Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: Feb 1-7, 2026

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anna43

Veteran Member
Currently 22º with high forecast to be 23º and low 18º -- all above zero to I count that as a win!

Finished my Bible reading and daily devotions and have Bible study this afternoon. Got a shower and waiting for my hair to dry to I can use the curling iron. Load of wash going and should be finished to put in the dryer before I have to leave. Library books are due, but I think I will call and renew instead of going to the library.

My friend across the street has been a big help to me since she before she moved there. Most of the time she goes shopping with me and does the heavy lifting i.e. Pepsi or water into cart, into car, into house. I keep trying to pay her and she finally accepted $5 last week. I really appreciate her help. I had to force her to let me pay for stuff she picks up for me by telling her I wouldn't ask again if she didn't let me pay her!!

My right basal joint arthritis had flared and was so painful I had trouble sleeping. Picked up a 1/3 full glass of water and could not hold it. This is the worst flare since I stopped working and typing all day. It is better now but still gives me a strong jolt of pain if I use it. I'm so right-handed it is difficult for me to use my left hand successfully for much of anything. It's used to be a prop not a primary source :bhd: .
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
Shopping day with a high of 41 degrees. I have a doctor appointment Monday, and the temp for that day is supposed to be 72 degrees. Finally, a bit of warmth.

Today is a big shopping day. I'll need to go into 2 small towns to get it all. The first, we need to go to pay a bill and pick up a load from the dry cleaners. Next, to the bank, wine shop, pay another bill, and groceries. One might ask why we have to go to 2 towns for all this. The town we have to pay our garbage pickup bill is our county seat, and that's where the courthouse is. That's where we pay that bill. This town is the only town for many miles that has a dry cleaners. We would have to drive all the way into Tupelo to find another one. Town 2 is where our bank is located, wine shop, and I like this Walmart lots better. We stop in and pay the water bill on the way there. There is a Farmer's Market roadside stand there, too. He brings produce from Florida and sells it there in the winter, but uses local farmers when season is in. Meat Market is just a hop and jump away. By the time we go to both towns and back home, we've made a full circle.
 
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Wildwood

Veteran Member
We still have the icy snow stuff on the ground even though it hit the sixties day before yesterday and has been above freezing for days. I tried to get it off my onions and it wouldn't budge. It looks like snow but it's not really. It' more like tiny sleet, still 6" high in places. I'll take it though instead of the freezing rain so many got. We've had that in the past and went without electric for a long time.

I'm ready to work on getting my garden going a little earlier than normal this year. I'm starting my sweet potato slips in the next few days. That always makes me happy, seeing those vines in my dining room window. I'm still surprised at the amount we got last year after the neighbors dog dug up most my vines and even though it was already so hot, I went ahead and replanted what I could, not expecting much. Thankfully I also had some left over to replace the ones that got destroyed. They looked so pretty in the window that I left them to enjoy for a while after I harvested as many slips as I needed. I always start more than I think I need.

I've been making fried pies...meat, apple, cherry and blueberry. DH loves them so much, we've had them three nights in the last week. I make fresh dough every time and keep my fillings refridgerated. I'm done lol and I think he's had his fill for a while. I'm making raamen noodles tonight and putting the last of the meat mixture for the pies in it instead of the eggs I usually add. We'll start back on the healthy stuff tomorrow. I don't see how people eat like that all the time.
 
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Wildwood

Veteran Member
SouthernBreeze said:
Me, too. Pizza is my very favorite food, and I've done without ever since I started on my eating plan. I'm having a pizza tonight for my supper. I'll start fresh, tomorrow, LOL. I have to treat myself once in a while. Not too often, though. I'm loving my better health and weight loss too much to turn back now.
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I love good pizza. A few weeks ago, I did the same thing with pizza as I did with the fried pies. I made it homemade and had a good bit of toppings left over. We didn't have any pizza left even though I'd made a lot.. DGD called her mama and told her I was making pizza and DS called me wanting to know if we had extra lol. I gave them the leftovers so the next night I made more dough and used up all the leftover toppings. A few days after that, I was researching pourable crust pizzas and just had to try one so we all got our fill of pizza.

