Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: May 10 - May 16, 2026

[SouthernBreeze]

Good Morning, Everyone, and Happy Mother's Day. May all you Mom's have a blessed day.

We have home fellowship/Bible study this morning, so I don't have a lot of time to post. I'm just getting the thread started for a new week.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Bump for new weekly thread.

 

[alpha]

Happy Mothers Day ladies, may it be peaceful and worry free.

Now that my grandson is domiciled here with us (owner by revocable trust) and participating in all farming activities, he has taken on quite an interest in growing crops for market. As such, the high tunnel has become the center of most activity what with starting plants and transplanting them to the outside garden beds as suitable weather allows. The multiple stages of plant growth and associated needs have motivated me to re-automate several systems in the tunnel, so this past week I installed the necessary timing devices to water, fertilize and activate ventilation as the temperatures rise during the day. I didn't feel like reprogramming the software driven machine for mobile devices as that's all todays' generation uses, so reverted to low tech to give local control to DGS.

As a result of high fertilizer and hay costs we processed a cow last Saturday to take some burden off the pasture. This years baby goats are growing fast and will soon be in that pasture with the herd. Turkey chicks coming in two weeks and so getting the brooder ready. Black flies are due to arrive soon and we're attempting to get most outdoor tasks done ASAP.

Boy, it seems as though there was a heck of a lot more but I guess I immediately do a brain dump as each task gets completed. I've sure gone to bed early and slept well this past week so I must have been busy.

 

[Meemur]

Happy Mother's Day!

It's sunny and upper 60s here. I planted most of the remaining starts. I'm holding back a few tomato plants in case others want them, and I gave away several marigolds and squash starts. I've started some of the annuals. I'll plant the rest throughout the week. My back is behaving, and I didn't want to push it.

I'm planting a cutting garden this year. I don't know how well it will do, but if I can get a few flowers from it, that will help. I like to take flowers to the hospital and nursing homes when I visit, but it's getting so expensive! I bought a box of simple vases from the Dollar Tree before they increased in price, and if I can fill them with my own flowers, that makes an affordable gift, plus they can keep or toss the vase. I'm also watching estate sales for vases, and if things get really tight, I'll get back into glass cutting. In college, we used to cut up glass pop bottles for vases and drinking glasses. If it doesn't work out, I'll till the cutting garden back under in the fall and plant native prairie flowers.

I'm almost retired! I have several online projects to finish, and I let myself get roped into helping with orientation for new hires, but none of that will take 8 hours a day. I'm officially retired on June 1. It was time! This talk about another pandemic, which could get spread with the World Cup, has me a bit spooked. There's no way I'd want to go through working remotely and all of the related BS.

But on a happier note, I'm eating a homegrown salad and homemade noodle soup. A country gal can survive!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Bible study and our fellowship time today was great. DS brought me a beautiful live floral arrangement for Mother's day, and a gift card for my birthday. We all had a great time. No cooking for me, today, either. I've got some frozen thingies that I will just pop in the oven for supper, tonight.

Cary has a doctor's appointment, tomorrow afternoon. It's just a check up for his loop recorder. I will do a bit more shopping while in town, too. Gotta spend my gift card! I also need to go "in store" at Sam's for items that can't be shipped.

The possible pandemic bears watching, but I'm not too concerned atm over it. We're prepared if it happens as much as anyone can be.

Possible storms moving in later this afternoon and overnight. It's very humid outside at 80 degrees right now.

 

[herbgarden]

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms. Hope you all had a wonderful day.

 

[anna43]

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers here.

I'm not particularly concerned about a new pandemic. If one happens, it happens, nothing I can do about it. During Covid I just stayed home like I do 90% of the time anyway.

I'm frustrated because the last two days would have been perfect for planting my tomatoes and peppers, but I'm not supposed to be leaning over or out in the dust due to the cataract surgery. I'm thinking with the fast-rising prices and hints about another pandemic, I will spend some time in my pantry assessing what I have and what, if anything, I need to bulk up on. It will keep me busy for a couple hours at least!

