WanderLore
Veteran Member
Hope I did this right.
Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: March 1 to March 7, 2026
- Thread starter WanderLore
- Start date
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Sunday to next Saturday.
Cary and Sheree check in when able so we know you guys are ok.
Cary and Sheree check in when able so we know you guys are ok.
You did a great job! I thought about Cary and Sheree the minute I heard they bombed Iran and I hope they decided to stay and enjoy their vacation.
DH has been monitoring it for a while now. We went to town for our weekly shopping trip yesterday evening and forgot to get gas...he's sure it's going up. We missed going last week because our granddaughter was sick so they were happy to get to eat at McD's.
We looked at the fencing to do our garden while we were in town. I'd already looked and priced everything but when DH saw the woven stuffed he decided to upgrade from the welded but I'm going to have to downgrade the height. I started at 6', renegotiated to 5' and now I'm at 4'. The price of the woven at 5' would be a couple hundred more and there really is no justification for it except for me mentally feeling safer. The guy coming at me in the garden last year, even though he turned out to be a new neighbor needing directions, left a mark. I realized one thing, being armed is no guarantee of safety. Things can happen real quick. My grandson was my first concern. He was still a little boy but this year, he's had a massive growing spurt and he's almost six feet tall and his voice is changing.
DH has been monitoring it for a while now. We went to town for our weekly shopping trip yesterday evening and forgot to get gas...he's sure it's going up. We missed going last week because our granddaughter was sick so they were happy to get to eat at McD's.
We looked at the fencing to do our garden while we were in town. I'd already looked and priced everything but when DH saw the woven stuffed he decided to upgrade from the welded but I'm going to have to downgrade the height. I started at 6', renegotiated to 5' and now I'm at 4'. The price of the woven at 5' would be a couple hundred more and there really is no justification for it except for me mentally feeling safer. The guy coming at me in the garden last year, even though he turned out to be a new neighbor needing directions, left a mark. I realized one thing, being armed is no guarantee of safety. Things can happen real quick. My grandson was my first concern. He was still a little boy but this year, he's had a massive growing spurt and he's almost six feet tall and his voice is changing.
patriotgal
Veteran Member
May color my hair today. I mix Epsom salts into the color, a trick my last hair stylist gave me. When he colored my hair there was never any burning, itching, etc. He would get a mixing bowl out and start stirring. When my daughter got married in Vegas she and I won enough on a slot game to get our hair and nails done at the hotel. The Russian guy doing my hair was great. He echoed the addition of Epsom salt to put back in what hair color was taking out. He also told me to leave the coloring on 2x as long as directions read.
My dad went gray overnight when his dad died. Dad died at 60 from farmer's lung. My mom died a year later because of his death. Dad's parents lived to their 80s. Mom's dad died at 60 due to an aneurysm. Mom's mom died at 71 also from an aneurysm. DHs dad died in his 80s from heart attack. Several years earlier he was the one who found their only daughter dead. That event took the life out of both of them. She is almost 90. Her maternal relatives all lived into their late 80s.
My dad went gray overnight when his dad died. Dad died at 60 from farmer's lung. My mom died a year later because of his death. Dad's parents lived to their 80s. Mom's dad died at 60 due to an aneurysm. Mom's mom died at 71 also from an aneurysm. DHs dad died in his 80s from heart attack. Several years earlier he was the one who found their only daughter dead. That event took the life out of both of them. She is almost 90. Her maternal relatives all lived into their late 80s.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
That's awful! What a horrible thing for any parent to go through.
My two youngest grandsons are way up there now. 13 and 11. Holy cow. Tower over me now.
I always have a dog or 5 with me in and outside. They are my early warning system. But we have a very long driveway on a dirt road with no neighbors for half mile either side.
We will have the dogs when we go travel too.
Hopefully Sheree will check in with us.
My two youngest grandsons are way up there now. 13 and 11. Holy cow. Tower over me now.
I always have a dog or 5 with me in and outside. They are my early warning system. But we have a very long driveway on a dirt road with no neighbors for half mile either side.
We will have the dogs when we go travel too.
Hopefully Sheree will check in with us.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
Ugh! Started my taxes and applied for social security today. My head hurts. But they're both underway.
