Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: March 21 ~ 27, 2021

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
One other bit of news, something else I don't want to discuss in the real world. I tried to buy a used kayak at an estate sale several weeks ago. It was sold, but I knew the guy who bought it didn't have the cash (he's a druggie). I gave the son's wife my number and email (it was one of his dead father's boats). Today, she called, and I went and picked up the boat. (I don't this info around, and she's going to leave my name out of it.)

This has been a year-long project. I love to fish! But I didn't want to drop mega bucks on a boat, trailer, and all that. This is a 39-pound fishing kayak that can go on my vehicle roof rack. So that gives me more cheap entertainment, exercise, and maybe some fresh fish! :geek:
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
One other bit of news, something else I don't want to discuss in the real world. I tried to buy a used kayak at an estate sale several weeks ago. It was sold, but I knew the guy who bought it didn't have the cash (he's a druggie). I gave the son's wife my number and email (it was one of his dead father's boats). Today, she called, and I went and picked up the boat. (I don't this info around, and she's going to leave my name out of it.)

This has been a year-long project. I love to fish! But I didn't want to drop mega bucks on a boat, trailer, and all that. This is a 39-pound fishing kayak that can go on my vehicle roof rack. So that gives me more cheap entertainment, exercise, and maybe some fresh fish! :geek:
Good for you!
Neither my wife nor I fish but we have several small lakes near our home. So a couple years ago we bought a pedal boat just to go out on the lakes for fun. I do know how to fish and still have some gear but I just don't do it anymore. All the lakes around us are stocked yearly by the Fish&game.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I'm around several small lakes and rivers (slow ones!) . . . I've been chomping at the bit every time I ride my bike out there. Now I can do both, ride my bike and paddle a bit and fish. I'm so thankful! Gas can go high, but I'll still be able to have affordable fun this summer. I might even be able to pack up bike and boat and do a little camping. Awesome! I'm thumbing my nose at the pandemic and the Karens. LOL.
 
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Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Progress! The emergency bags now have most of the basics: food, water filter, fire making options, first aid kit, can opener, sewing kit, space blanket, Frogg Toggs poncho, mess kit, knife, compass, etc. I need to pick up another tarp and paracord and we'll have shelter covered as well.

I'm starting a list of things that may become unavailable or rationed if history decides to get interesting. Talking things imported or I can't make and nice to haves that just make life a little more bearable.

In no particular order:
Dutch chocolate
More aspirin and other OTC meds
A welding blanket
Canning lids (I wish!)
Fuses
Spices
Coffee
Pickling lime
Plastic bags
Cleaning supplies
 

briches

Veteran Member
I so enjoy this thread each week.

Hasn’t been a huge week thus far in preps. I am going to go by dollar tree and dollar general today to get the stevia I use as well as some extra deodorant (use up one, buy two).

I think I’ll also head to tractor supply and get a couple bags of chicken feed. I like to try to keep at least two months of feed on hand at all times. We’ve had the chickens for 10 months now, and they’ve been a blessing. Five eggs a day has been great. What we don’t use, I give to neighbors or sell to people at work for $3 dozen.

Hubby and I had a convo last night about upping our coffee to keep on hand. That is an item I do NOT want to run out of. That will be a priority soon.

We got our taxes done this year (does that count as a prep?). Normally I do them myself, but this past year, I sold a house, bought a house, and got married so wanted “an expert” to help. Lol. We owe this year. First time in my life I haven’t gotten a few thousand back.

Slow and steady we continue on .....
 

philkar

Veteran Member
Every time I do a task I review the items I need to do the task, availability of items,etc. For instance we are looking for hoes. Those made in America are becoming hard to find in our area. The ones we have used are from Lehman's but they are out of stock at present. I feel like it is a task never completed!

On a more positive note swapped some seed with a fellow gardener. We each had varieties that the other wanted to try. Our sugar cane experiment is cruising right along. The cane is up and looking good. We have never grown cane before!

Curious about everyone's bug out plans. Is everyone planning to leave your present home and are you rural or urban?
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Curious about everyone's bug out plans. Is everyone planning to leave your present home and are you rural or urban?
Funny I was thinking a couple nights ago about people bugging out as I was lying in a nice warm comfortable bed. I suppose a wildfire coming through here could smoke us out so we would have to leave for a while but we would either use a motel or stay in our RV. Our house would be very unlikely to burn but smoke would certainly be an issue. Otherwise we will always stay here.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I can identify with Hiwall. I can remember having to shovel snow during March in Michigan. Some years it seemed
like spring would never come and when it did, it only lasted several days and then jumped right into the high 80s.
 