I have 10 pounds of frozen chicken hindquarters in the freezer that I need to process which I was planning to freeze after processing but I'm now leaning more towards canning. I'm just not sure how my back will handle the long day, cooking, processing and canning. I need to give some thought on how I can break that down into two days without making more work for myself.

I think my less than two years old washer is on the fritz again for the second time. I started it around 7:50 last evening and when I went to put the clothes in the dryer at 9:50 it was still running. I really hate the electronic machines as they seem to be crap besides being majorly expensive. The water saving feature mandated by Congress does not allow enough water to get laundry clean. Repairs cost a fortune and parts are often on backorder. I'm so glad I opted for a used mechanical dryer. The electronic part on my gas kitchen stove had to be replaced twice last year. I was planning to wash sheets tomorrow but hesitate to do them in case the washer won't complete the cycle ... wringing sheets by hand is not something my hands could accomplish.

 

[223shootersc]

Went to see my Mom at her assisted living location and took her flowers and a gift! Also got flowers for my wife the Mother of our children.
On the prep front not much, did get some Gorilla tape, Roundup for the weeds. Got Neem Oil for the raised garden plants along with some fertilizer. Placed banana peels and crushed egg shells in a gallon jar with water and Apple Cider Vinegar to make a fertilizer for the tomatoes.

 

[feralferret]

Slept for ten hours straight, the woke up soaked in sweat. I don't do either unless I am ill. Feel better now. Not sure what problem was. I have four medical appointments scheduled tomorrow. I need to cancel one of them as it is redundant to another earlier appointment. No need to see the wound center after seeing the surgeon's assistant earlier in the day for the same thing.

Hope all have a good week.

 

[moldy]

Not too much going on this week - regular work, no side gig work except Ebay (as far as I know), and one dr appt on Thursday. Hopefully it will be a good week.

 

[philkar]

Busy week here. Still have a few flowers to plant and the last of the pumpkins and winter squash to plant! Hubs is 2 weeks post shoulder replacement so I am doing most of planting now. Picked 2 bags of sweet peas. Ate a quart of the sugar snaps and they were delicious. Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

 

[WanderLore]

Good morning everyone. Saturday the kids and grandkids came over. They brought a huge feast and flowers. And cooked out I didn't ask for anything but just some help bless their heart they did they did a ton of stuff in the house and outside! Some of it was very heavy work that I just couldn't do myself.
Yesterday I just did some things around and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Had a really relaxing day
Tonight my daughter and I are going to her son's ceremony at the school, he won a scholarship or something we're not sure yet but it's a dinner and a ceremony.
It's still colder here. They are saying by the end of the week the season will finally change and we'll have the warm weather.
Got some more done on the garden and going to put some more things in today and then hopefully the rest of it by the weekend. It's very nice right now except it's still colder but no wind and blue sky.

 

[WanderLore]

8 months yesterday my husband's passing. Miss him everyday.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

A beautiful day on tap for us, today. 77 for our high, and the rest of the week in the mid to upper 80's. That's my kind of weather. No rain like what was in our forecast. It all must have gone somewhere else. No rain any this whole week. Cary is hoping to get the house washed, at least, so he can put the stain on it. I'll be glad when that is done, because it's always a big job for him to do, especially climbing up on the roof. I don't like him climbing on the ladder at all. I always make sure to hold it for him when he does.

Cary has to have his "loop recorder" checked every 4 months, and today, is the day for that. It doesn't take long at all to get that done. He hasn't had any Afib at all, since he had it implanted. A total waste. Glad we didn't have to pay for it! We don't have anything else planned for this week. Saturday, we take Mom to my aunt's in Florence, AL, where they will leave for a trip. She's 85 yrs, old, and my aunt is 83. I'm glad aunt's DS and wife will be going with them.

I've got things to do, before we leave this afternoon, so I better go get all that done.

Have a great day and a blessed week.

