Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: October 22-28, 2023

[SouthernBreeze]

Powders probably ok. Creams, especially opened ones, I would toss.
I downsized my makeup over the years. Less is more at this point. But i do wear a bit of makeup when in public. Don't want to scare anyone!
I do more skin care products than makeup. My skin responds well to Vit C.

I've always thought older women looked best with less than more. That's just me, though. Yeah, I'm throwing out everything that's been opened and used from. That only leaves me with a couple of face powder compacts, a tube of foundation, and a couple of lipsticks and glosses. If I ever decide I need more than that, I'll buy it new. I haven't been in a makeup section in about 3 years. I don't even know what's available these days.

 

[nomifyle]

One of the church ladies posted a recipe for homemade laundry soap. It calls for 4 bars of shredded fels naptha. I have a bucket with two of the pink soaps (smell is awful) already shredded that I did some years back and lost the recipe. so I just have to dig out the fels naptha and add it to the bucket.

Here's the recipe:

StoneGable Laundry Soap
1~ 4lb 12 oz box of Borax
1~ 4 lb box of Arm And Hammer Baking Soda
1~ 3 lb 7 oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1~ 3lb container Oxy Clean
4 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated
2 containers Downy Unstoppables
Mix all the ingredients in a large heavy duty garbage bag. Just close the bag securely and juggle back and forth until completely mixed. Scoop out into containers.
This recipes makes a huge amount of laundry soap!

I already have all the ingredients for when I get around to making it. I also have a good supply of commerical laundry detergent so I'm good to go on that.

Just thought I'd share the recipe.

 

[nomifyle]

When I woke up this morning it was something to 9 and it occurred to me that when the time changes I'll be waking up an hour earlier and not feel tired like I do now when I have to make myself get up rather than letting my body wake me up when its rested.

 

[babysteps]

One of the church ladies posted a recipe for homemade laundry soap. It calls for 4 bars of shredded fels naptha. I have a bucket with two of the pink soaps (smell is awful) already shredded that I did some years back and lost the recipe. so I just have to dig out the fels naptha and add it to the bucket.

Here's the recipe:

StoneGable Laundry Soap
1~ 4lb 12 oz box of Borax
1~ 4 lb box of Arm And Hammer Baking Soda
1~ 3 lb 7 oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1~ 3lb container Oxy Clean
4 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated
2 containers Downy Unstoppables
Mix all the ingredients in a large heavy duty garbage bag. Just close the bag securely and juggle back and forth until completely mixed. Scoop out into containers.
This recipes makes a huge amount of laundry soap!

I already have all the ingredients for when I get around to making it. I also have a good supply of commerical laundry detergent so I'm good to go on that.

Just thought I'd share the recipe.

Just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth lol, but I'd skip the Unstoppables. The only thing they add is scent, and they leave a waxy coating on clothes which isn't great.

But other than that, I've used this recipe before and it's decent. I've heard it can be hard on machine hoses, depending on whether your water is hard or soft, so keep that in mind.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

One of the church ladies posted a recipe for homemade laundry soap. It calls for 4 bars of shredded fels naptha. I have a bucket with two of the pink soaps (smell is awful) already shredded that I did some years back and lost the recipe. so I just have to dig out the fels naptha and add it to the bucket.

Here's the recipe:

StoneGable Laundry Soap
1~ 4lb 12 oz box of Borax
1~ 4 lb box of Arm And Hammer Baking Soda
1~ 3 lb 7 oz box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1~ 3lb container Oxy Clean
4 bars Fels Naptha Soap, grated
2 containers Downy Unstoppables
Mix all the ingredients in a large heavy duty garbage bag. Just close the bag securely and juggle back and forth until completely mixed. Scoop out into containers.
This recipes makes a huge amount of laundry soap!

I already have all the ingredients for when I get around to making it. I also have a good supply of commerical laundry detergent so I'm good to go on that.

Just thought I'd share the recipe.

