Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: February 7 ~ 13, 2021
- Thread starter ReneeT
- Start date
Another board I"m on does monthly prep threads. I've been off it for a while (COVID kinda knocked me socially except here, so y'all got EVERYTHING!!), but I like the idea of being able to keep track of my goals. I feel it maybe keeps me more accountable when people see the same task on there for years (wish I was kidding, but trying to get new slings sewn for the porch swings has been on that list for ....years!). So, here's my goal list for this month:
1) Finish up tax prep and get them to the accountant.
2) Prune trees.
3) Finish inventory at my herbal business.
4) At least one FB post for the business (I"m really bad at doing this, and I need to start to push my business more on what I have available - which out in the country like we are is Facebook).
5) Start the "Flylady" routine of cleaning. So far, this has been going well, but I think a lot of that is due to the fact I"ve been off work. Back to work next week, so we'll see if I can keep up.
6) Finish cooking up pumpkins to freeze dry that were from last year's harvest. I still have probably a dozen that I need to do up.
7) Get chip in windshield fixed before it becomes a crack.
8) Get medical testing scheduled for the second or third week of March.
9-10) TBD.
1) Finish up tax prep and get them to the accountant.
2) Prune trees.
3) Finish inventory at my herbal business.
4) At least one FB post for the business (I"m really bad at doing this, and I need to start to push my business more on what I have available - which out in the country like we are is Facebook).
5) Start the "Flylady" routine of cleaning. So far, this has been going well, but I think a lot of that is due to the fact I"ve been off work. Back to work next week, so we'll see if I can keep up.
6) Finish cooking up pumpkins to freeze dry that were from last year's harvest. I still have probably a dozen that I need to do up.
7) Get chip in windshield fixed before it becomes a crack.
8) Get medical testing scheduled for the second or third week of March.
9-10) TBD.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
No prepping planned for this coming week, other than normal household chores. Hopefully, we will find out Wednesday when Cary is scheduled for surgery.
I get that. Gotta work while you can.
Starting to plant here. Garden peas and potatoes in the garden. The seeds for tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse. Made the decision to plant sunflowers this year to add to the chicken feed. Still puzzling thru the thought of using fish to add protein to the chickens diet as we have a pond plus live on the river. Preps are up to snuff so to speak.
turtlegent
Contributing Member
Got some things done. I have 600 presto logs on the porch, ready to go. I got my Redwing boots back from being resoled by Redwing. They are $200 plus boots, and were so comfortable. For $100 they will pay shipping to and from you, resole and recondition the boots. We only use propane to cook with, but I got the tank refilled by the big truck, lasts about 2 years. All the seed orders are in, thanks baker Creek. I now have half a ton of chicken feed stored in plastic barrels. I stopped up all the holes in the chicken coop buildings, to keep all the Starlings and Sparrow out of my feeders. Truck all tuned up. More wood to cut up, when I get time. Best thing, the wife got on board, and got out the Berkey we bought 10 years ago. Good thing, as there was no spigot in the box. Got the new extension cords for the generator.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
minnow raising for chicken food supplement isn't that uncommon >>> damn birds are like predator eagles when it comes to minnows ....
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
*** Patting myself on the back ***
(This doesn't happen very often!)
- Yesterday, when I was fixing breakfast, the bulb in the stove hood burned out. No problem! I reached into my kitchen utility drawer and pulled out a new one.
- A little later in the day, I ran out of shampoo. No problem! I reached into my bathroom pantry and got out a new bottle.
- This morning, my kitchen wall clock stopped running. No problem! I walked downstairs and got new batteries for it and for the hall clock. I'll bet that dies next.
It has been in the single digits in Central Iowa. The only place I've been is out to shovel. In no way would I have gone to the store to replace those items right now, yet not having them would've added up to some frustration. And, yes, replacements are on the list, but I have several still in reserve.
(This doesn't happen very often!)
- Yesterday, when I was fixing breakfast, the bulb in the stove hood burned out. No problem! I reached into my kitchen utility drawer and pulled out a new one.
- A little later in the day, I ran out of shampoo. No problem! I reached into my bathroom pantry and got out a new bottle.
- This morning, my kitchen wall clock stopped running. No problem! I walked downstairs and got new batteries for it and for the hall clock. I'll bet that dies next.
