Prep Genrl Any one else ramping up their preps as the war news gets worse?

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seraphima

Veteran Member
I'm canning up more rhubarb applesauce and using other stuff out of the freezer. Cut and dried a whole dryer full of kale chips today. The blessed plumber finished fixing the sink and i did laundry and cleaning. Christmas gifts ordered in Prime Days are arriving and being stowed. Time to batten down the hatches!
What are you doing? This situation in the Middle East is going sideways...
 
Mprepared

Mprepared

Veteran Member
I have 2 cords of firewood coming tomorrow. I cleaned out the woodstove, planted garlic, cleaning up the garden and I might have a truckload of cow manure delivered instead of doing it in the spring. Dug compost out and put in buckets for my daughter to take home for her garden. Trying to decide if I want to dehydrate out of the freezer or go get 50 pounds of potatoes or both.
 
Reasonable Rascal

Reasonable Rascal

Veteran Member
Looking very seriously at getting a new (used) vehicle with an eye towards lower maintenance and increase reliability vs. what we have now, and in particular increased fuel economy. We have 2 PU but only need one, and despite its age it'll be the "89, cuz it is 4WD. Sometimes you need to haul stuff that is too tall for a minivan, and sometimes you just have to get to work in winter.

Need another mini-van to do the shows and take the mileage load off the current one. Let the wife drive it to work a half mile and errands, etc rather than be our primary mover.

Still adding food to the stores. Concentrating now on cheaper shorter and mid-term shelf life rather than decades long.

Getting dental work done now rather than later, same with optical. The account will go down but nearly as much as it would a year from now.

Oh yeah, and improving our medical stores. What we sell and what we need for ourselves foreseeably are two different things for the most part.

RR
 
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etdeb

Veteran Member
Reasonable Rascal said:
Looking very seriously at getting a new (used) vehicle with an eye towards lower maintenance and increase reliability vs. what we have now, and in particular increased fuel economy. We have 2 PU but only need one, and despite its age it'll be the "89, cuz it is 4WD. Sometimes you need to haul stuff that is too tall for a minivan, and sometimes you just have to get to work in winter.

Need another mini-van to do the shows and take the mileage load off the current one. Let the wife drive it to work a half mile and errands, etc rather than be our primary mover.

Still adding food to the stores. Concentrating now on cheaper shorter and mid-term shelf life rather than decades long.

Getting dental work done now rather than later, same with optical. The account will go down but nearly as much as it would a year from now.

Oh yeah, and improving our medical stores. What we sell and what we need for ourselves foreseeably are two different things for the most part.

RR
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I also stopped the long term stuff. I am 69 so my 25 year shelf stable stuff will out live me.
I made soup this weekend with store bought cans dated 2010 and it was fine.
Well off to work maybe the world won't explode today.
 
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WalknTrot

Veteran Member
Mostly just the usual "getting ready for winter" stuff. Around here, it's nice to have the bulky, heavy items in place before the snow starts piling up. Canned and pantry goods, flour, sugar, household cleaning/laundry supplies, dog food, feed. Right now I'm working on some large area rugs in a few rooms to keep the floors warmer - now that the Lab pup will finally leave rugs alone!

New tires and battery for the truck. Any furniture or appliances, or even lumber for winter projects planned in the house (new broom closet anyone?) - you don't want to be messing around hauling those when there's 3 feet of snow on the ground and it's iffy whether you have a driveway or not.

In strict response to this latest world mess? Not really, and not really needed. A lot of stuff has been in place for decades.
But still, only so much a person can do. Main thing? Give yourself options and be flexible.
 
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school marm

Veteran Member
As wvstuck said above, preparedness is a lifestyle, so the war in Israel hasn't prompted any changes.

However, winter is coming and I am busting buns trying to get the garden cleaned up and prepped for spring before the snow flies. Last year, we had a perfect fall and ideal temperatures until October 27, and then it was hard on full-blown winter until May. And I wasn't ready for that. I don't want to be in that situation again.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We're not doing anything differently, because of the war. Cary was prompted to buy more ammo, so he did that and has plans to buy more. I've been wanting to add a few more items to my pantry for more variety, and I'm working on that, plus replacing what I use on a regular basis, but I was doing that, before the war began.

We have 9 cords of firewood cut, stacked, and stored for the winter, plus about 3 more cords waiting to be split, stacked, and stored. This should give us about 4 years' worth of firewood for heating and cooking. Both flues, heater, and stove have been cleaned.

Cary has done some improvements on our rain catchment system to give us more water storage capabilities.

All in all, it's just business as usual for us. Always looking for ways to improve what we already have.
 
