Jayceef

I wasn’t feeling so hot this morning. Not sure if it was eye strain from yesterday. I forgot my reading glasses and didn’t realize until I got to work and just dealt with it. It was a long day. They are prescription or else I would have run and bought readers. I had a longer night with DS having bowling league as well. So, lots of sickness in the house (both boys just got over what I’m sure was Covid) and a long night. I popped a couple Ivermectin as a precaution last night. Glad I did. Wonder if I would have felt worse this morning? Who knows🤷‍♀️ I’m not super prepared, but much better than I was over a decade ago. I do think my oldest son is picking up on my ways, which makes me so happy😊

DH just got Covid for the 3rd time. I pulled out my stash of ivermectin and insisted he start a regimen. I think he was desperate because he listened and started this morning and is already feeling better. Glad I took a chance and purchased some last year. Maybe it is s coincidence. IDK, but I’ll take it. He was in rough shape. It hits him so hard!

Thanks Ambergris! I checked that gal out. The cookbook looks like a good one. I might have to order a copy.

So far, so good with this diet. I am down 23 pounds so far. It took me at least a week and a couple of days before I quite feeling like I was going to die. I think it was a mix of starving, my menstrual started and a detox from sugar/artificial sweeteners. I still get hungry, but not like I did in the beginning. I'm getting a little bored with the foods. It is pretty restrictive. My last day is 3/31/23 and then I go into the maintenance phase. I do think I am going to look into the stay fit mom program. It seems a lot like more manageable than what this bland diet entails. I need realistic for the long term.

Love reading this thread. I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life. I also have some medical issues as well and lately my bad back has really flared up on me. My chiropractor suggested I try following this diet he is on. I had to buy some supplements snd have to follow a very strict diet for six weeks, and check in with him every week for a weigh in. This was the best way I could think of to keep myself accountable. He said besides losing weight my inflammation should drastically be reduced. Can’t wait because my back is killing me! I’m down 8 pounds since Sunday.

Been a crazy few months with the Holidays and weather. I'm not loving the weather. I need to figure out how to keep myself motivated. I find that I get somewhat depressed in this weather. I took the week off after Christmas to be home with the kids and before that the weather had started in, so worked from home a couple of days. So, I was homebound for about two weeks. I think it has taken its toll on me. These next few months can't go fast enough. I tweaked my back before Christmas so didn't put much up for decorations and such, which I found I actually enjoyed the simplicity of it. Just spent time with my family. I was able to get into the chiropractor a couple of times and go back tomorrow for a follow up. I found some good after Christmas deals and I was also able to stock up on some meat and bread at Aldi on Friday. They were running some really good deals, like 50% off chicken and chopped steak. I also got three loaves of Italian bread 50% off and a bag of bagels for a $1. I also picked up candy for the kids easter baskets already 50% off and I ordered their precious metal pieces already. Shouldn't need to purchase a whole lot come spring. Just as long as I can remember where I put everything. I learned that if I write it in my planner in the exact month that I am going to need the item then I can find it. Works really well.

So sorry about your dad Euphrasyne. Also, that fall sounded nasty, so yes sounds like it's time to get the railing up.

Awesome! I just saved it on my YouTube watch list and will listen to it on my commute tomorrow. Thank you!

Today is the last day of my staycation. I got a lot done. It started off with that class, which very informative and good hands on. I will probably be taking classes from them in the future. My brother and I splurged on a haunted house visit while there. It was fun and now I got it out of my system. Took my DS to Sylvan Monday night for his assessment. He tested at the first grade reading level and he is in third grade, which we assumed he would. His conferences did go good and I do like his teacher this year. I'm just not super impressed with his special ed teacher. I really liked the gal he started out with last year. She just seemed to really have his best interest at heart. I think this young gal is just there for the paycheck. We are going to give Sylvan a go. It is either that or we move entirely and put DS in a different school district. I just don't know if uprooting everyone right now is the best idea. I don't know that I am making the right choices for him though:( I'm sure there is more we should have done earlier. I still need to make a shopping list for tomorrow, clean up our basement and start on my office. While I'm in town tomorrow I'm going to pick up the rest of my cash to put up. It's not much, but will make me feel better just having a little bit on hand. I also ordered the bluetti 600w generator. I did not get the solar panel with it. I am thinking there is a cheaper alternative than the bluetti brand? Anyone have any suggestions or experience with them?

Heading to Omaha tonight to stay over and take that tacmed basic class in the morning. Going to pick up my brother along the way. We are going to see if we can get a haunted house/corn maze squeezed in tonight. No one in my family likes that kind of thing, so it’s nice to be able to go with someone so easy going.

Thank you Emerald Cat! He does have dyslexia, the school sent us to be tested a couple of years ago and he is on an IEP. Maybe I’m just overreacting, but I just can’t shake the feeling that he’s being left behind and it breaks my heart. So, hoping with some extra help we can get him up to where he can feel a little more confident. And thank you as well Mother. Someone had suggested the allergy issue to me as well. We tried another specialist because we thought he had asthma, but he said no that he just has bad seasonal allergies. So, it’s nasal spray and oral meds every night. Im optimistic that we can get this figured out.

