I just have to share the creative way my friend makes good use of a very small space.  This is a tool shed that is used for tools, paint, books, wood storage, computer desk, filing, seasonal storage, and more.  I really loved the way he uses spice jars and coffee cans for his nails and small items.  Note that the nail is taped to the outside of the can so you know what's inside - clever!  It's so well organized and everything has a home so it's easy to keep neat and tidy.

 

 

 

 
  

 

 

 

While watching the hurricane evolved on TV, I found this friendly "Family Preparedness Plan" on www.weather.com .  You just put in your information and it creates a customized preparedness list just for you.  Click here to go directly to this page.   By the way, www.weather.com has easy to use weather related resources for travel, recreation, healthy living, etc.  It's tied to The Weather Channel on television.

 

 

 

What I learned from this hurricane experience are three common things you don't think ever think about until you don't have them:  gasoline, sanitation, and power.  
 
You could not get gasoline because many gassed up before the storm and the pumps run on electricity.  Only stations with generators could open and lines were long.  We needed gasoline to continue to operate our generator.  You couldn't go to work (if they were even open) unless you had enough gas in your car to get there and back home.
 
Basic sanitation was a real problem.  Sewers backed up.  All the trash you generate had no place to go, it accumulated outside because there was no trash pick up service.  We take fresh tap water for granted.  If the water is contaminated, you need to boil it.  But what if you have no way to heat the water.  Fortunately we had a gas stove and were able to light the burners manually.  If you were injured or needed medical assistance, it was difficult to obtain.  Clinics were closed, no way to treat even minor injuries.    I stepped in a nest of fire ants and was bit.  I'm allergic to them and had swelling but no place to go for treatment.  
 

We had no electricity so I couldn't charge my cell phone, heat water for bathing, or cook.  The grocery stores opened for only a few hours and let only five people in at a time, you waited for hours to get in.  They had to throw out spoiled fresh foods like milk and meat; not that you would have a way to keep it fresh either.