Prep Genrl Weekly prep thread: December 18-24
- Thread starter briches
- Start date
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Good morning, All. Wishing a blessing and many prayers for all through this coming week.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I'm drinking cold coffee from yesterday, want not waste not, LOL. Actually, it tastes fine, I've been drinking day old coffee for years,
Its Christmas already, the year has just disappeared. The sun is shinning and the its cold, winter is definitely here.
After my mother went in a nursing home I sorted through her things (felt like I was picking over her bones) and kept things I could use. She had several bathrobes. One was channel, I've used this one for over 10 years and its getting a bit thread bare. so I looked through things I'd packed away and found another one that is like a blanket. Its really cozy and comes down to my ankles. It closes in the front with a belt, which I like, its blue. I also found one of my old ones, it pulls over the head (its lavendar) , but I prefer the other kind. Although it is warm and cozy. So the blue one needed mended at the neckline, I could see daylight for about half an inch. I dug out my sewing kit (when I haven't used in years) and found a compable thread color, wash able to thread a needle and get separation mended. Little things can sure make you feel like you've accomplished something.
Have a great and blessed day, time for me to get ready for church.
Its Christmas already, the year has just disappeared. The sun is shinning and the its cold, winter is definitely here.
After my mother went in a nursing home I sorted through her things (felt like I was picking over her bones) and kept things I could use. She had several bathrobes. One was channel, I've used this one for over 10 years and its getting a bit thread bare. so I looked through things I'd packed away and found another one that is like a blanket. Its really cozy and comes down to my ankles. It closes in the front with a belt, which I like, its blue. I also found one of my old ones, it pulls over the head (its lavendar) , but I prefer the other kind. Although it is warm and cozy. So the blue one needed mended at the neckline, I could see daylight for about half an inch. I dug out my sewing kit (when I haven't used in years) and found a compable thread color, wash able to thread a needle and get separation mended. Little things can sure make you feel like you've accomplished something.
Have a great and blessed day, time for me to get ready for church.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I am now fully awake and moving.
My SIL's mother passed this morning. Her father passed about a few months ago. And two of my nephews moved out on their own this past fall. She's having a bit of a rough time. I'm not sure what to tell her beyond I'm praying for her and virtual hugs. We're not especially close anymore, and I miss that. But I don't know how we can fix that. I knew her parents from our childhood. They will be missed. In my heart I hope they have both been brought to peace with love.
I've been working on gifts. Almost done. I finished the piecework on the purple one last night. Compared to that, the bindings should be quick. Or at least I won't be getting up and down as much. I haven't gotten a picture of the canning mat I did for my mom.
So booting myself off the computer. Getting a quick pattern made for sleep sac, starting more laundry, and then back to finishing off the gifts. I was gifted a duck yesterday. It's tucked in the freezer for the moment but that will be dinner soon. Low and slow.
My SIL's mother passed this morning. Her father passed about a few months ago. And two of my nephews moved out on their own this past fall. She's having a bit of a rough time. I'm not sure what to tell her beyond I'm praying for her and virtual hugs. We're not especially close anymore, and I miss that. But I don't know how we can fix that. I knew her parents from our childhood. They will be missed. In my heart I hope they have both been brought to peace with love.
I've been working on gifts. Almost done. I finished the piecework on the purple one last night. Compared to that, the bindings should be quick. Or at least I won't be getting up and down as much. I haven't gotten a picture of the canning mat I did for my mom.
So booting myself off the computer. Getting a quick pattern made for sleep sac, starting more laundry, and then back to finishing off the gifts. I was gifted a duck yesterday. It's tucked in the freezer for the moment but that will be dinner soon. Low and slow.
Attachments
Thank You for starting the thread this week, briches! And I would also like to thank everyone who participates in the thread - I learn a lot from you folks; and knowing that others are preparing as well gives me peace of mind.
Krysyan, offering prayers for your sister in law...
I very much appreciate the help that has been given me with getting the weekly prep threads started; briches was kind enough to step in and take over for me while I was going through a kinda rough time. I had some job related stuff happen about two weeks ago that turned my life upside down for a bit. It had been getting worse for a while, but got really ugly and I ended up on leave. I'm pretty much over it now, but still have to decide what I want to do going forward. Currently, I don't really want to return to my department as I told HR that I did not feel that I could trust some of my co-workers - and they were very agreeable. The HR department staff have been great at assisting me with my paid leave time - I've got 300+ hours - and have encouraged me to stay at the facility and look at other positions that are available in house if my reluctance to return to my unit does not wane. The hospital where I have worked for the past 24 years had always been a great place..... until a year or so ago - but that is 100% co-worker related, not admin, so I am reluctant to look elsewhere. Retiring is also an option, as is taking a job elsewhere.
Okay, enough of my drama
(I HATE drama with a passion!!)
Judy, after I have my first cup or so of coffee after waking up, I fix up my 'spare' coffee (I have a 4 cup pot) with my usual additives in a pint canning jar and put it in the fridge so that I can carry it in my lunch bag to work, or gulp down if I need a boost on my days off. Darn stuff is too expensive to waste, and it nukes pretty well. Of course, I used to drink hospital coffee before I started bringing my own to work, so my taste buds are suspect....
Yesterday was meatloaf day - I had picked up several pounds of ground beef/ground round, so I dragged out my biggest stainless steel bowl and made up 4 double batches of my meatloaf recipe. I made up a pan of BBQ meatballs to have for our lunch today, and vac sealed the rest for the freezer. I'm really glad my order of vacuum sealer bags from "The Vak Shack" came in, as I discovered that I was down to less than a hundred bags - I don't know why I let my stock get that low. If anyone is looking for a quantity of vaccum sealer bags, you can find them online at Discount Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer Bags The Vak Shack - I highly recommend them - excellent quality, quick service, good prices.
