Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: January 23 ~ 29, 2022
- Thread starter ReneeT
- Start date
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Heavy snow last night and now till noon. At son's. Might be awhile till I can start heading home.
Good morning Renee!
Good morning Renee!
Good Morning, Wanderlore!! Enjoy your peace and quiet during the snowfall - it's so amazing how the snow can soften the sounds. No snow here, thank goodness - though the sky does look like the weather could get up to some mischief... Our forecasts are crazy - temps going from 0 to the mid 40's, and everywhere in between!
I've been staying at home this week since I tested positive on my Covid test this past Monday; their best guess was Omicron since all I have are minor cold symptoms - and now, antibodies woo hoo! I'll find out tomorrow if I get to go back to work; and should also find out if my vaccine exemption requests have been approved. Given all the news about other places dumping the vaccine mandates, I am hopeful.
I've taken advantage of being home to finally - maybe - get caught up on sleep! Other than sleeping, keeping the laundry caught up, wild bird feeders filled, and trying to convince the stray cats I've been feeding that I really am a nice person and they should let me pet them, I haven't gotten much of anything done, but at least I don't feel tired all the time. I did make one quick trip (masked, of course) in to town last evening to pick up a few basics at the small local grocery store and Dollar General; otherwise I haven't been anywhere.
My only prep purchase since I've been home this past week was a couple of 3 packs of Velveeta Cheese Sauce at Dollar General - we use them for mac and cheese and for a cheesy chicken and veggie soup that we make. I have a few 3 packs already in stock in the pantry, so these will be rotated in. The use by dates on all of them are September and October of this year, so I didn't want to stock up too many.
Guess I'd better go downstairs and feed the indoor cats; then it may be time to sit and page through my garden seed catalogs again...
Take care all; stay safe and warm out there!
I've been staying at home this week since I tested positive on my Covid test this past Monday; their best guess was Omicron since all I have are minor cold symptoms - and now, antibodies woo hoo! I'll find out tomorrow if I get to go back to work; and should also find out if my vaccine exemption requests have been approved. Given all the news about other places dumping the vaccine mandates, I am hopeful.
I've taken advantage of being home to finally - maybe - get caught up on sleep! Other than sleeping, keeping the laundry caught up, wild bird feeders filled, and trying to convince the stray cats I've been feeding that I really am a nice person and they should let me pet them, I haven't gotten much of anything done, but at least I don't feel tired all the time. I did make one quick trip (masked, of course) in to town last evening to pick up a few basics at the small local grocery store and Dollar General; otherwise I haven't been anywhere.
My only prep purchase since I've been home this past week was a couple of 3 packs of Velveeta Cheese Sauce at Dollar General - we use them for mac and cheese and for a cheesy chicken and veggie soup that we make. I have a few 3 packs already in stock in the pantry, so these will be rotated in. The use by dates on all of them are September and October of this year, so I didn't want to stock up too many.
Guess I'd better go downstairs and feed the indoor cats; then it may be time to sit and page through my garden seed catalogs again...
Take care all; stay safe and warm out there!
Marseydoats
Veteran Member
This weather is kicking my butt. All the stall doors frozen to the ground this morning. Livestock usually goes out at daybreak. Two of them had to wait until after 10 AM because I couldn't budge the doors until they thawed a little.
Had to bust ice out of troughs and discovered that husband had broken the handles on both the 12 and 16 pound sledge hammers and not repaired them. I can barely swing the 20 pounder but I got it done ---barely.
Husband has essentially been out of commission since week before Christmas and I've been doing everything. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. If the weather would break I would be ok, I don't usually have to spend 45 minutes busting ice out of troughs and carrying hot water...
He is so confused that I can't trust him to take his medicine properly. He gets drugs 4 times a day and it has been really difficult. 3 Dr, appts. next week.
Had to bust ice out of troughs and discovered that husband had broken the handles on both the 12 and 16 pound sledge hammers and not repaired them. I can barely swing the 20 pounder but I got it done ---barely.
Husband has essentially been out of commission since week before Christmas and I've been doing everything. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. If the weather would break I would be ok, I don't usually have to spend 45 minutes busting ice out of troughs and carrying hot water...