I spent far too long trying to get the online self-serve verification crap to work for my s. s. I guess I'll have to go to
an s. s. office or post office to verify my identity. It was much too hard: both my phone and computer kept
timing out. I don't think that system is set up to work with our slow speeds out here.
I'll see what happens next. I think one of the local s. s. offices will send me a code that I have to take somewhere, like a selected post office or make an appointment there and show them a bunch of ID.
I've got a small steak on the grill. I earned it today!
I spent far too long trying to get the online self-serve verification crap to work for my s. s. I guess I'll have to go to
an s. s. office or post office to verify my identity. It was much too hard: both my phone and computer kept
timing out. I don't think that system is set up to work with our slow speeds out here.
I'll see what happens next. I think one of the local s. s. offices will send me a code that I have to take somewhere, like a selected post office or make an appointment there and show them a bunch of ID.
I've got a small steak on the grill. I earned it today!
We did ours over the phone with a live person on the other end...we made an appt. for the call during the COVID lockdown. She was super nice and enrolled us both at the same time. There was a discrepency with DH's age and has been since we were young. They had him at a year younger so we had to mail his original birth certificate and they mailed it back. I was very uncomfortable doing that but they didn't even have a drop box or wouldn't use it...mail was the only way.
I honestly think DH made an error when he applied for his SS card and he put the wrong year on the application and that started the troubles...JMHO. At the time we could get our driver's license at 15 in Mississippi and we may have had to have a SS card...not sure but we all got them young back then so that must have been the case.
My grandson towers over me too at 14. I just realized today my ten year old granddaughter is about 1/4" taller than me. I looked at her and couldn't believe I'm that short lol. She weighs 115 and she is not fat. I was only 105 until my boys were about half grown. I've always known I'm short but must have had a distorted image of myself being taller than I thought.
Edited to add...my dogs are all old and this is the calmest bunch we've ever had. I'm in the market for some younger, more protective dogs but I've go to wait. I can't deal with more dog hair than I've already got from these three, sometimes four when we force the black lab inside.
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When we need to make a change in our ss....I just call the local office and make an appointment....be sure take proof any/all name changes...was married before...so i took my birth certificate, marriage license, divorce papers....and my current marriage license....all certified copies..with raised seals....they felt for those seals... plus my drivers license...and my social security card
When we applied for our passport and passport card..we went to the little post office..near us. .with all the same documents and allied there...
I started first grade at 5 years old because the school did not have kindergarten. When I was in high school at a different school, someone changed my records making me a year older. I didn't know until I was at my first job and due to the discrepancy, I had to bring in my birth certificate. Fast forward MANY years, when I needed a certified copy of my birth certificate for my SS application, I ordered it from the county where I was born. Ironically, the county records had a mistake showing the prior year in their records. They called and told me they had forwarded my application to the State because the State records were correct. With the two mistakes, I could have retired a year earlier. 
When I was a senior I knew I was the youngest in the class but someone else was named youngest and I didn't care enough to complain. I hated every minute of my last three years of high school in that horrid school and only wanted to be gone.
Went to a community group's music program this afternoon. It was great. So much talent. All were good but there were several who were beyond excellent. An interesting selection of music all of which I enjoyed.
Meemur, if you can call the local SS office and get an appointment that would be best. Most do not take walk-ins anymore. Things have changed so much since my dh applied for disability. We walked into the SS office in 2001, and the two clerks basically filled out the application, had him sign medical releases, the application and submitted it. It's way different these days. I took a friend a while back and they gave her a Web address to do her application. Different office, same city, when I applied for SS, called for appointment and they told me what I needed to bring with me ... that was in 2009 ... appointment was quick since I had all they needed. Now they'd probably tell me to do it online!! I worked for an attorney at the time, and we had a direct number to the local SS office which probably helped. Not sure they even answer phones these days.
No snow here today although I see that areas in central/south part of the State did get snow. Currently 28º/feels like 11º and cloudy. Computer weather is showing cloudy every day this week
with rain on Friday. Temps a bit warmer each day 39º high tomorrow to 63º on Friday.
When I was a senior I knew I was the youngest in the class but someone else was named youngest and I didn't care enough to complain. I hated every minute of my last three years of high school in that horrid school and only wanted to be gone.Went to a community group's music program this afternoon. It was great. So much talent. All were good but there were several who were beyond excellent. An interesting selection of music all of which I enjoyed.
