Y2K. Did it happen? WILL it happen?

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I for one, semi prepared for the Y2K of last year. We 'overstocked' the pantry, and when I say 'over', I mean I put up or purchased 2 or so months more stuff than I would for any winter season. I only purchased extra that had a long shelf life, and items that we normally consume. (no, freeze dried, etc.)Boy was I smart! All of the money that we would have had to spend on food, was available to buy fuel! The woodstove is a Godsend, but the price of propane and gasoline, well, you know. I'm stocking up this winter, too. As I'm not convinced that Y2K was a hoax, or that it is behind us. The Techies will tell you that the true Y2K, happens This New Year. Thats my thought on the subject. What's yours?

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), October 02, 2000

Answers

Who knows if something along those lines will happen. I too stocked up and will do so again, and again, every winter. We live in a shaky world. My confidence in our leadership to guide us through any impending difficulty is nil. The fuel prices and economic uncertainty seems reason enough to hoard a little. I am proud to say that I learned alot about the way I do business because of the Y2K scare. I'm glad that I was given a chance to learn this lesson before it was necessary. It was the 'bug' that hooked me up with Countryside magazine and I'm going to stick with it. So Kathy, Y2K is a non-issue for someone who is always prepared, like you and I. I wonder if anyone out there agrees.

-- Ed Weaver (edzreal@postmaster.co.uk), October 02, 2000.

Stockpiling is a good way to save money. About 6 years ago I stockedpiled Rustler Blue Jeans I bought them at Wal-Mart when they were still selling them for $9.99 pair on sale, I bought 27 pairs and still have about 10 pairs that I have never worn. The same jeans sell for about $14.00 on sale now. Every time I put a new pair into use I save $4.00. It is also a good motivation to keep my weight down. I once bought a gross of thoose cheap tube socks at an auction and paid $15.00 for them most of them have seen thier beter days or are in the rag bag. I would lie to buy more of my clothes at thrift stores but its hard to find my size.

When I buy toilet paper I buy enough that it usally last me 2 years, but I have not seen much of a savings. I use very little paper towels or napkins.

Buying in quanity saves a lot of money especily if there is a price increase.

-- Mark (deadgoatman@webtv.net), October 02, 2000.


Since the Y2k bug was essentially a computer programming "problem" concerning the date rollover, it really IS history since it happened last January 1, 2000. However, the actual millennium (which some folks thought happened last year, and spawned names like "the Millenium Bug" etc., to confuse us all even more!), starts this next New Year.

Regardless, being prepared for downturns in tough economic times makes great sense. I probably went completely overboard in '98 and '99 by oversupplying us! Actually, I bought for my extended family, and extra for church folk and neighbors. Since I was working at a "good" job at the time, I could afford it.

I am now eating some of these preps and saving money! Since I am a student with approximately zero income, it has indeed come in handy. That's about the only way I could afford to go back to school.

I am waiting until year-end to see how much we have actually used in a year. (I will do a year-end inventory and compare to the beginning of the year) to see. Some stuff has been gone since Feb (cheese!) Other things like toilet paper and bleach, I have tons of, still. Then I will start replenishing a bit.

btw, I think our Mormon brothers and sisters have had this figured out for a long time!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), October 02, 2000.


Sheepish, I agree that personal downturns are more likely to generate the need for our stockpile. Personally that has been the case. Since my car was totalled by an 18 wheeler last Sunday I am there again. I'll be working on that deep supply I keep laid in so money is available for other things. That is a more likely scenario for folks than an outside problem. I know I won't find a car like I had, since I took great care of it, but I know I will make it through the cash flow problems.

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), October 02, 2000.

There has been concern in the past that the Y2K problems were only "patched", not fixed permanently. If that is so, the problems could still show up. At any rate, I have stockpiled supplies for years. My former husband had a great problem seeing that the paycheck had to last until the next paycheck came, so I learned early on that if we were going to eat anything like real meals I had better beat him to the money and buy groceries before he went to the mall. Stockpiling supplies has been a blessing many, many times over the years. Each time the grocery has some type of staple on sale, such as sugar, flour, etc., I buy it whether I need it then or not. Because of that, I am still able to feed 4 adults for under $2/person/meal even though I am having to buy everything we eat. Most of the time it comes out to be about $1.50/person. Anyway, "hoarding" is definitely a way of life for me.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), October 02, 2000.