I want pizza I didn't make though. We use to get it carry out and the kids would come over but they went out of business. Everybody loves my homemade pizza best but me. I may grab a couple frozen ones next time I buy groceries to see if that satisfies my cravings.
 
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hd5574

Veteran Member
I make my own pizza..I would guess it is closer to healthy...than most..we like it with a very thin crust..with sauce... piled high with lots chopped veggies..onion, garlic, green pepper, mushroom..black olives...at least an inch thick of layered veggies...then a few coins of extra lean ground beef...and lots of cheese on top...
We aren't fond of the greasy pepperoni..kind..
 
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Wildwood

Veteran Member
hd5574 said:
I make my own pizza..I would guess it is closer to healthy...than most..we like it with a very thin crust..with sauce... piled high with lots chopped veggies..onion, garlic, green pepper, mushroom..black olives...at least an inch thick of layered veggies...then a few coins of extra lean ground beef...and lots of cheese on top...
We aren't fond of the greasy pepperoni..kind..
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That is exactly how I make mine...all the same toppings except garlic because I use a sauce with a lot of garlic and too much garlic can trigger a migraine for me. I do like the pepperoni but carefully blot the grease off the whole pizza with paper towels when it's done. A piece of my pizza has some weight to it lol.
 
M

moldy

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh my. I haven't had fried pies in years! There is a place on (IIRC) 39th expressway in OKC that sells tons of different flavors of fried pies. Unfortunately, I don't live anywhere close to OKC!

Things are ticking along. DH asked me to organize soups and stuff I will need next week after I have all the teeth extracted so he can find them. I am married to such a good man.
 
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Wildwood

Veteran Member
moldy said:
Oh my. I haven't had fried pies in years! There is a place on (IIRC) 39th expressway in OKC that sells tons of different flavors of fried pies. Unfortunately, I don't live anywhere close to OKC!

Things are ticking along. DH asked me to organize soups and stuff I will need next week after I have all the teeth extracted so he can find them. I am married to such a good man.
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Thank goodness I don't make them often. I'm always trying to make them as good as my mother's were so ever so often I get motivated to try and duplicate her crust. I loved this last version but I've had my quota of grease for a while lol.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
I've never tried to make our own pizzas. Never really thought about it. We have a country store about 2 miles away that has a made to order deli in it. They make the best pizzas, so when we want one, I just call there and place our order. Cary goes to pick it up. I'm not fond of frozen pizzas. It's just so tempting to call to this store and order one anytime I want it. Another temptation I have to live with is a country restaurant put in just across the road from the store. They make the best fried catfish anywhere around, plus all the trimmings. I can place an order for fish anytime, too. I think the country deli and the restaurant are in competition with each other. Both places stay crowded.

Don't even get me started on fried pies! Cary can eat a plate full all by himself. He loves peach the best, but I also make apple and chocolate. We hardly ever eat sweets anymore, because I can't have it, and I've almost got Cary switched to fresh fruit, instead. Sweets of any kind are now only an occasional treat for him.
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
You're making me hungry with all this discussion about pizzas.

I allow myself one slice from either HyVee or Casey's. If I make them, it's mini-pizzas, tomato sauce, cheese and whatever on English muffins and then broiled in the toaster oven. Both are summer treats, when I'm sweating a lot. Otherwise, there's too much sodium for me, at least in the commercial pies. The mini-pizzas I make aren't as bad.

I'm home. I started earlier and got more accomplished today. We've got another weather window: temps are in the 40s, so I've got to make the next few days really count. Winter will return. There's still a lot of February left.
 
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anna43

Veteran Member
When I had four teenaged girls (2 mine/2 foster), I made jelly roll pans of pizza once a week. Each person got to put the toppings they liked on one section and that was theirs. My dh was so picky the only thing he'd put on was meat and cheese. The girls made fun of him!! Usually, I'd cook ground beef, and I'd put that and the sauce on then for toppings I'd have green and black peppers, mushrooms, onions at minimum. It was fun. My crust recipe is from More-With-Less Cookbook and I still use it. It freezes well so I can still use it without having to do several pizzas at once.

