Hi friends,
I’m so sorry to hear about recent turmoil in the world and hope you and your families are safe!
It’s still the dregs of winter here, though we are getting an occasional warm day to melt things in between snow storms. For me, I’m glad when the sun comes out, since it brightens my mood. Well, that and a new variety of chocolate. 🙂
I’ve been thinking about updating some of our preparedness supplies that I’ve let languish for far too long. Medicine is something that takes a lot more babysitting than a sealed bucket of wheat or beans.
Normally, the expiration of most pills is one year, but if kept sealed, cool and dry, many will last much longer. Do your own research to see what you’re comfortable with. The military did some research into antibiotics so they didn’t need to discard tons of effective medication every year and found that some lasted many years part their expiration.
So, here’s an easy, fun idea you can do as a large family or group to have medicines when and where you need them. Many hands makes light work . . . and splits the cost.
Simple Medicine Kits for cars, bug-out bags, etc.
- Pick up large bottles of basic medicines at your local warehouse store, bulk store, or online.
- Buy a large pack of small sealable baggies. (I used 2×2 or 1.5×1.5 sizes from Amazon)
- Separate the medicines into equal amounts to split between participants.
- Write the dosage instructions in permanent marker on each baggie.
- Gather one small baggie of each medicine into a slightly bigger container. A sandwich baggie works or something more sturdy like an Altoids tin. (If you have small children, a child-proof bottle is recommended.)
When I did this, we ended up with ten different kits that included 4 – 8 doses of the following medications:
- Ibuprofen – pain relief, anti-inflammatory
- Acetaminophen – pain relief
- Diphenhydramine – anti-histamine
- Chewable Bismuth Subsalicylate tablets – stomach issues
- Aspirin – pain reliever, blood thinner
- Pseudoephedrine – decongestant
- Guaifenesin – expectorant
- Antacids (from a bulk bottle and 5 or so rolled in piece of tinfoil) – heartburn
I keep one of these kits in my waist pack along with a small first aid kit I’ll have mention in another newsletter.
We also put one into each car, but be aware that high heat will decrease shelf-life of medicines. These also come in handy to grab and send with teenagers who are leaving to camp or to toss in my carry-on bag on when traveling.
What about you? How do you handle being prepared with medicines for an emergency?
With the shortages in stores we’ve seen over the last couple of years, it is a good idea to have a plan. I’d love to hear your ideas.
Stay healthy out there!
______________________
Misty’s Writing Update:
I’m this close to actually starting the final battle in my book, which I’m thinking should probably have come a little sooner than after 125k words. Our main character and his two friends are unlocking an extra spell each to give them the best chances of surviving, and then they’re off to save the academy from the horde of beasts ready to come boiling out of the underground.
Yep, this book will officially be the longest book I’ve written so far. But it’s not a problem, since the litrpg genre leans toward longer books. In fact, one that I’m currently reading is over 800 pages. So, I will, by no means, be close to the longest books in the genre.
And this book should be right up your alley, since we had so many of you vote recently that you enjoyed longer versus shorter books.
I’m also considering releasing the book on a serial story website called Royal Road where a chapter would come out daily, probably 3-5 chapters a week, while I move on to write book 2. This gives people a chance to give me feedback on the book and for the story to find fans before it eventually goes on Amazon.
I’m just curious if any of you read on Royal Road and what you think of my idea?
It’s interesting how many new avenues keep popping up for independent authors to get their stories into the hands of their readers.
If you read ebooks somewhere else besides Amazon, I’d love to hear!
Enjoy reading this week!
— Misty 🙂
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