Zombie Closets (Bugging Out)

If you haven’t yet listened to this month’s episode of Whine & Wine, you haven’t heard the melodic tones of our guest, Rich–who is also my husband. This was the topic of his dreams and a topic which my co-host, Kathy also shares a deep love for. Therefore, when we decided to dig into the why’s, what’s, and, well, why’s about Zombie Closets, I knew immediately that Rich just had to join us. That choice was confirmed correct right out of the gate when I learned that “Zombie Closet” is not even the right term for these pantries of prepping. 

Actually, I’m still not sure what the correct term is. If I’m being honest, I zoned out quite often during this episode. 

What I did pay attention to? Our nonsor, Stealth Angel Survival’s Bug Out Bags. As soon as Kathy said “Bag,” I said, “Sign me up!” 

Look, if the zombies come, I will be happy to supply them with all the soaps, lotions, and hair ties that they can carry away in a cute bag of their choosing. 

The Bug Out Bag, as it turns out is not a Zombie peace offering, but instead a way to leave one’s house at a moment’s notice should that need pop up. Inside its plethora of pockets? Soaps, lotions, essential medicines, first aid supplies, water filtration options, solar thingies, etc. Okay, maybe I also zoned out when we talked about Bug Out Bag inventory.

I really was trying my very best to pay attention. It’s just that in the first five minutes of recording, I realized that I actually do have endless stashes of sundries essential to leaving my home at a moment’s notice. I realized this with swelling pride which then turned into a mental identification of each and every purpose I was prepared to flee for, should the call come. I knew I was supposed to be fully involved in the recording of the podcast but, well, once my Bug Out Brain left the tracks…it was over as I thought of my own essential inventory:

Weekend Runaway Rollaway:

Children aren’t the only beings that need a time-out on occasion. Sometimes a quick retreat from daily life is the exact thing that can keep a grown-up person mentally healthy. Back in my younger days, I would scurry to my parent’s home when I needed to check out. Now, my scurries are a bit closer to my own home and may or may not include a tagalong (husband, friend, etc.).

• Hotel wine
• Ride or Die
• Bubly, because it’s too complicated to pack my Ninja. 
• Snacks (typically popcorn, nuts, Sour Patch Kids)
• People magazine (or something similar that requires no brain cells)
• Louis Vuitton Crossbody. Why this particular one? Because if I’m checking out I probably need a reminder that I’m worth it. 
• Slippers

The Sea You Later Bag: 

My ocean-ready bug-out bag springs to attention if one of those last-minute cannot-pass-this-up cruises crosses my radar. A few years ago, this may have occurred when a friend dropped a text asking if I might want to go here or there via the crystal waters of the Caribbean. Today I am even more at the ready as I have first access to last-minute deals across every cruise line imaginable: 

• Swimsuit
• Flip-flops
• Sandals
• Sunscreen and Aloe
• Collapsible backpack (or cute crossbody)
• Water bottle
• Door magnet (look, sometimes it’s hard to identify which door is the correct door)
• Lanyard to keep track of my room key
• Wristlet phone case to prevent my phone from slipping overboard while taking pictures from the balcony
• Nightlight (a must-have in cruise cabins to avoid waking up everyone else in the room during those 3:00 am nature calls)

War Belt: 

This is imperative for surviving any and all visit to the DMV.

• Snickers
• Migraine medicine
• Phone Charger
• Seventy-two types of identification
• iPad (plus charger)
• Valium (if available)
• Twelve-pack of water

Gym Bag: 

My gym bag is not like the others. I plan for any and all needs because I often (never) do not plan my workouts ahead of time. 

• Tablet (to watch my stories while doing cardio
• Terry Cloth Towel (I am not a fan of the paper towel wipe-down)
• Swimsuit (in case all I opt to do is hit the tanning bed for some light therapy)
• Eye covers (for that light therapy)
• Sneakers
• A whole workout outfit in case I feel spontaneous at the same moment I realize my gym bag is still in the car from the last visit
• Socks
• Lock
• Wrist braces (times two, my wrists are questionable)
• Knee braces (actually, those can be removed as they are no longer needed)
• Notebook and pen
• Water bottle.

Body Bag: 

Never mind, it’s not important and has nothing to do the the War Belt or the need for an occasional time-out.

The Disney Duffel: 

This bug-out bag is critical for those times when I am summoned to Orlando with little or no notice. It is not specific to Walt Disney World as I can go either way: WDW or Universal Orlando. Therefore, the inventory of my Disney Duffel here covers items for both parks:

• Custom T-shirts (Mickey Mouse, Baby Yoda, Hogwarts Alumni, Duff, etc.)
• Magic Bands (WDW)
• Wands (UO)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Ears (WDW)
• Hufflepuff attire (UO)
• Water Bottle
• Biofreeze (so much Biofreeze)
• Park Bags (one for each, can’t cross streams now, can we?)
• Sneakers (at least two pairs)

I suppose at some point, I really will have to dig into an actual Bug Out Bag. For me, that will mean asking my beloved husband if he’s already prepared a Bug Out Bag for me, to which he will undoubtedly answer “Yes, dear.” That’s the glory of living with someone who takes preparation seriously. When we first moved in together, I thought my husband was a lunatic with all those stashes of beans and bandages. The pandemic changed my opinion as it offered my first real feeling of “but…what if…?” and then a feeling of comfort as I knew we were in good shape thanks to my husband’s forethought. 

What will you put in your Bug Out Bag?

Listen to this month’s episode of Whine & Wine for some words of wisdom: