I've used a spread out Walmart bag...you just have to keep it in place until the weight of the water does the job.
Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: Jan 18-24, 2026
- Thread starter feralferret
- Start date
Tonight about 9 or so with wind....then cold tomorrow...with snow starting here tomorrow night...up to 8 inches of snow....fingers crossed we get that much snow...the snow sleet and freezing rain...then freezing rain...if we lose power will make our own...have DSL....out in the country here so will be able to get on line if it works. ??? Its Verizon..l read on a kindle...so I down load my books..and can read off line... will stop sometime on Monday then they are calling for minus 2...then single digits then 0 at end of week..
DH grabbed a could more tanks of propane....the 2 behind him got filled...and was it..
DH grabbed a could more tanks of propane....the 2 behind him got filled...and was it..
WanderLore
Veteran Member
I'll try that.
Ok I got that in place, see if it holds. Otherwise it drains into the basement. I have a bucket to catch it down there but can't have it flood
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WanderLore
Veteran Member
I have one Meemur, it doesn't work. I showed it to my plumber he said he can fix it. Soon as it warms up enough he's going to replace the pipe down there, and change out the cartridges.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
I'm listening to Ryan Hall too.
Trying to contain the dog the new dog. He ripped up another blanket and pillow. I have to crate him but I can't crate him all night long.
Trying to contain the dog the new dog. He ripped up another blanket and pillow. I have to crate him but I can't crate him all night long.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
Does the new dog have border collie or cattle dog genes? If so, it needs a "job" . . . without a job, it needs something like agility or fly ball to burn off that energy and stimulate its mind. I know you can't do that right now, but it's something to think about longer term, if that's the problem.
Border collies can easily cover up to 10 miles a day when they are working sheep. That's the sort of drive they and their cousins have. I remember that every time I think that I want one.
A pug (or similar) is a better fit for my household.
Border collies can easily cover up to 10 miles a day when they are working sheep. That's the sort of drive they and their cousins have. I remember that every time I think that I want one.
A pug (or similar) is a better fit for my household.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
German Shepherd and Great Pyranese (can't spell)
The whole south eastern quarter of the united states except for Florida have been declared...16 states so far. There may be more by now but that's what I saw earlier. I bet there will be a lot more before it's over.
I'm just praying we get more sleet and snow instead of freezing rain. I can handle the other, no problem, but I don't want to lol. My stew is about cool enough to put in the fridge so I can see if I can get anything else in there. If I can find room, I'm going to cook a few more things tonight. I'm determined to treat this like a break from my usual continual working. I haven't had one in a while.
I've got 18 pints of pork stew in the canner, and I'm tired! We've got the Jackery charged, and will be able to run the woodstove fan with 8t if the power goes out. Its already in single digits, with close to 40 mph wind gusts...its going to be miserable out there tonight.
The sheep...thankfully, with only one lamb yet, and he's 10 days old now, are locked in one box stall, and the two horses are locked in their big stall. We normally leave the stall doors open to the barnyard, so they can come and go as they please, but not in this weather!
I'm really blessed that Bella, my riding mare, actually grew a decent winter coat this year! She usually stays almost summer slick, only getting a thicker short coat. This year, she starts actually furry. It saved me from having to go out to the storage units and find her blanket.
Ginger, the mini mare, has enough fur for three horses! She never gets cold...but she hates the cold and snow anyway. I caught her standing at the barnyard gate this morning, gazing wistfully across the frozen, icy fields, as if wondering where the grass went! I can't saying blame her!
Ah, well...as I told the oldest granddaughter yesterday, its almost February...and soon, we'll be tapping the maple trees! We just have to hang on a few more weeks!
Summerthyme
The sheep...thankfully, with only one lamb yet, and he's 10 days old now, are locked in one box stall, and the two horses are locked in their big stall. We normally leave the stall doors open to the barnyard, so they can come and go as they please, but not in this weather!
I'm really blessed that Bella, my riding mare, actually grew a decent winter coat this year! She usually stays almost summer slick, only getting a thicker short coat. This year, she starts actually furry. It saved me from having to go out to the storage units and find her blanket.
Ginger, the mini mare, has enough fur for three horses! She never gets cold...but she hates the cold and snow anyway. I caught her standing at the barnyard gate this morning, gazing wistfully across the frozen, icy fields, as if wondering where the grass went! I can't saying blame her!