 

[WanderLore]

Chores done and animal pens all cleaned out with fresh straw. Put some more lettuce and then put the cucumbers in it's a protected area so it'll stay warm. Just other odds and ends burning all the garbage and stuff from the pens.
Have to go get some gas for the mower shortly. I'm tired already.
We'll go over and talk to my Amish buddy today that does my horses and see when he can do it and also what he says about them going back on the grass pasture. She's doing really good but I don't want to take any chances.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Chores done and animal pens all cleaned out with fresh straw. Put some more lettuce and then put the cucumbers in it's a protected area so it'll stay warm. Just other odds and ends burning all the garbage and stuff from the pens.
Have to go get some gas for the mower shortly. I'm tired already.
We'll go over and talk to my Amish buddy today that does my horses and see when he can do it and also what he says about them going back on the grass pasture. She's doing really good but I don't want to take any chances.

If we had enough property, Cary and I would have a pair of horses. We've always loved them and wanted one for each of us. I love to ride. I grew up around horses all my life, but I don't know a thing about caring for them. I always left that to the adults, LOL. To me, they were just big pets.

We were sorta half way joking with each other the other day. Talking about getting a pair of horses and a wagon in the event everything else fails, we would have transportation and a way to haul stuff if it comes down to it. We have a DG and a country store that would be no trouble for a horse to get to. Go just a bit farther, and there is a country medical clinic.

 

[WanderLore]

It's a lot of work horses. You have to be set up pretty well and be able to do some of the vet care yourself otherwise it gets very expensive.
Hay in the winter here is not cheap. And you need to be able to trim hooves and manes and things like that. If I can get them a good home where they will be kept together, I won't have anymore livestock at all.

 

[Meemur]

I feel that way about having a bike with double-back baskets, along with several wagons, SB. While I don't want to go back to hauling groceries that way -- I did so when I first started college and didn't have a car -- I have experience doing it. I can also cycle out to some of the local farms where I've established barter relationships.

This week, I'm trying to transition into a better summer schedule, which means getting to bed a lot earlier. I've been getting to bed after 11:00, and 10:00 (ish) is better: it means I can dressed and going by 7:00 am, without setting an alarm, and I'll push that back to 6:00 am (ish) when it starts getting into the 90s so outdoor work is finished by 9 am or sooner. One blessing: I inherited a rain barrel on stilts at the new plot, which will make watering a breeze as long as it is full, and I have a promise of two "free" refills (from the lake) for the gravel road work I helped with. I hope we get some decent rain this summer. It would be nice not to have to worry about watering.

I'm off to buy a mower in a bit. That whole project has just been a pain. I found a basic Toro mower in stock, and I'm going to go pick it up soon (It's a mini-road trip out of the area). It's not exactly what I wanted, but the dealer will honor my coupon, which makes it closer to what I wanted to spend. Yes, prices have gone through the roof. I wish I had made this purchase before prices skyrocketed. On the other hand, I spent money on car maintenance, so I won't be too hard on myself. (I wasn't buying furs, fancy shoes, or makeup, LOL!)

Re: horses -- if you can find a way to make them pay for themselves, go for it! That's my standard right now: it has to pay for itself. The mower will because I don't have to hire anyone to cut my grass and I can cut the grass of others for a few dollars or meat/eggs or just "building goodwill."

 

[SouthernBreeze]

It's a lot of work horses. You have to be set up pretty well and be able to do some of the vet care yourself otherwise it gets very expensive.
Hay in the winter here is not cheap. And you need to be able to trim hooves and manes and things like that. If I can get them a good home where they will be kept together, I won't have anymore livestock at all.

Oh, I know. I don't know a thing about caring for them. I know that my grandfather spent a lot of time with them. I remember him filing their hooves and shoeing them, worming them, too. I don't know how to do any of that. Don't know anything about how to feed them, either. It's just a dream that we've had, since we were married, but will most probably never happen in reality.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I feel that way about having a bike with double-back baskets, along with several wagons, SB.

At one time when we were much younger, Cary and I, both, had bikes. We rode all the time. It's been a long time, though. I don't know if Cary's hip and legs would hold out to ride one, now, and I'm afraid of falling and breaking a hip. It would be safer for us to walk pulling a wagon, even though, it might take much longer. Cary can't walk long distances. Short breaks would have to be done. Bikes would be a lot cheaper than horses, though!

 

[Meemur]

Bikes would be a lot cheaper than horses, though!

If you have a chance, rent an eBike if you run into any in your travels. It's a game-changer for older riders.

