We are all wrapping up another year – in spirit, projects and with presents. Whatever you celebrate, or don’t, I sincerely believe that this is a time to pause, smile, set aside any differences we might have and just enjoy what we can.

As I mentioned earlier, this time of year meant family get-togethers, but, as a kid, Santa was my man.  And my task master -- Clean your room, keep the barn swept, check the horse’s hay and water twice a day!  Cause if I didn’t, somehow, he knew.  And I wasn’t risking being on the naughty list.

Fast-forward to today.  Now it seems now that I just end up on naughty list.  It is not a conscious effort, mind you.  It just sort of happens, ya know?  However, there are some things that I would never do, but should put others at the top of the Naughty List, such as:

Naughty: Not holding the door for the person behind you.

Nice: I don’t care if they are younger than you.  Be an example of courtesy.

Naughty: Talking on the phone while driving.

Nice: For heaven’s sake, holding the phone in the air with the speaker on does NOT count as “hands free.” If you don’t have blue tooth, either wait, or pull over and park somewhere to chat.

Naughty:  Using Laundry Scent Boosters to “enhance” the smell of your clothes.

Nice:  PLEASE STOP.  Lightly soap smell is fine, or even no smell.  You don’t need a choking sphere of gaggy fragrance around you wherever you go.  A nice perfume is fine. Just a little.

Naughty:  Companies who make Laundry Boosters.

Nice: Just don’t buy that stuff.

Naughty: Cars that back up into parking spaces.

Nice:  PLEASE STOP. OK, I see you CAN back up into a parking spot now (thanks to the ubiquitous “back up cameras”), but 1) I have to wait for you, and 2) more importantly, there are no “back up lights” to warn me that you are pulling OUT of the parking spot -- so you don’t run me over!

Naughty: Crossing the street (or walking around generally) while talking on your cell phone.

Nice: Keeping your phone in your purse or pocket while walking, and making sure someone who is driving “hands free” on their speaker phone doesn’t run you over.  [By this time, it is implied that running over people is definitely naughty. Period.]

Naughty:  Doing ALL your shopping on line.

Nice: Get out of the house.  You need the change of scenery and to interact with real live people out there.  Plus, as an added bonus, it lets you meet your neighbors, provides jobs, and supports your local economy.  Win-win!

Naughty:  Being judgy.

Nice:  Oops… OK, now I see that, Santa.

But before I go, I would like to give a nod to the wonderful life of Penny Marshall, who passed away yesterday.  Her earthquake scene as Laverne and Shirley, which I have shared before, is just a classic.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7oWUAZzQPg  Goodbye, Penny.  You have inspired people in many ways, and, especially, you made us laugh.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday and take some time to stop and smell the pine trees. 

Until next year, your preparedness pal,

Sue

Time to change. Oh, no, not you – you’re adorable! Time to change your clocks.  Again.  I usually forget which way to set them because “fall back and “fall forward” are equally plausible, as it is for spring.  Just a couple years ago I showed up at work and wondered where the heck everyone was.  (I finally figured it out.)  I blame this on way too many clocks to change.  Every thing has one! Even my space heater – why? And then there is my digital watch, which takes a nuclear physicist to change. Or my technologically advanced husband and children.  They probably work as a team.

For those whose inner Lewis Black surfaces at Daylight Savings Time change, I get it.  It seems to take weeks to adjust your internal clock. Except when it doesn’t. Recently I was in Michigan at a conference—where I barely survived (it got down to the 30s!!). Michigan is on Eastern Time and I magically just switched to that time zone. However, in those 10 days my body must have reverted to my default settings* because now I wake up routinely at 4 am and stay awake until 5 minutes before my alarm goes off.  Then Lewis Black wakes up.

On Tuesday, we can VOTE yea/nay on Daylight Savings.  Please VOTE of course on all of those other things – and there are lots of sites to help inform you on the issues – but this could be your chance stop the falling, springing, back and forth shenanigans and just leave your clocks alone.  For good.

