PREP "Whatcha buying all that for?"

[lafrteacher]

People are SO nosy! I got paid today, and went into town to buy groceries. We filled up 2 buggies full; people kept asking me why I was buying so many groceries. I just smiled at the first two that asked and said I had a large family and gas was expensive; frowned at/ignored the next 2, and told the last 3 that it was "none of their business".

We live 20 miles out of town, so it saves gas to buy in bulk. I guess I need to start carrying my pistol again, like I did after Katrina, in case someone gets ideas!

(Right after Katrina, 2 teenagers tried to grab my buggy from me outside Wal-Mart, but my pistol changed their minds REAL quick! I don't look like the type of woman who would be carrying.)

 

[Amazed]

Double post. See below.

 

[BigFootsCousin]

I know how you feel.

I've got twenty cases of food coming in the next few days and I'm not looking forward to prying eyes.

BFC

 

[Amazed]

Much different culture down there. Most people here wouldn't say a word even if you had a pink elephant in your cart.

 

[Penguin Zen]

People do not think before they speak!! You did good. We spent 268.00 the last time we stocked up & I had the same thing. I just said apparently you are not from Fla.. What do you mean??? Blank expressioln. I smiled & said hurricane supplies.

 

[Maranatha]

"I've got 10 kids and 5 of them are teenaged boys!!!" That should satisfy the nosy ones!!

MARANATHA

 

[lafrteacher]

I have tried the hurricane supply excuse, and people said, "But there's not one coming right now!" DGI's will never get it until Wal-Mart's doors are locked shut. Even with Katrina, they were pounding on the grocery store doors, looking to buy supplies.

 

[SugarMagnolia]

Try telling them you are taking it to the homeless shelter, or to a church food bank.
That's what I said when stocking obscene amounts of beans and rice, and no one questioned it.

 

[Knell]

I tell them I live -- miles from town and don't get to town except maybe once a month. With the price of gas these days, no one seems to question that.

 

[changed]

C'mon, have some fun and tell them you are preparing for the Apocalypse.

 

[KenGin31]

I tell them my wife cooks for the church.

 

[Milk-maid]

C'mon, have some fun and tell them you are preparing for the Apocalypse.

I love it!!!!

 

[Cruiser]

We shop at a super Wal Mart here in central Florida. We go shopping every two weeks and hit Costco once a month. We rarely get out of either for less than $300 and thats not "stocking" up, just a little bit extra here and there. They got new bigger carts at Wal Mart so it doesn't "seem" like so much except when you notice how tight I can pack it.

 

[lafrteacher]

This wasn't extra stuff; it was exactly two weeks worth of groceries to feed 5 people and two pets; no frills shopping buying cheap brands. I shop with a list and a handful of coupons. Luckily, my 12 year old son is already 5'9" and weighs 170 lbs., and can push the heavier buggy around!

 

[Running Dog]

I was just watching world news on tv. He said June had a month like 1930. Ok, there is now another reason to stock up. If you can. But don't , I repeat, don't go into debt.

 

[Tristan]

Hurricane supplies, or big family gathering, or you foster 23 kids, or "WTF? You don't have a life, you need to poke into mine?" just depending on how you're feeling at the time. The big, scornful stare works, too.

I have tried the hurricane supply excuse, and people said, "But there's not one coming right now!" DGI's will never get it until Wal-Mart's doors are locked shut. Even with Katrina, they were pounding on the grocery store doors, looking to buy supplies.

One of my favorite 'prep/no prep' stories:

Before the 'big one' the blew by our area a two or three years ago, I went to the big box place and got some plywood. Cut plywood to size. As I was alone (only adult around at the time) started way early putting it up.

Neighbours asked why was I doing that? Told them there was a 'caine coming and could hit our area - they were flabbergasted. They ran home, checked the news, and told me 'but it's at least five days away!'

So, I'm short about 1 sheet plywood; couple days later go back, and the store is empty of plywood - except one piece. I think I got the last piece of plywood in the area.

Neighbors who were chuckling at me two days before, are now worried about their homes. One said he was sorry he didn't go for plywood when he saw me putting it up...

Next day, driving through big box place - a near riot (multiple customers/raging DGI's) are screaming at the manager outside about how they (the big box store) are supposed to have plywood! It's all they're fault, I guess...

