feralferret
Veteran Member
New week, new adventures. Night owls rule!
Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: Dec. 21 - Dec. 27, 2025
- Thread starter feralferret
- Start date
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
Good morning!
My phone minutes are now refilled. I had three bars this morning, so the refill process worked the first time. One bar is very typical. Maybe next year I'll do something else, but I now have about 1,200 minutes and 710 texts, likely more than I'll use in 2026. The minutes have to be refilled each year, but they do roll over.
Re: drains -- I used to have problems, especially in the kitchen! I put in new strainers (and change them yearly or when they fall apart -- cheap from Dollar Store) and then I also do the vinegar/baking soda/hot water routine about every other month. No recent problems with slow drains. Also, I have a low flow toilet (which will be replaced!) and I've been using an enzyme cleaner on that (leave it in overnight) about every six months. That has helped, too.
I'm headed out in a bit for shopping, socializing, and maybe a haircut if I make it to one of the chains. I think Great Cuts is open at 10:00. Yes, I'm prepared to fix what gets botched. I just can't do the back that well and I need it longer since it's winter. Otherwise, I would just take the clippers to it.
I have to keep reminding myself that Christmas Eve is Wednesday. My yard looks like it's early March: muddy with just a few patches of snow.
Wishing everyone a great day!
My phone minutes are now refilled. I had three bars this morning, so the refill process worked the first time. One bar is very typical. Maybe next year I'll do something else, but I now have about 1,200 minutes and 710 texts, likely more than I'll use in 2026. The minutes have to be refilled each year, but they do roll over.
Re: drains -- I used to have problems, especially in the kitchen! I put in new strainers (and change them yearly or when they fall apart -- cheap from Dollar Store) and then I also do the vinegar/baking soda/hot water routine about every other month. No recent problems with slow drains. Also, I have a low flow toilet (which will be replaced!) and I've been using an enzyme cleaner on that (leave it in overnight) about every six months. That has helped, too.
I'm headed out in a bit for shopping, socializing, and maybe a haircut if I make it to one of the chains. I think Great Cuts is open at 10:00. Yes, I'm prepared to fix what gets botched. I just can't do the back that well and I need it longer since it's winter. Otherwise, I would just take the clippers to it.
I have to keep reminding myself that Christmas Eve is Wednesday. My yard looks like it's early March: muddy with just a few patches of snow.
Wishing everyone a great day!
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
The small town we do most of our shopping in is only about a 20 minute drive, but to go to Tupelo, it's about 40 minutes. I don't want to live any closer to either of those. If I had to choose a place to live in either of those places, it would be the small town. It's peaceful with very little crime. Everything a small rural town should be. Very conservative, too.
I've been trying to get Mom to get rid of her landline phone, so she won't have that extra bill each month. She wouldn't do it, because her Life Alert pendent is hooked into her landline. Cary checked a few days ago, and it won't be a problem to have the Life Alert switched over to her cell phone. I think she plans to let him do that for her after the first of the year.
Talking about new furnaces, Cary is already trying to decide what we will do, once he is no longer able to work the firewood. Whatever he decides, I know, is going to cost us a lot. We have 2 options, I don't like either one. One is to have a heating and cooling system put in, or have another propane gas line run to hook into a new propane heater, once the wood heater is taken out. We'll probably have to make that decision in a couple more years if not before. It would be great if we knew we could get firewood that could be delivered.
Rain last night and this morning. 59 for our high, today, and 44 for our low, tonight. Local weatherman said this morning that we were going to break a record on Christmas Day at 75*. I hope that doesn't mean tornadic weather is in our future.
I've been trying to get Mom to get rid of her landline phone, so she won't have that extra bill each month. She wouldn't do it, because her Life Alert pendent is hooked into her landline. Cary checked a few days ago, and it won't be a problem to have the Life Alert switched over to her cell phone. I think she plans to let him do that for her after the first of the year.
Talking about new furnaces, Cary is already trying to decide what we will do, once he is no longer able to work the firewood. Whatever he decides, I know, is going to cost us a lot. We have 2 options, I don't like either one. One is to have a heating and cooling system put in, or have another propane gas line run to hook into a new propane heater, once the wood heater is taken out. We'll probably have to make that decision in a couple more years if not before. It would be great if we knew we could get firewood that could be delivered.