Well, tomorrow is going to be busy, so I think I'm going to take advantage of having nothing that absolutely has to be done today and go take a nice afternoon nap in the sunshine coming in through my west window - if the grand-dog is willing to share the space, that is...
Take care all; stay safe out there!
Krysyan, offering prayers for your sister in law...
I very much appreciate the help that has been given me with getting the weekly prep threads started; briches was kind enough to step in and take over for me while I was going through a kinda rough time. I had some job related stuff happen about two weeks ago that turned my life upside down for a bit. It had been getting worse for a while, but got really ugly and I ended up on leave. I'm pretty much over it now, but still have to decide what I want to do going forward. Currently, I don't really want to return to my department as I told HR that I did not feel that I could trust some of my co-workers - and they were very agreeable. The HR department staff have been great at assisting me with my paid leave time - I've got 300+ hours - and have encouraged me to stay at the facility and look at other positions that are available in house if my reluctance to return to my unit does not wane. The hospital where I have worked for the past 24 years had always been a great place..... until a year or so ago - but that is 100% co-worker related, not admin, so I am reluctant to look elsewhere. Retiring is also an option, as is taking a job elsewhere.
Okay, enough of my drama
(I HATE drama with a passion!!)Judy, after I have my first cup or so of coffee after waking up, I fix up my 'spare' coffee (I have a 4 cup pot) with my usual additives in a pint canning jar and put it in the fridge so that I can carry it in my lunch bag to work, or gulp down if I need a boost on my days off. Darn stuff is too expensive to waste, and it nukes pretty well. Of course, I used to drink hospital coffee before I started bringing my own to work, so my taste buds are suspect....
Yesterday was meatloaf day - I had picked up several pounds of ground beef/ground round, so I dragged out my biggest stainless steel bowl and made up 4 double batches of my meatloaf recipe. I made up a pan of BBQ meatballs to have for our lunch today, and vac sealed the rest for the freezer. I'm really glad my order of vacuum sealer bags from "The Vak Shack" came in, as I discovered that I was down to less than a hundred bags - I don't know why I let my stock get that low. If anyone is looking for a quantity of vaccum sealer bags, you can find them online at Discount Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer Bags The Vak Shack - I highly recommend them - excellent quality, quick service, good prices.
Well, tomorrow is going to be busy, so I think I'm going to take advantage of having nothing that absolutely has to be done today and go take a nice afternoon nap in the sunshine coming in through my west window - if the grand-dog is willing to share the space, that is...
Take care all; stay safe out there!
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Cary and I have been sorta down, since yesterday. Our Christmas dinner plans fell apart, because of DDIL's woke, liberal, atheist brother being here. Won't go into details, but it's left Cary and myself alone for Christmas, and hard feelings against the whole bunch, except for DS. He's caught in the middle, and is trying to do the best he can with the situation.
To take my mind off things, I decided to cook tonight, instead of sending Cary for our usual Sunday night pizzas. I'm making fried ham steaks, butter beans, turnip greens, oven roasted potatoes, and cornbread. A good "Southern Comfort" meal.
To take my mind off things, I decided to cook tonight, instead of sending Cary for our usual Sunday night pizzas. I'm making fried ham steaks, butter beans, turnip greens, oven roasted potatoes, and cornbread. A good "Southern Comfort" meal.
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Marseydoats
Veteran Member
Sherree, I'm so sorry. Sending you a hug.
tech
Veteran Member
Ya know, this is an excellent time to add fertilizer to the garden
aviax2
Veteran Member
kyrsyan~ Is that one of the oven mitts for both hands? And is that what the purple fabric is for? I love purple!
Renee~ I’m so sorry you’ve had a hard time with co-workers. I too would like to thank briches, YOU and everyone else for starting and participating in these threads. I enjoy them and learn a lot.
Sherree~ I’m very sorry for what you, Cary and your son are dealing with. Family problems are always hard to deal with at the best of times and holidays always seems to make things worse. I have blood family that love nothing better than causing trouble especially if you don’t believe the nonsense they do and katy bar the door if you have the audacity to stand up to them and say so. I just had to deal (yet again) with a couple of relatives last month right before Thanksgiving, hopefully that will be the last time. And the sad/funny thing is they just shot theirselves in the foot and are apparently too stupid to understand that. Your supper sounds delicious!
briches~ You‘re in my prayers!
For those of you talking about coffee, I love it but I don’t want it cold and I don’t want it sweet. Hospital coffee has always been referred to as stump water by me.
I think we figured out the menu for Christmas Eve today, which is when we celebrate with our kids and grandkids. DH and I spend a quiet day on Christmas Day, although oldest DD sometimes comes over. The only thing traditional about our meal is, it’s always different each year LOL. One year we had a huge breakfast themed supper with both savory and sweet casseroles! A lot of times it‘s beef related since we raise beef. This year youngest DD suggested steak and since we butchered a steer not long ago we’re all set for that. Potatoes, salad, rolls and whatever else sounds good between now and then, I just realized dessert wasn’t discussed.
Renee~ I’m so sorry you’ve had a hard time with co-workers. I too would like to thank briches, YOU and everyone else for starting and participating in these threads. I enjoy them and learn a lot.
Sherree~ I’m very sorry for what you, Cary and your son are dealing with. Family problems are always hard to deal with at the best of times and holidays always seems to make things worse. I have blood family that love nothing better than causing trouble especially if you don’t believe the nonsense they do and katy bar the door if you have the audacity to stand up to them and say so. I just had to deal (yet again) with a couple of relatives last month right before Thanksgiving, hopefully that will be the last time. And the sad/funny thing is they just shot theirselves in the foot and are apparently too stupid to understand that. Your supper sounds delicious!
briches~ You‘re in my prayers!
