Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: Jan 4-10

[Digger]

Just getting us started for the week.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Just getting us started for the week.

Good Morning!

Sitting here sipping my coffee and planning out our day. Not much to do, but we don't have home fellowship, today.

It's going to be another spring like day. Sunny skies. We've been seeing robins at the bird feeder.

ps. Not only are we seeing robins, but my buttercups are up and some of my ornamental shrubs are beginning to bloom.

 

[WanderLore]

Up at 4. Got all done by 8 then ran an errand. Back to bed!

 

[nomifyle]

After days and days of having my days and nights mixed up, staying awake all night, I finaly got a good nights sleep last night. I woke up at 7:00 am feeling pretty much normal. Alert and not sleepy at all. I made a half pot of coffee and I'm on my second cup. First cup I put iodine in it, tasted fine, second cup I put coconut milk powder and great lakes collegin in it. I even used it take my morning vitamins, which I had not had in too many days. The coconut powder tastes fine and so does the collegin. If I have a thrid cup I'll add DE to it.

I thought I had a new frother but could not fine one, so I ordered one, pink.

I'm praying this good feeling continues, I'm tired of sleeping all the time.

Evertime I try to cook something for both of us it does not turn out well. And we are seriously tired of frozen dinners.

DH is having a hard time with his sinuses. Little seems to help, although I do have several things I've offered him, personally I can't stand a runny nose.

I got up from my chair and decided to take a shower, too ashamed to say how long its been, but when you are dragging around its tough to get much of anything done.

So maybe being clean helped me sleep all night.

Its cold and gray outside, but I feel sunshine in my heart.

God bless.

 

[etdeb]

After days and days of having my days and nights mixed up, staying awake all night, I finaly got a good nights sleep last night. I woke up at 7:00 am feeling pretty much normal. Alert and not sleepy at all. I made a half pot of coffee and I'm on my second cup. First cup I put iodine in it, tasted fine, second cup I put coconut milk powder and great lakes collegin in it. I even used it take my morning vitamins, which I had not had in too many days. The coconut powder tastes fine and so does the collegin. If I have a thrid cup I'll add DE to it.

I thought I had a new frother but could not fine one, so I ordered one, pink.

I'm praying this good feeling continues, I'm tired of sleeping all the time.

Evertime I try to cook something for both of us it does not turn out well. And we are seriously tired of frozen dinners.

DH is having a hard time with his sinuses. Little seems to help, although I do have several things I've offered him, personally I can't stand a runny nose.

I got up from my chair and decided to take a shower, too ashamed to say how long its been, but when you are dragging around its tough to get much of anything done.

So maybe being clean helped me sleep all night.

Its cold and gray outside, but I feel sunshine in my heart.

God bless.

Do you think Texas Cedar Fever drops would help. The company has a whole line of tinctures for trees, grasses and of course Texas Cedar Fever. This and quercetin with zinc is all I use to prevent allergies for past few years.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Evertime I try to cook something for both of us it does not turn out well. And we are seriously tired of frozen dinners.

I totally get that you're not up to cooking a lot. It's understandable. I was wondering if you have tried the frozen meals at Walmart that you just dump into the crockpot or skillet and cook. It's a meal unto itself. There are other frozen meals that you can just put in the oven and bake, too, like lasagna, chicken alfredo, chicken and rice, etc. I can't remember all of them. Cary won't eat tv dinners at all, but I have cooked some of those frozen meals, and they are quite good. I haven't used any of them in a while, though.

Here is a link to one I'm talking about that you might like

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

 

[patriotgal]

Enjoying my sweet tea in front of fireplace.

Visited nursing home yesterday. Had a bit of a moment when mom was looking at DH as we came down the hall. She did recognize him as we got closer. She says everyone looks different than she remembers. Her brain has reset to years ago and I think that's why she thinks he looks different. I wasn't in his life yet so there is nothing different about me.