Rain last night and this morning. 59 for our high, today, and 44 for our low, tonight. Local weatherman said this morning that we were going to break a record on Christmas Day at 75*. I hope that doesn't mean tornadic weather is in our future.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
In our area of Mississippi, we can have tornadoes in all 12 months. June, July, and August are our least likely months, though. In those months, we can still have some severe pop up afternoon thunderstorms, because of the high humidity.
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A few months back my sister gave me a bag of books. I just went through them this evening and sorted out the ones I want to read and will donate the rest. I started three of the books from the library and decided they were boring so will return them tomorrow along with the rest that I've read. Not sure yet whether I'll start reading the books from my sister or check out more or maybe do both.
I consider unread books a majorly important prep. Reading is an escape for me and in a SHTF situation I'm sure I'll need that escape. Comfort items were mentioned in last week's posts, and we've talked about that before in relation to food but I'm not sure we've had much discussion on comfort items as opposed to necessities. I would hate to be the parent of children who have never had to live without electronic entertainment if that disappeared. My three all enjoyed books and all three were capable of entertaining themselves. Oldest was addicted to TV but survived with books when we did not have TV for a couple years. Maybe their self-entertainment was because when they told me they were bored and there was nothing to do, I always had a job or two ready for such times. I recall my youngest coming up to me and starting to say she was bored then quickly changed it to never mind and disappeared.
I always have playing cards for solitaire and a few board games to share if someone else is around. Books, jigsaw puzzles and realization that work would likely fill most of my time. My number one comfort item would be my Bible and a book of daily devotions. I have a shoe box that I put the Daily Bread and In Touch daily devotional booklets in when finished as a prep. When the box is full, I pull out the oldest ones to recycle and add the new ones. I also have a hard copy daily devotional that I've used two years and will definitely use again just not in 2026.
I consider unread books a majorly important prep. Reading is an escape for me and in a SHTF situation I'm sure I'll need that escape. Comfort items were mentioned in last week's posts, and we've talked about that before in relation to food but I'm not sure we've had much discussion on comfort items as opposed to necessities. I would hate to be the parent of children who have never had to live without electronic entertainment if that disappeared. My three all enjoyed books and all three were capable of entertaining themselves. Oldest was addicted to TV but survived with books when we did not have TV for a couple years. Maybe their self-entertainment was because when they told me they were bored and there was nothing to do, I always had a job or two ready for such times. I recall my youngest coming up to me and starting to say she was bored then quickly changed it to never mind and disappeared.
I always have playing cards for solitaire and a few board games to share if someone else is around. Books, jigsaw puzzles and realization that work would likely fill most of my time. My number one comfort item would be my Bible and a book of daily devotions. I have a shoe box that I put the Daily Bread and In Touch daily devotional booklets in when finished as a prep. When the box is full, I pull out the oldest ones to recycle and add the new ones. I also have a hard copy daily devotional that I've used two years and will definitely use again just not in 2026.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
Yes! I have a copy box full of unread paperbacks, mostly thrillers, purchased at book sales. It saved my behind during the pandemic. I've since replaced them with new ones. I also have a smaller box of various craft projects to do, plus some jigsaw puzzles. There's probably a deck of cards with the games (Scrabble, chess, and . . . ?) I haven't looked in that box for awhile. Lastly, I have several word seek and other pencil puzzle books from the Dollar Store. I grab pages from those to take with me when I have to wait for my car to be serviced or other appointments. I'm sure I can find additional quiet activities to distract myself when necessary.
Headed out in a bit to get in my steps and finish the errands that I didn't finish yesterday. The trails are mostly clear, just random patches of ice are left, mostly along the sides. I'm still wearing light hiking boots, not running shoes.
I keep thinking there's other stuff I need to do for Christmas, but it didn't make my list. If I don't remember today, I'm not going to worry about it.
It still doesn't "feel" like Christmas to me, maybe early March or so.
