Prep Genrl Weekly prep thread Oct 31-Nov 6

[Meemur]

I already have everything I need for our Thanksgiving meal, except for the pumpkin and pecan pies. I'm thinking of just buying frozen ones, and be done with it.

If it's not in the house, I won't eat it. I'm going to wait until almost Thanksgiving and buy whatever slice of pie is available at the HyVee Bakery. If there's no pie, there will be cake by the slice or similar goodie.

From now until Christmas is the worst. My co-workers bring in all of their leftover Halloween candy and trays of sugary treats and leave them in the break room. In the past I've gained 5+ pounds over the winter holidays. No more! But they don't make it easy. Sometimes I eat lunch in my car.

One lady I know here is going to buy half of a pie that week (they sell those, too). That will give her and her guests a slice without leaving a ton of leftovers.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

If it's not in the house, I won't eat it. I'm going to wait until almost Thanksgiving and buy whatever slice of pie is available at the HyVee Bakery. If there's no pie, there will be cake by the slice or similar goodie.

From now until Christmas is the worst. My co-workers bring in all of their leftover Halloween candy and tons of sugary treats and leave them in the break room. In the past I've gained 5+ pounds over the winter holidays. No more! But they don't make it easy. Sometimes I eat lunch in my car.

One lady I know here is going to buy half of a pie that week (they sell those, too). That will give her and her guests a slice without leaving a ton of leftovers.

I wish I could do that. Half of my family eats pumpkin, and the other half eats pecan. They won't touch the other. That's why I always have both. I forgot to get the frozen ones, today, since I was sorta in a hurry to get back home. If none is to be found in 2 weeks, everyone is on their own for desserts. I won't be back shopping for two weeks. That's cutting it pretty close.

 

[briches]

Thank you. I just got back, and not feeling well at all. We just need to rest. Both of us are plain worn out.

Praying for you and sending healing prayers your way. Rest and don’t overdo it. Fluids and extra vitamins.

 

[blackguard]

Went over to Oklahoma City this afternoon to purchase some additional kerosene. The one dealer for it here in western OK stopped selling it so now it's an hour plus drive each way to replenish but oh well. Had to have it. Now have nearly forty gallons put back for the heater. Have a feeling that this winter is going to be wet and cold so trying to plan ahead. Going to Sam's on Saturday to add more to the pantry. Stay safe all.

 

[Meemur]

If none is to be found in 2 weeks, everyone is on their own for desserts.

Sounds like a plan to me! I'm finished with picky people during the holidays. It's my time to relax and unwind a bit.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Like I said, I was in a hurry, yesterday, at the grocery store, plus, I wasn't feeling well. I knew I had to buy yogurt, and I picked up 3 cases of 8 each. Cary and I both eat it, so that would last us about 2 weeks. I got one out last night to eat, and noticed the expiration date on the cases was Oct. 21st! It tasted ok, but I'm wondering what to do with all this expired yogurt? It's not going to last much longer, before ruining. I should have been paying more attention. I don't have room in either freezer to freeze it.

Reminder to everyone to check the expiration dates on everything, before buying. With the shipping and stocks being the way they are, I'm sure more and more expired items will remain on the shelves. This was at my local Walmart, not some backwoods grocery store.

 

[amazon]

SB to me yogurt just gets a little more tart past exp date. I would still eat it over the next month or so as long as it tasted OK. I don't have any ideas for what to do with it though. Hope someone can help.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

SB to me yogurt just gets a little more tart past exp date. I would still eat it over the next month or so as long as it tasted OK. I don't have any ideas for what to do with it though. Hope someone can help.

Yeah, it tastes a bit more tart, but it's still good. I went back, and checked the other two cases that haven't been opened. My mistake, earlier. The two unopened aren't expired, yet. One date is in December, and the other in November, so I'm good.

