Three things learned in 2015

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Motomom34, Dec 1, 2015.


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  1. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    As 2015 comes to a close it is time to reflect back and look at what you learned. What skills, lesson or knowledge did you learn? Is there something you have incorporated into your prepping/survival lifestyle? A new mind set, new outlook or even new equipment? Can you name three things that have changed since the beginning of 2015? Some of us may have more then three things we have learned, developed etc...

    My list is quite diverse (and more then 3):

    I learned that knitting is not for me but getting re-certified in First Aid made me proud. Knitting was too low activity and I am a high strung person with relaxing issues so knitting was a fail. I now know how to knit but also learned that some activities are not well suited for me. This all helped me learn where to focus as to what other skills would be suitable for me.

    I realized that many of the prepping things I doing were not comfortable to me. At times I felt like a pack-rat but realized that I always got intrigued when I could connect an item to several different uses. Multi-use items always seemed to catch my interest and made my mind work in a more conducive way. I am really beginning to believe I am a minimalist. I am learning where to overlap items in uses.

    I have learned to look at tools in a different way. There are so many tools and I often ask myself- what three tools are the most versatile. I have almost narrowed down the list. I re-evaluated my preps, items- camping type and things that go bang. I learned I can read what is suggested by the experts but that is all it is, a suggestion.

    In 2015 I came to the conclusion that I am striving to be a homesteader, not a prepper or survivalist but a homesteader. Being a homesteader seems to have the earthier side to being able to take care of me and mine.
     
  2. Yard Dart

    Yard Dart Vigilant Monkey Moderator

    I have learned over the last year that I need to do more.... more to prepare for family and my team. Many of my relatives and close family members nearby have not had a good year, but they are my family, and they will pull together as a team and carry there weight if needed. In that vein, I need to further my food, ammo, water preps to better be ready for what may come. I also need to deepen my Davy Jones Weap locker..... ;)
     
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  3. Pax Mentis

    Pax Mentis Philosopher King |RIP 11-4-2017

    I learned that 30+ years of prepping is not wasted if TEOCAWKI doesn't happen in my lifetime.

    I learned that I did pick up a few small nuggets of information worth sharing in the afore-mentioned 30+ years.

    I learned that I am forever grateful that I wasn't born 30-40 (or even 20) years later.
     
  4. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    I learned, That I really can't stand to go down in the FlatLands, for more than three weeks.... AND I miss having AlaskaChick at home, after about two weeks...
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2015
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  5. UncleMorgan

    UncleMorgan I like peeling bananas and (occasionally) people.

    @Motomom34
    Superb post. Super yummy-good!

    This year I've learned that I'm a a better writer than I thought.
    I've also learned that old friends are worth not giving up on.
    I've learned, too, that sometimes being crippled doesn't have to last.

    And one other thing: I can still headshot a reasonably tight group.
     
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  6. hitchcock4

    hitchcock4 Monkey++

    So many items, but I will be brief:
    • I studied for and took my Amateur operator exam (Technician). Passed! Being a ham is educational, fun, and can help in any number of situations. Want to work a marathon or other run to hone a few skills.
    • Working 55+ hours a week "for the man" isn't worth it. Work will still be there when I get in the next day. [Now working 40 to 42 hours a week.]
    • Learning DC voltage isn't difficult. Actually started with that a few years ago. Helps with batteries, solar, and even the mentioned Ham exam. Understanding DC is crucial to a lot of preparations that this group is interested in.
     
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  7. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey

    1) Moving sucks
    2) Power and Hydraulic tools are wonderful inventions
    3) Moving REALLY sucks;)

    So VERY true!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 2, 2015
    Witch Doctor 01, Hanzo, GOG and 8 others like this.
  8. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    You said some of your people haven't had a good year, do they know you are a prepper? Have you on the sly giving them tips to sat aside for really hard times? I spoke to a friend about setting food aside for "just in case", she said she shopped at Costco so she thought she was fine. It is hard to want to prepare those you care about but at the same time you can't get to pushy or vocal (spilling the beans).

    I think you are a great writer & if you need any other stories proof read or an opinion on, I'm am volunteering.

    Congratulations!!!
     
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  9. Kingfish

    Kingfish Self Reliant

    Boy what did I learn in 2015
    #1 those black mats helped a ton keeping weeds down in my garden but are a pain to roll up and clean for next year.
    #2 Every time the president opens his mouth gun and ammo sales skyrocket .
    #3 A man can win woman of the year, Im still scratching my head over that one.
    #4 The best fire starter is a Zippo lighter
    #5 Women MUST have Chocolate , its medicinal.
    #6 Obama Care truly sucks, Rates went up and had to change doctors. Starting over with a new Doctor Sucks!!
    #7 not to trust those who think they know the date of the eotwawki
     
  10. Tully Mars

    Tully Mars Metal weldin' monkey

    #7 written in stone. No one knoweth the hour, no not one.