I tried different frozen pizzas trying to find one I really like and I did, then failed to note what it was, so I'm back to trying. I used to buy two each month when I shopped but hadn't bought any for several months until last week. I've only fixed one so far, but it is NOT a good one.

I let my Tracfone lapse so now I'm going to have to figure out how to reinstate or if I have to start over ... wish me luck.

My thumb behaved overnight and has so far today. I'm being very careful!

It's supper time and I've yet to think about what I'm fixing. I'm not hungry but must eat before taking suppertime meds.
 
feralferret

feralferret

Veteran Member
If you use the turkey pepperoni, it doesn't have the puddles of grease like the regular pepperoni.

High for today was 37 degrees. Forecast for tomorrow is for 53.

My wife had a doctor appointment today. Mine is tomorrow.

Vertigo kicked in last night and is still ongoing. I hope it goes away soon. I am wearing the 7 day recording heart monitor. I put it on last night. My ablation procedure got rescheduled to early April due to a scheduling issue. On the plus side, it enabled me to have it done at a different hospital. It was originally scheduled for Research Medical, but is now scheduled for Lee's Summit instead. Incompetent nurses at Research are why I have the issues and finger amputation on my right hand.

It will be nice to finally thaw out from the ice and snow. All that is left is what was piled up and what is in the shade.
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
For Anna -- per Google AI

The 60-Day Rule
  • The Grace Period: You generally have a 60-day grace period from your service end date to reactivate your line while keeping your existing phone number and any remaining minutes/data balance.
  • Past 60 Days: If more than 60 days have passed, your phone number may have been released back into the "pool" for new users, and your previous balance is likely lost.
How to Reinstate Your Service
  1. Check Status Online: Visit the Tracfone Activation Page and select Reactivate. You will need your device's serial number (IMEI) or SIM card number.
  2. Purchase a Plan: If your device is still eligible for reactivation, you can purchase a new Service Plan directly on the website to restore service immediately.
  3. Use the Text Helpline: If you have access to another active Tracfone, you can text REACT to 611611 to get instructions for your specific device.
  4. Contact Support: If the online portal doesn't recognize your phone, call Tracfone Customer Service at 1-800-867-7183 (8 AM – 11:45 PM EST).
Starting Over: If you are outside the 60-day window and the system doesn't allow a simple reactivation, you will likely need to "Start Over" by activating the phone as a new device, which will assign you a new phone number.

These articles provide guidance on reactivating your Tracfone service or starting over with a new number:

www.oreateai.com

How Do I Reactivate My Tracfone

This article provides a detailed guide on how to reactivate a TracFone easily using both online methods and customer support assistance.
www.oreateai.com
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/TracFone/comments/1qi5l4w/service_expired_3_months_ago/
Sorry! I'm having a hard time with formatting. This is the best I can do.
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
I dug that out for me, too. I'm going to have to re-activate my 2nd Tracfone when I go to Canada. There will be zero on it, other than travel-related info, so customs can examine it. They don't need to see links to TB2K, The Canada Trucker Protest, or other related topics.

I hear they are looking at the content on phones and computers, so I'll be ready.
 
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anna43

Veteran Member
I was able to get my phone reinstated after a very frustrating hour. I was FINALLY able to use the 90-day card and did not have to sign up for a new phone plan. It expired Thanksgiving week and I was busy and missed it on the calendar. I always put a note on my calendar a week prior to expiration and add minutes right away. Customer service via chat helped me through the mess. No one to blame except myself!

I wouldn't have to worry about what customs would see on my phone since I hardly ever use it. Last few times have been calling my landline to see if it's working and then using it to call Windstream that it's not working. I only use it as an emergency phone, no Internet at all.
 
D

Digger

Veteran Member
We still have some ice on the ground in spots. It should all be gone in the coming days and I won't miss it a bit.