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
I've been exercising while wearing my emergency bag. Its making a difference, which surprised me. Not losing any weight but find my head is clearer, my posture has improved and stamina is starting to improve as well. I've found exercising in the morning has a better effect on my sleep patterns than exercising in the evening.

I'm still in the process of updating the bag so weight is being added periodically. So far this has been working out well.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Same here. We do have our enclosed trailer stocked up in case of a forest fire though.

God is good all the time

Judy

In the event of a forest fire, we have a large trailer that can be covered and hooked up to Cary's Jeep. It would be filled with all of our survival gear, plus as much food/supplies as possible. Other than a forest fire or tornado wiping us out, I don't see a need for us to ever bug out.
 

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
In the event of a forest fire, we have a large trailer that can be covered and hooked up to Cary's Jeep. It would be filled with all of our survival gear, plus as much food/supplies as possible. Other than a forest fire or tornado wiping us out, I don't see a need for us to ever bug out.

heard Harris is thinking of turning Mississippi over for black reparations ...
 

Digger

Veteran Member
We went to the store where my friend saw the cases of jars with rings, but no lids on them. We looked at them closer and the lids are in there, just not on the jars.

We saw wide mouth canning lids at one store. We are good on those. But I would like to find regular mouth lids. I could put back another 4-5 boxes. I have one friend that is getting desperate for regular mouth lids. Another is needing some also. Our Dollar General said they may have gotten some on the truck yesterday. The girl told me to stop in this afternoon and she should have what she got put out by then. We will be passing there on the way to a friends house.

We had our neighbor with a tree trimming business come remove 6 trees near the house. Two were leaning toward the house. They all were white oaks. We moved all the wood with our tractor graffel bucket and will cut it up for fire wood. His price was more than reasonable since they only had to take the trees down. Our wood shed may be overflowing. We hated to loose the shade, but these trees were getting older and dropping some dead limbs on the roof. We still have a lot of trees.

I got some flower pots at my mother in laws that she wanted me to get. She is 87 or 88 and is not going to use them anymore. She only keeps a very few flowers now. She is on chemotherapy again and does not have a lot of energy. But she is doing ok and not sick from it. She has given me several little things that she thought I would use.

I bought 3 pair of the leather gloves that I like. I go through about 1pair a year. I should be good for 3-5 years on them now.
 

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
We went to the store where my friend saw the cases of jars with rings, but no lids on them. We looked at them closer and the lids are in there, just not on the jars.

We saw wide mouth canning lids at one store. We are good on those. But I would like to find regular mouth lids. I could put back another 4-5 boxes. I have one friend that is getting desperate for regular mouth lids. Another is needing some also. Our Dollar General said they may have gotten some on the truck yesterday. The girl told me to stop in this afternoon and she should have what she got put out by then. We will be passing there on the way to a friends house.

We had our neighbor with a tree trimming business come remove 6 trees near the house. Two were leaning toward the house. They all were white oaks. We moved all the wood with our tractor graffel bucket and will cut it up for fire wood. His price was more than reasonable since they only had to take the trees down. Our wood shed may be overflowing. We hated to loose the shade, but these trees were getting older and dropping some dead limbs on the roof. We still have a lot of trees.

I got some flower pots at my mother in laws that she wanted me to get. She is 87 or 88 and is not going to use them anymore. She only keeps a very few flowers now. She is on chemotherapy again and does not have a lot of energy. But she is doing ok and not sick from it. She has given me several little things that she thought I would use.

I bought 3 pair of the leather gloves that I like. I go through about 1pair a year. I should be good for 3-5 years on them now.

Fillmore Container has somewhat caught up with demand - they have the generic lids in stock for bulk sale >>> if you want to stockpile or divide with friends - it's the best $$$$

 

Digger

Veteran Member
One of my friends was given some Fillmore new cases of jars from someone she gave pickles to. She did not have good results getting them to seal. She gave me the rest of the Fillmore lids and used ball or Kerr lids on the other Fillmore jars. I used the lids with no problem. But she is looking for a different brand. Thanks for the Fillmore information though. I am sure there are others that will be thankful to get some lids.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
Hmmm... I've used Fillmore lids for at least 15 years, without any problem. The case of lids I bought last Spring worked perfectly. Years ago (2014) I got a bunch of really bad Ball brand lids. Pretty much every seal failed by 3 years... and the failed because* *the sealant separated from the lid itself*! The sealant stayed stuck to the jar rim, though!

We went to the store where my friend saw the cases of jars with rings, but no lids on them. We looked at them closer and the lids are in there, just not on the jars.