 

[aviax2]

SB-If the yogurt isn’t flavored you could use it in place of sour cream on baked potatoes or make dip, use in place of buttermilk in biscuits, etc.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

SB-If the yogurt isn’t flavored you could use it in place of sour cream on baked potatoes or make dip, use in place of buttermilk in biscuits, etc.

We only eat the flavored.....strawberry, strawberry banana, blueberry, and peach. I've only got 4 containers of the expired left. It will be gone in two more days. It'll be ok, til then. Just a bit more tart than usual.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I was just given notice that Mom intends to get her booster vax one day next week. She has a doctor's appt. with another doctor on Friday of same week. She wants us to take her to the doctor on Friday. Will we be putting ourselves in danger from her shedding the virus to us, since we haven't been vaxxed at all? She'll probably get the booster on Monday or Tuesday.

I really am concerned about this, since Cary has just gone through his own illness.

Sorry for the thread drift. I just trust you guys and gals opinions over most.

 

[summerthyme]

I was just given notice that Mom intends to get her booster vax one day next week. She has a doctor's appt. with another doctor on Friday of same week. She wants us to take her to the doctor on Friday. Will we be putting ourselves in danger from her shedding the virus to us, since we haven't been vaxxed at all? She'll probably get the booster on Monday or Tuesday.

I really am concerned about this, since Cary has just gone through his own illness.

Sorry for the thread drift. I just trust you guys and gals opinions over most.

Sherree... I wouldn't worry about it. Most people in the workforce are working closely with vaxxed people without problems.

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Sherree... I wouldn't worry about it. Most people in the workforce are working closely with vaxxed people without problems.

Summerthyme

Ok, thanks. I feel better.

 

[ReneeT]

I like to use the fruit flavored yogurts as a dressing for a mixed fruit salad - bunch of cut up fruit, stir in yogurt, done. As a bonus, it's acidic enough of a dressing to keep the sliced bananas from browning.

I'm scheduled to work Thanksgiving night so my holiday dinner will be the free meal in the work cafeteria when I go in that night. I'm thinking of offering to trade my Sunday and Monday shifts that week for the nights before and after since daughter and the boys will be gone anyway. My sister-in-law thinks I'm a plague carrier and doesn't want me around MIL - works out great for me (I love MIL, 1:1, or even with Hubby around - the rest are fairly loud and we three quiet ones just back away into the corners.)

Speaking of plague carriers... I walked in to the Evil Empire late the other evening and the guy sitting on a bar stool holding the tub of masks to hand out to shoppers was wearing a Plague Doctor mask I told him "Dude, you just made my day - thank you!" and laughed my way through the rest of the store. He said that the number of people who didn't get the inference was amazing...

Heavy frost last night; I'd heaped dry leaves over the sweet potato beds last evening, then added a topper of black plastic held down with bricks. I was going to dig them today but -
#1 - I got talked into a trip to the pool late this morning, so didn't want to get dirty before I went.
And...
#2 - I got talked into a trip to the Mexican restaurant early this evening and since I'd just showered at the pool, I didn't want to get dirty before I went.

Hubby burned all my cardboard boxes I'd saved to put them in anyway, so I'm going to have to find something else to use. Maybe I'll take his truck to work Thursday, then go slinking down the streets of MIL's neighborhood after work to see if anyone has bags of leaves out that I can swipe to put in whatever boxes I can scrounge up

 

[WanderLore]

SB,you guys are doing the regular protocol, should be ok.
Step daughter just had a baby a week ago. Has been in two different hospitals. They can't figure out if she has appendicitis or endometriosis.
She is on 10 day vanco now.
She is not for the shot. But she did allow them to induce her before due date and then pop her water. Then it was several days before she went into actual labor and that can leave one open to infection.
It seems to be a normal route these days. Her BP was up just a tad, was the reason.
So we're waiting for daily updates. She is trying to nurse.
This is second baby, a boy and they have a 3 yr old girl at home.
First hospital her mom broke her out as they wanted her to sit all weekend there as no one available on a weekend.
Did I say I love my hubby's ex? She is great and I'd be right there helping.
That's all we know for now. Hopefully get to see baby after things settle a little.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