One thing I learned at the conference is how most Americans have greatly UNDER-INSURED their homes. So, get on this.  There are an increasing number of natural disasters and the length, location and severity are shifting too, so make sure if something happens, you have adequate insurance to recover.  Consider earthquake insurance, too. An earthquake is inevitable, possibly a really big one, so please take the time to check your insurance.  Even if you are renting – protect yourself and your property.  Now. Please.

Lastly, nothing says “end of Halloween” like the immediate appearance of holiday decorations.  When I grew up, this time of year was all about family, family gatherings, marathon game sessions (usually euchre) and ice skating.  Because of the snow, outside decorations were usually just a few strings of lights.  Here, however, our always sunny (warm) climate, has allowed my creative side to blossom. This year I was a bit stumped-- at least until I saw (thank you Home Depot for having decorations out so soon!) it -- a beautiful, sparkly, winged unicorn.** And really, what says Be Prepared/Happy Holidays more than a unicorn?  All I need to add is a CERT vest (green) and first aid kit (red). Nailed it.

So, my friends, stay positive, laugh, enjoy your friends and family, vote, and above all, always be prepared for whatever happens.  You are important to me.

PS.  You are receiving this special message because you told me you enjoy my emails.  Whenever that changes, please let me know and I will tearfully remove you from my special email list.  ;-)

*I was born in Michigan where I lived for 25 years. Apparently, I was tougher when I was younger.  Or at least had a better internal heater.  I grew up on a 20 acre farm that had a pond, golf driving range, putting green and 10 acres of the best sweet corn I have ever eaten.

** https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-72-in-Cool-White-LED-Mesh-Unicorn-TY505-1714-1/305026004 (I know you all want one…)

“Pick a disaster, any disaster…”

I recently played a fun table game about disasters.  Oh, don’t stop reading!  Really, it WAS fun.  Yeah, OK, maybe not THAT fun for everyone, but maybe that is the secret to getting people prepared for disasters, in a fun way.  Like the words in that song: “Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down!” [sing with me now] “the medicine go do-own, the medicine go down…”

Those of you who are Big Bang Theory fans (which should be everyone), Sheldon Cooper is my idol on many fronts, especially when it comes to practicing for disasters.  Can you imagine your roommate waking you in the middle of the night to play a game? Try not to think of that as creepy, which is suddenly seems, and think of what that should be-- exactly what emergencies are – those buggers sneak up on you when you least expect it, then SHA-BAM! There it is!

But if you regularly played a really cool game that interacted with others, had some good food and drink, and learned something all at the same time – that seems so easy! Note, that evidently my age shows when “playing a game” involves a game board, dice, having other people there who make eye contact and maybe add a wheel to spin and tokens to move, but just go with me here…

A professor in the Geology Department recently hosted a trial of a game about disasters.  It was a bit like “The Settlers of Catan,” but with disasters. Pretty cool, I thought. So maybe we could start changing a few other games to have “disaster” themes.  In “Life” throw in an earthquake or flooding event. In “Yahtzee” make all double 4s a pandemic that makes you miss a turn.  Or “Chutes and Ladders” that makes you get nearly to the end then land on the wrong spot and have to slide back down to the very beginning again every time you play it and… Oh, wait – that is the REAL Chutes and Ladders. I always hated that game…

We all know that disasters are, well, disasters and not fun.  However, we CAN make thinking about them and preparing for them a little more enjoyable by integrating those concepts into already fun stuff.  Please give it a go and let me know.

In the meantime, enjoy Sheldon as he makes sure his friend Leonard is always prepared:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhmk8IEDSrs&list=RDZhmk8IEDSrs&t=15

El Nino: More than an excuse to buy new boots

Before I get to today's useful preparedness tips, I'd like to share a story.  You all know the story of Pavlov's famous experiments with dogs.  He rang a bell in anticipation of giving them food, and before long, the ring of a bell caused the dogs to salivate just in anticipation of their treats. [Actually, what he did to dogs was not even remotely so nice, so we are all best believing this version instead…] But it was conditioning.  Do something at a stimulus.  Well, last week, I had the pleasure of attending the taping of Dancing With The Stars.  And yes it was wonderful.  For the uninitiated, audience members at these gigs are expected to get involved in the excitement. For anyone who knows me, this is right up my alley.  When they say to show them you are excited, I did just that...Jump out of my seat, throw my arms up, give a big "woo-hoo!" and clap, and they want you to do this for pretty much anything that goes on during the show. Anything. So, during that nearly 3-hour show, I was up and woo-hoo-ing at nearly every intro and cute dance move, or anything else even remotely “amazing.” 