Wishing everyone a calm and peaceful day!
Headed out in a bit to get in my steps and finish the errands that I didn't finish yesterday. The trails are mostly clear, just random patches of ice are left, mostly along the sides. I'm still wearing light hiking boots, not running shoes.
I keep thinking there's other stuff I need to do for Christmas, but it didn't make my list. If I don't remember today, I'm not going to worry about it.
It still doesn't "feel" like Christmas to me, maybe early March or so.
Wishing everyone a calm and peaceful day!
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
Our SHTF comfort items are books, playing cards, word puzzle books, and I'm thinking of adding some 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. We're not much into board games. We probably won't have much time for those, but you can't work around the clock. Everyone will need down time.
Making that trip into Tupelo, today. Light rain and 49 degrees outside right now. 64 for our high, today. Tomorrow's high of 73!
Making that trip into Tupelo, today. Light rain and 49 degrees outside right now. 64 for our high, today. Tomorrow's high of 73!
WanderLore
Veteran Member
We had our little get together yesterday at China buffet. 13 of us. Some couldn't make it.
My one grandson was excited for the new whimpy kid book. Got other grands stuff they really enjoyed.
I'm most excited about what my oldest son got me. It's a cassette toilet! It will also double as a compost and chemical toilet.
I love it and it isn't something that I would buy for myself but I really wanted one. He had a bunch of stuff that he gets from sponsors on YouTube. So he had this. I love it it is really really nice.
We'll have to get hay today or tomorrow going to get to bales to last a good while. Coal next week.
The temperature has been excellent. Dry warm, not much wind if at all.
I still need to do some more shopping for two of the grandkids and then I'll be done. I'll have to take that over to them for Christmas.
Sheree, I'd go with the propane wall heater. I'm looking at getting one in the kitchen next year, if we're going to stay for the winter.
My one grandson was excited for the new whimpy kid book. Got other grands stuff they really enjoyed.
I'm most excited about what my oldest son got me. It's a cassette toilet! It will also double as a compost and chemical toilet.
I love it and it isn't something that I would buy for myself but I really wanted one. He had a bunch of stuff that he gets from sponsors on YouTube. So he had this. I love it it is really really nice.
We'll have to get hay today or tomorrow going to get to bales to last a good while. Coal next week.
The temperature has been excellent. Dry warm, not much wind if at all.
I still need to do some more shopping for two of the grandkids and then I'll be done. I'll have to take that over to them for Christmas.
Sheree, I'd go with the propane wall heater. I'm looking at getting one in the kitchen next year, if we're going to stay for the winter.
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SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
That's one option. It will cost us, dearly, to have another line run underneath the house and the hook ups. Since, Cary and I are both very cold natured, we would go through over $1600 for propane for one winter. Plus, propane heat isn't very warm, at least to us. We have a small one, already. The cost of propane was the reason we went with wood heat, plus, not being dependent on getting propane in a SHTF situation.
We go through around 3 cords of wood a winter depending on how cold it gets. If we have to buy our firewood, it would cost us around $600 a winter. That's our best option as long as we can get firewood already cut and hauled to our house. DS would be able to help Cary stack it into our wood shed.
Having central heat and air put in is just about out of our price range, plus the cost of running it. Still would be dependent on having electricity to operate in a SHTF situation.
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WanderLore
Veteran Member
Lord.
Well between you and me Sheree, I have had thoughts of a small camper or finishing ceiling on my cabin, and having propane in there. Stay in there for winter.
I have a wood stove in cabin, I could put gaskets on. But I have to load it every 2 hours. Gaskets would help.
Wood here used to be $35 a face cord. It is now $95!
Well at least we have the next year to figure it out.
I would winterize the pipes in the house and turn the water off to the house. That would still leave the water to the horse tanks and for the back well pump the dogs and cats and so on.
Well between you and me Sheree, I have had thoughts of a small camper or finishing ceiling on my cabin, and having propane in there. Stay in there for winter.
I have a wood stove in cabin, I could put gaskets on. But I have to load it every 2 hours. Gaskets would help.
Wood here used to be $35 a face cord. It is now $95!