Meemur, if you can call the local SS office and get an appointment that would be best. Most do not take walk-ins anymore. Things have changed so much since my dh applied for disability. We walked into the SS office in 2001, and the two clerks basically filled out the application, had him sign medical releases, the application and submitted it. It's way different these days. I took a friend a while back and they gave her a Web address to do her application. Different office, same city, when I applied for SS, called for appointment and they told me what I needed to bring with me ... that was in 2009 ... appointment was quick since I had all they needed. Now they'd probably tell me to do it online!! I worked for an attorney at the time, and we had a direct number to the local SS office which probably helped. Not sure they even answer phones these days.
No snow here today although I see that areas in central/south part of the State did get snow. Currently 28º/feels like 11º and cloudy. Computer weather is showing cloudy every day this week
with rain on Friday. Temps a bit warmer each day 39º high tomorrow to 63º on Friday.WanderLore
Veteran Member
Dog hair oh man don't get me started. I spend 3 hours today cleaning the house. Regular vac, shop vac. Mop.
When I filed for SS spousal, I made appt online and got a letter saying what to bring. I had to go to two different towns 50 miles apart to get a raised seal on our marriage license, then a copy of my divorce decree from 1997.
Appt was quick in bigger city. When I filed for survivor benefits, it was a phone call and a fax. Lady at library helped me with what form to print and fax. Lot of work but it went well with no hitches.
My twin sis however had quite a time in NC. They would only give her early morning appt, which she couldn't get to because of her son who is medically fragile. Finally, after she faxed doc notes etc, they let her do it by phone.
When I filed for SS spousal, I made appt online and got a letter saying what to bring. I had to go to two different towns 50 miles apart to get a raised seal on our marriage license, then a copy of my divorce decree from 1997.
Appt was quick in bigger city. When I filed for survivor benefits, it was a phone call and a fax. Lady at library helped me with what form to print and fax. Lot of work but it went well with no hitches.
My twin sis however had quite a time in NC. They would only give her early morning appt, which she couldn't get to because of her son who is medically fragile. Finally, after she faxed doc notes etc, they let her do it by phone.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Looks like at least another month of heating with coal. Even into April.
In a week, next Sunday, I'll have 26 years sobriety. Go that week and pick up token.
In a week, next Sunday, I'll have 26 years sobriety. Go that week and pick up token.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Have received a little over an inch of rain so far today. More to come. At least the winter weather advisory is to the north of Kansas City and we are south.
I really feel like crap today, likely from the weather. I wish I had some pain meds, but don't and can no longer take OTC pain meds due to kidneys. I'll live, but it sure isn't fun.
I hope everyone stays safe. We have a shot at severe weather on Friday if things don't change. It is March after all. I miss being able to storm chase. Haven't been able to do that regularly since 1995.
I really feel like crap today, likely from the weather. I wish I had some pain meds, but don't and can no longer take OTC pain meds due to kidneys. I'll live, but it sure isn't fun.
I hope everyone stays safe. We have a shot at severe weather on Friday if things don't change. It is March after all. I miss being able to storm chase. Haven't been able to do that regularly since 1995.
Congratulations on your 26 years of sobriety. That is something worthy of respect and you have mine.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
I took a short nap and then finished the taxes. I'm sure not happy with the numbers, but at least that's done.
Those of you who were able to do your s.s. over the phone, very cool! I don't hear that well on my phone, plus
it cuts in and out. I'm not in a good reception area.
But from what I'm hearing, s.s. mails a bar code (?) Maybe a QR code (?) and then I take that with some forms of ID (probably DL and passport, for me) and go verify my identity. I'm guessing it'll be the PO in Ankeny because they do all of the passports and such. That would be fine: it's not far and there's a huge parking lot. Having to go into downtown DSM would be another story. I hope I don't have to do that.
But I'll roll with it. I'm happy to have both projects mostly behind me. I've been dreading them. I don't have a lot of patience with details right now, plus it seems like every time I turn around, some government office wants more money from me.
And congrats from me, WanderLore! You've been dragged to Hell and back several times and manged to stay sober. That's truly awesome!
Those of you who were able to do your s.s. over the phone, very cool! I don't hear that well on my phone, plus
it cuts in and out. I'm not in a good reception area.
