Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: November 8 ~ 14, 2020

How'd it get to be Sunday again already?! Sheesh.... My work schedule's so messed up that I'm pretty sure that I was meeting myself coming and going this week - but at least I've got three in a row off, so I'm gonna take advantage of them and get a little more prepping done - this week is gonna be all things apple - plain applesauce, cinnamon applesauce, stewed apples, caramel apple bread, applesauce muffins, applesauce fruit roll-ups.... heck, I might even just slice one up and eat it plain


Caught a case of Muir Glen organic 'maters on clearance at Ye Old Wally World when I deked down the clearance aisle to get around a buggy jam - 49 cents a can; yeah, I'll take 'em. I was on my way to the toy aisles and had 5 young'uns with me - two of my own and a few of spares. The hospital I work for is the biggest employer in our area so we employees are asked to donate toys for needy kids Christmas gifts (It used to be pajamas - toys are more fun ) One remote controlled Monster Truck, a machine gun looking Nerf gun (yes - Nerf guns were one of the suggested gifts!!), basketball, volley ball, soccer ball, 3 kickballs (kids where I live still play kickball - woot!!) a bag of tennis balls (for the grand-dog to donate) and a Lego set later my wallet was about to go on life support but you never saw a happier bunch of kids running around picking out toys to give away I took a picture of the kids with their loot and showed it around at work - and now I'm going to have to gather some of the kids up to take them back to the store 'cause some of my co-workers just weren't feeling the whole shopping thang, and seeing as the kids did such a great job picking things out, some of the crew dug in their pockets and then handed me an envelope of cash this morning for another toy run. Tell you what - even as sucky as things are in the political world right now, these kids and my co-workers, they fill me right up with hope - God Bless 'em!!

I really hate to have to go crawl in to bed since it's such a pretty day outside - mid 60's and bright sunshine - but I'm going to have to catch some sleep now so I don't sit down and accidentally fall asleep later in the day and then not be able to sleep tonight.

You folks all take care out there; stay safe, and try to find something that makes you feel blessed today - and know that you are all a part of the reason that I feel so blessed

Snow is back in the forecast for this week, so I'm trying to prioritize my chores, plus slide in an extra trip to the store for a few more cans of fruit.

As much as I'm drawn to the news right now, I think my morale and overall mental health will be better if I focus more on what I need to do over the next couple of days. It's easy for me to read and article or see a news broadcast and start wringing my hands. Cold weather and all that goes with it will happen no matter what court battles are being fought.

I'm debating over whether to start a jigsaw puzzle with a beach scene or a crocheted baby blanket for a friend to help me relax this week. Maybe I'll do both!

Had some prep failures in the past week or so. The chickens pecked a hole in their waterer, it's just not worth taking the time to patch it, as the patches never hold. No problem, I have extras stored in the dry garage. I seriously downsized my chickens a couple years ago. The bottoms on both extra waterers rusted through as well.
Bought dh enough rubber boots to hopefully get him thru the winter, both new pair split and didn't last 6 weeks each.
Had some jugs of stored water start leaking in the pantry and make a mess.
A relative is downsizing and gave me a bunch of specialty lumber they bought for a project they're not going to do. Also gave me some household goods, cute little 1970's era coffee pot. Took it apart to wash it when I got it home and it doesn't have any "guts", it's just the pot. So I guess it will get hauled to the recycle center.
Just taking one day at a time right now.

Doing a much needed overdue freezer defrosting. It's an upright, so there's not a lot of "lost in the bottom" stuff, but there's a few back of the shelf things that I might throw away. It won't hold much more stuff when the frost is gone, but it'll be better organized.

Very windy and cold today. So early I made a big pot of chili and then transferred it to our largest crock pot so it can simmer all day. Makes the house smell goood.

hiwall said:

Very windy and cold today. So early I made a big pot of chili and then transferred it to our largest crock pot so it can simmer all day. Makes the house smell goood.

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I need to make a big pot of something today, DH's stomach is sensitive so it may be tuna noodle casserole, he loves that and I haven't made it in awhile.

God is good all the time

Judy

nomifyle said:

I need to make a big pot of something today, DH's stomach is sensitive so it may be tuna noodle casserole, he loves that and I haven't made it in awhile.

God is good all the time

Judy

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The chili I make is pretty mild too.

