What I'm doing to prepare right now

[Dennis Olson]

In response to the evident crisis brewing in the ME, I went out this morning for a couple of hours and started cleaning the RV. Bear in mind that except for getting something out of it, I have absolutely not touched it or cleaned it since I moved into the house. I got the fridge cleaned, the stove cleaned, the kitchen sinks and counter cleaned, and the dining table cleaned. Oh, and the microwave. I have the a/c on in the main cabin and will be going back in a little while to hit it again. And I HATE cleaning the RV, but if I have to bugout, I couldn't have the interior as it was. I hope to get the front part cleaned and vacuumed today, and then I'll hit the bathroom, bedroom and the driver's area. I still have to reprovision, but I figure if I work a couple hours a day, every day, by weekend I should be in pretty good shape from a livability standpoint.

[fairbanksb]

I plan on hitting the grocery store today and top off on groceries. We defrosted our freezer two days ago and had to toss some meats that were buried in there. Hate throwing away food but I don't think it was safe to eat. The rest of the preps are pretty well as good as they are going to get because I have the feeling that the time is too short to get additional funds to purchase much more.

[summerthyme]

Fairbanksb... I hate to say it, but as long as meat has stayed frozen, there is never a time when it's "unSAFE" to eat. Unappetizing, if it got badly freezer burned, yes. Unsafe? No....

We've eaten beef that was 10 years old (kept in our NON-self-defrosting chest freezers which are kept at 10 below 0 Fahrenheit) and it was perfectly fine. However, I do vacuum seal things like pork chops and chicken breasts, as they do freezer burn rather quickly. And a few things- particularly seasoned pork sausages- get pretty funky tasting after a year or so, but that's more because of the spices changing than any safety issue.

Summerthyme

[JoshInReno]

Finishing the solar system wiring on my 5th wheel. We have an elk hunt coming up in a couple of weeks and my wife has no idea that our hunting gear doubles as preps - the 5th wheel included.

Also headed to the range this weekend for some last minute practice for the wife and her hunting rifle. I will also be taking my AR for more fine-tuning of the scope. It is easier for me to slip in ammo and other prep buys during hunting season as it doesn't make her wonder.

[ambereyes]

Stocked up on water, non-perishables and filled the dehydrator with meat from the freezer. Already have lots of dehydrated meat and veggies packed and sealed. All gas tanks and cans filled up and cash on hand.

[Flippper]

I'm still trying to buy a house, I need desperately to get out of this drug haven trailer park before TSHTF, the police chief admits the fellow across the street has been on their radar for some time, and the guy next to me has a fairly steady flow of 2 minute visitors every time the first of the month rolls around, and I believe he's very dangerous, has 3 kids and refuses to stock up. He's the one who went after some dogs with a hammer when they killed a cat on his porch-I can see him doing that to me if he thinks I have food and his kids are hungry. Not that anyone might not do that, but the place I'm in is paper thin and would be easy for an 80 year old to break into with no tools or strength.

Other than that, I'm dehydrating (geesh, I need more than 1 dehydrator!!!) and canning what I am able to out of the garden, I'm very low on jars and need more but can't afford to buy any til next month. God will provide what I need, I reckon. I hope when I'm starving I like summer squash, as I've dehydrated about 200 lbs of it.

[Flippper]

Stocked up on water, non-perishables and filled the dehydrator with meat from the freezer. Already have lots of dehydrated meat and veggies packed and sealed. All gas tanks and cans filled up and cash on hand.

What kind of meat have you dehydrated and how did you prepare it for dehydration? I did chicken after I double boiled it to get all the fat off of it, but haven't tried any other meat.

[blueberry]

Best laid plans, ya know .....

My intent was to leave an hour or so early this morning. There is a Sav A Lot on my way to work and I had my list ready and planned to stop there on the way.

Walk out to my car wouldn't you know it .... a flat tire. I am not the fastest tire changer in the world, but I got it done - and now I had to go straight to work. Oh well, I will try again to get to Sav A Lot.

