I was watching coverage of Hurricane Katrina on my favorite network Fox News, when Geraldo Rivera interviewed the former commissioner of New York City.

(I admit my spirit is tired of seeing all the devastation, but this interview really caught my attention)

The Commissioner explained that the City's response to the 9-11 attacks snapped into action so quickly because the City was well PREPARED. A specific plan of action is in place for any type of disaster that might fall on New York City.

Ah! to be organized AND prepared!

Just last winter, my family and I endured a devastating ice storm here in north central Ohio. We managed well through 48-hours without power or phone service because we were PREPARED.

At the Payne home, we maintain a stash of 2 week's worth of life essentials in the cellar (that's where we seek shelter from tornado's and severe weather). Outside our home we have a generator capable of running 30 hours without refueling, x-tra fuel and a dozen cords of fire wood stored under-roof so it'll always be dry and ready to burn. We also team up with our neighbors to support each other during disaster recovery efforts.

That may be a bit extreme, but if we hadn't been prepared, we would have been freezing cold, without water, electricity, or heat. (Yikes!)

There's 2 things I like you to take 10 minutes to read and do....don't put it off, DO IT NOW!

#1 Go to the Red Cross website that has lists of items that can help you be more aware of what you need to be prepared at your home, work, school or community. http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare
/0,1082,0_239_,00.html

#2 I'd like to reveal one of my FAVORITE personal resources, FlyLady.net

Here is an excerpt from her website I'd love to share with you:

FlyLady's 11 Points to
Preparedness for Evacuation

"We can FLY in the face of Danger and Emergency if we are prepared. Don't wait till you are being asked to evacuate. Everyone thinks that it could not happen to them. Well it could and it is up to you to make sure you are prepared. Don't wait! DO IT NOW!!" —FlyLady

1. PEOPLE: Have a plan for getting out of the house and make sure everyone knows it. Have an emergency bag of food and water for your family. Include wholesome snacks and treats for the children: dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, crackers and granola bars.

2. PETS: Keep pet carriers and leashes readily available to lead pets to safety. Also take pet food with you.

3. PICTURES: Keep negatives or CDs of pictures in a lock box or at a family member's home. Have picture albums in one place ready to grab and go at a moments notice.

4. PAPERS: Have all your important papers in a lock box at a bank and only keep copies at the house. This keeps you from panicking. If you have them at home then put them in a folder that you can easily grab if you have to move fast. Color code it so you can find it!

DON'T FORGET BACK-UPS OF YOUR COMPUTER, BUSINESS, AND CLIENT FILES!

5. PRESCRIPTIONS: Take your medications with you. Don't forget the ones that have to be refrigerated like insulin. Have small ice chest and cold packs readily accessible to pack and go. If you have babies; remember their formula or medications.

6. PURSES/WALLETS and PETROL: This is where you keep your identification, credit cards and cash. Keep a stash of cash for emergencies and grab it. You may not be able to use an ATM in the event of a power outage. Make sure your car always has a half a tank of gas.

7. PROPER CLOTHES and COMFORT ITEMS: According to the weather conditions; gather up a change of clothes along with outer clothing: coats, rain gear, boots, gloves and hats. If you have babies remember diapers. Remember to grab your children's favorite blanket, stuffed animal or toy. A game or a deck of cards could keep them occupied and calm too.

8. PLANNER/CALENDAR/CONTROL JOURNAL: These documents have all the information you will need from phone numbers, insurance numbers and important dates. They are small and filled with things you don't have to try to remember.

9. FOR THE LADIES ONLY...PERSONAL PROTECTION (HEY, YA GOTTA THINK OF THESE THINGS!): Many of us still have that time of the month. Be sure and grab a box of your preferred protection. It may be hard to find if you have been evacuated. Stress can cause our bodies to do strange things too. So be prepared. Take medication for cramps too.

10. PHONES and RADIOS: Many of us have cell phones now. Always keep them charged up and have a charger in the car or an extra battery. They may not work in the event of power outages, but then they might. Know which local radio station has emergency bulletins. Keep your battery powered radio tuned to that local station and have plenty of batteries for it.

11. PATIENCE: This is one of the most important things to pack. Keep it inside of you so that you have a clear calm head. Having your P's to Preparedness list guiding you will keep you patient. In the event of an evacuation there will be lots of displaced people. Being patient will make things less stressful. Your children need to see you calm and collected. This will help keep them calm too.

I care about you...So please, please, PLEASE take the time to prepare yourself for any kind of disaster.

Love & Blessings to You and Yours, Donna

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