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  • #16
    Originally posted by Tamara View Post

    I came to the field mess to ask people who have been around for a while that how would they design something to live in be able to be a backup as an emergency shelter. What would they want, what would they hope they had, what could they afford at the time of building.

    Sure, I suppose we would all want an OV-10 on a catapult so we could bug out.........but that's just not the case. (You know, those things are never on surplus sale?).

    It's going to be a ranch house. It sits, in Texas Hill Country things do sit and are not dug in, on 10 acres of land. What might one want, what might one want in their house out in the country.
    Then thats an easy question.

    I'm living in Texas. I have to worry about flash floods, tornados and depending on which area of Texas an occasional hurricane an/or blizzard.

    The individual rooms are owners choice, I doubt you would want a room to build ship models, but I do. You seem to need a large pantry. Not so much for my family. I would bet there isn't 10 cans of food in my house. We use fresh veggies always. You will have a big pantry, I will have a large garden and greenhouse.

    Since the area is prone to flash floods, I build my house on pylons at least 3 ft above record flood height.

    Because if the high winds, possible hurricanes I build to Florida Coastal Building code standard.
    Seamless metal roof, not shingles. Its no maintenance.
    If you live in the part of Texas with drywood termites, I would consider building block or other concrete exteriors.

    Outside, very near my house I have a 10X10 Tornado shelter/safe room. It cannot go in the house because the house is elevated. And a safe room, by design, is not tied to the structure of the building.

    One of the luxuries that I have is a whole home generator(Natural Gas),with a transfer switch so that I don't electrocute emergency workers due to back feed. That's a personal preference. As I mentioned, I am on one of the local recovery teams/SAR. And at the end of the day I want to have a hot shower and air conditioning.

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    • #17
      Originally posted by SteveDaPirate View Post
      ........When the going gets tough, you need people who can specialize in specific tasks, people who can work in shifts, and people who can help those who get injured or sick. The lone survivalist who breaks his leg out hunting is fucked, the man in the hunting party gets carried back and patched up.
      Do you? Or do you need generalists who can do many things?

      Many, many years ago, in a psychology course I think, we came across what society often is today. Specialized. Each person does a specific thing and if it is outside that line, then, "That's not my job!".

      I countered the prof with how things were in the military or on a merchant ship, of how so many people are cross trained to do so many things. He told me that was correct in societies that follow the seasons such as farms or a fishing village, where if the job doesn't get done, people don't eat.

      One of my life's philosophies is "There is an expedition squad going out; what can you do to be part of it?". As such, I have tried to learn as many things as I can to be a member of that squad, be it medic, biologist, photographer, scout, or even the cook.

      Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
      So when are you actually enjoy your home?
      ..........
      Interesting you should say that. A while back, admist all these sorting, my brother said, "Did you ever think about just stuffing it all into a storage shed so you could enjoy living in what you have now?" He meant the two apartments I am currently in and he certainly did have a point. One of the things that has come to the surface over the years is a place to live that recharges and doesn't drain life's energies. It was a realization in years past, it is a realization now, and it is a realization in planning the house to be.

      The problem with his suggestion was if it doesn't get sorted now, when does it get sorted? Will I be building storage rooms for junk that perhaps I need not build after all? Will I be rebuying the capability for a task when I already have it, sitting there unwrapped, unused?

      Okay, short rant time. I got into this situation as being the child who lived closest to the parents, the graveyard shift worker. As with many a parent, they cleaned out the attic on me over the years saying, "Take it, I don't care what you do with it, but take it.". Of course, as a gift from the parents, how could I just toss it out? As a night worker, I was seen as the one with all the free time to visit them, to help them. When I would plead that I had to clean up, catch up after a semester, I was told, "Well, you can always do that later.". Later, when my father was gone, Mom managed to keep me to the last moment so I would return home, drop of my gun and cat(s) essentially at the door, and turn around and dash to work. This was further complicated by trying to get my "night's" sleep before work at her place, only to get half that sleep and then be awaken for the "essential" dinner. So I would go into the first day of work in a rush, to be followed by the after work's activities, and then trying to catch up on the sleep I was denied. It wouldn't be Tuesday or Wednesday till I was "reset" from the weekend. With all that going on, year after year, the buffer system that things were being dumped on just eventually collapsed.

      So back to the present and future. For the present, I'm trying to dig out of all this stuff while still living my life. For the future, I'm trying to plan how to do a country house as perfectly as I can since it looks like it will be my final home and so I'm not driven cabin fever happy so I'm ready to sell in 6 months.