[coloradohermit]

Still barrelling along on extra firewood and my cutting permit is good til Oct 15. Last week I got a bunch of chainsaw blades sharpened as my file sharpening job only go so far. Topping off the cistern. Topping off the gas tanks on the vehicles and generators from the gas cans so DH can refill the cans when he goes to town to the dentist tomorrow. Most of this stuff is normal winter prep, so I'm concentrating on enjoying this glorious Colorado mountain day.

[Halfdar]

Just acquired an additional rifle, which will have to be restocked to something more my taste. For the moment, it will shortly be going to my gunsmiths' shop for a trigger job, some minor tweaking and a general set-up.
Certain flats of canned goods are on order, just waiting for the call to go and retrieve.
Most of all, PAYING ATTENTION. Vigilance is key, and once again thanks to the Chief Curmudgeon and the wider Membership for this site and the thoughts it contains.

God Bless America and all who stand with her

[shortstop]

I'll be making a prep run tomorrow.... sales start on Wednesdays. ...Extra chocolate is on the list...

[imaginative]

Stocked up on water, non-perishables and filled the dehydrator with meat from the freezer. Already have lots of dehydrated meat and veggies packed and sealed. All gas tanks and cans filled up and cash on hand.

Same here except Im going to get more perishables. Been sleeping 8 hrs a night and working out during the day. I canned a bunch of sauce today. Then 6 qts of green beans. While I was waiting for the green beans to finish- I was reading the circular for my local grocery store- cans of green beans for 59 cents. I realized what a bargain they are.

Im going to run out and convert some fiat into .223 and canned goods. I see chuck roast is $3.59/lb- maybe I'll can-up a bunch of beef stew while waiting for TSTHTF.

Also, my son got a weekly paper route this Spring- 410 houses- and our house is right in the middle of the route. Hes been earning extra cash and converting it into silver eagles and I've been helping with the delivery. Im using this as a recon/ surveillance opportunity. Im attempting to networking with someone from each block and encouraging them to see if there could be a team from each block to organize in whatever manner that would be needed.

[lookingforthewayback]

Did my semi-annual inventory of the freezer in July, removed all meat over 6 months and canned it. Canned veggies all summer. I am a reloader so have plenty for all firearms.
I also make fireworks so I have plenty home made black powder on hand for muzzle loader or whatever else. I live in Florida so June thru Nov I stay pretty alert because we never can tell when a major storm might head our way.

[marcon]

we are working on hauling hay to the barn for the animals. Will do a monthly restock when we go to the city on saturday and filled gas cans and cars, tractors, ect today. Glad I had some funds as the gas run just about gave me a heart attack when I was done.

[ambereyes]

What kind of meat have you dehydrated and how did you prepare it for dehydration? I did chicken after I double boiled it to get all the fat off of it, but haven't tried any other meat.

Have done venison, beef, goat and pork(this one needs lots of care to make sure its done).. Oh yeah and turkey.. What ever meat I'm using I freeze for a couple of hours to make slicing easier, than mix my soak.. I really don't have a recipe for what I marinate it in usually it has soy sauce, worchester, spices to taste (garlic, onion, pepper and red pepper) whichever ya like.. some people will use liquid smoke or honey too. Taste to see if it is what ya like. Than put in a bag or bowl add thinly sliced meat, let soak in fridge for anywhere from 4 to 8 hours.. I kinda stir it around when I think about it. Than fill the dehydrator leaving room around the pieces for plenty of air flow. Depending on the meat and how thin you can slice it it should be ready in around 12 hours. Nearly forgot get it as trimmed of fat as possible. Dang, that's all I can think of, been doing so long kinda can make jerky in my sleep.. LOL

[Kathy in FL]

I'll grab what I can from today's sales and then get more tomorrow when the new sales start ... assuming there is anything worth getting. Need to make a SAMs run for things like sugar and flour since I've started baking my own bread again. I need another case of TP and I'm going to break down and get a case of paper towels though I hate the things with a passion. I'm also going to stock up on paperplates and napkins as I used up my stash on the last family get together in July.

I also need to get my propane tanks refilled and fill up the gas cans ... there are simply not enough hours in the day and don't get me started on not enough money in the wallet.

