WanderLore
Veteran Member
7:26 am. Fog, snow still everywhere. Now it's thunder, lightning and rain.
Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: February 14 - 21 2026
- Thread starter WanderLore
- Start date
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
It looks like our rain is arriving earlier than expected. High of 77, but cloudy with rain off and on. We could gets some storms, tomorrow, and turning much colder. 40's for highs, and 20's for lows for a while. Nothing severe is expected out of the storms.
We will be in Tupelo with Mom half of today, and Cary bought her a one burner camp stove with several bottles of propane, yesterday. We will spend some time with her, after we take her back home. Cary will need to show her how to use the camp stove. I always worry about her not having a way to cook when the electricity goes out, so I wanted her to have this stove. She uses natural gas for heat, but no way to cook. I never could get her to buy one for herself, so I did it for her. What do you do with an 85 yr. old that doesn't think anything like the electricity going out will happen, because she lives in town? Or, if it does, it will be fixed in short order according to her way of thinking? She has no generator, either, for the same reason. Yet, she calls us "hoarders", because we stay prepared.
There are folks north of us in Mississippi still without power from the ice storm that barely missed us. I think it's been 3 weeks, now.
We will be in Tupelo with Mom half of today, and Cary bought her a one burner camp stove with several bottles of propane, yesterday. We will spend some time with her, after we take her back home. Cary will need to show her how to use the camp stove. I always worry about her not having a way to cook when the electricity goes out, so I wanted her to have this stove. She uses natural gas for heat, but no way to cook. I never could get her to buy one for herself, so I did it for her. What do you do with an 85 yr. old that doesn't think anything like the electricity going out will happen, because she lives in town? Or, if it does, it will be fixed in short order according to her way of thinking? She has no generator, either, for the same reason. Yet, she calls us "hoarders", because we stay prepared.
There are folks north of us in Mississippi still without power from the ice storm that barely missed us. I think it's been 3 weeks, now.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
You're not hoarders, SB (and Cary). Nor is anyone on this thread.
I'm keeping an eye on the weather. In Central Iowa, it was dry when the temps dropped into the 30s, so no pools of ice here and there, for which I'm thankful. Snow is due in later and the totals have increased. We may or may not have squall warnings: the wind has significantly decreased, at least for now.
Winter has returned!
I'm keeping an eye on the weather. In Central Iowa, it was dry when the temps dropped into the 30s, so no pools of ice here and there, for which I'm thankful. Snow is due in later and the totals have increased. We may or may not have squall warnings: the wind has significantly decreased, at least for now.
Winter has returned!
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SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
Mom has always thought we were hoarders, because of our large panty and can survive when others can't. I've tried to explain that having a pantry full of food and being prepared is not hoarding. I can't make her understand, so I've quit trying. All she can see is the amount in our pantry, and that we will have food when others don't. To her, that's hoarding food. She was happy to get her camp stove. though.
Our temp broke a record, today. The record high was 77 degrees, Right now, it's 81 degrees. No rain, yet, but it's supposed to move in overnight. If we had been home, today, there is a lot that we could have got done outside. Perfect weather for it. When the temps hit the 80's, I'm a happy camper.
Mom took us out to eat for lunch, so no supper to cook, tonight. We have plenty of fruit to snack on if we get hungry, later.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
That's one positive about being in farm country: a lot of people put up the harvest. Here, a hoarder is the idiot who fills up a shopping cart with toilet paper at crunch time, like at Fareway (not Costco or Sam's). Fortunately, a lot of the local store managers would intervene.
Added: 3:33 -- it's starting to snow, huge flakes!
Added: 3:33 -- it's starting to snow, huge flakes!
5:38 p.m. and although radar shows it's snowing, it's not. Okay by me! Temp is 26º/feels like 4º with 13 mph winds.
I finally planted my peppers today. I have them on a heat mat in the basement but will not turn on the grow light until they germinate. March 15 my is the usual date for planting tomatoes, so I have awhile for them. I need to purchase a timer for the grow light as last year I kept forgetting to turn it off/on when needed. Out of sight out of mind. I save my own seed for peppers and tomatoes, so I spent a bit of time going through all the pepper seeds and discarding all the older seeds. I'll do the same when I plant tomatoes. I started seven peppers, small red, orange, yellow, large red, orange, yellow and a green pepper. The green pepper seed was old so I have few hopes it will germinate. The colored peppers can be harvested as green before they change color which would be fine. I plan to start no more than 10 tomatoes and maybe less. I just am spoiled and like different varieties even though I end up giving a large percentage away.
I finally have a day with no back pain so decided NOT to run the vacuum. Yesterday I swept and mopped the kitchen as I was sticking down around the sink/stove! Don't know what was on the floor but it's not sticky after mopping.
My family and many friends consider my pantry hoarding. No doubt they'll be the ones to show up if the SHTF and I'll be glad to share my many gallons of beans that I cannot eat.
