Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: November 1 ~ 7, 2020

[ReneeT]

Good Morning, All! Hope everyone is having a great day out there

We made it through Halloween with minimum candy left over - mostly Kit Kats, Hershey bars, Reeses, and things with caramel - Milky Way, Rolo, Twix. Daughter's friend no longer works at the local nursing home, and the one I reached on the phone declined, so I will take most of what is left to work for a locker stash - my co-workers know that they can help themselves if it's a stressful day. I'd had sale coupons that led me to pick up some stuff for Halloween at the store like Juice boxes, small bags of chips, brownies, etc... that we rarely use; the juice boxes didn't last long; and the brownies, Pop Tarts, and Nutrigrain bars went fast as well, so I will keep my eyes open for sales on those next year. The leftover chips will be going down to Louisiana with oldest grandson and his crew from the electric co-op when they head back down there on Friday or Saturday this week. He's asked me to stock up salty things for them so I will be hitting Aldi sometime this week to pick up jerky, etc...

The only masks I saw on anyone Trick or Treating were the ones that came with costumes. The boys were Deadpool and a Ninja - both had masks that covered their faces; the dog had a ghost t-shirt; he he didn't mask lol!. Hubby put on a skeleton face mask and I put on my lady vampire mask (first time I've 'worn' lipstick in years ) - but we did it because we were cold.

It's supposed to get down in to the mid/low 20's tonight, so I'm going to get the last couple of plants pulled in to the basement stairwell. As soon as Hubby can get all the ladybugs out of the dropped ceiling and I can get the plant shelves put back together, I'll drag them all the way down to the utility room - I'm off until the 4th, so I should have time to get them all settled in. Of course, if we end up going up to the orchard to get apples for applesauce it may take a bit longer than I expect.... (Everything takes longer than I expect it to )

And I'm going to include getting this posted - dog out, dog in, breakfast for one boy, dog out, dog in, breakfast for second boy, fill coffee cup, more cereal in boy #1's bowl, dog out, boy #2 want's different cereal for 2nd bowl, dog in, yell down stairs to tell Hubby not to start the washer 'cause I don't have the boys' clothes down there yet, dog out, boy #1 has grown since I got out the winter clothes, go find a different size, hand off boy #1's outfit to boy #2 but he wants red instead of blue.... I need more coffee

Take care all; have a great week!

 

[20Gauge]

We spent Halloween removing 20+ years of cacti and banana plants from the back of the new office. The area was only 22 feet long and 3 feet wide, but it took 3 truck loads to get it all removed and dumped. At one point we got smart and used the truck to pull some of the plants straight out of the ground by attaching a rope and pulling. Very fun!

note: apparently some types of cacti have caustic sap. We learned this when we were brush cutting the leaves and some of the sap got on us. It burned and left a mark for sure!!! Wife was not happy

 

[WanderLore]

Took the grands out for trick or treat, a triceratops and a power ranger. Had a blast, town had great community spirit, was very generous. FD and PD handing out and had hot dogs, etc.
I wore my Holstein cow costume and carried a bucket to hand out candy on the street. We don't get trick or treaters out at the farm, so had some fun taking it to the little ones in town.
Boys got a haul LOL. Weather was good. Very few Biden signs and those houses did not participate. A TON of Trump signs and deco everywhere!

We have a few things left to get and then we are about as stocked as we can be.
Winter decided to hit today. Spitting snow. Need to make a coal run soon.
I think the next few weeks at the minimum, will be very interesting.

 

[briches]

Headed home soon from our weekend home (will eventually be a full time home hopefully in nine ish years or so) - the old generator that hubby found that got left in the shed is heading home with us for hubby to get up and running. Fingers crossed.

I have a little bit of anxiousness which is unlike me. Trying to give the worry over to God. It’s like the anxiousness that comes before a storm coming. I’ll keep praying.

I’m going to make another grocery run Monday night or Tuesday morning.

 

[prudentwatcher]

Had to stop by Walgreens as better half had requested something. Also picked up some half priced Halloween candy while I was there. Half off then my 20% off that made for some cheap candy

Then to Winn Dixie. This was an unplanned trip until I discovered that they had tbone steaks this weekend for $3.99 a lb. Off I go. Tbone steaks, pork loin, pork steaks marked down, pork stew meat marked down (to be canned tonight). I hit the jackpot on meat. I will be using my new vacuum sealer to pack most of it away.

I really don't see myself going anywhere this week, though I do have a client I need to go see on Tuesday afternoon. Otherwise no appointments and nothing pressing outside.