This is actually a GOOD thing! Until recently, jars were NEVER sold with the lids attached. I didnt like it when they switched, but after buying several cases where the lids literally cooked onto the jar rims (presumably in hot warehouse conditions), I hate it! Why, if they insist that lids MUST NOT be reused, do they insist that the used lids you have to pry off the jar is still fine to use?!

Edited to add... holy cow! I looked at Fillmore's prices... over 50 cents a lid, bulk!??! Insanity!

well... I'm glad I stocked up last Spring, and have several hundred Tatters. I've also been storing every used lid (in good condition)... last fall I canned up a bunch of cracklings, lard and chicken fat for the dogs, and I used all used lids. 100% successfully sealed.

The biggest factor is you need to remove the lids very carefully so you don't bend the rim. I use one of the triangular lid openers, but I place a butter knife or something else thats thin and rigid under the point. That keeps it from denting or piercing the lid,mand if you just lift very gently until the seal breaks, the lid won't bend or warp.

The Amish simmer used lids in water with a tablespoon or so of baking soda.., they say it helps recondition the sealant. I haven't tried it, but I'm brand new to reusing lids.

Summerthyme
 
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SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We had our neighbor with a tree trimming business come remove 6 trees near the house. Two were leaning toward the house. They all were white oaks. We moved all the wood with our tractor graffel bucket and will cut it up for fire wood. His price was more than reasonable since they only had to take the trees down. Our wood shed may be overflowing. We hated to loose the shade, but these trees were getting older and dropping some dead limbs on the roof. We still have a lot of trees.

We have 5 50+ year old white oak trees that form a canopy over our house. They drop dead, sometimes green, limbs on our roof during storms. Scares me, sometimes. We just can't seem to be able to bring ourselves to have them cut/trimmed, though. They would give us years of firewood.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Since Mississippi is a red state I don't think that would go over well. The hyena doesn't know her ass from a hole in the ground.

Judy

The "ho" needs to watch what she says. The last time anything similar was mentioned was by Louis Farrakhan when he tried to claim our state for Black Islam. That didn't go over too well, either. We're still here.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
We have 5 50+ year old white oak trees that form a canopy over our house. They drop dead, sometimes green, limbs on our roof during storms. Scares me, sometimes. We just can't seem to be able to bring ourselves to have them cut/trimmed, though. They would give us years of firewood.
Yes, but unless you can figure out a way to power your AC with firewood, those trees are worth a lot more where they are.

Summerthyme
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, but unless you can figure out a way to power your AC with firewood, those trees are worth a lot more where they are.

Summerthyme

That is the biggest reason we can't bring ourselves to cut them. It would also ruin our landscape by depreciating our property value if we ever decided to sell out. Think of a small rustic cottage in the middle of an 80 acre old oak tree forest, The only thing missing is Spanish Moss (which we don't want, even though, it would add more Southern charm) hanging from the trees, but we do have Wisteria in bloom right now.

Believe me, when storms are approaching, I'm praying that God will protect us and all of our property, including the trees that canopy our house. We've had 2 that were farther out in our yard, but no danger to our house, that have fallen over the years, though. They were both dying, anyway.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We are in a high-risk wildfire area and have no trees close to our house. We don't need shade in the summer because our house stays cool enough that we almost never even open the windows except just to air the house out occasionally.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We are in a high-risk wildfire area and have no trees close to our house. We don't need shade in the summer because our house stays cool enough that we almost never even open the windows except just to air the house out occasionally.

It's so hot and humid down here during the summer. If you don't have good air flow throughout your house, you will be dealing with a huge mold and mildew problem. I learned that lesson well. We have ceramic tile floors, wood floors, wood walls, and wood ceilings. All rough sawn pine that was cut on the property, and cut at the old saw mill down the road back in 1930 something. I made the mistake of always leaving the door closed to a room that wasn't being used. I never thought of cracking the window, either. I walked in that room one day, and noticed mold was growing on the wall. I cleaned the whole room from top to bottom, and from then on, the window in that room stays cracked, and the door open during the summer. It became my pantry room later on.
 
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SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
The last time I went grocery shopping was before Cary had surgery. I don't know when I'll get to go again. The pantry is coming in real handy right now. Plus, I stocked up on plenty of extra fluff (snack foods and such) items then. All the stores I shopped were filled to the max with no limitations. Makes me wonder what I'll walk into the next time I go. In a couple of more days, I'll be making another Sam's order. Hope they aren't limiting any of the items I buy there, too.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Oh My! At the same extreme, try 100% humidity, and it not be raining, and the air temp is also 100*+. It's like breathing through a wet towel at times. Lots of folks living in the South with breathing conditions have to leave, because it gets so bad. Most often, they move to AZ. ;)
People that don't live down here in the south have a hard time wrapping their minds around that. It does get muggy. One good thing about that kind of humidity is that it keeps the skin looking younger.

