for those that are in urban areas, however. They will be in the most danger and have the least ability to raise their own food, whether animal or vegetable.

There was a snippet sometime in the last year about an executive order being signed changing the "rules" for martial law - essentially making it that much easier to come on to your property and take whatever it is they want.

Funny you should say that... starting a few years ago, we started seeing a lot of billboards about having food and water stocked in case of emergency. They were put out by the government- I forget which agency, but will look for a billboard next time we go to town.

Anyhow- my son FirstPup had an epiphany. He said that those supplies are not meant for us, but for them, and to bring the point home he mentioned that armies always overrun their supply lines. If enough people have decent stores of food, they can just come and take it.

I know a fellow that has very high clearances in the military, and he is very well connected. He believes that Obama will enact martial law in order to retain power.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Scary stuff... very very scary. I told DH I want a small log cabin out in the woods... I just want to disappear.

We have the Liberty's Kids DVD set (a cartoon telling the story of the Revolutionary War), and one scene was them coming in and taking the family cow (I think?) - bunking up in their homes, demanding to be waited on, etc.

 

[katiebear]

The amount of government assistance being doled out is giving them that much more power - people will trade every right they have to keep getting their "freebies" -

That was part of the plan from the beginning..Several years ago when the jobs started to get off-shored,people thought it was all for profit, and to some extent it was, but it was also to put us out of work. So you have to get help. As Americans folks were in debt up to their eyeballs, stock market took a dump so any savings went with it. Just look at the number of homeless families.they never planned for that. But our government did...If you control the stomach the mind will follow....

 

[FourRingCircus]

The amount of government assistance being doled out is giving them that much more power - people will trade every right they have to keep getting their "freebies" -

That was part of the plan from the beginning..Several years ago when the jobs started to get off-shored,people thought it was all for profit, and to some extent it was, but it was also to put us out of work. So you have to get help. As Americans folks were in debt up to their eyeballs, stock market took a dump so any savings went with it. Just look at the number of homeless families.they never planned for that. But our government did...If you control the stomach the mind will follow....

I don't doubt that one bit, unfortunately.

DH's company has plants worldwide (the global headquarters is in NC though) and they are starting to bring some of it back to the States b/c especially in China labor costs have gone up enough that it's not as profitable as it once was.

 

[lereg15]

I too believe we're headed for economic collapse. However, I have faith in humanity. There have been many developed countries survive through economic collapse without total civil unrest. There will be looting and there will be an increase in crime, but we will also see people coming together more. In fact, an economic collapse is exactly what we need to get back on the right path, even if it means a lot of pain for some time. We'll be forced to live with in our means and whole generation will (re)learn basic skills and ethics.

I have to disagree with that for one reason, and that is the looting and crime that will go on. Once that happens, I believe it will be total division. I mean, look what is happening now in St Louis over some black kid that went after a cop! The media is even on board with all this civil unrest for some reason. Once we have an 'planned' economic collapse, all the crime and looting throughout the country will surely bring on martial law. My only hope, besides Jesus, is that the military will be on our side during all of this!! With they way the govt has been treating them, they should be anyway!!

But it is hard not to feel pessimistic and think that it is too little, too late.

As I just typed, I believe you are right, unfortunately.

I think some of the "big" issues in the news right now are actually distractions from whatever real issues there are going on...

Big news like Bruce, or Caitlyn. Yeah, the whole country seems to be enamored with this guy, or whatever because he won a gold medal? Seriously, this is news worthy? The media is a major player in all this, and most high ups in the media stations do have connections to the WH. I fear the nation is more socialist than most people think!!

Scary stuff... very very scary. I told DH I want a small log cabin out in the woods... I just want to disappear.

I have the perfect place for that in mind, but don't have the money to purchase it. No public water, it has electricity, but I wouldn't use it, since it has a wood burning stove for heat. If it does get bad, I'd rather be hot in the summer than cold in the winter!! It's on 7 acres and even has a rabbit barn already there, , plus it has a cave in the back of the property. It would be perfect for a shtf situation!! It's only a dream though, for me. Maybe if something happens before they sell it, we could stay there?