Kind of a double edged sword... Doing well with preps in savings and stores.

Prep failure in the security of my employment... My whole team had our positions eliminated and relocated to be closer to our Canadian overlords. Two were moved to mfg engineering, my boss was moved to a support role, and myself and another were asked to explore the exits... Given 30 days notice, but all access has been removed, and instead of engineering, I am marking skids in the plant. Better than nothing, to be sure. However, after covid, and now the likely new administration taking over, the market is extremely tight. Current possibilities, if they come to an offer of employment, will require me to maintain two residences, and commute home on weekends... DW's career and pension preclude a mass exodus at this time, so hence the long distance weekly commute, at least for a bit.
Prayers for successful career move appreciated...

Prayers offered, Chumly - with hopes that this stressful time is short...

ReneeT said:

Prayers offered, Chumly - with hopes that this stressful time is short...

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To borrow from Bartels and Jaymes of the past, "Thank you for your support"...

There are people in far worse positions than myself, but this hits home...

Couple more grands spent day yesterday with the boys and we all had a great day.
Daughter went for another load from her house and i think we will end up having enough food for a year for everyone.
DH son brought us 3 big bags of ground venison. DD and I trying to make room for everything.
DH cut some boards down and DD brought the twin mattress and put it on the top part of my futon bed in the cabin.
Weather has been great. Very happy they are all out here with us. Her house is still getting showings and an open house today. Hopefully will get offer soon.
We are as prepped for anything as we can be.

Ugh, I’m so far behind with things I seriously need to get done but I just haven’t felt up to doing. Makes me even more anxious than before.

This is the time of year we always stock up on tomato products, broths, etc. DH went this morning and the store was out of beef broth *sigh* hopefully they’ll get more in. He managed to get 20 cans of Swanson chicken broth, 10 cans each of Red Gold diced tomatoes and sauce. Only a few cans of corn on the shelf that we use in taco soup, I think he said 3. He also got 6 of the boxed cheesy potatoes.

I have a very few cans of media crema and would like to get more, the online prices are way high. Hopefully when I go to walmart they will have some.

God is good all the time

Judy

I told myself to quit but I can't stop
Ordered some more LTS foods from Walmart for delivery here. If I don't stop I'll be able to see if the 25-year shelf life is true or not.

hiwall said:

I told myself to quit but I can't stop
Ordered some more LTS foods from Walmart for delivery here. If I don't stop I'll be able to see if the 25-year shelf life is true or not.

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Same here.

I misplaced the manual meat tenderizer, it is a total pain to wash, I must have put it somewhere I can't find it. so I ordered another one. At least I've stopped ordering from amazon, its only walmart.com

God is good all the time

Judy

Placed a seed order today and that was my prep for the day.

Unplugged from the internet for several days so I’m behind in this thread (and others). Hubby ordered more fishing jigs and gear for the area where we are on the weekends (saltwater, not fresh) so needed fishing things we didn’t have. I’m not sure what this weekend will be for us prep wise.
Slow and steady.

Well the China plague has reared its ugly head a little higher in my county and the next county where my children work and grandsons go to school. My DD’s are teachers and my SIL a principal, they’re going to orange so oldest grandson will be virtual schooling a few days a week from here while youngest will continue regular school, at least for awhile. This also means DH and I will have our granddaughter 5 days a week rather than 3, and for a little longer each day since SIL will be helping out at other schools that have principals out sick. Granddaughter usually stays with her other grandparent’s 2 days a week but their 2 DD’s and 1 SIL are also teachers in the county I live in, it’s been decided to stay apart as much as possible including all the cousins.

Whew, I hope I can pull this off. My youngest DD (the mom) is worrying herself sick about some or all of us getting it, worrying how it’s going to affect them financially if they end up having to quarantine any more and how the boys education is going. Ugh, I’m worried about it all too, plus what’s going to be happening in our country. I can’t remember when I’ve been this stressed about so many things at one time. Sigh.

Anyway, the prep part of my post is since the kids will be here more I just put in an order into Sam’s for more nuts, cashews, peanuts, snack crackers, m&m’s, pretzel, snack cakes, etc. for them. Also ordered more coffee but that’s for the grownup!

I heard someone awhile back say they needed a giant Valium on a stick. I think I understand that now!

