Prep Genrl Weekly prep thread: November 2-November 8, 2025

[Meemur]

Anna, yes, just stay home. I swear that many people forget how to drive in ice and snow.

Judy, I'm sorry that you don't have better medical support.

It's just rain here right now, but it's 37 or so. I got in a short walk and quick stops at the hardware and Fareway, just two items at both, so I didn't feel like a target with many bags. Only seniors like me were around, so that worked out.

I'm still tired from all the mowing/mulching, so I'll probably mend clothes or other tasks that can be done while sitting. I'm not going to be hard on myself because I really busted my behind yesterday. That was the one outside task that I really wanted to finish, and I'm so grateful that it's done! There's now enough chopped up leaves and grass on top of the lawn that both will compost nicely through the winter. I'm not going to rake or otherwise disturb it until next spring.

 

[moldy]

I got to see the grandbaby! Spending some time with mom and the family this weekend. Feeling really blessed.

 

[patriotgal]

2 days ago I pulled plywood onto upper level in barn. Didn't sleep much that night because of pulled muscle pain. Yesterday I alternated excedrin and nsaids. Took it easy as far as lifting. Just did some cleaning and organizing in ebay corner of garage. One of the kids saved me a lot of flat foam sleeves from their workplace. DH helped me get all of the packing stuff organized in totes. Our snoopy fat red squirrel kept sneaking up to garage door to see what were doing.

Sat down at desk in the afternoon to work and that muscle in my side started screaming. Wrapped a heating pad around it and worked til 7. Slept on heating pad most of night. Early this morning I woke up to excruciating pain. About the time I woke DH to get me a pain pill I remembered there were a couple in his shaving kit. Took one and took my heating pad with me to our big recliner. Finally got some relief. Tonight I will set my alarm to stagger the OTCs. The absolute worst of it should be over in another day or 2. Needless to say I am doing very little for a bit. We have no more heavy lifting to do. Should any arise in future we will call one of the moving companies over in Mountain Home. Their prices are very reasonable for lifting, moving things. I suspect the overhead lifting we did putting pipe and lumber on wall racks combined with the thicker plywood was just too much in a 2 day time span.

New job is going well. Just have to get the metrics down now. First freeze expected Sunday night. Glad my commute is just going upstairs. We are pretty much ready for cold even if furnace part won't arrive for 2 weeks. Swapped out last of clothes and put our good gloves in the rig. Ready for chili and soups and all the good winter meals.

 

[kyrsyan]

Son woke up grumpy and has been moody swinging. I'm just dealing. But it is good to at least, finally, see some smiles and laughter again. And be allowed to give hugs. And omg, the surprise look on his face when I did a deep pressure hug, like he forgot they existed and how they felt. I had to give quite a few of those after that.

I got to spend some early time with the garden. I was dumping more dirt in for refilling the one raised bed. And then I was taking the weed pile and creating twist bundles to fill the sides on the other three that are in process. Even if I only get a little done at a time, at least I'm finally moving forward on getting things done.

Body demanded a mini nap after a couple more son grumpy fits. I decided that I would just listen instead of fighting it. That seemed to help me bounce back some.

Just spent an hour hunting the right GFCI breaker for my box. Seems SquareD made some changes about a decade ago and the new breakers are not compatible with the old boxes. What bs. I hate deliberate obsolescence. Add on the shortage that seems to be happening with electronics and it becomes a treasure hunt. But ordered and should arrive this week. Everything else is here for the project. Now I just have to manage to get the human being here to install. I may have to have friend do most of the actual work and family member do the final connections. That's how it ended up the last time. Friend has the knowledge but isn't a certified electrician. Family member is the certified electrician, who hates doing more than he absolutely has to and will continually delay, even when being paid.

Anyways, going past human foibles, lots to do today. Onions and garlic arriving in the next few weeks and I need two of the raised beds full and prepped. That would be the two that just need topping off due to the soil level drop over the summer, as the wood in the base broke down and soil sifted down to fill gaps.

 

[hd5574]

We got a little rain last night..not enough but grateful for every very drop
Really nice today and tomorrow,in the 70s....then rudely cold for several days..
Sounds like soup, stew and chili weather..and lots of casseroles and cobblers in the oven for a toasty kitchen..