[DannyBoy]

Best laid plans, ya know .....

My intent was to leave an hour or so early this morning. There is a Sav A Lot on my way to work and I had my list ready and planned to stop there on the way.

Walk out to my car wouldn't you know it .... a flat tire. I am not the fastest tire changer in the world, but I got it done - and now I had to go straight to work. Oh well, I will try again to get to Sav A Lot.

You didn't want the groceries sitting in the car all day anyway did you? Hit 'em on the way home... I promise the store will still be there!! (I hope!! )

ETA: I bought 50 lb of rice over the week end among other things...

[eXe]

Well as for us here, we are pretty well topped off and stocked up, I have taken a part time job just in case the economy tanks even worse, thankfully its at a new gun shop in town so we are booming and busy, and I am getting more hours.

With that extra cash I have been rotating lots of canned goods, as well as setting up a shop in the garage to better work on firearms, and getting the firearm related stuff out of the store room so I will have room for 2 extra racks for long term storage food. Other than the ammo and gun safe, that room will have only preps and food, no more work area for guns, as that is being rotated out to the garage.

All in all feeling pretty good about my preps now, but always looking for new ways (AKA changing around the store room) to add more preps

[gawarriorqueen]

Moving some stuff to the BOL and trying to get everything organized. No $$ to buy more food, but there are still things to be done. Trying to enjoy whatever time is left and praying, praying, praying.

[blueberry]

You didn't want the groceries sitting in the car all day anyway did you? Hit 'em on the way home... I promise the store will still be there!! (I hope!! )

ETA: I bought 50 lb of rice over the week end among other things...

I was not going to get anything perishable - and I would have put them in the house when I came home for lunch. And I think you are right - they will still be there later today.

[Hacker]

Filling up extra gasoline cans. . . . although this is a short-term fix for a (potentially) long-term problem.

[Donna_in_MO]

Well, the gas in the car needs to be topped off.

I'll probably hit Sams and the local grocery a time or few.

[Grantbo]

Best laid plans, ya know .....

My intent was to leave an hour or so early this morning. There is a Sav A Lot on my way to work and I had my list ready and planned to stop there on the way.

Walk out to my car wouldn't you know it .... a flat tire. I am not the fastest tire changer in the world, but I got it done - and now I had to go straight to work. Oh well, I will try again to get to Sav A Lot.

Good thing you found out early so as not to be late for work.

[bluetick]

Doctor visit today, grocery/drug/feed stores tomorrow, dentist Thursday...

[Gercarson]

I'm trying to get closer to God - Jesus Christ has been in my mind, my heart and soul more openly and constantly these days - that's about all I'm able to do. I have been making replies on our local newspaper's online columns that I probably shouldn't be making but just can't let some things go along as being the truth - so, the dossier has been growing and preps won't do me much good anyway.

[Patriot's Fan]

I've got the nesting feeling for a few days. Like I'm pregnant and overdue by a week. I've been cleaning everything in the house only to come back here and check for news.

[Nina]

Doing what I can with a grandma's stamina, but persistance. I tell myself that slowly and surely eventually gets it done. I keep canning and gathering in, but am worried that one day I will lose it all in a fell swoop. Guess I am in a fearful mood today. Better get over it and keep gathering supplies while I can. We do have that.

[Penguin Zen]

MORE ANTIBIOTICS !!!!

With that said I really did not want to start a new thread.. so I am saying it here.. During all this upheaval I have experienced something for the first time ...HELL in my BODY.. Diverticulitis I managed to stay up on current events among this HELL. I will spare you with not divulging too much info .. but finally after a treatment of Cipro I am human ..I was weak and useless. The world really could have ended and I would have been praying for a bullet with my name . I am not joking. This is from a woman who went through 48 hrs of labor end up with a C-section ....I broke my thumb playing softball we were in our finales I was a catcher and finished playing ..I CAN DO PAIN so what I am saying those antibiotics were a miracle for me. ..and like I said I had never had this happen to me before so how could I have prepped for it .. other than have the Cipro on hand like I did .