I finally planted my peppers today. I have them on a heat mat in the basement but will not turn on the grow light until they germinate. March 15 my is the usual date for planting tomatoes, so I have awhile for them. I need to purchase a timer for the grow light as last year I kept forgetting to turn it off/on when needed. Out of sight out of mind. I save my own seed for peppers and tomatoes, so I spent a bit of time going through all the pepper seeds and discarding all the older seeds. I'll do the same when I plant tomatoes. I started seven peppers, small red, orange, yellow, large red, orange, yellow and a green pepper. The green pepper seed was old so I have few hopes it will germinate. The colored peppers can be harvested as green before they change color which would be fine. I plan to start no more than 10 tomatoes and maybe less. I just am spoiled and like different varieties even though I end up giving a large percentage away.
I finally have a day with no back pain so decided NOT to run the vacuum. Yesterday I swept and mopped the kitchen as I was sticking down around the sink/stove! Don't know what was on the floor but it's not sticky after mopping.
My family and many friends consider my pantry hoarding. No doubt they'll be the ones to show up if the SHTF and I'll be glad to share my many gallons of beans that I cannot eat.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
It looks like about 5" of snow so far. I'm not going out there to actually measure it tonight. The wind has died down a lot, but per the news, driving is not advised, and there's now a tow ban.
I had already taken tomorrow off to go to doctor appointments, but those got re-scheduled. That's fine. I don't want to go anywhere until the idiots get used to winter driving, again.
I had already taken tomorrow off to go to doctor appointments, but those got re-scheduled. That's fine. I don't want to go anywhere until the idiots get used to winter driving, again.
feralferret
Veteran Member
What? No Ya'll O Meter outside of your window for measuring snow depth?
I don't know exactly when it started snowing but it's still snowing and blowing and there is a drift across the front of the house over knee deep. Glad I have nowhere to go and no need to go anywhere tomorrow. The snow is supposed to stop in an hour and half. It's currently 19º/feel like -9º with wind at 16 mph. It is gusting higher and I'm sure whiteout conditions on the roads plus drifts.
The most terror I've experienced driving was a total whiteout. It's like the car is suddenly wrapped in cotton and zero visibility. I've driven in nearly zero visibility fog and that is scary but constant whereas you can be driving in blowing snow and suddenly into a whiteout. One reason I decided to retire at 70 was so I no longer had to drive in bad conditions.
The most terror I've experienced driving was a total whiteout. It's like the car is suddenly wrapped in cotton and zero visibility. I've driven in nearly zero visibility fog and that is scary but constant whereas you can be driving in blowing snow and suddenly into a whiteout. One reason I decided to retire at 70 was so I no longer had to drive in bad conditions.
As long as I can still see out the window, I'm good. And yes, I've had the snow drift higher than the bedroom windows on the north side of the house. Not recently, thank you Lord. I don't think we've gotten much in inches because I can still see the ground on the other side of the drifts.What? No Ya'll O Meter outside of your window for measuring snow depth?
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
What? No Ya'll O Meter outside of your window for measuring snow depth?
I have a glass rain gauge that I mount to the back deck when it's warmer. Otherwise, I either eyeball the mount of snow on the railing or actually stick a ruler into it, which I'll do in the morning. I think we topped out at six inches.
I need to be in bed, but my back is a little unhappy with me. I had to take some Tylenol earlier. I think it's finally starting to kick in.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Yes I watched Ryan Hall for hours, he was showing the blizzard in Iowa! The tornadoes in Indiana were crazy. Lost count of how many.
We just got some good rain. Will have couple days about 31 but warming back up.
I have to fix that kitchen drain and I just can't motivate myself. Son said he would but it's put together weird. He went did shopping yesterday and took 5 huge bags of pop cans in. $50 in returns!
We just got some good rain. Will have couple days about 31 but warming back up.
I have to fix that kitchen drain and I just can't motivate myself. Son said he would but it's put together weird. He went did shopping yesterday and took 5 huge bags of pop cans in. $50 in returns!
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
Being a Southerner all my life, it would scare me to death to get snow the way you all do up there! If we get 5 inches, no one moves, LOL! People are literally afraid to be out in it. Only a few drivers down here have had any experience driving in snow or ice. No plows to plow the roads, either. I can't even imagine snowdrifts higher than windows!
Our forecast keeps changing. We didn't get any rain, overnight, like was expected. It's supposed to rain and storm later this afternoon, now, but the sun is shining at the moment. High of only 68, today. That 81 degrees sure felt good, yesterday.
Floors need sweeping and laundry to do, today. I bought all new nail polish the other day, and I want to try one of them out, too. My nails are brittle and split easily, so I keep them painted for strength. I don't let them grow too long. I just can't get into these women that have fingernails that look like claws in a horror show.