Kathy, I have no regrets preparing for Y2k. I purchased some items and passed on others. In fact, I am still packing the pantry. With the fuel crunch up coming, just glad I can heat my home in MN with firewood. I'll be warm and hope the same to you.

-- bill (sticky@2sidies.tape), October 02, 2000.

I feel that even if y2K was a "hoax", it did some good to open people's eyes up to how fragile the economy is and how dependent we are on the system for our survival. It opened my eyes up to what I have around me, and how I can utilize what I have to make do with. As someone else stated, it is probably what got me hooked up with Countryside and the whole homesteading philosophy, and I have never felt happier or more contented. We have made great strides this past year towards achieving food self-sufficiency. We are planning for a time in the near future, when are three kids are grown (in five years) when my husband can quit his outside job and we can ranch together, live frugally, and do things for ourselves. As my parents and grandparents generation used to say, "make it last, make do, or do without. I believe that our economy is a house of "plasic cards" that looks good and prosperous now, but with this easy credit it can't possibly sustain itself for the long term, and we would really like to be ahead of the game in the event of an economic disaster. That to me means living debt free, and being able to meet the needs of our own families, including our elderly parents. I have enjoyed so much what I have learned from all you people on this forum, and hope that someday I will some wisdom of my own to pass along....

-- (trigger@mcn.net), October 02, 2000.

I agree with Ed on the economy and the leadership of our country, I'm more concerned about that. I'd been doing food storage for 7 yrs, prior to Y2K, was taught by a Mormon neighbor when we lived in W. Tx and lived 50 miles from town, I did step it up a bit before Y2K, but am still doing it now. Like the others when something is on sale, we buy several of them. I plan my menus by whats on sale at the grocery store, of course my goal is to someday not have to buy much at the store and am accomplishing this little by little. Right now we have to buy meat, I try not to pay over $2.00 per lb, we are butchering a goat this week so this will be our first farm raised, meat for us, like I sd little at a time, hopefully next year it will be chicken! I may be naive but sometimes I think I would welcome a little bit of a economic depression to bring everyone back to whats really important in life, if Y2K would've happened it would have changed some things for us, but no as much as some, and I actually was looking forward to it.

-- Carol (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), October 02, 2000.

Everyone laughed at me when i said that I stocked toilet paper, and canned so much last year. But I didn't have to buy toilet paper until JUNE this year, and I'm still using the canned stuff from last year. So was I foolish in doing this? I don't think so. It's always a good idea to have some things on hand (Oreos!) for times that you get snowed in, or sick and can't get out... or a Y2K "disaster" that looms on the horizon.

I think that we as a general population are far too dependant on a fragile system that no one seems to think is ever going to fail. So I, like the rest of you, wised up and took inventory and figured out where we would be in trouble if the power DID go out. For us, that meant getting another can or 6 or kero. The power did go out Christmas Day last year and he looked at me shivering at 6 in the morning and said "We'd better get more kero. if this is what we have to look forward to."

Now we didn't take the prep thing to some extent like some people. Friends of ours bought a year's worth of freeze dried UNREFUNDABLE food for each family member, and they're still trying to choke some of it down.

As far as "Y2K" happening this year as opposed to last year? I don't know. Anything is bound to happen. I do think that it's kinda fishy that almost NO one had too many problems last year, but it's all up to God. I can't control it so what's the use in bothering to worry about it.

Anyway, that's my long .02 cents worth.

-- Misha (MishaaE@aol.com), October 03, 2000.


Lots of good answers here. Sheepish summed up a lot of the technical stuff. I was in the middle of the computer stuff - there would have been REAL BIG troubles if nothing was done, but because such a noise was made about it we COULD fix the problems, so then we get accused of panic-mongering because there were few problems. Oh well, we saw enough of the real thing to confirm to us what might have been if we hadn't worked at it. But it IS over and done with. Sure, some of the solutions were bandaids, but they were bandaids with different timeframes, all in the range of decades - we won't be faced with any problem like Y2K where it all hits at once for another eight thousand years (or maybe one thousand), and I for one am not going to worry about that just yet.

