Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: December 8 ~ 14, 2019

[ReneeT]

Hey All! Looks like the new week snuck up on me again Today is my first shift back on nights - looking forward to it, though I'll have to get used to the different work crews as I usually only spend time with them when we report off. Most of 'em are pretty sharp and are good kids (and when I say kids, I mean not only young enough to be my kid, but in some cases my grandkid!); there are only a couple of hot-dogs in the group, so there shouldn't be too much chaos.

Preps are mostly taking a backseat to the Holidays right now, although I guess that some of the gifts I've purchased are prep in nature. I've also expended some printer ink printing off pics of edible 'weeds' and medicinal plants and putting them in a notebook. I have a couple of good books, but the photos are small; these are 8x10, so easier to compare in the field - and easier on old eyes to look at I'm going to use some of them to show the grandsons how to tell the difference between the different pines and spruce trees we have in the yard the next time they are out.

Older grandson started the next session of Jr Rifle club; when I paid his fee, I donated a scholarship for another child - get 'em interested while they are young and hopefully they will be on track to be 2nd Amendment supporters as they grow up!

Well, I've got about a half hour before I need to see if I can catch a nap before I go in to work; just enough time to get that last load of laundry hung to dry make sure I've got everything I need to stay comfy at work (long johns, check; coffee pods, check; handwarmers, check....)

Take care all; have a blessed week!

 

[20Gauge]

I have been working on my defense part of the preps.

Thanks to the feedback from everyone, I got myself a red dot to try out. It fits the AR perfectly and I like the way it works. then I discovered it did not fit my older guns, so I picked up an conversion rail from dove tail to picatinny rail. I can't wait to use it. It will end up on the AR, but for now, I want to try it out on the possum gun to see how well it works for me. Note: the auto shut off is great. No worries about leaving it on. Well worth the few extra dollars.

Also, I picked up a pair of can organizers for the pantry. They should be in this week and they will give me a bit of extra organization.

 

[nomifyle]

I'm waiting for the change over to post any things prep related.

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm not doing much prep wise, until after New year's. I might pick up a few items here and there, but no major buying.

This time of year gets a bit tight for us financially, and I've got two different doctor's appointments this coming week. I need some testing done, and it ain't cheap! BTDT.

 

[nomifyle]

So far I've done nothing this week prep wise. I had a sick headache this morning and went back to bed for several hours. Better now. Maybe I'll get something done tomorrow.

Judy

 

[ivantherussian03]

Test test test

 

[SammiP]

I've been on a soup making and canning spree. It's drawing down the freezer contents, using up fresh veggies and building heat and eat meals for my husband and I for lunches or if/when our power goes out as it's already done a few times this fall. So far the one thing I've discovered from it is that I need to find out where all my pint jars are going because they sure aren't here! Must check my middle daughter's cupboard....

 

[20Gauge]

Test test test

Test!!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

My doctor's appointment went really well, yesterday. I had a lot of tests done, and all came back good. No new progression in the damage to my eyes from the autoimmune disease I have. I was really concerned, but it was all good news.

Since, I'm taking a break from prepping for awhile, I'm taking the time to reorganize the pantry a bit. I've come into a large number of qt. canning jars, and I'm emptying bags of rice and pasta out of their bags in my freezer, and sealing them up in the jars. Makes a lot of room in the freezer. I've got around 10 more empty jars to fill and seal. I don't think I have enough rice and pasta left to fill all 10 of them, though.

Got another doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon. Hoping it will bring good news, also!

 

[nomifyle]

So far I've done nothing this week prep wise. I had a sick headache this morning and went back to bed for several hours. Better now. Maybe I'll get something done tomorrow.

Judy

My doctor's appointment went really well, yesterday. I had a lot of tests done, and all came back good. No new progression in the damage to my eyes from the autoimmune disease I have. I was really concerned, but it was all good news.

Since, I'm taking a break from prepping for awhile, I'm taking the time to reorganize the pantry a bit. I've come into a large number of qt. canning jars, and I'm emptying bags of rice and pasta out of their bags in my freezer, and sealing them up in the jars. Makes a lot of room in the freezer. I've got around 10 more empty jars to fill and seal. I don't think I have enough rice and pasta left to fill all 10 of them, though.

Got another doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon. Hoping it will bring good news, also!