For those of you talking about coffee, I love it but I don’t want it cold and I don’t want it sweet. Hospital coffee has always been referred to as stump water by me.
I think we figured out the menu for Christmas Eve today, which is when we celebrate with our kids and grandkids. DH and I spend a quiet day on Christmas Day, although oldest DD sometimes comes over. The only thing traditional about our meal is, it’s always different each year LOL. One year we had a huge breakfast themed supper with both savory and sweet casseroles! A lot of times it‘s beef related since we raise beef. This year youngest DD suggested steak and since we butchered a steer not long ago we’re all set for that. Potatoes, salad, rolls and whatever else sounds good between now and then, I just realized dessert wasn’t discussed.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Ya know, this is an excellent time to add fertilizer to the garden
LOL! I hope he leaves soon to never return!
To put it bluntly, he is an atheist, and he already knew we were Christians, before he came down here. He has tried every which way to make our lives miserable, since he arrived. Doesn't want us around, so his mother, and 2 sisters have shunned us as well, making piss poor excuses for him.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
That's actually 2 of them. One for the nephew that has moved out into his first appointment. Another for his mother, who is also a lover of purple. Hers was actually harder because the strips are narrower. About 50 strips overall.
Mom is getting a quilted canning mat. Towels are the batting.
Prayers for everyone. And sending virtual hugs. I've been in many of those situations. I'm praying that the future brings better for all of you.
Simple dinner tonight because son's stomach is acting up. I'm hoping to finish the last of the binding for my SIL's gift tonight. Then there are a few pantry gifts to make. I should be able to easily finish this week unless the new job surprises me.
And since the new boss thought I was going to want the next week off, I doubt it'll be a 40 hour week.
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tech
Veteran Member
Getting things ready for later this week. Predicted highs around 32 and lows from 18 to 22 for a few days with 20 - 30 mph wind. Not the norm for this area!
Re-checked the wood stove and ran the brush through the chimney to make sure no critters took up residence. Brought some wood in and loaded the stove.
There are a couple areas in the plumbing that are susceptible to freezing, so picked up some extra 250W heat lamp bulbs - just in case - and found a bunch of real 100W bulbs we'd picked up years ago.
Walmart delivery was a farce. They sent someone else' order. No phone support, so ended up going into town to get that straightened out.
Rotated some fuel...with gas down to $2.44/gal. now is the time
Wife found a deal on some LTS food. Due in tomorrow, so dug out another shelf unit.
Re-checked the wood stove and ran the brush through the chimney to make sure no critters took up residence. Brought some wood in and loaded the stove.
There are a couple areas in the plumbing that are susceptible to freezing, so picked up some extra 250W heat lamp bulbs - just in case - and found a bunch of real 100W bulbs we'd picked up years ago.
Walmart delivery was a farce. They sent someone else' order. No phone support, so ended up going into town to get that straightened out.
Rotated some fuel...with gas down to $2.44/gal. now is the time
Wife found a deal on some LTS food. Due in tomorrow, so dug out another shelf unit.
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
We have started preparing for bitterly cold temperatures on our farm. More bedding, extra grain, water tank heaters ready. Wednesday we'll bring in extra wood. I need to start our generator just in case we lose power, but we have wood heat, so we should fine. I'm not a fan of the really cold Temps, but I love snow, especially around Christmas!
Snow starting in on Wednesday evening and continuing through Friday; below zero temps Thursday in to Sunday. Bleah. I guess we are more than half way through December though, so only about 3 1/2 months of winter left to deal with. I will be skipping the pool tomorrow to head to my work town to Rural King to pick up a warming mat to put in the shed for the 4 outside, mostly feral cats - only one of which will let me me pet it; the other 3 will come up to eat but won't let me get close. Maybe a heated water bowl, and more food for the wild birds as well. I have some of the reflective things you put in car windshields as well - if the power goes out I can put them in them in an insulated box as they help to reflect body heat back to the body.
Then I will head to the Evil Empire for more chicken to can. And probably Aldi for some comfort food. If the power goes out, we have backups. And back up backups. I'll miss the heck out of my heated throw though - First World problems...
Then I will head to the Evil Empire for more chicken to can. And probably Aldi for some comfort food. If the power goes out, we have backups. And back up backups. I'll miss the heck out of my heated throw though - First World problems...
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
getting ALLLLLL kinds of crazy azz predictions for a Christmas storm - one local weather reporting guy is running a "scare um" prediction of upwards of 30" of snow >>> definite wind chills of negative 20 below for a few days ....
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
you make any "cat homes" for those ferals? - just seeing appeals on FB from people looking for old pop coolers - they cut a hole big enough in one end for a cat to slink in - cocoon a blanket or light quilt inside - they use a plastic tote for the same thing when there's a barn or shed involved for more protection ....
thinking about a heated pan for some wintertime water - will be an actual $$$ investment for the electric involved - takes a good heater & time to unfreeze a 2 gallon ice chunk - be more for the small animals than birds ....
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Marseydoats
Veteran Member
If you put a big tire around your outside water trough, and line the inside of it with good sized rocks, and put it in the sun, the tire will usually retain enough heat overnight to keep all but a glazing of ice off the top. Used to work here until it got down to zero. Dad used to put a couple of what most folks would call boulders, up against the cows trough to keep them from pulling the tractor tire off, and that helped as well.