OTOH, my opinion is that our technological society is at the "complexity" stage, and vulnerable to breakdown. Not all that likely, but can envisage ways it could happen. I agree - in fact I know - that personal disasters are more likely than more widespread ones, and if one can be debt-free and with goods stored you're in better shape than if not. How's that for a statement of the blindingly obvious? However, we can sometimes get blinded by complications, and overlook the simple and obvious.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), October 03, 2000.



We froze,canned and purchased everything we could get our hands on! We stockpiled wood (enough for probably 2 years), we had tanks of deisel fuel(for our tactors), gas and kerosene and two genarators! Y2k didn't hit BUT 26" of snow and ice on top of that--no electic power 2 weeks did hit! We were the only ones that prepared!!!!We were very comfortable. We weren't cold or hunger--we had water for cooking and drinking. My animals were fed and watered. We had chainsaws to clear our roads(didn't have to wait until the county/state had "time" to get us out)!We used the tractors to clear our roads & neighbors relatives roads. My kids had made fun of our stockpiling stuff but they sure were glad that they had a warm place to came home to! For over 10 days we fed at least 11 people and some times even more!

It sure came in handy and we have done the same thing this year! We say "let it SNOW, we are ready"!!!!

I feel like we need to stop depending on the goverment and start depending on ourselves!!!!!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), October 03, 2000.


Then there is always the possibility of an electro-magnetic pulse attack from various and assorted enemies, China being number one on the hit parade. Remember China? They are the wonderful, friendly nation that threatened to nuke Los Angeles last year. Seems like they made the same threat the year before too. Didn't we just give them favored trading status again? I know the trains here are full of containers with the names of Chinese companies on them. As I am sure most of you know, electro-magnetic pulse is a way to effectively fry the electrical systems of virtually all electronic devices, from radios to autos to computers, etc. All electronic devices that are not in a Farraday cage will be ruined. It was estimated several years ago that one good EMP blast over Kansas would effectively paralyse most of the country. Just thought I'd rain on everyone's parade here. Guess I just have a Cassandra complex. Or maybe it was my daddy's theory of "Expect the worst. If anything less happens you will be pleasantly surprised." LOL

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), October 03, 2000.

Y2K was a drill. Watch the evening news. Interest rates, oil prices , flaky stock market, prepare for Y2.01K plus. Better to be disappointed than in a "what the ____" situation. Also, I work in computer related, no one I know in the field fully understands the "canned" programs used to construct the various systems. Some software / hardware now might as well be "magic blue smoke" for what is understood of it.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), October 03, 2000.

How I envy you all the ability to be prepared! After the ice storm up here in Maine I have been more aware than usual that being prepared is a good thing. I woke up that morning after with no heat, a toddler throwing up from hypothermia, and nothing to heat our home but a gas stove in the kitchen (hardly took the chill off the kitchen just wide enough to open the oven door). I piled the kids in the car to get somewhere with heat and the engine in the car blew. I have begged my husband for a year now to put in a wood stove just in case, but he spends his money on claiming lame racehorses he hopes to improve and win with. AAAAAh! Anyone have any ideas on how to wake a guy with implicit trust in the system up? I get odd jobs babysitting, but there's always the ferrier to pay, feed to buy, etc. I definately don't make enough to stockpile, and he is the the one who decides how his money is spent. Frustrating.

-- Epona (staceyb@myway.com), October 03, 2000.

I am very happy that we had the Y2k scare. It woke me up. I had the means to get fully prepared for an emergency and wasn't doing it until Y2k came up. I now have the whole house wired for use with our generator, we store large cans of gas out in the stable which is way away from our house or neighbors and has no animals in it, and I bought up the essentials and stockpiled them. I have slowly used them up but I was just thinking the other day that I need to replenish some stuff now that winter is heading here.

We lost power in a thunder storm this summer on a hot day and were without power for most of the day. Hubby cranked up the generator and kept the air conditioner going along with the well pump, hot water heater, lights, television, everything we needed until the repairman showed up in the late evening. It was a nice test run and everything worked fine. We do run the generator every couple of weeks anyway to make sure it is working okay.

I have stepped up my canning this year, although it still is not as much as I want, but Y2k made me more aware that I have to keep this skill from getting rusty in case I really need to use it and it also helps to save on spending money to stockpile. Now I need to get a note up at work that I am looking for canning jars. I'm canning tomato sauce at this point and am very happy with how my plants are producing.

