But when, at 21 years old, I married Adam and moved out of my parents' house, food storage took on a whole different meaning. Our 1-bedroom abode was tiny--smaller than the entire bottom floor of our current Winfield town home. The kitchen was the smallest part: long and skinny. There was a mini oven at one end, and when sitting at the kitchen table, you could turn on the sink, reach the trash, open the refrigerator door, turn on the oven, and open the front door to let in a guest without even leaving your seat! Needless to say, there was not much extra space for food storage.
But while we got by with a grocery sack full of cans and a can opener at our last apartment, I knew that this time I had no excuse. We now have sufficient storage space (requiring a little creativity), and we also have a growing family to provide for in the event of an emergency. With the recent Priesthood-Relief Society meeting on home food storage, I knew it was time to act.
I had already gathered up a decent supply of food which was stored in our coat closet (go Aldi!), but we were a little low on water supplies. Luckily, Melissa Stevens had given us some 2-liter bottles from their water storage when they moved. I just had to fill them and figure out where to put them.
After a little measuring and a trip to the hardware store (boy does Jared love the hardware store!), they now have a home. All 17 bottles sit snugly beside the furnace in our bathroom closet, stacked in rows separated by boards.
Thanks to Adam's grandma, we now have a 72-hour kit and a bag of extra clothing too. I must say I'm quite proud of our little food/water stash. I almost wish a disaster would strike so we could put it to use (well, not really). The only trick now is keeping the clothes and diapers updated so Jared isn't stuck wearing baby clothes when he's two!