SB,you guys are doing the regular protocol, should be ok.
Step daughter just had a baby a week ago. Has been in two different hospitals. They can't figure out if she has appendicitis or endometriosis.
She is on 10 day vanco now.
She is not for the shot. But she did allow them to induce her before due date and then pop her water. Then it was several days before she went into actual labor and that can leave one open to infection.
It seems to be a normal route these days. Her BP was up just a tad, was the reason.
So we're waiting for daily updates. She is trying to nurse.
This is second baby, a boy and they have a 3 yr old girl at home.
First hospital her mom broke her out as they wanted her to sit all weekend there as no one available on a weekend.
Did I say I love my hubby's ex? She is great and I'd be right there helping.
That's all we know for now. Hopefully get to see baby after things settle a little.

Mom got sick for a few days each time she got her first 2 vaxes. If her booster next week makes her sick, again, I was thinking she might be a shedder, and give it to me and Cary when we take her to the doctor 2 days after she gets the vax booster. Her being sick from the booster wouldn't deter her from seeing this particular doctor. She thinks he's God. I really wasn't wanting to take any chances.

 

[Marseydoats]

Sherree, if she just needs a ride, you can call one of the senior assistance services. Dad used Visiting Angels a couple of times. They had a big van with a wheelchair lift and they took him and waited with him and took him home. I really don't think it cost all that much.
I couldn't manage him and his wheelchair by myself.
I'm sorry you're having to struggle with this decision when you don't feel good. Couldn't you just (truthfully) tell her that you're not well enough to take her?

 

[ReneeT]

Sherree, I'd probably tell her that I would appreciate if she would hold off on the booster until after her MD appointment, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to take her to the MD. Let her choose whether she wants the booster bad enough to find another ride to the doctor. Mama is important, but so is Cary; and he can't change his current condition but she can surely put the vax off for a week.

 

[prudentwatcher]

Made a trip to Big Lots after watching a video of a prepper who did a haul there. Haven't been to ours in ages. Picked up several baking mixes, a 5 lb bag of Himalyan pink salt (for $4), a couple of bags of Bear Creek PASTA mix (had never seen it before), some canned sausage gravy (cheapest I had ever found it), and a few other things. Profitable trip.

Across the way to Dollar Tree. More rice. They didn't have any beans. Got some cleaning supplies and some OTC meds. Also remembered to get anniversary card. Our 25th is coming up in two weeks or so.

Both stores overall were decently stocked. Another trip or two to the grocery and I won't be getting anything but milk, cheese and eggs, and the occasional fresh veggie. Need to pull out my dehydrator and see if it still works. Have some frozen corn I want to dehydrate. Will get more if it still works. I bought it in 1999! And I have used it quite a bit since then

 

[WanderLore]

SB, Renee gave the best advice. I think I'd take it. Tell her wait till after appt to get the booster.
My experience with older folks for a lot of them, the medical appts are their social life and they don't even consider anyone else in that factor of getting to them.
I'm almost surprised she would even expect you to take her. Your husband has just gotten out of the hospital with some pretty serious illnesses. Your already exhausted. Is there anyone else who can take her or a service like was suggested?

 

[WanderLore]

Kids to Awana tonight and we all had a good time.
I'm cuddled up in my cabin with a stove fire going. It's getting cold at night in the 20s. See if I can keep this up.

 

[Meemur]

My experience with older folks for a lot of them, the medical appts are their social life and they don't even consider anyone else in that factor of getting to them.

So true! And as I keep saying to those who are downsizing and moving: you really need to consider the quality of the doctors/hospitals, as well as their location in your new area.

It is tons easier to get a ride when the doctor is only 10-15 minutes away vs. 50 minutes or more, and if you have to pay for rides, the shorter distance is much cheaper.