Last winter was the first winter that I spent not being nervous nellie about whether or not we were going to get iced in. Since we didn't have a back up heating system until Y2k, it always bothered me when winter was coming. Now I just sit back and relax because I know, no matter what, we are prepared. I thank my lucky stars that we had Y2k if for nothing else but the peace of mind I now have.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erol.com), October 03, 2000.



I'm Momon, and yes, we do belive in having a years supply of food, fuel, water and money, so that we can care for ourselves and our families in an emergency. Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, from a job lost, natural disasters, illness to inflation. Any of these could affect any of us at any time. When I was growing up, my parents were involved in Civil Defense (the Red Scare etc.) and also sold dried foods. My mother invented the 72 hour kit. No one, and I do mean no one, else had such a thing. It sold very well. So, as you can tell, we never went hungry. Three large freezers full of a steer, a pig, and 40 chickens at least. What we couldn't raise and can, we bought and canned. Anything else we bought from a wholesale grocer. Mom only spent $5 a week on household items. It paid off more than once. I've always tried to keep as much on hand as possible. When I moved to the mountains, I had to let it get too low. I'm building it back again. Twice, this summer alone, I've lost water and had to use what was stored. Power goes out alot as does the phone.

My daugher, in England, called yesterday and reported that they are having to wait in line for gas and they can't always purchase what they need at the store because it is unavailable.

No matter the reason, we all need to prepare to take care of our own. Even with everthing stored, we could still lose it in a natural disaster. It is a risk yes, however, in an earthquake, some items will not be destroyed. Where I'm living now, one good quake and all the roads into the valley would be destroyed and EVERYONE would be needing what they stored.

Prepardness is a philosophy, part of the homesteading idea.

-- Cheryl Cox (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), October 03, 2000.


Epona - a man who puts his money into lame horses while his children have to sit in a car to get warm as a result is a compulsive gambler. Just because it ain't slots doesn't mean it ain't gambling. It seems from what I can guess that he is fixated on the lifestyle of the rich and famous and is sure that one day he'll pick up Secretariat for $100 and all of his dreams will come true. Of course, even if he did, it would only assure him that he was right and he would blow it all doing it all over again.

If he won't see reason (and when do they ever) get yourself to a support group for families of compulsive gamblers. There, folks can help you learn how to work around you hubby's fixation and set up a safety net for you and the kids.

IMHO, I would suggenst that you set up your own accts. (with or without his knowlege and/or consent) with your side money so that you and your kids can eat and stay warm even if he squanders all of his $ on his "sure things". Perhaps you should have a rule that only those who contribute can eat the food that gets bought with it. If he has to sell at a loss to eat, he might reconsider (yeah, right!) In no way shape or form should his name (or the name of anyone he has half a chance at manipulating) be on the acct or you will go to the bank one day to find it cleared out, because he saw another gold mine at the downer auction. You know this is true, and that should be enough to assure you that he is obsessed.

Good luck, and don't let anyone come between food and heat, and your kids. No one has that authority. No one.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), October 03, 2000.


All of the reponses, are about what I expected. After all, I learned from you/ Countryside/Lunset/ or we were all in this together, and learned from each other. I was used to being the butt of family jokes for 'preparing', until it came time to pay the oil bill! The only post that troubled me was our friend Epona. Get a grip hon. Where is your Yankee spirit? Women and children first, livestock next,(milkers, not racers), and if there is room, a man or two! [Sorry guys, this isn't personal, but] Mother Nature, does rule. Epona, you have an obligation as a Mother to provide for your children. Hypothermia is serious. Pull rank in that house of yours! Disclaimer: I do not want to hear from womens groups/or any one, about protecting/marriages/ spouses. I left an abusive husband 15 yrs. ago and raised 3 beautiful children - alone. I washed floors and scrubbed toilets to put food on the table. Boy, were we happy! Broke, but happy!

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), October 03, 2000.

Thanks for being blunt guys! I need this kind of support. My family is very lenient toward men(sister is trying to get man back with the man who cheated on her in her own bed) and I get the brunt of the blame for everything(my mother tattles to him if I mention that I'm not happy, going so far as to say she is ashamed of me because I had been divorced-no, I'm not speaking to her anymore). I was even told that I was going too far by expecting him to keep promises before getting back together with him (something I shouldn't have done anyways, but being pregnant made me feel dependent and scared). I'm usually very independent, having been a single mom for five years, but this relationship has me feeling helpless and trapped. He thought it was funny because I was rinsing out milk jugs to store water and made him buy a gas stove instead of an electric, but stopped laughing when the power went out recently and the baby needed a bottle and he wanted to flush the toilet. I'm doing what I can. Now I have encouragement to continue to find ways to do more. Thanks again!