You can paint old plastic milk jugs black and sit them in the sun and place them around a water pan at night as well (for the smaller animals --- my livestock would have a party throwing jugs at each other)
You can paint old plastic milk jugs black and sit them in the sun and place them around a water pan at night as well (for the smaller animals --- my livestock would have a party throwing jugs at each other)
Yeah, I'm a sucker for critters - except raccoons and weasels; they are just jerks
I even put a dang ramp on the compost pile for the possums, but they clean up any cat food scraps that are left over too. I'm a fan of possums - they clean up dead stuff and eat ticks, too; so I don't begrudge them some scraps. We put a cat door in one of the car size wooden 'garage' doors of the shed after Fluff showed up, so they can get inside out of the elements. I think she might have been an inside cat at one time; she went right to the litter box in the shed. I figure she was a dump; jerks like to dump their pets in the country, thinking someone will give them a good home; she's one of the lucky ones. She was living in one of the old combines we had parked down by the woods; the other 3 ferals are her adult kittens. She didn't have any kittens this year and if I can get an appointment with the vet and catch her and keep ahold of her long enough to get her in a carrier, I'll take her in and get her spayed - I can pet her, but picking her up is a big no-go. We do feed the cats outside on the side porch as I don't want raccoons, possums, skunks, etc... deciding to move in to the shed - I can run the wild critters off the porch easier than I can get them out of the shed, and live traps just leave me with a mess to clean up (poop/pee). I've got a dog house from when when we still had a dog - I think it's insulated but I'll double check. If not, I'll glue some foam to the the walls and roof, and add the mat on the floor. They like to sleep in the dump bed of the the old Kawasaki Mule most of the time - I guess because it's up high - but I think they'll like a warm mat. I've got a small 'cat house' that has a heated mat in it that I put on the porch when Fluff first showed up, but it won't fit all 4 of them - and I had to run a raccoon out of it a couple of time - did the banshee thing with a broom and he hasn't been back
(I'd be scared of me in banshee mode too...)Well, I'm off to get ready to go to town to pick up some cookies I ordered, pick up the stuff I need, and then get back home - I'm not planning to go back out until Christmas at daughter's house (yeah, we'll see how THAT works out!)
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Its raining again around here, for maybe the next two days and then again a couple of days later. The high on Friday is predicted to be 28, but sunny. Up to 41 Christmas day. Next Thursday week a high of 70. That's Louisiana weather for you.
Our church had their annual Dirty Santa party. Personally I don't care for them, but DH does. I gave my present away.
I'm not sure what the temperature got down to in the house but I got cold. I had turned the thermostat down to 70 or so. DH gets up in the middle of the night and he turned it back up, I was glad. I'll just have to deal with the electric bill.
Our church gives out holiday meal baskets, including money to widows, widowers and some of the elderly. I was completely shocked when we got one. They fill a laundry basket to over flowing. It also included a very generous check. Its going right to savings. We are so blessed.
There are a couple of things from the basket that I will never use, a boxed cake mix and icing and a pound of margarine. I have a friend that uses both. I used a boxed cake mix one time back in the middle 80's and I messed up the top because I didn't wait for the cake to cool before putting on the icing. Never tried it again. I would enjoy the cream cheese icing but its got to go.
I can see legs under the school bus, the goats are hiding from the rain. Knowing the dog she is under there too.
The community got a Dollar General, about 6 miles from us. It opened yesterday afternoon. We stopped by after the church party just to look around. I ended up purchasing a package of bowls and some instant Cafe Bustelo. The bowls were only a dollar but the instant coffee was about a dollar more than I have paid for it in the past. All in all the store was fairly well stocked, although many items only had a few of them on the shelf.
Today is the USDA commodities pick up, I would like to wait until tomorrow, but DH said no, so I guess today it is, after lunch.
Our church had their annual Dirty Santa party. Personally I don't care for them, but DH does. I gave my present away.
I'm not sure what the temperature got down to in the house but I got cold. I had turned the thermostat down to 70 or so. DH gets up in the middle of the night and he turned it back up, I was glad. I'll just have to deal with the electric bill.
Our church gives out holiday meal baskets, including money to widows, widowers and some of the elderly. I was completely shocked when we got one. They fill a laundry basket to over flowing. It also included a very generous check. Its going right to savings. We are so blessed.
There are a couple of things from the basket that I will never use, a boxed cake mix and icing and a pound of margarine. I have a friend that uses both. I used a boxed cake mix one time back in the middle 80's and I messed up the top because I didn't wait for the cake to cool before putting on the icing. Never tried it again. I would enjoy the cream cheese icing but its got to go.
I can see legs under the school bus, the goats are hiding from the rain. Knowing the dog she is under there too.
The community got a Dollar General, about 6 miles from us. It opened yesterday afternoon. We stopped by after the church party just to look around. I ended up purchasing a package of bowls and some instant Cafe Bustelo. The bowls were only a dollar but the instant coffee was about a dollar more than I have paid for it in the past. All in all the store was fairly well stocked, although many items only had a few of them on the shelf.
Today is the USDA commodities pick up, I would like to wait until tomorrow, but DH said no, so I guess today it is, after lunch.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights our lows are going down to 9, 9, and 10 with the highs in the teens to low 20's! It warms up just a tiny bit for Christmas Day, but still below freezing for the high. So, Cary is draining all of our rain barrels and water tank, today. We don't want them freezing and bursting. We still have plenty stored in his workshop and in my pantry room in case of an emergency without having to rely on the rain catchment system.