    #5 some Men too...
     
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  11. T. Riley

    T. Riley Monkey+++

    I learned when your wife truly comes on board with you prepping it is a glourous thing. No more hiding stuff.
     
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  12. Aeason

    Aeason Monkey

    Bless you, I'm still hiding things, one of the best things for me was coming across all you monkeys
     
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  13. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I have leaned that I do not need all those chemicals in my house. With the help of @ditch witch, I learned to make my own cleaning solutions. I now clean with a solution that is natural and has a vinegar base. Not only do I clean with natural homemade cleaners; facial cream, hand creams and toothpaste have become homemade. It amazes me how well stuff made by hand works.
     
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  14. ditch witch

    ditch witch I do stupid crap, so you don't have to

    I learned a lot of chit in 2015... but shall list the learning that was actually put into practice as opposed to learning that is still only in theory.

    1. Learned first hand that FishMox really does work
    2. Learned how to make my own vinegar
    3. Learned how to tan hides (graduating to bigger hides and using power washers, egg yolks, and wire grinders now :D)
    4. Learned that a stubborn old dog can still learn new tricks... the newly on board Mr. helped me put together winter emergency bags for all the vehicles this weekend. :D
     
  15. techsar

    techsar Monkey+++

    Three things, eh? First is the old adage "buy once, cry once" still holds fast. Earlier I had tried out a mppt charge controller that, while still made in the US did not hold up as an name brand does...and an inexpensive wood stove works, but uses a huge amount of wood compared to a quality unit.
    Second is a crash course in leveling a concrete floor and installing tile. Going out to the shed and grabbing the right tools for the job makes it so much nicer. (I knew those yard sales and flea market purchases would come in handy "someday")
    Third, and perhaps most important, is this site and its members. I've seen many where people talk about things they are planning to do but never accomplish a thing, or are constantly fighting among themselves for no good reason, or just shrivel and disappear. Not so here...folks talk, yes, but then actually follow through with their projects, often with better results than they would have experienced without the interaction. Some folks get a bit aggravated at times but work things out, and the site continues to grow and thrive as a community of cooperation. What better way to spend time relaxing?
    Getting a bit long-winded so I'll cut it short with a heartfelt "Thanks, everyone!"
     
  16. RightHand

    RightHand Been There, Done That RIP 4/15/21 Moderator Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Three things I learned in 2015???
    Well, I learned that I have too much stuff but its all too useful to toss; that I can exist on 4 hrs sleep a night as long as I can take a power nap around hour 12; and that Gloria Gaynor was right after all
     
  17. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++

    Even your afroementioned formerly man woman? :rolleyes:
     
  18. shaman

    shaman Monkey++

    Prior to this year, I had only cast pure lead muzzleloading bullets.
    This year, I decided to target all my .35 caliber stuff for cast bullets. This included both mine and KYHillChick's concealed carry pieces in 357 Mag, as well as a 357 Mag carbine, and my 35 Whelen deer rifle. At year's end, I am now additionally casting for my 30-30, 45 ACP, and 44 Mag. My standard practice load for the CC pistols is a 125 grain Lee. Last weekend, I cast hundreds of them in an hour for loading over the winter. I am using a "shake and bake" powder coating on the rifle bullets. You just put a bunch of bullets in a plastic tub along with the powder coat paint and shake, and then bake them in a toaster oven.

    So that right there is the first thing I learned.

    Second thing I learned is that 57 ain't 40. It ain't even 50. All my thoughts on how to utilize the farm for survival is in the process of changing. It was a much younger man's strategy. I'm not saying it can't work. It just has to change to fit reality. One of the big things is rethinking how to leverage technology to replace muscle and stamina.

    Third thing I learned is that I need to learn a lot more about coal before I can use it. I remember my Grandfather using coal in a wood burning fireplace to keep his downstairs rathskeller warm. He liked it, because he did not have to carry a lot of logs down the basement and it really warmed up that basement room in a hurry. I figured no big deal. I bought a bag of coal from Tractor Supply, thinking that as I age, going out and cutting firewood was going to be less practical than taking a dump trailer 100 miles to the east once a year and buying a load. That bag of coal taught me a lot. Coal is not easy. This is going to take some serious thinking.
     
  19. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

    I learned the pain of losing a son.
    I learned how to reload shotgun shells
    I learned that there are a lot of fantastic people here at SM
     
  20. William Warren

    William Warren Monkey+++

    Looking back on 2015, I learned that -

    1. No matter how much I love my wife, sometimes I have to take her out back and show her where the dog is buried.
    2. Nobody but me is entitled to tell me what's right or wrong.
    3. Some people are small-minded, petty, and vicious. That's their problem. How I react to them is up to me.
    William Warren
     
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