it seems like everywhere i turn lately, someone is warning me to be prepared for some unspecified disaster! it's freaking me out. there's billboards at the mall "urging families to make and practice an emergency plan"; there are commercials on the radio telling me what i'm supposed to keep in my emergency evacuation kit. and when i was at the department of health and human services (aka, the inner sanctum of f*cking hell) the other day they gave me a pamphlet about how i can stockpile supplies for monkeygirl and myself in case of a disaster. it says i'm supposed to have at least a 3 day supply of food and water for each of us, preferably a week's supply each. i can barely manage to keep my fridge stocked with food for dinner, and now i'm supposed to have a week's supply of food in the basement? i'm also supposed to have a 'ready bag' with clothes, cash, a battery-operated radio, and anything else we'll need to live if we have to leave home quickly. obviously these all very good suggestions (better safe than sorry) but does anyone ever feel like we're supposed to just be holding our breath for the next big disaster?? is the government TRYING to give me a panic attack? i've been having dreams lately about running from huge tidal waves with monkeygirl, and i really think it's because all this 'emergency' prep advice everywhere is driving me nutty! are any mamas out there putting emergency supplies together, or what? does anyone get as overwhelmed by this as i do, or do i just need more lavender oil in my bubblebath??