Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: February12 ~ 18, 2017

[ReneeT]

Good Morning, All!!

Between the wonky computer and extra hours at work, I wasn't able to get back on this thread last week; and I didn't do much prepping either. I did manage to add a few things to the pantry - between coupons and sales, I added 26 assorted cans of Progresso and Chunky soup to the pantry for an average cost of 68 cents/can, but that was about it.

This morning, I am enjoying a bit of peace and quiet with my cup of coffee before the grandkids wake up - actually, I can't believe they are all three still in bed! We had a good day yesterday - went to the pool with the neighbor lady and her family - $6 out of pocket for the 4 of us. Drinks at McDonalds, then a quick swoop to a neighboring town where the boys happily trooped into my work Buddy's house and proceeded to wear his cat out by playing with him, watched a dozen different cartoons, and ate apples and peanut butter 'the right way' (Buddy uses an apple corer/slicer; Mama uses a paring knife). In the meantime, granddaughter and I hit the newly opened Harbor Freight store to pick up some stacking parts sorters for me to take to work and a Valentine's Day present for Hubby (clamp on magnifier for his reloading station), JoAnn's for some little birdhouses for the kids to paint for daughter's Mother's Day gift, Dollar Tree for some balloons (aka targets for older grandson's rifle lessons today), and the small local mall (talk about a dead zone) to look for something for granddaughter to wear to her Valentine's dance this week - no luck.

We picked up some chicken for supper, then headed home to have dinner with Papaw - where I was presented with his Valentine's Day gift to me - a box of 5.56; he pointed out that the box was red, so it qualified lol! We both have to work Valentine's Day - which is also our wedding anniversary, so we will go out to supper Monday evening to celebrate.

Today - after French toast and pancakes for breakfast, we are going to don rubber boots and head out to the yard to pick up sticks. Papaw is going to take older grandson out to practice with his rifle; then we will do whatever else piques our interest - maybe a walk down to the cabin or lake. I took the meatloaf mix I made up last week out of the freezer to thaw, so Papaw will cook meatloaf burgers on the grill and we will have them with hashbrown cassarole, home canned green beans and home canned peaches for lunch. I'll take the kids home a little after sundown - right after the deer parade through the yard to eat from the birdfeeders as the kids will enjoy watching that

Tomorrow, the HVAC guy is coming out to install our new heater; once that is done, we will have the rest of the day free to get some housekeeping done and sit down together to make some plans for spring.

I took a quick look at the ads this week, but the only thing I saw right off the bat was Purex laundry detergent for $1.99/bottle at CVS - and $1/2 coupons for same in the coupon inserts. I will stock up to the limit of my coupons as daughter goes through a LOT of laundry detergent in her business. I'll try to take a better look at them tomorrow when I don't have all the distractions

Gotta go - the crew is clamoring for breakfast! Take care all; stay safe this week!

 

[nomifyle]

Wow Renee, I could never keep up with you, you have a full life. Great price on Progresso soup, where did you get it?

Judy

 

[ReneeT]

I picked up the Progresso on sale for $1.49 each at CVS, used some 45 cent/3 manufacturer's coupons, $4/$20 purchase mailed store coupon, some $1 ECBs from buying milk; and got back a $5 Extra Care Buck. I snagged the Chunky soup at the local chain grocery store, using an assortment of coupons and a $5/$20 purchase coupon that was in the ad - I had some mailed store coupons for free items - Italian sausage, Hungry Jack pancake mix, plus store 'Penny Pincher' coupons and ,manufacture's coupons so came out of there with 74% savings per their coupon.

Dropped the kids off at home mid afternoon as they'd been invited to the other grandparents for supper - also took a storage tub of daughter's stuff that's been in her old room for the past 15 years - trying to clear out that room so we can move Hubby's reloading stuff, etc... in there and make room in the family room for family... I have a box in the van to drop off at the thrift store the next time I'm in that town - I was helping the boys pick up a bit in their room and told them they had too many toys - little one surprised me by handing me a toy and telling me I could give it away! I asked them if they could find 3 toys to donate each - older grandson tried to donate a couple of younger grandson's toys at first but they did give me 6 toys with no complaints!