But from what I'm hearing, s.s. mails a bar code (?) Maybe a QR code (?) and then I take that with some forms of ID (probably DL and passport, for me) and go verify my identity. I'm guessing it'll be the PO in Ankeny because they do all of the passports and such. That would be fine: it's not far and there's a huge parking lot. Having to go into downtown DSM would be another story. I hope I don't have to do that.
But I'll roll with it. I'm happy to have both projects mostly behind me. I've been dreading them. I don't have a lot of patience with details right now, plus it seems like every time I turn around, some government office wants more money from me.
And congrats from me, WanderLore! You've been dragged to Hell and back several times and manged to stay sober. That's truly awesome!
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I went with DH....when filed for his social security..I took all his papers and my papers.... because I had all our papers...she also found more money a month for me...so i got money that we didn't know i was eligible for..I would have not know if he had filed on line....they have the 800 number but if you look up local offices on their website...you can find the direct number for the local office...i saved it and have ours in our address book...in case we want to change a bank account or such...we could do it on the phone but we need to have an on line account or go in person..just more security for your account..
Agreed. The girl who walked us through it on the phone couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. I was terrified of doing something wrong that couldn't be undone. It was such a stressful time for us. The barn had just burned and our lives changed overnight. We hadn't planned to file for four or five more years but DH's job had just gone up in smoke, literally. We were thankful for any kindness.
That was why we went to the little local post office in is a tiny old country post office... to apply for our passports and passport cards...when had so many illegals coming in we figured..it was best to get them..the card is cool the size of a driver's license and proves citizenship...so much easier that dragging our the papers around ..and they fit in our wallets...easy..the post mistress could take the pictures...we had all our documents with us..and filled out the application right there...she verified all our documents...signed off on our applications...and sent them...we didn't have to mail our documents off...the idea mailing them made me very nervous ...
Now I am very glad we did....Trump wants to have the banks verify all bank accounts...he hasn't done it yet...you must have a social security number to open a bank account....only citizens and legal immigrants green cards can legally have social security numbers...
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
I'm glad that you both had good experiences! I'm anticipating that it will be a total pain in the behind, but my fingers are crossed.
Added: I'm planning on traveling to Canada, at least, and they're requiring a passport, so I'm set there. When I lived in Michigan, all we needed was a DL to visit but that was well before 9/11 and all the added security crap.
Added: I'm planning on traveling to Canada, at least, and they're requiring a passport, so I'm set there. When I lived in Michigan, all we needed was a DL to visit but that was well before 9/11 and all the added security crap.
feralferret
Veteran Member
The extra identity verification requirements are for accessing the Social Security website for being able to handle your account there. I had to do the take the printed email to the post office with the required ID when they changed the login requirements last year. My wife still needs to get setup to comply with the new requirements.
Got a little over an inch of rain before it stopped. More rain starting around 10 PM tonight (Monday). Body is easing up some since the barometer started going back up. Going to bed shortly.
Got a little over an inch of rain before it stopped. More rain starting around 10 PM tonight (Monday). Body is easing up some since the barometer started going back up. Going to bed shortly.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
We are home. We had a safe trip there and back, and a great time while we were there. Lots of fun, but very tiring. It's going to take us a week to rest up from the vacation, LOL. When we got home last night, all we wanted to do was go to bed. I had a glass of wine, and to bed I went. Cary got caught up on all the news, before he went. No, the war didn't distract us at all from having a great time. DS got up to the minute news alerts on his phone the whole time. Each night, once we got back to our hotel room, we turned on the tv to watch and get caught up on the latest, too.
I've got a ton of things to do, today. Tomorrow, we have to take Mom back to see her cardiologist, and Wednesday, we have shopping to do. Busy week for us.
Today's high of 76. Same for tomorrow, then low 80's the rest of the week! No rain in the forecast.
I've got a ton of things to do, today. Tomorrow, we have to take Mom back to see her cardiologist, and Wednesday, we have shopping to do. Busy week for us.
Today's high of 76. Same for tomorrow, then low 80's the rest of the week! No rain in the forecast.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Very good to hear Sheree! My Grandma always said a vacation makes you glad twice. When you leave and when you get back.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
So true. We hit the floor running each morning at 5 am, and it was close to midnight when we returned to our hotel room each night! Gatlinburg sure had grown, since we were there last. Much more to see and do. It was non-stop each day. Needless to say, I wasn't able to stick to my eating plan, either. The temptation was just too much. Food everywhere! I'm not looking forward to my body paying for it, but I'll manage.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
Glad that you made it back safely, SB! Drink lottsa water! It'll help wash out the bad stuff.