Ah, well...as I told the oldest granddaughter yesterday, its almost February...and soon, we'll be tapping the maple trees! We just have to hang on a few more weeks!
Summerthyme
Wildwood, if it's cold there, then the porch, garage or unheated room can serve as a fridge. During the ice storm we had back in the 90's it was zero and people were complaining about losing the stuff in their deep freeze and fridge. Duh. Put it in coolers to protect it and put it outside. When I mentioned that, they stared at me like I was crazy. I didn't lose anything.
I think most everything is ready for the family tomorrow. I have the ingredients organized for the chicken noodle soup, pies are made and, in the fridge, extra bowls are washed up, and I have a short list of last-minute things for tomorrow morning.
I got this message from my Internet provider: During severe weather, local or regional power interruptions can impact home internet. Because your modem, router, gateway, and regional connections rely on electricity, some of them may not be online during a power outage.
Through the years, I've never lost Internet even during local power outages but understand that it can happen and the same with telephones both smart and landlines.
I think most everything is ready for the family tomorrow. I have the ingredients organized for the chicken noodle soup, pies are made and, in the fridge, extra bowls are washed up, and I have a short list of last-minute things for tomorrow morning.
I got this message from my Internet provider: During severe weather, local or regional power interruptions can impact home internet. Because your modem, router, gateway, and regional connections rely on electricity, some of them may not be online during a power outage.
Through the years, I've never lost Internet even during local power outages but understand that it can happen and the same with telephones both smart and landlines.
feralferret
Veteran Member
We've done that numerous times over the years. We usually used heavy cardboard boxes and placed them on the covered deck or in the basement entryway. We've also used a carport at a house we had 30 years ago.
Looking at all snow here so we hopefully won't lose power since it will be a powdery snow. We have several very large UPS units and a generator. I'm not sure how much gas. Daughter and son were supposed to be keeping up with that but I have serious doubts. We likely have at least 15 gallons so that would last a couple of days, probably longer if we are careful. The generator won't run the central heat but we have several small electric heaters. I hate living in an all electric house with no natural gas service, but it's my daughter's house and not mine.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Although natural gas is available in this town, this neighborhood doesn't have gas lines. The developer did it as an all electric neighborhood. I remember back when that was promoted as a good thing. In my opinion they were idiots to do that. I like redundancy when it comes to staying warm. A gas stove and a gas hot water heater has gotten us through a number of sometimes extended power failures in the past. If I were to build a house, it would have at least one gas wall heater that did not require electricity on each level. Growing up we had floor furnaces that did not require electricity so no power was not a big deal. We had a kerosene lamp and a couple of Coleman lanterns back then.
Talked to a good friend today..he is in Iowa..in Charles City...he in northern IA..his daughter was visiting his Mom in coastal South Carolina...she was leaving today to go home to Annapolis, MD...before the storm hits the east coast
Her husband called her and gave her a shopping list for groceries to get and bring home...he had been to the store..and couldn't get anything...the stores up there were wiped out..they may get all ice on the coast...
Things are crazy..here in Central Virginia ...our grocery stores were a mess last night...DH was at The Tractor Supply in the little town today..and said people were buying everything in sight ...
Governor here declared a state of emergency here several days ago..each hour that goes by they say more sleet and freezing rain for Virginia still snow but not as much...it is also forecast to be horrible down in the Carolina mountains that were hit so hard by Helene..
Her husband called her and gave her a shopping list for groceries to get and bring home...he had been to the store..and couldn't get anything...the stores up there were wiped out..they may get all ice on the coast...
Things are crazy..here in Central Virginia ...our grocery stores were a mess last night...DH was at The Tractor Supply in the little town today..and said people were buying everything in sight ...
Governor here declared a state of emergency here several days ago..each hour that goes by they say more sleet and freezing rain for Virginia still snow but not as much...it is also forecast to be horrible down in the Carolina mountains that were hit so hard by Helene..
It's turned to snow...thank goodness!
It should be pretty when we wake up in the morning. The grands are here and we are all taking turns jumping in the shower and washing our hair...I'm next and I'm the last. I'll throw everything in the washer as soon as I'm finished and all the laundry will be done.
About an hour and a half ago, I decided to bake that chicken and make a big batch of Mac and cheese to go with all the things I cooked yesterday...they were the last things on my list. Bring on the vacation...this bunch is fed for at least a week! All we need is the microwave and the coffee pot and our ecoflow can handle those.