Electronics are going to be a huge huge piece of our demise - I try to do as little with them as possible (but not to the extent of lereg15, I wish I knew then what I know now!!). I mean, medical equipment and vehicles both being hackable?? That's scary!

I would love, and actually need a cell phone, because I run a landscaping business, a small one, but I am doing pretty good without one so far. Not sure about medical equipment being hackable, but if you have a gps, they can find you. I just don't want to have anything that can tell people where I am at any given time. Hell, even some of the new tv's can spy on you now!! I guess I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[FourRingCircus]

There was talk of something, I think a pacemaker?, that had potential to be hackable... they predicted the first death to happen before the end of 2015.

And cars that "drive themselves" (as in, parallel park for you, brake if you aren't paying attention, etc.) - who didn't know that was a recipe for disaster? It was a red flag the first time I saw it... just curious to see what ends up happening. One company in particular said theirs was vulnerable because of how the electronics and information systems were designed.

I have a cell phone, but not a smart phone. I don't want to be connected all.the.time. It's a big distraction from my family at home anyway (sometimes intentionally, I will admit ), I don't need it out and about as well. I heard about the TVs... and actually don't like my laptop camera pointing at me all the time. I told DH I was going to put painter's tape over it

 

[lereg15]

Isn't it amazing how they can get anything on you and me, but can't find a birth certificate or emails for 'higher ups'?

The technology is going to get us, and if the public insists on buying the newest gadgets and devises, it will be quicker for them, imo.

This computer is the only thing I use that could track me, but I use it for mostly information. I really need to start buying some books on things we may need if/when something happens. I do believe I can survive in the world without any more knowledge, but some books will help out tremendously!! You know, edible plants, trap making, and even explosives. You never know what you'll need and who may be coming for you. Besides, without my computer, how could I chat with you all?

I don't even have a camera on my comp. I did once, but it was used for other things besides just skyping.

 

[Miss M]

and actually don't like my laptop camera pointing at me all the time. I told DH I was going to put painter's tape over it

It is good to cover these cameras when you are not using them. They can be hacked and turned on remotely without your knowledge. There are websites devoted to showing the live footage from hacked computer cameras.

My beloved Shay and I have been waiting for things to come crashing down since the early '90s. We're surprised it's taken this long, but the only reason for the delay is the continual QE and other stimulus things. These things make things look better, while actually making them much, much worse. This country -- as well as most of the world -- is living on I.O.U.s, and they're going to be called in one day. The longer it goes on, the worse the fall will be when it finally arrives. And it will arrive... it has to. You just can't keep running on shooting stars and unicorns forever. Reality pays a visit eventually.

Is silver really a good idea? I always had it in my head that things like that would be pretty worthless in the end. Basic necessities such as food, shelter, etc. would be more valuable.

I think for a very brief time, you will be able to use silver. Then, when it dawns on people how bad things really are, food, cigarettes, coffee, bullets, and alcohol will become money, and silver will be used a lot less. After a while, the economy will finish resetting, though, and people will start accepting silver again.

The actual value of gold and probably silver really has not changed. In the days of the Roman empire, one ounce of gold would pay for housing for one month. Today, one ounce of gold ($1138 at the moment) will pay for modest housing for one month -- a nice apartment or house.

Get all of your money out of the banks. Our accountant warned us years ago about the government taking people's IRA's and/or savings to meet their debt obligations. We thought he was whacked, but not anymore.

My mom removed all her money from her IRA, even paying a penalty, years ago, because of the talk of seizure. Now they're talking about it more than ever. Quietly, but they're talking about it.

Hubs and I were talking about it this morning, and he fears that it will get bloody. The reasons will vary from country to country, but likely most of the western world is going to undergo massive social and political unrest.

Agreed.

