PREPS PART 31: PAMPERING YOURSELF AFTER TSHTF

OK, it happened. Life has been incredibly hard.....staying fed, hydrated, warm and safe has made life a living hell for months. Your wife is in tears, your kids are cranky and you have blisters the size of Montana.

There has to be some time for pampering, relaxation, enjoyment and joy. How will you pamper the ones you love, and yourself? What special preps have you put aside for quiet times? For joyous times? For a celebration?

Do you have a stash of chocolate? Wine? Hooch? Are there a few birthday candles in your preps? Is ther some massage oil or a tiny vial of perfume? Some balloons and crayons for children?

What have you put aside, or how do you plan to pamper your loved ones in hard times?

Maybe there needs to be a rudimentary resort-spa kind of thing. You could call it a TSHTF Club.

I suppose 'community' hot baths are an option, in which with adequate privacy a few people boil water for someone's bath while another discreetly waves them with palm fronds and another does a foot massage at the end of the metal tub. You'd probably have candles on hand, which would only add to the mystique.

I have bublle bath put away, and bathe oil, just for those days that seem to never end, and to help relax you. also a good supply of choclate, for treats, and cocoa for a special cake or hot coco, to sip at night. also lots of herb teas.
and paints, I enjoy painting.
and things to sew, like quilts.
tons of books, and always looking for more.
I try to can enough fruit, so ai can make one pie a week. I think that will help to make a ho hum meal brighter.

normalcy is the greatest comfort

I have cocoa stocked too..

In a SHTF scenario, the greatest comfort is found in engaging in things that prior were normal. Just having the chatter of a battery or solar powered radio is an immense comfort, as it restores the environment of electronic noise that we are so acclimated to right now. Keeping kids on their prior schedule is a comfort to them, including bed times and study/school-type scheduled activities. Daily activities like meals and hygiene take more effort and may be limited due to resources, but performing them on the prior schedule as able is a major comfort in and of itself. No little invented pampering that you didn't do regularly before TSHTF can touch the feeling of comfort yielded by your ability to generate as able the prior atmospheres of normalcy...the psychological impact short circuits shock and panic.

Maybe keep a journal or a jar full of papers to draw out one at a time, with "rainy day" ideas- those things you always wish you had time to do but always seem to put off-- things like-
practice drawing
bake cookies
read a certain novel
play a musical instrument
play a board game or cards
give self manicure
clean the linen closet
pray
write a letter
write a book
write poetry
scrapbook
knit a scarf
sing songs
do yard work
make christmas cards...

etc.

Seems like when TSHTF- an element of shock takes over, and it is often hard to come up with these ideas during that time. Something set ahead of time will help ease the stress and keep you more productive during that time. A plan of attack for layoffs might be helpful too.

I went and spend extra on the premium freeze dried foods.

Having been a summer fire fighter, I saw lots of people get really unhappy with MREs (meals rejected by Ethopians, sorry bad joke from the fire fighting group; but it gets the point across.)

I can always purchase bulk carbohydrate food (rice or dehydrated potatoes) to
cut the good food with as a measure of extension. Point is I have good food to
cut....

Premium food may seem like a uncessary luxury to some, but if it avoids numerous
fights, I consider it worth the cost.

Could I have purchased 8 times the amount of food I have in order to have a bigger supply?

Absolutely, Yes. BUT, the space allocation is the same in my house (and set by my wife!)

bv

We have board games but I think a bunch of books we have never read would be a good thing to stock up on. Yard sales are a good source for those on the cheap. Extra sugar and white flour for treats, cocoa for brownies, love the bubble bath idea.

Comfort foods and entertainment, PLENTY of writing supplies if you plan on writing that book. I wish I owned an old fashioned type writer and extra ribbons but sadly, those have become collectors items and are really pricey now. I like the idea of scrapbooking supplies as well.

I have a antique steamer trunk full of special soaps, bubble baths, lotions, candles, essential oils, and herb teas to open when things get hard. Indulging in these goodies from the health food stores will help.

Cards and board games, books and instruments, school supplies and extra stacks of coloring books and crayons will help chase away the nothing to do blues.

Hearing what is going on with shortwave radio will be interesting to do. And I put away the 8 volume set of Shaff's History of the Church that I have been wanting to read and never have the time.

Sealed in jars:

Gum, sweet- tarts, jaw breakers, etc. for the grand-darlings
Those "airy" peppermint sticks for DH

and for me --- Jelly Bellys!!

Lots of craft supplies. Always wanted to learn basket-weaving, so I have books and supplies for that. If macrame makes a come-back, I'm ready. Can't bring myself to toss the old World Book Encyclopedia. Hey, I like reading history. Paints, crayons and glue sticks have nearly taken over. Beads out the wazoo. Now that I think of it, that tote of old hair rollers are "pamper-me-stuff".

Most important is still the Jelly Bellysl

I have books - both favorites and books I haven't read - several little clip-on book lights, popcorn and teabags. If life is really good there will be fresh milk for the tea.

