Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: May 31 to June 6, 2020

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Good Morning, All!! Another beautiful morning here - no rain :lol:

Mama Wren is busy carrying bugs to her birdhouse that hangs in the grape trellis on the west porch so I had a show to watch this morning from the kitchen window when I started washing dishes as Hubby prepped breakfast - French toast, pancakes and chicken sausage; good stuff!! I've got three of the 4 grandsons here - the 9 & 7 year old boys plus the grand-dog; the 20 year old had plans the included a boat and the river yesterday so I doubt he'll be out of bed anytime soon :lol: I think he might be promised to the other set of grandparents anyway as trees are being cut down at their house and he is a good hand with a chainsaw.

Hubby is out in the shed helping a cousin put a new belt on the mower he keeps down here. Hubby uses it to mow our yard, so I told him he needed to get his fanny out there to help even though he wasn't the one who caused the belt to fail. I tried to herd the grandsons out there to learn something as well, but only the grand-dog was interested enough to go :rolleyes:

Plans for today - once the dew has dried up enough - includes getting the side porch garden tilled and leveled, and the new raised beds set in place - I've been stymied by either rain, work, or no help being available in getting them set for the past week - those things are too heavy for this little old lady to handle by myself - or at least to do so safely and with a minimum of naughty words... I'm going to go ahead and plant and mulch the area not covered by the raised beds once I've got the frames for those beds in place. It's a small area - maybe 16' x 24' that isn't already planted to perennials already, so the raised beds and a path around them, plus the old watering tank that I'll finish filling with soil for the sweet potatoes will take up most of it. If it doesn't, I've got seed for some mixed pink and purple zinnias to coordinate with the flowering perennial plants that are already in the front of that bed. And if that's not enough, I've got a couple of yellow and red bush cherry tomatoes and a few annual herbs I could add to finish it out.

If it's dried up enough after that, we will be heading out to the front garden to till it up; and if it's not dry enough, we'll try for Monday before I go down for my pre-work nap, or I'll ask Hubby to take care of it Tuesday after he gets off work - there is no rain in the forecast until Wednesday evening, so I'm hoping to have it ready for planting on Wednesday morning after I get off work. I'll need to get the pole bean fences set up - I was able to find my yellow wax pole bean seed finally; had to order it from Stokes as my favorite RH Shumway didn't have them. If we are able to get the front garden tilled before Tuesday night, I'll ask Hubby to work on the back one - gonna need somewhere to plant sweet corn this year as I don't think the cousins are planting any down here. The deer eat most of it when they do plant it down there anyway as their gardens are across the timber from the house so there is nothing to scare 'em off. Handy for deer season though lol!

Well, I hear the mower running so I reckon I'll have Hubby available to help me stand up those raised bed frames here shortly; guess that means I'd better go throw in a load of laundry (towels, as they take the longest to dry on the lines) and go change in to work clothes.

You folks all take care out there this week; stay safe - especially those of you who are in the cities who are being ravaged by riots; and if you are in a safe place, please offer up prayers for those who aren't...
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
Stopped at Walgreens to pick up a prescription and to get a passport sized photo. Time to renew my security license. Haven't used it in a while, but I keep it current just in case.

Found a couple of good deals while there. Purex laundry detergent was 3/4.80 with my discount, and I had 2 fifty cent off coupons, so 3/3.80 I thought was pretty good. I am almost back up to a four year supply of laundry detergent. The sales have been good lately, but there will be times I won't buy any for a year because the deals aren't there. I also happened to pass a small clearance section and they had Rice Krispies, a spring box that has some green and blue krispies mixed in. Each box was 79 cents after my discount, and these are good sized boxes. And there was a coupon on them for a free bag of marshmallows when I bought two boxes of cereal. So two boxes of cereal and a bag of marshmallows followed me home.
Nothing else of interest in the sales or coupons so far this week. Will have to see what the mid-week grocery flyers have.
 

