Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: January 7 - 13, 2024

Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Just raining at the moment. Everything has either shut down or is shutting down in advance of the storm, other than the grocery stores, which looked packed when I drove by.

Fingers crossed that I don't have to go anywhere in the morning, but it looks like things are going to be shut down until at least noon.
 
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SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
connie said:
SB, I would put the charcoal /lavender oil on the black spot on your eye brow if you think it might be another bite. Wouldn't hurt anything to be proactive just in case IMO.
Prayers for healing
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Yes, it's 2 bites. I'm keeping the charcoal and lavender oil on both sites off and on during the day and keeping warm compresses on it in-between. Taking Tylenol/ Motrin mix for pain.
 
M

Marseydoats

Veteran Member
They are predicting another winter storm for tonight and tomorrow. I guess one of these days they will actually get it right. I don't drive in freezing rain either way, so I did most of my Tuesday errands this morning. I guess it's a good thing I did, the driveway is still partially flooded from last weekends rain. I probably won't be able to get out until the end of the week, when they are calling for yet another storm.
We're stocked up and I've got library books to read if the power goes out. I would really prefer snow to more rain, there are still big puddles in the yard.
 
kyrsyan

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I let son decide if we grabbed to go food. He thought that was a great idea. Lots of happy bouncing and smiles, and then he got dressed. So I punted dinner.

I'm trying to work up the energy to repack some of the thrift store stuff. Right now it's in the box rather haphazardly. Well, boxes. And bags.

The day started with an unplanned phone call from someone that expected me to read and comprehend documents he had sent me less than 5 minutes before. Except I was knee deep in another client's books at the moment of that text and phone call.

I did get the good news that the client got the job based on the first estimate I did. And he was really happy to have a real grasp on the material costs. He is hoping that having materials ordered and ready at the job start will reduce a lot of wasted time. It will also save money because the guys were grabbing materials at whatever hardware store was nearby, regardless of cost.

Anyways, then I spent 3+ hours in the phone hold torture chamber. And disconnected on their end three times. So I get to do it again in the morning. And a lovely headache from the noise.

There was more but I honestly just don't want to think about it. End result was 9 hours with no breaks. But almost all of the work done, including 99% of the estimate that I got surprised with this morning.

Fingers crossed for a calm and peaceful day tomorrow.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I made a big pot of vvegetable ground meat soup, big pot, turned out good.

We've had some heavy rain this afternoon. I was watching a movie that got all messed up, oh well. I have many many books I could read, so I've got nothing that peaks my interest at the moment. I am looking forward to the Dr. leng sequil that is due out this summer. The original was such a clif hanger. Maybe I'll reread it.
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
philkar said:
All of you that will be getting weather tonight, be it snow,ice, or rain, Be Safe! Don't be acting all crazy! That goes especially to you Meemur! Shoveling snow is not the MOST important thing! Just teasing you of course! Britches says to read a book!
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I know. I'm just going to clear 2 - 3 rows around the garage door because that area melts and then re-freezes. I'm going to leave the rest to the snow angels. They were all working on their snow blowers in the driveways, up and down the street right before sunset. They live for heavy snows!

And I'm make them some brownies at some point.

And if they get too busy, I'll just clear a little at a time. The driveway can pack down. It's the cluster mailbox area and the city sidewalk that has to get done in a timely manner.
 
feralferret

feralferret

Veteran Member
Daughter is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. We stayed an extra day at her house due to bad road conditions from the snow and rain. We will return home tomorrow. Roads will still not be great, but should be better than today. Started with about two inches of snow here today then changes to rain, forming a very heavy slush that was a pain to clear. Of course her snow shovel was in the shed, not the garage so I had to wade through the yard to get it.

I don't understand how so many in my family can not seem to be able to see past the end of their nose. If you know it is winter and snow is coming, make sure the snow shovel is where you need it to use it. Same with nearly every other situation. Her mother/my wife is one of the worst about that.
 
T

Taco Salad

Contributing Member
We're supposed to get several inches of wet heavy snow today with 35mph winds. I'm expecting the power to go out so I took the battery out of the generator and charged it overnight, that genny is bigger than I need and it's a real mother to pull start. I put the plow on one of the four wheelers and on the truck, put a pallet in the bed of the truck and stacked some wood on it and then rachet strapped it all in place so I have some weight. Looking at my list of stuff from yesterday it looks like the only thing that I forgot is putting the yellow flashing light on the truck but that's magnetic so it only takes a minute.

I've never plowed except with the four wheelers so I'm looking forward to staying warm and dry, and also figure that by the time I finish my driveway and private road I should have enough of an idea what I'm doing to go scare up a bit of work.