 

[WanderLore]

We helped out with appts with my in laws until my hub got sick. It was an hour each way to pick them up. All day long.
Not one of them any of the family raised a finger to help when he was sick or even called when he got his transplant. EXCEPT his ex wife.
I never asked after the first few months.
Anyway, I'd take Renee's advice.

Just a drift. But when DH was diagnosed with renal failure, and I was looking at all the work load, 9 doctors, literally everything fell on me and my son.
I wanted to move to town. But he said no. So I drove 1-2 hours each way to dialysis clinic, doc appts, hospital stays, day surgeries, transplant appts.
Plus running labs, picking up scripts, not to mention running the farm, livestock, home, and homeschooling my last son to graduation.
I tore my rotator cuff during this. Other great fun times. There just wasn't time to care for myself or my own health issues. Rain, heat, snow, ice..

I stayed sober through it which was a miracle.
So just to qualify that I understand so much of the struggle SB and everyone going thru it.

March if I make it is 22 years sober. Son is now 28 and full time EMS/firefighter and just bought his own home. Our church family and most of our friends deserted us. Only my grown children were our help and support.

I don't know how SB but you must set some firm boundaries without any excuses because you have to take care of yourself and your hubs. It's critical, paramount and vital.

 

[WanderLore]

Never could use transport of any kind for hubs. Dialysis is considered a doctor's appt and not covered. He could walk so that was their reason too. And he had me to do it, was always their response.

 

[Marseydoats]

Wanderlore, I'm sending you a hug. You are one tough lady!
Sherree, I hope you and Cary feel better today.
Judy, hope you're better as well!

 

[WanderLore]

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Sherree, I'd probably tell her that I would appreciate if she would hold off on the booster until after her MD appointment, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to take her to the MD. Let her choose whether she wants the booster bad enough to find another ride to the doctor. Mama is important, but so is Cary; and he can't change his current condition but she can surely put the vax off for a week.

This is what Cary and I have been considering. She has been on a trip, and will be home, Saturday. I plan to call her, and ask her to put off the vax, until after her MD visit. If she doesn't agree to do that, she has no one else to take her but us, and she has too much pride to use any of the social senior services. She can drive herself around in the small town where she lives, but she will not drive anywhere else, especially in a big city like Tupelo where her MD is located. Hopefully, she'll understand my concern.

Cary has a follow up visit with his MD tomorrow morning. He's not up for it, but he's making himself go. He wasn't able to go shopping with me the other day, so he stayed in the car. He's slowly getting his strength back, but this cold we both have seems to be lingering.

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers.

 

[John Deere Girl]

This is what Cary and I have been considering. She has been on a trip, and will be home, Saturday. I plan to call her, and ask her to put off the vax, until after her MD visit. If she doesn't agree to do that, she has no one else to take her but us, and she has too much pride to use any of the social senior services. She can drive herself around in the small town where she lives, but she will not drive anywhere else, especially in a big city like Tupelo where her MD is located. Hopefully, she'll understand my concern.

Cary has a follow up visit with his MD tomorrow morning. He's not up for it, but he's making himself go. He wasn't able to go shopping with me the other day, so he stayed in the car. He's slowly getting his strength back, but this cold we both have seems to be lingering.

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers.

When my FIL got his vax, we avoided him for two weeks each time. We didn't want to put my DH at risk.

 

[WanderLore]

This is what Cary and I have been considering. She has been on a trip, and will be home, Saturday. I plan to call her, and ask her to put off the vax, until after her MD visit. If she doesn't agree to do that, she has no one else to take her but us, and she has too much pride to use any of the social senior services. She can drive herself around in the small town where she lives, but she will not drive anywhere else, especially in a big city like Tupelo where her MD is located. Hopefully, she'll understand my concern.

Cary has a follow up visit with his MD tomorrow morning. He's not up for it, but he's making himself go. He wasn't able to go shopping with me the other day, so he stayed in the car. He's slowly getting his strength back, but this cold we both have seems to be lingering.

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers.

I rest my case. Pride in place of safety for others, not a good match.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

When my FIL got his vax, we avoided him for two weeks each time. We didn't want to put my DH at risk.