Thanks for the recipe, Judy. I'm printing it out to save. I, too, have at least a year's worth of laundry detergent in storage. The liquid kind. It's been my experience that the homemade powder laundry detergents plug up our drain pipe. Cary had to dig up one whole section of pipe to unstop it. It was full of the homemade detergent that had hardened. I'm hesitant to use it, but if push comes to shove, I will. I have all the ingredients in storage, except for the Downy Unstoppables, but I can do without all those added chemicals.

 

[babysteps]

Thanks for the recipe, Judy. I'm printing it out to save. I, too, have at least a year's worth of laundry detergent in storage. The liquid kind. It's been my experience that the homemade powder laundry detergents plug up our drain pipe. Cary had to dig up one whole section of pipe to unstop it. It was full of the homemade detergent that had hardened. I'm hesitant to use it, but if push comes to shove, I will. I have all the ingredients in storage, except for the Downy Unstoppables, but I can do without all those added chemicals.

There's a recipe running around the 'net that makes a homemade liquid version, too. I don't have it on hand but I can look for it when I get home from Mom's doctor appt.

 

[philkar]

Thanks for the recipe, Judy. I'm printing it out to save. I, too, have at least a year's worth of laundry detergent in storage. The liquid kind. It's been my experience that the homemade powder laundry detergents plug up our drain pipe. Cary had to dig up one whole section of pipe to unstop it. It was full of the homemade detergent that had hardened. I'm hesitant to use it, but if push comes to shove, I will. I have all the ingredients in storage, except for the Downy Unstoppables, but I can do without all those added chemicals.

well when push comes to shove we will be using washing machines?!

 

[nomifyle]

There's a recipe running around the 'net that makes a homemade liquid version, too. I don't have it on hand but I can look for it when I get home from Mom's doctor appt.

I've seen that somewhere too, Thanks in advance for sharing.

I like to listen to some utube videos, but they keep me from getting things done. I bit the bullet and suscribed to utube premium, thus eliminating ads when I listen to them on my phone. This will save me time so I can bet some more done. so much to do.

I've got a couple of wash boards and a #10 wash tub, if push comes to shove. And a laundry sink that can be hooked up to a hose from one of the ICB totes.

 

[kyrsyan]

well when push comes to shove we will be using washing machines?!

Lesson learned from some hard times - bathtub stomp.

 

[philkar]

Hey everyone! Beautiful day here today. We are slowly cleaning up the garden getting ready for spring. Top dressing the garden. Getting ground ready for the fruit trees we will add in January. Moving an asparagus bed. I planted onion sets but will plant plants in Nov. and in Jan. That bed was top dressed and tilled. Check seed supplies. We are planting a little differently next year so getting things ready for that.
About the laundry detergent...I have used both liquid and dry for years and have never had a problem but that is just one person's history! Just the thought of scrubbing clothes in the cold weather is enough to make me want to run! I have a scrub board but like a scrub brush better. Can you imagine having to wash and wring out those long calico dresses? Me either!

 

[babysteps]

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

Ingredients Needed

This recipe, made with simple ingredients, makes 1 gallon of homemade soap.

1 cup borax (freshens, deodorizes, and lifts dirt and stains)
1 cup washing soda (freshens and deodorizes)
1 cup liquid castile soap or Sal Suds (the main cleaning agent, lifts dirt and cleans)
50 drops essential oil (optional for a scent)
15 cups water (distilled water, found in any grocery store, is best as it doesn’t contain containments found in tap or filtered water)

Step 1: Boil 6 Cups of Water

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a slight boil. Once the water begins to boil, turn off the burner.

Step 2: Add Borax, Washing Soda, More Water, and Castile Soap

Add the Borax and washing soda. Stir to dissolve. Then add 9 cups of room-temperature water and 1 cup of liquid castile soap. Give the ingredients a stir to combine.

Step 3: Cool for 5-10 Minutes

Allow the soap to cool for a few minutes before pouring into one large gallon-size jar or smaller containers, like quart-size jars. Make sure your jar(s) are heat-safe. If not, wait until the soap is cool, then spoon the soap into the jar(s).