There were several empty beds in the unit. We often recognize faces in the obits. One of the old time business owners from the area is now in there. He still dresses sharp. But you can see his mind slipping. Seems like only yesterday his nursery took up a big corner lot and everyone knew him.

Made a grocery run afterwards. Normally do not go to wally world but had to. Ran into several people we knew. DH got to visit with a lot of old friends from the church we got married in. I know DH hates wally world but am thinking we need to get in there occasionally just for the socialization.

Got home at 9 pm but going yesterday means we can rest today. 40 hr work weeks for me have changed a lot of things. Meals are quicker and simpler. Clean laundry basket makes it to the bedroom where we just grab out of the basket as needed. Plan is to cut back to minimum hr around April. Minimum ranges from 15 to 20 hours.

 

[Meemur]

Good morning!

To me, a 40-hour work week when you are older means being tired *all of the time.* My diet and house were absolute messes. I really hated being forced to work into my late 60s. Now, I've got some better survival strategies but it's good to be nearing the end of that. I can relate to being too tired to take showers, but I've managed to keep up with that. I can see working on shorter term projects until I'm 70, but I can't do what I'm doing now. It's too much. Fortunately, I just have to hang on until June.

Today is a good day, though. I went on another group hike and saw eagles! They should be nesting soon and starting their families. I also saw some farmers doing fieldwork: mostly hauling dead trees and branches to the burn piles. It's going to be a good week for that. And winter comes back next week (Friday)! But I will enjoy another bonus week.

 

[kyrsyan]

Good morning.

 

[nomifyle]

I totally get that you're not up to cooking a lot. It's understandable. I was wondering if you have tried the frozen meals at Walmart that you just dump into the crockpot or skillet and cook. It's a meal unto itself. There are other frozen meals that you can just put in the oven and bake, too, like lasagna, chicken alfredo, chicken and rice, etc. I can't remember all of them. Cary won't eat tv dinners at all, but I have cooked some of those frozen meals, and they are quite good. I haven't used any of them in a while, though.

Here is a link to one I'm talking about that you might like

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

Thanks but we are done with frozen meals.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I broke down and got all my mending done, plus, I cleaned out the fridge, washed it good, and put everything back in. I threw several items that were getting old out. The garbage can was full when I was finished, so Cary took it out for me. I forgot that I still had a load of towels in the dryer, so I folded them and put those away. We ate early, tonight, and I just finished up doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. We had leftovers, tonight.

I'm going to get caught up on the news, then watch soccer on tv with Cary. We're binge watching "StarGate Universe" on tv, so that will come later.

 

[moldy]

Got our house and the guest house cleaned, a couple loads of laundry done, and a bunch of Ebay stuff listed. I am just feeling 'off' though. I think I will head to bed early tonight. Just dreading going into work tomorrow.

 

[sssarawolf]

Got the snow fence before we got rained on. Dh did good, For a change I don't really know what's up for the rest of the week.

 

[anna43]

I walked to church this morning. It was 23º and windy so not a real pleasant walk, but hey, it's only half a block. I think we had more at church than I've seen before at a Sunday service. We've had way more at funerals which fortunately have been few the past year. We have a social time between Sunday school and church with snacks. Today a single individual was alone in the kitchen, so I went in to help and then another couple came in and everything got cleaned up quickly. The sinks have new faucets, and it took me a bit to figure them out!

Right now, it's 34º/feels like 14º due to 18 per mile winds. Tomorrow it's supposed to get to 40º, then the rest of the week 46º, 54º, 43º and then Friday 36º with rain/snow.

Tomorrow my plan is to do a pantry/freezer review to make sure I have everything needed on my grocery list. I'm planning to go to town to shop either Tuesday or Wednesday. I've gone longer without shopping and it's such a comfort knowing I'm not out of anything or struggling to put a meal together since my last shop on 11/14. Some vlogs are doing a January pantry challenge which is way different for one old lady than a family with nine children, but still I could easily go the rest of the month and even into March or longer if I was in a SHTF situation. As it is, I get a little nervous and want to restock after a month and a half.