We avoided Mom when she got her 2 vaxes for 2 weeks each time, too. This is just the booster. Same thing in my mind, though.

 

[Meemur]

Prayers that everything works out.

I had time to drive away from the area light pollution and saw a little of the Northern Lights last evening. I didn't stay long because I had to go to bed, but I got to see a thin line of light green!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Update on Cary's MD visit today.

He still has pneumonia, low BP, and something else in his blood work was abnormal, but I can't remember what it was. So, MD didn't want to start him on more antibiotics just yet, because of all he has already taken. Something about it messing his GI tract up. He is still with holding his BP med's, until his BP stabilizes more. It's still too low. Took more x-rays of his lungs, and did lots more blood work. He has to stay in bed for another two weeks, and at the slightest hint of a temp, or more severe congestion, I have to take him back in. He has another appt in two weeks. He was tested again for C-19, flu, and strep. All negative. He has lost 10 lbs and is still pretty weak.

At this point, I'm going to be keeping him away from everyone for the next 2 weeks. He needs this time to heal, and I'm NOT taking any chances with him catching anything. We are good for everything, so there is no need for me to be out and about, either.

More prayers would be appreciated. Once again, sorry for the thread drift. I'll not keep everyone posted with the minute details from here on out.

 

[paxsim2]

Prayers for a complete healing! Take care of yourself!

 

[ReneeT]

Prayers offered up for Cary, Sherree; I hope he is better soon. Sounds like you are on the right track!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Prayers for a complete healing! Take care of yourself!

Thank you!....... As far as prepping goes, I'm stocked to the brim on everything. I even skipped my stop in at Sam's while in big town, today. I'm still bringing in all the firewood for Cary. It's a job with my bad back, but no one else to do it but me. We'll manage. In a couple of more days, temps will be warm enough to do without the wood heater for awhile.. We'll just use our small propane backup at night. We had our propane tank filled up a month or so ago, so we're stocked on that. I can't think of anything we need right now, or for the next few weeks. Fresh produce and dairy will be running low by then.

 

[WanderLore]

SB this is another and most important reason to forgo driving anyone anywhere.
He's still pretty sick and guess what, you get down, who is going to take care of him, or you.
Just can't do it sweetheart .

We're stocking more paper products and various. It's pretty full now.

I'm out in cabin. Already a full day of cleaning and some little crafts with the boys.
Tomorrow I'm staying over at son's to do the last paint. Got the good stuff. Little this and that. It's a break time for me. My back is hurting but I keep going. Son works a 36 on weekends so I tend to dogs and do little stuff.

Friend had the shot in her back yesterday, she did fine. 5 mins. With no Versed even.
I'm still debating because it will raise blood sugar for a few months.

Coal stove perking along. Nice and warm in here.
Stay safe everyone.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

SB this is another and most important reason to forgo driving anyone anywhere.
He's still pretty sick and guess what, you get down, who is going to take care of him, or you.
Just can't do it sweetheart ❣.

I'll be telling Mom, tomorrow, that she will have to find some one else to drive her to her MD appt, or reschedule it for another time. Cary's health comes first right now.

 

[WanderLore]

I'll be telling Mom, tomorrow, that she will have to find some one else to drive her to her MD appt, or reschedule it for another time. Cary's health comes first right now.

Exactly! Good for you SB

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Exactly! Good for you SB

Mom gets back from her trip tomorrow. Monday or Tuesday, she will get her booster vax. On Friday she has the MD appt. It's just for a check up, so it's not a big deal if she reschedules it.

 

[paxsim2]

The greenhouse should be finished today except for the floor.
Picked up groceries yesterday. The substitute waa for generic miralax and got regular miralax for the same costs. The second was for Philadelphia cream cheese 2 package x 3 but got 6 packages for the same price and brand.
Good buy on hamburger, so I'll go pick up 5 lbs. 2.99 a pound.
Have a good weekend!