I actually backed out of an appt. for free speech therapy for my 4 year old through the school system b/c I started reading the paperwork... they wanted to come in and do a full home assessment and everything. We homeschool as it is, again, I wanted to avoid that radar as long as possible.

You can actually end up on their radar for backing out of free assistance. And for homeschooling. :?

There was talk of something, I think a pacemaker?, that had potential to be hackable... they predicted the first death to happen before the end of 2015.

Yes, I believe it was a pacemaker.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Sorry alforddm - did we totally hijack your post? It's been a great conversation, though, and definitely has me and DH talking more seriously about what we want to do and where we want to go with things!

Any book recommendations? We have a few already, Storey's Basic Country Skills and a couple others I can't remember the names of. All the people with their survivalist type boards on Pinterest might be a little unprepared for lack of internet access... I definitely like my paper books!

I am also trying to find the balance between the minimalist lifestyle I so desire (not that it can totally happen with 4 children) and the nagging thought of needing to be prepared. We had talked at one time about trying to go mobile and live in an RV for a while, but I don't want to give up my yard (aka, potential for edible foods... someday... I hope? I'm getting better each year!) and animals... DH doesn't like being tied to the house for things like that, but it's not like we have a huge amount of opportunities that we are greatly missing out on.

 

[MaggieJ]

Look to the past for ideas. I'm writing a novel set in the 1880s/90s and, through my research and intuition, I am constantly amazed by how little was needed to get by and, indeed, to eat and live well. Lots of hard work but achievable!

We take for granted all the things that the 20th century and the 21st have brought to us, but with the exception of medical advances (and I question a lot of those!) do we really live any better? We are so far removed from the land and the source of our food that it is pathetic and ludicrous. Back to basics, folks, if you want to get through the impending crises.

Society has grown greedy and has an extraordinary sense of entitlement. My current financial situation says I am below the poverty line, but I have never lived so comfortably or happily as now, since I was able to leave city life behind fifteen years ago.

I know I am preaching to the converted for the most part, but just wanted to shove in my two cents (Canadian) worth.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Look to the past for ideas. I'm writing a novel set in the 1880s/90s and, through my research and intuition, I am constantly amazed by how little was needed to get by and, indeed, to eat and live well. Lots of hard work but achievable!

We take for granted all the things that the 20th century and the 21st have brought to us, but with the exception of medical advances (and I question a lot of those!) do we really live any better? We are so far removed from the land and the source of our food that it is pathetic and ludicrous. Back to basics, folks, if you want to get through the impending crises.

Society has grown greedy and has an extraordinary sense of entitlement. My current financial situation says I am below the poverty line, but I have never lived so comfortably or happily as now, since I was able to leave city life behind fifteen years ago.

I know I am preaching to the converted for the most part, but just wanted to shove in my two cents (Canadian) worth.

We actually have talked about how our income has probably made us lazy...

Reading Little House books never ceases to amaze me. I know life was hard, but I almost envy the simplicity of it all. DH and I talk about how we were born in the wrong generation - we have such drastically different ideas and goals compared to so many our age.

Stocking my cart with fruit trees at arborday.org - I planted some a few years ago, but didn't really care for them like I should have (pregnant and trying to dig 15 holes for various trees with other young little ones under foot wasn't the best plan... and didn't get them pruned until after they had grown pretty wonky... just minor differences compared to how is *should* have been done :roll: ). I definitely want fresh fruit! My blueberry bushes are finally getting big enough to produce decent amounts and it gives me great joy to see my little ones go out and just help themselves.

I also need a few more lessons on food preserving - canning, drying, pickling, etc. The one lady that I really wanted to show me the ropes recently passed away . <br /><br /> __________ Thu Aug 20, 2015 4:47 pm __________ <br /><br /> Oh, one of the random "just in case" items I have is a functioning treadle sewing machine...

I hope to have a wood cooking stove in the relatively near future (was thisclose to 3 different ones through family, but weird dynamics got in the way :? ).

