Jayceef

Wow! Sounds like everyone has been very busy. I bought some more canned veggies this weekend and a flat of cannelloni beans. DH had put them on top of my deep freeze because everything was quite a mess in my pantry downstairs. So, I cleaned it up and now have more room to stock quite a few more flats! I also completely forgot about the built in work bench in our shop. The drawers really aren't very good for storage for DH as they are too big and deep. He tends to hoard and can't find what he is looking for. We used about four of them years ago and canned quite a bit of food. Well, I forgot about most of it in there. UGH! It was things we try not to eat too much of, such as pie filling, jelly and such. I dumped them and cleaned them up. Bummer that it was wasted, but lesson learned on what we will eat. I am going to can some white chicken chili this weekend if I get the time. Then work on what to do from there. I'm just going to be much more intentional with what I can. I know we will eat chili and canned meats and I will eat apple, pear or peach sauce. So, going to try and stick with those foods. Anyways excited to find more room to store preps:) It's the little things. 

On 3/25/2022 at 10:45 AM, euphrasyne said:

Went back to ER. Swelling made cast too tight and it was cutting off my circulation. Down to 1 hand typing, so long story short--I got IV drugs, more oxycodone, and a new cast.   Sentara is a horrible place.  Bon Secours at Harborview is AMAZING!  All the staff are kind and wonderful and the ER doc there is the absolute best. I see specialist on monday as it is 2 separate complicated breaks.

 

Thank you for all the kind words.

 

Ambergris, ex FIL had that and the data helped alot.  I hope yours does too.

 

prepping note from specialist:  slings are bad.  super bad.  dont use them.  prop arm up statue of liberty style or over your head on couch.  they cause swelling.  slings bad.  drugs are good but not NSAIDS if there is to be surgery.  no NSAIDS.  since i had the liver issue last year, we are limiting tylonal.   iv morphine & toradol &delauded.  oxycodone orally. i am obviously high as a kite and anything i say between now and surgery should be taken with a grain of salt.

Oh gees! I think I missed your post somewhere along the way that you were hurt. So sorry! Hope you heal fast!🤗

2 hours ago, Jeepers said:

Dear Debbie  I mean Mommato3boys   

 

I've scrubbed toilets and I've worked retail. Both sucked but I got the job done. We do what we have to do. I was listening to a guy today talking about prepper burnout. Mostly about how sometimes we become so focused on one thing (prepping and fear) that we lose our joy. 

 

I'll post his link because I think it could help all of us at one time or another on our journey. Just listen to the first 2:40. The rest of his show talks about prepping and is interesting. But then message I'm referring to is in those first couple of minutes.  

 

Inflation, Food Shortages, and Rationing ARE HERE! - YouTube

 

Umm... I love this guy! I listen to him every morning on my way to work. I hadn't listened to that episode yet. Thanks for sharing! 

2 hours ago, Jeepers said:

Jayceef, I understand how you feel. I get a certain feeling when I see family and friends spend money, that I consider, in a frivolous way. Especially knowing that they probably only have 2 weeks of food in their pantry. And knowing they could afford much more than I can. It make me feel like not sharing with them if that times ever comes. I will but still... Primarily because I work hard to build a pantry while they play. And with the money they have, they could really fill their pantry full and not even miss the money. I try to introduce the subject in a round about way but they don't bite. The subject gets changed. But who will be the rich one in the end? Some day they may have some jealousy toward you. And who knows, maybe while they are chasing their lifestyle right now, they might really wish they were content and secure like you. 

 

 

 

 

Lol! I was thinking the same thing. My sister and her DH currently live in a bigger city in our state and were kind of freaking out when all the rioting started happening. Texting us that they wanted recommendations for what type of firearm to get etc. My sister took a class with my brother and I and could easily have gotten her concealed carry permit, but never went through with it. Now they have no intention of getting any personal protection. Which is fine, but gees you are right it's hard because I know I will be taking care of them when everything hits. They are going to be buying a much larger camper to live in while staying at her in laws til her new house gets built. They will have to commute at least 1hr. 20minutes one way to work while staying with the in laws. Yikes! I thought my 50 minute commute was bad. 

I think I'm also just irritated that she told me they couldn't afford to take our sibling trip to Romania in the fall of 2022, but are now going to both Mexico and Vegas this year Which I also don't get after they decided to build a half a million dollar house, but that is not my business.  

Although I will say Romania probably isn't a good idea this year anyways! Thanks for letting me vent. I feel like this is a safe place. Can't talk about any of this stuff with anyone. No one gets it! 

18 minutes ago, mommato3boys said:

Avoiding the news...keeping my head down and looking for a better paying job. Have stuck with this place through everything the past two years but, I am officially burned out and tired of being used and abused. So, I am on the hunt. I like my job, but Wal-Mart is starting their employees out making $5 more an hour than I am making. $5 more an hour to do other people's shopping. If they had better insurance, I would apply there in a heartbeat. Although, I detest shopping, I had rather scrub toilets than shop, still it is $5 more an hour. Plus, you get (or used when the kids worked there) a discount when you shop at WM. Sorry to be Debbie-Downer. Like I said just burned out.

