Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: February 12, 2023

[Illini Warrior]

You sound like me. And that's exactly what I'd do. After I check to see if regular pvc piping could be used to replace them, just in case I decide to use that shelf for other things later. Or so I'd know that it would only be used for that going forward.

those poly shelf manufacturers must have had a joint meeting - the size of the uprights is common between them - but made sure it wasn't a common pipe size - and I haven't found a source to buy just the uprights >>> if you know someone with a simple lathe they wouldn't be hard to fabricate .....

 

[kyrsyan]

Tomorrow is a bulk food pickup. And I'm done a thrift store run.

I'm picking up one splurge grocery trip. Snacks for me. Safe sausages for my son to try.

My bulk black tea arrived. This batch was Lipton. But as I get time, I'll find some decaffeinated black teas to mix on my own.

 

[kyrsyan]

I got seeds planted today. I don't know why my brain had locked up on it. But I planted cool weather crops, mainly varieties of greens. I did plant marigolds and calendulas. I'm debating brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. If I start them this weekend, and plant out in 3 weeks, I should be able to harvest before it gets too warm.

 

[philkar]

In the middle of all the negative news let me leave a little spot of beauty here. I planted about 200 bulbs, mostly daffodils, on a naturalized hillside about 3 weeks ago. Checked on them today and they are up about 6 inches. Should be beautiful soon! In the green house I have tomatoes up and squash up. The squash are an experiment. Peppers go in tomorrow and tomorrow I plant more greens for the hens. At present I am getting 12 to 15 eggs a day from 17 hens. 2 of those hens are just for looks and I don’t count on them to lay routinely. Guess my home grown food is working. Now all that should bring a smile to your face!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

In the middle of all the negative news let me leave a little spot of beauty here. I planted about 200 bulbs, mostly daffodils, on a naturalized hillside about 3 weeks ago. Checked on them today and they are up about 6 inches. Should be beautiful soon! In the green house I have tomatoes up and squash up. The squash are an experiment. Peppers go in tomorrow and tomorrow I plant more greens for the hens. At present I am getting 12 to 15 eggs a day from 17 hens. 2 of those hens are just for looks and I don’t count on them to lay routinely. Guess my home grown food is working. Now all that should bring a smile to your face!

There is an old oak tree a few yards off my front porch. Circling that oak tree for about 10 feet out all around it is covered in daffodils. Hundreds of them. They are all in full bloom, along with my bridal wreath and golden bell shrubs. The shrubs are on each end of my front porch. All of the azaleas along the front porch haven't started showing any signs of budding, yet. Our apple tree hasn't, either. Fig tree, nothing, yet.

Friday, our high is only going to be 49 with lows near freezing. Our gardens can wait a bit longer. All of our raised beds are nothing but a muddy mess. That's where I plan to grow all of my greens this year. We're saving the big garden area for beans, and all the rest. I wanted to try growing some potatoes this time, but Cary said NO. We've never been successful with those, and we've tried growing them several different ways. The last time we tried, they were a total failure, and Cary said we would never try again. I'm thinking, "At least for now".

 

[Marseydoats]

They've changed the weather forecast 4 times. It was originally supposed to start raining mid afternoon today, and rain thru the weekend. We had so much rain last week the driveway was flooded until yesterday. I was able to get out this morning and get all my errands done --- except the dump, they're closed today. I got the truck unloaded and everything put away and I thought it was going to rain before I got finished. The corner of the garage is now replenished with shavings. There's still 6 inches of water standing in places in the yard. I'm figuring the barn will flood this time but there's nothing I can do about it.
I had to come in and have some lunch and rest a little. I guess I will be finishing up in the rain.
I will try and go to the dump in the morning if I can get out.
I promised my neighbor I would help him when he gets his new chicks and that will add an hour to 90 minutes to my already full days. His wife decided that since she retired that she is a lady of leisure and she doesn't do anything --- AT ALL.
I don't think that's good for you and I also think it's selfish -- or maybe she's trying to kill him for the insurance money. He's already had a couple heart attacks.
Most folks here keep their new chicks in their basement under a heat lamp and just put them outside if the weather's nice for a couple hours. And carrying them back and forth and cleaning two cages is a lot of extra work. I love baby chicks and I said I'd help (like an idiot...)

 

[kyrsyan]

Bulk food pick up went well. Everything was as expected. If you all want to look at it, the company is called Naturally A Deal.

About to go repack some meat. Decided not to repack the pizzas given the size and nutrition information.