Thanks BeccaAnne! We did get his vision checked and that was good. I have heard about vision therapy, I might have to look into it if all else fails. I checked with my doctor as well and we are going to test for ADD. I don’t really want to medicate him, but I need to know what’s going on. That’s great that your kids are progressing along BeccaAnne. That’s how DH and I see it, we know with him that he’s not going to be top of his class and we are just fine with that. He has many other redeeming qualities. We just want him to be a productive member of society.

Jeepers have a good trip! Little sister good for you with swapping out your clothes. I was just looking at my closet this weekend thinking I should start working on that. I had to pull out some of my winter stuff for a funeral on Friday. Plus, it was kind of cold here. Called Sylvan learning center today about my youngest. Uffda! I thinks it’s going to be a hefty price, but he’s 9 and really struggling with his reading. I should have started the ball rolling on it last year, but drug my feet thinking everything would click for him this year and that he just didn’t get along with the teacher last year. Well, got his latest test scores and he improved 1% from last year. That’s a huge red flag for me. We have conferences Thursday, so I will see what they say at school. Plus an exam scheduled at Sylan for Monday night. IDK! I know not prep related. Anyone else ever struggle with this?

Becca Anne our governor gave state employees permission to conceal carry about three years ago. We just need to adhere to any statutes regarding not carrying inside prison/jails, courthouses etc. my office sits right next to the prison, but isn’t technically inside the secure perimeter. At least not yet anyways. We are getting there and I just don’t like the way the new regime is treating staff. So, my thoughts are I’m better off just not carrying. Keeping my fingers crossed that they will move us off site and it won’t be an issue. It wouldn’t have been an issue period, but we had a couple of gals from another department run their mouths about people in our building carrying. It was at an active shooter briefing. 🙄 oh boy! That set everyone off because no one reads policies or statutes. Basically the folks giving the briefing didn’t like the fact that we might be able to handle the situation. They just want us getting under our desks and calling 911.

No, I appreciate the feedback. My MIL said the same thing. I have worked through really bad times there and it did get better for me when I transitioned over to the new office. I’m just a worry wart and over think things sometimes. Yep, I definitely was just intending for SS to be extra in retirement. Will see where I’m at in two years and decide on what to do with my supplemental retirement account. We have our state pension and then a supplemental account we can contribute to. I just put a little in right now, but I might really bump it up at some point.

I will say I don’t have anything negative on my record, so I have that going for me. I just don’t think these folks care about that though. You are right though Jeepers the one position is an elected position and is all based on who the governor is, so that will most likely change in four years. Ugh! I just hate this feeling. I’m sitting at position #2 in our office and my boss is not a happy camper and has already started looking for other jobs. My only saving grace is that she makes too much money right now and needs and can’t afford the loss of income. Meaning I don’t want to take over her spot quite yet. I like where I’m at. My kids are young and I need the flexibility.

I’m going to walk and then lift weights when done. Then I need to pick up my house and do a little inventory. I want to see what I need for spices and what other holes I have going on. DH and I went and shot my new little pistol yesterday. It’s a Ruger LCP Max. It’s so light weight and shoots nice. I decided I’m not going to carry at work anymore. It makes me nervous. The new powers that be there are too happy to fire those without finding out what is actually going on. IDk! I go back and forth. If something happened I would sure like to have it, but at the same time when they fence the whole place in it will be inevitable that I won’t be able to carry it into our building as we will be screened before entering. Wish they would move us off the grounds already as we don’t technically need to be right next to the prison. I just have this ominous feeling about work! The higher powers remind me of a Chinese dictatorship. But, I have 21 years in and I’m only 43. I would like to retire at 55, but I also don’t want to get fired and get walked out in shame either. This is a new regime that came in and it is not going well.

I finally finished up the work I took home. Ugh! I was so tired yesterday for some reason. I finished up half of what I needed to do and then went to bed. The kids took it easy as they went full throttle all week at camp. I needed to finish up what I didn't get done yesterday, so I kicked them out today and made them go to the pool for a while. Now I'm all done and need to clean up the house and swing by the grocery store for tonights supper. I put the call into the company regarding my sump pump. I'm sure it was because it was Friday and everyone has been busy as I didn't get a call back. I will call again next week if I don't hear anything. Well I better get to it. This cleaning and shopping will not do itself.

Becca Anne I thought you were taking a vacation and going somewhere or did I miss that? I haven’t been on here checking regularly though. Lille sister so sorry about the neighbors dog. Yikes! Kappydell that’s awesome about the chickens! I got my smaller solar cooker and while I like it, I wish I would have splurged on the go sun brand. The tray on this one is pretty shallow. I also ordered a hard case for my noco battery charger. We had another derecho sweep through on Tuesday. Both my kids were at camp in the city I work in. No text to come get them early it was an email🙄 Luckily DH saw it and called me right away. I took off work and went and got them and brought them back to my office. No place safer than a 100+ old penitentiary😉 we waited it out until it passed and then took the highway home as there were a lot of downed semis on the interstate. I need to keep a few self heating meals and some snacks in my office. Also need to call about having a water powered sump pump backup put in. We are going to do a whole house generator switch with a shed as well. Wish I could get more of my family on board with taking care of themselves. My DMIL keeps telling me she knows we will just take care of her. Well we might not always be able too. I wish she would at least get a jackery or something!