Well at least we have the next year to figure it out.
I would winterize the pipes in the house and turn the water off to the house. That would still leave the water to the horse tanks and for the back well pump the dogs and cats and so on.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We don't have to make a decision right now. Cary is still able to do all the work that having firewood takes, but it is getting harder for him to do it from start to finish. This is the first winter that he has complained about hurting shoulders and back, especially, his back. He's not getting any younger, so he is having to make himself slow down a bit. He never finished the last load of firewood DS brought to us, before it turned cold. He'll have to finish that up next Spring. We already have at least 3 years worth in the wood shed that's kept in rotation.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
No luck on finding my coat. Nothing in my size that I liked. Both stores I went to looked rather empty as far as coats go. One store only had maybe 6 coats left on the rack. I came home and looked online at both stores, and even online, they did not have the ones I liked in my size. I'm going to wait, until after Christmas and try again. No guarantee that they will have any new deliveries in store even then. Oh, well.....
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I have propane heaters as backup. I discovered very quickly that there was a big difference. The big round ones leave the house feeling cold, no matter what I do. I use those only in the room with the air intake now, so they can provide a "base level" of heat that keeps the emergency strips from kicking on.
The directional propane heaters are a lot more effective, or at least feel like it. So I have multiples of those.
It might just need to be a look for a different style of wall heater, or an addition of one or more of those fans that help direct more heat out into the room before it hits the ceiling. The fans like Kathy has in her story. Those work for more than wood stoves.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
Two other considerations, Kyrsyan: maybe check the relative humidity. If it isn't around 40% - 45%, maybe employ a humidifier. That can help the "feels like" temperature. Also, if you're going to stay there, look into cost effective ways to insulate the floors (and anything else). There might be tax credits still available for that upgrade.
Back when I was renting in a terrible, drafty house, I bought a big roll of that foil reflective material (it was like $5. I'm sure it's more, now). And I put that in my bedroom under the rug and also plastic over the windows. That helped raise my bedroom almost 10 degrees. You don't want to leave that foil material down forever because it doesn't breathe and can eventually cause mold, but it would be fine for several months during the winter. There are better materials that can be left in place, but they are a lot more expensive.
Back when I was renting in a terrible, drafty house, I bought a big roll of that foil reflective material (it was like $5. I'm sure it's more, now). And I put that in my bedroom under the rug and also plastic over the windows. That helped raise my bedroom almost 10 degrees. You don't want to leave that foil material down forever because it doesn't breathe and can eventually cause mold, but it would be fine for several months during the winter. There are better materials that can be left in place, but they are a lot more expensive.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We already have a 3 burner propane wall heater. No place for a fan. To run all three burners would keep part of the house warm enough for us, but we would have to have our propane tank filled up once a month! That's where the cost comes in. To have another line run and another larger heater installed to heat the whole house would cost us a lot more money and propane. We tried using only the 3 burner heater with all 3 burners going the first winter in this house. That's where the estimated $1600 for one winter came from. Plus, we were still a bit cold, especially, when it's damp outside. We only use it now if the temp gets too low and we need a backup to go along with the wood heater, or something to just knock the chill out of the house.
Right now, using it for just backup, or to keep the chill out, we don't even go through a full tank of propane per winter.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
When we first moved here to this house we use propane and there was a furnace in the basement. $1,000 first month. That wasn't going to happen so we got a coal stove because the chimney is clay with cracks, but Coal doesn't produce Creosote.
Been using that stove for 18 years. And it's a beast it can heat the whole house easy but it's the hauling and bring it in the house and stuff that can get pretty hard as one gets older.
It's been a long day. Had to change out the gasket on the stove. And then reinforce it somewhat. It's working good now. The dogs are all fighting. Son went and got two bales of hay which are 6 to 800 lb so we had a time getting them off the truck he finally just pushed him off he's such a brute.
It's just been one thing after another today. We're coping but we're tired.
Been using that stove for 18 years. And it's a beast it can heat the whole house easy but it's the hauling and bring it in the house and stuff that can get pretty hard as one gets older.