Nothing at all planned for this week. We're just trying to avoid the rest of the family right now. Gives us time to adjust to the new normal with all of them. Believe me, true colors have surfaced, and we don't think things will be the same from now own. Better to find this out now, instead of finding out when/if SHTF, because they have been a part of our survival group for 3 years now. From this point on, they are on their own. Except for our DDIL, I wish her mother, sister, and brother would all pack up and move back to Montana and Idaho.
Nothing at all planned for this week. We're just trying to avoid the rest of the family right now. Gives us time to adjust to the new normal with all of them. Believe me, true colors have surfaced, and we don't think things will be the same from now own. Better to find this out now, instead of finding out when/if SHTF, because they have been a part of our survival group for 3 years now. From this point on, they are on their own. Except for our DDIL, I wish her mother, sister, and brother would all pack up and move back to Montana and Idaho.
Marseydoats
Veteran Member
Thank You for starting the thread this week, briches! And I would also like to thank everyone who participates in the thread - I learn a lot from you folks; and knowing that others are preparing as well gives me peace of mind.
Krysyan, offering prayers for your sister in law...
I very much appreciate the help that has been given me with getting the weekly prep threads started; briches was kind enough to step in and take over for me while I was going through a kinda rough time. I had some job related stuff happen about two weeks ago that turned my life upside down for a bit. It had been getting worse for a while, but got really ugly and I ended up on leave. I'm pretty much over it now, but still have to decide what I want to do going forward. Currently, I don't really want to return to my department as I told HR that I did not feel that I could trust some of my co-workers - and they were very agreeable. The HR department staff have been great at assisting me with my paid leave time - I've got 300+ hours - and have encouraged me to stay at the facility and look at other positions that are available in house if my reluctance to return to my unit does not wane. The hospital where I have worked for the past 24 years had always been a great place..... until a year or so ago - but that is 100% co-worker related, not admin, so I am reluctant to look elsewhere. Retiring is also an option, as is taking a job elsewhere.
Okay, enough of my drama
Judy, after I have my first cup or so of coffee after waking up, I fix up my 'spare' coffee (I have a 4 cup pot) with my usual additives in a pint canning jar and put it in the fridge so that I can carry it in my lunch bag to work, or gulp down if I need a boost on my days off. Darn stuff is too expensive to waste, and it nukes pretty well. Of course, I used to drink hospital coffee before I started bringing my own to work, so my taste buds are suspect....
Yesterday was meatloaf day - I had picked up several pounds of ground beef/ground round, so I dragged out my biggest stainless steel bowl and made up 4 double batches of my meatloaf recipe. I made up a pan of BBQ meatballs to have for our lunch today, and vac sealed the rest for the freezer. I'm really glad my order of vacuum sealer bags from "The Vak Shack" came in, as I discovered that I was down to less than a hundred bags - I don't know why I let my stock get that low. If anyone is looking for a quantity of vaccum sealer bags, you can find them online at Discount Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer Bags The Vak Shack - I highly recommend them - excellent quality, quick service, good prices.
Well, tomorrow is going to be busy, so I think I'm going to take advantage of having nothing that absolutely has to be done today and go take a nice afternoon nap in the sunshine coming in through my west window - if the grand-dog is willing to share the space, that is...
Take care all; stay safe out there!
Renee, I found retiring to be great revenge against my former co-workers, because most of them can't afford to, At least one of them is pushing 70 and will have to work until they make her retire. I told my boss not to tell any of them I was retiring because I knew they would try their best to get me fired beforehand.
One of my cousins is an RN and she does the weekend shift at the VA hospital, F-S-S, 12 hour shifts, and she makes a fortune. I don't know if that would be an option for you or not.
Hughes Net finally sent the box so I could return their equipment so I got that done this morning. Have been hearing horror stories from everywhere that they claim you don't send it back so they can make you pay for it.
Since I had to go to town anyway, I braved Aldi and WM. I got everything in the house and perishables put away. It was 15 degrees this morning and my hands still haven't quit hurting, but I've got to go out and get my barn chores done. The last pack of hot hands that I ordered turned out to be something called Super Warmers and they are too big to go in my gloves. I can put them in my boots so I can still use them.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm on the last gift. This one is being temperamental. My brother can no longer have sugar. And he absolutely hates stevia with an unreasonable level.
So I got Swerve so I could try cowboy candy for him. Mom got In the Raw's blend and loves it, and canned successfully with it. But it's got stevia. He liked it until he discovered that.
The Swerve keeps crystallizing. So I'm heating it one last time. The peppers are going in the dehydrator. The syrup will then be spread on silicon sheets. I'll flavor test the crystals when they reform. If they taste good, he'll get a form of Cowboy rock candy. And the dehydrated peppers to snack on or cook with.
If it all fails, I'll say frag it and get him a gift card to Duluth Trading because he loves their clothes.
Christmas dinner is ham. That sent me scurrying to find an uncured ham for my son. Today I opened it an repacked it. One batch for dinner tonight. One double batch to travel with us for Christmas. 3 sets for dinner through the year. And a ham hock to become soup in a few weeks.
I would have used one of the unbrined ones in the freezer but I need more than a week's notice. It's a week to defrost and at least a week in brine. Ah well. There are plans to make the brine and rebag the frozen cuts with the brine. That way I can just pull and defrost.
Dinner tonight is ham and baked veggies.
I finally got the back/kidney pain to back off so I'm feeling better. Here's hoping those scans next week reveal the problem. The scans last week say the migraine is a migraine. No signs of stroke at all. Nothing showed on the EEG except that I can be phenomenally chill even when awake. Carotid and Brain study show all blood pathways working correctly. And mild, age related, stenosis. I'll have to look and see if there are some foods/herbs that can help with that.
So I got Swerve so I could try cowboy candy for him. Mom got In the Raw's blend and loves it, and canned successfully with it. But it's got stevia. He liked it until he discovered that.