Yesterday I went to walmart. They had off brand canning jars, I got two cases of pints, they had one case of ball 1/2 gallon, I get that one too. All normal prices, but they had no lids or rings. I'm starting to get a little low what with all the vacuum sealing that I do. The new cases have lids and rings.

I looked down the paper product line and it was full. And I really didn't see any large holes anywhere. There was an abundance of easter candy. I was looking for tarter sauce, but could not even find a slot for them. I heard people saying that
people had gotten their stimulus checks and bought a lot of clothes. I guess they will look nice while they go hungry.

I cannot get my yankee DH to understand about the air flow. The cabin he is building is not going to have good air flow. Oh well.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
I put in an online Sam’s order this week and it’s being shipped in 5 different packages from 4 different states. The store that is listed as my store is the one in Jackson TN. I usually get my orders in 1 or 2 big boxes but my plastic wrap came from Memphis, the 2 containers of taco seasoning IA. 2 containers of Weber seasoning has also been shipped from IA but hasn’t gotten here yet. One box each of True Lemon and True Lime is coming from MD and my one container each of coffee and cashews and parchment paper is coming from MO. That just seems crazy and makes me wonder if things are running so short that they’re filling orders however they can. There have been times I’ve ordered a few things when there was shortages (Spam last year) that was shipped from CA or some sort of house wear item but I’ve never seen orders broken up like I’m seeing now. Please let me know if anyone else experiences this.

I was planning on starting spring cleaning and doing a thorough inventory of pantry items starting today since the kids are starting spring break Monday. Guess whose DH got a cold and has shared it with his wife, ugh. I’m hanging out in bed today just resting and sipping coffee to soothe my throat. I’m just hoping we haven’t passed it to our granddaughter and she passes it on to her parents and brothers.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I put in an online Sam’s order this week and it’s being shipped in 5 different packages from 4 different states. The store that is listed as my store is the one in Jackson TN. I usually get my orders in 1 or 2 big boxes but my plastic wrap came from Memphis, the 2 containers of taco seasoning IA. 2 containers of Weber seasoning has also been shipped from IA but hasn’t gotten here yet. One box each of True Lemon and True Lime is coming from MD and my one container each of coffee and cashews and parchment paper is coming from MO. That just seems crazy and makes me wonder if things are running so short that they’re filling orders however they can. There have been times I’ve ordered a few things when there was shortages (Spam last year) that was shipped from CA or some sort of house wear item but I’ve never seen orders broken up like I’m seeing now. Please let me know if anyone else experiences this.

I was planning on starting spring cleaning and doing a thorough inventory of pantry items starting today since the kids are starting spring break Monday. Guess whose DH got a cold and has shared it with his wife, ugh. I’m hanging out in bed today just resting and sipping coffee to soothe my throat. I’m just hoping we haven’t passed it to our granddaughter and she passes it on to her parents and brothers.

My last Sam's order came from two different places, and arrived days apart. First time that has happened to me. Coffee was shipped in one package from one place, and everything else was in one package from another location.

Cary and I, both, are taking this weekend off, and not doing anything but resting. It's been hard and hectic for a long time for us. My sister's funeral was yesterday, and things will continue to be hectic for a while longer. I also have a doctor's appt. on Monday, and again on Wednesday. Cary has overdone himself the last few days, and is paying for it. He has got to have some rest, or his recovery will take much longer than necessary.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Speaking of coffee, my walmart store still has the largest container of folgers coffee, 48 0z (before I moved to the woods I would never have bought folgers, however I do mix it with a 23 oz bag of Community coffee and chickory. Makes a decent cup of coffee, I like mine bold and DH likes tea colored water, so we compromise. So I bought a round of each to add to my stash. Another fear out there is a coffee shortage. If for some ungodly reason I run out of coffee, I do have a big stash of black tea vacuum sealed.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I order the 51oz size jugs of Folgers coffee from Sam's. Last count, I had roughly 2 years worth in storage. If it begins to look too dire, with coffee getting scarce, I'll just start making ours on the weaker side. Better to have weak coffee than no coffee. We can't do without our coffee. It's what fuels my brain every morning, Lol!
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Dollar General in my nearest town had a stock cart full of Anchor Hocking canning jars w/lids and ring bands (box said made in USA). They also had boxes of a dozen ring bands with lids. I left my name and number with a note that I'd be interested in a case of lids if they got any in.
 
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