I get you about too tired to shower or accomplish much of anything. As I get older, I'm realizing my energy levels keep shrinking. I've gone to bed too many times without a shower especially in winter although I'm making a real effort to not go below 3 showers a week.

Day four and I've kept up with my therapy exercises and Bible reading. I still need to finish today's reading, but therapy is done. I end up getting pulled into what I'm reading, and a couple days ended up reading an extra chapter or two!

 

[Meemur]

Programming note: I may be a bit scarce online Monday and Tuesday -- I'm fine! I'm working on several home projects and may have helpers to supervise.

 

[WanderLore]

Good morning you all. It's 5:10 and getting coffee. Slept in. Was up at midnight tending stove.
The big warm up starts today!!
Sciatica is still kicking my butt. Have to get the Tylenol in quick soon as I'm up.
After chores, will do a coal run. Can't think of anything else we need. Other than cleaning. Everything is pretty much in need of it.
Scout brings sticks and whatever he is chewing on, onto the back porch and there is still good layer of snow so a mess.
Judy, I'm at one shower a week right now. It's the winter, I'm not going anywhere except the dollar general most of the time. If there is something like family thing, I'll get all cleaned up.
Come the warmer weather, I'll get a shower more often as needed. We do what we can.
I figured keeping the house warm and the animals alive were the top priorities.
More coffee.

 

[WanderLore]

Water softener isn't working. Propane needs filled. Dump run and bags of pop cans. That's on list too.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I shower every other day and take a sponge bath in between. If I have to be somewhere 2 days in a row, I shower both days. I have extremely oily hair, and it has to be washed every other day or it looks like I've poured oil over my hair. For myself, I can't stand dirty oily hair. If my hair feels dirty, I feel dirty all over.

I'm doing laundry. Cary built a fire in the wood stove in my laundry room this morning to knock the chill out, so I'll be hanging the laundry to dry on drying racks this time. I have a new chicken recipe to try, tonight, but I can make it ahead and put it in the fridge, until, tonight, when I'm ready to put it in the oven. I, also, need to finish up with my shopping list, today. Tomorrow is shopping day. I'm still working on using up older food items in the pantry, so not much to get at the grocery store. One pantry item I get almost every time I grocery shop is canned beef broth. I use a lot of it when cooking over the course of a year. I consider it one of the basics.

62 for our high, today, with sunny skies. A cold front is due to come in on Friday bringing with it high winds, severe thunderstorms, and possible tornadoes. A lot can change in our forecast by then, though.

 

[nomifyle]

When I worked i Showered every day, but in retirement I've j0ked "every saturday night whether I needed ir or not). I've tended to normal to dry skin but chemo has seriously dried my skin out. once a week sounds like good goal. We use wipes after bathroom business.

 

[Digger]

I got the roosters canned up.i cooked them in my stew pot, removed the meat, and cooked the bones some more. I divided the meat between 7 quarts. I had broth left, but not a canner full. I pulled some turkey broth from the freezer to go with it. I made 9 pints of broth. It will all be really good food.

I made an appointment with the local ENT about my ear. My hearing is still greatly diminished in my left ear. My appointment is in April.

I called in our medication refills for this month. I should have done it earlier. I am only one day early. I try to refill 5-6 days early. That's how I build our back up supply.

Today is our day with the grandkids. Have a blessed day everyone

 

[spinner]

One pantry item I get almost every time I grocery shop is canned beef broth. I use a lot of it when cooking over the course of a year. I consider it one of the basics.