It's so hard with jobs. I don't know where you work, but I have stuck my job out for far longer than I should have. It has paid off, but I probably would have been much further off if I had gone to work in the private sector years ago. I finally got a 9-5 weekends/holidays off spot about five years ago. And then a good promotion September of 2019. I don't have any advice accept keep your eyes and ears open. Everyone lands where they are supposed to be eventually. Hugs to you 

I’m trying not to freak out over current events. To just keep prepping and take care of my family. I need to clean my house and make room for some more food storage. I am also worried about my younger sister. She and her DH sold their house and are building a house in the same town I live in. Which is great, but it is going to cost half a million dollars and they will have to commute to work. They are not doctors, but do make fairly good money. It just makes me nervous for them. Plus their weekend trips are what my family would consider a big yearly family trip, so I think they spend a lot of money. Maybe I’m just having a midlife crisis and am a little jealous as we don’t live that way. I just need to chill out! Kind of hard with the way things are right now though. 

Uh, let's see what did I today. Checked my student loan account since applying for temporary student loan forgiveness. I have a $0 balance. Can't believe it! I had to be really quiet about it as my boss doesn't like the idea of the forgiveness plan. Gees, I have only worked 20+ years in public service. Honestly I do believe in being responsible and paying off debt and what you owe, but I qualified and really didn't think I would. I tried years ago and was denied. Waiting on my letter in the mail for official confirmation, but I'm super excited. 

8 minutes ago, euphrasyne said:

I went to see the neurologist about my memory issues since the accident.  It was a complete waste of my time.  He wanted to treat my migraines, but not my memory because 'there isn't a pill for that'.   Freaking pill-pushers.  Modern medicine is a JOKE where they are much more concerned with making money than understanding a problem.  

 

DH went to get his inspection sticker on his truck, but the airbag chip was not coding properly so we had to get that fixed.  We got that fixed LAST YEAR at a different place.   They charged us $830 to fix it...again.  Yea inspection sticker. 

 

I broke down and bought myself a new flat cast iron pan.   I wanted it mostly to make biscuits and small pizzas.  

 

Amazon.com: Lodge Cast Iron Griddle, Round, 10.5 Inch : Everything Else

 

I got it because it is what my favorite internet cook uses for biscuits.  She is a lady from Alabama who uses the old biscuit bowl method as well as some great old Timey Alabama recipes.   My papaw was from there and he is the one who taught me to love cooking.  DH bought me her cookbook for christmas.  

Cooking with Brenda Gantt | Facebook

 

Friends & family in MS are posting FB pics of empty Walmart/Kroger shelves.   Mainstream News is citing shortages of Chicken, Cream cheese, hot cheetos, & potatoes.   We buy all those things so I am inventorying my pantry and checking prices for those.  If they have gone up significantly we will not buy.   If I am low but prices are still reasonable, we will stock a bit more.  Otherwise we will ration the pantry or substitute something else.  Farmer's cheese can be used instead of cream cheese and it can be made from powdered milk if needed.  I have enough canned chicken & frozen chicken to withstand whatever.  I have a great deal of dehydrated & canned potatoes; rice is a good substitute in most situations.  As for the hot cheetos.....they will just have to sprinkle cayenne (I have quarts) on some popcorn or eat cheese straws or something.   I am going to stock up on Lipton diet green tea citrus; I've noticed that it is harder to find lately.  It has 5 calories and I drink about 5 bottles a day.  Not the best habit, but it is better for me than sugary soda, coffee, or sweet tea.  

 

DH got a booster shot Wednesday (3rd shot.)  He is feeling pretty bad.  His arm hurts a lot where he got it and that shoulder also.   He has been laying around for 2 days.   We are living pretty complacently and happily where he gets the shot for work purposes and I do not get it.   I think all these people I read about cutting out friends & family for getting/not getting it are crazy.  

 

I got sick of the standard table topics (how was your day, what is your favorite food, etc.) prompts for dinner.  I found some middle school essay topics, formated them into excel and printed them & cut out.  We draw one or two and hold an opinion share (not a debate, no one is wrong).  These have been much more interesting and thought provoking for everyone.  

Middle School Topics.xlsx 11.7 kB · 1 download

My sister bought my boys that same cookbook Euphrsyne! They aren’t too interested in it, but I’ve found quite a few recipes I want to try. Like I bought canned Asparagus and peas last year. We don’t eat them often, but she has a recipe using both and it sounds yummy. 