Hubby burned 2 brush piles. We are glad to see them gone or mostly gone. It's time to start pruning fruit trees and that will make another pile.

I can probably finish my tax work today so we can take it to the CPA. I will be glad to turn it over.

Yesterday I got a lot done here at home. I took the snowmen decorations down. I am tired of looking at snow. I also made more ghee. It's so much cheaper to make it yourself. I used 6 sticks of unsalted butter and it made about 1 1/2 pints. The rest I did was just paper work, putting stuff away, and normal day to day stuff.

Our son is supposed to come up today. He needs to get hay to take home. He plans to unload the hay off the trailer too. His sheep had twins just as the really cold weather was over. I am so glad she waited. The babies are doing great. He thinks another baby is due within a month. He bought these sheep. The farmer said they were probably bred and told him when they were due if bred. He and his wife plan to work on things here some this weekend. I think their blackberries are arriving in March. I hope the strawberries made it through the storm ok.

Time for more coffee. Have a blessed day everyone.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
We have no plans to leave the country, but I did get hit with charges on my debit card from Manchester, England the other day. Our bank locked my card when it was reported, and I got my new card, yesterday. It's all taken care of, now. I was hit with 21 debit card charges, plus the card use fees, all from a "pick up" service over there. I have no clue as to what the "pick up" service was.

I'm doing a load of laundry right now, and I need to do some rotating in the main pantry room. I bought several replacement items, yesterday, so I need to rotate them.

The new thermal insulated curtains are making a huge difference in keeping the house heated. I have a small electric space heater to use in the laundry room if I need some heat in there while doing laundry if it's not cold enough to crank up the wood stove. I'm hoping we won't need to use the wood stove anymore this year, because I'm out of stove wood. Cary would have to go out and cut up more if we have to use it again. The wood stove takes smaller pieces than the wood heater, so he just cuts the regular firewood in half for the stove.

22 degrees right now. It should warm up to 44, today.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
connie said:
We are having spring temps too.

I've heard of too many debit card hacks/ problems over the years. Stopped using mine.
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The only time my debit card is used is at the ATM to withdraw my cash each shopping day. We pay in cash for 98% of all our purchases. I always keep extra cash in my wallet, too.

Spring like temps for us too starting tomorrow. 67 degrees, and by Monday, it's in the low 70's.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
SouthernBreeze said:
The only time my debit card is used is at the ATM to withdraw my cash each shopping day. We pay in cash for 98% of all our purchases. I always keep extra cash in my wallet, too.

Spring like temps for us too starting tomorrow. 67 degrees, and by Monday, it's in the low 70's.
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If that's true, did you tell that to your bank?! They may have a card skimmer hidden on that ATM!

Summerthyme
 
W

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Chores outside done twice. Son off to work.
Worked on kitchen sink plumbing and basement. More tomorrow. It's a high of 21 today and 36 I think tomorrow!
Then Saturday and Sunday super low again. Then 30s for the week.
Very tired. Just got to get pipes through the weekend. Trying to get one load of clothes done. Everything has to be turned off which I don't have much on anyway. Just for the washer.
Son works till 7 tonight and then a 36 tomorrow.
Hay coal and food/feed is good.
Supposed to get 1-3 inches snow today. Don't see anything yet.
 
H

hd5574

Veteran Member
connie said:
We are having spring temps too.

I've heard of too many debit card hacks/ problems over the years. Stopped using mine.
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I don't like the idea of someone have direct access to my account..

I used to need a code number ..in order to phone the credit union..I had to punch it in to get pass the auto system and speak with someone...plus another 4 digit code....Then that was changed..my code number was suddenly no good..I had to use the four digit code attached to my non existent atm card..so I had to order an atm card...that card lives in RFID..and will never be used...blocking sleeve in a slot in my check book.. that never leaves the house...the newest revision...I now have a verbal password...that can be requested by any customer service person I am speaking with...so now three level verification..
Since it is a joint account with DH ..he now has a debit card..so 2 more 4 digit codes and a password for him..soon we will need a uber mini notebook in the checkbook. ..to keep tract of all the codes..but they are trying to keep things secure which is a good thing..
I needed to make a change at the branch..I found that they had marked our landline as a cell phone when opened our accounts..trust me that causes all kinds of problems..they had to use the blue light on my drivers license..the picture ID... to verify the secret info on it..that lights up to verify that the license is real....and then went my credit card it went under the blue light to verify it...all to get an answer to a simple question about the credit card...

and yes my passport card and passport shine brightly under the blue light...I bought one after seeing them use it at the bank..our money also lights up..to verify..

