Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: Nov. 9 - Nov. 15, 2025

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Prayers are ongoing from here, too.

We broke a temperature record in Central Iowa today: it reached 74 degrees! And yes, I was out taking full advantage. I even grilled some pork chops and ate them outside.

Most of my winter preps are finished, but I still have odds and ends to do tomorrow.

I also got most of my bedding washed, hung outside, and recently brought back in. It smells amazing!
 

anna43

Veteran Member
The two years leading up to my dh passing were constant care for him whether simple at home stuff, doctor's appointments, ER visits, hospitalizations, in nursing home, home again, back to nursing home. When he passed, it was funeral planning, funeral, paperwork and more paperwork. I was to the courthouse more times in those few weeks than I'd been in the 40 years I'd lived here. Friends disappeared after a few weeks but honestly, I was enjoying the quiet with no demands. After a few weeks, I wished I still had my job but that passed and I developed new routines of my own. It's a journey and each journey is different. Just be aware that when you suddenly are no longer very busy, it is easy to fall into grief and depression.

A large community of Amish moved into the area where my folks lived all at once and a few years later all left just as suddenly. My father's experience with the Amish really turned him against them. It irritated him that they refused to drive or have phones yet expected the English to accommodate them for rides and use of phones. A friend of his had a barn phone and without permission the Amish used it and ran up a large, long-distance bill. From dad's description, I felt this group of Amish were not typical. The community was not happy with the Amish who had their own schools but used the public schools for their many Downs Syndrome children. The school was small and special needs children had to be bussed 50+ miles to and from the nearest special ed classes.

Today I went to town and shopped 72º, sunny and here it is the middle of November. Not typical for Iowa!! I enjoyed every minute of the weather, the shopping not so much. I bought two sweatshirts and one pair of sweatpants and a new pair of winter dress gloves. Walmart and HyVee were both a zoo although for some reason I could easily find staff in both places. Fareway was much quieter. Most of my shopping was for pantry additions as I prepare for winter weather hibernation. Finished Thanksgiving shopping including a turkey breast to replace the one I'll be cooking for Thanksgiving.

Yesterday I cleaned another corner of the garage and scrubbed the kitchen, part of dining room and laundry room. One of these days I need to do 100% all at once. The kitchen I scrubbed twice. I don't know how it gets so dirty so fast with just me, but it sure does.

Tomorrow is lady's prayer breakfast which I always enjoy. Temp at 8:00 a.m. is forecast to be 52º so will be pleasant walking to the church. The men typically cook and clean up but with everyone in the fields last month we did all ourselves. Many hands make fast work. Harvest is done but fall field work is ongoing.

I have a landline and Wed. and Thurs. it was not working. I wasn't aware until my grandson e-mailed me to ask if my receiver was off the hook. I then spent a miserable two hours on my cell phone about the issue with a real jerk of a phone company representative. I guess it was a wide outage because I saw on Facebook that many in the county seat had closed businesses. Got a robo call at 8:00 a.m. this morning that it was fixed. I should have realized it wasn't working when I didn't get any calls but truefully enjoyed the quiet.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Anna, I live alone, too. However, Iowa is just really dusty. I have commercial mats and remove my outside shoes, but I still have to sweep almost daily in the spring and fall, as well as dust/wash the counters every couple of days to keep the dust from building up. It's a lot worse now that I'm in a rural area.

That said, I like it a lot better out here than being in East Des Moines. My sweeping counts as part of my daily step quota, and the housework does slow down a bit by December.
 

patriotgal

Veteran Member
High 70s today and tomorrow. Found an app for our phones that will let us check book values without internet or cell service. It comes with a free 30 day trial so will put software on both our phones and try to get all the books checked in a 30 day time frame. I found a couple of inexpensive Bluetooth scanners that should be here in a week at most. They will allow the task to go faster. Today we cleaned the book building. DH cleaned out a cabinet and found me 8 good reams of copy paper. And a full box of ink pens that write well.

Then we came home and I worked on ebay section of garage. One more day and I should have everything in labeled tubs with space around them. I want to discourage rodents as much as possible. I did identify some good items to list first. While I worked in garage I let the roomba run in the kitchen and dining room. I will mop in the morning.

Cut up an old deer roast from freezer and made stew. It was sooo good. Nice to know because I have a few more packages.