But ride several of them first. They vary in weight and handling. It's not in my budget currently, but an electric assist motor is (and allowed on all of the bike paths I use). Those are especially helpful on hills.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

If you have a chance, rent an eBike if you run into any in your travels. It's a game-changer for older riders.

But ride several of them first. They vary in weight and handling. It's not in my budget currently, but an electric assist motor is (and allowed on all of the bike paths I use). Those are especially helpful on hills.

Not currently in our budget, either. We have too many projects lined up for this summer, already. It is something to think about, though.

 

[anna43]

I planted two tomatoes including setting the towers and 3 hills of acorn squash and then my back said NO MORE. It's going to take me a while to get the rest of the tomatoes and peppers planted. The potatoes are up but some are out of the row due to the ^%$#@! squirrels digging them up and moving them around. It is very very dry, and I cannot afford to water. I sure hope the dry does not continue much longer although no rain in the forecast until the 17th and then only a chance of light showers.

My back was so bad Saturday evening I had to get my walker out ... well it was my m-i-l's walker that I kept ... it was better Sunday and I walked to and from church without any issues. I have not been doing my therapy and planned to re-start yesterday and forgot. I'm not sure whether to try it now with my back hurting. I had to use the hoe to hobble back to the house, but it has let up to the point I'm able to walk with only minor pain. Getting old and decrepit is not fun. Of course, since I'm determined to put in a garden rather than sit in my recliner I guess I'm not cooperating with the old and decrepit much.

My neighbor behind me with the dead standing ash trees, uses a large commercial lawnmower that belongs to his employer to mow. He does not pick up downed branches and today he hit one and BAM it hit it against his house hard enough I imagine there was damage. He then got off the mower and walked around picking up branches. Half of one tree is down so he mows around it. I offered to cut four trees from his hedge, but he told me he'd scheduled someone to come and take down the dead trees, and they'd also get the ones from the hedge. That was a month ago and no one has arrived to take them down. He is foolish because a tree on his roof is going to be very costly and it's unlikely his insurance company is going to pay when he neglected to remove dead trees for 5 years. The one closest to me has developed a definite lean in the direction of his house. In fact, the top of the dead tree is caught in the top of a live tree which may be all holding it up. Dangerous situation for him.

I'm trying to get brave enough to try my washer and see what happens before calling for service. I call faulty machine or at least faulty electronics because the machine was purchased in October of 2024 and has already had the mother board replaced once under warranty.

 

[WanderLore]

Anna girlfriend..right there with you. Oh lord.
Got grass mowed. Had to air up mower tire 4 times. Going to see if my son can get it off to replace tomorrow.
Planted more. Ran to village. Burnt big burn pile. All animals pens cleaned and fresh straw.
Went to see my Amish buddy. One of us will pick him up Friday. He said he could put that piece of roof cap back on too.
The sink kept leaking and nothing I did helped. Went back to the bucket and that is much easier.

Sheree, what you guys might do is find someone with riding horses and pay for some trail time.
It is just a lot of work and expense as we get older. These are my husbands horses. He was a collector of all animals. We've had it all.
He taught me and I learned how to do a lot of vet care. From colic in belgians and intubation even and all kinds of other vet care for the other critters.

It's quite possible I'll find me my little off grid place this winter and sign the farm over to my son. Come back and pack my stuff and be done with it.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Sheree, what you guys might do is find someone with riding horses and pay for some trail time.
It is just a lot of work and expense as we get older.

If we were much younger, with more property, we would have already gotten horses. We're just too old now. It was always a dream we had, though. I haven't been riding in years.

It's to the point now that we can hardly feed ourselves much less 2 horses. I just don't know how we would be able to fit horse feed/care into our budget.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Another good report on Cary's "loop recorder". No sign of Afib detected. His cardiologist said that the loop recorded would last another 2 years on it's battery. When the battery runs out, Cary could have it taken out, left in with dead battery, or have the battery replaced. Cary opts to have it taken out, unless something begins to show up on it. It would be a very simple procedure done right there in the office to take it out. It's about the size of a small button just under the skin. A small incision would be made to slide it out.