It's March, and my yard looks like it: little drifts of melting snow, piles of leaves, and mud everywhere. One of my garden buddies thinks we'll be planting potatoes in the raised beds in about two weeks.
I have my doubts! (I don't think soil temps will hit 45+ and remain constant by then, but I've been wrong before.)
It's March, and my yard looks like it: little drifts of melting snow, piles of leaves, and mud everywhere. One of my garden buddies thinks we'll be planting potatoes in the raised beds in about two weeks.
I have my doubts! (I don't think soil temps will hit 45+ and remain constant by then, but I've been wrong before.)
When we were applying for our book passport...it was only $30 additional to include the passport card...it is good for 10 years same as the book passport..so it seemed like a bargain to have a second wallet sized picture ID especially one that proves citizenship for just $3 per year..plus it is easier to carry around for ID purposes than the book style..
After 4 years of buyden's open borders I am very happy we have it..
I personally hope the SAVE act passes..I have no problem proving my right to vote..or if it becomes necessary proving my right to have a bank account..
If it helps to stop all the fraud...I am for it...
I'm scheduled to see Wolfe Clinic for testing and surgery on cataract on my left eye. I had the right eye done 8 or so years back. Two years ago, I was tested and the doctor said I should wait. I wish I hadn't waited because even though I'm still testing okay on vision the blurry part is getting to me. At least I passed my driving eye test even though I could not read the last 4 items on the far right. The whole thing was blurry which probably indicates something is off on their machine because I did fine at the eye doctor a couple weeks earlier.
I decided to use broth I'd made last week for chicken/veggie soup today. I started with medium size crockpot but the broth alone filled it so I switched to the larger crockpot and filled it to the top. I had it for supper, froze a quart and have about a gallon in the fridge. I'll probably freeze another quart of it. Made muffins to go with it for supper. I'd been cold all day and the soup warmed me up nicely.
Four of the pepper pods I planted have plants up all the small peppers. None of the large pepper have germinated as yet. The green pepper seed was questionable and undated but the red, yellow and orange seeds should have been viable. Even if the larger peppers germinate in the next couple of days, they are still going to be behind the small ones which means two different dates for each transplanting.
All the cookies I took to church Sunday were gone almost instantly. There were 4 dozen, but we ended up with 106 people at church that day. The Sunday before I think we only had about half that number. I'd thought since it was the first Sunday of the month there would be birthday cake for all the March birthdays, but there wasn't. Even if I'd made second and third batches it would not have been enough!!
I decided to use broth I'd made last week for chicken/veggie soup today. I started with medium size crockpot but the broth alone filled it so I switched to the larger crockpot and filled it to the top. I had it for supper, froze a quart and have about a gallon in the fridge. I'll probably freeze another quart of it. Made muffins to go with it for supper. I'd been cold all day and the soup warmed me up nicely.
Four of the pepper pods I planted have plants up all the small peppers. None of the large pepper have germinated as yet. The green pepper seed was questionable and undated but the red, yellow and orange seeds should have been viable. Even if the larger peppers germinate in the next couple of days, they are still going to be behind the small ones which means two different dates for each transplanting.
All the cookies I took to church Sunday were gone almost instantly. There were 4 dozen, but we ended up with 106 people at church that day. The Sunday before I think we only had about half that number. I'd thought since it was the first Sunday of the month there would be birthday cake for all the March birthdays, but there wasn't. Even if I'd made second and third batches it would not have been enough!!
I just took six iron corn stick pans out of the oven. They are all old and were in a mess. I took them down to the original finish and reseasoned all of them today. I'm keeping two, a Wagner Ware and a Griswold mini. I'm giving my oldest son another Wagner Ware and selling the three others. They are all nice but you can tell the Wagner Ware metal is just a cut above...makes the most beautiful finish. I'm debating giving the others another layer of seasoning. My DIL (different son) got my mother's wedge shape iron cornbread pans but I'll offer her one of the three extras if she wants it to hang in her little farmhouse kitchen.