It's been a long day. Had to change out the gasket on the stove. And then reinforce it somewhat. It's working good now. The dogs are all fighting. Son went and got two bales of hay which are 6 to 800 lb so we had a time getting them off the truck he finally just pushed him off he's such a brute.
It's just been one thing after another today. We're coping but we're tired.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
WanderLore, you're using labor-intensive systems to run your household. That sort of works when one is young and in good health, but you're older and trying to do a lot of this on your own.
If you're going to stay there, you might look into some alternative ways to do things. I know that pellet stoves have many cons, but maybe a different heating system would allow you to sleep through the night and not have to haul in large amounts of coal. Or maybe a different configuration of the coal-burning system. Something to think about . . .
If you're going to stay there, you might look into some alternative ways to do things. I know that pellet stoves have many cons, but maybe a different heating system would allow you to sleep through the night and not have to haul in large amounts of coal. Or maybe a different configuration of the coal-burning system. Something to think about . . .
Seeing everyone's struggles with heat make me very thankful for natural gas forced air furnace. My electric and natural gas bill runs between $80 to $112 per month. I'm on a budget plan and seldom run the a/c and if I do it's set at 80º. Heat is kept at 69º. I've accepted that in a SHTF situation I will likely freeze to death. No electricity and the generator kicks in, but I'm assuming in a true SHTF situation, natural gas probably will not be available to run it. I can survive without a/c because I have a basement that stays comfortable in hot weather.
Also, reading books about winter in the summer takes your mind to cool. Same in winter, read about tropical islands. Mind over matter.
I can remember as children my sister and I would cut paper doll families from the Sears catalog. Naturally in the summer we'd be cutting from the winter catalog, and I can remember being so involved with winter scenarios that I'd be surprised when I came out of the fog and it was 95º. My sister and I were 13 months apart and grandma lived next door so we'd each have our own catalog between mom and her.
I about fell on wet ice when I got my mail, so I took some ice melt out and spread it around liberally. With temps staying in the 40's during the day the rest of the week, the ice and snow should be gone soon. And no snow in the forecast for the next 7 days. If there is anything slicker than ice with a melt of water on top, I hope I never run into it!!
Also, reading books about winter in the summer takes your mind to cool. Same in winter, read about tropical islands. Mind over matter.
I can remember as children my sister and I would cut paper doll families from the Sears catalog. Naturally in the summer we'd be cutting from the winter catalog, and I can remember being so involved with winter scenarios that I'd be surprised when I came out of the fog and it was 95º. My sister and I were 13 months apart and grandma lived next door so we'd each have our own catalog between mom and her.
I about fell on wet ice when I got my mail, so I took some ice melt out and spread it around liberally. With temps staying in the 40's during the day the rest of the week, the ice and snow should be gone soon. And no snow in the forecast for the next 7 days. If there is anything slicker than ice with a melt of water on top, I hope I never run into it!!
Shadow
Swift, Silent,...Sleepy
I was talking to a man (~25 years ago) who installed control systems for the natural gas engine that pumped natural gas on main pipelines. As we discussed the system he allowed that it had been removed and the compressors replaced with electric driven ones. Environmental issues with burning fuel.
So now the loss of the grid will involve the loss of natural gas as the pressure in the pipes goes down. I believe this happened in Texas in the 2021 ice storm. Rotating blackouts shutdown a pumping station that supplied gas to a power plant. (shakes head in dismay) It reoriented my prepping. I hope some gas systems in the US were resistant to this madness.
Shadow
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Well. First house we had, wood boiler in basement. We'd get off work and go cut down trees, chop and load by chute into basement. Stack and fill stove. Also had a wall heater.
Second house, large Cunningham wood stove. We had to buy wood for that, or the sawmill place had a big dump of wood. We'd go over there, Scot would chainsaw it up and we'd load and bring back, chop and stack.
Then this house. Can't use wood as it produces creosote. So coal it is.
However, if had another wall heater in kitchen, could just use the two of them most of the winter.
Electric heaters wouldn't do it and super expensive.
Stove was out when I got up at 3. But it's warmer outside. Got it cleaned out and going again.