The Swerve keeps crystallizing. So I'm heating it one last time. The peppers are going in the dehydrator. The syrup will then be spread on silicon sheets. I'll flavor test the crystals when they reform. If they taste good, he'll get a form of Cowboy rock candy. And the dehydrated peppers to snack on or cook with.
If it all fails, I'll say frag it and get him a gift card to Duluth Trading because he loves their clothes.
Christmas dinner is ham. That sent me scurrying to find an uncured ham for my son. Today I opened it an repacked it. One batch for dinner tonight. One double batch to travel with us for Christmas. 3 sets for dinner through the year. And a ham hock to become soup in a few weeks.
I would have used one of the unbrined ones in the freezer but I need more than a week's notice. It's a week to defrost and at least a week in brine. Ah well. There are plans to make the brine and rebag the frozen cuts with the brine. That way I can just pull and defrost.
Dinner tonight is ham and baked veggies.
I finally got the back/kidney pain to back off so I'm feeling better. Here's hoping those scans next week reveal the problem. The scans last week say the migraine is a migraine. No signs of stroke at all. Nothing showed on the EEG except that I can be phenomenally chill even when awake. Carotid and Brain study show all blood pathways working correctly. And mild, age related, stenosis. I'll have to look and see if there are some foods/herbs that can help with that.
I've finally got all the Christmas presents cut out... there is literally a stack of pieces about 3 feet tall on the hope chest in the bedroom (I can't leave anything out in the sewing loft because the cats adore fleece!) I've got 4 men's sweatshirts (already gave 2 of them to DS, as he was my "model" for perfecting the fit... with a 46" chest and 33" waist, commercial shirts are ridiculously sloppy on him... I've promised him I'll work on t-shirts after the holidays, as fitted t-shirts are $50 and up!). 3 fleece nightshirts for the girls. 3 fake fur sweaters for the girls. 2 pairs of Fleece pants for the grandsons. And one patchwork and velvet Christmas stocking for the youngest, as I didn't get one made for her last Christmas.
I wanted to get everything cut out so I can sew all like colors together, and not have to rethread the serger more than once! Plus, cutting kills my back, so hopefully the pain will subside over the next couple of days!
Thankfully, my ribbing from Nick Of Time came today... they must be slammed, as they didn't even send a shipped notice. But I now have matching ribbing for the blue sweatshirts... I thought I might have to use a darker navy if it didn't show up.
Now, if I just don't catch the bug oldest granddaughter and DH have... I should be able to get everything done! I told DDIL my goal is to NOT be sewing on Christmas eve for a change!
Not that the family isn't used to it! I once made patchwork fleece throws for everyone...essentially, 6 twin sized quilts. I was hand sewing the binding on last one AFTER they opened it, while visiting with everyone Christmas afternoon!
But those days, I usually lost a couple of days to sick cows or a couple of calvings... which no longer is a problem. (I hope! There's still enough livestock to cause trouble if they want to... but they aren't high producing dairy cows, which makes a huge difference!)
Summerthyme
I wanted to get everything cut out so I can sew all like colors together, and not have to rethread the serger more than once! Plus, cutting kills my back, so hopefully the pain will subside over the next couple of days!
Thankfully, my ribbing from Nick Of Time came today... they must be slammed, as they didn't even send a shipped notice. But I now have matching ribbing for the blue sweatshirts... I thought I might have to use a darker navy if it didn't show up.
Now, if I just don't catch the bug oldest granddaughter and DH have... I should be able to get everything done! I told DDIL my goal is to NOT be sewing on Christmas eve for a change!
Not that the family isn't used to it! I once made patchwork fleece throws for everyone...essentially, 6 twin sized quilts. I was hand sewing the binding on last one AFTER they opened it, while visiting with everyone Christmas afternoon!
But those days, I usually lost a couple of days to sick cows or a couple of calvings... which no longer is a problem. (I hope! There's still enough livestock to cause trouble if they want to... but they aren't high producing dairy cows, which makes a huge difference!)
Summerthyme
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
We picked up our commodities, nothing like what Barry gets but we are greatful for what we are blessed with.
We also stopped at Walmart. I needed to find something to take to my cousins for Christmas dinner, a hostess gift. Those meals take a lot of work. We shared some of what we got in commodities. Ten pounds of flour, sweet potatoes, and 10 pounds of leg quarters. She and her husband provide dinner on for Wednesday night prayer meeting. What ever we can do to help, short of me actually cooking something, lol
It’s sill raining but should stop mid morning tomorrow, and starting back up on Thursday.
As I went into Walmart they had a nice selection of poinsettias. They make a nice gift. I didn’t get it then and when I went back they were gone. I headed to the garden section but saw a lady Marking then down to half price. So good that I waited, I picked out a nice centerpiece arrangement. We dropped it off along with the food. Came home and fell out I was so tired.
We also stopped at Walmart. I needed to find something to take to my cousins for Christmas dinner, a hostess gift. Those meals take a lot of work. We shared some of what we got in commodities. Ten pounds of flour, sweet potatoes, and 10 pounds of leg quarters. She and her husband provide dinner on for Wednesday night prayer meeting. What ever we can do to help, short of me actually cooking something, lol
It’s sill raining but should stop mid morning tomorrow, and starting back up on Thursday.
As I went into Walmart they had a nice selection of poinsettias. They make a nice gift. I didn’t get it then and when I went back they were gone. I headed to the garden section but saw a lady Marking then down to half price. So good that I waited, I picked out a nice centerpiece arrangement. We dropped it off along with the food. Came home and fell out I was so tired.