Tuna pasta salad for supper, tonight. I'll make Cary some tater tots to go with his. He loves his "taters".
Our forecast keeps changing. We didn't get any rain, overnight, like was expected. It's supposed to rain and storm later this afternoon, now, but the sun is shining at the moment. High of only 68, today. That 81 degrees sure felt good, yesterday.
Floors need sweeping and laundry to do, today. I bought all new nail polish the other day, and I want to try one of them out, too. My nails are brittle and split easily, so I keep them painted for strength. I don't let them grow too long. I just can't get into these women that have fingernails that look like claws in a horror show.
Tuna pasta salad for supper, tonight. I'll make Cary some tater tots to go with his. He loves his "taters".
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
Ended up with around 8" total, with some areas higher due to drifting.
SB, some neighbors have plows on their trucks, plows on their mechanical mules (4-wheelers with cabs), and 3-stage walk-behind snow blowers. The city has big plows and big barns full of piles of salt and sand. Eventually, we do dig out (or pack the snow down) and get on with life. In the meantime, the preppers have pantries and some sick time and just stay home until the roads are better!
A lot of us who live here accept that there will be a few days that Mother Nature is in charge and it's best to just stay out of her way.
And that's what I'm doing. I slept it, took a hot shower, stretched . . . my back is much better, and I will be careful to only shovel around the garage door and let the snow angels get the rest of it.
SB, some neighbors have plows on their trucks, plows on their mechanical mules (4-wheelers with cabs), and 3-stage walk-behind snow blowers. The city has big plows and big barns full of piles of salt and sand. Eventually, we do dig out (or pack the snow down) and get on with life. In the meantime, the preppers have pantries and some sick time and just stay home until the roads are better!
A lot of us who live here accept that there will be a few days that Mother Nature is in charge and it's best to just stay out of her way.
And that's what I'm doing. I slept it, took a hot shower, stretched . . . my back is much better, and I will be careful to only shovel around the garage door and let the snow angels get the rest of it.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We don't even have salt or sand to put down. The best that gets done down here is pea gravel put down on the bridges and overpasses. That's only done within city limits. The counties, out in the rural areas, get nothing.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
It's been a busy day so far. Still no rain, so we got outside for a bit. 70 degrees right now. Stacking firewood, doing laundry, sweeping, and I opened the windows again to let a warm breeze blow through. Cary decided to get the lawn mower out, get it ready to go, and went ahead and mowed the yard in spots where that old nasty winter green weed mess grows. I can't think of what it's called. It has purple flowers on it.
I got our "get home bag" out of the SUV, so I can go through it, replacing items and updating it. We will be taking it with us on vacation next weekend.
I got our "get home bag" out of the SUV, so I can go through it, replacing items and updating it. We will be taking it with us on vacation next weekend.
Actually, we have also had snow in September and May although thankfully that is unusual! I recall a major April blizzard in the 70s where we had to dig DOWN to get to the barn door.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Yep usually have snow falling during the egg hunt. Have seen it late April, then few days, bam! 80 degrees.
I can't wait to get out of here. No more winters.
Son leaving for work. I'll see if I can make myself with on the drain. Can't get wall heater going. Will need new flapper for toilet bowl.
Looking forward to the days we don't need this stuff anymore.
I can't wait to get out of here. No more winters.
Son leaving for work. I'll see if I can make myself with on the drain. Can't get wall heater going. Will need new flapper for toilet bowl.
Looking forward to the days we don't need this stuff anymore.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
This week has flown by! It's Saturday, already.
We had storms roll over us last night. Nothing severe, but they dumped lots of rain. Can't do anything outside, today. We got a lot done, yesterday, though.
Only 64 for our high, and 32 for our low, today. Tomorrow and Monday, the highs will only be in the 40's and teens for the lows. It's time to fire up the wood heater, again. I tell you, hanging that thermal insulated curtain over the opening that goes down into the laundry room has made a big difference in keeping the house warmer. That room doesn't have to be heated, unless I'm spending a lot of time down there doing laundry or getting something out of the freezers. Most of the time, it's a quick in and out. I'm thinking of doing the same for another large opening that separates the living area from the bedrooms and bath. I haven't decided on that just yet.
Not a lot going on, today. I still need to empty out our "get home" bag, and go through everything. No way are we going on a trip without it! More laundry, and that's about it.
We had storms roll over us last night. Nothing severe, but they dumped lots of rain. Can't do anything outside, today. We got a lot done, yesterday, though.
Only 64 for our high, and 32 for our low, today. Tomorrow and Monday, the highs will only be in the 40's and teens for the lows. It's time to fire up the wood heater, again. I tell you, hanging that thermal insulated curtain over the opening that goes down into the laundry room has made a big difference in keeping the house warmer. That room doesn't have to be heated, unless I'm spending a lot of time down there doing laundry or getting something out of the freezers. Most of the time, it's a quick in and out. I'm thinking of doing the same for another large opening that separates the living area from the bedrooms and bath. I haven't decided on that just yet.