My son had reported 3 hens running around with what looked like eggshell on Sunday although he said it didn't look like any eggs had been broken in the nest. I suspect that it was pieces of onion because I'd cut into a couple that were bad on the inside and just thrown them to the chickens with the other scraps but just in case I ran to the store and grabbed a few rubber eggs and put them in the nest.

As to Temu, my wife bought some hoodies and a knife for my son from there. The hoodies were the same quality you'd find on the rack at Walmart and the knife seems decent, bout you know it's hard to tell with something like that until you beat on it a bit. I still would only by something that I depend on like a Leatherman or Victorinox or a Zippo from the companies website to be sure of what I'm getting, but Temu is probably decent enough for most stuff.
 
Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
Taco Salad said:
We're supposed to get several inches of wet heavy snow today with 35mph winds. I'm expecting the power to go out so I took the battery out of the generator and charged it overnight, that genny is bigger than I need and it's a real mother to pull start. I put the plow on one of the four wheelers and on the truck, put a pallet in the bed of the truck and stacked some wood on it and then rachet strapped it all in place so I have some weight. Looking at my list of stuff from yesterday it looks like the only thing that I forgot is putting the yellow flashing light on the truck but that's magnetic so it only takes a minute.

I've never plowed except with the four wheelers so I'm looking forward to staying warm and dry, and also figure that by the time I finish my driveway and private road I should have enough of an idea what I'm doing to go scare up a bit of work.

My son had reported 3 hens running around with what looked like eggshell on Sunday although he said it didn't look like any eggs had been broken in the nest. I suspect that it was pieces of onion because I'd cut into a couple that were bad on the inside and just thrown them to the chickens with the other scraps but just in case I ran to the store and grabbed a few rubber eggs and put them in the nest.

As to Temu, my wife bought some hoodies and a knife for my son from there. The hoodies were the same quality you'd find on the rack at Walmart and the knife seems decent, bout you know it's hard to tell with something like that until you beat on it a bit. I still would only by something that I depend on like a Leatherman or Victorinox or a Zippo from the companies website to be sure of what I'm getting, but Temu is probably decent enough for most stuff.
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you might want to get a "floating" trickle charger for that generator starter - save you the hassle of remembering to ready it for emergencies and eliminate those nasty surprises >>> the floating type won't allow overcharging and keeps it from freezing if the temp really plunges .....
 
D

Digger

Veteran Member
We are expecting some really cold weather to move in this weekend and stay with us awhile. We will have lows in the single digits and not break freezing during the day. There will a lot of frozen water pipes around. I got out the faucet covers yesterday. We are expecting snow 2-3 days. So long as we don't get ice, I am ok. The cold may knock back the fire ants a little too. That's always good.

We pulled out 2 old peach trees. I planted 4 heirloom plum that I grew from seed. I hope they come back true to the original plum. If they aren't any good, we can pull them out. I would like to get one more red haven peach. They are one of my favorite. I have some heirloom cherry seeds to plant next. Our old tree is not in good shape.

We did all my contract jobs Sunday. Then yesterday we went to town to the county work yard. They let us dump our trash in their dumpster since it comes off public roads. We went early since were expecting all day rain. We got unloaded before the rain and ran to Walmart. I did a return and we picked up a couple of things. Then we ran in Kroger to get the Kroger Italian sausage hubby liked. I got some of their bakery hoagie rolls to make Italian sausage sandwiches. Then we stopped to visit a friend and drop off the chocolate chips I got on clearance for her last week. Our last stop was the Harps in our little town. I got 3 bell peppers for a Dollar out of the clearance produce. We got a couple of meat packages there too. Hamburger and boneless chicken thighs. The chicken will be divided and frozen for fijetas. Part of the hamburger will go in chilli and the rest will be a couple of burgers probably today. We ran into a couple of neighbors at Harps. It was nice to see them. I replaced some of my cold medicine there too. The kind I like is hard to find and they had it. Though I haven't seen it on their shelves before. This was in a rack near the register.

Tomorrow is hubbys check up with his specialist in Conway. The weather will be good for that. We should be about 50* Wednesday and Thursday. Then the bottom drops out and we start getting winter for at least a couple of weeks.

Have a safe and blessed week everyone
 
briches

briches

Veteran Member
philkar said:
All of you that will be getting weather tonight, be it snow,ice, or rain, Be Safe! Don't be acting all crazy! That goes especially to you Meemur! Shoveling snow is not the MOST important thing! Just teasing you of course! Britches says to read a book!
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You know it! (Reading)

We have a cold rain here today. Supposed to get 2-3 inches and then strong winds coming in later. Not a great combination.
They cancelled schools for today for which I am grateful. I am thankful to work for a county where being proactive and safety is at the forefront of decision making.