We went to Sam's to renew our membership plus card and to buy a few items. Went on to the Mall and just ate an early supper while there in the food court.

 

[Meemur]

That's why I just have one cat, although I will probably add a second as she gets older so I'm not alone when she passes. I'll foster first. She may or may not do well with a friend.

I got a new mower! But it wore me out getting it into the garage, so a short break is in order. It's no tool assembly, so I hope I can get the handle on. They offered to put it together, but I knew that it would be easier to get it in and out of the car while it was in the box (I slid it down the ramps).

 

[anna43]

If we were much younger, with more property, we would have already gotten horses. We're just too old now. It was always a dream we had, though. I haven't been riding in years.

It's to the point now that we can hardly feed ourselves much less 2 horses. I just don't know how we would be able to fit horse feed/care into our budget.

People keep asking me why I don't get a dog (allergic) or a cat (don't care for cats) but the bottom line is although I could afford to feed them, I could not afford vet care. I refuse to have an animal that I cannot properly care for. I actually love dogs but cannot have one in the house so what's the point. Actually, I've been caring for others most of my life (including chickens, goats, ducks, dogs and cats) my 3 kids, 8 foster kids and dh since I was 17 and don't want to do it anymore.

I'm old and it takes all I can muster to take care of myself these days!

 

[Meemur]

I know! Vet care is out of control. That's one advantage of being close to Des Moines: there are pop-up clinics at least once a year where I can get Maddy's rabies shot. It used to be $15 but I think it'll be $25 this year. I would take her to ISU if she had anything wrong, but I feed her really well, and so far, so good.

Not everyone does well with a pet! I've just found that having a cat is important for my morale, plus it's another set of ears for when I hear a strange noise. If she goes to investigate, I know it's another animal. Disclaimer: I also have trail cams, so I can safely check out what's going on outside, which is a lot less since the idiot teenagers have moved.

 

[WanderLore]

Yes absolutely you have to be able to do a lot of your own care for your animals to save money.

Slept in getting my coffee. Went to see my grandson who's graduating, get $1,000 scholarship at the ceremony. It was really nice they had lots of finger foods and so on. Lot of hard-working talented kids.
He's going to put his toward a CDL.

Rabies shots here for one year and they are 38 to 45$. I do all the other vax and worming.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Since our Frisco passed away, we have decided to stay pet free. We have enough wild animals surrounding us to keep us entertained. No extra food or vet care involved. Just nature as it was meant to be.

81 degrees and sunny skies, today. I've got a lot going on, today. Cleaning, laundry, working outside in my flowers, and we plan to grill, tonight. I've got to get my chicken breasts marinated and in the fridge. I need more coffee, before getting all that started, though.

 

[Meemur]

There's also two of you, SB. If I were farther out, I'd have a small to medium-sized dog (pug or similar). Its main job would be to provide companionship, but I'd also train it to alert me when other people were on the property or anything was amiss. My hearing is not always the best, especially during pollen season, and that other set of ears is important.

Also, in my area, it's somewhat easy to rehome smaller dogs like pugs or single cats if something happens to the owner. Large breed dogs, pit bulls, or multiple cats that are "bonded buddies" are another story, and I keep that in mind, as well.

In other news, I'm going to go finish mowing in a bit. I got the new mower together, and I'm getting used to it. It's a self-propelled, not a "personal pace" one, which is taking a little getting used to -- it goes a little faster than I normally do. I had a similar model when I lived in Columbus, and I think I made some adjustments to the speed. I'll look at my notes later. It is doing a good job of mulching without clogging, which is why Toro was on my list. I have thick grass, common for this area. The inexpensive electric mowers clog about every four feet. Ugh!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

There's also two of you, SB. If I were farther out, I'd have a small to medium-sized dog (pug or similar). Its main job would be to provide companionship, but I'd also train it to alert me when other people were on the property or anything was amiss. My hearing is not always the best, especially during pollen season, and that other set of ears is important.

Yes, 2 of us, plus our property is all fenced. Anyone or anything would have to climb over it to get onto our property. Not impossible for a person to do, but we have deterrents in place to help with that.

