Just to let those folk in Sth USA know we're thinking of you.

Brought my girls up to be independent and self reliant, but did not think that included them being elsewhere. One in Australia, one in Japan, one in Canada. I have asked them to plan to be in NZ come Y2K. Having computer literate family distributed in the electronic age is OK but the thought of no regular news following Y2K is worrying. Anyone else planning a family get together come Y2K so as to at least know where extended family is at?

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), September 28, 1998

Answers

This is much on my mind, heavily so,...while my grown children live within 10 miles of me, the rest of us are spread out across the continental US, me in S. Cal, sisters in Illinois and Texsa, and parents in S. Carolina. At my hyperventilating worst moments the imperative has become how to get us all to the folks in S. Carolina. Of all the events that may come, having family stranded alone is one I am most uncalm about.

Wishing everyone success for their family gatherings, and wishing I had an iron-clad plan.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), September 28, 1998.

Like you my kids are spread out, but at least they are all on the same continent. They all plan to be home Christmas 1999 through the new year. We also have a contingency plan in case TSHTF sooner. My oldest son has a safe house to go to in the mountains of Arizona with friends and the rest of the kids are within driving distance of home with a full tank of gas. Needless to say we are keeping a close eye on what is happening to give ourselves as much warning as possible.

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), September 28, 1998.

I think things will go to deep yogurt sooner, because January 2000 will be a VERIFICATION of what John Q. Public will have finally realized in 1999. WHEN in 1999 is the big question. Maybe January, when the "Jo Anne effect" hits (though I kind of doubt it). Maybe April, when fiscal year rollovers for some states/govts/businesses provide real-life examples of Y2K problems (as well as the Fed Govt not meeting its 3/31/1999 deadline). Or maybe that final news report, that final town meeting, that final chat at the bar, that final realization of who is doing what to prepare. This is what will set the date by which one needs to be completely prepared and ready. This date is unknown but its days are clearly numbered.

-- Joe (shar@pei.com), September 28, 1998.

My 22-year-old son believes what I've told him about Y2K. We loaned him money to buy an RV, and he plans to be somewhere safe on the big day. My 30-year-old daughter doesn't want to believe, so a temporary loan she needed to buy a house (in Indianapolis) came with the requirement that she spend 12-31-00 here with us. She said she had already assumed I would strongarm her into being here anyway. Since we live near Louisville, KY, our location is not optimal, but at least we'll have food and water stored.

-- Teresa Fisher (75247.3512@compuserve.com), September 28, 1998.

Oh, I agree with you completely, Joe. As the moments pass I am more consumed with "how to get everyone I love safe" before> TSHTF.

My sweetie says I'm management material. In my dark moments, I'm not so sure. Had to have a pep talk from a friend this morning,..(sighing).

The plan is, (unless smoke in the sky comes sooner) to get us all to a safe place...(safer place?) by Thanksgiving 1999.

Mettle. Metal?

Courage, my friends.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), September 28, 1998.

Oh by the way, look out also for vacation/holiday trips (school, band, football games, bowl games, New Year's Eve parties, etc.). Some of these could be sponsroed by the schools or church youth groups too: skiing trip for example.

Be a shame to plan things for your home and family only to have the kids stuffed school busses stuck in Orlando, FL at Disneyland in the dark for ???? days. With no comm's and no help.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), September 28, 1998.

Purchasing traveling trailor for son, wife and grandson to put on our property. Will have them move in April of 99. In-laws will be here for Christmas unless something happens sooner. Parents and brothers are only 15 miles away and don't think its anything to worry about. At least our place is big enough for everyone if they decide to join us. Sure can use the help. Living in the middle of no where isn't nearly as easy as it is living in a city.

-- Sierra Foothills (Sierra@mt.com), September 28, 1998.

Good topic, Bob. I'm trying to put those thoughts far down my list of things to consider right now. I'm really thinking that all 3 will want to stay at their own homes for various reasons (they are late thirties and early to mid forties). However, my husband and I mention from time to time "Better be sure we have enough here in case the kids come home." We are rather centrally located in N. Miss with two of them south of us in Miss and one north in KY. We'll just keep eyeing the situation and see what seems wise.

-- Sylvia (in Miss'ippi) (bluebirdms@aol.com), September 28, 1998.

One son, wife and two grandchildren, 7 & 10 live within a mile. Other son, wife and 5 mth. old grandson live in London. They will not be here in Texas. The London son thinks I am an alarmist and doesn't think anything will happen. According to his press, he is one of the world's foremost documentary film makers. I am very sad about his rejection of the problem. I have a Ph.D. but I am just his mother and he thinks he knows better. He is extremely bright, a Mensa member, perhaps that intelligence will kick in before it is too late. Marcella

-- Marcella Shaw (mdshaw@webtv.net), October 05, 1998.