-- Epona (staceyb@myway.com), October 03, 2000.

Epona, my husband had many problems that kept us from the financial security that his job should have given us. My mother always talked me into staying with him. Frankly, she was wrong. After she died, I found the courage to make changes and it was the best thing I ever did. My children needed me to be strong and protect them. You have a lot of support from women who have been there. Take care of yourself and your children first. E-mail if you are discouraged. Sometimes it helps to vent or cry and I've done my share and now need to return the favor. My prayers are with you.

-- Cheryl Cox (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), October 04, 2000.

Kathy, I have always put by whatever I could to prepare for the winter. I probably learned it from my mother. Dad was a railroad man who, in the early years, was laid off every winter. She stockpiled all the working months to get through the non-working ones. Makes sense to me to have necessities on hand for whatever may come. Epona, I have to agree with Cheryl,Soni and the other wise ladies. Spending "his" money as he sees fit is a power play. As long as he holds the purse strings you will have no independence. A good man needs and appreciates a strong and independent partner, not an indentured servant. I'm not for up and leaving "husband" for no reason but sometimes you have to ask yourself if you would be better off with him or without him. I wish you the very best of luck. To stock up you can buy just an extra can or two(or bottle, box, etc.) when it is on sale. Little by little you will increase your stores.

-- Peg (NW WI) (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), October 04, 2000.

Epona, I have to agree with the above posts -- the only reason I'm still with my husband is because he finally agreed to "let" me pay the bills, he then writes me one check to cover the checks I write, and I have to bug him about that. Otherwise we would have had the power and phone shut off, and no heat or hot water --no water, period, as we have a well. He doesn't invest in race horses, just spends unwisely, and can't be bothered to sit down for half an hour to take care of the bills. Now I've got my own job, which would be harder for you with small children in the house, and he doesn't get my money, nor do I let him have any of our daughter's SSI. We are hanging in there, and staying together, but I have to stay in control of some things or we would have serious problems. It's a pretty bad side-effect of what our society has become that there are so many men like this, who can't take responsibility for their own families or finances. I don't know what to advise you, except to try to get some source of your own income -- do you have a copy of Ken's book? There are a lot of good ideas in that. I know with a young family, it will be very difficult for you to work and raise them, but it is really important -- listen to those women who've already responded who had to raise their children alone. I got some wise advice from friends, that I had to consider myself alone, even though still married, and start doing things like looking after the maintenance on my car and taking care of my finances as though I was alone. You can't let yourself be dependent on a man who can't be relied upon. (Actually, even a good man shouldn't be relied on too heavily, because he could get ill or die and then the wife would still have to learn to take care of herself.) I know we've communicated by e-mail, but I can't remember how far out of town you are, or how much land you have available. But if you could grow something for the farmer's market, or raise chickens and sell eggs, or something, you would have at least a small income yourself, without having to leave home and find care for your babies. This looks like a hard winter coming up, if you need help or advice, there are several people on this forum who aren't too far from you and can help in a pinch -- just don't let your little ones get cold or hungry again. If they do, make sure their daddy is cold and hungry, too. Take care, and stay in touch.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), October 04, 2000.

Kathleen: I did get a copy of Ken's book! I already mentioned to him that I'd like to raise guineas. My aunt raises angoras and I thought maybe she could help me into that. I know I can get shelter cheaply, but he likes everything to look first class, outbuildings have to be painted same, etc. so he shoots down all my ideas on saving money. We have 10 acres, mostly field. We live on the outskirts of town. Letting him go hungry when we are is impossible: he eats out for lunch and on the road to the races. I don't know how much he makes, what any of the bills cost or where to find any info if anything happens to him(bank accts, etc) Life insurance is in his father's name. Quite the mess if anything does happen to him. I've mentioned it, but he says he doesn't want to be criticized for how he spends his money. He gives me a check once a month to go grocery shopping. If I need gas, he takes the van and fills it. Thanks for the support, I did not intend for the thread to turn into my personal counseling session, but all the input is very much appreciated.