I've also dug out all the old kerosene lamps...the ones I'm keeping, the ones I'm gifting and the ones I plan to sell...eighteen in all. Four are family heirlooms from my family...I'll keep one and gift the other three. Three others were gifts from my MIL but one is brass and only good for parts.
Of the other eleven, I'm keeping two of those that I bought for myself and I let my DIL pick two. She chose a simple one in good working order and a small clear glass hobnail one that I put an electric adapter on and filled the bottom where the kerosene would go with vintage marbles and made sure it got a nice looking chimney. She was over the moon. Oldest son and his wife passed because their house is full too.
I've had so much fun restoring those lamps this week. I had extra parts and pieces and found several chimneys in my work room. I need to buy four chimneys and have already ordered three new burners. I will end up with seven to sell, four will go to the booth this week and the other three when those burners get here. I found another base but will wait and see what all I end up with before I do anything with it. It needs a lot of cleaning. I'm also selling my railroad lamp so it will go this week too.
All of this isn't a result of hoarding, it's a result of having an antique booth and loving to pick. Most things that just need a little clean or polish, I take right on up and others like the lamps and cast iron often need a bit more elbow grease or parts. It's not that I haven't been working on them. I've probably got three or four lamps already in my booth but a large collection of anything like that displayed together catches the eye. The cast iron goes pretty quick since I always give it a nice finish.
A few weeks ago, I collected all the rub boards that needed waxed or patched in some way and got them fixed up. There is something about a hand rubbed beeswax finish on an old well loved and used rub board that makes my heart happy.
I've also dug out all the old kerosene lamps...the ones I'm keeping, the ones I'm gifting and the ones I plan to sell...eighteen in all. Four are family heirlooms from my family...I'll keep one and gift the other three. Three others were gifts from my MIL but one is brass and only good for parts.
Of the other eleven, I'm keeping two of those that I bought for myself and I let my DIL pick two. She chose a simple one in good working order and a small clear glass hobnail one that I put an electric adapter on and filled the bottom where the kerosene would go with vintage marbles and made sure it got a nice looking chimney. She was over the moon. Oldest son and his wife passed because their house is full too.
I've had so much fun restoring those lamps this week. I had extra parts and pieces and found several chimneys in my work room. I need to buy four chimneys and have already ordered three new burners. I will end up with seven to sell, four will go to the booth this week and the other three when those burners get here. I found another base but will wait and see what all I end up with before I do anything with it. It needs a lot of cleaning. I'm also selling my railroad lamp so it will go this week too.
All of this isn't a result of hoarding, it's a result of having an antique booth and loving to pick. Most things that just need a little clean or polish, I take right on up and others like the lamps and cast iron often need a bit more elbow grease or parts. It's not that I haven't been working on them. I've probably got three or four lamps already in my booth but a large collection of anything like that displayed together catches the eye. The cast iron goes pretty quick since I always give it a nice finish.
A few weeks ago, I collected all the rub boards that needed waxed or patched in some way and got them fixed up. There is something about a hand rubbed beeswax finish on an old well loved and used rub board that makes my heart happy.
feralferret
Veteran Member
My Wagner Ware iron skillets have always been my favorites. The others are good but not as high quality as the Wagner Ware. Between my wife and I we have eight or nine iron skillets of various sizes plus a dutch oven. I still have the one my mother gave me when I first moved out of their house over 50 years ago. I also have several I inherited when my parents passed.
SouthernBreeze
TB Fanatic
I have my paternal grandmother's old cast iron corn stick pan, and my maternal grandmother's cast iron wedge cornbread skillet. Plus, I have a whole big collection of cast iron cookware. Some, I bought for myself, and some that I got from Cary's mom and my mom.
While on our way to Gatlinburg, we passed by the Lodge Cast Iron Works and decided to stop. The factory where all their cast iron (everything) was made, and they also had a store where you could buy any kind of cast iron stuff one would ever want. It was amazing. We ate breakfast there in their restaurant. Everything was cooked and served in cast iron. It was a fun stop. I bought a silicon mat that you place in an enameled cast iron Dutch oven that has 2 tabs on each side for baking bread. It's round that goes in the bottom of the oven, and the 2 tabs are for lifting the bread out with. I didn't know they made anything like that just for use in Dutch ovens. Saves having to use parchment paper.
