Preparations Update

[Mountain trapper]

We got our taxes done last week. We are now in the zero tax bracket and will get a refund. It pays to have a good CPA and a good asset manager.

 

[angie_nrs]

Spent some time in the pantry getting stuff organized. It's a constant chore. I found some things I need to get used up since the dates are getting pretty old.

I bought 3 hams for .90 per pound. They are good sized hams for $10-$13 each. I should have probably gotten more but I'm trying to eliminate a freezer for the summer. Still, for the price of the hams, it will provide a meal with plenty of leftovers for sandwiches and snacking. Heck, you can't even buy a cheap lunch for that price anymore. I'll be cooking one up for Easter

I found a good deal on 18 gal. storage totes for $5 each. I bought several of them to help with organization. I haven't seen that price on totes in a long time and I use them a lot.....especially for blankets and clothes. It's always good to have some extras around just in case I'd ever need to load up and go. They come in handy just as moving containers as well.

I got all the fix-it-kits and attachment bags for my foldable bike. I'm hoping to be using it soon as the weather gets nice.

I got my canning and other books from Backwoods home. Now I just need to find some time to read them. That's not going to be easy this time of year. Lots to do this spring.......

 

[Peanut]

Well, I’m one step closer to getting the old generator running. The tank had an open/close valve at the drain hole. The valve split, wasn’t repairable, old plastic. About the same time I found a deal on a new Generac generator which I bought. The plan was to repair the old genny later. Never got around to it...

Now that the generac has an issue… I found a replacement tank for the old genny, thinking it would bolt right in with minor mods. Wrong, it requires major mods to the frame to make it fit.

So back to plan A. Twice last week I shopped for rubber grommets to fit the hole in the old fuel tank. Ended up buying an assortment along with a couple shut off valves. None of them worked.

Today I found the correct fuel tank grommet and pass through, $4 (below, circled in red).

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Couple days ago I noticed the battery in my Kaito emergency radio wasn’t charging. So, I went looking for the spare battery pack I bought when I got the radio a few years ago. It doesn’t fit!!!! Not even close!!! Today I had to drive 50miles one way, to get a battery that fit. I got two while I was there.

So, I have a working radio and soon to be working generator. I can use one of the valves and hose I bought. Plan to use the metal valve and keep the plastic one as a spare. So, I have an extra assorted grommets and a spare 7g fuel tank. Still have to take the Generac to be serviced (think there is trash stuck in the carb). Then I’ll have two working generators!

 

[Bacpacker]

Sounds like me doing a plumbing job. Hours worth of work ends up being 8 hours after 4 trips to Lowes for parts to fit for stuff that wouldn't.

 

[LadyLocust]

Well, I’m one step closer to getting the old generator running. The tank had an open/close valve at the drain hole. The valve split, wasn’t repairable, old plastic. About the same time I found a deal on a new Generac generator which I bought. The plan was to repair the old genny later. Never got around to it...

Now that the generac has an issue… I found a replacement tank for the old genny, thinking it would bolt right in with minor mods. Wrong, it requires major mods to the frame to make it fit.

So back to plan A. Twice last week I shopped for rubber grommets to fit the hole in the old fuel tank. Ended up buying an assortment along with a couple shut off valves. None of them worked.

Today I found the correct fuel tank grommet and pass through, $4 (below, circled in red).

-----------------

Couple days ago I noticed the battery in my Kaito emergency radio wasn’t charging. So, I went looking for the spare battery pack I bought when I got the radio a few years ago. It doesn’t fit!!!! Not even close!!! Today I had to drive 50miles one way, to get a battery that fit. I got two while I was there.

So, I have a working radio and soon to be working generator. I can use one of the valves and hose I bought. Plan to use the metal valve and keep the plastic one as a spare. So, I have an extra assorted grommets and a spare 7g fuel tank. Still have to take the Generac to be serviced (think there is trash stuck in the carb). Then I’ll have two working generators!

View attachment 106748

Sounds frustrating but good to have things in good working order.

 

[Peanut]

lol, used to do this for a living! A part for a catscan might take hours or a day to be flown to me. My job was to make a ct run, period! So, while I waited... can't count the number of times I've made a ct work with bits/pieces I got at a hardware store or radio shack. But they put Catscan's in cities that have resources!!!

The distance I have to drive is the frustrating part. Today I had to drive over 100mi. But I knew I could get the parts I needed.

Last week I shopped much closer to home. I left the stores just hoping I could make the bits and pieces work. Only one combo of parts worked (sort of), but the risk of a fuel leak was through the roof. Best to make the long drive today and then repair it correctly, err safely.