And then a little bit of work to get done.

 

[aviax2]

Prayers up for all, especially those not feeling the best, traveling and dealing with “stuff”.

I’m still working on using things up from the pantry, fridge and freezer that need using up sooner rather than later. We had breakfast for Sunday family dinner (the grandkids were thrilled especially since they hadn’t even asked) and DH did a deep dive into one of the freezers for a 3 lb pack of bacon to use, bought quite some time ago and got overlooked, it was just fine. Monday night I used a 24 oz jar of home canned pork loin with a can of Manwich that DH bought for some reason and served on buns. I didn’t even know they made any other variety of Manwich ( lol, I don’t get out much) except for ground beef, it wasn’t bad but barbecue sauce would have done the same thing and I made some coleslaw from veggies that were needing to be used from the fridge. Last night I made a turkey pot pie using up some store bought refrigerated pie crust that was a few days out of date, the last 3 little wrinkled red potatoes and a can of cream of soup from the pantry, the last pack of leftover Thanksgiving turkey and a bag of mixed veggies from the freezer. It turned out really tasty and we finished it off today for lunch. Tonight will be creamy chicken & wild rice soup, I used up the rest of the celery, 4 oz of cream cheese leftover from something else and milk thats close to date and 2 pints of home canned chicken chunks. I cooked a little early today since I want to send soup over to DHs aunt and she eats earlier than us.

We’re continuing to just buy things that we want to stock up on as we see them at an affordable price or fresh items as needed. Except of course for ice cream!!! DH has bought several cartons lately but at least they were on what passes as a sale these days! Kroger had Hillshire smoked sausage for $2.79 and Land of Lakes butter for $3.99, both with digital coupon and a limit of 5 so we bought the limit to replace what we’ve used from the freezer.

I’m not sure if it’s the weather being so unsettled, “stuff” in general or a combo, but I feel so tired out and the fibro is rearing it’s ugly head so I haven’t gotten very much done the past few days. Seems like my stomach hurts most of the time and just feeling overall stressed out. I sure hope we all feel better soon.

 

[anna43]

I got my MRI report of s stenosis which was pretty much what I expected. I've elected to try physical therapy instead of going to the Pain Clinic. I've been to the Pain Clinic so many times with my late dh and don't really want to go for myself at this point. If I have to, I will, but I'm not there yet -- thankfully. I do think I will call doctor's office tomorrow about getting a handicapped tag for my car to make shopping somewhat easier. The clinic/hospital no longer has valet service so handicapped parking there would be very helpful. I chose to go to a smaller county hospital for my x-rays and MRI just because you don't have to walk a mile to get inside and then another mile inside. Didn't have to wait either time so another bonus.

I'm still debating on planting a garden. I'm hoping I can start therapy soon and that will help with my decision. I know I will need to reduce the size of the garden, which is okay, but not being able to plant potatoes will be difficult to bear. It just seems wrong to not plant a garden when the country is in a food crisis.

I went to our very expensive local grocery store today and was pleasantly surprised to find boneless porkchops for less than the larger stores. Also, the frozen pizza I like was on sale for $5.99 -- usual price over $8. Again, a lower price than the large stores.

A big snow storm is forecast for central and southern Iowa for tomorrow. I live in NW Iowa so should miss the fun and games this time! I'm not gloating yet, because with the weather the forecast can change instantly or be completely wrong.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm back from my dental visit. If I seem a bit off it's because he gave me a pain pill (Lortab) while in his office. I'm still wobbly and drowsy. I was hurting so bad after he finished the exam that he had to give me something.

I have to go back Monday at 1pm for the first round of surgery (2 teeth). I have infection around the roots of 3 teeth, so he wrote a script for a Z pack (with one refill) that I have to start on tomorrow. He also wrote a script for Valium and Norco before and after the surgery. If, and only if, my mouth has healed well enough in two weeks, I will go back for the next round. It'll be every 2 weeks, until they're all out. He wants me to have another set of partial dentures made, but I'm going to have to think on that for a bit. Why have more partials made when the anchor teeth might have to come out eventually, too. My last partials only lasted 2 years, before I had to stop wearing them due to the broken teeth I have now.

Anyway, since I have to go to Walmart to get my scripts, tomorrow, I'm going to go ahead and buy groceries. I hope we don't have to doge storms all day. I think I'll stock my freezer with ice cream! That may be all I can eat, except soup for a while.