Looking forward to the beautiful weekend weather.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Anna, all you wrote is so true.
Except the Amish, I haven't had that experience here thank goodness. That's partly why I don't want to get involved in doing the taxi thing. I know there are people that do it full time and make a good bit of money but they have to charge more. I think the Amish here want to pay 75 cents a mile or something.
It is supposed to be near 70° today! We are having a small memorial today just the family. Then they will help me get some chores done and I have big pot of chili cornbread etc all cooked.
I think I have some PTSD I'm going to look for a counselor that might help. I was wondering about the brain fog and the mild memory loss. And it's part of that.
Really enjoying this warm weather though. Of course it's going to start getting cold again tomorrow. But it's mid-november so that's to be expected.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
I'm sitting on an ice pack to get this sciatica calm down it usually works pretty good. I have some gabapentin from my doctor but boy that stuff makes me loopy. So I'm going to hold off to take that till bedtime.
I have to vacuum and sweep every day because of the dogs but I do enjoy their company. I have taken my cheap Walmart vacuum apart many times down to the frame and cleaned it washed it dried it, it works much much better that way. But I'm having to buy one of those every year every other year. They are cheap though
 

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
A high of 78 sunny degrees, today. Where did our winter go? 70's all next week with no rain in sight. It's getting pretty dry again. We have an abundance of leaves falling, and the acorns are driving us nuts. It sounds like a hailstorm on our metal roof! You can hardly walk out underneath the oak trees for all the acorns covering the ground. No squirrels, though. I guess they ate their fill and have already stocked up for the winter off of my loaded pecan tree! I only managed to get a few. Almost a full gallon of chopped ones in my freezer this year. I don't use pecans much anymore, so that will be enough to bake a few items with.

Cary split and stacked more firewood, yesterday. He just works, until he gets tired. It's not like we are hurting for chopped firewood. Since it's going to be nice again today, he will probably work on it again this afternoon.

I have my normal household chores to do, today, along with trying out a new cooking recipe. I had plenty of rice leftover from the chili con carne last night, so I did a search for recipes using leftover cooked rice. I found one for fried rice patties. I'm doing that one for tonight. I'll have plenty of other foods on the menu just in case they don't turn out to our liking. We both like rice, occasionally. I have a ton of rice in storage, and I need to be using it more often. I have never had any to spoil, though. Same with pasta. I just have to let it boil a bit longer to soften.

Lillie came home, this morning. Her first reconstructive surgery will be scheduled, Tuesday, when she sees her surgeon, again. She's still trying to deal with the trauma of what happened. Poor thing asked her doctor when she got ready to leave the hospital if she would ever be pretty again. He told her that he was going to make her beautiful. I almost cried when Mom told me that. She is such a pretty little girl.
 

Digger

Veteran Member
Thinks looked different when I got home Thursday. The 2 big pine trees were gone from in front of the house. Now the hickory tree has room to grow and will provide shade without the danger the pines were becoming in storms. The pines are cut into 8 1/2 ft lengths and stacked near sons sawmill. He has 4 pines to saw into lumber now. We still have some small stuff to clean up in the yard and a lot around the pond.

Today I have to do some cooking for the church potluck tomorrow. We are doing soup and sliders per the pastor's request. I have to do some laundry too. Hopefully Hubby feels like working on the wood today some. I would like to get the split wood in the shed. Next week has a rain chance most of the week with up to 5 inches in part of the state.

I caught a big racoon in my trap last night. I am not sure if that is what has been after my chickens early in the morning and at dusk or not. I don't get a good look at it because of the low light. But it is about the same size and color. I know my chickens are tired of being in the pen.

Time to do some more cleaning. Have a blessed Saturday everyone.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
If it's alive, take it at least 10 miles away if you want to release it. Ask me how I know.
I think it was a coon that guy my last 3 chickens and new rooster. Heavily fortified fencing. Pulled them through the fence. If I get anymore, I'll put hardware cloth over the pen from the inside.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
If it's alive, take it at least 10 miles away if you want to release it. Ask me how I know.
I think it was a coon that guy my last 3 chickens and new rooster. Heavily fortified fencing. Pulled them through the fence. If I get anymore, I'll put hardware cloth over the pen from the inside.
And really, from a humane POV, its probably kinder to just shoot it. Raccoons are very territorial, and dumping one into a strange area usually means it will be ganged up on by the "locals" and killed anyway.

I relocate opossums if we catch them.....they are very valuable tick control. But raccoons, between their murderous tendencies (they'll often kill every bird in a pen, apparently for fun) and their susceptibility to rabies, aren't left to continue depredations.

Summerthyme
 
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moldy

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Ugh. Can't stand raccoons.

Serving tonight at a fundraiser banquet/ball at the request of one of my side gigs boss. It's OK - they're nice people, just occasions like this aren't really my jam. I need to do some cleaning/inventorying/organizing today, too. I would like DH to try the new mattress we got for the guest house to see if we need to get a similar one for us. His back has been bothering him a lot more than usual.