I have charged up what devices I can charge. Fire is going in the wood stove. Laundry and dishes are done. Topped off gas again yesterday afternoon.
Just hunkering down and staying put until this weather event is over. (and reading) ❤️
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Rain and thunderstorms moved through our area last evening and overnight. The wind was horrendous! It still is this morning, but the rain has stopped. We're still under a strong wind advisory, through Wednesday night. The wind is blowing so hard right now that the house is shaking. It's going to be warming over the weekend, then the bottom falls out of our temps. Lows in single digits and not getting much above freezing during the day. We might get some snow on Monday. This pattern will last for a while. I'll have to get out one day to go grocery shopping, maybe Wednesday or Thursday next week. I'm sure I'll be feeling better by then.

Both bites are about the same this morning. At least they're not getting worse. I was so sick last night I went to bed early, but didn't get much sleep, because of all the wind and storms. I'm dragging today. Housework is just going to have to keep waiting. Stuff will get done when it gets done. Cary is doing his best to help, though.

What kind of glue tape are ya'll talking about to trap spiders? I have sticky pantry moth traps set up all around in the pantry and kitchen. The only other thing I have is spider and scorpion spray that I've already used. I don't like breathing in those fumes. Where do I find this tape?
 
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Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Blowing and drifting snow here, maybe 5-6 inches, so far. I can't really tell with the drifts. It's still snowing, and I can't even see across the street at times.

Yes, schools and many businesses are closed. I think the only folks who went to work in my area are hospital and grocery store employees.

I haven't been outside, yet, nor am I going out until after lunch. I'll shovel around the garage door then.

I'm currently frying bacon and will make eggs in a minute. Coffee is brewing! :geek:

Sorry you're not better, SB. I think Walmart had these at one time. Amazon has them now.


Plans for today: rest! I walked a lot yesterday, so my legs are sore. I'll go look in my book box later and see what there is to read.
 
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SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Meemur said:
Blowing and drifting snow here, maybe 5-6 inches, so far. I can't really tell with the drifts. It's still snowing.

Yes, schools and many businesses are closed. I think the only folks who went to work in my area are hospital and grocery store employees.

I haven't been outside, yet, nor am I going out until after lunch. I'll shovel around the garage door then.

I'm currently frying bacon and will make eggs in a minute. Coffee is brewing! :geek:

Sorry you're not better, SB. I think Walmart had these at one time. Amazon has them now.

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Thanks, Meemur. I've never even seen anything like that. I'll check Walmart when I go. TS may have them if Walmart doesn't.
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
SouthernBreeze said:
Thanks, Meemur. I've never even seen anything like that. I'll check Walmart when I go. TS may have them if Walmart doesn't.
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I haven't seen them in ages, so Walmart might not have them anymore. Summer gave you a good link.

You inspired me to spend extra time vacuuming the corners and out-of-the-way places! I sure don't need any spider bites right now. I know that I had at least two "common house spiders" (that's what they are called) living in the kitchen. They are dead, now. I hope I got the rest. And, yes, I emptied the vac bag outside.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Meemur said:
I haven't seen them in ages, so Walmart might not have them anymore. Summer gave you a good link.

You inspired me to spend extra time vacuuming the corners and out-of-the-way places! I sure don't need any spider bites right now. I know that I had at least two "common house spiders" (that's what they are called) living in the kitchen. They are dead, now. I hope I got the rest. And, yes, I emptied the vac bag outside.
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My pantry room is full to overflowing, so I have a wall space right next to my side of the bed for stacked cardboard flats of canned veggies. I got in there and moved all of that around, cleaning and spraying as I went. All I saw was dust, but no spiders. I guess they hide good. I also sprayed underneath the bed and the headboard good, too.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
briches said:
Can you all please educate me on charcoal and how it can help? I don’t keep this on hand, and it sounds like a good resource to have.
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When my favorite health food store was going out of business last year, I stocked up on Activated Charcoal capsules. I also keep a nice collection of essential oils. What I've been doing for these bites is pulling the charcoal capsules apart and dumping the powder out into a small plastic lid. Mix a few drops of lavender oil with a portion of it using a Q-tip. It makes a nice paste/oil mixture for the bites. I then cover the bites with a bandaid. I think you can use this mixture on any kind of bee stings, too.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
briches said:
Can you all please educate me on charcoal and how it can help? I don’t keep this on hand, and it sounds like a good resource to have.
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Activated charcoal "adsorbs" toxins. If you take capsules, it will soak up toxins from bad food, or those produced by food poisoning bacteria. It also will soak up chemicals... including and meds you've taken within 2 hours or so. They use it in emergency rooms for overdoses and accidental poisonings, in place of inducing vomiting.