Worked from home today. Weather was pretty crappy. Just finished up not too long ago. Just wrote a couple. of check to pay some bills. Now I am going to go pick up one prescription and our mail and drop these bills off. I also put an order in to LDS for macaroni noodles and one order of milk.  DH didn't want me buying anymore from them, but I can't help it. Even if the UPS guy knows about my noodles. I would rather have them than not. I would like to put an order in for some freeze dried meats. Man are they expensive though. As soon as I know what my tax bill and my sons bill from having a tooth extracted will cost, I am going to order from Costco. They sell nutristore brand freeze dried foods. Then I will have to cool it for awhile. I will probably just add a thing or two here and there. DH is starting to get a little crabby with how much we have. I feel like we don't have nearly enough. I really need to do an inventory. 

I should have added that we have a rodent problem this year. never had that happen the whole time we have lived here. I think it is because our new neighbors moved into the abandoned house next door and remodeled it. It sat empty for 10+ years with water in the basement. I wish them luck, but not sure how that is going to go for them. Either way we have caught two mice in the house now. I have never had that happen. Now all of my food has to go in Rubbermaid storage or buckets. I put out sticky traps and plain snap traps for the little buggers. I guess it was better to find that out now and have supplies than to have nothing when everything goes crazy!

Finally putting some of my food preps in mylar bags and buckets. Working on some more decluttering. DH cleaned out one of our closets upstairs and filled up our new water cubes that we got from Brownells. They stack really nice. We have a plan to buy more every few months or so till we have a good amount. Just trying to fill in holes right now. Everything is crazy expensive and I seem to run out of funds faster than before. Oh well, I will keep going for as long as I can. 

Feeling much better. I think it had something to do with the new meds I am on for my migraines. UGH! I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy! Did a bunch of cleaning today. Yesterday was a run to Costco. Yikes it was crazy! We only have one, so I think that it is always that way. We got quite a few things. I would have liked to go back in for a another cart load, but DH was with me and his patience wears thin. So, when we got home, I ordered the rest online to be delivered. Probably not as good of a deal, but that is ok. I also ordered the battery deal from Office Depot today and ordered the max limit on the dawn dish soap. It was a great price and because I got the max, I got free shipping. Should be set for awhile. Getting my hair cut tomorrow. Looking for a few things, but mostly just fun shopping and to see what the temperament is like and how people are acting. 

Getting back to it today. I was sick and in bed all day yesterday. It really sucked. My oldest had a football game and we were supposed to go to a cousins wedding reception after. Needless to say I missed both of the events. Glad I had some leftover prescription nausea meds and some warm 7up to help with the throwing up. Much better today. Cleaning up the house today. DH is not one for cleaning or having the kids pick up after themselves. On my second load of clothes and the dishwasher is running. Need to clean my bathroom, vacuum and dry mop. I have the week off coming up, so I made a list of what I need to get done and things I need to purchase and order online. I also need to get my haircut and see the chiropractor again. 

Great post! I just posted the first comment in years last week? I thought I was busy when my kids were in diapers. I think it got worse:) This is where it all started for me as far as preparing. I will always be grateful for this site. This is the first website I gave a gal I work with to go to for prepping info. I don't know if she will get on here or not. She is the one I trust the most in my office. When we talk about prepping it is always in whispers or after everyone has left for the day. 

When I worked overnights I was able to go back and read all the old posts on this site. Things have changed a lot since then. Even though I am more prepared, I still feel unprepared with what is coming down the pipe. I just feel a sense of urgency. I'm just trying to stay calm and not get too carried away. My biggest goal to tackle is getting organized. I have lots of stuff, but where is it all? 

Thanks ladies! Annarchy bet you have some interesting stories. Some things I can't even make up:)

I'm cleaning up the house today. Need to go back through some of my basic preps. Going to update the first aid kit in the main bathroom. My boys have gotten lots of skinned knees this summer. I also need to clean out my car and go through my preps to see what needs to be updated. I need to keep my first aid stuff in a cooler bag. So I will need to pick one of those up. Other wise trying to stay cool. Easier said than done:)

Just wanted to say hi. I took a break from Mrs S for quite awhile. It shows my prep minded self has gone by the wayside. I need to get back with it. I have two little boys now that need me to be on top of things. There is too much violence out there for me to not get prepared. Both DH and I are in Law Enforcement and times are getting pretty scary.

I have worked on my personal self and losing weight finally after more than six years of weighing the same/being pregnant. I have lost close to thirty pounds. Hoping to keep up with my Weight Watchers meetings. I consider that one of my greatest preps. I will have a forty four mile walk home if an emp were to strike. Can't do that if your not in good shape.

I am so happy I found this website. I can't honestly say that I see things going well in the future for any of us, but I think preps make things easier. This forum is so easy to use and to ask questions of seasoned preppers. I belong to another forum and anytime I have added things I get shot down, so I just quit posting there. I love the fact that we have people on this site that can answer canning questions for you safely. I have learned so much here. It has helped me financially as well as emotionally. I can can now, dehydrate foods and have found many good recipes for bread. We hope to add more preps this next year that will make me feel even better about our situation. On that note, think I am done blabbing.

Welcome Darlene's mom. I am new here also, love the site, you will learn lots.