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Ready for chili and soups and all the good winter meals.

Us, too. I do a lot more cooking during the winter months. We get burned out on salads, sandwiches, and light meals during the summer. It's time to make the switch.

For tonight's meal, I'm making Polish Kielbasa with German sauerkraut from Aldi's, with onions and bell peppers thrown in the pot cooked all together. German potatoes cakes, and peas, with what's left of my homemade caraway cheese bread I made.

 

[Meemur]

It's snowing! Huge, white flakes that are starting to stick to the grass!

The first snowfall always excites me, especially when it's not building up on the sidewalk. I have the snow shovels ready, but I don't think I'll need them for this storm.

 

[nomifyle]

My upper chest feels numb too

 

[SouthernBreeze]

My upper chest feels numb too

It will take some time for all those nerves to heal. They will heal, though. You underwent a huge major surgery.

Just as a small example.....Cary busted his finger at work years ago. He had to have a small surgery to set the bone. It took a year for the feeling to come back in his finger.

 

[nomifyle]

It will take some time for all those nerves to heal. They will heal, though. You underwent a huge major surgery.

Just as a small example.....Cary busted his finger at work years ago. He had to have a small surgery to set the bone. It took a year for the feeling to come back in his finger.

Same with dh when de damaged two fingers on his wood planner a few years back

 

[anna43]

It is still snowing lightly here and forecast to continue until around 7:00. I'd guess we got somewhere between 3 and 4 inches although it has mostly melted as it came in contact with the ground. Some grassy areas are white, but the sidewalk and front stoup are clear. Rock driveway is clear where there are no weeds which unfortunately is not much. Next year I'm going to use the 35% vinegar recipe and kill those blasted weeds. Last year I spent nearly $100 on herbicides that did not work.

I have one load of laundry ready to fold and one in the dryer. I'll do towels after my shower tonight. I still haven't gotten to the vacuuming, but the kitchen is clean, and all dishes done. Still need to scrub the floors in laundry room, kitchen and dining room which is a BIG job. I bought new rugs for by the backdoor and the garage to house door and want to scrub before putting them down.

I decided on potato soup for supper and have everything peeled and chopped ready to cook. I might bake an apple crisp later. I found some apple pie filling that needs to be used. I prefer to start with fresh or frozen apples, but waste not want not. I still have not done my cranberry relish which I think I'll do tomorrow after church. It should make enough for Thanksgiving plus at least two jelly jars to can.

 

[feralferret]

Nomifyle, As others have stated it will take time. I had 2/3 of my right index finger amputated around six months ago. There are still times that I feel the missing part of the finger hurting (phantom pain). The doctor prescribed gabapentin for the nerve pain. It helps some.

Sabbath Service went well. Just taking it easy until supper.

Price Cutter supermarket has the Progresso soups on a really good sale this week. I stocked up when we got groceries yesterday. I may do one for supper tonight.

Expecting cold with a little drizzle and a few snow flurries here. I caught up on laundry yesterday and am in good shape on long sleeve shirts. I've gotten several from the thrift store the past six months, most of them free. As part of the senior commodity benefits, we each get a $10 per month clothing benefit at the thrift store. It is located in the same building as the food bank. I've never in my life had as many clothes as I do now.

 

[patriotgal]

My upper chest feels numb too

My dad had a defib put in years ago when it was a big ordeal. His surgeon told him that the human body needs a year at least to recover from major surgery. Said it is a shock to the body and there can be all kinds of reactions. He listed several typical reactions. The only ones I remember are dandruff and dermatitis because those were 2 of dad's issues. The big hole they opened in his neck (bundle of wires first few days) took about a year to totally heal of nerve issues.

Praying yours heal quickly, Judy.

@Meemur. We love the German sauerkraut from Aldis. Will be fixing some this week. DGS just texted to ask if he could spend his last week before bootcamp with us. Makes my heart sing even tho I will be doing a lot more cooking now. He likes sauerkraut too. Praying he and DH get a couple deer. DH could have gotten one this afternoon right from the porch but I am not able to help lift around on it so he didn't.