If you’re reusing an old detergent bottle, make sure the soap is fully cool before adding to a plastic container.

Step 4: Add Essential Oil For Scent

Add an essential oil of choice (if using) to the soap (now in the jar) and stir to combine with the detergent.

The essential oil will add a subtle fragrance, but shouldn’t be added until the soap cools as heat will cause the essential oil to evaporate.

 

[ReneeT]

Thank you, Babysteps!

I hope to be using a washing machine - I have an old wringer washer that can use bicycle power to agitate the clothing. If the bicycle power fails (chains break and aren't fixable), I have a couple of new toilet plungers that I'll use to agitate the clothing in one of the new trash cans I've got stuff stored in.

Re: the Unstoppables - you'd likely want to 'go grey' on heavily scented items. Possibly the same with essential oils.

Tomorrow I need to run up to my cousin's auto shop - the check engine light is on in my van, but nothing showed up on the scanner Hubby tried. I already made sure the fuel cap was on tight, and tightened any caps under the hood. Daughter and grandkids are going to use my van to visit her dad and step-mom over Thanksgiving, so I want to make sure it's safe for them to do so. When I leave the auto shop, I'll take a different route home and pick up a few more staples for the pantry at Aldi since I'm already going to be out and about.

Anyone have grandkids or kids that watched the movie 'Frozen'? Apparently, I'm going to be wearing a Sven the Reindeer costume next week while handing out candy as it's the local merchants candy run night - where the kids can trick or treat the merchants. Oh well, at least I didn't have to be Olaf - that's daughter's costume The 'Frozen' costume theme ties in to Daughter's Cryotherapy business - that girl has more imagination... Hmmmm - I wonder if she can deduct the cost of the candy and costumes as advertising... I'd better go find the receipts just in case.

We've got rain in the forecast for 4 of the next 6 days - a little over an inch and a half total expected - but it's not supposed to rain during the candy run. Rain is better'n snow, so I'm not gonna complain (too much) It's supposed to get down in to the low 20's on Hallowe'en night, but not until after the little goblins are back home and in bed.

Daughter will be glad when Hallowe'en is over - there's so much toilet paper hanging in the trees in her yard... Maybe the rain will dissolve some of it... She has security cameras so is well aware of just which of the boys' friends did it, so I imagine there might be some boys cleaning up her yard in November.

Hmmm - I'm hearing some choppers going over - 2 of 'em, and they seem to be coming from 2 directions; guess I'll go slip a little hardwear in my robe pockets... Looked out the upstairs windows but couldn't tell if they were Medivac, Water Rescue (nearby lake), or if the Nat'l guard was doing night maneuvers.

They made another pass after I came back down stairs, but they haven't come back over since then.

Well, I think I'll go work on the Aldi list for a bit - you folks all take care out there...

 

[Wildwood]

Happy belated anniversary to @SouthernBreeze and @CaryC!

We got the Sam’s and Amazon orders in yesterday and unpacked the boxes, I’ll probably head down to the basement today and do some more much needed inventory, sorting, organizing and putting away. We had our granddaughter yesterday and she was her lively, busy little self and had a blast “building” rooms and houses with the empty boxes.

DH brought up everything from the basement I had set aside last week so I’ve got to get it all put away! I’ll be glad to get the pantry work done and get back to my decluttering and cleaning in the rest of the house. I want to get some things off to Salvation Army tomorrow so I’ll be giving some quick looks around today to see what I can add to the box I’ve already got started. Maybe (fingers crossed) I can drag DH back to his closet to finish up going through his things.

We had beef stew leftovers for supper last night so I need to get something planned for tonight. Zucchini and/or yellow squash will definitely be on the menu.

We need to get the rest of the bell peppers picked and ready for the freezer soon too.

We are doing the same things...I could have written your post except for the basement.