-- Epona (staceyb@myway.com), October 04, 2000.

I guess I am sometimes a little paranoid and am in regards to the aftermath of y2k. I just wonder if the powers that be wanted to set us up to look foolish by preparing for Y2K so that people would feel uneasy preparing or staying prepared for possible emergenies. I think it will be really hard in the near future to convince anyone (of course the exception is the smart people on this forum) to prepare for anything again. This in my opinion well insure that what ever in the future does cause a major collapse of our economy people will not be prepared and will be at the beck and call of the government for survival. Which I think makes the constant errosion of our cival rights even more of a problem. I to due to personal problems this year am so glad I had prepared for Y2K. I propose that we all continue to prepare not for any specific problem but to just be ready for the normal ups and downs of life. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), October 04, 2000.

Epona - I reiterate: this man is obviously a control junkie and is concerned more witho how his "estate" looks than whether or not his family has what they need to be happy. A man who cuts his wife off from "reality" is ensuring that her only method of survival is him. This is extrememly dangerous, as some people with that state of mind can get viscious fast (and seemingly out of nowhere) if the rest of the world doesn't remember to play along with his script.

Don't wait for him to let you know how much the bills are; call the phone company, et al, and ask. Ask for a statement of last years payments, and you might be suprised to see that some of the bills were paid late of doubled up without your knowledge. Not only is this behaviour endangering your family (no phone means no 911, etc) but also your credit rating should you ever need to get a loan on your own, or whatever.

Ask around (discretely) and see if anyone else knows anything about his insurance, etc. Perhaps the bank might have a copy in a safe deposit or some such. Of course, they wouldn't let you see the contents of any such box if it was soley in his name, but at least you'd have a pretty good idea where these documents might be. Who knows, maybe he doesn't have life insurance, or other ins. That does cost money that could be spent on horses, and then if he dies, you and your children are stuck.

I don't know your position, whether your happy or not. Some would be just fine, and that's their perogative. However, it's worth a little discomfort to weasle out this information, for your kids sake if nothing else. Pester him until he tells you just to shut you up, if your relationship can take the bump. If it can't, then there truly is a problem. A man who doesn't want to talk about death and taxes is one thing. A man who'll refuse his wife the info she needs to make life or death decisions for her children is another. And trust me, from the sound of it, if he were to die or be injured it would be a life or death situation, and working around high-strung, injured horses is no way to ensure your prolonged good health. Maybe wait until a close call (a random kick or bodyslam) and burst into torrents of tears, explaining how this is just the sort of thing you've been sooooo worried about, and what if the kick had been higher, what if he went into a coma and couldn't say where the insurance papers were, etc, and just keep blubbering inconsolably and maybe the sheer overwhelming emotion of it all (not to mention the ego-stroke of being so concerned over his welfare that you're incapacitated with grief and fear) will pry something out of him. If not, get your own, one way or the other, so that your kids won't eat and stay warm only if he's there and healthy and can be talked out of a few $$$.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), October 04, 2000.


Like I said, we're all in this together! Seems there have been a few of us, who've had a hard row to hoe. A little goes a long way, and friends make a difference. Keep in mind, that one or two extra 99c cans of this or that every week, make a HUGE difference come, January. Ebona, do what you can to keep your children safe, and warm. Should you ever feel frightened, the USA is FULL of 'safe houses' for women in need. Safe and sound, is a birth right in my book. How true is the saying: 'the hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world!'

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), October 04, 2000.

Epona, you should be able to get a copy of his income tax records, as I am willing to bet that IF he filed income taxes, he forged your name on it so it would be a joint filing. Do that immediately. Where does he get his mail? If possible, beat him to it and find out where the bank accounts are. Find as much financial records on him as possible, then file for divorce. He will not change. I've had one like him, only mine was addicted to whiskey. He drank up everything he possibly could, then called home constantly from work because he was convinced I was running around on him (yeah, right, with 3 LITTLE kids). He claims now that he has quit drinking. If so, that will be at least the fourth time since we divorced. I suspect that your spouse is no better than my former spouse. Get out while you and the kids can still have a life. Just my opinion of course. But we have been a thousand times better off without my ex husband. Good luck.

-- Anne (silentrunner_now@hotmail.com), October 05, 2000.