After I dropped the kids off, I hit the Evil Empire to look for some baskets to put under the shelves that I had to move to make room for the new heater - I needed somewhere to hide my garden tools, work gloves, seed packets, etc... No baskets, but they had their kids' winter coats on sale for $5; thick fleece lined zip up hooded sweatshirts ditto; long sleeve thermal henley style shirts for $2; and little boys pjs for $5. I bought 6 coats - two in the next size up for the boys, then 4 more in larger sizes - I may donate a couple of them next fall. I also snagged 4 of the heavy sweatshirts, 6 of the thermal shirts in assorted sizes, and 3 sizes of pjs. Good thing I picked up that overtime + incentive shift a couple weeks ago!

Tomorrow is aqua aerobics with the neighbor ladies; the HVAC gentleman should have my new heater installed by the time I get back home from there; then Hubby and I will head to town for our anniversary lunch and an appointment for him. I'll go a couple of places while he's at his appointment; then it will be home to relax before going back in to work on Tuesday and Wednesday...

 

[BinWa]

I added to the food stockpile today:

One & 1/2 cases of vegetables
1/2 case of chili
1/2 case of fruit
5 lbs of pasta
2 jars pasta sauce
5 tuna pouches
4 pkgs fried rice seasoning
1 lb coffee
1 lb steel-cut oats
1 bottle olive oil
1 biscuit mix
1 ketchup

Stockpile is getting bigger

I picked up extra seeds, potato & onion starts. Bought a canner and 2 cases of jars and am determined to teach myself how to can what I grow this year.

 

[ReneeT]

Snagged a case (12, 16.9oz glass bottles) of olive oil for the mid-term pantry at Aldi today when I went in to pick up 1/2&1/2 for home and work. Olive oil and coconut oil are the two oils we use - no 'vegetable' oils here. The current bottle of Aldi olive oil that I am using has a best by date of 2014 - it's a bit darker in color than the bottles I just bought, but the flavor is fine. I think the glass bottles and storing in a dark, cool location make the difference.

Well, the HVAC guy came and installed my heater - and Hubby will be redoing it this coming weekend. They drilled a hole in my floor and snaked an ugly orange hose up from a valve in that area. I called the shop and explained that perhaps the installer had been confused about the difference between a garage and a house, but that his install was NOT ACCEPTABLE!! They tried to pass it off as having to be done that way to be to code - no valves inside a wall - but when I explained exactly how it could - and WILL - be done without putting any valves in a wall, they were like 'oh'. Time to hit Angela's list, Facebook, etc... Grrrr... I do have to say that the heater does warm up the house nicely, at least! We won't freeze if we happen to have a blizzard

 

[moldy]

More work on the retirement place, then pulled some older stuff out of preps to be used up. Managed to find one gallon of mistinted paint at Ace - I"d rather pay $10 instead of $35 - I can make the color work. Need to finish up some laundry before bed.

 

[Illini Warrior]

Snagged a case (12, 16.9oz glass bottles) of olive oil for the mid-term pantry at Aldi today when I went in to pick up 1/2&1/2 for home and work. Olive oil and coconut oil are the two oils we use - no 'vegetable' oils here. The current bottle of Aldi olive oil that I am using has a best by date of 2014 - it's a bit darker in color than the bottles I just bought, but the flavor is fine. I think the glass bottles and storing in a dark, cool location make the difference.

Well, the HVAC guy came and installed my heater - and Hubby will be redoing it this coming weekend. They drilled a hole in my floor and snaked an ugly orange hose up from a valve in that area. I called the shop and explained that perhaps the installer had been confused about the difference between a garage and a house, but that his install was NOT ACCEPTABLE!! They tried to pass it off as having to be done that way to be to code - no valves inside a wall - but when I explained exactly how it could - and WILL - be done without putting any valves in a wall, they were like 'oh'. Time to hit Angela's list, Facebook, etc... Grrrr... I do have to say that the heater does warm up the house nicely, at least! We won't freeze if we happen to have a blizzard

unfortunately black pipe gas piping (solid piping in general) is a thing of the past for the trades - surprised they were willing to even talk ....

 

[Bensam]

As info, CVS has been placing their Dak canned hams on periodic sale for 2/$5.00. While not super quality, these hams are good and excellent for the money. Well no more, the price has increased to 2/$6.00. Still not to bad but I hate to see a 17% price increase.

 

[Illini Warrior]

As info, CVS has been placing their Dak canned hams on periodic sale for 2/$5.00. While not super quality, these hams are good and excellent for the money. Well no more, the price has increased to 2/$6.00. Still not to bad but I hate to see a 17% price increase.

DAK beats the Celebrity brand and the various off brands at Aldi's - also the meat is superior than Spam for some uses ....

 

[moldy]

Putting together my application for herbal school - sigh. Now where did I put my college diploma from 30+ years ago??