Other Kinds of Preparedness

We often focus too much on the very temporal kinds of preparedness. Finances, Food Storage, and Emergency Prep are the focus of so many classes and discussions.

But I strongly believe that they are secondary to other kinds of preparedness. Particularly Spiritual, Emotional, and Social. I like to think of those as muscles we can strengthen. When our bonds with the Lord, our internal struggles, and our connections with others are weak, we have a hard time handling trials. But with the full strength of the Lord, our own solid beliefs in ourselves, and wonderful friends for support, we can handle anything that life sends our way.

What can we do to strengthen those muscles?

We all know how to become closer to the Lord. Pray, study his words, attend the temple, etc. It's so simple that we sometimes forget that without work, even a strong muscle will weaken.

Our emotional strength is more individual. Some of us simply need some quiet introspection to see what amazing women they are. Some need the listening ear of a friend or the Lord. Some need the help of our wonderful relief society president, or even the bishop. And some may need to speak with their doctor about getting help. No matter what, do what you need to do. Every one of you is an amazing and powerful woman and should feel like it!

Building social strength is going to push most of us out of our comfort zones. But just at the beginning. If you are feeling alone, pick up the phone! I guarantee there are others wishing they had someone to talk to at that very moment. Make effort to reach out, and I promise that others will start reaching back. Friendships don't start, or continue, without effort. But once you've formed that bond, it won't feel like work at all.

And just in case you were thinking you needed to do all of this on your own, I'd like to point out a blog post that asks the question: "Are we trying to be too self-reliant?" (Click the underlined section to go to the post.) These muscles mentioned above a resources that we SHOULD draw on in times of need.

Something to ponder today.

Stock up on price matching

Here is a couple of can't pass up deals! You can have this price matched at walmart.
Eckrich sausage 48oz at HEB is $4.99
Use manufactured coupon .55 off = $4.44
@ Walmart it is $7.47 price match it folks

Use coupons to save big @ Walmart
Kraft salad dressing $1.58 variety flavors -$1.50 coupon = .08
A1 sauce $2.08 - $2.00 coupon = .08
Bic Soliei Shavers $4.64 - $3.00 coupon = $1.64 for us ladies
Pert for Men 3 in 1 shampoo $2.32 - $1.50 coupon = $.82
Edge Shave Gel $2.00 or trial size for $1.47 - $1.00 coupon or $.75 coupon = $1.00 or $0.72
Bistro Pasta (ready meal) Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine $1.98- $1.00 coupon = $0.98 Great for hubbies to take for lunch
Kraft Deluxe Shells and Cheese or Velveeta Shells and cheese $1.50- $1.00 coupon = $0.50
Total bill $5.10 after coupons, even if you add cost of the purchased coupons = $6.06
Before coupons it would have been $16.10 big difference

These are some of the things that I purchased today. I ordered the coupons to save $$$. I saved $10 in the above purchases. I spent $.96 to have these coupons sent to me. You can really save. No buying the paper and you just order what you normally buy anyway. No hassles with any store because they are the newspaper clipped coupons.

Anybody interested I wouldn't mind teaching you how easy it really is, just let me know by emailing me at jemimabian@aol.com be sure to include the possible time frame you were thinking.

Holly

Potluck Food Storage Style

The Provident Living Committee will be hosting an event Saturday, June 13th at 6pm to 8pm in the gym at our church. Sign up to bring a dish using your food storage. This can include dry, bulk or staple items. Submit your recipe with at least one ingredient from your food storage to jemimabian@aol.com so I may distribute copies for all that attend preferably by June 12th . Otherwise they will be posted to the blog.
A short summary of all the "Cooking with Food Storage Classes" with the best of the best recipes from the classes will be provided along with the recipes of brought dishes.
This is a whole family event to come out and try new recipes and practice what you learned from the food storage classes.
Hope to see you there!

Summer Heat

I would like to extend my invitation for looking at any air conditioning problems that anyone may have. Before you call an air conditioning company let me look at the problem and I could give you an idea on how much it will cost you. I offer this service for free.