[MtnGal]

It's raining and the dogs won't even go out. The lab will hold it for hours just so she doesn't have to go out in the rain. LOL

Caught up on all the inside chores like laundry, etc. this morning.

Once the rain stops I need to get the empty bottles from the shed, sterilize them and have them ready to fill. Also have 2 battery lanterns and two solar lanterns I need to bring up. The oil lamps are already up here ready to go.

This weekend we will go ahead and cut plastic and label for windows and vents so it will be ready if needed. Will have tub and waste baskets ready for flush/whatever water. Bought a couple of the flat rubber pieces to put over drain if the stoppers want to slow leak. Rain barrels are clean and full.

Have a few items I want to pick up, will wait for the ads tomorrow and see if anything is on sale. If not, I'll get them anyway. Already stocked up on dog food. The two little ones are no problem to feed, it's the lab and she will have to cut back on her generous portions. LOL

Stopped at bank yesterday for small bills if need cash. Also stopped at Sam's yesterday. The store was crowded so I figured people were stocking up - no such thing, just everyday shoppers.

We are as ready as we can be. More than some, probably a lot less than most here from the conversations. It would be nice to be totally off the grid, we can't do that so we will manage.

I don't fear for myself, I do for DD as she has her whole life ahead of her. DS/DiL and their three small children in the city is who I fear for the most. All I can do is pray for them.

[Hfcomms]

I really don't 'need' anything but not to be left out I bought a case of mountain house freeze dried from JC this morning.

What the heck. The price is good, the stuff won't go bad and there will always be people that need food even if I don't eat it.

[ambereyes]

Same here except Im going to get more perishables. Been sleeping 8 hrs a night and working out during the day. I canned a bunch of sauce today. Then 6 qts of green beans. While I was waiting for the green beans to finish- I was reading the circular for my local grocery store- cans of green beans for 59 cents. I realized what a bargain they are.

Im going to run out and convert some fiat into .223 and canned goods. I see chuck roast is $3.59/lb- maybe I'll can-up a bunch of beef stew while waiting for TSTHTF.

Also, my son got a weekly paper route this Spring- 410 houses- and our house is right in the middle of the route. Hes been earning extra cash and converting it into silver eagles and I've been helping with the delivery. Im using this as a recon/ surveillance opportunity. Im attempting to networking with someone from each block and encouraging them to see if there could be a team from each block to organize in whatever manner that would be needed.

Took care of our needs with some purchases last week 223 and a new tool for our peace of mind.. LOL.. Sounds like you have a great networking opportunity good going.. We are so far out in the sticks only have 3 neighbors with in several miles and 20 miles to any town.. We are very fortunate in the group around us as they are of the same mind set and we are pretty close knit..

[ejagno]

Sam's run:
Restocked all cleaning, laundry, dish washing supplies
Restocked all paper/plastic goods: Trash bags, Ziploc, TP, Papertowels
Restocked health & beauty supplies: Shampoo, Body Wash, Razor Blades, Vitamins, Zantac 150, Toothpaste
Restocked Seasonings, Herbs & Spices: Large bottles of everything along with minced garlic in the jar
Restocked Dried Starches: Mashed Potato Mix, Pasta, Croutons, bread
Restocked Baking Supplies: Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Poweder, Pancake Mix, Yeast, Nuts
Restocked grains: Oatmeal, Cereal, sunflower seeds, cornmeal, rice
Restocked dairy: Nido Dried Milk, Velvetta Cheese, Buttermilk Powder, Evap milk, sweetened condensed milk
Restocked Pet supplies: 100 lbs. food, shampoo, heart worm tablets, flea and tick control

I filled up my 4-Runner and came home. There is still much to restock on but this was a $600 start. I generally don't do this until hurricane season is over but given the news lately I think now was as good a time as any.

Dennis, we too will be using our 5th wheel should things get really bad near the city. It's already on location and needs some serious cleaning as DH was using it for his camping weekends. I do need to get a solar set up for this one like we had on our previous one.