 

[Marinea]

Hubby and I also believe changes, not for the good, are more likely than not. What we have done so far: moved to a very rural area to a small manageable place in the mountains, gotten our garden beds up and running, gotten our chickens and rabbits up and running, fruit trees planted and producing, wood stove in, well water in place (along with abundant alternate water sources), debts paid, no mortgage, standardized firearm calibers and plenty of ammo (don't forget to get repair kits for your weapons).

What we still need to do: a couple of major home improvements (in process) to make sure our home will be sound for years to come, improve our medical supplies (make sure you have some decent first aid books), increase our canning supplies (don't forget to get lots of flats), improve our animal food storage, increase our supply of personal hygiene items,, and get a few more how-to books for things that could go wrong.

Hubby has been reading on ongoing blog written by a man who survived the collapse in Bosnia. Some of the things he mentioned were eye-opening. Things like disposable lighters, baby wipes, alcohol, cigarettes and bleach were all HIGHLY sought after and tradeable.

Things you might not have thought of: solar battery chargers, solar powered/hand crank radios, extra gaskets for essentials like a pressure canner or wood stove, hand tools of all kinds, getting up to date on your tetanus shot, fish antibiotics (same as human ones), spare parts for essential tools (a chainsaw chain, spark plugs, etc).

And before you ask, yes, I do think about other stuff

 

[FourRingCircus]

On the personal hygiene note - cloth diapering really opened my eyes up to the options out there! Most Americans are thoroughly grossed out about the idea of family cloth (as in, reusable "toilet paper" and feminine hygiene products), but it can save so much!! Plus I remember being able to LOL about the TP shortage in... Brazil? maybe? People were hoarding it. Our family would be going "eh... we'll do without."

Ugh... reading some of the posts is encouraging, yet so depressing. We have so far to go . I wish we would have ignored nay-sayers when we built our house a few years ago - I am really really hoping that SIL moves back to this area post grad school and is willing to buy, or at least rent our current house so we can maybe build a small log cabin in the woods out back. Our mortgage is our only debt, and for a while I was excited about that, but now, even that is looming large over head (we owe about $90K on it... not horrible in comparison to what it could have been, but ugh ugh ugh). We do have one other house that we own free and clear, but it's not in the best shape (currently being rented). I need to crack down on our budget so I can throw more and more at that blasted mortgage - declare WAR on it! :twisted:

 

[Miss M]

Any book recommendations?

The Encyclopedia of Country Living, by Carla Emery -- everything from using a wood stove, to canning, to making your own tools.

Look to the past for ideas.

THIS! Learning about how things were done before electricity is huge.

just wanted to shove in my two cents (Canadian) worth

What's the exchange rate on that, again? :hmm: :lol:

I know life was hard, but I almost envy the simplicity of it all.

Yes, we call it "simple", but it really was very hard... which is why all these advances were made that got us here. Now our lives are busy and clogged, and many of us want a way back to a slower, "simpler" time. Many people deciding to make that trek have no idea how difficult the life they want actually is. It's a lot of work. But it's uncomplicated in many ways, and you're less dependent on stores and economies and other things that can go wrong. During the Great Depression, it was the family farms that hardly noticed that times were bad. They would have been considered "poor", but they were the ones who didn't have to stand in bread lines. They had food, because they grew it, they canned it, they salted it, they pickled it.

On the personal hygiene note - cloth diapering really opened my eyes up to the options out there! Most Americans are thoroughly grossed out about the idea of family cloth (as in, reusable "toilet paper" and feminine hygiene products), but it can save so much!! Plus I remember being able to LOL about the TP shortage in... Brazil? maybe? People were hoarding it. Our family would be going "eh... we'll do without."

This is something I recently learned about, and have in the plans. People may be grossed out by family cloth and reusable feminine products, but I guess they'll be the ones using cattail fuzz and wiping with leaves.

Let's see... where we are:

We have moved out to the country, onto 2 acres. We'd have liked a bit more, but that was what we could afford. We're still hoping that our neighbor with 6 acres won't actually move until we can buy their place. Anyway, our area has a low population density of 26 people per square mile, and the main industry is timber.