Oh, and I broke up more sticks and filled two more kitty litter buckets. Am now up to 10 buckets of fuel for my little rocket stove. I really don't want to eat cold food.

 

[nomifyle]

DH used his new vacuum sealer last night, neither of us had ever vacuum sealed bags before. I use my food saver to seal jars, although I think I've got a couple rolls for it. Maybe I should give it a try on bags.

I just can't seem to get myself going the last few days. I have a feeling dread and can't seem to shake it. The weather is wonderful and about 72, low tonight about 45. We do have some cooler nights and then some warmer nights, no freeze predicted in the next 10 days.

I traded the axils on my camper to DH for a male goat he kept trying to sell. DH is using the axils to build a trailer to haul wood to cut into 2x4's. He got some kind of saw to cut lumber.

We are prepped to the rafters and God is good all the time

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Tomorrow we're going to bring in a big haul on groceries. Some as bimonthly normal groceries, some for added preps, and I'm going ahead and getting everything I need for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. I don't want to wait until the last minute, and my menus for each meal has already been planned out. I don't want to take any chances on things I need not being in stock, later.

I'm not really anxious about the election, or what might come afterwards. I just have a deep feeling of dread. I'm spending more time in prayer, knowing that God is in control of everything that touches my life, and I've put my trust in him. Only he knows what the future holds for each and everyone of us. Thanking him for those little nudges he gives along the way.

 

[20Gauge]

Just got done working on the truck. I was going to haul rock for the new planter, but it rained so much I can't safely drive to the planter. I would sink to the frame. Georgia mud for anyone who cares is horrible.

Next vehicle is going to be 4wd and lifted for that reason.

Back to the truck......

Had the AC / fans stop working. Did a bit of Youtubering and it was pointed out that the late 90s through 2010 Chevys had an issue with the resistor and main connector. Basically the resistor would overheat and melt the connections. A real fire hazard apparently. Something never recalled....

Read the manual and got the part..... wrong part. In 2006 they must have switched from a 2 hole configuration to a 4 hole configuration. Another $15 extra dollars later and 30 minutes all was replaced. Took 29 minutes to get the connector to the blower released. 1 minute to screw it back in.

Also the large connector (there were two) is melted so I need to replace that. Off to the Amazonia to order that bugger.....

But the fan and AC works just fine now!!

 

[mecoastie]

Taking the week off. Grocery run tomorrow then hunting and home projects.

 

[marsh]

I'm done shopping, except the grocery had no turkeys. I will have to go back closer to Thanksgiving when I see them in the weekly flyer. I also ordered some seeds for some cold weather crops to sew early next year. Just finished planting onions and garlic.

I have been making lists of things I needed and wanted all year. then at the end of each month when my deposit comes, I prioritize the list and buy what I can afford. I am prepped except for next year's garden needs. I had really hoped for a small greenhouse to grow greens and veggies this winter, but it was not to be. I have some cold frames for spring and will just have to use them.

I have been installing some automatic lighting in the back and side yards. They are battery operated and I already have them out front. They work well.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Before I go to town this morning, I thought I had better make room in the old freezer for a turkey, ham, and pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is the old freezer I'm trying to empty out to defrost. I pulled 35 lbs of cornmeal and 40 lbs. of flour out of it. I'm planning to put all this in buckets with O2 absorbers, but not today. By doing that, I have the freezer less than half full of just meat. I'm not buying any more meat for it, and will continue to eat the meat from it first. After Thanksgiving and Christmas, when the specialty items are gone, I'll have it low enough to defrost and replace with a new model. Told Cary a new freezer can be my Christmas present from him.

Then, it will be on to trying to empty the second freezer. I still have about the same amount of cornmeal and flour in it. Taking all that out, and putting it in buckets will give me a lot of empty space in there, too. It really doesn't need defrosting right now, but while I'm at it, I might as well go ahead and do it, too. I'll have a new freezer to empty the second freezer into while I defrost the second one.

Now, it's off to town! Head's on a swivel, and always armed.

 

[aviax2]

I got the Harvest Guard canning lids in but haven’t tried them out yet. Glad to have them on hand though.

I placed a few online orders this past week. I have a fresh supply of microwave popcorn for the grandkids which made them very happy. Also added pizza sauce, sweet pickle relish, butter, buttermilk and heavy cream powders (I haven’t used these before but I thought they might come in handy), a couple of boxes of Cascade, some rice mixes, 16 boxes of various cake and brownie mixes and 10 lbs of self rising flour. We don’t use a lot of self rising flour so I don’t buy it often but I happen to remember I haven’t bought any in awhile. I have plenty of all purpose flour and everything I need to make it into self rising, but hubby likes it so he can make a quick peach cobbler!