If we manage to keep electric, I will be playing with some new dessert recipes during my week of vacation but that is it.
It should be pretty when we wake up in the morning. The grands are here and we are all taking turns jumping in the shower and washing our hair...I'm next and I'm the last. I'll throw everything in the washer as soon as I'm finished and all the laundry will be done.
About an hour and a half ago, I decided to bake that chicken and make a big batch of Mac and cheese to go with all the things I cooked yesterday...they were the last things on my list. Bring on the vacation...this bunch is fed for at least a week! All we need is the microwave and the coffee pot and our ecoflow can handle those.
If we manage to keep electric, I will be playing with some new dessert recipes during my week of vacation but that is it.
That makes perfect sense..we had a horrible ice storm here a few years ago..much smaller that this mess coming..the electric coop here in our county..had 300 poles snap...that not even talking about all the tree that came down twisted in the wires...we had no power for 2 weeks...but friends west of us a county away in the mountains were out of power for 3 to 4 weeks..
Another problem may be transformers...that get damaged...we were lucky because that storm was in a relatively small area....nothing like this monster..coming across the country..
Stay safe and warm everyone..
patriotgal
Veteran Member
15 deg, feels like 2deg and dropping. We made a quick run to Mountain Home this evening to grab a small heater for bathroom at MILS house. I have never seen walmart with so many empty shelves. Even empty crates in the produce section. No hamburger. No chicken except for a handful of huge Tyson packs of legs. We didn't need anything, were just looking at it all.
Blankets over all of the upstairs windows. Propane delivered. Someone on Mountain home Facebook was complaining about one person buying all 26 tanks of propane at Walmart. Town was pretty empty, especially for 8 at night on a Friday. Roads are already treated and county trucks were stationed along the way home.
No needs or plans to get out. We have 4 wheel drive rig and both of us know how to drive in crazy weather but it would have to be a serious emergency.
Praying for everyone' safety.
Blankets over all of the upstairs windows. Propane delivered. Someone on Mountain home Facebook was complaining about one person buying all 26 tanks of propane at Walmart. Town was pretty empty, especially for 8 at night on a Friday. Roads are already treated and county trucks were stationed along the way home.
No needs or plans to get out. We have 4 wheel drive rig and both of us know how to drive in crazy weather but it would have to be a serious emergency.
Praying for everyone' safety.
We have spent the week getting ready for this massive storm.
Tuesday Hubby had a check up with his dr. He is doing pretty good. While he was in with the dr, I made an appointment for my check up. The receptionist made it for Tuesday of next week. After thinking about it I went back and asked for a later appointment. I told her I was not sure the roads would be cleared up from this weather. She said "What weather? We haven't heard anything about any weather. " I have a Wednesday appointment. I am not sure if we will keep it or cancel.
Our son came up twice to get hay. His second trip we sent some fire wood and eggs home with him. He had forgotten to buy eggs and his chickens aren't laying. Some of the stores were out of eggs too. I am glad my hens are laying some better. Not great, but better.
It's been snowing most of the night. It a fine powdery snow. I haven't had to clean off the Turkey pen roofs yet. I figured I would have to by now. But I am not complaining, it was only 14* last time I looked.
I sold 25 bales of hay. That is probably the last I will sell. I will keep the rest for the kids. I used my last old bale I had put back to make border inside one turkey pen. They were loosing a lot of their straw out the wire of their pen. I stood hay flakes all along the open side of their kennel. Hopefully that will hold the straw in.
Last night my sciatica was killing me. I could not stay in the bed. I got up and ended up sleeping on the couch. That's the best sleep I have gotten in several days. I am having very little pain this morning. I will be sleeping on the couch for a few days and see if things can recover.
The weatherman out of Little Rock said we may not break freezing for 8 days. If that is correct, this storm mess is going no where fast. And we may get another winter storm next weekend. Our winter went from extremely mild to a real winter. I hope the fire ants are dying.
Have a blessed weekend everyone. Stay safe and warm.
Tuesday Hubby had a check up with his dr. He is doing pretty good. While he was in with the dr, I made an appointment for my check up. The receptionist made it for Tuesday of next week. After thinking about it I went back and asked for a later appointment. I told her I was not sure the roads would be cleared up from this weather. She said "What weather? We haven't heard anything about any weather. " I have a Wednesday appointment. I am not sure if we will keep it or cancel.