Covid is still hitting hard here, too. I've lost 2 family members and 2 close family friends in the past 3 weeks, and have a 1st cousin who has it now, but not hospitalized. Several other family members who have had it, but recovered already. Our area hospital is full, and Covid patients are having to be taken to other smaller hospitals in the area.

My mom has Lupus that has done damage to her lungs, and is at high risk. My sister, who is staying with her, has stage 4 brain and lung cancer, and they have been locked away at Mom's since June. Other than doctor's appointments, and going to get groceries, they haven't left the house. By doctor's orders, certain protocols are in place for anyone visiting them, including their Home Health and Hospice nurses.

As for our prepping, it's still steady as she goes in all aspects.

Took boys to their first night at Awana down the road, tiny little church. Had a great time. Temps were checked but no masks and hand sanitizer was sitting around most areas. So this gives them something to do with other kids every Wednesday. I stayed to help out and really enjoyed being back in church. Possibly may be taking the boys on Sundays mornings, depending on DH's medical, or daughter can take them.

Word from other parents there, who are from the counties all around us, that the schools are shut down again save one.
Our biggest worry is getting in enough coal for heat. DH supposed to get his inheritance soon and that will be enough to pay off the farm and a few small debts. Don't know exactly how much he will get but it will be used wisely. We had the big propane tank filled in the summer when prices were low.
Other than that just don't know what else to do. You do what you can.

Still waiting on more clearances from Docs for heart cath, schedule that, more labs, covid test, and iodine protocol since he has allergy. Geesh. Should have been done the day we were there.

Several people in my area have gotten the wuflu, but no one has died. Most of these people got it from going to church functions.

DH and I are still not going out much, just to the store if necessary. I ditched Amazon about a month ago and if I need something I order from walmart, but am keeping that to a minimum. Although one thing I did order that I've never used are muffin mixes, blueberry and banana. I don't know why I ordered them, I've always made those things from scratch, on the rare occasion that I've made muffins. I eat too many when I make things like that. I used a cake mix in 1985.

God is good all the time

Judy

Apparently things have gotten somewhat worse. We knew our granddaughter would be dropped off an hour earlier starting today but woke up to all 3 kids here today. The new plan was supposed to start Monday but with more people getting sick, DD and SIL decided not to send the boys to school at all. DD said they were putting up tents by the hospital in that county. I know several that have or had it but no one that’s died. I don’t know why they still have the school open anyway because many of the teachers are out sick or are quarantined, and huge numbers of the kids that were going to school have been sent home this week for the same reason. My guess will be once the playoff game has been played, things will change, grrr.

So sorry for your losses SouthernBreeze.

Middle grandson (9) has the 'Rona; mild case so far, like a mild cold. He's enjoying his home isolation: Mom's Ipad, books I downloaded for him on his tablet, the 'no food in your room' rule being set aside - and best of all, little brother can't be around him

Daughter got her license for another state where friends live; if this area shuts down again, she and the two younger boys will be heading that direction; I may have the granddog until things settle down again.

Judy - muffin mixes can be used to make pancake batter; just a little change up from the 'usual' if you happen to like pancakes.

Prayers for gainful employment, Chumly!

Still working on my morale this week. Two more friends have packed up and headed for warmer climes until spring. It would be so nice to sit on the beach for a week, even if under a light blanket! I keep reminding myself of the pandemic and to be thankful that it's in the 50s and sunny. The snow went north.

My ready-to-assemble hall table finally arrived at Home Depot. I placed the order in June and picked it up today. I hope it's not smelly or moldly from being in a shipping container or something. I'll find out tomorrow when I assemble it, if I get that far. Wish I had a teenage assistant for a week! I'm so far behind on housework that the dust bunnies are growing into dust doggies and scaring my cat.

We got the propane tanks filled and I sold several things yesterday. I traded my biggest water bath canner to a young couple who are starting their self sufficient journey. I also threw in 3 dozen jars. I got 3 dozen of their quail eggs. I'll get another dozen later.
Started clearing out some closet shelves for prep overflow. Tomorrow it's more of the same!

Wow. I haven't done a weekly prep check-in in years. Lol! A lot has changed. Here goes.

