a few possessions

Were you able to live with a few possessions?

Possessions are things we have, and 'a few' means a small number.  Notice the following:

1. He traveled abroad with only a few possessions.
2. At university, I had only a few possessions like my clothes, guitar and computer.

military surplus store

I had to get it from a sort of military surplus store.

'Surplus items' are things we don't need or extra items.  Notice the following:

1. You can sometimes buy cheap camping equipment at a military surplus store.
2. I bought these pants at military surplus store.

survival gear

A soldier needs to carry survival gear.

'Survival gear' is special equipment you need to stay alive if you are lost outdoors.  Notice the following:

1. Where can I buy survival gear?
2. You'll need survival gear in the desert.

stringing up

I was going to be stringing up the ropes.

When we 'string something up,' that means we hang it in the air above ground, usually with rope.  Notice the following:

1. String up the food so the animals can't get it.
2. Can you string up the laundry for me?

roots

They have more roots than I do.

Here, we use the word 'roots' to talk about our connection to a place because we were born there or used to live there.  Notice the following:

1. Most immigrants keep their cultural roots.
2. I was born in New York, but my roots are in California.
   

settled down

They've settled down in some way.

To 'settle down' means to comfortably stay in one place.  Notice the following:

1. His father was in the army so they never settled down for long.
2. I'd love to buy a house and settle down.