Lots to do, and it won't get done with me on here. Will catch up later.
 

anna43

Veteran Member
My b-i-l was live trapping raccoons and then drowning them in the pond. His wife is bonkers regarding guns due to a cousin dying from a gun accident. B-i-l was catching so many he decided to start shooting them and finally made a small dent in the population. My s-i-l adjusted to him shooting them due to how large a problem they were having. They have a lot of grandkids and now great-grands so raccoons around the property is not good.

Women's prayer breakfast was good food, good fellowship and a very thought-provoking message. Not too many in attendance this month, maybe 17 or 18.

I'm doing two loads of laundry today and will do sheets tomorrow or Monday. My goal for 2026 is to develop a schedule for chores as much as possible to make sure everything gets done within the week or month if a monthly chore. I'm literally going to put it in writing to see if it will help with my procrastination. Also, hope to start doing therapy exercises again at least a few times each week. Every day would be best, but I'll settle for three times a week if it means it actually happens.

This coming Thurs. is mobile pantry, and the list is quite good.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Gravy Mix
Kellogg's Toasted Wheat Snack Crackers
Eggs
Strawberry Fruit Spread
Shredded Cheese
Shelf Stable Milk
Protein Pancake/Waffle Mix
All Beef Hot Dogs
Chick Pea and Jelly Sandwich
Peanut Butter
Tuna
Black Beans
Half Sub Sandwich
Frozen Blueberries
Frozen Sliced Peaches
Cheesy Tuna Skillet Meal
Chicken Leg Quarters
Honey Graham Crackers
Deodorant Stick
All-Purpose Flour
Mac-N-Cheese
Juice
Vegetable Oil

A friend will pick up for me so I don't have to use my gas or time. I won't use everything but can usually find a home for stuff I won't use.
 

hd5574

Veteran Member
I spoke with a girl friend...a little bit ago...we have both been busy...going to a good number of stores over this past week..we were both able to get the items we wanted...but we both noticed that the shelves where getting a bit thin...it seemed to be across the board in all the places we shopped...
So just a heads up..
 

anna43

Veteran Member
I spoke with a girl friend...a little bit ago...we have both been busy...going to a good number of stores over this past week..we were both able to get the items we wanted...but we both noticed that the shelves where getting a bit thin...it seemed to be across the board in all the places we shopped...
So just a heads up..
I was to Walmart, HyVee and Fareway and found the same to be true. Walmart had one turkey freezer nearly empty and others low. Throughout the store shelves looked thin in places. HyVee had several thin shelves and were out of one sale item I wanted. Fareway had boneless turkey roasts on sale and few left in the freezer. I didn't go into the store to note the shelves. I did notice they had some of the most beautiful peppers in pristine condition in the produce section. Fareway was my third stop, and I was so DONE that I did a quick grab what's on the list and out.
 

moldy

Has No Life - Lives on TB
My goal for 2026 is to develop a schedule for chores as much as possible to make sure everything gets done within the week or month if a monthly chore. I'm literally going to put it in writing to see if it will help with my procrastination.
I did that sort of thing about a year ago. I have a 15 minute (or so) chore written on every day of the week. Usually it is a monthly/bimonthly chore: deep clean the washer or dishwasher or humidifier, check the fluids in all vehicles, clean the slipcovers on the sofa (dogs, ya know). I don't stress too much, because if I miss it, I will hit it the next month.

I spent some time in my apothecary this morning doing inventory. I won't need to buy herbs for a while, but now hopefully I can find what I have better. We'll see. it's getting to be the season where I make a lot of elderberry syrup and cough syrup.

Just put some leftovers in the oven to heat with some molasses bars. It's a recipe from the 70s that uses molasses, but not sugar. I don't remember - was sugar hard to get in the 70s? I remember that chicken was really expensive, and that we could only get gas on certain days.

Anna - that is a really good pack from the pantry. Ours aren't nearly that nice.
 

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
Does anyone know the reason that different store's stock is low, other than it being close to Thanksgiving? I won't be able to go, until the 19th. Sure hope they all have plenty on the shelves by that time. I definitely want to get a couple more of those BBQ seasoned boneless smoked hams for the freezer. It was delicious, and it was the first and only one we had ever eaten.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Summer, oh, yes! I remember the sugar shortage. I started making oatmeal raisin cookies with local honey.

Anne, that is a great haul! Chicken quarters, hot dogs, and peanut butter in the same distribution is awesome. We're lucky to have one type of meat to give out, usually a tube of sausage or frozen lunch meat. Sometimes it's canned tuna or chicken. We were giving out local eggs, but that's going to decrease until next spring.