We have a well and some of the best water in the country. It's even naturally soft. Last year, we built a well house and installed a backup hand pump. Five pumps brings up cold water from about 60' down. The electric pump is at 90'. The well house locks. This hand pump is one of the most important things we have invested in. You can't live long, and neither can your livestock, without water. We paid about $1600 for it, installed.

We have meat rabbits and laying hens. We're in the process of weeding the non-layers from our older hens. We have a large shed and a lean-to. The well house, rabbitry, shed, and lean-to are all now electrified. We have an antenna for TV.

We have a hand-cranked grain mill, and have made bread from whole wheat berries using it. We're going back to it, in fact, after a while of non-use, because I had changed to a much less expensive yeast, and was having trouble getting proper rise. Now that we're very used to making our own bread, we should be able to troubleshoot what was going wrong.

We've been learning bit by bit how to can and how to dehydrate. I've started investing in Tattler reusable canning lids, and find they work great. I need to go back to their site and buy the key, as opening them with a butter knife makes me nervous... I don't want to damage the rings!

We have plentiful food storage. We're having to build it back up now, as we depleted it while my husband was out of work. He starts his new job on the 24th!

We have several kerosene lanterns, and will start having blackout nights as soon as we get some kerosene. They're no good if you don't know how to use them!

We have clotheslines and a washboard. I want to get washtubs and maybe a wringer... and maybe a little pressure washing machine.

I need to build a new solar oven. I had mine over 200* without even trying. I had to leave it behind two moves ago.

We need to plant fruit trees and shade trees, and finish our tire garden so we can plant that.

Also still need fish antibiotics (awesome to see that mentioned by Marinea, too), extras of some things like gaskets. We want to get a wood stove, other non-electric appliances... sigh.

 

[Susie570]

Of course I don't know this for sure and there have been doomsayers for as long as there have been people.

But it's like an itch I can't scratch. A little voice in the back of my head that keeps telling me. "You're not ready...You'd better get ready..."

It would be nice if the little voice would tell me what I'm supposed to be preparing for... :x :lol:

Are you a survivor of trauma, particularly a traumatic childhood? A 'feeling of impending doom' is a very common symptom of PTSD, something I've battled most of my life. It's not easily overcome (not sure it can ever be completely overcome), but I find it to be a comfort that it's just my brain freaking out and NOT a true indication that something bad is about to happen.

On the other hand, maybe you're 'psychic'.

 

[alforddm]

Are you a survivor of trauma, particularly a traumatic childhood? A 'feeling of impending doom' is a very common symptom of PTSD, something I've battled most of my life. It's not easily overcome (not sure it can ever be completely overcome), but I find it to be a comfort that it's just my brain freaking out and NOT a true indication that something bad is about to happen.

On the other hand, maybe you're 'psychic'.

No, I've had a pretty sheltered life. No big moments of trauma or grief. The only time previously that I've had a feeling like this was in 2006 when I kept getting the urge to pray urgently for a friend hubby and I had known that we hadn't seen since 2002. I found out last year that the same year I felt the urge to pray for him so often (2006) he had been arrested and was being tried for 1st degree murder. I think sometimes God puts things in our heart.


It's in the last couple of years that I've had this feeling off and on. Just in the last week or so it's become really strong and I can't seem to shake it. Thankfully hubby is all on board.

We live in a rural area with several families that have been here for generations (now that I'm thinking about it it's 3 generations for all of us). So if something did happen we would have community support. Our land here is sandy loam and although it's acidic in general it does seem to grow must things well. We don't have a milk cow but if worse came to worse we could always milk the beef cows.

A couple of things to stock up on that some might not think about

1) soap just good ole bar soap. Ivory is a good choice because it's cheap and will last forever. You can use it for washing cloths, dishes and general cleaning. Plain ol' soap is very antibacterial in it's own right.
2) Sheets This may sound crazy but buy a bunch of good used sheets from the thrift store cheap and save them. You can cut them up and use them for all sorts of things in a emergency. Bandages, TP, Clothing...
3)Pinto beans and rice or corn. Pinto Beans and rice or corn are great survival foods and supply just about everything you need for long term health. Just a on the bland side.