It also works as a topical. If you put a moist charcoal poultice on a bee sting, spider bite or even a venomous snake bite, immediately after the event, it can remove enough venom to prevent any serious effects.

As we've been discussing here, it can even help days later, but it's much better used early.

You can buy capsules or bulk powder. When we had the dairy cows, I used to buy 10# bulk pails... if you have pets, it's really useful if they get a stomach upset.

Summerthyme
 
T

Taco Salad

Contributing Member
Illini Warrior said:
you might want to get a "floating" trickle charger for that generator starter - save you the hassle of remembering to ready it for emergencies and eliminate those nasty surprises >>> the floating type won't allow overcharging and keeps it from freezing if the temp really plunges .....
Click to expand...
I would if I had a garage or pole barn with electricity in it. I don't have either, with or without electricity, I have one of the canopy carports that I put up in a corner of the yard about 50 yards from the house. I can see running extension cords to it causing more problems than it solves so if I know there's a chance of the power going out I go out there, take the tire off of the genny (because hey great design!), remove the battery, and bring it into the house to charge.

It's a pain but beats being without power for 5-10 days if we get a big storm. I can pull start it if I need to it just isn't easy.
 
T

Taco Salad

Contributing Member
summerthyme said:
Activated charcoal "adsorbs" toxins. If you take capsules, it will soak up toxins from bad food, or those produced by food poisoning bacteria. It also will soak up chemicals... including and meds you've taken within 2 hours or so. They use it in emergency rooms for overdoses and accidental poisonings, in place of inducing vomiting.

It also works as a topical. If you put a moist charcoal poultice on a bee sting, spider bite or even a venomous snake bite, immediately after the event, it can remove enough venom to prevent any serious effects.

As we've been discussing here, it can even help days later, but it's much better used early.

You can buy capsules or bulk powder. When we had the dairy cows, I used to buy 10# bulk pails... if you have pets, it's really useful if they get a stomach upset.

Summerthyme
Click to expand...
Thanks for explaining that I may track some down to keep on hand now. They don't work by giving you the trots do they?
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Cardboard is a good hiding places for creepy crawly things.

Its cold and over cast, but I think I see the sun peaking out. Glory be, after all the rain yesterday and last night. We may have some snow flurries next week. This would be a hell of a time for the power to go out.

Our new chickens are growing like weeds, they have surpassed the size of crows at this point. And our one hen is spitting out an egg almost every day, although they are not very large. DH boarded up a small area outside the chicken house for them to go outside. He's also been working on raising the fence on the big chicken yard.

More soup today.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
nomifyle said:
Cardboard is a good hiding places for creepy crawly things.
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I've heard that you can bring bed bugs in your house using cardboard boxes and such. That' another reason I don't do yard sales, because most of the stuff is in cardboard boxes, and who knows what else is in them. I'm about the same with thrift stores.

Cary keeps our house heavily termited every year in the Spring. It also works wonders for keeping insects of all kinds out of the house or dead. Spiders, though, seem to be immune to the stuff. I see a spider every now and then in the laundry room windows, but not often. I think Cary is bringing some insects in the house with the firewood. He knocks the wood off piece by piece, before he brings it in, but apparently not getting them all. I'm going to be more careful and watchful with all the cardboard flats from now on and getting some of those spider traps as soon as I can get to town.
 
kyrsyan

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I swear. We both thought this was going to be a calmer day. And in one way, it is. But the pile of work that we are wading through is just insane for how busy we have been. Fingers crossed, we should have it handled by Friday when 4 new clients come on.

But woke up with only a mild headache that ibuprofen and caffeine handled. And no surprise phone calls. And I'm remembering to stop for a lunch break. Son got solid sleep. So much so that he actually didn't wake up when I did and slept another 45 minutes. And I caught when he was waking up so I did the normal wakeup routine with him which kept him from feeling off for the morning.

And while there are still a lot of winds, the sun is shining.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Even the moth traps should work just fine for spiders. Although the spider ones might be cheaper.

The new mattress pad came. Its not quite as thick as I thought it would be but should really help him sleep better. DH helped rotate the mattress and made an effort in putting on the new pad and sheets but he has no clue how to really make up a bed that will keep everything straight. I told him I would finish it but will have to do it in increments as my back is killing me, even with a pain pill and back brace.

I have illusions of getting other things done today.