I have more Amazon stuff coming tomorrow. I got Sam's last week and thinking about placing another order. My husband needs to clear out his closet and says he will but I will believe it when I see it. He buys new clothes but never gets rid of anything so I'm constnatly having to get new hangers lol. Some day I'm going to do it for him.

I'm slowly decluttering my house and I have bell peppers to pick and cut up for the freezer...it's all I have left in the garden.

 

[prudentwatcher]

We ordered a bunch more stuff from Chewy's using a $30 off $100 coupon code. The gc for last time was applied to our bill, so now we have another $30 off on the next bill. Cat food is getting really expensive and we have four cats, and I like to stay 6-9 months ahead at a minimum.

We also signed the contract today for a whole house generator, which will tie into our already existing natural gas line. We live in hurricane country and thought it was a reasonable prep (though not cheap), and we have almost everything else already taken care of by now anyway. This is kind of the last major thing.

 

[nomifyle]

The thought of wringing jeans out makes my hands hurt. I have a plunger type thing I bought years ago to use to wash clothes. And I also have a wonder washer. But I don't have anything to wring wet clothes out. Maybe its time to bite the bullet and buy one of those mop buckets with the wringer on it.

 

[Wildwood]

The thought of wringing jeans out makes my hands hurt. I have a plunger type thing I bought years ago to use to wash clothes. And I also have a wonder washer. But I don't have anything to wring wet clothes out. Maybe its time to bite the bullet and buy one of those mop buckets with the wringer on it.

I have just layed my stuff over the clothesline and let most of the water drip off instead of wringing them out. They don't get as wrinkled but they are heavy to start with. After most of the water drips off, you can then go ahead and hang them the usual way.

I hate wringing clothes so when I put my quilts in the bath tub and wash them by hand, after the last rinse, I just pull the plug and let all the water run out for a good while. Meanwhile, I go in ever so often and reposition the quilts for maximum drainage before I ever attempt to do any wringing.

I do have a vintage wringer in mint condition and if it ever comes down to it, I'll use it but it's so darn pretty, I'm not using it unless TSHTF happens lol. My poor little daddy use to do his best to get me to use it to shell the purple hull peas but it would have ruined those white rollers. He quit asking after I found a pea sheller, new in the box, at a yard sale for $3.

 

[moldy]

Came home early and took a nap. The antibiotics I think are messing with me - but they are necessary, so I need to put on my big girl pants and suck it up. Tomorrow, I plan to get some elderberry syrup made and some GERD syrup. Another practitioner from our center took some to a market last weekend and sold out. Listed a couple more things for sale on Ebay.... working on cleaning the pantry (continually!), just trying to get ready for winter.

 

[patriotgal]

Listed more stuff on ebay. Noticed tonight that we have gotten many more views than ever before. DH says it's because everyone is trying to stretch their dollars.

Hauled old water heaters to scrap yard. As we exited the highway some Karen leaned out passenger window of a rig and yelled at DH because of the line of cars behind us. We were actually doing the speed limit. There's just lots of traffic right now. I bet she was really happy when she had to sit at the road construction stop a mile down the road, lol. I refrained from waving back or replying. Wasn't easy.

Still no canned goods at nearest Aldi's. Have been buying their brand for years. Our 2 nearest Dollar Generals are having trouble filling their shelves. After we left scrapyard I stopped at $ tree and got more of their boxed milk along with storage bags. I cannot find the oversize zip lock bags anywhere locally. I store my sheets in them in the closet. I have been using them also for sorting and packing away MIL's embroidered items. I have also been using zip lock bags as initial container for some of my ebay small item listings. Had to actually buy some black markers. My pen hoarding is confined to nicer writing instruments.

Trimmed limbs away from house this afternoon. Beautiful day. 2 drops of rain. Hardly any wind. We have a young woodpecker who competes vocally with a sassy red squirrel. Was so nice to listen to them and be outside in the back yard.

Neighbor's entire herd of cattle got out a couple days ago and covered our big front yard in fresh manure. It is now well fertilized but the grands won't be playing in the leaves anytime soon. Smells like a stockyard. Hope we get our rain this weekend and it gets diluted.