 

[philkar]

[QUOTE="SouthernBreeze,

Sorry to hear about pain. Will continue to pray

 

[moldy]

nyway, since I have to go to Walmart to get my scripts, tomorrow, I'm going to go ahead and buy groceries. I hope we don't have to doge storms all day. I think I'll stock my freezer with ice cream! That may be all I can eat, except soup for a while.

Welcome to my world!! If you don't have one, a magic bullet is fabulous for chopping up food and making shakes or pureeing soups.

 

[kyrsyan]

Did not get to thrifts today. Friend had a blowout last night. Something went through his tire and through the rim. Solid 2 to 3 inch chunk out of the rim.

Thank heavens he had a spare rim. Last year we hunted everywhere for them. They were out of stock everywhere unless he wanted to pay $300+ per. So when he found them, he got two. He was going to mount a spare but hadn't gotten around to it.

Anyways, that meant I got the grocery order and the bulk order because yhose were mandatory. Then I got son and headed home so friend could see if the tire shop would squeeze him in for the repair.

So it'll be two weeks before I can go. Tis life.

 

[anna43]

He wants me to have another set of partial dentures made, but I'm going to have to think on that for a bit. Why have more partials made when the anchor teeth might have to come out eventually, too. My last partials only lasted 2 years, before I had to stop wearing them due to the broken teeth I have now.

I have to agree on the doubtfulness of partials. My late dh had partials and then ended up having to have dental surgery to remove the roots of the anchor teeth that broke off. So, we paid for partials, then full dentures and then another set of full dentures after a couple of years all out of pocket.

 

[nomifyle]

Praying for you Sherrie, and continued prayers for others.

We are in Missouri spending the night. No issues except for traffic between Little Rock and Memphis.

Not too tired, I may have a hard time going to sleep but I do have something to take.

I’m reading so that may make me sleepy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I have to agree on the doubtfulness of partials. My late dh had partials and then ended up having to have dental surgery to remove the roots of the anchor teeth that broke off. So, we paid for partials, then full dentures and then another set of full dentures after a couple of years all out of pocket.

We have no dental insurance, either. All out of pocket. The anchor teeth for my partials are the ones that are coming out. They have all broken off even with my gum line. They're having to come out by surgery, since all that's left are the roots. I only got to wear the partials I have now for about 2 years, top and bottom partials. So, if I have new partials made after all these teeth come out, what's to say that after 2 years I have to have the new anchor teeth taken out? I'm hesitant to do that. I'm going to get all this work done and let that be it for a while. If I can manage it, I'll do without the new partials. If, and only if, the rest of my teeth start breaking, I'll just get them all out, and get full dentures. We've already been out a fortune on my teeth, and I don't want to spend carelessly or any more than we have to.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Welcome to my world!! If you don't have one, a magic bullet is fabulous for chopping up food and making shakes or pureeing soups.

Moldy, every time my teeth hurt, and I have to go through all of this dental work, I think of you, and what you've been through. My aches and pains are nothing compared to yours. I pray for you, daily.

I'll probably live off of soft scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, ice cream, and soup, plus lots of whole milk yogurt.

 

[philkar]

So sorry you are having to go thru all this. Pain better this morning?

 

[SouthernBreeze]

So sorry you are having to go thru all this. Pain better this morning?

Right now, I'm not in any pain. I'm getting ready to leave for Walmart to get my scripts filled and do grocery shopping. I did wake up during the night in a lot of pain, but it has calmed down this morning. I haven't eaten anything and am only drinking room temperature coffee. Can't stand anything hot or cold. Just working my jaw causes pain.

 

[moldy]

Ask your dentist or doctor for some magic mouthwash. You can use it up to 4 times a day and it will numb your mouth and allow you to eat. Just be aware it is easier to choke after using it.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Ask your dentist or doctor for some magic mouthwash. You can use it up to 4 times a day and it will numb your mouth and allow you to eat. Just be aware it is easier to choke after using it.

I will be sure to do that! Thanks!

 

[kyrsyan]

I'm doing a happy dance here. The new glasses, with the Blue Blockx lenses in a computer screen prescription, are supposed to be here tomorrow.

 

[anna43]

I just remembered that my s-i-l got dental implants that anchor her partial. I don't know the cost, but she did comment that she got it done while she still had good dental insurance. I've read a bit about the procedure and guess it could be very good if you qualify for it.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We just got back from town. We made it before any storms hit, but we're under a tornado watch until 7pm. While in town, the girl that cut Cary's hair said that schools in the area had turned out because of the tornado threat, today. That doesn't happen very often.