I decided to look through my own purses to find something that might work better. I have to be careful because I have a tendancy of putting too much stuff in my purse. I found a couple of what are actually lunch bags that might work for awhile. And a really nice leather back pack that is heavy with nothing in it. I have given a couple of nice back packs away to keep me from using them.
 
kyrsyan

kyrsyan

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We are jinxed this week. And I hope this is it. New girl is now possibly fired, or has quit. I came back from lunch to discover that the winds have ripped out my cable line. So I've been working via phone Hotspot and laptop.

I'm taking a break and then just working on house. Although I may just make a cup of hot tea and chill.
 
P

philkar

Veteran Member
Meemur said:
Blowing and drifting snow here, maybe 5-6 inches, so far. I can't really tell with the drifts. It's still snowing, and I can't even see across the street at times.

Yes, schools and many businesses are closed. I think the only folks who went to work in my area are hospital and grocery store employees.

I haven't been outside, yet, nor am I going out until after lunch. I'll shovel around the garage door then.

I'm currently frying bacon and will make eggs in a minute. Coffee is brewing! :geek:

Sorry you're not better, SB. I think Walmart had these at one time. Amazon has them now.


Plans for today: rest! I walked a lot yesterday, so my legs are sore. I'll go look in my book box later and see what there is to read.
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Don't let Britches hear that you don't know what you have to read! Why she will probably call some sort of agency to check on you!
 
feralferret

feralferret

Veteran Member
Made it home late this afternoon. Conditions worsened the further north into the KC metro I drove.

Had about four inches of slushy snow on the ground at my house. It was a good bit thicker on my parked vehicles. No power outage for me, but all of the houses on the opposite side of the street in my neighborhood were out, as were all of the houses immediately behind them. They lost power early this morning from the heavy snow and 50 mph winds.

We were at our daughter's house downstate. It was remarkable how much more efficient her small town was at snow removal than Kansas City. Precipitation started out yesterday as about two inches of quick snow then switched to rain, forming a heavy slush to clear from my car and the driveway. Alternated rain and snow from there

Daughter had the finger amputation surgery this afternoon. Surgeon said it went well. She was awake in recovery about three hours ago and obviously "heavily medicated". I could hear her while talking to her youngest brother who was in the room with her. Not sure yet how much of the three fingers was removed. Thank you for all of the prayers. Please continue praying for a speedy recovery.
 
patriotgal

patriotgal

Veteran Member
Praying.

I think we are going to head for KC Friday. Snow forecast here for Sunday. The only thing I don't like about being in KC when it is so darn cold is the danger of power outage. The kid who moved further north has alternate heat if needed. The kid nearer in does not. They had a generac in IA. Don't know why they haven't done that in KC.

@nomifyle. I have a lunch bag that I have used for a purse on days I could get by without the usual amount of 'stuff' in my bag. I don't use backpacks for purses. Why would I want my bag on my back where anyone could get into it? I am trying to seriously downsize my bag for this vacation trip. It ain't easy.

Finally found the floor in the laundry room. I took a chance on my only really nice top and used the hand wash cycle on my washing machine. Had 3 or 4 things in there. They came out beautifully and are now air drying. So glad.

Put away a bunch of glassware that was taking up my countertop space. It was MIL'S and I hadn't decided what to do with it. Shoved it on a shelf in the garage and will deal with it later. Dusted the McCoy cookie jar a friend gave me. I am not necessarily into McCoy stuff but my late mom was and she would have loved it. I smile and think of her when I look at it.

Trying to make sure we will be leaving the fridge empty of anything that might spoil while we are gone. We had a buffet of leftovers today. Will have to stop for milk and bread when we come home.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm actually doing and feeling much better this morning. The bite sites are still red, black, and swollen a bit, but, overall, things are looking lots better. The pain and itch are just coming in squirts now. No constant pain. I took the last of the Prednisone this morning and have 2 more days on the Keflex.

I'll be getting back to some light household chores, today, plus paying the second half of our monthly bills. Cary will still be watching over me to make sure I get it all done right. I'm determined to do it, though. Were something to happen to him, I would be totally unable to pay our bills online if I don't get this learned. I've just never been motivated enough to learn, until now. He's always handled all of our finances himself.

Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer and sunny, so we're going grocery shopping. Our weather is turning bad in the next couple of days, and I really want to get out and go, before it gets bad. More rain for Friday, then it'll be wintertime for us, finally. We were beginning to think we weren't going to have much of a winter, but we might actually get one the rest of January and February. A light dusting of snow is still being forecast for Monday.

It will be another light and simple meal for supper tonight. I'm making a homemade version of Hamburger Helper with oven roasted potatoes on the side.
 
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