Have you ever tried Better Than Bouillon"? I use the vegetable flavors and they are really good. They store well and take up less space than cans. I am sure that their beef is just as good as the vegetable. I keep an open jar in the refrigerator and the unopened ones on a shelf. A small jar goes a long way - 1 tsp. = an 8 oz. can.
There are several options for beef including a reduced sodium. Some are not organic.

https://www.vitacost.com/better-than-bouillon-organic-cooking-base

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Have you ever tried Better Than Bouillon"? I use the vegetable flavors and they are really good. They store well and take up less space than cans. I am sure that their beef is just as good as the vegetable. I keep an open jar in the refrigerator and the unopened ones on a shelf. A small jar goes a long way - 1 tsp. = an 8 oz. can.
There are several options for beef including a reduced sodium. Some are not organic.

https://www.vitacost.com/better-than-bouillon-organic-cooking-base

Before I switched to canned beef broth, I bought up a ton of beef bouillon cubes in the large jars at Sam's. One day, I noticed that the cubes had more sodium than the canned version. That's when I switched. So now I have a really big stock of the cubes and canned. I've never tried the Better than Bouillon version before, though. That's something I need to try.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I called in our medication refills for this month. I should have done it earlier. I am only one day early. I try to refill 5-6 days early. That's how I build our back up supply.

I really like our mail prescription service through Express Scripts. Our doctors write us a year's prescription at a time. We get refills from that one prescription every 3 months for a 3 month supply at a time, automatically. Comes right into our mailbox. When we go for our once a year Medicare checkup, all prescriptions for the year are re-written for another year. On one of my prescriptions, I only take a half a dose, so I've built up quite a stock of those.

 

[ginnie6]

Today is a first for me. It's the first day of me being home alone all day. Michael moved out but dh was home on vacation. Ds and Dd are both back at work after the holidays so today will be my new "normal." I Don't have to worry about waking anyone and can walk around in my housecoat all day if I want lol.

It's also day one of back to eating "clean." With dh not here we will eat healthier. He likes to eat healthy as long as its his meat and potatoes and bread lol.

I was up at 6:30 this morning, got my Bible study done and made a couple quilt blocks. Then started on laundry and the kitchen. I need to clean the bedroom and get my laundry put away. Supper tonight is some stew beef and green beans. Dd and I both agreed no cooking until we completely clean the fridge out. I do want to make a pot of pinto beans one night though as I have a ham hock in there.

Spent about an hour on the phone with my sister. It looks like her "delusions" have changed. Instead of her thinking that her dh thinks she's running around on him now someone is trying to break in their enclosed garage. Her dh said it was a false alarm and he saw nothing on the cameras, just that the alarm went off. She couldn't even tell me if was before or after Christmas..... It is SO dang hard watching someone you love be like this. She's younger than me by quite a few years too. There's just no knowing they say though what is causing this. It could be medication, it could be years of seizures, they're quite positive its not Alzheimers or Parkinsons, even though she now has some shaking happening. it just seems like they're not real concerned with finding out why....just keep her alive I guess is the goal.

 

[philkar]

Finishing up lunch break! Planting raspberries today. Have ordered seeds that tolerate drought and heat better than what we have been growing. The great purge continues ! Filing cabinet and spice cabinet completed and a cedar chest. Very freeing to me! Continue to wash a few windows every day.

 

[Meemur]

I'm heating up lunch. I'm trying to keep an eye on the radar. Some sort of storm looks like it's brewing.

I had helpers for a bit. I hope they can come back. I'm trying to get furniture moved around. I'm "resetting" my living room.

Ginnie -- have they checked her for a UTI? Those can frequently cause delusions and other odd symptoms.

 

[anna43]

Monday, I got a lot done although you can't see it. I went through my entire pantry and freezer plus OTC and other miscellaneous items. I quickly realized what I've used in the last six weeks can't even be missed. There are empty spots on shelves and in the freezers but only enough to be useful rather than feeling like I'm missing items. I brought a half dozen jars upstairs to dump, wash and ready to go back down. Reworked my grocery lists for Walmart, Aldi and Fareway and did up dishes to clear the decks for when I bring in my shopping ... I was going to say tomorrow but guess it will be later today.