Glad to hear that your appointments were good news.

I pack rice and pasta in soda bottles with an 02. (Unfortunately) DH drinks soda or I'd have to buy cheap soda and dump it out for the bottles which I've done in the past.

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Glad to hear that your appointments were good news.

I pack rice and pasta in soda bottles with an 02. (Unfortunately) DH drinks soda or I'd have to buy cheap soda and dump it out for the bottles which I've done in the past.

Thanks, Judy.

I've got rice, pasta, and dry beans stored in those tough plastic jugs that nuts come in at Sam's. CaryC loves those nuts! He doesn't eat them up fast enough, and I never have a good supply of them. That's why I have so many bags of rice and pasta in my freezer. I keep them there, until I have something to empty them into. I have hundreds of canning jars that I have on hand for garden veggies, but the ones I'm using now were given to me ( 20 qt jars). I had the thought, why not use them for storage jars, and help empty out one of my freezers. I've been working on emptying out this freezer anyway.

 

[nomifyle]

Thanks, Judy.

I've got rice, pasta, and dry beans stored in those tough plastic jugs that nuts come in at Sam's. CaryC loves those nuts! He doesn't eat them up fast enough, and I never have a good supply of them. That's why I have so many bags of rice and pasta in my freezer. I keep them there, until I have something to empty them into. I have hundreds of canning jars that I have on hand for garden veggies, but the ones I'm using now were given to me ( 20 qt jars). I had the thought, why not use them for storage jars, and help empty out one of my freezers. I've been working on emptying out this freezer anyway.

are you vacuum sealing the jars or using o2 absorbers? The rice will keep longer that way, and as far as I'm concerned pasta will last forever in the original box, although I do repackage because I don't want any paper boxes in my pantry.

Judy

 

[Kathy in FL]

We've been incredibly busy. We could have twice the number of rental units we do and still not have enough for the number of people looking in our area. Rents are increasing because they have to … property tax increases alone added hundreds of dollars of expenses per unit this year. Idiots that think they have to answer all of the questions municipalities ask are part of the problem. There is no LAW that says you have to hand over the name and rent amount of the people in your units. As a matter of fact I could make a legal case that the demands most municipalities make of landlords are illegal … and have when someone from the county tried to push me around. A quick call to the city lawyers got them off my back but it hasn't stopped them from asking other property owners for the info and the newbs actually give it to them. Sorry. Latest soap box for me.

Anyway, ever since the flu went through our house in August I've been battling a recurring respiratory type illness. Only once has it made it past my throat and sinuses but it has been tough to kick this time. All of the extra work that piles on this time of year doesn't help. However, as I can make time and find the energy I have been doing a donate or file 13 type cleaning agenda in the house. I'm going through all of my holiday decorations and donating what I have not used for at least two years and there is more of that than I thought. After Christmas I am going to do it again to winnow down what I keep in storage. All but one of my chicks is all grown and it seems fruitless to sit around waiting on grandkids that may never materialize. Such is life.

For Christmas this year I am also downsizing the baking and all of the other yada yada. I want to have a chance to can some various bacon jams but I will have to see whether I have the energy. I have been providing my parents with groceries every couple of months and that includes using some of my LTS foods to rotate them out so they won't go to waste. My parents use staple items a lot so that's a win for our side.

Hope everyone is well. I am trying to avoid giving anyone this blasted cold from hell. Want to have the chance to see Sue before she heads back to Alaska but I'm not getting her sick with this crap. Some friend that would be.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

are you vacuum sealing the jars or using o2 absorbers? The rice will keep longer that way, and as far as I'm concerned pasta will last forever in the original box, although I do repackage because I don't want any paper boxes in my pantry.

Since I don't vacuum seal the contents when using the nut jugs, I'm not vacuum sealing these canning jars. I use O2 absorbers, but it's not necessary. I've done it both ways, with and without. It doesn't make a difference, unless you plan to store the contents for several years. I use all my stores in a year's time through rotation. Some rice, beans, and pasta have lasted a couple of years, but I haven't had a problem.

 

[nomifyle]

Since I don't vacuum seal the contents when using the nut jugs, I'm not vacuum sealing these canning jars. I use O2 absorbers, but it's not necessary. I've done it both ways, with and without. It doesn't make a difference, unless you plan to store the contents for several years. I use all my stores in a year's time through rotation. Some rice, beans, and pasta have lasted a couple of years, but I haven't had a problem.