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nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I did my regular grocery shop a few days early. It was more than I usually spend but I had several bags of potting soil for my planter boxes included. I was anxious about getting that shopping done early though.

We have to go to the VA today, my regular check up and DH gets his INR blood draw done. Its a straight shot to the VA so we don't really have to go through town to get there.

The baby chicks are coming along fine and the rooster has let up on Daisy Mae.

And at 76 I don't need any more long term food storage either. Except maybe eggs, since we aren't getting many eggs anymore.
 
33dInd

33dInd

Veteran Member
Ohhhhhh
Yeah
I will probably buy some more spam
Gonna fire up the dehydrator
Woods already up
Need to top off my diesel tank
Noticed the tractor battery seem to be struggling yesterday morning. Might deal with that
But
I really really wanna work on my 54 today
 
momma_soapmaker

momma_soapmaker

Disgusted
Hubs is having his 3rd infusion today. One more next week, and he shouldn't need another one for 6 months. I'm holding my breath that we can get these done before all hell breaks loose.

I'm double checking all preps. Trying to figure out how to get our winter garden finished in between everything. I feel like we're going to need it.
 
aviax2

aviax2

Veteran Member
In answer to the original question: I have been wanting to do a few things a little sooner than planned for more long term situation(s) but the news the past two days definitely makes me wish I had already done them and probably have a conversation with DH real soon about making the decision.

I’m still going through the house to see what we need to fill holes just to get through winter and feeling very behind! The thing that concerns me most at this point (personally) because of this war, is what’s going to happen in the U.S.
 
TxGal

TxGal

Day by day
Most definitely! I re-inventoried all first aid supplies, and did a good number of Amazon orders to restock, especially gauze and hospital-grade bandaid-type bandages, vet wrap, etc.. Picking up antibiotic ointment locally, we go through the stuff like water here on the ranch.

Have been getting ahead on feed and hay because of fall weather anyhow. Noticed yesterday square bales went up another $2 to $16 now. Price is on a par with the big drought some years back. Gas prices came down below $3, but likely not for long and hauling hay for feed stores is pricey.

Keeping our gas supplies up for the generator in case of power outages, and limiting how much we keep in the freezer for the same reason. Pantry is in good shape, but I'm still staying ahead on some staples we use continually.

Prices aren't helping. Our last regular grocery store run was almost $200, and we didn't buy any meat....but did pick up OTC meds and those are pricey.

Not done by a long shot....never really done, truthfully.
 
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John Deere Girl

Veteran Member
philkar said:
It is not changing life for us as it is a lifestyle. I have upped medical preps a bit and padded pharmacy over the summer. Hubby is presently adding another root cellar.
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A root cellar is on the list to do, but it was already there before. I'd love to see pictures if you're willing to share! :)

I'm not doing anything different, just getting everything ready for cold weather.
 
Tundra Gypsy

Tundra Gypsy

Veteran Member
Made chunky pear sauce today; need to plant garlic, and harvest parsley to dry. Hubby tried to dig up potatoes before falling.in the garden. He's okay. sigh. He said there are no potatoes in the potato bed. hmmm Keep wondering if I need to buy some more gas to have on hand. I have numerous empty 2-gallon containers in the back garage. I'm more concerned about winter coming than the war.
 
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seraphima

Veteran Member
As Tx Gal says, "Not done by a long shot....never really done, truthfully."

Nonetheless, it is a good time to look at overlooked things- all my door hinges are squeaking, need oil. More canning to be done. Started tidying the basement, putting stuff away, cleaning, finishing the drying of the onions, boxing up the garlic, washing canning jars (and washing, and washing). Clipping flower heads and spreading seeds outside. freezing ziplocks of water in small boxes for cold ballast in the freezer. Clearing out the freezer. Bringing out the snowshovels.
These things are all jumbled together, yet such is life. Bit by bit...
 
P

philkar

Veteran Member
John Deere Girl said:
A root cellar is on the list to do, but it was already there before. I'd love to see pictures if you're willing to share! :)

I'm not doing anything different, just getting everything ready for cold weather.
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This root cellar is an experiment. Remember I live in the very humid very hot Deep South! Hubs repurposed a metal box that we had worms in at one time...we moved those to a new home a year or two ago. He added ventilation and a door. the bottom is covered with hardware cloth and will be placed on stones. Dug a large hole so will be earth bermed completely on 3 sides and partially on that 4 th side. He made collapsible shelving thinking that some years some crops do better. Baskets are made of wire. Hard to picture I know. When it is in the ground I will make pics. The $10 dollar question is will it work! Right now we have sweet potatoes that need to be moved, Peanuts that need to dry, and crops that need to be started in greenhouse which is where everything is right now!
 