We're currently under dense fog advisory until 9:00 a.m. I'm not planning to go to town until 10:00 so hopefully the fog will lift by then.

I absolutely loath bouillon but I do use both beef and chicken Better than Bouillon without being freaked out by the salt taste. I generally have my own homemade chicken broth but not beef anymore. I'm seldom buying cans of broth these days because I know that I can use the Better than Bouillon successfully.

 

[connie]

I straightened a bit in my pantry yesterday.
Today I am going through all the Christmas bins for another purge. I did a purge several years ago but now have better idea of what I won't ever use again. Would like to keep most in sunroom cabinets but some will have to go in one bin in storeroom.

 

[ginnie6]

Today is my busy day sigh... going to my friend's to help them set up a new computer, then by a lady's at church. She has a book she wants to give me about sewing and it's too big for her purse. So I told her I'd come get it. They're both on the opposite end of the county from me. Then small group tonight. I'll sleep good tonight because I'll be exhausted from being out all day!
And last night dd and I ended up taking our truck to where dh is at. Oldest ds, who works at same company, his truck broke down and he had to have it towed back to their place. So our truck to the rescue. He'll drive it till he gets his fixed. He got taken on this truck unfortunately. It looks good but it's a piece of crap. I called it a jezebel last night and he got a kick out of that....it might have a new name lol.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

High of 66 degrees, today, but cloudy. Local weatherman said this morning that we may be issued a severe weather statement later on today for Friday. Not only are we expected to get high winds, severe thunderstorms, and possible tornadoes, but flooding rains as well. Then, it turns cold again.

Shopping, today. Groceries, wine shop, meat market, and we have to stop in at the bank, stop in to pay our water bill, and stop in at the tax collector's office to pay our garbage bill. Those 2 have to be paid in person each month. I also have a pick up at the dry cleaners. I'll pick up 2 chef salads from Walmart for our supper, tonight, and dress them up when I get them home. I'll be too exhausted to cook, plus, my back is giving me a bit of trouble. Must be the bad weather in the near future.

Praying everyone has a blessed day.

 

[nomifyle]

Warmer today but cold later in the week, typical for this time of the year.

Got another good nights sleep, have been able to resume all the stuff I’ve added to my coffee except butter have not added that yet

Dh has an appointment at the va, but I’m not going with him, says he feels good

Got the dryer cleaned off, not idea how long it was piled up, but a long time, looks kinda weird cleaned off, lol

 

[school marm]

I've been so swamped the past several months that I haven't been able to check in here much, and I've missed hearing from all of you. But with the holidays passed and winter finally here, I think things will be a tad bit slower for a couple of months.

I was planning to make my seed order yesterday, but checking the inventory for last year reminded me of all the seeds I got for free at the end of last season. Actually, it wasn't even the end of the season. I think it was still July when my Smith's (Kroger) dumped all their veggie seeds in a grocery cart with a free sign on it. It wasn't there when I entered the store, but was there after I checked out. So I got plenty for my family, and plenty to share with friends and customers buying my books. There are only a few things I need, like acorn squash and onions, so it doesn't merit ordering online.

Today will be a quiet day at home. I've got a ton a writing to do.

Hope y'all have a great day.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I've been so swamped the past several months that I haven't been able to check in here much, and I've missed hearing from all of you. But with the holidays passed and winter finally here, I think things will be a tad bit slower for a couple of months.

I was planning to make my seed order yesterday, but checking the inventory for last year reminded me of all the seeds I got for free at the end of last season. Actually, it wasn't even the end of the season. I think it was still July when my Smith's (Kroger) dumped all their veggie seeds in a grocery cart with a free sign on it. It wasn't there when I entered the store, but was there after I checked out. So I got plenty for my family, and plenty to share with friends and customers buying my books. There are only a few things I need, like acorn squash and onions, so it doesn't merit ordering online.

Today will be a quiet day at home. I've got a ton a writing to do.