Our son came up twice to get hay. His second trip we sent some fire wood and eggs home with him. He had forgotten to buy eggs and his chickens aren't laying. Some of the stores were out of eggs too. I am glad my hens are laying some better. Not great, but better.
It's been snowing most of the night. It a fine powdery snow. I haven't had to clean off the Turkey pen roofs yet. I figured I would have to by now. But I am not complaining, it was only 14* last time I looked.
I sold 25 bales of hay. That is probably the last I will sell. I will keep the rest for the kids. I used my last old bale I had put back to make border inside one turkey pen. They were loosing a lot of their straw out the wire of their pen. I stood hay flakes all along the open side of their kennel. Hopefully that will hold the straw in.
Last night my sciatica was killing me. I could not stay in the bed. I got up and ended up sleeping on the couch. That's the best sleep I have gotten in several days. I am having very little pain this morning. I will be sleeping on the couch for a few days and see if things can recover.
The weatherman out of Little Rock said we may not break freezing for 8 days. If that is correct, this storm mess is going no where fast. And we may get another winter storm next weekend. Our winter went from extremely mild to a real winter. I hope the fire ants are dying.
Have a blessed weekend everyone. Stay safe and warm.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We are up early again. The ice is beginning to move into our area. It's a mix of sleet and freezing rain right now, and it will switch over to freezing rain by 9 am. 23 degrees right now. 28 for our high, today. Local weather says we may get "thunder" ice today and tomorrow. I've only heard thunder ice one other time, and that ice storm was severe.
We are set for whatever comes our way. I'm about to make up my chicken noodle soup to simmer on the wood stove all day.
If we lose power, we'll see ya'll when we thaw out, and the lines are fixed.
We are set for whatever comes our way. I'm about to make up my chicken noodle soup to simmer on the wood stove all day.
If we lose power, we'll see ya'll when we thaw out, and the lines are fixed.
That's just WRONG! Why are people so shortsighted and selfish? And it wouldn't surprise me one bit if whoever bought them did it to resell at a huge profit after the storm hits.
Summerthyme
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Got the chores done at 9:00. It was way in the minus last night I don't know how cold, but the horses are doing good.
The Saran wrap did not work, I had some leakage in the basement which froze and made the floor icy. Then it was trying to drain into the sump pump which was running nothing was moving. So I just took it out of the hole and bailed out what I could and the heaters on down there.
Was up every couple hours running the pipes flushing the toilet etc everything is okay today so far.
Son is at work. I haven't heard from him so hopefully they weren't too busy.
Stove is good. Everybody tended. New dog chewed up part of couch. I'm not real worried cuz I was going to get rid of it in the spring it's very old and nasty. He's over eight months old so he's going into breeding age, I will have to get him neutered pretty quick maybe next month.
He is normally a very sweet gentle dog but I have all of the dogs in the house right now they're all in separate rooms heated of course.
The Saran wrap did not work, I had some leakage in the basement which froze and made the floor icy. Then it was trying to drain into the sump pump which was running nothing was moving. So I just took it out of the hole and bailed out what I could and the heaters on down there.
Was up every couple hours running the pipes flushing the toilet etc everything is okay today so far.
Son is at work. I haven't heard from him so hopefully they weren't too busy.
Stove is good. Everybody tended. New dog chewed up part of couch. I'm not real worried cuz I was going to get rid of it in the spring it's very old and nasty. He's over eight months old so he's going into breeding age, I will have to get him neutered pretty quick maybe next month.
He is normally a very sweet gentle dog but I have all of the dogs in the house right now they're all in separate rooms heated of course.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Sciatica is pretty bad. Tylenol is helping. I'm reading everyone's updates!
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
I'll keep everyone updated from here as long as we have power.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Ben doing that for years.
It’s happening here too, dh said we are predicted to get 11 inches, I don’t believe it.
I made coffee last night at midnight just in case, dh had one cup and said it’s too strong, tastes fine to me, but I’m from New Orleans, he’s from Illinois.
So far we have power and internet but I don’t expect that to last.
Stay safe and warm
Since we don’t eat bread or use milk we did not need to go to the store. We have chickens.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We are beginning to see a thin glaze of ice on elevated surfaces here. Our deck is glazed.
I'm thinking, as things progress, I'm going to take some foods that we might need out of the fridge, and put them in a large bowl, and set them outside on the covered part of the deck. Temps aren't supposed to get above freezing for several days. That way, if the power goes out, I won't need to get into the fridge, causing us to have to bump it with the genny. I'm talking about things like sandwich meats, cheeses, mayo, mustard, and butter. I've also pulled some of my freezer meals that I can reheat in a skillet on the wood stove if needed.