I also have my spinning wheel, lots of wool and knitting needles, tri-loom and crochet hooks and I KNOW how to use all of them!

spinner

Spinner, I met a woman yesterday at the farmers market who spins and gives lessons. I think I am in love with spinning. Also, I want ot start hooking rugs. Have you done this? If so, do you hand hook or speed hook?

I would love to have a supply of colored yarns, hooks and linen available to make rugs . Also, plenty of knitting yarn and needles...I have been printing tons of useful patterns off the internet for knit and crochet to have available. I learned how to make socks the other day.....they are ugly but really warm for a winters nite.

Hi LilRose,

Ah, if you think you might be in love with spinning take the lessons!! You are probably a virgin spinning/fiber addict!

No, I haven't hooked rugs. I have played with locker hooking a little and I want to get into that more. Have you looked at this site:

http://www.netw.com/~rafter4/

If you haven't, do take the tour and browse the entire site, it is great!

I just finished spinning some yarn for heavy weight boot socks, it is a combination of gray and white - kind of an oatmeal color. Now I am not sure I am going to make socks from it, I might spin some more and make a vest or shawl or ?? Did you make 2 needle or 4 needle socks? Handknit socks really are a pamper item.

Yes, the internet is a fabulous resource for knitting and crochet patterns. I have binders full of patterns that I have been printing for several years. I was looking through the Lion Brand yarn site last night and they have some nice patterns. I love to make shawls, they are so versatile, you can cover up with one while you knit (hook a rug, etc), use it as a small blanket, wrap a baby in it, wad it up for a pillow, cover head and neck with it like a scarf, or (imagine that) use it as a shawl. I made one that is light enough to stuff in a BOB and it folds up really small, but is quite warm and cuddly.

spinner

I've been looking at those boot sock patterns with nice thick bulky wool.
Are they hard to make?
I'm not a real experienced knitter, but have done the scarf, hat thing and started a sweater.

spinner said:

Hi LilRose,

Ah, if you think you might be in love with spinning take the lessons!! You are probably a virgin spinning/fiber addict!

No, I haven't hooked rugs. I have played with locker hooking a little and I want to get into that more. Have you looked at this site:

http://www.netw.com/~rafter4/

If you haven't, do take the tour and browse the entire site, it is great!

I just finished spinning some yarn for heavy weight boot socks, it is a combination of gray and white - kind of an oatmeal color. Now I am not sure I am going to make socks from it, I might spin some more and make a vest or shawl or ?? Did you make 2 needle or 4 needle socks? Handknit socks really are a pamper item.

Yes, the internet is a fabulous resource for knitting and crochet patterns. I have binders full of patterns that I have been printing for several years. I was looking through the Lion Brand yarn site last night and they have some nice patterns. I love to make shawls, they are so versatile, you can cover up with one while you knit (hook a rug, etc), use it as a small blanket, wrap a baby in it, wad it up for a pillow, cover head and neck with it like a scarf, or (imagine that) use it as a shawl. I made one that is light enough to stuff in a BOB and it folds up really small, but is quite warm and cuddly.

spinner

Click to expand...

I am a novice knitter but a demon crocheter...I crocheted the socks in a day. The knitted socks are daintier of course. Maybe baby yarn would make them less bulky? I am going to take knitting lessons as well as spinning lessons from the same woman. I can knit, perl and decrease/increase etc but still don't have the gauge thing right. Which is vital of course. I am not sure how far I will get though as my left arm and hand are going numb...which means I need a carpal tunnel repair...had the right one done last year. GRRRRRR.

Vere My Sone,

No, the socks are not hard to make, but turning the heel sounds impossible the first time or two. It is a breeze once you see how it works. I prefer making socks on 4 needles, I don't want a seam in my socks. Have you knitted in the round on 4 needles or on a circular? It isn't hard, just a lot of hype about it. There are a lot of good patterns and I think there are good instructional sites for sock knitting on the internet. If you want, I can look up some pattern sites and post them. You can make tube socks if you don't want to turn the heel, but I like heels and I rather like knitting them. I will be happy to help you with any knit along instruction you need, if you want.

LilRose, I know what you mean with the numbness in the arms, I have it too. Avoiding the surgery though. Baby yarn probably wouldn't hold up well for socks, but you can buy sock yarn in all kinds and colors. Yeah! Terrific that you are going to take the lessons, I will be waiting to hear how you like it! I am a very skilled crocheter, too. I don't do it so much any more, though. I suddenly decided that I preferred knitting and there has been no going back. Sometimes I just want to crochet and take off on a project, each one has their advantages.

spinner

I have games, plenty of cards and craft stuff, plus i put aside comfort foods, brownies, cake mixes and sugars...brown, powdered and white, so i can do anything...you need something nice to make hell tollerable

Brandy and cigars.....

LilRose said:

I am a novice knitter but a demon crocheter...I crocheted the socks in a day. The knitted socks are daintier of course. Maybe baby yarn would make them less bulky? I am going to take knitting lessons as well as spinning lessons from the same woman. I can knit, perl and decrease/increase etc but still don't have the gauge thing right. Which is vital of course. I am not sure how far I will get though as my left arm and hand are going numb...which means I need a carpal tunnel repair...had the right one done last year. GRRRRRR.