Hope y'all have a great day.

It's so good to hear from you!

We still have enough seeds from last year's order to plant whatever we want. Some plants, we buy at our local nursery/greenhouse, too.

 

[anna43]

Reminds me I need to go back to the basement and do a seed inventory. I know I need a few but since I'm cutting my garden way back, I'll need to decide what I will still be planting before making a list. Also reminds me I want to call the Extension Service and ask questions as to why my carrots were not sweet. I'm sure it's a soil issue but what I don't know.

 

[Meemur]

Anna, here's what Google AI says. I know that my fall carrots and tomatoes are generally sweeter than the early ones.

Common Reasons for Lack of Sweetness:

• Harvest Timing: Carrots are sweetest when harvested in cool weather, often after a light frost, which converts starches to sugars. Picking too early (before sugar development) or leaving them too long (turning woody) reduces sweetness.
• Growing Stress: Heat, drought, or poor soil nutrients stress carrots, causing them to produce bitter-tasting terpenoids as a defense mechanism.
• Variety: Some carrot varieties are naturally sweeter or better suited to certain climates than others.
• Storage Issues: Storing carrots near ethylene-producing fruits (like apples, tomatoes, avocados) can trigger bitterness.
• Soil Conditions: Fresh manure or rocky soil can cause poor flavor or forked roots, impacting overall quality.

 

[Meemur]

I'm heating up some homemade chicken soup and some ham for a hot sandwich. It's still foggy over here, but I went to the next town over and picked up new wiper blade refills and some other car stuff. It's supposed to be in the 50s tomorrow, so it'll be an outside day, and I'll do some things to the car that didn't get done in October.

My living room is half complete. My present problem is a dead recliner. I've fixed the foot rest mechanism several times now. It broke again at Christmas, and the lift lever broke several days ago. I'm going to make one more effort to find a free to low-cost lever. If I can't, it's going to the dump. It was not expensive, but I wasn't going to replace furniture this year. Maybe I'll run into a free or nearly free replacement. I dislike broken furniture to no end! I can cover ugly stuff with a topper, but it needs to work.

 

[patriotgal]

3 hour break mid-day. Showered. Changed linens and bath towels out. Washer going. Made a nice hot lunch with enough leftovers for a hot supper tonight.

Interesting conversation with a retired rn while working today. She said the average woman over the age of 60 is on at least 6 and often 9 prescriptions! Very thankful for my health.

Had several discussions on how hard it can be to get brand name synthroid. It isn't a controlled substance but ask for it to be filled a couple days early and it's like you are committing a crime. Think I will ask chatgpt about it later. My brief skirmishes with men from India leave me even more in favor of them exiting our country.

 

[Meemur]

She said the average woman over the age of 60 is on at least 6 and often 9 prescriptions!

This is known as the "senior plan," and why I fired my last doctor. I'm sure he was getting kick-backs.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We're back from our shopping trip, and I am so tired. I'm glad I picked up those salads for our supper, tonight. I just put on some eggs to boil to go in them, later. Everything went smoothly in all the places we went. Not too much of a crowd, but I was hoping there would be less people. We don't want to catch the flu that's going around. We're stocked up on medical supplies in case we do.

I decided to buy some "Better than Bouillon", today, to give it a try. I don't have a lot canned chicken broth, so I bought the chicken flavor. I don't use chicken broth very much, so I don't keep a lot in stock.

I just checked our weather and the Storm Prediction Center has put us in a high risk for severe weather, Friday afternoon. They will issue more specific details tomorrow morning. It's 69 degrees outside right now. It's so humid the front porch is sweating, heavily.

We'll just rest the rest of the day.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

She said the average woman over the age of 60 is on at least 6 and often 9 prescriptions!

I guess I'm not average then. I take 2 prescription drugs every day. My blood pressure med and my muscle relaxer at night, before bedtime. The rest are vitamins and supplements. Only if my Lupus flares up, I take prednisone.