Having 2 months of extra supply has nothing to do with Y2k, Y3k or anything else. Its just good common sense that many people have lost in the mega-superstore world. Get outside the city and 2 months is just a start. 3-6 can be the norm. Any extra supplies are a good way to get through rough times regardless of the source of the problem.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), October 05, 2000.

It seems that we have all became caught up in Eponas situation and all of the replys have came from women, well this is from a man, who is the father of two girls, now married, and I think that you should listen to the ladies and get PREPARED for a seige. It is a bad man who won't put his family 1st,think this is written in the Bible some where. It sounds like it is a gambling addiction coupled with a control personality (if he has one) and a false sense of himself. SCRAM,SCRAM,SCRAM! This support group you have turned to has given me the indication tha gthaey will always be there to boost you resolve, just call on us, even though I wrote this I think that my wife agrees with me. Wayne and Lyn Good luck

-- Wayne Roach (R-WAY@msn.com), October 06, 2000.

The verse Wayne referred to is ITimothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. NIV

Epona, back when my hubby was drinking heavily, he would often pass out, it was then I would go to the 'bank'. To make sure there was a roof over our heads, power was on & food on the table, I picked his pockets! I figured, he didn't care, so I didn't care. Happily, he doesn't drink or smoke any longer and hasn't for just over these past 20 years. It took the death of our unborn daughter to bring him to his senses. You have been in my prayers since I read your first post, I do know what you're going thru, and know the pain you're experiencing. If I say anything more, I would be quoting all of the above posts. Do buy a few extra on each shopping trip and remember, prices are going up, if you get my meaning.

-- Phyllis (almostafarm@yahoo.com), October 07, 2000.


Going back to the original question which I sorta forgot to respond to, I've been told there have been rolling brown-outs throughout the country, perhaps we just haven't noticed. The stockmarket has been on a rollercoaster ride most of the year, another forum I read says, that the buying and selling almost mirrors that preceding the 1929 crash. So, does that mean putting more aside, making plans for a larger garden next year, planting more fruit trees and adding to our livestock? for me, the answer is - yes. Well, the guys just arrived with another 2 cords of firewood, gotta go & stack. God bless y'all, keep one another in prayer.

-- Phyllis (almostafarm@yahoo.com), October 07, 2000.

The next 12 months are going to be the real test. As I said in my previous response, last year was a drill. The real test is going to be financial. The turmoil that we have seen in the stock markets in the last 6 months will in all likelihood intensify as our election year comes to an end. This election year has been the most heated of some time and whoever gets elected, we will see major disruptions occur. So , refresh yourselves on what you learned for y2k or if you need to, study self sufficiency. Last year we weren't sure, this year we have the nightly stock averages and interest rate reports telling us the truths. At least for the coming short term, we may all be moving to "Walton's Mountain". When people speak of the 70's nostalgia, I don't think they meant this (remember those gas prices? another indicator). Some may say "its just the stock market", but the market reflects jobs and the Gross National Product , which sets the value of our dollar.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), October 07, 2000.

Hi there,

Ok, so the world didn't end at the Y2K non-event (did y'all have a party to celebrate that non-event?? I thought about it...) but one thing DID happen. Many of us awaiting the "Oh, I'll do that, get that, learn that, can that, stockpile that, whatever that later" another day that never seemed to come got a real rude awakening. Me included. Just so happened to be able to get a really neat cabin in the woods, spring, 30 acres, fruit trees, etc etc etc & a BUNCH of info from the 'net on how-to. Probably went a little nuts on the how to, if that's possible. More likely just kicked in a little higher gear & did what I've wanted to do all along. now>

Well, now I've got all this stuff that has been wunderful to be able to just reach & use without the eternal going to the store. I still haven't moved to the cabin (it's a job thing) & have recently actually had it on the market, but I sit & wonder how wise that is now. I have all the woodlot in the world, a road to the place any mule would love, (don't have to worry about too many tourists, tho) all the game you could want, the spring is still there & it's not even far from a town. So, the idea comes to mind that rearranging a few things could make that place not such a bad place. And I wonder what will happen to this of, so cozy world we live in.