Second house, large Cunningham wood stove. We had to buy wood for that, or the sawmill place had a big dump of wood. We'd go over there, Scot would chainsaw it up and we'd load and bring back, chop and stack.
Then this house. Can't use wood as it produces creosote. So coal it is.
However, if had another wall heater in kitchen, could just use the two of them most of the winter.
Electric heaters wouldn't do it and super expensive.
Stove was out when I got up at 3. But it's warmer outside. Got it cleaned out and going again.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Someone sent me a Christmas ornament with Scots picture, it's beautiful. I put it on the tree.
Bet was my sis. Bless them whoever did.
Bet was my sis. Bless them whoever did.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Had to run up to Little gas station to get their only bag of match light charcoal. Hopefully this will get stove going. 6 am in the dark. Feel for those who are already on the road driving.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We have been heating with free firewood in this house for over 40 yrs. I think we only had to buy 2 loads over the years. We get a lot of storms in our area, and the trees come down. People are very willing to let Cary cut up the trees for firewood, free, just to get them out of their yards. Plus, we have club land that have trees come down, too. That's always free for anyone who wants it. We've always been blessed with free firewood. We have at least 3 yrs. worth already split and stacked under roof. All Cary does each spring and summer is replace what we use over the winter and keeps it in rotation, about 3 cords.
We expect that he will still be doing what he's been doing for a few more years. It's not like we have to do anything right now. He's 73 and still going strong. But, it would be going against nature to think that he can still be doing what he's doing by the time he's 83. He might be, but that's an unknown. Plus, anything could happen at any time that could change things before then. We always try to plan ahead as much as we can. I'm 66 yrs. old with a bad back, so I'm not much help when it comes to firewood, but I do try.
We want to stay as independent from all systems as we can. That's why we want to continue to use our wood stove and wood heater into the future. Natural gas, propane, and electricity are things that might not be available in the future, or so expensive that common folks can't afford it. Staying with wood is our best option even if it means having someone help Cary with it, or buy it from someone. There is always plenty of people around here that sell it. They sell it for between $150 - $200 per cord. That's cut to length and split delivered right to your house.
It's supposed to be 72 degrees, today. Record breaking for us. Cary let the fire go out last night in the wood heater. We won't be needing it for the next several days.
This is why we are preppers. It's not just about having a store of food put away.
We expect that he will still be doing what he's been doing for a few more years. It's not like we have to do anything right now. He's 73 and still going strong. But, it would be going against nature to think that he can still be doing what he's doing by the time he's 83. He might be, but that's an unknown. Plus, anything could happen at any time that could change things before then. We always try to plan ahead as much as we can. I'm 66 yrs. old with a bad back, so I'm not much help when it comes to firewood, but I do try.
We want to stay as independent from all systems as we can. That's why we want to continue to use our wood stove and wood heater into the future. Natural gas, propane, and electricity are things that might not be available in the future, or so expensive that common folks can't afford it. Staying with wood is our best option even if it means having someone help Cary with it, or buy it from someone. There is always plenty of people around here that sell it. They sell it for between $150 - $200 per cord. That's cut to length and split delivered right to your house.
It's supposed to be 72 degrees, today. Record breaking for us. Cary let the fire go out last night in the wood heater. We won't be needing it for the next several days.
This is why we are preppers. It's not just about having a store of food put away.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
@SouthernBreeze, random thought - electric or gas powered splitter? Or did I miss that you guys already have one?
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We have a 27 ton gasoline powered splitter. Splitting the wood with the splitter is the easiest part. I help with that, sometimes, but Cary still has to do all the lifting.
@kyrsyan ..we use gas splitters...and gas saws..only....electric are fine n.v for small things...but not for heating a home....have all sizes of saws..
But DH at 72 still uses and axe and wedges...and a maul most of the time to split..and we also have crosscut saws..so have both modern and manual ways to use wood...the more you do the more you can..
We have a boiler plate steel stove with an internal fan...that moves the hot air
At the top speed..the fan is only 100 watts...we also use doorway (only the metal ones) to move the hot air to different rooms..they are again...only around 100 watts..
unlike Southern Breeze..we have a large old 2 story house built in late 1890s...but in normal times we heat the whole house with only one stove..