I got all of my groceries, but did buy a few things extra like more soup, and a gallon of vanilla ice cream. I have plenty of different flavors of syrup for ice cream in storage. The eggs were only $3.06/doz large. I bought extra. I also bought extra yogurt, since I'm taking the Z pack. My dentist didn't want me to have any more Tylenol or Aleve. I told him I had been eating them like candy for the pain. He told me to get Motrin, so I bought a big bottle of those. I got all my scripts filled, too. I finished putting everything away, had a tub of yogurt, and took the first antibiotic, and the Motrin. I'm in a bit of pain.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I just remembered that my s-i-l got dental implants that anchor her partial. I don't know the cost, but she did comment that she got it done while she still had good dental insurance. I've read a bit about the procedure and guess it could be very good if you qualify for it.

My dentist doesn't recommend implants. My mom's 2 sisters also have Sjogren's Syndrome with lots of problems with their mouth and teeth. All their teeth had to come out, and they got implants. Within a year, one aunt had to have them taken out, because she kept getting infections in her gums from them. The other aunt had to do the same. They both now wear full dentures. I'm not going to take a chance with them.

 

[kyrsyan]

We just got back from town. We made it before any storms hit, but we're under a tornado watch until 7pm. While in town, the girl that cut Cary's hair said that schools in the area had turned out because of the tornado threat, today. That doesn't happen very often.

The schools here did that as well.

I hope the pain fades and you feel better.

 

[aviax2]

Our county schools were on a 2 hr. delay, the neighboring county where my DD’s teach and grandsons go to school canceled school today because of the weather. Our county just came out from under the second tornado warning for today. We’ve had sooo much rain! It has stopped right now and I have a window open to let some fresh air in the house and the birds are very loud, I guess they‘re happy finding worms! We didn’t get much sleep last night and I’m hoping for a better sleep tonight.

SB~ Prayers up the pain will lessen and you’ll soon have this trial behind you.

We went to the basement and I pulled more things from that pantry for DH to bring up, still need to get those items on the shelf.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

A tornado warning has just been issued for our area of the county! Yikes!

Update. The tornado went right over DS's
house and hit in a little town 8 miles away. DS is on his way home from work now to see about damage. DS only lives 2 miles from us.

 

[nomifyle]

We stayed in a holiday inn express last night, lol, actually it was nice and got a veteran discount.

And we’ve made it to our destination, visited with the relatives and now in another hotel for the night.

The trip has gone well thus far. My only issue has been with the coffee. The hotel coffee this morning was awful and the cup I got when we stopped to get gas was almost as bad. We stopped at the Walmart here and bought a cheap coffee pot and some decent coffee and am now enjoying it. I was getting a headache and getting grouchy. I’m better now.

The wake is tomorrow, I think all of dh’s children are coming.

 

[kyrsyan]

Last month I got the pleasure of being able to pay my car note before it was due, rather than the last possible day before I got hit with a late fee. That felt so good.

This month I paid it even earlier. And paid extra. I don't know how to explain how good that feels. I only have a little over a year left on the note but I'd love to have it paid off early. It is the only not utility, non insurance bill I have.

A new to me cell phone has been ordered. True to me, it's a refurbished and not the most recent. But since mine has been getting glitchy, it is time to upgrade some. I was actually surprised to get it for under $100.

The garden and yard will be most of the future purchases. Aside from some more sewing machine stuff and hunting a walking foot that will actually fit the Viking.

Temu created a shipping label a few days ago but that's it. But the guaranteed delivery by the 25th or they have to refund $5. So by then I'll be able to see how the presser feet from them work.

 

[briches]

Skimming to catch up on this thread. Will go back and read in detail later. Sending prayers for all here.

I feel like I am out of the loop with not being on regularly this past week plus.

 

[nomifyle]

I upgraded my phone a couple of years ago and I like my old one better but it had limited memory and the battery was bad, I still use to play games and read tb and the news.

So I went to the shelbyville, Il Walmart. It really has a different feel to it, I don’t think I saw any minorities, weird. It was nice and well stocked.

The coffee here tastes like dishwater, undrinkable for me, I like a bold cup of coffee and the relatives we visited don’t even drink coffee and they had caffeine free tea.

Wake to day, it too cold to go to the grave yard, so this afternoon we will be heading to one of the son’s house, visit with the 4 year old twin grandsons and head back home Sunday and get home on Monday, we’ll stay in a hotel about half way.