Click to expand...

Lilrose, have you tried using B6 for the Carpel tunnel? Worked for my bro-in-law.
You have to take large amounts of it, but it beats surgery.

Brew beer and drink it.

How depressing!

It sound like many of you are planning to pull out "fun / Pamer me " stuff if it gets cruddy.

I plan on staying in my house for as long as possible if tshtf, so I stock my house to be the fun pampering place I would want to stay.

Load of books ( Hubby called a halt to buying until I could prove I had read 10% of them) Crayons, coloring books, toys, yarn to finally crochet that really big project ( a Rug that I work on a little at a time)

probably to much bubble bath lotion massage oil ect But I have a scent selection every day.

Many flavors of herbal tea. ( these are very good as a treat when the kids make it feel like tshtf lol)

I use my whole house as a storage bin for special stuff to make yucky times feel better.

The only time I have " HAD " to use all the prep stuff is when DH was sick and couldn't work for 3 months. we have made adjustments since then and update regulary.

RWH

Plenty of "classic" books to read (Hey, what good is a library of books that you've already read?), good DVDs like Gone With The Wind, Casablanca, the collectors edition of the Lord of The Rings series, etc., and a generator and fuel to watch them.

For more routine pleasure, I've stockpiled a bunch of razor blades, shaving soap (I use a mug and brush), and some Old Spice aftershave. I've got lots of soap and shampoo stockpiled, and a solar shower. I learned after last year's hurricanes that when you're hot, sweaty, and filthy from working outside and there's no power for A/C, nothing makes you feel like a human again like getting cleaned up. That's one of life's simple pleasures for me.

Hot water bottles!

Yes, chocolate chips, too.

Perennial garden plants: pre-tv, the garden was considered a primo place to relax, entertain, and recreate, both for beauty, for craft supplies (herbs), medicines, and of course foods.

Blank diaries are a good way to record and reflect.

Change your lifestyle now so that those "hard times" you are envisioning involve little or no work or efforts out of the ordinary. Learn to do those crafts *now* so that you aren't frustrated *later* when trying to decipher that poorly-worded step in the instructions that makes all the difference. Turn off the tv/radio more now so that you don;t miss the "electronic chatter" when/if it goes away.

Don't prep to outlast "the troubles," prep to *not notice* "the troubles"!

I echo what.. theoutlands said.

If, tshtf and involves lose of power, realize what your day would be like without power, doing everyday necessities would leave little time for some of the luxuries mentioned. How many gallons of water would you tote (and from where) for that bubble bath, after a day of trying to make meals and keeping up reasonable cleaniness without fresh water from a tap?

Stephen,

Good for you on the solar shower. Most of the old time TBers had that # one luxury item on their list. I have it.

My #! luxury item, prepped for all scenerios, with knowledge and the items to survive it and a 30 day wind up clock.

Then, if I had the time to "pamper", I already have the books (which I'd probably be too tired to read) paints(for painting my "old World Santas...and anything that doesn't move, including rocks , craft items, but which my creative ideas might go down the tube in a shtf situation and with daily living situations I probably wouldn't have the time or inclination to do any of them.

Any day to day living would involve cooperation from "all" family members to just make a daily existance.

The gardens....if you have enough "supplies" to ensure bug free, watered areas, without having to tote in water and the necessary ingrediants to protect and/or nourish the soil.

We have gone over the dif. scenerios in the past. But, take a few minutes tomorrow and just imagine a disruption in the supply process....be it from a health (flu), war (bombs, terrorists), economic, ....etc.

Anything you use on a normal daily basis...take a look at where it comes from. When you first get up in the morning, all your basic items, everything you pick up to use, be it for personal care or nutrition, check on where it's made and if you would like to be able to use it during a shtf situation, do you have enough? and for how long???

Think about it, would that chocolate bar help if you got a big gash in your leg because you were trying to move something and it fell on your leg (and if it broke your leg to say nothing about a gash?) What would you do? Do you have the necessay items to fix or mobilize the leg?

BV141

premium freeze dried foods, excellent......that might help to give "luxury time"
Got that, too

Have a "prep" hardcopy notebooks, to cover all situations. That is a true "luxury" item. It's peace of mind.

I have small bottles of essential oils tucked in, such as Rose Geranium, Lavendar, Orange, Lemon and boxes of Epsom salts. Mix the Epsom salts, which are magnesium sulfate salts with which sulfer springs are filled, with a few drops of the essential oil for a fragrant bath.

Mix a few drops of the Orange or Lemon oil in with the dishwater, too, for a sense of freshness in the air. I also have many cakes of floral soaps stashed away in the knicker tin (for you boys, that's the women's dainties tin). That serves dual purpose--keeps the knickers etc, freshly-scented and also safely stores the soaps.

Downy dryer sheets come in handy, too, for storing in the towels, linens and sleeping bags.

I'm a great one for the sensual pleasures that can be found quite inexpensively, yet elegantly, and even when TSHTF, I plan to indulge myself in some of those pleasures. I will NOT trudge up hill and dale reeking of deer musk and old antlers, by God. I WILL be clothed in the freshness of nature, I say!!

Maureen