72 Hour Kits--Mayday, Mayday!

Alright, food storage junkies...
I need some ideas for 72 hour kits--lists, ideas on how to get started and finish them before, you know, I'm 90. The idea of adding an item a week seems SOOO SLOW to me. I need some serious advice, encouragement, etc. I have very lofty food storage goals, and tackling those and creating 72 hour kits in the event of an emergency is daunting!!
Any comments would be VERY appreciated!!!

Why I am Grateful, #10: Good Jobs

I am grateful that, given the current state of the economy, that our family is blessed to have good jobs with adequate pay and benefits, so we can have a roof over our heads and food on our table, plus the occasional moment of fun now and again. Having grown up in a home where my family's paycheck was determined by individual jobs and wasn't regular, I cherish knowing what we will be bringing in every two weeks.

Why I am Grateful, #9: Food

Today I am grateful for the ability that I have to feed my family, and feed them well at that. I am grateful for the concept of food storage, and the counsel we have been given regarding it. I am grateful that I have the options available to be able to buy inexpensive, good quality food--whether it be from warehouse stores, small businesses, local butchers, farmers' markets, large chain grocery stores--wherever it may be. I am thankful for cooks who share their recipes, for spices that add so much fun and flavor to foods, and for the appliances/utensils we have that help us cook so easily.
And now, my friends, I am officially hungry.

Why I am Grateful, #8: Awesome Friends

I am grateful for my friends. I have some of the best friends in the world. I don't mean to brag...wait, yes I do, because my pals are fantabulous. Here are some of the amazing things that my friends have done for me lately:
-Gave my lovely little daughter a beautiful, barely used crib. Others have basically outfitted most of her wardrobe with the BEST hand-me-downs I have ever seen.
-Invited my family to Trick-or-Treat, knowing our neighborhood is lame and doesn't do it. (We will be changing that next year.)
-Shared loads of bargains with me so I can snag great things for my family for super cheap.
-Treat my children as their own.
-Remember not only my husband's birthday and mine, but my children's as well, and also remember our special days.
-Brought us meals when we had our baby.
-Threw a baby shower for me.
-Keep me from being anti-social by hanging out with me and inviting me to fun activities/places/shindigs.
-Provide a listening ear when I need it.
-Make me laugh on a regular basis, in addition to putting up with my often irreverent and sarcastic sense of humor.
The list could go on and on and on. My friends are talented, generous, loving, forgiving, compassionate, and so much fun. I tend to be a hard person to get to know, and I am so grateful for anyone who loves me, rough edges and all, and especially those who not only love me, but my family as well.

Why I am Grateful, #7: Cleaning Supplies

Nearly every Monday, my wonderful mother-in-law takes my children so I can do some cleaning after a chaotic weekend. Please let it be known that, while I like a clean house, I'm not the most motivated housekeeper, so a clean house comes at a huge sacrifice of energy on my part.
And besides my basement, which is still reeling from the effects of our current Mouse-a-geddon (see previous post from October), my house usually stays clean, even if a bit cluttered. And it wouldn't stay clean were it not for the wonderful modern conveniences we have like dishwashers (even though I curse mine nearly every day because it likes to be fickle, but won't die enough for me to be able to replace it), washers and dryers, cleaning supplies that help ease some of the elbow grease burden off of the user and that take off nasty spills and stains with the greatest of ease, etc. Do you realize how hard it would be for a lazy bum like me to keep my house clean if this was, say, a hundred years ago? It wouldn't happen, and luckily enough, I was born during a time where I don't have to know what that is like. It is hard enough already dealing with stupid things like mice, or the effects of my wonderful kiddos on our poor house, without having the work be any harder than it already is sometimes (and also, I'm grateful I have help so I can get these chores done in relative peace).
So, that is what I am begrudgingly grateful for on Monday, my cleaning day.

Now I Have to Feel Guilty for Really, Really, REALLY Hating Moustaches....

I am *not* a fan of the moustache. Ask my hubby...he has a beard, and I simply hate the feeling of kissing what feels like Brillo pad. And they look kinda cheesy--I mean, my hubby looks OK because it is technically part of a beard, but when it's just stand alone lip hair? I'll pass, thanks. I have loved some men in my family very much who have sported moustaches, but I just don't dig the look. Moustaches just seem creepy and weird to me.
That being said, apparently, I was unaware that this month is Movember.
So, I'll appreciate them for a mere 30 days, because I think it is ridiculously cool that there are men raising awareness for such a good cause/concern, and because it's, well, hilarious.
Until the hubby decides to do it.

Why I am Grateful, #5 and #6: Fall Colors and Yummy Breakfast

I'm grateful for beautiful fall colors, for the fact that I live in an area that is surrounded by green mountains that turn to shades of golds, oranges, and reds that are really only seen in the autumn. Have you ever noticed that? There's just something about the colors of fallen leaves--the colors are so vibrant and are very specific to fall foliage. You can't find those colors in a box of crayons or in a paint can--they are just available to us on tree tops and as a blanket on the ground. Breathtaking.
I'm also grateful today for breakfast. It's my favorite meal, and ironically enough, the meal I usually skip every morning because I'm too busy getting the children fed, dressed, and diapered. This morning, my loving husband made us pancakes, eggs, and maple sausage links, smothered in pecan syrup. Divine. My tummy and I are both very content and very grateful.