The Skinny on Poop...

Today's topic will be Poop...  And urine.  What do we do with it, when we can't flush it?

First, I'll say that I hope you're saving up on TP.  We aren't, because I'd like to use cloth wipes for that.  Reusable, so they save money and space.  However, I'll be the one who has to face the daunting task of washing them.  Ew.  But if it hits the fan, I'll have all we need without having to worry about running out.

Moving on to where to go, and what to do with the by product when you've gone.

My family and I went camping, not long ago.  We took with us TP, and plenty of plastic shopping bags.  We lined a large old crock pot (something we'd never use for food again) with three layers of bags, placed a layer of new paper inside the bags, and that's where we went potty.  Now, we had a trash can near by to put our waste, and it would be picked up at the end of the week.  In a SHTF situation, it's not going to be that easy.

I suggest you invest in a shovel or two, and bury that poop.  If you line the bags with enough paper/dirt, you should also be able to go number one, without making too big of a mess.

Of course, you could always invest in one of those fold up port-a-pottys, chemicals included...  But a deep enough hole will be a better idea, since those chemicals will eventually run out.  You don't even need bags, if you've got a large enough bucket, and empty it two or three times daily (and clean it out, because you don't want it to stink any more than it has to).

I suggest not setting the bucket up anywhere near the general living area, or food prep area.

Once you go, you'll want to wash your hands.  Coconut oil is a great disinfectant, and can be used for cooking (at low temps).  You could also mix it with a little salt and have a good scrubby disinfectant.  I prefer soap and water, or hand sanitizer, but these things can run out, so I thought I'd offer an alternative for if/when that happens.

Along with this article, I'd also like to caution everyone:  Be sure to get clean (bathe) on a regular basis.  I know water may be scarce.  However, if we don't bathe a few times a week, at least, our clothing will eventually cause abrasions, which will cause infections.  In a SHTF situation, we'll be short on medical solutions (eventually).  It's way too important to keep yourself and your eating surfaces clean, so as to stave off infections.  If you get sick, you will not be the only one to suffer from it.  Others will have to care for you, and they may get sick, as well.

So, lets review:  Poop in a bag/bucket and bury it.  Stay clean.  Keep your eating surfaces clean.

Next time:  Entertainment for the kiddies.

And now, our moment of video joy--

Private Snafu

Over and Out,

V.

You Never Miss A Real Good Thing...

Hello Readers!
I'd like to touch on the beginning of every day, and how we can keep it much the same if/when the world falls down around our ears...

When you wake up in the morning, your feet hit the floor and you make your bed and head to the shower.  You dry off, dress, and head to the kitchen for breakfast...  what if running water were a thing of the past, your bed were a sleeping bag, and your kitchen were reduced to a large pot hanging over a fire?  This is just the first two hours of your day!
Here's the deal, in a SHTF situation, you can still get a shower, dress in cothing that makes you feel normal, and make a hot, filling, great tasting breakfast.
Everyone attempts to tell you what you should eat for breakfast, and what you should use (tools) to cook it.  I want to tell you to stock pile spices and flavoring.  Sugar, salt, pepper, bay leaves, dried parsley, vinegar, hot sauce, freeze dried onions and garlic.  Be sure to plant yourself some onion and garlic, that way you'll have fresh to use, before the freeze dried.  Also, coffee, coffee, a little chocolate, and coffee.  Oh, and how could I forget coffee (and the filters for making coffee, and straining grey water).
That covers food, since I'm sure you'll read all the other blogs about making preps, and stash away plenty of canned goods, dry food, and water.  Let's talk about that thing that makes us feel human:  the hot shower.  If you have a well, or live near a stream, you'll have plenty of water for this.  Attach a five gallon bucket to a tree, punch holes into the bucket, build a ladder or steps up to the bucket.  Pour water that you've heated over a fire into the tree-attached bucket.  Bam--shower.  Or, an option I like even better because it's great for indoors or out:

Don't forget to put back soap, shampoo, towels, toothbrushes, dental floss (this makes great fishing line, among other things), and tooth paste.  A mirror, and some razors of all types is a great idea, as well (they also have multiple uses).
To punch holes into the bucket, and attach it to the tree, you"ll need hand tools, and hardware.  Don't skimp on these.  You never know when someone may need to borrow (I.e. take home and never bring back) a tool.  Many sites will tell you to follow the rule of three, the item you need, a back up in case it breaks, and a back up for the back up.
House hold cleaners are something else you'll want to stock pile.  Ones you use on a regular basis, as well as ones you don't normally have a need for.  If you have something you'll never use, it may come in handy as a bartering tool.  While stocking cleaners, be sure to stock up on laundry soap and fabric softener. 

(I'm sure it's not high tech in alllll of Mexico...  Hubby is from the Philippines, and he says that "rich" families have washing machines, but "poor" people wash by hand.  I.E. They know what it is, they just choose to use their money for other necessities.  Just wanted to share my thoughts...  Also, I'm not promoting LDS, I'm just a fan of prepping.)

I know you think I'm strange, saying things like "stock up on chocolate and fabric softener..."  but it's the little things that will help with morale.  Maybe you'll only use fabric softener once a month, or after a particularly tough week, but it will help drive you on towards a better, safer life in the new world.

Next week, I'll post more about how to handle our business in the bathroom, when there is no running water/limited water supply.  (No running water means no electricity to run the pumps, which means no flushing.  See how this could get yucky, very quickly?)

Until we all have to deal with some disaster, we'll have the internet.  So, I'm going to share some lighthearted fun with you all:

P.S.--  Isn't M*A*S*H great?  On a P.S. Side note:  I'm a mom, but I can still appreciate this song!

Signing off with a flourishing wave,
V.