We have a stock market, upon which the economy of the world is based in one way or another that is going crazy & nobody has a reason for it. Did the same in 1928. We have rampant consumerism that doesn't seem to have any limits or balance. Not a healthy sign when the haves and have-nots get a wider separation. Anybody listen to the words of some of the rap music? Wow, doesn't sound like happy people out there, but it does sound like a lot of them. I am a social worker by day & what I see come thru the door is spooky. As a part time job I did work for a collections agancy (job from hell!) & what I heard from people all over the country was even worse. Examples of normal people going to hell in a hand basket were on & on. Now, I'm not an economist, nor am I a prophet, but I sure don't like what looks like a bad storm on the horizon, and I don't really know how it could be fixed, at this rate. Not a good thing.

So, folks, keep up stocking your cabinets, learning how to do as much as you can, canning as much as you are able, all that good stuff. May come a day you'll be glad you know how. Do I think the Y2K is a thing of the past? Not likely, but it won't hurt to be be safe & secure.

ANd I'm glad I didn't sell my little cabin in the woods, either...

-- K-K-K-KATIE (yarnspinnerkt@hotmail.com), October 09, 2000.


Hi there,

Ok, so the world didn't end at the Y2K non-event (did y'all have a party to celebrate that non-event?? I thought about it...) but one thing DID happen. Many of us awaiting the "Oh, I'll do that, get that, learn that, can that, stockpile that, whatever that later" another day that never seemed to come got a real rude awakening. Me included. Just so happened to be able to get a really neat cabin in the woods, spring, 30 acres, fruit trees, etc etc etc & a BUNCH of info from the 'net on how-to. Probably went a little nuts on the how to, if that's possible. More likely just kicked in a little higher gear & did what I've wanted to do all along. Now?

Well, now I've got all this stuff that has been wunderful to be able to just reach & use without the eternal going to the store. I still haven't moved to the cabin (it's a job thing) & have recently actually had it on the market, but I sit & wonder how wise that is now. I have all the woodlot in the world, a road to the place any mule would love, (don't have to worry about too many tourists, tho) all the game you could want, the spring is still there & it's not even far from a town. So, the idea comes to mind that rearranging a few things could make that place not such a bad place. And I wonder what will happen to this oh, so cozy world we live in.

We have a stock market, upon which the economy of the world is based in one way or another that is going crazy & nobody has a reason for it. Did the same in 1928. We have rampant consumerism that doesn't seem to have any limits or balance. Not a healthy sign when the haves and have-nots get a wider separation. Anybody listen to the words of some of the rap music? Wow, doesn't sound like happy people out there, but it does sound like a lot of them. I am a social worker by day & what I see come thru the door is spooky. As a part time job I did work for a collections agancy (job from hell!) & what I heard from people all over the country was even worse. Examples of normal people going to hell in a hand basket went on & on. Now, I'm not an economist, nor am I a prophet, but I sure don't like what looks like a bad storm on the horizon, and I don't really know how it could be fixed, at this rate. Not a good thing.

So, folks, keep up stocking your pantries, learning how to do as much as you can, canning as much as you are able, all that good stuff. May come a day you'll be glad you know how. Do I think the Y2K is a thing of the past? Not likely, but it won't hurt to be be safe & secure.

And I'm glad I didn't sell my little cabin in the woods, either... Sorry to ramble on & on, but this is a subject near & dear...Kt.

-- K-K-K-KATIE (yarnspinnerkt@hotmail.com), October 09, 2000.


I am a big fan of staying supplied, so don't take this wrong, BUT, I think we need to remember that one of the reasons the stock market is so volatile is because there are so many people with access to day trading. People know how to make money with puts and calls, etc., which means they can make money with the market going either up OR DOWN. So for a savvy day trader, whether the market hits a new high or whether it goes down may be immaterial. Volatility is actully sometimes an aid. Fundamentals, which the majority of us comprehend to a certain degree, may not be as applicable as we once thought, at least for the meantime. And with money continually pouring into the Market b/c of 401k plans at people's offices, the market keeps plugging along. Screwy, huh?

Oil supplies might soon make a difference, but even the oil futures don't seem to be very predictable. So...who knows?! I am not a broker, nor do I play one on teevee, so I don't know much. But I do think we need to keep things in perspective. I agree that if anything weird is going to happen, it will probably happen after Inauguration Day, or possibly after November elections.

One lesson that I did learn from Y2k was that people tend to move toward their fears, and not away from them. Perhaps it's a survival thing. I try to remember that and not let myself get too carried away (again!)

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), October 09, 2000.


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