Hurricane turns next day, 12 hours from Tampa Bay, and avoids us.

Two weeks later, plywood all over the place, out for the garbage pickup.

 

[IndyGirl]

My favorite response to NOSEY PEOPLE is: I am donating to the local food pantries, and homeless shelters.
I just don't understand why *ANYONE* thinks it is there damned buisness? Why should *I* have to give them an answer? Well I don't have too, but I figure if I give them some sort of answer then less of a chance that they will pay to much attention to me.

 

[Glowy SC]

Something I always wondered about; can you reuse the plywood or do you have to have new each time.

 

[dissimulo]

C'mon, have some fun and tell them you are preparing for the Apocalypse.

That's what I do. I tell them the world is ending next month as earnestly as I can.

Unless of course, they make the mistake of asking what I am getting in the mail. In that case, the answer is, "Porn. Lots of porn. Downloading on the Internet is just too damned slow."

 

[Milk-maid]

There was 8 kids in my family, so my mom and dad shopped like that every Friday after payday; 2 carts full.

 

[duchess47]

I used to get asked that alot - I replied I hate to shop so I buy for a month at a time when possible. Now if anyone comments in the checkout line, the cashier says - she hates to shop so she stocks up

 

[lafrteacher]

Something I always wondered about; can you reuse the plywood or do you have to have new each time.

You can re-use if it's still in decent shape; we number ours and have an arrow for up, so there's no guess work when putting them over the windows, especially if in a hurry. Pre-drilled holes and good wood screws are a bonus, too.

My dream prep for our windows are storm shutters; expensive, but convenient. Maybe someday....

 

[Rucus Sunday]

C'mon, have some fun and tell them you are preparing for the Apocalypse.

Absolutely. Dudette, relax and have some fun. Think of totally stupid answers and laugh at the responses. Or answer them in French?

 

[BaywaterRoss]

People are SO nosy! I got paid today, and went into town to buy groceries. We filled up 2 buggies full; people kept asking me why I was buying so many groceries. I just smiled at the first two that asked and said I had a large family and gas was expensive; frowned at/ignored the next 2, and told the last 3 that it was "none of their business".

We live 20 miles out of town, so it saves gas to buy in bulk. I guess I need to start carrying my pistol again, like I did after Katrina, in case someone gets ideas!

(Right after Katrina, 2 teenagers tried to grab my buggy from me outside Wal-Mart, but my pistol changed their minds REAL quick! I don't look like the type of woman who would be carrying.)

Just lightly grab your own throat with one hand, then make a slicing motion and indicate that you can't talk. They just walk away after that.

Works for me!

-Ross

 

[mzkitty]

Easiest answer: "I'm a shop-a-holic. I'm in therapy for it."



They won't know what to make of that.

 

[CnMO]

that was a good one MzKitty.

 

[changed]

Tell them you are in the CIA and can't discuss it and then walk away.

Or wait, Tell them you are with FEMA or Homeland Security.



Then look back to see if they are stocking up also.

 

[Christian for Israel]

gee, no one asks me anymore since i now open carry...

 

[islandgirl]

Something I always wondered about; can you reuse the plywood or do you have to have new each time.

We've reused our plywood numerous times! At some point, I started writing the hurricane names/year on some of the pieces ... just for fun?!!!. whatever

It makes me extremely nervous to see dh go up a ladder carrying a piece of plywood to nail to upper level window - I just have to stand there and pray protection over him ... whew!

It would be great to have hurricane shutters/coverings... at least on the upper level windows! maybe, one day!

The story about putting up plywood early and neighbors ridiculing ... reminds me of Noah building the ark!
Discarding the plywood afterwards .... like there is only 1 hurricane per season?!!! Our throw-away society .... not for long!

 

[American Rage]

Two weeks later, plywood all over the place, out for the garbage pickup.

Why don't people put it in storage for the next hurricane? Saves time, money, and the work of recutting them for size.


Rage

 

[kayakranger]

C'mon, have some fun and tell them you are preparing for the Apocalypse.

That's great!

Last week I replied to a lady in WM...

"Given current events and the economy...you're NOT????"

Just got a "deer in headlights" stare. Not sure if they actually started stocking up though.