ginnie6

Veteran Member
making a batch of lemon orange marmalade today. Picking the first of the squash today too for supper tonight. Been watching a youtube video on this guy in Alabama that cans squash for frying later. I think I will try a jar or two and see how it holds up.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We did a big shopping run, yesterday. I just topped off my pantry from what I've used over the past two weeks. There were empty shelves at Walmart. There were some bathroom items I wanted to get, like a new bath rug and shower caddy, but none to be found of either. I could have gone to other stores, but we already had too many other places to go. There was plenty of meat at Walmart, but not a lot like it has been in the past. I was only allowed to buy 2 packages of any type of beef. I settled for 2-1LB packages of ground beef. I was able to get everything on my list, except for those two items for the bathroom. Sam's was fully stocked on everything, but also had a limit on beef.

We restocked on garden supplies. More fertilizer and garden insect dust. Other items for lawn care. Cary keeps our property sprayed for fleas and ticks, so had to get more of that, too. New parts for the lawn mower, just in case.

Our wine and liquor stock was getting too low, so we restocked on that, too. Our favorite dinner wine had gone up $1 a bottle, since we bought it last.

Cary went looking, again, for reloading items, but none can be found. He's been looking for some time now. He left his name and number with the owner of the Mom and Pop store he uses. When they get a shipment in, they will call. Don't know when that will be, though.

All in all, it was a good shopping trip. To end the day, we ate at our favorite Mexican restuarant, then came home.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
Well, I went and added a shotgun to the preps--I have to wait until next week, but it is paid for and waiting at the pawnshop just around the corner. Bought a box of shells there too, just to get started. Better half hasn't wanted a shotgun (I do have other firearms), but I am getting nervous about this summer, so I just did it anyway. Mossburg 500 in 20 gauge--hey, I'm getting old!
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well, I went and added a shotgun to the preps--I have to wait until next week, but it is paid for and waiting at the pawnshop just around the corner. Bought a box of shells there too, just to get started. Better half hasn't wanted a shotgun (I do have other firearms), but I am getting nervous about this summer, so I just did it anyway. Mossburg 500 in 20 gauge--hey, I'm getting old!

Good choice! I have my own Mossburg 500 in 20 gauge. It's a nice companion for my AR-15 and Ruger SR 9C!
 

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
We got a door. Yup a door. A steel security screen door with a metal frame. Put on some good quality locks as well. It wouldn't stop some determined home invaders. I do believe it will slow them down some. It may totally discourage others.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
We got a door. Yup a door. A steel security screen door with a metal frame. Put on some good quality locks as well. It wouldn't stop some determined home invaders. I do believe it will slow them down some. It may totally discourage others.
That has been on my list for a while. Glad you got yours!
 

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
Well, I went and added a shotgun to the preps--I have to wait until next week, but it is paid for and waiting at the pawnshop just around the corner. Bought a box of shells there too, just to get started. Better half hasn't wanted a shotgun (I do have other firearms), but I am getting nervous about this summer, so I just did it anyway. Mossburg 500 in 20 gauge--hey, I'm getting old!

I'm guessing that pawn shop only had bird shot - it's for Tweety Bird >>> spend a little more when ammo returns to the shelves - best you can do for a 20g is specialty defensive loads like Winchester PDX or a box of #3Buck ...
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
I'm guessing that pawn shop only had bird shot - it's for Tweety Bird >>> spend a little more when ammo returns to the shelves - best you can do for a 20g is specialty defensive loads like Winchester PDX or a box of #3Buck ...
I will be out looking. Lots of options around here, so I'm hoping everything isn't sold out.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I forgot to mention in my shopping adventure the other day that Walmart had removed every gun and all ammo from it's store. Am wondering if this was a precaution in case there were riots and looting here? Or, is it something going on corporate wide? Anyone know?
 