      It isn't all gloom and doom; in fact, a lot of it isn't. The Tier IIA philosophy works in there as "Gee, I built this place, now I want to do this, how can I go about it?". Ie, I don't think I'll ever use a full dining room table as such. I don't entertain and most of my meals are done on a desk. Still, though, I believe a large dining room is necessary. Perhaps not to be a sawbones, perhaps not to lay out maps, but still, one should have something of the sort.

      Who knows? I might use a large dining room as a set to work out this or that character...........before I build the small opera house down in the glade.
      Last edited by Tamara; 29 Jul 14,, 06:01.

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      • #18
        Originally posted by Tamara View Post
        DOne of my life's philosophies is "There is an expedition squad going out; what can you do to be part of it?". As such, I have tried to learn as many things as I can to be a member of that squad, be it medic, biologist, photographer, scout, or even the cook.
        Are you building a home or a regimental outpost?
        Chimo

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        • #19
          Originally posted by Gun Grape View Post
          Then thats an easy question.

          I'm living in Texas. I have to worry about flash floods, tornados and depending on which area of Texas an occasional hurricane an/or blizzard.

          The individual rooms are owners choice, I doubt you would want a room to build ship models, but I do. You seem to need a large pantry. Not so much for my family. I would bet there isn't 10 cans of food in my house. We use fresh veggies always. You will have a big pantry, I will have a large garden and greenhouse.

          Since the area is prone to flash floods, I build my house on pylons at least 3 ft above record flood height.

          Because if the high winds, possible hurricanes I build to Florida Coastal Building code standard.
          Seamless metal roof, not shingles. Its no maintenance.
          If you live in the part of Texas with drywood termites, I would consider building block or other concrete exteriors.

          Outside, very near my house I have a 10X10 Tornado shelter/safe room. It cannot go in the house because the house is elevated. And a safe room, by design, is not tied to the structure of the building.

          One of the luxuries that I have is a whole home generator(Natural Gas),with a transfer switch so that I don't electrocute emergency workers due to back feed. That's a personal preference. As I mentioned, I am on one of the local recovery teams/SAR. And at the end of the day I want to have a hot shower and air conditioning.
          My god gunny, about the only thing you house can't do is get up and walk away from trouble.

          Comment


          • #20
            Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
            Are you building a home or a regimental outpost?
            You are misunderstanding me.

            The subject is about building a capable ranch house.

            The "expedition squad" is a philosophy of life, if a romantic one, about how I see things to be a generalist and not a specialist. This philosophy of life was used in the counter post to Mr. Pirate's statement of that when things get rough, you need a group of specialists, nutshell speaking.

            Comment


            • #21
              Originally posted by Tamara View Post
              You are misunderstanding me.
              No I am NOT!

              For freak sakes, when I read your threads, you want to be a field engineer ... but neither want to be in our field nor to be qualified for it. For freak sakes, there are things you can do and there are things you can't but you give the impression to be able to do it all.

              For fuck sakes, for what you want, 3 months worth of can food, 10 chords of wood, 500 litres of drinking water, a fresh stream of water, and tools. How fucking hard is that?

              And you call yourself an officer!
              Chimo

              Comment


              • #22
                Originally posted by Gun Grape View Post
                Then thats an easy question.

                I'm living in Texas. I have to worry about flash floods, tornados and depending on which area of Texas an occasional hurricane an/or blizzard.

                The individual rooms are owners choice, I doubt you would want a room to build ship models, but I do. You seem to need a large pantry. Not so much for my family. I would bet there isn't 10 cans of food in my house. We use fresh veggies always. You will have a big pantry, I will have a large garden and greenhouse.

                Since the area is prone to flash floods, I build my house on pylons at least 3 ft above record flood height.

                Because if the high winds, possible hurricanes I build to Florida Coastal Building code standard.
                Seamless metal roof, not shingles. Its no maintenance.
                If you live in the part of Texas with drywood termites, I would consider building block or other concrete exteriors.

                Outside, very near my house I have a 10X10 Tornado shelter/safe room. It cannot go in the house because the house is elevated. And a safe room, by design, is not tied to the structure of the building.

                One of the luxuries that I have is a whole home generator(Natural Gas),with a transfer switch so that I don't electrocute emergency workers due to back feed. That's a personal preference. As I mentioned, I am on one of the local recovery teams/SAR. And at the end of the day I want to have a hot shower and air conditioning.
                I don't think I have to worry too much about flash floods in the house's area. There is a wet weather creek down the slope but if we get that much rain to raise it that high, we probably have other problems. Still, though, I've had experience with things of why not to have them right on the floor and as that I am building on bedrock, pylons do have their purposes.

