Thanks Caroline I brought my iPod over to the laptop so I can add some non-games that I use. Utilities Apzilla 2 has all sorts of different utilities, most of them are worthwhile. Some you might never use. Even though Apzilla has it I also have MyLite (a flashlight) and a Free Level program. (a level for hanging pictures straight)and Free Space, a program that tells you how much room is left on your iPod and battery info. Capacity is another program that does this. Free Wi-Fi tells you when you travel where there is free wi-fi you can log into. 5-0 Radio Pro is a fun Police and Fire scanner so you can listen for any calls that come out in your city or even places in your country. My hearing isn't the best and sometimes the talking isn't too clear for me but it is fun listening to the information. It can run in the background. Shopwise is a program that tells you certain deals. I have World Atlas and Google Earth. Book Crawler is a program that lets you keep track of all of your books. iPlant is a gardening book that is quite good. For notes I use Awesome Notes. MyStuff2 is a neat inventory program I haven't used yet. I use IOwn and Iconic Notes, but I don't think either of those are available now. Someday I will transfer everything over. Ian's Laces as Caroline mentioned is fun but there also is a program called Tie a Scarf for women' scarves. Holiday List is also a great Christmas gift planner. AppSniper and AppShopper are two programs I use occasionally. They tell you the new programs that are out. A lot of programs are free for a short time before they start to charge and these programs as well as others will let you know this. I have a lot of medical programs and photography programs as well but this thread is getting long.

Most of that makes a good start. Not sure about the rationale of some of it though but you pick and choose what's appropriate for your needs and area. Couple other thoughts, some of which were on the other thread: A seatbelt cutter. Some now will attach right onto the seatbelt so if the seatbelt jams you can cut and exit quickly. Medications, extra eyeglasses, and other special needs A charger for that cell phone I always keep some money but use change. Keep $10-$15 or so in quarters for parking and other incidental needs. Some basic hand tools & a set of folding wheel chocks are nice Tow strap/rope/chain, shovel & a come-along are good ideas too And in the northland you don't want white rags for a signal - you want red, lime green, fluorescent orange or something that can be SEEN in the snow! I don't want to surrender, I want to be FOUND! Current proof of insurance A disposeable camera is a good idea but a digital camera with batteries is a far better idea. They're not as susceptible to the temperature extremes as are film cameras. If you're in a southern climate and leave a film camera in an enclosed vehicle it's ruined in a short time. In freezing weather the film emulsion can crack and spiderweb as you advance the film unless you warm it up adequately so the film is soft. I carry a tarp. Multi use. For when you have to crawl underneath the vehicle, cover something or whatever. Takes next to no space. I guess you could use it for privacy, but if you're in trouble around people, isn't that a good thing? And if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere I think there's enough privacy isn't there? Pen, paper & Purell Sunglasses, spotlight and digital recorder Aspirin, IB, etc 12v air compressor, extra oil, antifreeze and washer fluid Tire pressure gauge, Ice scraper & snowbrush Sometimes some softener salt and the spray deicer is great Battery charger and extension cords are occasionally priceless If you have a pet, and are going far, keep copies of immunization records in case of a bite or if the animal gets sick Item #c could be very bad advice. Be sure to check with the law enforcemnt agencies in your area before you do this. Around here if you call the station phone number requiring a reasponse, you will have to hang up and call 911 to get it handled through dispatch. THE CLERK ANSWERING THE NON EMERGENCY NUMBER CANNOT DISPATCH. If it's an emergency, it could make a big difference. So I'd be careful before advising this. If you just need to know what hours they're collecting for something, that's a different story, but I don't know of many people who would worry about that when they're broken down! I use my cell phone as my address book, but as said I still print out one and keep in there. I have people's numbers I can call and even have some mechanics numbers. With a cell phone, ASSUMING YOU HAVE COVERAGE, you can call someone and get a number. A friend broke down about 100 miles from home about 2 weeks ago. The timing belt broke in his car. He called a number of people before he finally got his daughter who looked up numbers for a tow truck. Why he didn't call 911, I have no idea, but that's the way he is! LOL One other number that I never see mentioned that is an excellent resource is a good library's reference desk. They will look up phone numbers for you, resources for you, and can provide a wealth of other information. This is one you shouldn't overlook.

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The little pieces wound around the card were in the little kit when I bought it. At the thrift store I saw this big spool about 9 inches high that had all that sewing thread wrapped around it. In the sewing kits we used to buy years ago there would always be a length of it so you could pull out the thread that matched whatever you needed to mend. I can send a yard or so if you want some. Just email me. gtw000@aol.com