We've paid off the house. I have a modest flock of 7 chickens now. 5 are a few years old, and 2 are going to start laying soon. I have quail now. I have now 2 producing apple trees, a gingko tree (for tea), and am putting in an almond tree this fall. It's on my back porch in a pot of compost. I am getting ready finally to put in a new rabbitry, as I have already secured two wonderful girls, Priscilla and Esmerelda. We have a decent garden, but it isn't enough to feed everyone. However, Weebit moved out, but now we have The Toot, her 5 year old brother (we thought we were done, apparently not) who is homeschooled. Hubby spends a lot of time and money on this Jeep that is supposed to be our BOV, but really, it's his toy. I want to call what I have out at my friend's place a cabin, but it is really a glorified tent with a wooden floor. It's a portable garage from Harbor Freight. It will do in a pinch. But it is a BOL, so there's that.
One thing I am working on is a drying rack for hay to feed to the rabbits. Right now it is simple. A piece of 2"x4" 14g fence ziptied to 4 U-posts, covered in chicken wire so the grass won't fall through. There is another piece of fence to go over it after it is loaded to keep it from blowing away. I save feed bags to hold the finished hay. I would like to build one of those little hay balers, but I'm already working on way too many things at once.
Really, what I'm aiming for is sustainability. Food storage will eventually run out. Hubby and I have food restrictions that all lts tend to not fit. I don't have space for enough food to last me years. A tenth of an acre can be made productive with good management. I just have to prioritize.

Hubby's back injection helped a little. It can take up to 6 weeks for it to take full affect, so hopefully he will see more improvements.

Added just a few things to the pantry, but mostly just replacing what we use.

We got more of the leaves into the garden. We may do some more of it today. Enough leaves have fallen to get another good section done.

We hauled off the last of the metal we gave been finding all over the property we bought. We got $29 for this load. But the best part is it will not get the equipment and break things. Also it looks so much better at the barn with that pile gone.

Good thing I have been procrastinating on rooster butchering. My SIL changed his mind and now wants a buff orpington rooster. He was on death row but now is saved. I still have 4 to can up soon though. I should thin out some older hens too.

So I bought some of the Dawn Platinum Powerwash spray. Although its kind of pricey I bought it anyway. It cuts grease like crazy. I have some empty coconut oil jars that are really hard to get the grease off of and it came right off so I can reuse the jars for something else. Good stuff.

God is good all the time

Judy

I feel we will be locked down again as our COVID numbers are starting to rise. Made a (not final really, but you know what I mean - all the trips from now on for a while will be made by DH( trip thru town for muck boots, groceries, and chemicals for the hot tub. Most places are well stocked. Will keep whittling down the freezers and working on my herb business. I need to make a batch of elderberry syrup to sell.

Went to the small local town yesterday. Bought another 275 gallon IBC water tote. Also got another 50# salt block as a spare for the critters.

I found out, yesterday, that two more 1st cousins have Covid. One was taken to the ER, but I don't know, yet, if she has been hospitalized. This thing is hitting my family really hard. My cousin's daughter and her family have already had Covid, but were mild cases back when it first got started.

It appears that Mississippi is having another spike in cases, but our Governor has said that the state won't be locked down again. Some counties, including ours, has gone back under mandatory mask wearing.

We haven't done any more prepping this week other than cutting more firewood at the neighbors down the road. It turns out that the other neighbor who was also cutting the trees decided he didn't want any more, so now, Cary has both trees to cut up for firewood. We're gonna need more tarps. Wood shed is full. It holds 7 full cords.

SouthernBreeze said:

I found out, yesterday, that two more 1st cousins have Covid. One was taken to the ER, but I don't know, yet, if she has been hospitalized. This thing is hitting my family really hard. My cousin's daughter and her family have already had Covid, but were mild cases back when it first got started.

It appears that Mississippi is having another spike in cases, but our Governor has said that the state won't be locked down again. Some counties, including ours, has gone back under mandatory mask wearing.

We haven't done any more prepping this week other than cutting more firewood at the neighbors down the road. It turns out that the other neighbor who was also cutting the trees decided he didn't want any more, so now, Cary has both trees to cut up for firewood. We're gonna need more tarps. Wood shed is full.

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My wife's brother and his wife both got the virus (in MN). Both are late 60's. He was sick but did okay. She had many prior health issues already and was in the hospital for 5 days. They are now both fully recovered. We know many people who had the virus and are fine. I guess I'm saying, "Fear not."