Not a lot going on, today. I still need to empty out our "get home" bag, and go through everything. No way are we going on a trip without it! More laundry, and that's about it.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
It's 19 degrees with about an 8" snow cover. I've got white bread baking and beef stew simmering. It's a good day to be home! Projects include mending (yes, again!), sorting, and maybe re-arranging the living room again. Ha! Maybe I'll ask AI where the couch should go and see what it suggests. It's a living room / foyer "open concept" combination. I miss having an actual hall.
This morning was women's prayer breakfast at 8:00 so my day got off to an earlier start. Good turnout 22 I think.
Attacked the dirty dishes which are now draining in the drainer, on the counter and on the table. I'd procrastinated on doing them yesterday and paid the penalty today.
I have a custard pie in the oven. The recipe is from a 1980's church cookbook, and it's called Grandma's crustless pie. You add 4 tbsp. of flour to the egg/milk mixture, and it makes its own crust.
As soon as I finish lunch, I need to do my therapy and get that out of the way. I still need to vacuum but pain still says no.
Currently 22º/feels like 18º and wind is only 11 mph which is nice. Mostly sunny at the moment but clouds keep rolling through every little while.
Attacked the dirty dishes which are now draining in the drainer, on the counter and on the table. I'd procrastinated on doing them yesterday and paid the penalty today.
I have a custard pie in the oven. The recipe is from a 1980's church cookbook, and it's called Grandma's crustless pie. You add 4 tbsp. of flour to the egg/milk mixture, and it makes its own crust.
As soon as I finish lunch, I need to do my therapy and get that out of the way. I still need to vacuum but pain still says no.
Currently 22º/feels like 18º and wind is only 11 mph which is nice. Mostly sunny at the moment but clouds keep rolling through every little while.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
Our floor plan has the living room, dining room, kitchen, and laundry room open all together. There is an opening that goes into a foyer to the bedrooms and bath. It's that large opening that I'm thinking of hanging another thermal insulated curtain. That would keep all the heat in the areas we stay. I have a small electric space heater for the bathroom.
We've already had our soup for the week. I made a pot of chicken noodle soup with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches just the other night. Tonight, it's baked pork chops with a broccoli and cauliflower stir fry for me, and a baked potato for Cary. We start on my last loaf of homemade bread from the freezer, tonight. Tomorrow is my planned bread baking day.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
I have a recipe that makes a crustless coconut pie. It is delicious! I haven't made it in a while, since we cut way down on the amount of sweets we eat. I have a bag of coconut in the fridge that needs to be used. I will have to dig this recipe out and make it.
prudentwatcher
Veteran Member
We stocked up on kitty litter in a bogo sale. Should be good for quite a while. Also got three more bags of cat food.
Have six jam jars left of strawberry jam made last weekend. We gave away two and are on our second one. Turned out really good.
Ended up with three quarts of chicken broth last week. They went into the freezer to replace what I used earlier.
Have six jam jars left of strawberry jam made last weekend. We gave away two and are on our second one. Turned out really good.
Ended up with three quarts of chicken broth last week. They went into the freezer to replace what I used earlier.
One reason I like this recipe is the entire pie has 1/2 cup of sugar. Same way I like tapioca pudding 1/3 cup sugar.
I do the same, always starting with a new container but since my counter is so full, it sits in the cabinet on top of the sandwich plates that are rarely used.
I've tried several different brands of butter but I haven't found one that has the texture butter use to have. It's soft enough to spread but nothing near liquifying. I want that old soft, shiny close to melting butter texture back. I think they are irradiating it because it seems to never go bad at room temp, not even in our scorching summers.
I've always been the same where jobs are concerned. I have mostly been self employed or self employed and a job. Leaving my last job of ten years was a smooth transition. I just built my business up a little and kept going. I had a friendly relationship with coworkers but had no interest in socializing outside work and neither did DH. We've most always had a side hustle as they call them now and that's what we enjoyed doing in our off time.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
I hear you, WW.
I was just trying to cover all of the bases, including emotional concerns. It turns out that I should just focus on money/tax matters.
It's good that you are enjoying your side gig!
Added:
This is what AI came up with for my living room. I agree that the couch should probably get moved back to that
wall. I've got it across the room with the TV where the couch is located. None of this furniture is mine.
I was just trying to cover all of the bases, including emotional concerns. It turns out that I should just focus on money/tax matters.
It's good that you are enjoying your side gig!
Added:
This is what AI came up with for my living room. I agree that the couch should probably get moved back to that
wall. I've got it across the room with the TV where the couch is located. None of this furniture is mine.
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SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
Delete. Wrong thread.