New Year...New Goals

I make New Year's resolutions the same as just about everyone else. Get in shape, de-clutter the house, etc. Those are some of mine as well. I do some prep related goals for this year too though. Maybe it's because the world is actually supposed to end the year. But, I have been thinking a lot about stuff I need to ge done to be more prepared. Some of these are activities I want to do. Others are more organizational in nature.

Last year, Tonto and I talked about doing a simulated bicycle bug out. I laid out a route to a local State Park campground. I have all of the gear I need. We just never got together to do this. This year it's going to happen. Hear that buddy? There's no use fighting it. It's Going To Happen.

An simulated vehicle bug out. Again, this was in the planning stages last year. It just never came together. This is one I'm going to have to get the Mrs. PJ excited about doing. That would mean getting her excited about camping. Not an easy thing to do. But, I'm going to do everything I can to make it happen. I do need to go through my bug out gear and make sure everything is there and what we may need. That's also something I have been meaning to do. I started reorganizing it last year, but I think I fell a little short of having it all together in one place where we can grab it quickly if we need to.

I have GOT to get to the range more. The wife and I BOTH need more time behind the guns. We did tell my mom we were going to pay for a handgun class for her once we found one. I think we'll all go ahead and take the class just to get the training. I certainly could use a refresher.

I also need to use my gear more. The wife needs to use hers more too. She has a GHB(Get Home Bag) in her vehicle at all times. I can't remember the last time I sat down with her and went through it so she's knows what is in there. And to make sure she knows how to use everything as well. I'm thinking I want to do more actual camping only out of my BOB this year. I've come pretty close to using just the BOB, but I always manage to sneak some extra gear or food along for these trips. I need to buckle down and use only the BOB and figure out what works and what doesn't in it.

The biggest project I need to complete this year though is to finalize my entire Emergency Plan. I've been working on it here and there. Gathering bits and pieces of information for it. I need to put it all together and type it up. Along with this goes getting all of the important documents scanned and on a thumb drive.

Another part of the plan I need to finalize is what the Mrs PJ and I would do if things go pear-shaped and we're not together. Like...during the workday, or if one of us happens to be traveling for work etc. I've got a lot of ideas about how we would deal with this. But we've hardly ever really sat down and discussed. Let alone, get it down on paper. This is a really important goal of mine for this year.

Lately I have been thinking a lot the different ways we may need to bug out from home. By vehicle...that's easy. But if it came down to walking or riding our bikes out...that, I don't think we are fully prepared for yet. Nobody wants to think about it, but it needs to be part of the prep's. Add that to the list.

I also need to really firm up possible bug out locations. Scout out my bug out routes more. And, firm up commitments with friends about bugging out to their location if need be.

I'm quite certain other things will come up that I need to do to feel better prepared for whatever may happen. This is the short list to be sure.

PJ