It has been in the single digits in Central Iowa. The only place I've been is out to shovel. In no way would I have gone to the store to replace those items right now, yet not having them would've added up to some frustration. And, yes, replacements are on the list, but I have several still in reserve.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We're going into the deep freeze starting Saturday, and plans to last through at least the first of next week. Our weather forecast doesn't go far enough out to see passed Monday. So, tomorrow, Cary is going to try and persuade his surgeon to postpone his surgery, until after this cold snap is gone. We are forecast temps down into the low teen's and possible single digits. We have animals and a house to keep from freezing, so surgery will have to wait if possible. It's sorta rare to have temps down here that cold, and I don't want to have to drive back and forth to the hospital everyday with the possibility of having ice on the roads. I have no experience.
Doesn't that feel wonderful? It just makes life simpler if you know that you have backups for the necessities on hand...
Summerthyme
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
I know this is really random, but how is your cow, Miracle?
LOL! Yeah, pretty random...
Miracle grew into a gorgeous Dexter cow. She ended up 9" taller than her mother. She sold, with two heifers (a yearling and her Spring 2020 calf) in our dispersal to a farmer in New Hampshire. She's getting spoiled a lot more than she did at our place, and apparently has adapted very well to the "pet" lifestyle!
Her mother also sold, and is still producing calves... I think she was 13 when we had the auction. She coukd easily have another 10 calves... Dexters live a long time!
Summerthyme
Miracle grew into a gorgeous Dexter cow. She ended up 9" taller than her mother. She sold, with two heifers (a yearling and her Spring 2020 calf) in our dispersal to a farmer in New Hampshire. She's getting spoiled a lot more than she did at our place, and apparently has adapted very well to the "pet" lifestyle!
Her mother also sold, and is still producing calves... I think she was 13 when we had the auction. She coukd easily have another 10 calves... Dexters live a long time!
Summerthyme
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I did end up going to the local grocery today: neighbor needed stuff and really shouldn't be outside in this cold. While I was there, I strongly felt I should get more drinking water, so I got several more gallons. Apparently others have heard there could be problems. I think most of the customers had a gallon or two in their carts.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
We still have a few, probably very few, gallons of water stored, if/when that runs out I'll use the Berkey. I hate the taste of water from the berkey, but it would be okay for cooking if the tap water got bad or didn't run. We have tanks of stored water for various things so we could tap that. Of course, we'd have to run it through cheese cloth before I'd put it in the Berkey.
Good for you for helping out your neighbor.
God is good all the time
Judy
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
The problems we have with temps getting as cold as are predicted is that homes and water lines this far south are not built or buried to stand prolong periods of time with these kind of temps. We have to keep water dripping from our faucets just to keep the pipes from freezing when our temps drop into the low 20's at night. House is barely insulated, since it was built back in the 30's. We have added some, but not nearly enough. Since we heat with wood, someone has to be home to keep the fire going, or the house will be freezing cold. I just wish I knew how long this cold snap is supposed to last, so we can make arrangements.
Marseydoats
Veteran Member
Some of the local 4WD clubs chauffeur folks around in bad weather here. During one really bad storm, they were taking ALL the nurses to the hospital, and helping them inside. If you HAVE to go, maybe your son could drive you? I know that doesn't help with the pipes, but sometimes Drs. think the world revolves around them... I don't like to drive when there's black ice either.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
If Cary's surgeon won't wait, I have two options. I can take Cary to the hospital, and leave him, until he is able to be discharged. That way, I'll be here at home taking care of the animals and the house/pipes. Or, I can go to the hospital with him, and stay for the duration, and have our DS come over every afternoon when he gets off work to make sure animals are fed and watered and the pipes haven't frozen. I would have to leave the water dripping in the faucets for the duration. With the temps they are giving, our fur baby has never stayed outside overnight in them, and he would freeze to death. Neither of those are good options, and will try our best to avoid them.
We live about 30 miles from the hospital. I don't drive much, and am scared to drive that distance alone back and forth each day while Cary is hospitalized in these cold temps, and with the real possibility of having ice on the roads.
Hopefully and prayerfully, his doctor will understand.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Also, is there anyone who can ride with or drive you? Sometimes having someone else along might ease some of the fears.