We are in a colder climate here so we use more cords per year...
We did invest in a good a good battery system for back up power...it can run the house..24,000 watts.but can expand if needed...we can charge it three ways......with power from our existing electric coop..with our gas generator...large enough ..run the house..and well but dependent on gasoline...(we had an ice storm here several years back...no power for 2 weeks at times getting gasoline was a challenge)....and with our solar cells...the system we purchased can be moved if we would needed to move to different house..
But DH at 72 still uses and axe and wedges...and a maul most of the time to split..and we also have crosscut saws..so have both modern and manual ways to use wood...the more you do the more you can..
We have a boiler plate steel stove with an internal fan...that moves the hot air
At the top speed..the fan is only 100 watts...we also use doorway (only the metal ones) to move the hot air to different rooms..they are again...only around 100 watts..
unlike Southern Breeze..we have a large old 2 story house built in late 1890s...but in normal times we heat the whole house with only one stove..
We are in a colder climate here so we use more cords per year...
We did invest in a good a good battery system for back up power...it can run the house..24,000 watts.but can expand if needed...we can charge it three ways......with power from our existing electric coop..with our gas generator...large enough ..run the house..and well but dependent on gasoline...(we had an ice storm here several years back...no power for 2 weeks at times getting gasoline was a challenge)....and with our solar cells...the system we purchased can be moved if we would needed to move to different house..
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
Cary does the same with my wood stove firewood and making kindling. The larger wood goes on the splitter. My paternal grandfather taught Cary how to split firewood using an axe, wedge, and maul when we first started using firewood. He could out work Cary. He was in his late 70's, too, at the time.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
Hit the ground running this morning and finally have a few minutes to check the news.
It's sunny and 45 here. I'm running around in a thermo shirt and a hoodie, not a winter coat.
I finally remembered what it was I was supposed to do: drive several trailer loads of rocks down to the turn-around off the boat ramp, and drive was all I had to do. One of the guys who lives down there supervised the loading and unloading, but he needed another adult doing the driving so he could keep an eye on the teenagers, who are at an age where they do dumb things all the time.
But the rocks are down and some of the nastier holes are filled in. This is a private road, but I'm allowed to use the dock to put in my kayak, so I volunteered to help with road maintenance and in the spring, I'll help paint the dock.
I'm still deciding on Christmas dinner, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be a grilled steak and I'll also grill some hamburgers, unless I get gifted with something else. I heard there might be a ham dinner coming my way. Hey, I'm flexible! I eat whatever I've got.
It's sunny and 45 here. I'm running around in a thermo shirt and a hoodie, not a winter coat.
I finally remembered what it was I was supposed to do: drive several trailer loads of rocks down to the turn-around off the boat ramp, and drive was all I had to do. One of the guys who lives down there supervised the loading and unloading, but he needed another adult doing the driving so he could keep an eye on the teenagers, who are at an age where they do dumb things all the time.
But the rocks are down and some of the nastier holes are filled in. This is a private road, but I'm allowed to use the dock to put in my kayak, so I volunteered to help with road maintenance and in the spring, I'll help paint the dock.
I'm still deciding on Christmas dinner, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be a grilled steak and I'll also grill some hamburgers, unless I get gifted with something else. I heard there might be a ham dinner coming my way. Hey, I'm flexible! I eat whatever I've got.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
Speaking of winter coats. I scoured the internet for name brands that I know to see if I could find a coat for myself, after not being able to find one in Tupelo. I found one in my size that I liked, so I ordered it. It's supposed to arrive the day after Christmas. I do hope it fits, since I wasn't able to try it on. I hate the hassle of having to send something back.
@SouthernBreeze have an LL Bean wool coat that is older than all my kids and still looks great. I think I bought it in 1987.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
I didn't even think about LL Bean. I guess it's, because I have never ordered from them before. I hope mine lasts that long. As much as I paid for it, it better. With the winters down here, I won't be wearing it too often. Mild winters, I won't need it at all.