He is so confused that I can't trust him to take his medicine properly. He gets drugs 4 times a day and it has been really difficult. 3 Dr, appts. next week.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Hey girls. Yes can't wait for winter to quit!
Hubs has to chop ice on trough and I melt and dump ice out of other animals buckets and refill.
This morning they are having to do it as I can't even get to jeep yet at son's.
Our farrier came out. One horse is great. Other horse he said foundered before we bought her and her hoof is all but dead. He says it's not live or death, she will live with it. It will come and go.
Should have had her vet checked first before purchase.
Some of our animals are just ageing. 18 yr old Jack Russell. 15+ yr old mutt. 13+ yr old Aussie that's blind. 10 yr old lab rott mix with bad leg.
I do the best I can for them but no more animals.
Went to dollar general yesterday grabbed a few things for at son's.
He was paid up and registered for medic class that is all online until this summer, but they instituted that everyone must have the triple vax ( he had j and j early last year), and must wear n95 at all times.
He doesn't want that, so he withdrew from class to wait and see if it changes this summer.
It's a 2 year class with practicals and clinicals.
Come to find out, half the students pulled out as well, and a nursing class had all but 3 disenroll.
I don't blame him. He has plenty of money saved. Functions as EMT/firefighter already. So isn't in a hurry.
Hopefully this school will get a clue.
His mortgage is on hold as there is problem with title. Waiting on that.
Hits keep coming.
Hubs has to chop ice on trough and I melt and dump ice out of other animals buckets and refill.
This morning they are having to do it as I can't even get to jeep yet at son's.
Our farrier came out. One horse is great. Other horse he said foundered before we bought her and her hoof is all but dead. He says it's not live or death, she will live with it. It will come and go.
Should have had her vet checked first before purchase.
Some of our animals are just ageing. 18 yr old Jack Russell. 15+ yr old mutt. 13+ yr old Aussie that's blind. 10 yr old lab rott mix with bad leg.
I do the best I can for them but no more animals.
Went to dollar general yesterday grabbed a few things for at son's.
He was paid up and registered for medic class that is all online until this summer, but they instituted that everyone must have the triple vax ( he had j and j early last year), and must wear n95 at all times.
He doesn't want that, so he withdrew from class to wait and see if it changes this summer.
It's a 2 year class with practicals and clinicals.
Come to find out, half the students pulled out as well, and a nursing class had all but 3 disenroll.
I don't blame him. He has plenty of money saved. Functions as EMT/firefighter already. So isn't in a hurry.
Hopefully this school will get a clue.
His mortgage is on hold as there is problem with title. Waiting on that.
Hits keep coming.
Toosh
Veteran Member
So it's tax season and although it's a bit early for me to do taxes, organizing receipts makes it a perfect time to update my annual budget. Most of it is routine line items where only adjustments to cost are needed.
One line item is my Prepping Budget. Here is where I think about what training we want to do, what consumables are likely needed to be replaced and new prep-projects for the year.
For instance, Hubby and I spend about 2,000 rounds at IDPA competitions each year. That ammo needs to be replaced and our IDPA membership renewed. We're streamlined as a family to 40 cal. so it's not cheap even if buying practice rounds. That, plus small batteries, a bit of extra food storage, one new sleeping bag and mason jar lids will cover consumables this year.
For training, I want to take a gardening course. Yes, I'm already a master gardener - but they don't teach you how to garden; they teach you how not to kill plants - which is different. The course I'm looking at is Mittleider Gardening. I've been following LDSPrepper on YouTube and have been using the Mittleifer micro nutrients for 2 years. I love the increase in harvest abundance so I figure now it's time to go all-in and learn to do it right. $500. I will join a local ham radio club to be able to access their training events - $50. Hubby will update his wilderness medical skills - $1,400 including travel.
A new prepping item is beekeeping. I've been assisting a neighbor who's been mentoring me for the past year so I was thinking I'm ready to start with a small setup in my backyard. But recently someone gave me (yes! gave me) a truckload of bee-stuff including 3 beehives having 5 broodboxes so it looks like I'm starting with a big setup. My mentor has agreed to assist. After inventorying what I had, he suggested I budget $500 for miscellaneous.