If I were in the area, I'd take you. I moved myself and my kitty to Iowa (2 day drive). I just packed coffee in my thermos and lots of munchies.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
No, there isn't. Everyone works. We don't know any of our neighbors, either.
coloradohermit
Veteran Member
Before you consider making that daily drive, find out if the hospital would let you in with Cary. No point in going if you can't be in the room with him.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, that is one of the first questions I plan to ask. For sure, I want all the details. I was able to stay round the clock with him, even in ICU when he was hospitalized the last time. Now, having surgery, I don't know. His Urologist that he saw last Wednesday said that I would be able to stay. It'll probably depend on how full the hospital is, and if the strict Covid protocol is still in place.
As for being able to go back and forth from home to visit him, I'm pretty sure I will be able to do that.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
When things settle down, you might want to add more support to your circle. I've posted on other threads that singles should have three trusted people nearby, whether that's a couple and another single or some combination. That applies to married couples, too, when one spouse is in the hospital or deadly ill. We're all getting older, and we need a helping hand on occasion. In the old days, there were 6 - 7 "church ladies" who were always helping pick up the slack, but that's not the case much anymore.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
shouldn't last much past next Monday - 20s F are predicted for us starting on the 17th >>> this kind of cold is really unusual for mid-February - I'm hoping for one of them freaky week of uber spring warm weather to help start melting down some of this snow
We went to town and made sure my inlaws pump house was ready for the cold. We put new light bulbs in the fixture and added some more insulation to the small area that needs to be warm. They use electric heat, but could use the wood stove if the power goes out. They have wood ready just in case.
We stopped at the Neighborhood market. They had quite a few cases of canning jars. No seperate canning lids of any kind. I bought a case (6) half gallon jars. We bought more coffee too. We are to the point of just replacing what we use mostly. Except for perishables, we are good. We bought each grandson a can of rich chocolate Ovaltine. That was all there was on the shelf. Hopefully they will get more.
Our wood stove works great with the new gasket. The house is staying a more even temperature and we are not using as much wood. The stove dealer replaced it a few years ago, but he just goes to Ace hardware for gasket material and it is the wrong size. We ordered some off the internet that actually makes the stove air tight again.
I got my Cole crop seeds planted in my Cole frame. There are plants appearing at some of the feed stores already. But they can get expensive.
We stopped at the Neighborhood market. They had quite a few cases of canning jars. No seperate canning lids of any kind. I bought a case (6) half gallon jars. We bought more coffee too. We are to the point of just replacing what we use mostly. Except for perishables, we are good. We bought each grandson a can of rich chocolate Ovaltine. That was all there was on the shelf. Hopefully they will get more.
Our wood stove works great with the new gasket. The house is staying a more even temperature and we are not using as much wood. The stove dealer replaced it a few years ago, but he just goes to Ace hardware for gasket material and it is the wrong size. We ordered some off the internet that actually makes the stove air tight again.
I got my Cole crop seeds planted in my Cole frame. There are plants appearing at some of the feed stores already. But they can get expensive.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
This morning while checking our local weather for the next 8 days, it looks like the really cold stuff that was forecast has now disappeared somewhat. Still gonna be cold, but not in the teen's and single digits. 30's and 40's for the highs and low 20's for the lows. If the doctor will agree to wait, until after next Wednesday, it will be best for us. We may still get some icing tomorrow night, and again Monday and Monday night along with some snow.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I wish we had someone else besides our oldest DS, and he works. Youngest DS lives in Texas, and has MS. He can't make long trips very well. Our small community is mixed, and I don't know any of the blacks, and only know a few other people in passing well enough to say, "Hi." to. No close by neighbors. The nearest one is a black elderly couple.
Oldest DS has been helping with the animals and watching over our house and property when we have to be away for a time, but not at these temps. He works about 15 miles away, and can't drive me back and forth to the hospital every day.
If Cary's doctor will agree to wait, until after Wednesday of next week, it would be better for everyone. He has already said that the surgery isn't urgent, but we do want it done as soon as possible, and I'm sure the doctor has a schedule to keep himself, plus having a room for Cary waiting after the surgery.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
This time of year, I'm usually planting my spring garden. Potatoes, onions, lettuce, mustard, and cabbage. My daffodils are already up and blooming. Garlic is already up, too. Instead of having a cold snap this time of the year, we're usually already having temps into the upper 60's and 70's. BUT, we are known for having late and freaky ice storms in March and April, periodically.