When we went to get some scrap stuff out of one of the out buildings, I had to stop for a moment and just take it in. It smelled exactly like my dad's shop where I used to hand him tools. That mix of the greases and oils for the farm equipment and hay and old stuff. It was the most comforting aroma. It brought back the best memories.

While looking for tape in some of my boxes, I found a couple of the old desktop dispensers. I have a grand that loves, loves, loves tape. Always has. There will be a desktop dispenser with refills under the tree this year, : )

We are making good progress in getting rid of stuff. Backhoe guy will be here Thursday. Scrap guy coming to look at couple old vehicles Friday. Can't imagine looking out and not seeing old trucks. Feel like I am breaking a redneck law! A tweak to the stove pipe and a bit more wood and we will be as ready as we are going to be for whatever winter brings. Praying everyone is.

 

[Illini Warrior]

Listed more stuff on ebay. Noticed tonight that we have gotten many more views than ever before. DH says it's because everyone is trying to stretch their dollars.

Hauled old water heaters to scrap yard. As we exited the highway some Karen leaned out passenger window of a rig and yelled at DH because of the line of cars behind us. We were actually doing the speed limit. There's just lots of traffic right now. I bet she was really happy when she had to sit at the road construction stop a mile down the road, lol. I refrained from waving back or replying. Wasn't easy.

Still no canned goods at nearest Aldi's. Have been buying their brand for years. Our 2 nearest Dollar Generals are having trouble filling their shelves. After we left scrapyard I stopped at $ tree and got more of their boxed milk along with storage bags. I cannot find the oversize zip lock bags anywhere locally. I store my sheets in them in the closet. I have been using them also for sorting and packing away MIL's embroidered items. I have also been using zip lock bags as initial container for some of my ebay small item listings. Had to actually buy some black markers. My pen hoarding is confined to nicer writing instruments.

Trimmed limbs away from house this afternoon. Beautiful day. 2 drops of rain. Hardly any wind. We have a young woodpecker who competes vocally with a sassy red squirrel. Was so nice to listen to them and be outside in the back yard.

Neighbor's entire herd of cattle got out a couple days ago and covered our big front yard in fresh manure. It is now well fertilized but the grands won't be playing in the leaves anytime soon. Smells like a stockyard. Hope we get our rain this weekend and it gets diluted.

When we went to get some scrap stuff out of one of the out buildings, I had to stop for a moment and just take it in. It smelled exactly like my dad's shop where I used to hand him tools. That mix of the greases and oils for the farm equipment and hay and old stuff. It was the most comforting aroma. It brought back the best memories.

While looking for tape in some of my boxes, I found a couple of the old desktop dispensers. I have a grand that loves, loves, loves tape. Always has. There will be a desktop dispenser with refills under the tree this year, : )

We are making good progress in getting rid of stuff. Backhoe guy will be here Thursday. Scrap guy coming to look at couple old vehicles Friday. Can't imagine looking out and not seeing old trucks. Feel like I am breaking a redneck law! A tweak to the stove pipe and a bit more wood and we will be as ready as we are going to be for whatever winter brings. Praying everyone is.

don't limit yourself to selling on EBay >>>> the FaceBook Marketplace is larger these days - especially if selling household & kids stuff - tons & tons & tons of clothes - the farm stand foods including meat on the hoof .....

listing stuff is 10X eazier than the EBay rig & maroll procedures for an account >>>>

 

[SouthernBreeze]

well when push comes to shove we will be using washing machines?!

LOL. That's why I store all the ingredients to make my own laundry detergent to use if washing machines aren't working and no way to restock my liquid laundry detergent. I have two large washtubs and a table set up outside on the deck just for washing clothes, plus a clothesline to hang them to dry. I also have two washboards, one large and one small and a plunger. During the cold months or rainy days, I'll use the bathtub and my indoor clothesline and racks. When it comes to a SHTF events, I've learned to think in the old ways of doing things, instead of solar and generators. We do have a genny but might not have gas for them long term. We also have a small solar array, but only large enough to power smaller things.