All is well and we are blessed

 

[Illini Warrior]

I upgraded my phone a couple of years ago and I like my old one better but it had limited memory and the battery was bad, I still use to play games and read tb and the news.

So I went to the shelbyville, Il Walmart. It really has a different feel to it, I don’t think I saw any minorities, weird. It was nice and well stocked.

The coffee here tastes like dishwater, undrinkable for me, I like a bold cup of coffee and the relatives we visited don’t even drink coffee and they had caffeine free tea.

Wake to day, it too cold to go to the grave yard, so this afternoon we will be heading to one of the son’s house, visit with the 4 year old twin grandsons and head back home Sunday and get home on Monday, we’ll stay in a hotel about half way.

All is well and we are blessed

Shelbyville gets worse with that white majority in a few months - the boating season with the early spring fisherman kicks in end of next month - you should find the Farm & Fleet store in Decatur if you need a weekend drive

 

[Digger]

I started pruning the fruit trees. I got all of the limbs picked up and on the burn pile. I have to use the pole saw to finish up. I am afraid some of the trees are going to bloom out to early. We haven't had a good crop in a few years. We also got some of the leaves mulched and on the garden.

I sold a neighbor 2 bales of hay. I wasn't going to sell any more, but she had a sick animal and needed hay to feed while it is in a pen recovering. Hubby wants all the hay gone before we start this years baling. There is only a handful of square bales left. Cleaning out the chicken house is on my list of chores. I will use some of the hay in their house then. I will also add a bit to the yard after the leaves are cleaned up. We have some erosion in some spots. I am hoping to stop that and regrow some grass to hold the dirt.

We had grandkids yesterday. Today our son and the other grandson are coming to visit. I don't know if I will make much progress on my stuff, but we haven't seen this grandchild in a month or more. So time with him is important. But I am sure the boys will be out doing boy stuff so I should get some done.

Prayers and blessings to all.

 

[nomifyle]

Shelbyville gets worse with that white majority in a few months - the boating season with the early spring fisherman kicks in end of next month - you should find the Farm & Fleet store in Decatur if you need a weekend drive

I love farm and fleet, closest thing we have is tractor supply, we are going to Washington, Il later today to visit with middle son and his children.

 

[nomifyle]

I’m not sure where to put this, dh sister had four vaccinations, so her death could have been vax related

 

[SouthernBreeze]

All is well here from the tornadoes.

 

[Marseydoats]

Chewy finally shipped my back order from last month and Fed Ex mis-delivered it. Tried the 2 neighbors houses they usually leave my stuff at and neither have it. One of the guys just throws stuff out up at the main road and I have complained to no end, so somebody may have just helped themselves in the 20 minutes it supposedly sat there. I'll get my money back one way or another but I'd rather just have my stuff.
I stopped on the way back in from package hunting and picked up about 30 pounds of rock from the creek, and stomped them down in the mud at the barn, trying to give myself a little something to walk on so I don't fall.
It's been 75 the past few days and so nice --- today it's pouring rain and the temperature is supposed to plummet. Dh said it will snow. I sure hope not.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Now that I've got a chance to sit here for a while, I want to let you all know that no damage was done to DS's house from the tornado that went over it. There is a lot of debris and limbs that need carrying off, but no damage done to the house itself. We only got a little wind and a deluge of rain from it. 8 miles away, the small town was spared. The tornado touched down on the outskirts with only minor damage. All in all, we're so thankful. The tornado that touched down in the county above us did quite a bit of damage along its path, but I haven't heard of any injuries.

I've been really busy this morning. Washed another big load of laundry, dried those and put them away, cleaned the bathroom from top to bottom, swept and mopped the floors, and have made up my chicken breasts to bake for supper tonight. Those are in the fridge ready to go in the oven. Washed and cleaned up the kitchen. I'm taking a break, now, while Cary naps.

I have a bit of tooth pain and a headache this morning, but not bad enough to take any pain meds for it.

 

[kyrsyan]

New glasses arrived. It's going to take some time to get used to them. I've been wearing my glasses at the end of my nose for almost a year now. These require that they sit where they are supposed to.

Yes, at some point I'm going to have to order a pair of reading/sewing glasses. The yellow tint to the BlockX lenses will just screw up things with sewing. But they really do appear to help with the computer screens. I was doing headache inducing work today and yet once I got the new glasses on the headache backed off. So I think maybe just tedious work and the screen headache was making it worse than it seemed. Unfortunately the software we are using doesn't have a dark mode.

The new regular glasses are going to take some time to adjust to. For the same reasons.