I always thought I was ready.

I live smack dab in the middle of earthquake territory.  In fact, I have lived through several earthquakes, the largest was in 1994 and clocked in at 6.7.  The 20 or so seconds it lasted ripped everything in my house off the walls. It was after that doozy when I put together my first earthquake kit.  I was a total victim of the local preparedness store, and a total freak for safety. I was a sucker.  A loser.  I spent a fortune in the earthquake store after that one.  I still have that same kit,  from over 20 years ago.

If there is a disaster now, all I would have is stuff in that old kit.  The horrible jeans I put in there in 1990, old ziplock bags full of diapers for my now teenager. It has freeze dried food that has expired and a flashlight with corroded batteries.  I long ago spent the cash that was stashed in the kit, taking out a $20 at a time over several years.  In fact, I should have just withdrawn it all and bought that handbag I wanted so long ago.   I have been thinking about re-doing it.  Only this time I will put in the REAL necessities for my family.  Like vodka and olives, cheese that can age and a box of See's lollipops, my favorite.  For the kids, Cinnamon Life Cereal, Tasty Cakes for my son and dog treats for the pets.  For my husband, I might add a DVD collection of the Philies baseball team, my daughter will want the gift of unlimited texting on her phone.  The REAL necessities of our lives.   I might just be on to something here.  After all, what would you consider life's necessities?