That was Monday afternoon.  Move forward about 36 hours to the American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Academy -- A really pleasant affair at the Anaheim Convention Center with a few hundred like-minded people early Wednesday morning.  I was seated fairly near the front when a Red Cross representative stepped to the stage to welcome us.  As he turned to introduce the event’s Master of Ceremonies, Pavlov rang a bell in my head and I was up and out of my seat before you could holler “you’re not where you think you are.”  Fortunately, my senses kicked in just before the peak of my stance and before my arms shot up, and I realized that no one else was rising.  At all.  Immediately, I went to the “oh, I’m just standing a little to re-adjust my slacks,” mode with a slight smile, smoothing the back of my pants and nod to my fellow table mates before sitting back down, relieved that I caught it all before the woo-hoo kicked in, along my extreme embarrassment.

So, what does that have to do with today’s topic, El Niño? Perhaps not much, but the imagery is good…  El Niño forecasters are not 100% sure we will completely flood, but the conditions are out there for a pretty wet, albeit warm, winter.  And there are some important things to do NOW:

YOUR HOUSE:

Check your roof and clean out your gutters.  Make sure water does not pool near the base of any structure, so if you have slope issues, fix them.  Getting some sandbags and plastic sheeting are probably a good idea too.  Painting exposed wood will keep your structure strong and dry.  You thought you had ants before? HA!  The rains will really bring them in.  Caulk cracks and other entrances and maybe hire someone to help you with pest strategies.

YOUR CAR:

Go ahead and buy new wipers.  You probably need them anyway.  And check your headlights and tires.  All of those are important to safe driving in the rain.

YOUR GARDEN:

Help keep the water where you want it and loosen your soil as much as possible to allow rain to soak in.

INSURANCE:

Take photos of your house now.  It will help a lot with claims later.

SIGNUP:

Go to http://bos.ocgov.com/alertoc/alertoc.asp to sign up for county-wide alerts (Orange County, California--other counties/states have them too).  Know what is going on so you can prepare yourself and your family, especially if you are traveling.

Now once you have done all of that leap up and give yourself a hearty DWTS woo-hoo! You deserve it.

Be prepared, my friends. 

Awareness helps you prepare for the unexpected!

For me, the classic example of awareness and anticipation is the interaction between Inspector Clouseau and Cato in the Pink Panther films:

-------------------

Man:  Why don't you get out of those wet clothes? You could catch pneumonia.

Clouseau:  Yes, I know that. I will do as soon as I get home, provided that idiot Cato does not attack me first.

Man: Why don't you just tell him not to?

Clouseau: Believe me, it's not that easy. I have given him instructions to attack me wherever and whenever possible, and it has now become a matter of pride with him to try to outsmart me. I guarantee that at this very minute, his fiendish little brain is plotting some new ambush.

---------------------

Which, of course, he does… http://videosift.com/video/The-Pink-Panther-Strikes-Again-Cato-vs-Clouseau.  [Really, it is an 8 minute “educational” video!]

While it is doubtful that any of us need to anticipate a threat of Clouseau’s kind, it is imperative that we begin to develop a type of awareness that could very likely save your life.  Look around.  What do you see?  Besides that closet you swore you’d clean out last year and a few pesky cobwebs, begin to look at your surroundings in a new light:

--Look at your neighborhood, see your neighbors.  How are they prepared for emergencies?

--Look at the road you travel every day.  Do you know how many overpasses and high voltage wires cross your daily path?

