Get It Together!

I found myself sobbing Tuesday night watching a live feed of the Kansas City gas line explosion/fire that leveled a Plaza restaurant, injured 14, and took one precious life.  Sometimes I feel too many feels, ya know? ...but I like it that way.  It just seemed a little close to home (literally). When I first moved to the city, I lived in a quaint old studio treehouse on the Plaza just a block or so from the wine bar, and I worked in the restaurant industry just a stone's throw from that.

I was headed south from our downtown market when I saw the massive black cloud ominously eating away at what little daylight we had left.  It seemed straight from a horror film, really. Funnily enough, the sole purpose for my trip to the market was to pick up a few winter storm provisions. I've had doomsday prepping (or at least preparedness in general) on my mind since Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast.  All the more reason, I thought, to get my shit together.  With that, I thought I'd share a mashup of a few preps that put my mind at ease. Of course, this is by no means a comprehensive list. Duh.

+ Get your gadgets charged! If not for the ability to light your Kindle Fire for company, you need to be connected if disaster strikes. Speaking of, a good old fashioned stack of books will always fair well... or a ball of yarn and a crochet hook. Anything to keep yourself from going nuts.

+ My dad gave both my P-guy and me headlamps in our stockings this year. They are awesome for middle-of-the-night woods peeing while camping, but super handy just as a flashlight. I mean, anytime I've needed a flashlight, I've need my hands too.  

+ For heaven's sake you guys, bring your pets indoors. When you're stocking up on non-parishables, don't forget your furry friends will need to eat too. 

+ Whether you plan to venture out or not, be sure to have a shovel and boots. I keep this duo in the car in case I'm stranded, along with an extra set of everything- coat, hat, gloves, socks, rations, etc.  Also, fill your gas tank, folks. If you're stuck on the roadways and your car keeps running and running and running... you get it.

+ Water.

+ Warmth. I have a handful of Heat in a Snap pads. They are magical! Actually, more scientific but either way they're great to have around when you can't plug in a heating pad. Blankets, blankets, blankets! I am aware this Pia Wallen blanket has already circum-navigated the web a time or two, but I'm still in love and it seemed fitting for my first aid theme, all bandaged up with beautiful crosses. Seems splurge-worthy to me. If not, the equal parts hideous and heat storing quilt your boyfriend's grandma made will serve just as well, if not better (love you, Cleone!).

+ One last thing, I believe it's a good idea to keep a copy of all important documents in an emergency binder. If the need for evacuation sneaks up, I'd hate to be scrambling for identification, insurance, the list goes on.