I had yesterday off as well as today. I have a lot of vacation time built up at work. It was actually one of my co workers that suggested I take these two days off. Lol! She is kind of bossy, but watching out for me:) Things are going well, just busy as usual. We have so much going on at work, I feel like we will never get caught up. I did get a couple of preps ordered though. I bought myself a new smaller more compact solar cooker. I wanted something that we could fold up and put in a case and take on our fishing trips. It is supposed to be here tomorrow, so I'm excited because we are taking a trip on Sunday. We got some good looking meat kabobs at Hy-Vee to cook in it. I also ordered a NOCO jump starter for my vehicle. I will probably be purchasing a couple more, so all of our vehicles have one. I've have good luck with cars starting, but don't want to chance it. These are nice and compact and you don't need to rely on someone else jump starting you. I figured this was a good way to spend my longevity check that I received. DH went with us to my oldest sons orthodontist appt. yesterday and then we had Taekwondo practice. In between we did a grocery shop. I was not shocked at what we payed. I have been buying the groceries weekly for so long that I'm used to it. He was ready to have a heart attack. Lol! That was before we bought fireworks. I think he is starting to get it now. he used to tell me to quit being so cheap. Now he is starting to get on board. I just worry about what prices are going to look like in the next 6 months. I am going to try to stock my freezer back up by the end of the summer. As well as get my pantry back up to where I want it. I have been using some stuff up so I don't go to far past expiration dates and keep a nice rotation going. We shall see.

Today I'm getting my house back in order. Uff da!! After my DC trip and flying/driving by bus to get back home on a Monday morning by 5:30 in the morning. Then it was back to work the next day as my boss was gone to Texas for a conference and I had to be there to run reports, since I'm in charge while she's gone. The following weekend it was off to another town about a three hour drive away for state trap shooting as my son qualified for that. So, there went that weekend. It seems like we are super behind at work since we had a couple of ladies retire and we had to spend time with the hiring/interviewing process. I stayed extra a couple of hours this week and took work home with me for this weekend. We get Monday off because of the new holiday. And while that is nice it also will set us back. I can't complain because we finally got to hire the gal I have wanted to hire for awhile now. My boss was against it for some reason. I am super excited, as I think she will fit right in and compliment our office. While I feel like I'm behind in prepping I have to be careful how I spend my money as well. It isn't stretching as far as it was a year ago. My overall debt keeps coming down, so thankful for that. Just wish I was a little further along than I am. Wish I had more in savings, more preps and more skills built up at this point. I haven't done a checklist lately and maybe that is what I need to do. I need to write out what I have for the not normal bills that I need to get paid off and put needed preps on a priority list. On a positive note. I was super self conscious of fitting in my airplane seat and buckling my belt ok when we went to DC. I'm plus sized but pretty active, so not sure why I was so paranoid. I took seat belt extenders just in case. I didn't need them. I have learned that my healthy eating makes me feel so much better though. I had no issues keeping up on the trip. My feet needed some blister bandaids, but I think that had more to do with it down pouring on us the first day and getting soaked. I bought a disposable emergency poncho that would fit in the side pocket of all my Duluth pants and I didn't need it the rest of the trip. If my youngest son gets the opportunity to go on this trip in the future, that will be something I will remember for sure. It really is all about mindset. We were super sleep deprived that first day, got completely drenched and had to keep going on tours. From being drenched in humid weather to stepping inside to the air conditioned Smithsonian with hundreds of tourist. It was an experience for sure. I had to laugh because my MIL wasn't super happy about eating her box Chik Fil A lunch on her lap with hardly and room on the bus in between the sites. I told her to eat fast as we didn't have much time. I'm glad we went!

I have my dried white beans soaking for the night. Going to can white chicken chili tomorrow. I made the coconut frosting for DH's German chocolate cake and also made a strawberry graham cracker dessert. I needed to use up some ingredients from the cupboard that were expired. Taking a break as my back is bothering me a little. I need to finish laundry and clean the house up tomorrow. Plus, I need to do something with my big bag of sun dried tomatoes.

Hello-wondering if anyone has suggestions on how I can store my huge 5 pound bag of sun dried tomatoes I ordered off Amazon. I was thinking of dividing them up into sandwich baggies and them vacuum sealing them in gallon size bags. Then I can just pull out a bag when I need it and reseal it as needed. Do I need to freeze them? Or can I leave them on the shelf? I have the hand held vacuum sealer with the special bags. TIA!

Does anyone have a white chicken chili recipe for canning?