 

[hd5574]

The thought of wringing jeans out makes my hands hurt. I have a plunger type thing I bought years ago to use to wash clothes. And I also have a wonder washer. But I don't have anything to wring wet clothes out. Maybe its time to bite the bullet and buy one of those mop buckets with the wringer on it.

There was a time when .... several years back...when I had the wash clothes by hand ... don't remember why....think dh had to order and wait for a part....have a little washer....but as you say wringing was the problem..... I grabbed my salad spiner....it wll do one pair of jeans at time or several..small items...just one regular bath towel...and so forth...the dryer was still working but i do have an outside clothes line....and have even gotten more clothes pins as back up...
A salad spinner is a friend.... :-)

 

[connie]

Such a wealth of interesting and useful information.

I have all the necessary ingredients for homemade powder or liquid detergent as well.

We had a fast moving rip roaring storm move through last night. I saw the warning on phone for 60 mph wind and hail and it hit before I could warn hubby. He had been working in garage and new car was outside but he quickly made space and put it in the garage. That was Spring weather, not fall!
No damage, except for traumatizing the cat. She does not like the sound of hail and heavy rain on the metal roof!
But the moisture was needed.

Refrigerator iced up and wasn't cooling well. We have been dealing with this issue for years. So emptied and defrosted it. Working fine again so I can refill it. I always wonder at our age how many more times we will be able to do it.
I like the giant zip lock bags from dollar tree too. I just saw them a few months ago. Maybe they had been on another aisle. This time they were with food storage bags.

 

[hd5574]

Has anybody tried those new detergent sheets ....seems like you could store a lot in a small small space...might be able to cut them for smaller loads...

 

[connie]

They seem to be popular but I read they are made in China.

 

[patriotgal]

Re: FB marketplace.

Have used it in the past when I visit civilization. We are in the boonies. Much of what I have is old new industrial. Often goes overseas. Not much call for it out in the woods.

 

[nomifyle]

I've made strides in the kitchen again, despite having a headache.

I had a taste for vienna sausage and crackers. Its not something that I eat with any regularity, but I do keep some in the pantry, that and a few cans of potted meat. I looked at the prices and they have just about doubled. I'm going to add a little more to what I have. Its quick and filling.

I can't wait until the temps cool off again, its just too warm for me and I don't want to turn on the ac.

Over all I'm feeling better, I've resumed taking some supplements that I stopped taking two years ago when I got covid. I'm sure they are helping me and my balance is much better too.

They are MK-7, Curcumin, black pepper, B-12, d-3 and Solgar skin, nails and hair. I'm hoping this will help with my hair breaking off. I've got some other things I need to add back, but haven't yet. And I've started chewing a clove every day. My tooth is so much better, hardly even know its there, such a blessing.

DH bought some strips for the tub so maybe I'll feel safer taking a shower.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Good News! Cary got a great report on his CT scans. No sign of cancer anywhere! He has to have 2 more, but only x-rays on his lungs in those 2 years. His blood work was all good, and his kidney function was still great. No infection.

We went to the survival shop while in town, again, to buy more ammo, then went to the new donut shop for coffee and a dozen donuts to bring home. After we drank our coffee, we went to shop for my new glasses. Got those, and it'll be 2 weeks for them to come in. Went to the mall and ate a late lunch. We just got home.

I feel like we got a lot accomplished, today, even though, it doesn't seem like a lot.

 

[summerthyme]

That's wonderful news, Sherree! I know you must be greatly relieved, even though you expected a good report. Have a great day!

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

That's wonderful news, Sherree! I know you must be greatly relieved, even though you expected a good report. Have a great day!

Summerthyme

Yeah. These scans every year always makes us a bit nervous, until we finally get the results. Each year that goes by, since his surgery, makes the cancer reoccurring less likely. We are always so thankful for the great results.