Another project is to replace our current generator shed. Budgeting $750 for materials to replace the current plastic Suncast with a wood shed, slightly larger and with more sound-proofing. We can do the work ourselves.
It adds up quick. All-in-all, it's looking like $6,000 for a prepping budget. A bit more than last year but we'll make it work across the final household budget line items.
One line item is my Prepping Budget. Here is where I think about what training we want to do, what consumables are likely needed to be replaced and new prep-projects for the year.
For instance, Hubby and I spend about 2,000 rounds at IDPA competitions each year. That ammo needs to be replaced and our IDPA membership renewed. We're streamlined as a family to 40 cal. so it's not cheap even if buying practice rounds. That, plus small batteries, a bit of extra food storage, one new sleeping bag and mason jar lids will cover consumables this year.
For training, I want to take a gardening course. Yes, I'm already a master gardener - but they don't teach you how to garden; they teach you how not to kill plants - which is different. The course I'm looking at is Mittleider Gardening. I've been following LDSPrepper on YouTube and have been using the Mittleifer micro nutrients for 2 years. I love the increase in harvest abundance so I figure now it's time to go all-in and learn to do it right. $500. I will join a local ham radio club to be able to access their training events - $50. Hubby will update his wilderness medical skills - $1,400 including travel.
A new prepping item is beekeeping. I've been assisting a neighbor who's been mentoring me for the past year so I was thinking I'm ready to start with a small setup in my backyard. But recently someone gave me (yes! gave me) a truckload of bee-stuff including 3 beehives having 5 broodboxes so it looks like I'm starting with a big setup. My mentor has agreed to assist. After inventorying what I had, he suggested I budget $500 for miscellaneous.
Another project is to replace our current generator shed. Budgeting $750 for materials to replace the current plastic Suncast with a wood shed, slightly larger and with more sound-proofing. We can do the work ourselves.
It adds up quick. All-in-all, it's looking like $6,000 for a prepping budget. A bit more than last year but we'll make it work across the final household budget line items.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Nothing planned for this week. It's just "steady as she goes".
Have a blessed week, Everyone!
Have a blessed week, Everyone!
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
The only prepping that I'm doing Is making lists of nice to have items or what I'd like to stock more of just in case this mess with Russia/Ukraine kicks off. I did start Christmas shopping for our kids this week online. I am usually able to find some excellent deals this time of year.
paxsim2
Senior Member
I had a first happen today, my Walmart order was delayed. I cancelled it since that was an option. This wasn't a prep order, it was a lunch, snack and top off order. I'll reorder for Tuesday.
I got my second box from Misfits Market and I'm pleased with quality and the price. It's about the right size for us.
It's been in the teens and twenties here, the greenhouse is doing great. I'm going to start more seeds and put them in the bay window.
I got my second box from Misfits Market and I'm pleased with quality and the price. It's about the right size for us.
It's been in the teens and twenties here, the greenhouse is doing great. I'm going to start more seeds and put them in the bay window.
This week we are prepping potato bed by adding compost. We should be planting in 2 weeks or so. Building some raised beds here in the test garden. Will start some tomato seeds this week. Trying to decide what to do about those knocking on the door asking for food or meds. I am sure some of you are in the same spot. Just wanting to do what is right and yet keeping enough for our own use. It is mostly family who knows that we garden big etc. Open to any of your thoughts or ideas.
Philkar - that's a really hard decision, and more than likely there are no great options. I know we somewhat prep for others as well as ourselves.... but this is family that knows how to work and is willing to. If the big poo=poo hits, they will be out here at the farm anyway (as long as they can get here).
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Philkar, I don't have any advice to offer. We don't have enough of a garden to worry about sharing with anyone, and no one outside our small family unit know about any preps we might have. All in our small family unit are also avid preppers.