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
I forgot to mention in my shopping adventure the other day that Walmart had removed every gun and all ammo from it's store. Am wondering if this was a precaution in case there were riots and looting here? Or, is it something going on corporate wide? Anyone know?

oh hell yes - even got word to keep an eye out for "out of place" people making purchases that can be riot oriented ....
 

mecoastie

Veteran Member
Dehydrating rhubarb. Getting the popcorn ready to put in. I purchased some azolla to try to grow it as a supplemental food for the rabbits and chickens and to use in the garden. We had some dental work done. Sounds like the cutter is ready to finally cut the backside of my property so we should get some money out of that and I can get a fair amount of firewood out of the tops after he is done.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I forgot to mention in my shopping adventure the other day that Walmart had removed every gun and all ammo from it's store. Am wondering if this was a precaution in case there were riots and looting here? Or, is it something going on corporate wide? Anyone know?
In some (most?) stores you can ask a clerk and they will get you what to want and sell it to you.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I read awhile back that walmart would stop selling ammo, maybe they are taking it further. Sad.

Judy
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
The whole gun and ammo section was closed. No clerks to ask anything of.
I haven't been to Walmart (or any big store) this year but I heard the guns and ammo were still available to be sold. You just had to find someone to ask. Obviously this is not something a personally experienced though I do assume Walmart would still like to sell the stuff. I assume it was removed to help prevent loss to looters.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I haven't been to Walmart (or any big store) this year but I heard the guns and ammo were still available to be sold. You just had to find someone to ask. Obviously this is not something a personally experienced though I do assume Walmart would still like to sell the stuff. I assume it was removed to help prevent loss to looters.

Yeah, a possible loss to looters is what I'm thinking. Before all this crap started, everything was normal in that department.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
we could use some more shot gun shells. I have a 20 guage that just about knocks me on my behind.

Judy
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
I have an envelope that has a few hundred in cash that has built up over the past couple of months on lockdown. No place to spend it. But recent events have me a bit spooked, so I took said envelope and went shopping. Nothing major, just plugging a hole here and there and stocking up some more here and there. Enough for one more trip, this one to Walmart, for some OTC meds to add to the stockpile, along with some more matches and lighters.

We have been stocked for many years and have quite a bit. This last little bit of shopping has marked a few things off my list and gotten my summer shopping done in basically one fell swoop. I can breathe a little easier now, and that is worth everything to me.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I, too, have an envelope of cash that has built up. I took $30 yesterday and gave it to DH to get concrete blocks at Lowes. I'm buying 20 at a time for the two larger raised beds I'll be putting together this fall for next spring. I learned a good bit from this year.

Judy
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
An emergency fund here, too, at home. I try to stick closely to a budget when I go shopping. When I come in under budget, I stick that money into the fund. It has built up over the years. When C-19 first started, and we decided it was time for us to lock down, I took money out my emergency fund. We made a special trip into town to top off my pantry, and to buy extra of things we might need. I also went through the house, and made a list of things for the house like towels, sheets, clothes, shoes, etc. that may be hard to find later. Spent some of the money on those items, too.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
Sometimes the best prep is cleaning the garage. I found a ton of clothes for me that I had apparently stashed there over the last few years at various times. I had lost a lot of weight, put some back on, then lost it again, so the clothes were in various sizes, from way too big, to what I wear now. I went through it all and have stacks of stuff to be donated and stacks of stuff to be washed and put away. Mainly found my sweatshirts and some flannel shirts. Not much call for them here in Florida, but with GSM, you never know. Also found about a dozen brand new, never worn t-shirts in my current size and about 18 pr of brand new socks. Socks went into back up preps, but the tshirts are currently in the washer. Also found a couple of small bags of things I had bought at thrift stores for "when I can fit into it" and those are wearable now.

Also found a few more throw blankets at the bottom of baskets and bins and will redo my whole pajama pile and see what I want to keep and what I can donate.

Don't know what got in me today, but I can definitely mark clothing off the list of things to buy :) Already had plenty of underwear, socks, bras, and shoes.
 
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