 

[aviax2]

@SouthernBreeze Thats great news! So happy for both of you.

DH removed the tub, shower surround and some drywall out of the bathroom yesterday. He had to buy a few floor tile to bring that part of the floor level with the rest. Totally doesn’t match the rest of the floor but since the shower pan will cover it anyway, it doesn’t matter. The best part he didn’t need many and they were only .59 cents each and the mud used was left over from a project at daughters house! Son in law will come help put the shower pan down in a day or so since I can’t help do that kind of thing any more.

I worked in the basement again for about an hour or so and managed to knock out quite a bit more on inventory and organizing. I finally got the count on all the tomato products down there minus the home canned ones. And pasta, and different canned broths among a few other things. I separated all the boxes of salt, kosher, coarse kosher, iodized and will be pouring those off into some buckets I cleaned and left to air dry to get them out of the boxes. Also set aside more things to bring up for the everyday pantry. Gee, there’s still so much to be done down there, husband is great at many things alas, organization is not one of them. I found several things today that didn’t make it into the pantry but is in different areas of the basement, lord give me strength.

I feel like I just keep getting further behind around here and feeling a little overwhelmed tonight.

 

[connie]

Just keep plugging along. It will feel great when it's done.
Organizing is actually calming to me. Gives me that ( false) sense of control I suppose.

 

[John Deere Girl]

I'm finishing up canning everything from the garden. Right now that is pickled peppers, green tomato relish, and jam. I'll be glad when that's done.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

To our surprise, Cary brought in 5 almost ripe tomatoes from the garden this morning. Nice ones, too. We thought the garden had already died and dried up, so we haven't been down there in a while. The washing machine water has kept them alive, apparently. The last time I checked those plants there weren't even any green tomatoes left on the plants.

Doing more laundry, today. A load of Cary's work clothes. Mostly, just regular household chores, since I wasn't at home most of yesterday to get anything done. I don't like getting behind on anything, or I start feeling overwhelmed.

Still sunny skies with no rain in sight. This weekend, we're supposed to have a cold front come through bringing us a cold snap. Forecast has colder weather for next week, and maybe, even our first frost. I need to take advantage of today's 85 degree temps to bring in all my houseplants. If not, today, tomorrow.

I'm also working on my next grocery shopping list. There are some items I'm stacking deeper, and some items I'm adding just for more variety. This will be my first of the month shopping trip, and it's always the big one. I also have to finish stocking up on all our vitamins, throat lozenges, and eye drops and ointment for another year. On the eye drops, my PC eye specialist last visit recommended another one for me to try, so I'll be looking for it. He said it might work better for me.

On my new glasses, I had some things added extra to help. They will have a blue light blocker in them, plus no glare lenses. I didn't want the transition lenses, so the guy recommended these additions.

 

[connie]

I had not heard of blue light blocking on prescription lenses. I do not like the transitiokn lenses.
Will ask about that as I need new glasses soon.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I had not heard of blue light blocking on prescription lenses. I do not like the transitiokn lenses.
Will ask about that as I need new glasses soon.

I think it's something new that hasn't been out long. I had never heard of them, either. He explained it all to me, and how it works, but I have forgotten. He said that it does work well to block out all blue light, which is a big help to me, since my eyes are so photosensitive to even the light on my computer screen. I tried the transition lenses several years ago and couldn't stand them. When I was inside, they still stayed tinted. The non glare lenses should be a big help, too. I usually get my glasses at Sam's, since we get a discount there. This time, I went with a more professional group. I hope they are better than Sam's and all the trouble I always had to go through with them.

 

[nomifyle]

I don't like transition lens either. I have never had any but just didn't think I would like them and I wore trifocals before I had my cateract surgery.

On the subject of mixed vegetables. wm has a brand of canned mixed that I like, but its not the mixed vegetable medley. The medley seems a lot like the vegall brand which I have never liked, in anything including soups. I think it is because of the celery in them. I know many of you love celery in lots of things. But not me, just the thought of it almost makes me gag. This is a personal preference for me.