Well none of our family are preppers. And they don't know what we have except that we have a 2and 1/2 acre garden. But they are all older. Deeply patriotic but they just don't get it and we don't even mention it anymore. They do stockpile some things which I will not discuss here but they just can't imagine that there could be no electricity or internet. 1 of them doesn't use cell phone or computer and the other family JUST got a cell phone and are struggling to understand how to use it. It is not lack of money it is just mindset! one brother was in airforce so has seen more of life but the other brother has never been 50 miles outside of this area. Not saying that is bad just trying to describe a mind set. But doggone he can grow a tomato!
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Now, that's a lot of garden!John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
If they are older, I would plan for them. I have done this with some older family members.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
Covid was quite the jolt for many a previous dis-believer that was complacent & nestled nicely in their modern cocoon >>>> What did they do for Covid? - Did they learn anything from the displacement? - The shortages? - Feeling anything lately with the re-newed shortages and $$$$ pricing?
tech
Veteran Member
Not a whole lot going on this week, but I did swing by the store and picked up some ham @ .88/lb .... and a little coffee to top off the shelf.
The wood stove is getting a bit of a workout at night. Dropped to 21 last night, which isn't bad but is quite chilly
Later this week the roof is scheduled to be replaced...finally! Praying for no rain - none forecast at this time.
The wood stove is getting a bit of a workout at night. Dropped to 21 last night, which isn't bad but is quite chilly
Later this week the roof is scheduled to be replaced...finally! Praying for no rain - none forecast at this time.
tech
Veteran Member
One thing I have noticed about CCP virus...it doesn't seem to go after those that eat mostly natural foods. The ones (around here, anyhow) that always are eating processed "foods" have been the ones infected.
Coincidence? Perhaps, perhaps not..
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
It didn't make any difference with DS and his family. They are so into eating all natural foods that they won't even use regular toothpaste. They have to have all natural everything, and they all got COVID. That's a thought to consider, though.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes. All of them have made a full recovery, but still a lingering cough for DDIL.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Don't have any elders anymore in family except us. I think it would be a challenge though. There are a lot of things needed by elderly, and some of them (people) would be difficult to deal with in a sthtf situation.
If it were my grandparents, I'd do it in a heartbeat. If you can afford to do it, probably should to some extent.
My youngest daughter would probably come here. My oldest son has a vegan wife who said she would divorce him if he hunted. Liberal family, him being the oddball. They would most likely stay in the city with their friends and her family.
Very cold tonight, 9 degrees, but no wind. Supposed to get 1-3 inches more snow. Ug.
If it were my grandparents, I'd do it in a heartbeat. If you can afford to do it, probably should to some extent.
My youngest daughter would probably come here. My oldest son has a vegan wife who said she would divorce him if he hunted. Liberal family, him being the oddball. They would most likely stay in the city with their friends and her family.
Very cold tonight, 9 degrees, but no wind. Supposed to get 1-3 inches more snow. Ug.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Cary and I are the oldest in my family unit other than my mom. Our youngest DS lives with her, and she is a prepper somewhat, so she will be ok with DS. They both plan to stay where they are and have prepped for that. Our house is so small that I don't have room for anyone to come stay/live with us. If anyone does come here to stay, they would have to bring tents or campers with them.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Hubs kids all live near each other so they will band together. We'd maybe have room for my youngest daughter. That would be on the couch unless it was warm enough to stay in camper without heat.
I'd dread anyone else coming as unless they have lived on a farm, they don't have a clue.
I get a little concerned reading the Ukraine thread.
I'd dread anyone else coming as unless they have lived on a farm, they don't have a clue.
I get a little concerned reading the Ukraine thread.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Cary and I are on our own here. Oldest DS, DDIL, her sister and her mother are all banded together, but will come here as long as they bring their camper should they ever need to. DS has his place pretty self-sufficient where they are, though, for all of them. DS and Mom are set up. The rest of my extended family, I don't care what they do, and don't have much to do with them, so I don't worry over them at all. None of them would ever think to come to my house for help of any kind.
aviax2
Veteran Member
Hello everyone, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted in the prep threads. I started getting sick a few days before Christmas but I really didn’t feel all that bad the first 4 or 5 days but then things really went downhill. After 2 different kinds of antibiotics, (and prayers) I finally started getting better. The past few weeks I’ve been trying to get my strength back. I wasn’t tested for c vid but the Dr didn’t think that’s what it was anyway (nor did I), DH was tested over a week later but was negative. He went the other day to have an antibody test done and he had lots! I went later the same day to have mine checked, but it showed none. There is so much crap floating around it’s absolutely terrifying. The grandkids stayed over a week ago this past Friday and every one of them tested positive for c vid, the oldest one on the 17th and the other two a few days later. So far so good with DH and I.
