This month I decided to get started on LTS. I've had a BOB at home and in each vehicle for years, but no solid storage plan. An icestorm that knocked out power for half a day reinforced my decision.

- Got "Making the Best of Basics" by James T. Stevens and began to inventory the little we have on hand. Began to buy extras of selected items on the grocery list, a few each trip depending upon the sale prices.

- Bought a 90-day supply of dehydrated food from Rainy Day Foods as a starting point.

- Asked for (and got) a bread machine for x-mas. A grain mill is next on the list.

- Updated the meds/perishables in the home BOB and made a list of wants/needs to improve it.

- Planning a winter backpacking trip for January. Fun, and useful practice at the same time.

- Ordered a survival necklace from Ranger Rick. How many personal kits are too many? :-]

Future plans: 1) join a local farm co-op next growing season and dehydrate the extras from each week's delivery, 2) get more firewood, 3) build a database of LTS that will help me rotate and keep things fresh, 4) locate and purchase our weekend/bug-out/retirement land farther out in the mountains.