Good deal, I do have rice, beans and other things that have been stored for 12+ years.

Judy

 

[Digger]

I canned 7 quarts of Turkey broth. Made from 4 Turkey carcasses. None of the in laws want them so I bring them home. We also had a big pot of Turkey noodle soup before I canned the broth.

The barn work is getting done this week. That is about all the preps that will get done. We rented a big forklift with a man basket to do the work. It is too high to work from ladders. Hopefully we can put gutter guards on the house before they come to pick this machine up. I want to do at least the front. It is 2 stories on one end. I am getting to old to climb a ladder and clean it. The guards arrived Monday.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Gosh, my brain fog is getting worse! DH had to remind me this morning that my doctor's appointment wasn't until tomorrow (I was thinking it was today) so, I'm just going to be lazy today instead. I guess it's a good thing we didn't have to go out after all. We got snow yesterday afternoon through last night. A pretty good dusting all over everything this morning. This makes two snowfalls that have lain on the ground for us so far this season. Icicles hanging off the roof, but are beginning to drip and melt.

 

[nomifyle]

We had a lot of rain all day yesterday and the night before, but today the sun is shinning but fairly cold, not much wind. No prepping today. Although DH is coming along with the 10x12 closet, the subfloor is down and one wall is almost completed, so he's doing but I'm not. Our nice piggies are 10 days old and we have four new goats from two mothers, all are doing well. DH watches closely for diahrrhea in moms and babies and he had to treat one baby, but she is fine now. Pepto does the trick.

Judy

 

[Freeholder]

I’m not doing much today. Did too much yesterday, and my back is hurting today. Nice sunny day, a little chilly, but nice out.

Can’t remember where I was discussing coffee - here, or on my family chat group (or both), but since my body isn’t rejecting coffee anymore, I decided to try the real stuff. Got a little hand-crank bean grinder, some beans, and a stainless steel French press, and have been making coffee for us just once in the morning. Still haven’t decided if I actually like the fresh-ground coffee better than instant, lol! But it is kind of fun to make it, and I will get some beans to store one of these days. Made mocha this morning.

Kathleen

 

[Digger]

The gutter guards are on! Merry Christmas to me! No more cleaning gutters from a ladder.

 

[summerthyme]

The gutter guards are on! Merry Christmas to me! No more cleaning gutters from a ladder.

That's great! Please let us know how they work. I hate seeing hubby on the ladder cleaning out the 2nd story gutters multiple times a year, but that's part of the price to have big trees around the house. I just wasn't sure the guards I've seen would actually work...I could just envision them essentially building up a wet mat of leaves and pine needles on top of the guards, with the water running over the top...

Summerthyme

 

[20Gauge]

That's great! Please let us know how they work. I hate seeing hubby on the ladder cleaning out the 2nd story gutters multiple times a year, but that's part of the price to have big trees around the house. I just wasn't sure the guards I've seen would actually work...I could just envision them essentially building up a wet mat of leaves and pine needles on top of the guards, with the water running over the top...

Summerthyme

My parents use them and they seem to work very well.

 

[Digger]

Get the kind that is solid with a lip the water runs under to go into the gutter. The kind that looks like hardware clothe will not work well. I believe gutter helmet is a similar design to what we bought. We bought it at Home Depot

 

[Dinghy]

I found granulated sugar on sale at Weis stores for $1.17. That is the lowest price I have seen in a long time. Walmart and Aldi are still around $1.73. I got eggs at Aldi for .49. They also have butter on sale again for $1.99.

 

[prudentwatcher]

Aldi had flour for 99 cents for a 5 lb bag. Picked up a couple. Got some of the eggs as well. Forgot the butter

Still recovering from the knee replacement. Doing well with PT, but not cleared for driving yet. That cuts down on the shopping quite a bit. Did order some Mountain House off Amazon for a good price. Done with Christmas shopping.

 

[nomifyle]

I went to the grocery store today and looked around wondering if I needed anything. I went there to buy soda for DH and some pepto because DH took the last bottle from the house for the baby goat that had diarrhea, it works wonders for goats. There was nothing we needed or really to add to stock right now, but I ended up buying a new coffee pot.