                A tornado shelter is good. My other major concern is a brush fire and for that, that's probably a bug out situation.

                A room to build ship models? Not necessarily but perhaps rooms for workshops, science labs. The thing about those, however, is that they don't necessarily need to be part of the main house. An area for, say, a mini foundry, can be done in a "barn". One of my pet studies is botany/electronic, for example. There will probably be a greenhouse at my place, but what is grown there may not be so readily eatable................ie, algae.

                I am leaning toward a hacienda type design, a southwestern castle, so adobe (maybe), brick, or stone (got a lot of stone around) are possibilities. Hmmmm, a no shingle roof....that's going to clash with that design.

                As far as a backup power source, that's required.....and still on the consideration table. A diesel generator seems easy. A solar kinetic water head might work as well, but that takes considerable room. Various considerations and as I said, still on the table.

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by Tamara View Post
                  Various considerations and as I said, still on the table.
                  If a 1000 rounds of ammunition cannot last you until death, then you need help ... and it's time you stop thinking you can do all this shit alone ... which is why I now question you are an officer. Our jobs was never to do everything alone. Our jobs was to make sure others can do their jobs to our standards.

                  Reading you, no one ever met your standards ... and that is your fault!
                  Chimo

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
                    If a 1000 rounds of ammunition cannot last you until death, then you need help ... and it's time you stop thinking you can do all this shit alone ... which is why I now question you are an officer. Our jobs was never to do everything alone. Our jobs was to make sure others can do their jobs to our standards.

                    Reading you, no one ever met your standards ... and that is your fault!
                    Calm down.

                    I'm not doing this alone. Have I not come here, to this forum, to ask for suggestions?

                    After I have made my plans, I will try to find someone to help me see them, if only in part. I will try to find a contractor to build my house. As much as I would like to save money and do it myself, even I have admitted that I don't have the time to build my own place.

                    Finally, if you still feel this way about my background in the morning, then I will take it to note. But for now, it is late, and I believe it is better for it to be slept on.

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Originally posted by Tamara View Post
                      Calm down.

                      I'm not doing this alone. Have I not come here, to this forum, to ask for suggestions?
                      You've got comments from a GS for freak sakes!

                      Originally posted by Tamara View Post
                      After I have made my plans, I will try to find someone to help me see them, if only in part. I will try to find a contractor to build my house. As much as I would like to save money and do it myself, even I have admitted that I don't have the time to build my own place.
                      Again, are you building a home or an outpost? You've got a GS and an Officer of Engineers with experices in both ... and from your posts, you sound a lot like building the latter.

                      For one thing, you ain't no home owner. Six rooms of books and VHS when two terrabyte drives the size of one book will do? Are you a freaking idot? Do you know how long and heavy six rooms of books are to clean?

                      And if you are without power, how much battery life does your flashlight have before you're just using your books for fire?

                      1000 rounds of ammunition, 500 litres of water and enough fresh water to do other shit.

                      If you can't live off that for the rest of your life, learn ... because I will guarrantee you that you will never find replacement parts for your generator when it breaks down!
                      Chimo

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
                        You've got comments from a GS for freak sakes!
                        GS?

                        Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post

                        Again, are you building a home or an outpost? You've got a GS and an Officer of Engineers with experices in both ... and from your posts, you sound a lot like building the latter.
                        Well, I suppose in a way, a homestead might sound like the latter. People have told me that if you are living out in the country, you have to be ready to do a lot of stuff on your own.......or be ready to pay a lot when the repairman finally gets out to you.

                        BUT.........perhaps you can list why it sounds like I am building an outpost?

                        Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post
                        For one thing, you ain't no home owner. Six rooms of books and VHS when two terrabyte drives the size of one book will do? Are you a freaking idot? Do you know how long and heavy six rooms of books are to clean?
                        No, not yet about the home owner and you have a point about cleaning. It is a point in the back of my mind of how much can I take care of, how can I minimize my house keeping, to include perhaps changing my habits and behavior. It may be necessary to include a "cleaning lady" in my future.

                        But a thing or two. I'm not a Kibble person. I prefer having the book in my hand. I've found that going after books, after tapes is cheaper.

                        Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post

                        And if you are without power, how much battery life does your flashlight have before you're just using your books for fire?
                        Until the sun comes up?