We are expecting those single digit degree nights over the weekend so I have been harvesting. Covered the strawberries with hay but will put plastic over them on Friday. Chickens have extra shavings and we put a warmer under their waterer. Dreading that cold. My honey graded and repaired 2 neighbors driveways, Sorely needed! Both are elderly and know how to fix their own stuff but just not quite able anymore. Today spent 6 hrs or so cleaning my BIL's house. Don't think I will ever get it down! I need to change my perspective to how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Hopefully he will be discharged from hospital this week.
I suppose family woes are always magnified during Christmas. My prayers are with you. ReneeT while I don't know your specifics I will pray. I hate conflict but fear not they will find someone else to eat alive. Love to all of you!
I suppose family woes are always magnified during Christmas. My prayers are with you. ReneeT while I don't know your specifics I will pray. I hate conflict but fear not they will find someone else to eat alive. Love to all of you!
briches
Veteran Member
Morning all.
Yesterday was a busy day getting ready for surgery today. House is clean- Laundry done. Bedding washed. Dishes done. vacuumed. Bathrooms clean.
All Christmas is wrapped and ready to go.
ReneeT - sending you hugs. When I read of your work stuff, the phrase “mediocrity attacks excellence“ came to mind.
I have to be at the hospital at 1130 for a 100 surgery time. Prayers appreciated. I will check in here when I can.
Yesterday was a busy day getting ready for surgery today. House is clean- Laundry done. Bedding washed. Dishes done. vacuumed. Bathrooms clean.
All Christmas is wrapped and ready to go.
ReneeT - sending you hugs. When I read of your work stuff, the phrase “mediocrity attacks excellence“ came to mind.
I have to be at the hospital at 1130 for a 100 surgery time. Prayers appreciated. I will check in here when I can.
I want to thank you folks for the kind words - they are balm to my soul.
Marseydoats, no VA hospitals nearby, but several others in the area - and some of those are offering large sign-on bonuses. Not sure what the pay scale would be though as I was pretty much at the top after 24 years. I loved my job until recently - and that due mostly to one co-worker, plus a few others who enabled her. I am checking the job board at my hospital, but my blood pressure goes way up every time I do, so I guess that's a sign I'm not ready to go back to work. Outpatient psych and hospice are two options I am looking at; I don't have a lot of hospice experience but do have a little, but it is from a ways back - they've totally changed the IV sets since I've put one in, so I would have to retrain on those.
Marseydoats, no VA hospitals nearby, but several others in the area - and some of those are offering large sign-on bonuses. Not sure what the pay scale would be though as I was pretty much at the top after 24 years. I loved my job until recently - and that due mostly to one co-worker, plus a few others who enabled her. I am checking the job board at my hospital, but my blood pressure goes way up every time I do, so I guess that's a sign I'm not ready to go back to work. Outpatient psych and hospice are two options I am looking at; I don't have a lot of hospice experience but do have a little, but it is from a ways back - they've totally changed the IV sets since I've put one in, so I would have to retrain on those.
Today the workers come to hook up our Rural Wave Connect. Our daughter already as it and says it is great. We should be able to stream some TV shows that we would like to see. If we can get our favorite local channel, we can drop Direct TV. We have their smallest package and only watch the local, the farm news, and the Inspiration channel. Yesterday we ran conduit in the attic for the internet wiring. We have the strings through the pipe to pull the cables through. It took me forever to get warm after we got done. My feet didn't get warm till after I put another blanket on them on my side of the bed.
I butchered 7 of the roosters. 4 are canned up. The other 3 are in the shop frig waiting on the canner. I raw packed the first ones but will hot pack the next ones. The raw pack does not look as nice, but taste good just the same.
I sold most of my hay the last few days. I have a buyer coming today. If there is any left, I have one more buyer that wants some. Then I am done. I will have less than 20 bales in the barn. Our son wants 10-12 for his small animals. He feeds a lot to his rabbits.
Today I have to clean up the mess we made in the house. And I need to start my baking. I need to do 2 batches of cookies and banana/blueberry mini loaves. My sister will get the mini loaves in her Christmas. I wrap them and freeze them for her.
I hear hubby stirring. I better take him his coffee. Have a good day everyone and stay warm.
I butchered 7 of the roosters. 4 are canned up. The other 3 are in the shop frig waiting on the canner. I raw packed the first ones but will hot pack the next ones. The raw pack does not look as nice, but taste good just the same.
I sold most of my hay the last few days. I have a buyer coming today. If there is any left, I have one more buyer that wants some. Then I am done. I will have less than 20 bales in the barn. Our son wants 10-12 for his small animals. He feeds a lot to his rabbits.
Today I have to clean up the mess we made in the house. And I need to start my baking. I need to do 2 batches of cookies and banana/blueberry mini loaves. My sister will get the mini loaves in her Christmas. I wrap them and freeze them for her.
I hear hubby stirring. I better take him his coffee. Have a good day everyone and stay warm.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We woke up to more rain this morning. I think it was sleeting a bit when we first got up. We are prepared as we can be for the onslaught of winter weather coming in. Cary got all the barrels drained, outdoor faucets wrapped with insulation, and we'll leave water dripping in the bathroom sink to keep our water pipes from freezing. Yeah, here in the South, our water pipes are only buried a few inches underground, so when we have these unusual cold bursts, we have to worry about water pipes freezing and bursting. We're even forecast to get snow on Thursday with the low of 6 degrees that night. We have no plans to be out in all this. Probably will be after New Year's, before we venture out again.