DH was thinking about a Sam’s run either today or Wednesday since we don’t have little granddaughter those days. I told him forget that, just go and get what you want to get at the closest Walmart. I see no point of having to go all the way to Jackson or Nashville which is our closest Sam’s. He did that Saturday and I know he bought lots of dairy and fresh veggies, pickles and peppers, most of it was put in the downstairs fridge so I don’t know what all he got. He’s filling up gas cans today.

I don’t know that what I feel is necessarily dread but I definitely feel anxious and I’m so tired. Mostly mentally tired.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I had no problems at all while in town, yesterday. Everyone was polite, and I saw no one that looked to be stocking up for anything. Just regular shoppers. There were no shortages at Sam's, Food Giant, or Walmart, so I got everything I wanted, except for the Thanksgiving turkey. Sam's hasn't put theirs's out, yet. I did get the Christmas ham, though. Since, I'll have to go back to Sam's before Thanksgiving to get the turkey, I decided to wait until then to also get the pies.

I added 1 case of pinto beans, 1 case of Deluxe mac and cheese, coffee, 2 cartons of pulled pork BBQ, my vitamins, and 1 box of spaghetti noodles from Sam's to the pantry. From Food Giant, I added a case of tomato sauce, Spam, butter, cheeses, 2 cans each of different assorted canned veggies (20 cans total), 2 packages of cookie mixes, and 4 bags of rice into the pantry. The rest of the groceries I bought were for our normal 2 week supply. Walmart list was short. I added more shampoo and conditioner and garbage bags to the stock.

Cary went to Tractor Supply, and added more dog and cat food, plus more doggie treats to the pile. He also went to our favorite gun and ammo store, and picked up another pair of Carhartt pants for himself and more ammo.

All in all, it was a good day.

Today, we vote. Even though we are very rural, and have a small precinct, DS called after he voted there on his way to work this morning. He said that there was a long line waiting to get in. There has never ever been a long line to vote here, and I've been living here almost 40 yrs, and have seen many elections come and go.......!! We're a mixed community, but I have no idea how anyone is voting. Usually the Republicans get the majority at our precinct in every election, though.

 

[Illini Warrior]

I had no problems at all while in town, yesterday. Everyone was polite, and I saw no one that looked to be stocking up for anything. Just regular shoppers. There were no shortages at Sam's, Food Giant, or Walmart, so I got everything I wanted, except for the Thanksgiving turkey. Sam's hasn't put theirs's out, yet. I did get the Christmas ham, though. Since, I'll have to go back to Sam's before Thanksgiving to get the turkey, I decided to wait until then to also get the pies.

I added 1 case of pinto beans, 1 case of Deluxe mac and cheese, coffee, 2 cartons of pulled pork BBQ, my vitamins, and 1 box of spaghetti noodles from Sam's to the pantry. From Food Giant, I added a case of tomato sauce, Spam, butter, cheeses, 2 cans each of different assorted canned veggies (20 cans total), 2 packages of cookie mixes, and 4 bags of rice into the pantry. The rest of the groceries I bought were for our normal 2 week supply. Walmart list was short. I added more shampoo and conditioner and garbage bags to the stock.

Cary went to Tractor Supply, and added more dog and cat food, plus more doggie treats to the pile. He also went to our favorite gun and ammo store, and picked up another pair of Carhartt pants for himself and more ammo.

All in all, it was a good day.

Today, we vote. Even though we are very rural, and have a small precinct, DS called after he voted there on his way to work this morning. He said that there was a long line waiting to get in. There has never ever been a long line to vote here, and I've been living here almost 40 yrs, and have seen many elections come and go.......!! We're a mixed community, but I have no idea how anyone is voting. Usually the Republicans get the majority at our precinct in every election, though.

seen the very same observation posted like 20 times already >>> turnouts 5X larger than normal

I wouldn't doubt some of your regular DNCers there are either totally crossing over or doing a mixed ticket .....

 

[ReneeT]

I actually had to wait a couple of minutes for an empty space in order to vote today - that has NEVER happened in the 40+ years I've voted. Of course, there ARE only 8 spaces

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Our little rural precinct must have been planning a huge turnout today. There were chairs all around inside for people waiting to vote. We had to wait a few minutes for our turn, too. We only have two voting machines, LOL! There were 5 other people there ahead of us. Two came in as we were leaving. I'm glad the line had disappeared when we went.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Was reminded of the need to try emergency foods before the emergency.