--Look at the class room, the hotel room, the airplane exits.  Are you prepared to exit correctly, even if smoke is blocking your sight?

No one wants to live the life of Henny Penny, but it is prudent to anticipate what could happen and plan for it now.  Be aware of your surroundings and how they would affect you in a disaster.

So, put down The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo for a few minutes (and I KNOW how hard that is!) and take the time this weekend to think about “What if?...” and plot your own ambush – on disaster.

A July 18, 2015, a Los Angeles Times headline read:

“Flames sweep over freeway; motorists run for their lives.”

(http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-fire-in-cajon-pass-20150717-story.html#page=1) You probably saw the photos of the horrific fire that suddenly blew across I-15 at Cajon Pass.  Traffic on that freeway came to a halt when a brushfire created such a dense smoke that drivers could literally not see.  And when the flames quickly followed that smoke, people panicked and ran.  For good reason.

But here is the headline that you did not read: 

“Man Saves Lives with Flip Flops.”

OK, it was not a real headline anywhere (but here), but it could have been.  Less than a half mile north of the flame-roadway intersection sat Robert Leeper.  He, his wife and two small children were headed home after a fun weekend when traffic came to an abrupt halt.  He could see the smoke and flames in the distance and determined that it was not heading their way, so he just had to wait with the hundreds of other cars as they tried to figure out a way to turn around and go back north.  That’s when he saw them coming.  Dozens of people fleeing the flames and coming his way.  Because Robert was a geologist (Cal State Fullerton grad!), had worked in law enforcement for nearly a decade and was simply a really nice guy, he intercepted many of those approaching with water, snacks and--as hinted before—flip flops.

We have all traveled this way before, right?  Driving back from Las Vegas can often be very long and boring, so you take the kids’ shoes off and maybe your own and you “veg out” until you start seeing the planes flying in and out of the Ontario Airport and civilization again.  Chances are that you ate before you piled into the car, so you “didn’t need” any food until you got home, nor, heaven forbid, something to drink because then you will have to stop three or four times…  Anyway, it is not unimaginable to find people sans food, drink or shoes in their cars – which is apparently what happened to several motorists on the I-15 freeway.

Robert was prepared.  Not necessarily for this situation, but generally for any situation.  In a big cooler, he had lots of extra water bottles and granola bars that he passed out to thirsty, hungry evacuees.  He and his family had been enjoying some water sports that weekend, so he had a few pairs of flip flops, in various family sizes, which several of the panicked souls gratefully put on their bare feet.

Robert looks at life this way:  “Any number of hazards can occur at any time, so you have to be prepared.”  He also had some good advice for anyone faced with a similar situation: Keep an emergency kit in your car at all times.  Especially if you are traveling through long stretches with no or few services, you need food, water and emergency supplies – made in an easily accessible and portable kit.  If people had just taken a moment to be calm and assess the situation, they could have grabbed those kits and improved their situations tremendously.

So, thanks, Robert, for being such a great guy and model of emergency preparedness.  To those not yet (this) prepared, you now have the gold standard.  Go be like Robert.

GOT WATER?

From FEMA.org...

Has the water run dry in your emergency supply kit?  If so, it’s time to fill ‘er up!  One of the most essential components of a disaster-ready kit is water.  A well maintained kit prepares you before disaster strikes. 

After an emergency, clean drinking water may not be available if your usual water source is cut off or contaminated.  When replenishing your supply remember that individual needs may vary depending on health, age, diet and climate. As a general rule, store one gallon of water per person per day to last for at least three days.

There are several options for building your water supply. The safest and most reliable choice is to buy commercially bottled water and open it only when you need to use it. Store the containers in a cool, dark place and note the expiration date. 

If you choose to prepare your own containers of water, purchase food grade water storage containers from a surplus or camping supply store or two-liter plastic soda bottles – not bottles that contained milk or fruit juice.  Keep in mind these containers must first be properly cleaned!

To learn more about maintaining your kit, click here.  Information about water treatment is also available at RedCross.org.