I did put in a Sam’s order and everything has come in except some ziplock bags. I bought soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, a couple of kinds of dried milk, chicken noodle soup (grandsons love it and DH and I used some while we were sick) cereal, miracle whip, hot chocolate, mashed potatoes, almond extract, almonds and Velvetta.
I‘m hoping to get back into decluttering/organizing this week. I got off to a good start right after Christmas and managed to go through our tree ornaments and other decor. Anything that I didn’t want anymore but was still good was offered to our DD’s first then DH took it all plus the tree to goodwill. I did toss a lot too and little granddaughter wanted the angels (she calls them fairies). I felt so much better having everything gone through right down to wrapping paper, bows, tags and gift bags.
I did put in a Sam’s order and everything has come in except some ziplock bags. I bought soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, a couple of kinds of dried milk, chicken noodle soup (grandsons love it and DH and I used some while we were sick) cereal, miracle whip, hot chocolate, mashed potatoes, almond extract, almonds and Velvetta.
I‘m hoping to get back into decluttering/organizing this week. I got off to a good start right after Christmas and managed to go through our tree ornaments and other decor. Anything that I didn’t want anymore but was still good was offered to our DD’s first then DH took it all plus the tree to goodwill. I did toss a lot too and little granddaughter wanted the angels (she calls them fairies). I felt so much better having everything gone through right down to wrapping paper, bows, tags and gift bags.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Ug. More snow today and cold. Kitchen pipes, sump pump and water softener all froze. We are working on it.
Hubs went out to put bale of straw on outside drain.
Chores done twice a day right now. Going downstairs to clean kitchen and work on dinner for later.
Hubs went to get 20 bags coal, roads bad.
We've seen it worse for sure and this is the time of year we wonder why we live here LOL.
Hubs went out to put bale of straw on outside drain.
Chores done twice a day right now. Going downstairs to clean kitchen and work on dinner for later.
Hubs went to get 20 bags coal, roads bad.
We've seen it worse for sure and this is the time of year we wonder why we live here LOL.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Because of the panic in the stock market, and the dire situation with Russia, we are making sure our generator is working and have plenty of cash on hand, today. Thoughts?
Based on DHS, Russia is threatening cyberattacks against us.
Based on DHS, Russia is threatening cyberattacks against us.
Well today i am doing all things that need electricity. Laundry and vacuuming out the car and the house. Cars and tractors are fueled up along with golf carts that we use in the orchard and gardening. We are picking up seed potatoes as I called and they are in today! And last Praying without ceasing. Asking for mercy. I have military children.
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
I'm going to place an order for a double batch of livestock feed and pick up more hay bales. Probably going to order some odds and ends to top off some things. If this goes South, I have a wish list I'd like, but don't have to have.
What happened to the bees that were originally in the hives you were given? Make sure they didnt die from foolbrood. It lasts forever in old equipment.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Back from picking up commodities and a walmart run. First Walmart, the shelves didn't look too bad, although they were out of Sam's diet cola. I almost stuck to my list, one thing we almost need was a 2# block of cheese and I forgot to put that on my list.
I was checking out, self check and forgot to ring up my two cases of water because I was remembering that I forgot to go to the pharmacy section for sinus/allergy meds. I told the lady at the door that I though I'd forgotten to ring up the water, she said they will probably ring it up at the pharmacy for you, nice lady. I got the OTC med and checked out at the closest self check, went back to the other door and showed the nice lady my receipt.
We got more canned foods in commodities than we have in a long time, between the two of us we got one chicken, we also got that beef stew in the soft cans that we are putting aside for the dog, they taste disgusting. We got Jack's pizzas, which is the kind we like.