Rebel_Yell
Senior Member
Walmart has regular mouth quart jars online for $10.58 a dozen. First ones that I have seen in a long time.
Robot or human?
www.walmart.com
aviax2
Veteran Member
We are under a winter storm watch here in NW TN as well and of course it has to be in the form of freezing rain UGH, moving in later today and overnight. I don’t mind snow and in fact would love to have a good snow but I despise ice. I’ve got the laundry caught up so no worries on that for a few days. We had a generator installed this past summer so crossing my fingers that all goes well if we do lose electric. My biggest worries are keeping the freezers/fridge going, being able to get water from our well and although we have an outside wood furnace, we still have to have electric to heat the house.
DH decided while he’s out taking care of farm errands he’s going to the store since they finally have bacon on sale. I would imagine the stores will be a madhouse today but he really wants to stock up on bacon. I added some things to his list just in case the kids and grandkids need to come stay a few days otherwise I think we’re good.
DH decided while he’s out taking care of farm errands he’s going to the store since they finally have bacon on sale. I would imagine the stores will be a madhouse today but he really wants to stock up on bacon. I added some things to his list just in case the kids and grandkids need to come stay a few days otherwise I think we’re good.
school marm
Senior Member
I've been giving the freeze-dryer a workout this week. Cheese, bacon, and peppers this week; sour cream, eggs, more cheese and bacon last week. I also tried out some ice cream and Skittles. We weren't impressed with those, but are very happy with the meat and dairy, which is why we got the FD in the first place.
I have heard, but have no personal experience, that too much fish can give the eggs an off taste. We throw ours lobster bodies and the occasional fish from the pond with no difference.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
The shorts I like were available online at Walmart. I ordered several pairs of those and several lightweight polo shirts. Hard to be thinking about summer when it's -2 degrees, but I continue to be concerned about cotton shortages and clothing shortages (since they are imports).
Next up will be rechecking towels and summer blankets, but I think I'm OK there. I bought some last year around this time.
Next up will be rechecking towels and summer blankets, but I think I'm OK there. I bought some last year around this time.
Meemur, My mother used to tell me about the shortages during WWII. One thing that has always stuck with me was that anything that needed petroleum to be produced was absent. Elastic and patent leather shoes were things she spoke of. I won't miss the shoes but socks, underwear, and anything that requires elastic might shake my world! But I am with you. I am stocking up on cotton items too!
On a different note, Walmart had quart and pint jars today. Pints were $7.65 for 12. No canners but the local feed store did have 8 16 quart canners for $129.
And not to rub salt onto your cold hands but...it was balmy with temp in high 60's today. Planted garden peas, potatoes, and onions. The onions I planted in the Fall look beautiful!
All of you stay warm! Will send warm prayers for all of you.
On a different note, Walmart had quart and pint jars today. Pints were $7.65 for 12. No canners but the local feed store did have 8 16 quart canners for $129.
And not to rub salt onto your cold hands but...it was balmy with temp in high 60's today. Planted garden peas, potatoes, and onions. The onions I planted in the Fall look beautiful!
All of you stay warm! Will send warm prayers for all of you.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
It's fine, Philkar. I chose to live here for now. My druggie relatives from the sunny South would sooner eat out of dumpsters than come to Iowa and get a job. When I get into my 70s, I'll give some thought to relocating to an area with a milder climate, depending on what's happening. I expect they will either be in jail or dead at that point.
I do miss gardening. I need to start some mini tomatoes on my window sill.
I do miss gardening. I need to start some mini tomatoes on my window sill.
ivantherussian03
Veteran Member
Minus 45 this fine day. I didn’t start any vehicles. Just waited, tomorrow supposed to warm substantially . A village elder said I was wise not starting my vehicle, saying it is hard on the valves. All I know is fuel injected vehicles are hard to start when temperatures drop to minus 20, and oil turns to sludge.
Besides if your ready, you shouldn’t need much. Tomorrow is a new day.
Besides if your ready, you shouldn’t need much. Tomorrow is a new day.