 

[alforddm]

Opps hit the wrong button and got a double post

 

[FourRingCircus]

alforddm - Long ago DH learned to trust those instincts when I have them... rarely have they been wrong (I had the urge to contact a family I used to babysit for, felt like something was wrong... in the midst of a divorce ). There have been times when even just going down the road all of a sudden I'll blurt out "slow down!" - and there's usually a reason. A really really odd feeling, but I guess God talks in many different ways.

Sheets. I just sent a whole bag of sheets to Goodwill in my latest round of purging :roll: . I do have two large bags of old flats (cloth diapers) that are great to have around though!

 

[katiebear]

Are you a survivor of trauma, particularly a traumatic childhood? A 'feeling of impending doom' is a very common symptom of PTSD, something I've battled most of my life. It's not easily overcome (not sure it can ever be completely overcome), but I find it to be a comfort that it's just my brain freaking out and NOT a true indication that something bad is about to happen.

On the other hand, maybe you're 'psychic'.

Well here is that "you are all crazy" post we have been waiting for.... :lol:
Be assured folks we are NOT crazy...When the LORD puts a warning in your heart you are smart to follow it..if you are unsure PRAY more He will reveal what you need, when you need it.Even unbelievers feel that something is wrong, so I will keep on praying and preparing. I have had those "you must pray now!" feelings as well and they were always right.
No one here is advocating freaking out, just calmly and clearly being prepared..The LORD said to "Do all you can to stand, then stand" this is what I think we are feeling.

 

[bikegurl]

I think *something* is going to happen, too. Probably an economic crash followed by a complete breakdown of our way of living. I have always idealized the pioneer way of life a little too much, but that is what we will need to survive if there are no grocery stores, etc.
We live on what is considered the 'bad side' of a large city, and are blessed to have the use of 6 acres of land adjacent to our home. I feel that this is the right place for us to be right now.
Talking about readiness....I like to be prepared both in skills and basic supplies.
Basic supplies, for my family, are grain mill, oat flaker, canning jars (My husband and I were just complaining about the one-use-only lids, so will be looking into those re-usable ones!), LARGE stainless steel pots (good for canning, butchering, and many things) good knives (we need to get) rabbits, chickens, goats (maybe, one day, I hope!!), wood heat stove (we don't have a wood cook stove, but once we can afford it...), lots of extra fabric (sheets from the thrift store), seeds, medicinal plants, fruit trees, herbs, well(I sure hope we can drill one one day). I'm sure I'm missing some....but you get the idea...
Basic skills, sewing, canning, gardening, drying food, economical food prep, butchering, raising livestock, soap making, natural healing(need to learn more), wild edible plant identification and prep(need to learn more), hunting (hard to do when you can't discharge a firearm in a city, but want to learn non-firearm methods), hide tanning. There are lots of books I would like to have that are great for learning these skills. Hopefully the days of doom hold off until our house is ready....it would be nice to get the drywall covering the insulation and the lead-paint-covered, drafty windows replaced first. Also, knowing how to save seeds will be important in order to keep the food supply going.
We have a long way to go before really being ready to live without the infrastructure we are accustomed to having around us, but if the SHTF sooner rather than later, I feel like my family will be providing food for the neighborhood, instead of having to panic and scrounge for food.
Instead of investing in firearms, though, since the thought of buying a gun with the only purpose being to use it on people turns my stomach, I would rather buy padlocks and secure my critters and home. Also, being on good terms with the neighbors means there is extra protection there, too. We'll see when it happens. If the internet stays up...I'll let you know how it goes here.
In one way I'm sort of looking forward to it....if there is lawlessness....we could get goats in the city and not get in trouble!! (right now goats are illegal here)