Since all the cards have these RFID enabled..It has become extremely important to keep them in an RFID blocking sleeve or wallet..it has become very easy to steal to steal your card information from inside your pocket or purse..with small handheld scanners ..

Since all illegal immigrant issues..I have started to carry many passport card..size of a driver's license but proves citizenship..it also lives in one of the blocking sleeves in my blocking wallet..

A few years back .before the sleeves I had the same credit card number stolen twice..very easy to fix with the bank..but a hassel none the less..since I have started using the blocking sleeves ..has not happened again...the best we can figure it was happening at Walmart..
It seems that there is a new scam..every week...with people struggling financially I believe it will continue to get worse..

There may have been a card skimmer on the atm or someone with a hand held card reader may have stolen your information
Been reading about more skimmers on gas pumps..lately..

When we need cash...we just go in the bank and get it from a teller..
I hope AI..doesn't make the problem worse..
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
Both of mine and Cary's debit cards are kept in blocking sleeves inside our wallets, too. Also, our credit cards that we have in case of an emergency, but rarely use.

We had to go inside our bank to talk to an actual person who deals with this kind of stuff. She told us how the scammers do exactly what they did with my card. She sees it all the time.
 
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anna43

Veteran Member
I do not have a debit card and never have had. I saw too many problems that ended with clients in bankruptcy. I use a credit card or cash. I've mentioned before I have three credit cards and use one for a few months, then switch to another and all paid off monthly. Keeps my credit score high enough that I got a 35% discount on household insurance premium. Credit cards seem to be easier to get resolution for when there is fraud. I've been hacked twice on my Master card, and it was caught by the company before I was even aware. Also, recently when I was charged double on a purchase from a "half price" catalog, it was quickly resolved by their fraud department.

I've read about the blocking wallet sleeves and realize I should get one since I always carry one credit card plus driver's license. Small town so it's easy to walk into the bank to withdraw cash. I always keep a small amount of cash on hand so no need for debit card to do an emergency rush to the bank ATM.

Had my annual eye exam this morning. Need one new lens unless doctor says I need both. My lenses are pricy but at least no new frames needed. Eye health excellent which is reassuring at my age.

Desk work this morning then to post office and town hall to mail/pay bills. Ridiculous that my 1400-foot house costs $100 for lights and gas and the water/sewer/garbage bill is $92.

It is currently sunny and 46º/feels like 49º and 37º for a low tonight. Tomorrow's high 38º. It was pleasant to be outside for a change. The line at the carwash was VERY long. I need my car washed, but I'm not willing to wait in a long line to do it. Actually, I'm not willing to wait in a long line for anything! I love that I can now get my driver's license renewed at the county treasurer's office instead of having to go to the DOT site, take a number and wait. At the courthouse there has never been more than one person ahead of me and usually no one. Due to my age I have to renew every two years which while I understand, it's a pain in the backside. Just mailed the check for my car license renewal $51 so no complaint there.
 
Shadow

Shadow

Swift, Silent,...Sleepy
I had Mastercard issue a card with a $500 limit and set it to never increase the limit. I use it for gas, in the airports and anyplace I do not know well. Another card with automatic payments for car insurance and utilities is never used for anything else. That card has had to be replaced several times after hack. My other cards never.

I also had my credit union give me another checking account and not issue checks for it. When I had to buy something from Europe they wanted a bank account number. I give them that one and transfer a little more than the purchase amount to that account.

It is not brilliance. My life is complicated enough. I do not need any additional crisis or drama.

Shadow
 
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