Holly

Food Storage Class

Food Storage Topic tomorrow is beans! I will review the previous information and add some new recipes. I will be looking forward to seeing some faces.

Grocery Highlights 5/7-5/12

RANDALLS

FREE Strawberries Be Sure to check this weeks Randalls e-coupons HERE - there are two coupons for strawberries $1 off 2-4 lbs and a FREE pound of Strawberries with club card and minimum $10 purchase it's not on the first page so scroll until you see it. Valid through 5/31/09. You can print 2 of these.

Texas Sweet 1015 Onions - $.49/lb
Boneless Pork Loin - $1.99/lb
18ct Large Eggs - $1.49 (Limit 1 with in-ad coupon)
Duncan Hines Cake and Brownie Mix - $1.95 (B2G3!)-Use $.35/1 DH Brownies coupon (RP 2/1)Pasta Roni - 10/$10-Use $1/4 Pasta Roni coupon (RP 3/8)Final Price = $3 for 4

Buy 5 Save $5
Juice Promotion $5 will be deducted at the register when you buy any five participating items mix and match.
Participating brands include Ocean Spray, Capri Sun, Capri Sun Roarin' Waters, Mott's, Langers, V8, V8 V-Fusion, Izze, Crystal Light, Propel and Gatorade Powder Drink Mix. The ad prices and these coupon match up prices reflect the after discount price which $1 per item off of the club card shelf price:

Capri Sun Sunrise $1.49 use $1 off from 4/19 Smart Source = .49 cents
V8 $1.99 use $1 off HERE = .99 cents
V8 Fusion $2.49 use $1 off HERE or from 4/19 Smart Source= $1.49
Ocean Spray - $1.99 -Use $.55/1 Ocean Spray (RP 4/19)

HEB

Strawberries $1.47/lb
Hormel Bacon 2/$4
Fresh boneless skinless chicken breast Hill Country Fare $1.99/lb

Target

Target Brand Sponges - $.99-Use $.75/1 Target Coupon HEREFinal Price = $.24
Target Brand Antibacterial Soap - $.99-Use $.75/1 Target Coupon HEREFinal Price = $.24
Eggo Waffles - $1.66-Use $.75/1 Eggo coupon (SS 4/5)Final Price = $.92
Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs - $1.94-Use $1/1 Target coupon HEREFinal Price = $.94
Kashi Waffles - $1.99-Use $1.50 Kashi coupon HEREFinal Price = $.49
Apples (Select Varieties) - $.99/lb-Use $1/1 Target coupon HEREFinal Price = FREE (if you buy only 1lb)
Chex mix .99 cent bags near the register use $1 off Target coupon HERE = FREE
Hershey Bliss Bars .99 cents use the Target Coupon HERE = FREE

Bithell Farm Berry Order

Hello Sisters,I am the group representative person for the Bithell Farms berry order this year. Bithell Farms in Oregon trucks frozen berries and jams down to Texas at the end of each summer. The berries are wonderful to have year round and my family loves their strawberry freezer jam. Just make sure you have the freezer space for all the berries you order! If you don’t have a lot of freezer space but you want to have a variety of berries consider splitting an order with a friend. Attached is the order form and berry information. All orders are due June 10th by 5 p.m. Orders can be mailed or dropped off directly to my home. Please do not e-mail me the order form with the credit card number attached! We will receive a small discount per case of berries/pack of jam. We get a $3 discount on each fruit or case of jam and a $2 discount on each jam gift pack. Discount price is reflected on the order form, but not on the info brochure. Make all payments payable to Bithell Farms.Bithell Farms will contact me one to two weeks before the scheduled delivery day (end of August or early September). I will let you know as soon as I find out. When the truck delivers he is only at the delivery site for a few minutes to unload the orders of those waiting. The truck does not wait for anyone that is not there and I will not be responsible for anyone else’s order! If sisters ordering will be out of town they need to make arrangements for a friend to pick it up for them. (Berries arrive frozen.)Please pass this on to anyone else that may be interested. You’re welcome to call or e-mail me with questions!Thank you! Wendy Wells275-6173709 Leann LaneCedar Park 78613