[Dinghy]

I am buying winter clothes and jeans at the .39 sales at Goodwill. I need to have different sizes in case I lose the weight that I'm hoping to. In the last two days I have been to almost every grocery store in my son's town and my area. I have found a few things on clearance, Bush's chili beans, tuna in pouches, and pork loins for the freezer. I have changed how I eat due to a just found gluten sensitivity, so it makes what I prep a bigger challenge! I have been working all summer on clearing things out of the house, so there will be room for my younger brother if he needs to move in with me. After a round of Doxycycline for Lyme, I finally have energy for the first time all summer, so I have a lot of catching up to do in a short amount of time!

[joyfulheart]

You have a great goodwill! Ours is horrible! The local thrift stores by me charge more than walmart! It's disgusting.

Thanks to the hotel TRIPLE charging on 1500, we have NEGATIVE $2 in our account. Still trying to fix that, but hopefully it will be resolved by tomorrow.

In the meantime, we are washing every dirty piece of laundry in the house, including sheets/towels/blankets. Giving the kitchen a good clean..
Pulled all the kids' winter clothing/coats/etc from the attic. It's all sorted (small things handed to family in need), washed and put away. Luckilly, ordered some MUCH needed winter clothing the day before the hotel screwed up our account, so when that comes oldest son will be OK for a few months on clothing.

Going to mop and vacuum today too. (two things I really don't like doing and always put off....)

Considering moving some of the firewood from the side of the house onto the back porch, so its right next to the door. Not sure if I will though.

[allmycats]

I topped off the gas again... even though it only needed 2 gals...felt a little silly but oh well.... then made another run to HEB and got 30 more cans of red rice and beans, and buttered corn @ .23 cents each... I took all they had as today was the last day on their yellow coupons. That makes my total for the week of almost 250 cans ..of which 150 of mustard and collard greens were FREE !! Picked up more Ramen noodles, noodle bowls, free tomatoe and chicken broths, more spaghetti sauces, and enriched noodles. Draining my 300 gal tank again and refilling with fresh water. I have the TV on ( watching silly girl soaps) but frequently checking the news. Trying to get some work done , and keeping laptop charged and phone as well. Doing what I figure is gonna be 4 loads of laundry that ought to catch me up... and then gonna get in some fresh air and take my doglie woglies out for a walk and thank God we are still here another day.
Blessings and Peace to all
ALLMYCATS

[Chair Warmer]

Called a relative and brainstormed ideas for places we could go if we need a fallout shelter. If that scenario happens I'd rather be in a basement and not in a trailer.

Wrote lists for emergency bug out needs and will be shopping to pick up the odds and ends we would need for 3 weeks of "cave camping". Over the next few days I will reorganize our BOBs and have everything ready to go.

For those who can't shelter through a nuclear fallout, I'm wondering if an automobile could outrun the movement of the fallout clouds/winds. I can't remember at what rate fallout travels. I feel that would be taking a risk to get stranded on congested or blocked highway though.

This may sound a bit like overkill at this moment, but as they say... plan for the worst and hope for the best.

I just keep remembering that Russia said if Israel attacks Iran, they're coming after us.

If that happens we're going to be so screwed.

Well goodluck everyone... and if communications end then it's been nice knowing you all.

Mrs. Cw wanders off mumbling "idone pills, don't forget to check the pharmacies... yeah now did I put that on the list..."

[maric]

Can't do any topping off till Thursday so today I'm cleaning, doing laundry and generally putting things in order.

[Loretta Van Riet]

Have been taking care of things for my "furkids". Vet visits up to date, stocking up on freeze dried dogfood (Grandma Lucy's), and heart worm meds.

Loretta V.

[Panner]

I was out to the dentist & for a haircut this morning, and stopped at Wally World for some coffee. I noticed that the shelves were really bare in most areas of the store. The only areas that were well stocked was the produce section. The store was really crowded with people pushing full carts. This is very unusual for a Tuesday morning. We have a Walmart distribution center in town, so the stores ar normally well stocked. I am planning on making a run in a short time to Costco, fill up my vehicle, and try to top off supplies. It will be interesting to see what Costco looks like.

[CGTech]

Picked up more flour and sugar today, car is topped off (always every day)... just wait and see. No funds to do anything else at this point (that i can afford to spend! lol)