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arks

Trying to keep up
Always looking to add or embellish our prep gear, current events just make it more obvious. One thing that I HAVE done in the last day or two- decided to be armed at home or away ALL the time.

-We’re good with firewood (3 full cord under cover). Wood stove is ready.

-Home HVAC tune up scheduled for tomorrow.

-All cars and trucks half full minimum.

-6 -5 gallon cans of stabilized ethanol free gasoline on hand.

-Scored a -THIRD- 5KW generator for $200 a few weeks ago that is a twin of my primary power plant. Just ran all of them with fresh ethanol-free (and stabilized) gas, then drained for storage. I’ve been toying with converting one of them to tri-fuel but haven’t yet pulled that trigger.

-Put away the motorcycle for the winter but available immediately if needed.

-Cleaned the gas grill and have 7 full propane tanks on hand. Might get one more.

-Tested all the emergency lights (used to light a path to the generator).

-Just today, added 20 cans of various food supplies to our rotating stock. We try to keep a 60 day supply.

-Need to go thru the ammo supply, haven’t checked in awhile. Going to the range tomorrow.
 
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mikeabn

Finally not a lurker!
At this point I really don't have room for more preps. Somehow I do find room (and more $$$) for more books. I have however limited myself to book purchases for my soon to be published, any day now, just a little while longer, book on the naval battle of Jutland and then another on fighter pilots. After that maybe one on the 1922 Naval Disarmament Conference. You see- to my way of thinking- a BIG part of preps, and maybe the ulitmate point, is not survival of my worthless old ass but rather to pass on knowledge, of history, of beauty (why I have some art books) and of God.
 
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seraphima

Veteran Member
Went to the grocery store (Safeway) today and while shopping the power went off. I just kept quietly following my list. The store emptied out until the die hards got to the registers, where the clerks were able to slowly scan the cart contents with a hand held scanner, and one could pay if one had a credit card. The Coast Guard guy (in uniform) in front of me seemed a bit nervous, although he managed it well enough. At 2 pm the weekly tsunami siren test went off as usual, but it didn't seem so usual in the dark in that big store... People are on edge, even in this backwater in Alaska.
 
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Wildwood

Veteran Member
SouthernBreeze said:
We're not doing anything differently, because of the war. Cary was prompted to buy more ammo, so he did that and has plans to buy more. I've been wanting to add a few more items to my pantry for more variety, and I'm working on that, plus replacing what I use on a regular basis, but I was doing that, before the war began.

We have 9 cords of firewood cut, stacked, and stored for the winter, plus about 3 more cords waiting to be split, stacked, and stored. This should give us about 4 years' worth of firewood for heating and cooking. Both flues, heater, and stove have been cleaned.

Cary has done some improvements on our rain catchment system to give us more water storage capabilities.

All in all, it's just business as usual for us. Always looking for ways to improve what we already have.
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SouthernBreeze I was finally able to find the shelf stable bread at my Aldi on Monday. Instead of being with the bread here, it's with the Aldi Finds products and I got a loaf of pumpernickle and one of rye. They don't carry them all the time here, according to the girl who helped me, but now I know I can get it. Next time I know I'm going, I'll open and try them both so I'll know which I like best and stock up if they happen to have them at the time. The texture seems very much like the canned B&M brown bread. Thanks for the heads up!
 
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Wildwood

Veteran Member
I'm not doing anything I don't normally do this time of year. With all the family buisness I've mentioned in other threads that has taken up most of my time and energy the last several months, my preps were in bad need of being topped off. Instead of leisurely taking a few weeks to get things up to speed like I'd usually do, I've hit it hard this week and am close.

I've still got to see what I can do in the garden. I've decided not to do much in the way of a winter garden...will dig the sweet potatoes and see what I can salvage in the way of summer stuff but it won't be what I'd planned. I'll probably get my raised beds cleaned up and throw in some mustard seeds and some other kind of green, plant the onion bulbs I bought a while back and call it good. I'm going to start working on my spring plans. It'll take me the rest of winter to get the rest of it cleaned up because I'm moving slow with this dad blasted sciatica and I've got to let it rest.