SB, I don't know. I haven't seen a problem when I've been at the store, but I'm only going in for selected items, like half & half, yogurt, or fresh oranges. I haven't done a full shopping in several weeks.
 

anna43

Veteran Member
Anna - that is a really good pack from the pantry. Ours aren't nearly that nice.
Ours are not either. This one is really good, but that's the list not the actual box!! For instance, the crackers might be a small snack package rather than a box. They had chocolate milk on one time, and it turned out to be a single serving bottle. The juice might be a large container or a single serve bottle. One time ice cream which was a small single serving. Last time the list included a bag of onions, but we go zero. It does seem that they are making a greater effort lately to provide a good box that will help stretch SNAP benefits or dollars for those of us who buy our own.

Shortages I recall over the years: sugar, canning jars, canning lids, bread and gas. I'm sure there were others but don't recall what. During Covid masks, alcohol, acetaminophen, tissues and toilet paper. There may be more, but these are the ones I recall reading about. I had everything except masks on-hand. Well, I had dust masks which looking back would have worked as well as anything else :lkick: . I had fabric and downloaded a pattern from local hospital and made my own masks plus 30 or more to donate.

As far as the toilet paper shortage, my opinion is that was manufactured by the media probably at the behest of the government to distract. As soon as a shortage was announced panic buying ensued, so the goal was achieved.

Meemur -- yesterday HyVee had AE yogurt for 58¢.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
For those not local, AE is an Iowa dairy with great products.

I'll see if we have that deal here. I'm going after more oranges in a bit.

Oranges are starting to go up, but I've been craving them, and given it's cold season and I'm eating small, whole oranges, it's okay. The stores are also selling oranges in containers with something like Jello, which adds far too much sugar and chemicals.
 
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SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
I'm pretty well stocked up on everything, but I do buy a lot of fresh produce and fruit. We like those small mandarin oranges that are so easy to peel. I have been craving regular oranges, though. We also like plums, peaches, and pears. The price on all of those have gone way up. Hopefully, our Walmart will be well stocked.
 

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Been a bit wiped out today. Long story.

Anyways, discovered that I have missed having candles. Not tapers since there is no real way to make those safe around son. But the large glass ones. I'm enjoying that.

I have pulled out my rechargeable batteries and started to use them. I need to make an accessible space for them. I will be ordering more AA and AAA eneloop batteries.

I don't know what, if any, Christmas decorations I'll be doing beyond very basic. Although I seem to be on a candle kick. I ordered some electric tapers for the windows. Lights in the dark.

But I'm still cleaning and purging so I'm not sure I want to bring decorations into the mix.
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Even if I don't do anything else, I usually put my battery-powered candles in the front windows. They have a sensor, so I can just turn them on and leave them alone. I usually do that at Thanksgiving.

I may or may not put up the star and whatever else I bought on sale at Menard's in the front window. They go on suction cups, so that's no big deal. I'm holding off on the door for now. I may buy a wreath from the church, if they give me a senior discount. In any case, I'll keep decorating under 15 minutes so that it's not a pain to take down when it's time.

I can remember spending entire days putting up and taking down decorations. No, not these days. I just have better uses for my time.
 

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I have a wreath in storage that Mom made. I've been using it for years.

Normally I put up a small tree with decorations that have meaning. Then a tote of random decorations that mean something to me. Then I'll follow up with fresh pine boughs from the free boxes of whoever is selling Christmas trees.

Candles were something my parents and grandparents did. I have done them occasionally. But the symbolism, and maybe the thoughts that go with it, are speaking to my soul this year. So I purchased two sets. And I can tuck them away to use during emergencies. They have flicker and regular light mode with adjustable strengths.
 

Wildwood

Veteran Member
I think I have some PTSD I'm going to look for a counselor that might help. I was wondering about the brain fog and the mild memory loss. And it's part of that.
I'm so glad you mentioned that. After the stress of losing my father, I took care of him completely for ten years and fought tooth and nail to keep him alive that whole time, and then having to settle his estate, I really haven't been the same. The settling of the estate was a nightmare I can't even begin to explain and it drug out forever it seemed.

I've assumed I had a mild nervous breakdown but after reading your post I'm thinking PTSD...it never entered my mind. I haven't seen anyone about any of it. I just want the old me back...the strong woman who always had a solution for everything and let nothing get her down. I've always been a pull myself up by the bootstraps and deal with whatever needed dealt with person, no matter how overwhelming or unpleasant the task was. I really want that person back.

I'm glad you recognize what's happening and are dealing with it asap. You'll continue to be in my prayers.
 
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