 

[lafrteacher]

Why don't people put it in storage for the next hurricane? Saves time, money, and the work of recutting them for size.
Rage

Because people don't want to bother. It is a hassle to be careful when taking off the wood in one piece, laying it out in the sun to dry, and then finding a safe spot to store it. Again, numbering the pieces, and marking which end is up helps the next time you have to use them. Wrapping them in plastic also helps, and the plastic can be used for hurricane prep, too. Waste not, want not.

 

[Txkstew]

Say to them, "You haven't heard?" You need to go right home, and turn on CNN!

 

[Terriannie]

This wasn't extra stuff; it was exactly two weeks worth of groceries to feed 5 people and two pets; no frills shopping buying cheap brands. I shop with a list and a handful of coupons. Luckily, my 12 year old son is already 5'9" and weighs 170 lbs., and can push the heavier buggy around!

Already 12 years old 5'9", 170 lbs. and STILL growing?????

Lafrteacher you don't need a "come-back" answer. Just smile, open your wallet to show a picture of your "young one" with his age. That'll shut em up!!

 

[Dennis Olson]

people kept asking me why I was buying so many groceries.

I'm sorry; do I know you?



As to reusing plywood - if I lived in hurricane country, I'd buy the best Marine-grade plywood I could get. I'd install some kind of permanent fastening devices to my windows, and drill the plywood appropriately. I'd then paint the plywood with Marine-grade paint (at least 2-3 coats) and number the sheets, with a map as to which numbered panels go for which windows. Then after a hurricane was past, I'd take the sheets down and allow them to dry properly, and place them in storage. If you do that right, you can have plywood covers that will last as long as your home.

But I'm just a preppin' fool...

 

[American Rage]

people kept asking me why I was buying so many groceries.

I'm sorry; do I know you?



As to reusing plywood - if I lived in hurricane country, I'd buy the best Marine-grade plywood I could get. I'd install some kind of permanent fastening devices to my windows, and drill the plywood appropriately. I'd then paint the plywood with Marine-grade paint (at least 2-3 coats) and number the sheets, with a map as to which numbered panels go for which windows. Then after a hurricane was past, I'd take the sheets down and allow them to dry properly, and place them in storage. If you do that right, you can have plywood covers that will last as long as your home.

But I'm just a preppin' fool...

Exactly the way it should be done in my book!


Rage

 

[BaywaterRoss]

people kept asking me why I was buying so many groceries.

I'm sorry; do I know you?



As to reusing plywood - if I lived in hurricane country, I'd buy the best Marine-grade plywood I could get. I'd install some kind of permanent fastening devices to my windows, and drill the plywood appropriately. I'd then paint the plywood with Marine-grade paint (at least 2-3 coats) and number the sheets, with a map as to which numbered panels go for which windows. Then after a hurricane was past, I'd take the sheets down and allow them to dry properly, and place them in storage. If you do that right, you can have plywood covers that will last as long as your home.

But I'm just a preppin' fool...

Yep, that's the way to do it for sure. I know people that have had plywood for years and have reused it many times.

-Ross

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

We had a 6 foot wooden fence surrounding our suburban New Orleans back yard.

When a 'cane comes, wooden fences get knocked down if you do not knock out every third board.

So my dad would "kill two birds with one stone," so to speak.

He'd rustle me and my brother up and we'd go knock down every third board from the fence.

Then we'd nail the fence boards up over the windows.

After the threat was over, we'd go back out, take the fence boards down, and nail them back along the fence line that they came off of.

It worked, and didn't cost us any extra money to buy plywood. Just some extra labor.

 

[Yarnball]

It's funny how different folks react to things, isn't it? Some of y'all seem to feel somewhat hostile toward people expressing amazement at your baskets full! Since most folks seem to only plan for the next day, why wouldn't they ask?

I've not ever felt like someone intruded into my private life by asking why I have so many groceries or whatever. I always give an answer that might encourage them to do their own prepping.

yarnball

 

[Dennis Olson]

No one whom I don't know has the right to ask personal questions of me. I consider that action RUDE in the extreme. While I wouldn't necessarily show overt hostility, neither would I answer them. MY LIFE is no one else's business. Perhaps it's different in the South...?