I brought this up because in the second round of commotities there are 8 cans of the stuff I don't like. Dh puts these on the dogs dry food, and God bless our wonderful outside dog will probably eat just about anything. I'm greatful for what we get and I would never throw any of it away, just try to use it the best way we can. I also share with others.

In this commodity box there was a one pound bag of red beans and a one pound bag of rice. They will go in the freezer. Later the rice will go in vacuum sealed glass jars and the beans will go to the church.

Its been several months since there were instant potatoes in the box, but there was powdered milk. And boxed liquid milk too.

 

[nomifyle]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09SH4F2DY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've been wanting to order this, I have a good supply of tea light candles, and I think it would come in handy in an emergency.

And I finally ordered empty capsules and the needed tools to fill them. some supplements are much less expensive in bulk.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I don't like transition lens either. I have never had any but just didn't think I would like them and I wore trifocals before I had my cateract surgery.

On the subject of mixed vegetables. wm has a brand of canned mixed that I like, but its not the mixed vegetable medley. The medley seems a lot like the vegall brand which I have never liked, in anything including soups. I think it is because of the celery in them. I know many of you love celery in lots of things. But not me, just the thought of it almost makes me gag. This is a personal preference for me.

I brought this up because in the second round of commotities there are 8 cans of the stuff I don't like. Dh puts these on the dogs dry food, and God bless our wonderful outside dog will probably eat just about anything. I'm greatful for what we get and I would never throw any of it away, just try to use it the best way we can. I also share with others.

In this commodity box there was a one pound bag of red beans and a one pound bag of rice. They will go in the freezer. Later the rice will go in vacuum sealed glass jars and the beans will go to the church.

Its been several months since there were instant potatoes in the box, but there was powdered milk. And boxed liquid milk too.

I just buy the WM brand of canned mixed veggies. I only use it in one pantry recipe. My chicken noodle casserole. Just to open a can of it to eat as a side dish is not something we like at all.

I've got 2 large flats of canned corned beef hash that I have saved for dog food. Frisco loves it. We realized we didn't care for it, once I opened the first can. It won't go to waste using it for his food.

 

[nomifyle]

I just buy the WM brand of canned mixed veggies. I only use it in one pantry recipe. My chicken noodle casserole. Just to open a can of it to eat as a side dish is not something we like at all.

I've got 2 large flats of canned corned beef hash that I have saved for dog food. Frisco loves it. We realized we didn't care for it, once I opened the first can. It won't go to waste using it for his food.

I mostly use the mixed vegetables for soup, but I cooked a can down in a little oil and we ate it as a side dish, it was okay, but I haven't done that since then.

I use to love corned beef hash straight from the can, but now not so much. I only have a few cans in the pantry.

 

[aviax2]

@nomifyle LOL, celery was just added to my grocery list! My husband doesn’t care for raw celery but is fine with it cooked in things. I enjoy it both ways. I never cared for the vegall brand either, it always seemed some of the veggies had a mealy texture.

I’ve been watering my indoor plants this morning, some regular chores, deciding what to make for supper and working on a grocery list for a few fresh items and several other things to top off some pantry items since we only have a few days of tax free food left. It’s been nice the past three months and I wish/hope it could be a regular thing. Some of these items have been on my Sam’s and ALDIs list for the past month but due to illness and no time to make the trip I decided we’ll just get what we can from Walmart instead. After doing online price comparisons, I think it’s just as well.

DH put fertilizer out on our main hayfield (please send rain) this morning, taken the spreader back and has now gone in a different direction to buy the supplies he needs for the new shower. DSIL is coming this afternoon to help DH with the shower pan and I so hope they get the bathtub off the back porch!

Well as soon as I finish lunch, I guess it’s time to head down to the basement and see what I can get done for an hour or so. I’ve made myself a list of some things I absolutely need to get done right now in a few areas so hopefully I can keep on track.