                        Originally posted by Officer of Engineers View Post

                        1000 rounds of ammunition, 500 litres of water and enough fresh water to do other shit.

                        If you can't live off that for the rest of your life, learn ... because I will guarrantee you that you will never find replacement parts for your generator when it breaks down!
                        Okay, point noted...but I'm afraid the amount of ammo on hand is a matter of internal security, not open for discussion.
                        Last edited by Tamara; 29 Jul 14,, 08:31.

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Originally posted by citanon View Post
                          My god gunny, about the only thing you house can't do is get up and walk away from trouble.
                          Between living in coastal North Carolina and the panhandle of Florida most of my life, I've been through 9-10 Hurricanes.

                          I know what its like to have a 14in diameter limb propelled through my bedroom window. I know what its like to go more than a week without running water and electricity. To see the roof on the house across the street tear off.

                          I will do whatever I can afford, and am willing to spend to keep that from happening again.

                          That being said, and it being Hurricane season,

                          If I find myself in the path of a Cat 3 or above Hurricane, I evacuate. Anyone that doesn't is a damn fool.

                          When I come back, if the house is still standing, I kick on the gen and well then get to work digging the neighborhood out. If its all gone.... Oh well My family and I are safe. Insurance covers the little stuff

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                          • #28
                            I think part of the reason this thread is all over the place is that we aren't sure what you are trying to prepare your new house for.
                            • Riding out a Tornado/Hurricane?
                            • Flood lasting a week or two?
                            • Snowed in all winter?
                            • Civil Insurrection?
                            • Nuclear/Zombie Apocalypse?


                            You can see that depending on what your goal is, the supplies or expertise required could vary greatly. Perhaps if you could describe what your goal is for the place we could give more useful input.

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Originally posted by SteveDaPirate View Post
                              I think part of the reason this thread is all over the place is that we aren't sure what you are trying to prepare your new house for.
                              • Riding out a Tornado/Hurricane?
                              • Flood lasting a week or two?
                              • Snowed in all winter?
                              • Civil Insurrection?
                              • Nuclear/Zombie Apocalypse?


                              You can see that depending on what your goal is, the supplies or expertise required could vary greatly. Perhaps if you could describe what your goal is for the place we could give more useful input.
                              Maybe a shelter for a tornado, floods that wash out (ie, the low water crossings) the in/out access to the place. The likelihood in central Texas of being snowed in all winter is extremely low, though.

                              Civil Insurrection is a good one, though. If it came to that, however, I believe I would have more to worry about from neighbors and "allies" who see my place as a treasure room than the outflow from the city. As to the latter, it is one of the reasons why I am very reluctant to clear the cactus......and the fire ants. As to the former, some of my friends, when the world is nice, have joked about knowing where to come when the world isn't nice.

                              That, of course, presents a whole lot approaches to look at to include making good friends, finding ways to be more useful to them alive than dead, finding niches which work for you but not for others, physical defense measures, and the more creative definition of Detente if possible if it comes down to the end.

                              But like the nuclear/zombie apocalypse, there is the point of do I even want to live through the first wave. Do I want to live through a 'minor' economic collapse? Yes. Perhaps a Stalingrad? Perhaps. VERY Bad, worse case scenario? Probably not.

                              Safe rooms tend to be a necessity in my world. Ie, when one's an Arms Mistress, one is going to want some kind of vault at least. What does it need to have (at this point) at least? A secret way, a secret way out, an emergency escape to the outside. Air, food, water, waste disposal, cooking perhaps, firepower. C4 as it applies to the ranch, be it monitoring of external sensors, radio and other communications, etc.. As such, it will need power as well.

                              As such, the safe room itself probably needs its own "think tank" to figure out what it will be as oppose to just where to locate it.

                              As a side note, I am planning of putting radio comms in, getting a HAM license. I don't have any bars out at the ranch, my access to the Net is questionable. So I'm looking at alternate means, both as the mainstay and for emergency purposes. OF course if the radio room is in the safe room, there will probably be a "false" console in the regular house.

                              Does that help?

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Originally posted by Gun Grape View Post

                                If I find myself in the path of a Cat 3 or above Hurricane, I evacuate. Anyone that doesn't is a damn fool....I kick on the gen and well then get to work digging the neighborhood out.
                                Some people can't... One of the things I've done is go into a hurricane's paths ahead of the storm and try and help the mobility impaired get to and then care for them at a shelter. Its also a reason why I am a big fan of smart 911. People tend to bail on the disabled and elderly and knowing where they are can make it a lot easier to get them out and to the appropriate shelter.

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