My marriage is over. Divorce on the brink of Peak Oil.

Wednesday

My husband is Canadian, I am American.

I am forced to come back to Texas, leaving all my preps and property in BC.

It's pointless to mourn what I've lost, I need to kick it into high gear with new preps.

I don't even know where to start. I'm back home in the Houston area and all I can think is that I want to get the hell out of here now.

I was doing rural/small town preps in BC. Now I need urban preps.

Oh my God. Now what?

Pops

Sorry Wed (guess I shouldn't call you wed huh? Smile

)

Take a little while and recoup, we are still shuffling deck chairs.

The scuffle will still be here when you get settled.

You have a job and place and stuff?
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Make a plan and work it:

Wednesday

Pops, you can call me Wed, just don't call me late for dinner.

I leased a place until the end of the year. Gas is 3.50 a gallon. My Texas vehicle is a 2002 Ford Windstar. I'm freaking out.

That guy didn't do a damn thing to help me prepare and now I have had to leave it all behind.

For the record, PO had nothing to do with the divorce. That was all us.

evilgenius

First, drop the windstar and get something that gets over 30-35 mpg. Texas simply has too much distance. I am back in Denver and trying to find work. It is real hell. There are so many applicants for every job that I am lost as an older (44 yrs) person. They don't want me. They want someone that will work for free. Find ways to conserve. Pay attention to cooking. Examine your routines. Don't buy silver or gold until it reaches a bottom at around $575-$650. See if you can get any plants growing. Tomatoes are okay, but I would go for things that are easier to store for a duration. See if you can get a corner on what people will trade what you will want or need for. Buy ten pounds of rice now!
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"Hope encourages men to take risks; men in a strong position may follow her without ruin, if not without loss. But when they stake all that they have to the last coin (for she is a spendthrift), she reveals her real self in the hour of failure."

Pops

Glad you have a place Wed, even if it is one that smells like Houston!

Do you have folks there, a job?
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KillTheHumans

Pops

I'm thinking you have a great chance to reassess your situation. Stuff has changed some recently and a few less ties and some time for thought are great for coming up with the new or improved idea.

Anyway, take care of the immediate, then sit down and take a breath a beer or ice cream or whatever your poison.

You have 7 months to revise your plan. Take some time...

You're alright.
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IanC

Wednesday,

I'm very sorry for your loss. Even when divorce is the right thing, it's hard in so many ways.

Maybe it's Ecovillage time. We need more PO aware people in the NW. I have some friends who just joined the Columbia Ecovillage here in Portland. It's just getting off the ground and you could help make it great. If you're really worried about preps, think about the benefits of having instant acreage and the support of a very present community.

-IanC

Wednesday

Canada is not an option.

I do have a job, but I am stuck with the stupid van for the time being. It was sitting in storage for the last few years while I was gone. It's in good shape and I can use it for a trade in on something else.

Both my folks are deceased. I have rice and basic rations. I even bought some Datrex bars like the Coast Guard uses, lol.

I leased a place on Galveston Island because I knew it was temporary and I figured it would be my last chance to see the beach before I dig in somewhere safe. I do not plan to stay here.

I have no debt. The van is mine. The divorce isn't final so I don't know how that will affect my finanaces. I have no children.

I'm thinking guns, cash stash and bug out bag?

TWilliam · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Nov 28, 2004 Posts: 1648

If motorized transport remains a necessity at least in the short term, maybe a scooter or small motorcycle? Granted, they're pretty useless for hauling anything, but if your main need is commuting, they get awesome mileage, and I should think that selling the Windstar would give you more than enough cash to get one and have a fair chunk left over to kickstart your new preps...
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"It means buckle your seatbelt, Dorothy, because Kansas? Is goin' bye-bye... "

Tyler_JC · Last edited by Tyler_JC on Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:22 am; edited 1 time in total

Before we start stockpiling the ammunition...what do you do for a living?

What is your education, work experience?

If you have solid career prospects, I don't think heading for the hills is your best option right now.

Can you pack up and move elsewhere (Denver, Philly, Seattle, Chicago, anywhere but Texas) when the lease expires and find a new job?
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"www.peakoil.com is the Myspace of the Apocalypse."

Pops

You have a job and a place and a vehicle, that's great.

Take a little time to settle and regroup, the High-Stress Diet sucks the juice out and you need to have your wits to decide your plans but you have time.

In the meanwhile get together a FEMA-type 72hr kit and you'll feel better:
http://peakoil.com/downcat4.html

Then download the Food Storage FAQ and do a little more:
http://peakoil.com/downcat2.html

Mostly, take some time and say hi to the neighbors, walk the beach, smell the ocean and clear the brain.

You'll be OK.
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Make a plan and work it:

Wednesday

At this moment I am earning an income as a hairdresser. I make pretty decent money. My license will allow me to work anywhere in the state and most states will allow reciprocity.

I have a half-baked idea to get some medical certifications. Ultrasound tech, maybe. Surgical assistant maybe. Dunno.

I don't have much education otherwise, I never completed college and I studied anthropology anyway, so it wouldnt have done much good.

I make a decent income as a hairdresser, but when TSHTF I doubt people will value vanity over hunger.

I have thought about getting a small motorcycle. A 250cc or something. I am not a very large or strong person and couldnt handle a big bike. Maybe a Honda Rebel or something with some resale value. If I do that, I'm not sure I want to give up the van.

I can sleep in the van if I have to hit the road, I could use it as shelter. Can't do that on a bike.

I need at the very least a shotgun, I think.

One of the things my husband and I would argue about was his procrastination and inability to sponsor me in Canada. It was a holy mess. Don't cry for me there, I am glad to get out of this marriage. Not happy at all about leaving Canada for Texas.
I keep hearing this wee voice in my brain "Girl, you are on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert! Run!"

No debt, No kids, No parents, No real assets, No real education.

I guess it could be a lot worse. For some reason Pops saying I'm all right makes me feel better.

Wednesday

Thanks for the links, Pops. Ill take the info and make my own kits.

I'm going to get some sleep, I'll be back tomorrow to think some more.

Thank you everyone. It's good to have this community here.

Thanks Pops. Thanks Aaron.

tecumseh

Wednesday, you sound like Bonnie. I'll be your Clyde. We can go camping in the National Forest near Canada and get work in the Fall (or build a hogan). Seriously, you seem cool. Too bad things didn't work out in BC. Good luck to you. Listen to Pops.