I'm hoping to get a haircut this weekend, but my regular beautician gal keeps pretty busy. Be nice to have it done before the next shut down and not have to whack at it myself.

coloradohermit said:

I'm hoping to get a haircut this weekend, but my regular beautician gal keeps pretty busy. Be nice to have it done before the next shut down and not have to whack at it myself.

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I wish I knew a technique to give myself a trim without messing it up. My hair is waist length. Every time I try, I wind up having to go to Mom to get her to fix the mess I've made. She's in lock down so, I can't get her to help out right now. Mom is a beautician, and has always done the family's hair. I don't trust anyone else.

hiwall said:

My wife's brother and his wife both got the virus (in MN). Both are late 60's. He was sick but did okay. She had many prior health issues already and was in the hospital for 5 days. They are now both fully recovered. We know many people who had the virus and are fine. I guess I'm saying, "Fear not."

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We're not fearful, but we are using common sense. Staying away from others as much as we can, and using masks when we do go out. Staying away from crowds, doing our shopping during the week, early, etc. Our DS, DDIL, and her mother comes over on Sundays for home fellowship, and that's it for visitors. We're all praying for protection.

I never wear a mask and my wife always wears a mask. We only ever go to our local small town where few people, even clerks, wear masks.
I have no problem if people want to wear masks and I can fully understand their desire to do so. But people should not be ordered to wear masks. I'm not very good at following orders.
Personally I don't think the masks help at all and can cause you to get sick instead of helping you.
I hope everyone here stays safe and takes whatever precautions they personally decide on.
Early on when the virus first came here we completely self-quarantined for three solid months. Not a big deal we seldom shop anyway. If another bad wave comes we might self-quarantine again. But I think the virus numbers are blown way up. Everyone has to look at everything and decide what is best for them. We all have different circumstances.

Most of my Sams order came in yesterday, the rest should be delivered today. I’ve got so much stuff needing to be put away and organized. The whole house needs a good cleaning and the pantries are a mess. I don‘t have enough energy and time to get all that needs to be done, done, when I finally have the house to myself.

I‘m more stressed out about the election and other things going on in the country than about the virus. I‘m not saying I don’t think it’s an issue but I’m just so IRKED at all the double standards surrounding it. The county my kids work for held a school board meeting where it was strongly recommended to go into red rather than orange. But since the high school football team had a playoff game scheduled for the next night, they decided not to close. They won the game so they’ll be playing next Friday night too, so...

Its been decided that both of our grandsons will be doing virtual school from here everyday since DD and DSIL don’t feel comfortable sending them to school. We don’t have the best internet out here so I don’t know what’s gonna happen when it rains hard enough to knock it off and they can’t join the class SMH.

SouthernBreeze said:

I wish I knew a technique to give myself a trim without messing it up. My hair is waist length. Every time I try, I wind up having to go to Mom to get her to fix the mess I've made. She's in lock down so, I can't get her to help out right now. Mom is a beautician, and has always done the family's hair. I don't trust anyone else.

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When my hair was really long I use to get my ex to comb it straight down my back and blunt cut the ends. My hair is getting longer again but its cut in layers so no can do a home cut.

DH moved my laundry sink (that had been outside anyway) to my camper porch/summer kitchen and is hooking up water to it. I'll have to boil water to get it hot, but I've got my gas stove right there so no problem. I have boxes and boxes of canning jars to wash. I'm saving to boxes from my new jars that I'm using to vacuum seal and when I have a case washed I'm going to store the jars in one of the empty boxes and enclose that in plastic to keep the bugs out and keep them somewhat clean. And I will stack them on the porch.

God is good all the time

nomifyle said:

When my hair was really long I use to get my ex to comb it straight down my back and blunt cut the ends. My hair is getting longer again but its cut in layers so no can do a home cut.

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LOL. There are two things I will never allow Cary to do for me. The first is cut my hair. The other is shave my legs. I don't trust him with a razor or a pair of scissors! Not on me, anyway!

SouthernBreeze said:

LOL. There are two things I will never allow Cary to do for me. The first is cut my hair. The other is shave my legs. I don't trust him with a razor or a pair of scissors! Not on me, anyway!

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I would never let anyone shave my legs, egads.
God is good all the time

Judy