Found some ready to eat meal pouches. Not nice, maybe if I was starving I'd eat it. A lost $10 so not a big investment.

Got some more dried fruit and a few more one pound bags of beans.

 

[moldy]

Well, yeah......prep on. I have this week off (planned it that way), so I am doing maintenance on my freezedryer, tearing down the rest of the garden, and working on my business. If there are good deals, I'll hit the stores, but otherwise I'll just keep at it. Oh and I also need to order more of Summerthymes ouch liniment.....fabulous stuff!

 

[nomifyle]

I had stocked up on light bulbs and thought we had plenty, I was wrong, we got down to two. I ordered 4 boxes of 4, surely that will last awhile. They are LED so they are supposed to last longer than the older kind.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[20Gauge]

The wife and I poured another large pad and a walkway for her garden. All told 4750 pounds of concrete today. Must be doing better health wise as I barely feel the pain today....lol

 

[nomifyle]

DH is putting a concrete sidewalk in front of our front door, he's doing 4x4 at a time, once a month. It will take longer but its better than the muddy path we've had,

God is good all the time

 

[hiwall]

Went hiking again toady. Just for exercise. I am trying to get in the best shape possible before winter sets in.

 

[20Gauge]

DH is putting a concrete sidewalk in front of our front door, he's doing 4x4 at a time, once a month. It will take longer but its better than the muddy path we've had,

God is good all the time

The same for us. Like an elephant, small bites one at a time.

We work as a team and can do up to 75 50 lb bags in a single day. Yesterday was an exception as we ran out of rock for the base on one pad so we had to get more.

 

[20Gauge]

Went hiking again toady. Just for exercise. I am trying to get in the best shape possible before winter sets in.

Start moving concrete bags every day for a couple of months. It really helps!! lol

 

[paxsim2]

Picked up one more Walmart order today, hopefully after everything is put away I can do one more run and be done. Christmas is almost all bought and delivered. I would like to add some type of generator like the Jackery (sp) for husband's cpap and to run the fridge or freezer a little everyday.

Going to hit some garage sales tomorrow, dh bought another brand new 5 gallon gas container from the neighbors garage sale today. We are getting brutal on our house clean out. My niece is coming before Thanksgiving to help me clean, declutter and hopefully prime one of the bedrooms.

 

[Digger]

We went to Walmart for the first time since April. Got more done on Christmas. There is still a little yet to do. The store looked well stocked.

I think my pantry is overflowing. We should be good for a long while. I still need to get a Turkey for Thanksgiving.

The garden is done. I dried the celery and it looks really good. I also dried jalapeno halves and have cayenne peppers hanging to finish drying. We got half the upper garden mulched with chopped leaves yesterday. We have about all the leaves off the yard until more fall. Now I have to go pick up the "land mines" the dog has left. They are easy to see without the leaves. The dog is getting old and doesn't always go far to do his business. He is an English Mastiff that weighs over 200 pounds. He will be 10 next month. His sister passed away this summer. They have been wonderful dogs.

Hubby got a back injection 8 days ago. It has helped a little, but I was hoping it would do better. It can take 6 weeks for full results. We have to get some wood cut for the winter after this one. We have two trees down. One of those we have done half the trunk and, it is split and in the shed. I am trying to get hubby to get me a smaller saw so I can cut up some of the trees. He can pick them up with the grapple bucket so I don't even have to bend over to cut. We will see if he comes around to that idea.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Cary and I have planned and prepped to the point that we've done all we can do, except pick up odds and ends as we come across a need. We've decided it's time to go darker, so don't think anything of it, if we seem absent for periods of time. We'll still be here, but not posting much. Getting concerned about the wrong people reading and recording our thoughts, words, plans, and goals. What's already done is done. Not anything we can do about that.

God Bless You All!

 

[nomifyle]

Cary and I have planned and prepped to the point that we've done all we can do, except pick up odds and ends as we come across a need. We've decided it's time to go darker, so don't think anything of it, if we seem absent for periods of time. We'll still be here, but not posting much. Getting concerned about the wrong people reading and recording our thoughts, words, plans, and goals. What's already done is done. Not anything we can do about that.

God Bless You All!

I'm feeling the same way. God Bless.

God is good all the time.

Judy

 

[mecoastie]

Got a deer yesterday. Thats about it. Just working on projects.

 

[prudentwatcher]

Well, I took a break. Had lunch with a friend, spend at couple of hours playing with my honorary grandson (who is two and a half, and loved his new matchbox cars), did laundry and made some brownies. Time to decompress a little.

Then I made a grocery list for tomorrow. Prepping continues.