Another beautiful day, today. 76 and sunny skies. We will be gone, again, taking Mom for her doctor visit. I know she will want to take us out for lunch, and Cary wants to stop in at the huge farm and ranch store while in town. I might venture on over to Home Goods, too. Mom had said something about stopping in there. Mom ordered a big basket of assorted scent homemade goat milk soap, and I need to go through that when we take her home to pick out what I want. She ordered enough for the both of us. She has a good friend that makes it and sells it in her little country store.
While on our way to Gatlinburg, we passed by the Lodge Cast Iron Works and decided to stop. The factory where all their cast iron (everything) was made, and they also had a store where you could buy any kind of cast iron stuff one would ever want. It was amazing. We ate breakfast there in their restaurant. Everything was cooked and served in cast iron. It was a fun stop. I bought a silicon mat that you place in an enameled cast iron Dutch oven that has 2 tabs on each side for baking bread. It's round that goes in the bottom of the oven, and the 2 tabs are for lifting the bread out with. I didn't know they made anything like that just for use in Dutch ovens. Saves having to use parchment paper.
Another beautiful day, today. 76 and sunny skies. We will be gone, again, taking Mom for her doctor visit. I know she will want to take us out for lunch, and Cary wants to stop in at the huge farm and ranch store while in town. I might venture on over to Home Goods, too. Mom had said something about stopping in there. Mom ordered a big basket of assorted scent homemade goat milk soap, and I need to go through that when we take her home to pick out what I want. She ordered enough for the both of us. She has a good friend that makes it and sells it in her little country store.
patriotgal
Veteran Member
I think kerosene lamps are breeding here, lol. I like the idea of outfitting one to be electric. I have a DGD who takes her dau, hubby, and service dog to visit MIL at nursing home. Aside from DH and I, they are the only family members who visit. I have a special one of MILS kerosene lamps to give her. I will also be gifting her other things as we go through the house.
I love my cast iron but some of it, especially the big camping one I have always used to fry huge batches of chicken, is just getting too heavy.
Taxes and paperwork tomorrow while it rains.
Today we continue at inlaws. Yesterday I taped off a room with 3 doors and 2 windows so DH could paint. I can't get down on the floor but I can easily bend over and do the taping. I took apart a side table, 2 cheap, old dressers and a desk. I saved all hardware and screws for the Grand then carried pieces to the burn pile. It had just rained and the ground was wet. Raked a good area around pile and burned everything. Burning over there is tricky because they have a lot of hay-like grass. It would be very easy to set the whole area on fire, especially with all the leaves down right now.
Calling the nursing home to see if they can use 25 cases of new adult briefs. Insurance sent far too many to inlaws. If nursing home can't take them I will leave them at Goodwill. Doing that first thing so they will be out of our way. Also sending FILs clothing to nursing home.
FIL was a smoker and his smoking room took a good amount of Kilz followed by a paint made for such areas. Room looks and smells great now. Utility room and hall today, walls and ceilings. I will empty master closet while DH paints.
I love my cast iron but some of it, especially the big camping one I have always used to fry huge batches of chicken, is just getting too heavy.
Taxes and paperwork tomorrow while it rains.
Today we continue at inlaws. Yesterday I taped off a room with 3 doors and 2 windows so DH could paint. I can't get down on the floor but I can easily bend over and do the taping. I took apart a side table, 2 cheap, old dressers and a desk. I saved all hardware and screws for the Grand then carried pieces to the burn pile. It had just rained and the ground was wet. Raked a good area around pile and burned everything. Burning over there is tricky because they have a lot of hay-like grass. It would be very easy to set the whole area on fire, especially with all the leaves down right now.
Calling the nursing home to see if they can use 25 cases of new adult briefs. Insurance sent far too many to inlaws. If nursing home can't take them I will leave them at Goodwill. Doing that first thing so they will be out of our way. Also sending FILs clothing to nursing home.
FIL was a smoker and his smoking room took a good amount of Kilz followed by a paint made for such areas. Room looks and smells great now. Utility room and hall today, walls and ceilings. I will empty master closet while DH paints.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
It's 38 and rainy here. I got in a short walk around the town square before it started raining too hard. The good part: the rain will wash away the rest of the snow drifts along the trails, so those won't keep melting and re-freezing. That's what makes the trails dangerous at this time of the year.