To keep things balanced, we drug the Christmas tree out, put it up and let the grands decorate it for fall with little pumpkins and colorful lights, and a few halloween things. In a few weeks we'll take down the halloween touches and replace them with all things Thanksgiving. We don't do it every year but it just felt like we should do the memory making things this year. They really got into it too.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wildwood said:
SouthernBreeze I was finally able to find the shelf stable bread at my Aldi on Monday. Instead of being with the bread here, it's with the Aldi Finds products and I got a loaf of pumpernickle and one of rye. They don't carry them all the time here, according to the girl who helped me, but now I know I can get it. Next time I know I'm going, I'll open and try them both so I'll know which I like best and stock up if they happen to have them at the time. The texture seems very much like the canned B&M brown bread. Thanks for the heads up!
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Yes, try them, first. The texture and taste isn't like bread here. It's authentic German and a lot of folks don't like it. Cary loves both, but I'm not crazy about either one. I eat it, and stock it. It's better than no bread at all in a bad situation.
 
BH

BH

. . . .
mecoastie said:
I ordered a larger pure sine wave inverter for our solar setup. Something I should have done a while ago but just forgot about.
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This was on my list also. Last Sunday local Harbor Freight had a parking lot sale and I picked up new pure sine inverter for $100 off (with electric start).

I have 2 ecoFlow power boxes, fed by grid and solar. They will run my well, hot water, refrigeration, internet and a few lights. The new generator should be able to charge both boxes at the same time.
 
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hd5574

Veteran Member
Well stocked on all the stuff to make both loaf and quick bread...even wheat berries with both electric and hand grinders... :-)....and of course biscuits..and corn bread.. yeast is vacuum sealed and in freezer

Plan to make a large stock pot of spaghetti meat sauce and can it in pint jars...learned from an Italian friend years ago to make sauce..

After that will do the same with beef stew and then maybe homemade beef veggie soup ...quick meals could be really handy..if things blow up... years ago when I was working...kept those in the ball wide mouth jars in the freezer... now will be better canned...

I finished organizing the freezers.....I got some of those new hard bottom.. grocery bags that the grocery stores are selling....used them in the bottom of the chest freezer to sort roasts into by type...then using the regular shopping bags on top of them for lighter things..
.also have started double vacuum sealing roasts etc.... writing date and other info on a 3x5 card... date purchased, date sealed etc.... slipping inside between the two bags...they will keep longer that way...

When I get the pre-made hamburger patties... for example Walmart type...we eat two of the six..then I seal the remaining four individually in the avid armour half pint bags and slip back into the original box tape it shut and tape info on the outside of the box date etc.
Also any of other frozen meals that have the cooking tray....I again open the box take out the cooking tray... vacuum seal the tray in a bag ...slip back in the box...and again mark the outside of the box
This will extend the time things can be frozen...all the boxed items go into the upright freezer .

.I do the same with chicken breasts and thighs..in that freezer's pull out baskets.....usually get those at BJ's because they carry Perdue rather than Tyson and are already vacuumed in to packages inside the larger ones.....the double sealing really makes them last .. in the freezer

I also vacuum seal lb packages of butter ...had one that got lost in the back of the freezer....it was eight years old...lol...we figured it was no good...but defrosted it ...it was as good as the day it we put it the freezer ...

I continue to grab 4 lbs of frozen veggies each time I go to Giant Food or Wegmans those 2 stores have the best grade of frozen veggies in my area..and dehydrate them...one pound per tray...all the prep work is done and they will fill a quart jar with a little left over...except carrots...it takes 8 lbs of carrots per quart jar...just walk in to house and dump them in the dehydrator...it amazes me to think one case of quart jars will about 48 pounds of veggies...
Just some of the stuff I have been doing..maybe a couple of useful ideas
 
babysteps

babysteps

Veteran Member
Not really, I guess. Regular winter preps going on, hay and feed stocked up for the cows, sheep, chickens, and dogs and cats. I might go ahead and get an extra month's worth, just in case. Got firewood during the summer. Garden is about finished for the year, so this weekend we'll work on putting it to bed.

We did acquire a few hives this summer, "assembly required" :lol: so we will be putting them together over the winter and ordering bees for spring. And once the new chicken coop is complete, we will start researching solar panels. These were already in progress before we got in this particular handbasket.

I will probably pick up a few more bags of baking supplies, flour and sugar and such, very soon ... it's a regular occurrence during holiday baking season, so I'm speeding up the timing a bit.

I am almost 2 months ahead on Mom's meds, and can refill her 3 months rx next week, so I'll have almost 5 months on hand for her. Hard to get ahead on them, but a few days at a time has added up.

So... not really. Maybe a little here and there.

I learned a long time ago that if I panic-prep, I tend to make poor decisions. So my goal is to avoid panic purchases as much as possible.
 
Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
just picked up four IBC totes - $15 each great deal on food grade 275gal - not going to have time this remaining fall to properly install them - if I didn't see a very real possibility of needing that water storage - normally wouldn't have pulled the trigger ....

but I can temp block them up and fill them if it starts looking even worse than it already is presently >>>>
 
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