We did get fresh sweet potatoes, regular potatoes and a few carrots. I'm thinking if I keep these fresh foods in a cool dark place that they will stay good longer. I may cut the carrots up in small sticks to snack on, DH won't eat carrots. We really don't eat much in the way of regular potatoes.
A few years ago we had quite a few potatoes on hand, DH cut them in shoe strings, deep fried them and we froze them. All I had to do was put them in a dry cast iron skillet, stir them around until they were warm to hot and DH said they were like fresh. That's a thought as to what to do with them. I love sweet potatoes but am lazy about cooking them, I can bake one a couple of times a week for me to work through them. they could even be put in a small cast iron pot with a tight lid and put in a fire to cook them. I have a pan like that. I need to dig that little pan out and use it to cook them in the oven instead of using foil paper.
I also got a mix to make tortillas and butter, 2 pounds of butter, have to replace what I use to keep the same amount in storage.
I didn't go up and down all the isles, but things looked pretty good, the beef and chicken areas looked okay, spread out but okay.
God is good all the time
Judy
I was checking out, self check and forgot to ring up my two cases of water because I was remembering that I forgot to go to the pharmacy section for sinus/allergy meds. I told the lady at the door that I though I'd forgotten to ring up the water, she said they will probably ring it up at the pharmacy for you, nice lady. I got the OTC med and checked out at the closest self check, went back to the other door and showed the nice lady my receipt.
We got more canned foods in commodities than we have in a long time, between the two of us we got one chicken, we also got that beef stew in the soft cans that we are putting aside for the dog, they taste disgusting. We got Jack's pizzas, which is the kind we like.
We did get fresh sweet potatoes, regular potatoes and a few carrots. I'm thinking if I keep these fresh foods in a cool dark place that they will stay good longer. I may cut the carrots up in small sticks to snack on, DH won't eat carrots. We really don't eat much in the way of regular potatoes.
A few years ago we had quite a few potatoes on hand, DH cut them in shoe strings, deep fried them and we froze them. All I had to do was put them in a dry cast iron skillet, stir them around until they were warm to hot and DH said they were like fresh. That's a thought as to what to do with them. I love sweet potatoes but am lazy about cooking them, I can bake one a couple of times a week for me to work through them. they could even be put in a small cast iron pot with a tight lid and put in a fire to cook them. I have a pan like that. I need to dig that little pan out and use it to cook them in the oven instead of using foil paper.
I also got a mix to make tortillas and butter, 2 pounds of butter, have to replace what I use to keep the same amount in storage.
I didn't go up and down all the isles, but things looked pretty good, the beef and chicken areas looked okay, spread out but okay.
God is good all the time
Judy
This is my first time on the prep threads. I am "Experienced" at prepping and hope to be able to contribute something.
I rigged up a 250 watt solar panel to charge the battery for my diesel generator this month. I did not use a charge control so I have to check it every hour or so with a volt meter so it does not over charge. At around 13-14 volts it is putting close to 17 amps into the battery so it charges fairly fast. I used it to charge the battery in my dump trailer a few days ago.
I hooked a 400 watt inverter to the battery and ran a large radio off of it while the solar panel was hooked up. I had to unhook the solar panel 1/2 hr out of every hour to keep the voltage in the battery from going to high. I have about a dozen of these panels and plan to use them to power a tiny house I am building on my property. I have an 80 amp Outback charge controller to use on the "Real" system along with a couple of 1000 watt true sine wave inverters.
I rigged up a 250 watt solar panel to charge the battery for my diesel generator this month. I did not use a charge control so I have to check it every hour or so with a volt meter so it does not over charge. At around 13-14 volts it is putting close to 17 amps into the battery so it charges fairly fast. I used it to charge the battery in my dump trailer a few days ago.
I hooked a 400 watt inverter to the battery and ran a large radio off of it while the solar panel was hooked up. I had to unhook the solar panel 1/2 hr out of every hour to keep the voltage in the battery from going to high. I have about a dozen of these panels and plan to use them to power a tiny house I am building on my property. I have an 80 amp Outback charge controller to use on the "Real" system along with a couple of 1000 watt true sine wave inverters.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Welcome to the prep threads. Its really my favorite part of the forum.
God is good all the time
Judy