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm planning to make a run into town, Monday, for the last time, til after the new year. I'm just going to be buying regular groceries. I will only be buying sales items for my pantry if I can find any. I'd like to go to Aldi's, and look around. I've only been in our new Aldi's twice, since it opened.

 

[ReneeT]

Got off work Wednesday morning and hit the pool; still had enough energy left for a stop at the grocery store - 11# of 85/15 ground beef and 4 - 1#-ish size cartons of roast chicken meat (pulled from the bones) followed me home. Tossed everything in the fridge so I could take a nap; when I got up, I turned the ground beef into meatloaf mix - 11 - 1# meatloaves were vac sealed and put in the freezer, 1# was used to make BBQ meatballs. Then I divvied up the containers of chicken meat into 7 bags that I vac sealed for the freezer; used the last half pound to make chicken stir fry for Hubby's supper and my work lunch. So now I have the main dish ingredients prepped ahead for 18 meals (plus leftovers for lunch) that I can throw together pretty quick. Totally forgot that were getting a free holiday meal at work, so ate my stir fry and brought my prime rib home - not a fan of it, really; but I put it in the freezer and will make some sort of cassarole with it this weekend while the grandsons are here - maybe stroganoff.

I'm enjoying being back on night shift (especially the pay differential - woot!), but I forgot one of the cardinal rules - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!! Woke up with a nagging headache this morning, my thumb and fingertips are nearly flat, and I can pinch a solid 1/3" on the top of my hand. A short cup of coffee for the caffiene to help beat back the headache on one side of the computer (note to self - buy a bottle of Excedrin); hot lemon water, orange juice and ice water on the other side. Drinks - even bottles of water - were banned at the nurses' station while JCAHO was lurking, so I need to remember to get my Rtic cup back out of my locker and make sure I set it where I can see it so I remember to drink! Wouldn't hurt to add some of the Tru Lemon, orange, & grapefruit to my Rural King list either.

Our health care plan at work (BCBS) has taken CVS off our list of approved pharmacies for next year - I am not amused. I checked GoodRx.com and can - if I choose not to use my insurance - get a coupon for a 30 day supply for $4 at WalMart or $11.13 at CVS; 90 day for $10 at WM, $25.39 at CVS. (If you don't have insurance, check GoodRx.com for discount coupons - use it all the time for our uninsured patients.) Walgreen's was higher with the GoodRx coupons on both the 30 & 90 day supply - $2.13 & $6.60 - Not sure yet what the prices would be at the hospital pharmacy where I work (inconvenient hours) or Walgreen's with our insurance (they "don't have the numbers yet") - which are the two that they are pushing. I'm going to have Hubby get a one time 90 day script for his for CVS as he has an appointment Tuesday; and I will call and see if I can get a one time 60 day script for my primary med as I have an appointment in January - that will get us through to when the other pharmacies can give me an accurate price.

We have a church soup supper tonight - if the weather is fit to go, so I don't have to cook. If we go late enough, and I take a couple of jars with me, I can buy some to take home - that will cover Hubby's work lunches this week.

I am waiting for the deluge of seed catalogs to start - I already have a sort of list made out for my favorite RH Shumway, but figure prices may have changed so will wait to send it in.

Well, reckon I'd better get off my fanny and head to town to pick up a few sale items at Dollar General for daughter. You folks all stay safe out there, take care!

 

[moldy]

Renee - JCAHO (or whatever) only cares if you have uncovered drinks at the nurses' station. Nothing in pt care areas, though. It's been busy here, I'll try to write a quick blurb on the current week's thread.

 

[Hfcomms]

Every week is something or should be something to either add new capability or to maintain/sustain present capability. Last week it was a set of snow tires for the Civic. (I do have a full size PU truck but it's a 2006 and not a daily driver or the repair bills go through the roof. I save the truck for when I need to haul or when the weather is too bad. ) Picked up a set of Blizzaks from Bridgestone as I've heard a lot of good things about them. On the way into the big city was a snowstorm and was white knuckling it and on the way back home I felt like spiderman.

And today I placed an order with Apmex for another 25 silver Canadian Maple Leaf coins. They are about the most beautiful silver coin currently minted. Yeah, I've got plenty of American Eagle's as well but love the Maple Leafs.