 

[patriotgal]

Still working our tails off. Grand sleeps in recliner and is still asleep. I just got off work. Will fix out first meal of the day and we will get back to it. Working on yard #3 (mostly rocks so lots of weed eating) and still clearing 20+ years of vines from end of one yard. That task is so labor intensive that we work on it for 2 days then spend 2 doing something else.

Burning at least 1 box of old papers daily as weather allows. Have 3 smaller dead trees still to cut down. Certainly getting our exercise.

 

[anna43]

Lots of clouds and thunder earlier but no rain. None in the forecast until Sunday. Friday temps are supposed to jump to 87º with storms likely. I could do without the storms. Currently 76º/feels like 74º with wind at 18 mph. We're once again under a fire weather advisory. It is way too dry to risk a fire, but some people burn anyway. High today 79º/low 45º.

I have Bible study at 2:00 and should think about planting a couple more tomatoes after. I hesitate to work out in the wind due to my eye. I don't need something blowing into it. I'm dealing with vertigo due to my lenses being off post-surgery. I leave my glasses off for a while, but when I need to see I put them back on and nausea strikes. I go Thursday for post-surgery check and can't recall if I can have the vision exam to order new lenses then or it requires a longer wait.

I don't know if I'm just a stubborn unreasonable old lady or a wise old lady ... I do not want to do bill paying online, I do not want my bills sent to my e-mail, I do not want my bank statements sent to my e-mail. I called my bank to tell them I did not get my April statement and the lady "cheerfully" offered to e-mail it. I said no, regular mail. Two minutes later I get a message from the bank giving me information on how to go paperless. I do not want paperless and I do not want to buy expensive printer ink to print stuff out. E-mail gets hacked, computers get hacked and if my information is not there, then no problem. Heck, the stupid bank got hacked a couple years back. Three of my medical providers have been hacked. Twice my credit card has been used by someone else by whatever means that happened. I want everything in hard copy in my files so when a dispute happens, I have what I need to deal with it.

My attitude is likely due to working in law offices for 30 years and seeing what kinds of shitz happens constantly. A couple years back DISH double billed everyone paying electronically. Didn't affect me because I paid by check. DISH "generously" told everyone that the double billing would be applied to next month's bill ... which is fine on the surface. However, someone living paycheck to paycheck might not have those extra dollars to spare this month and probably had payments bounce. The overdraft results in a bank charge and a charge from the company for the bounce plus a late payment fee which leaves the paycheck-to-paycheck individual in a terrible position. I had bankruptcy clients that got hit that way and could never dig out.

4:00 Wind steady at 28 mph for most of the afternoon so no work outside.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Chicken breasts marinating in the fridge, laundry all done, folded and put away, lunch/brunch dishes all washed and the kitchen cleaned, the one flower bed I worked on today is finished. I think I've over worked my back, so I'm resting it, before I do anything else. It's time for a break, anyway.

It's 80 degrees right now with abundant sunshine. It's already getting dry, though. During the summer months, we need a good soaking rain at least once a week, or it starts getting really dry.

Cary finished stacking the last of the firewood. Glad that is over. We have all that we need for a good while. He also walked all over the property putting out fire ant poison and spraying the fence line. I don't even know what he's out there doing right now. I told him to make sure and check his oil supply in case we need to buy more. He always buys it by the case or cases. All of our reserve gas cans stay filled. Once one is emptied, he goes and fills it back up.

I still don't know what to make to go with our grilled chicken...I pulled a loaf of my homemade cheese caraway seed bread from the freezer. Maybe, some green beans?

 

[hd5574]

Lots of clouds and thunder earlier but no rain. None in the forecast until Sunday. Friday temps are supposed to jump to 87º with storms likely. I could do without the storms. Currently 76º/feels like 74º with wind at 18 mph. We're once again under a fire weather advisory. It is way too dry to risk a fire, but some people burn anyway. High today 79º/low 45º.

I have Bible study at 2:00 and should think about planting a couple more tomatoes after. I hesitate to work out in the wind due to my eye. I don't need something blowing into it. I'm dealing with vertigo due to my lenses being off post-surgery. I leave my glasses off for a while, but when I need to see I put them back on and nausea strikes. I go Thursday for post-surgery check and can't recall if I can have the vision exam to order new lenses then or it requires a longer wait.