Cary talked to DS this morning, and the situation with DDIL and her family has deteriorated even further. I'm not going to bore everyone with the details, but let me say this. Never ever allow someone in your life that you just meet on the internet, before learning what they are really like in person first by spending face to face time with them. This whole thing started 3 1/2 years ago, when DS's MIL and I became internet friends over at TTOL. We've been dealing with the ramifications of it ever since.
Cary talked to DS this morning, and the situation with DDIL and her family has deteriorated even further. I'm not going to bore everyone with the details, but let me say this. Never ever allow someone in your life that you just meet on the internet, before learning what they are really like in person first by spending face to face time with them. This whole thing started 3 1/2 years ago, when DS's MIL and I became internet friends over at TTOL. We've been dealing with the ramifications of it ever since.
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
I know Marseydoats mentioned the VA , so I'm going to also suggest looking into it as well. Our son is a nurse at the VA and LOVES it! They give really good sign on bonuses, and as long as you file for a religious exemption, you don't have to get the COVID vax. If you work at one of the VA clinics, it's Monday-Friday, no nights or weekends. I can get you the website to apply if your interested.Thank You for starting the thread this week, briches! And I would also like to thank everyone who participates in the thread - I learn a lot from you folks; and knowing that others are preparing as well gives me peace of mind.
Krysyan, offering prayers for your sister in law...
I very much appreciate the help that has been given me with getting the weekly prep threads started; briches was kind enough to step in and take over for me while I was going through a kinda rough time. I had some job related stuff happen about two weeks ago that turned my life upside down for a bit. It had been getting worse for a while, but got really ugly and I ended up on leave. I'm pretty much over it now, but still have to decide what I want to do going forward. Currently, I don't really want to return to my department as I told HR that I did not feel that I could trust some of my co-workers - and they were very agreeable. The HR department staff have been great at assisting me with my paid leave time - I've got 300+ hours - and have encouraged me to stay at the facility and look at other positions that are available in house if my reluctance to return to my unit does not wane. The hospital where I have worked for the past 24 years had always been a great place..... until a year or so ago - but that is 100% co-worker related, not admin, so I am reluctant to look elsewhere. Retiring is also an option, as is taking a job elsewhere.
Okay, enough of my drama
Judy, after I have my first cup or so of coffee after waking up, I fix up my 'spare' coffee (I have a 4 cup pot) with my usual additives in a pint canning jar and put it in the fridge so that I can carry it in my lunch bag to work, or gulp down if I need a boost on my days off. Darn stuff is too expensive to waste, and it nukes pretty well. Of course, I used to drink hospital coffee before I started bringing my own to work, so my taste buds are suspect....
Yesterday was meatloaf day - I had picked up several pounds of ground beef/ground round, so I dragged out my biggest stainless steel bowl and made up 4 double batches of my meatloaf recipe. I made up a pan of BBQ meatballs to have for our lunch today, and vac sealed the rest for the freezer. I'm really glad my order of vacuum sealer bags from "The Vak Shack" came in, as I discovered that I was down to less than a hundred bags - I don't know why I let my stock get that low. If anyone is looking for a quantity of vaccum sealer bags, you can find them online at Discount Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer Bags The Vak Shack - I highly recommend them - excellent quality, quick service, good prices.
Well, tomorrow is going to be busy, so I think I'm going to take advantage of having nothing that absolutely has to be done today and go take a nice afternoon nap in the sunshine coming in through my west window - if the grand-dog is willing to share the space, that is...
Take care all; stay safe out there!
Thank You, John Deere Girl!
Sadly, there are no VA hospitals within a reasonable drive. We do have some VA clinics nearby; I have had the website up and have been looking at openings.
There are other hospitals and clinics in the same area of the job I am currently on leave from. The hospital where I work is being amazingly supportive - they've always been great, but they seem to be extra helpful.
I have more to say, but I'm going to post it in the Bomb Shelter tomorrow.
Sadly, there are no VA hospitals within a reasonable drive. We do have some VA clinics nearby; I have had the website up and have been looking at openings.
There are other hospitals and clinics in the same area of the job I am currently on leave from. The hospital where I work is being amazingly supportive - they've always been great, but they seem to be extra helpful.
I have more to say, but I'm going to post it in the Bomb Shelter tomorrow.
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John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
You might try the big insurance companies like United Healthcare or Anthem. They hire RN's who work from home.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I was looking to replace aluminum foil in the kitchen. I've been using it a lot through the past year.
I decided to test my silicone bags in the oven. They worked... except their plastic clips melted.
But they truly worked well enough that I will start collecting some of the Stasher or Ziploc Endurables to use in the kitchen.
I had pork chops in one and the spices were well embedded meat and completely there for eating. Same for the veg. And no, the meat didn't have a boiled meat flavor.
About the only thing I use disposable bags for now is as an extra padding layer when vac sealing pork chops or other things that could rip through the vac seal bags.
I decided to test my silicone bags in the oven. They worked... except their plastic clips melted.
But they truly worked well enough that I will start collecting some of the Stasher or Ziploc Endurables to use in the kitchen.
I had pork chops in one and the spices were well embedded meat and completely there for eating. Same for the veg. And no, the meat didn't have a boiled meat flavor.
About the only thing I use disposable bags for now is as an extra padding layer when vac sealing pork chops or other things that could rip through the vac seal bags.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
How To Make A Soothing Salve–6 Different Healing Recipes - Prepper Website
I have been experimenting with recipes to help dry skin for awhile now. I tend to have dry, rather than oily skin and my hands crack in the winter from dry heat. What I’ve come up with are 6 different recipes to help sooth and heal skin. These recipes can help sooth dry skin, sunburn, […]
www.prepperwebsite.com
thought some of you might want a copy >> there's a "Print" and "EMail" option at the bottom