The weather guessers are calling for 71 degrees on Monday. If it does get that warm, I'll be watching for tornadoes. I would like it to stay in the 40s and 50s for the next six weeks, but that probably won't happen. That would be more of a traditional spring.
The weather guessers are calling for 71 degrees on Monday. If it does get that warm, I'll be watching for tornadoes. I would like it to stay in the 40s and 50s for the next six weeks, but that probably won't happen. That would be more of a traditional spring.
I harvested a Tom Turkey that I raised last year. I just skinned it and cut the meat off the bone. I saved the breast and leg meat. I ground half and will grind the other half today or Thursday. The first half weighed 14 1/2 pounds. I took 7 pounds to our daughter and froze the other half. I will give our son some, and my good friend too. I looked up the price of ground turkey. It's more expensive than I thought. After harvesting the Tom that couldn't breed naturally, I was able to separate my Bourbon Red boys that kept fighting. I moved 2 white hens into the other pen too. Now I have a Bourbon Red pen and a pen that has a Bourbon Red Tom and 3 meat breed hens. The white hens are laying. I have to start my incubator.
Our dr opened another clinic. His other one was full so he and one of the female drs. Moved to the new clinic while the other drs are still at the old one. We called for an appointment and got no answer. Since we were in town and had a few minutes, we just stopped in. The receptionist was some one I knew from a different business. Turns out she is the sister of the dr that owns the clinic. She got us right in to see her brother before he went to lunch. Hubby had fallen last week and has a nasty bruise on his thigh. I was fairly certain it was ok but it's still very painful. But the dr said it was fine. He saw me about this upper respiratory thing I have had for months. My tonsil is a bit swollen on the side that my hearing is affected. And I have indications of a sinus infection. He gave me antibiotics. Hopefully, I will finally get rid of this. The enlarged tonsil maybe what is keeping my inner ear from draining. I hope the antibiotics take care of both problems.
Our main chore today is cleaning the gutters. It has to be done before the rain tomorrow. The last time it rained hard, the front ones ran over. There must be some leaves in them. Hubby has to clean them from the roof. At least the porch roof is not as steep. I can do the back from the ladder.
Have a good day everyone
Our dr opened another clinic. His other one was full so he and one of the female drs. Moved to the new clinic while the other drs are still at the old one. We called for an appointment and got no answer. Since we were in town and had a few minutes, we just stopped in. The receptionist was some one I knew from a different business. Turns out she is the sister of the dr that owns the clinic. She got us right in to see her brother before he went to lunch. Hubby had fallen last week and has a nasty bruise on his thigh. I was fairly certain it was ok but it's still very painful. But the dr said it was fine. He saw me about this upper respiratory thing I have had for months. My tonsil is a bit swollen on the side that my hearing is affected. And I have indications of a sinus infection. He gave me antibiotics. Hopefully, I will finally get rid of this. The enlarged tonsil maybe what is keeping my inner ear from draining. I hope the antibiotics take care of both problems.
Our main chore today is cleaning the gutters. It has to be done before the rain tomorrow. The last time it rained hard, the front ones ran over. There must be some leaves in them. Hubby has to clean them from the roof. At least the porch roof is not as steep. I can do the back from the ladder.
Have a good day everyone
I keep an oil lamp in each room...just in case thing....mine are old...was they belonged to the older ones who have passed...I was the only person in the family who wanted them...
I also have my grandmother's brass candle stick... she saw her way to bed using it as a child....she was born in 1870...
Just a reminder ....never...walk.. around the house with a lit oil lamp
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie
I have several small battery-powered lanterns scattered around the house, most hanging on hooks. Those are for short-term use if there is a power failure.
I understand that longer-term, I would need something else, but I've used them several times already, and it's tons safer for me to use a battery-powered light at 2 am. There's zero chance that I'm going to catch anything on fire if I stumble.
There are also strands of battery-operated Christmas LED lights in several places, including the wall of the basement stairway. Those are useful if the power is out, and I need to make my way to the basement because the tornado sirens are going off.
I understand that longer-term, I would need something else, but I've used them several times already, and it's tons safer for me to use a battery-powered light at 2 am. There's zero chance that I'm going to catch anything on fire if I stumble.
There are also strands of battery-operated Christmas LED lights in several places, including the wall of the basement stairway. Those are useful if the power is out, and I need to make my way to the basement because the tornado sirens are going off.