I don't know if I'm just a stubborn unreasonable old lady or a wise old lady ... I do not want to do bill paying online, I do not want my bills sent to my e-mail, I do not want my bank statements sent to my e-mail. I called my bank to tell them I did not get my April statement and the lady "cheerfully" offered to e-mail it. I said no, regular mail. Two minutes later I get a message from the bank giving me information on how to go paperless. I do not want paperless and I do not want to buy expensive printer ink to print stuff out. E-mail gets hacked, computers get hacked and if my information is not there, then no problem. Heck, the stupid bank got hacked a couple years back. Three of my medical providers have been hacked. Twice my credit card has been used by someone else by whatever means that happened. I want everything in hard copy in my files so when a dispute happens, I have what I need to deal with it.

My attitude is likely due to working in law offices for 30 years and seeing what kinds of shitz happens constantly. A couple years back DISH double billed everyone paying electronically. Didn't affect me because I paid by check. DISH "generously" told everyone that the double billing would be applied to next month's bill ... which is fine on the surface. However, someone living paycheck to paycheck might not have those extra dollars to spare this month and probably had payments bounce. The overdraft results in a bank charge and a charge from the company for the bounce plus a late payment fee which leaves the paycheck-to-paycheck individual in a terrible position. I had bankruptcy clients that got hit that way and could never dig out.

4:00 Wind steady at 28 mph for most of the afternoon so no work outside.

I'm even more stubborn and unreasonable than you..no bank, credit card company, doctor, insurance company or anything important has my email address..years ago a friend who owned an IT company..told me...never trust important things on line....they could all be hacked...and never join things like fake book..or such....I keep my credit cards in blocking sleeves ...I like paper bills...and paper receipts ..I will never pay bills on line of I can help it

I was/am having trouble with my copper wire dsl..internet..
So I purchased a smart phone...because on special deal i get 55gb of data per month.. ..and can use all 55gb of the data on the deal with the hotspot...if i chose...i chose...i prefer the larger screen on my tablet and my kindle...other than that it lives in blocking case..on the desk...

 

[SouthernBreeze]

It's going to be another great day to be outdoors. High of 83 and sunny skies. Cary is getting everything out and set up to spray wash the house. He's using a special cleaner for that. He'll be cleaning the windows with it, too. The next step will be to put the stain on, but that won't be today. That's going to be the big job.

I got up with low BP this morning, and I'm really light-headed from it. I'm going to just piddle around for a while, before trying to start on anything. I still have work to do in my flowers, but I don't think I can bend over then stand back up back and forth without passing out right now. A good rest is all my back needed, after working out there, yesterday. It's fine this morning.

Grilling burgers, tonight. The grilled chicken I had left from last night went into the freezer to use in my next batch of chicken pasta salad. I usually use canned chicken from the grocery store, but when I have left over chicken, it makes it taste so much better.

I hope everyone has a blessed and enjoyable day!

 

[nomifyle]

Last night I filled a pill container for 7 days of my morning supplements. Put it by my chair so I have to look at it. I have not taken those supplements in a couple of months. I started back this morning. could/should help.

 

[Meemur]

Good morning / afternoon ! (It's still morning for another ten minutes in Iowa)

It has been productive: I was in the right place at the right time and got a "free" haircut at the senior center -- nothing fancy, but it's better than I would've done. One of the barber colleges has their graduating students give cuts at several of the centers for free, but they really appreciate tips, so I made sure to tip him.

I then went to Walmart and did a little "oil prep" shopping: 1 qt 30 wt oil for the mower, more garbage bags, Vaseline, TP (just because), rice, several types of canned beans I can't get at Aldi, and some hygiene items (like shampoo). I also went to Menard's (bulk cat litter), and the Aldi store (across the parking lot), where I finished the rest of the "regular" grocery shopping.

My overall strategy was to get heavy and hard-to-find items now while I can haul things with my car. Once the pantry is built back up, I can ride my bike (or walk) to get weekly groceries nearby, as well as at the farmers market if gas gets too expensive or becomes unavailable.