I'm thinking, as things progress, I'm going to take some foods that we might need out of the fridge, and put them in a large bowl, and set them outside on the covered part of the deck. Temps aren't supposed to get above freezing for several days. That way, if the power goes out, I won't need to get into the fridge, causing us to have to bump it with the genny. I'm talking about things like sandwich meats, cheeses, mayo, mustard, and butter. I've also pulled some of my freezer meals that I can reheat in a skillet on the wood stove if needed.
patriotgal
Veteran Member
10 deg, wind chill -2. Light dusting of snow, no ice. We are supposed to get slammed tonight.
Computer equip on new power supply. Today I am vacuuming and finishing laundry. I am going to put one of my larger rugs in the kitchen and let the robot vacuum take care of it while I tackle living room the old fashioned way.
Our mail comes up from Little Rock. Got word the mail truck couldn't make it up this morning. No biggie. We don't have anything on order and no bills due for rest of month. Client provides a checking account for my pay to go into. I go online and put it wherever we need it.
Putting chili on to simmer. Will be resting my back after all the vacuuming.
Noticed on neighborhood fb group that someone in the area has volunteered wood for anyone that needs it. He will deliver too. Also noticed one person looking for their dog. This woman keeps getting beautiful blue heelers but they travel far and wide. I had to put one of them down a couple years ago for trying to kill my chickens. She swears she has a boundary fence ordered.
Computer equip on new power supply. Today I am vacuuming and finishing laundry. I am going to put one of my larger rugs in the kitchen and let the robot vacuum take care of it while I tackle living room the old fashioned way.
Our mail comes up from Little Rock. Got word the mail truck couldn't make it up this morning. No biggie. We don't have anything on order and no bills due for rest of month. Client provides a checking account for my pay to go into. I go online and put it wherever we need it.
Putting chili on to simmer. Will be resting my back after all the vacuuming.
Noticed on neighborhood fb group that someone in the area has volunteered wood for anyone that needs it. He will deliver too. Also noticed one person looking for their dog. This woman keeps getting beautiful blue heelers but they travel far and wide. I had to put one of them down a couple years ago for trying to kill my chickens. She swears she has a boundary fence ordered.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We still only have a very thin glaze of ice on elevated surfaces right now, even though, the local radar shows that we should have been getting freezing rain, since 9 am. I guess what's showing on the radar has been evaporating in the higher atmosphere, before it gets down to the surface. We might not get as much as was expected if this keeps up. It's not doing anything right now, even though, the radar is still showing freezing rain is falling.
Shadow
Swift, Silent,...Sleepy
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
Central Iowa weather is quite tame, compared to yours: it's 3 degrees, no breeze, and partly sunny. The roads and sidewalks have a light dusting of snow on them. The garbage trucks, postal service, Amazon, and UPS are out and about.
My furnace vent had tiny bit of ice on it, which I removed. Unless something happens, that will be my only trip outside today. I will stretch and do chair exercises in the living room later. I'm about 1,000 steps away from the week's step quota, which can be done via marching in place. Tomorrow, I might go walking at the mall.
I'm working on various indoor projects, including mending. I really need to make some new shirts and pull-on pants from better fabrics. It's almost time to cut up some of the clothing from Walmart for the rag bag.
My furnace vent had tiny bit of ice on it, which I removed. Unless something happens, that will be my only trip outside today. I will stretch and do chair exercises in the living room later. I'm about 1,000 steps away from the week's step quota, which can be done via marching in place. Tomorrow, I might go walking at the mall.
I'm working on various indoor projects, including mending. I really need to make some new shirts and pull-on pants from better fabrics. It's almost time to cut up some of the clothing from Walmart for the rag bag.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We have about 6 inch long icicles hanging from our roof. No other freezing other than the bit of glaze early this morning. There has been a fine mist falling, but nothing else. Radar is still showing snow and freezing rain, though. It's still evaporating for the most part. We were supposed to be in the "bull's-eye" of this storm, but boy have they missed it. So much for weather forecasting these days. Unless something develops later this afternoon and overnight. This storm will be a nothingburger for us.
Don't get complacent yet! I hope you're right, but the animated forecasts Millwright keeps posting shows ice increasing until Tuesday!
Summerthyme