 

[Cascadian]

After a couple pretty physical days on the homestead we sat on the couch this morning and watched Depression era interviews and first hand accounts. I suppose getting your mind right is a prep.

 

[LadyLocust]

After a couple pretty physical days on the homestead we sat on the couch this morning and watched Depression era interviews and first hand accounts. I suppose getting your mind right is a prep.

I also find it makes me extremely grateful for what I have.

 

[LadyLocust]

Feel free to laugh at me: I’ve been sourcing patterns for “undergarments” for Hubby and myself. I haven’t made any yet but figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a pattern or two. Mens were easier to find than womens.

 

[Pearl]

Feel free to laugh at me: I’ve been sourcing patterns for “undergarments” for Hubby and myself. I haven’t made any yet but figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a pattern or two. Mens were easier to find than womens.

Great idea!

 

[montanabill]

Socks....they wear out and in our northern climate you need some insulation. Some people can make socks (probably the same ones that knit gloves) but we have been stocking lots and lots of tube type socks in cotton and more warm types. They fit a bunch of different sized feet and will feel great during a cold winter.

I have been stuffing them onto a rather large shelf up high in a closet and today I noticed how many 6 packs and 12 packs of socks I have..

 

[Peanut]

Feel free to laugh at me: I’ve been sourcing patterns for “undergarments” for Hubby and myself. I haven’t made any yet but figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a pattern or two. Mens were easier to find than womens.

You mean they wear out???

 

[viking]

Buy a "small" freezer? that's like going into a big box wharehouse supply food store and not taking a cart.....

We bought a 9 cu.ft. freezer that works just perfectly as an addition to our 17 cu.ft., it's good for small packages of meat, veggies and ice cream and it runs on very low current draw which is perfect for not putting too heavy of a load on our solar backup system. We're grateful to have it, it's amazing to hold as much as it does.

 

[Tommyice]

Feel free to laugh at me: I’ve been sourcing patterns for “undergarments” for Hubby and myself. I haven’t made any yet but figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a pattern or two. Mens were easier to find than womens.

Kwik Sew has quite a few women's designs. If you can find it, they have a book dedicated to women's lingerie with master patterns. If you plan on sewing bras for yourself, start now. They take a while to perfect. Craftsy has an online video course on making them.

 

[Tommyice]

Socks....they wear out and in our northern climate you need some insulation. Some people can make socks (probably the same ones that knit gloves) but we have been stocking lots and lots of tube type socks in cotton and more warm types. They fit a bunch of different sized feet and will feel great during a cold winter.

I have been stuffing them onto a rather large shelf up high in a closet and today I noticed how many 6 packs and 12 packs of socks I have..

I'm one of those sock and glove knitters. They are not fast to knit if you're doing so many other manual tasks. There are sock knitting machines.

 

[montanabill]

I'm one of those sock and glove knitters. They are not fast to knit if you're doing so many other manual tasks. There are sock knitting machines.

good idea, we have long winters here and we do buy every box of yarn we come across at yard and estate sales.

 

[The Lazy L]

Sounds like me doing a plumbing job. Hours worth of work ends up being 8 hours after 4 trips to Lowes for parts to fit for stuff that wouldn't.

A 5 minute job is only one broken bolt away from being an all day job.

 

[ClemKadiddlehopper]

Feel free to laugh at me: I’ve been sourcing patterns for “undergarments” for Hubby and myself. I haven’t made any yet but figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a pattern or two. Mens were easier to find than womens.

Any reason you don't take apart something you have that fits and that you like? That's how I get my patterns for most things. The cost of patterns these days, is more than the garment being made.

 

[LadyLocust]

Any reason you don't take apart something you have that fits and that you like? That's how I get my patterns for most things. The cost of patterns these days, is more than the garment being made.

Bottom half is easier than top half. Top half - none I like. I went and looked at patterns yesterday was floored. In addition, there were only 2 patterns available for such things and $20 ea. - Wowza! I have found vintage patterns that are more realistic both in price and style.

 

[LadyLocust]

I'm one of those sock and glove knitters. They are not fast to knit if you're doing so many other manual tasks. There are sock knitting machines.

I've been watching for a sock knitting machine that is less than $2K. (I don't want one of the little plastic jobs.) Would love one, but for now am sticking with the sticks

 

[LadyLocust]

Kwik Sew has quite a few women's designs. If you can find it, they have a book dedicated to women's lingerie with master patterns. If you plan on sewing bras for yourself, start now. They take a while to perfect. Craftsy has an online video course on making them.

Thank you. The sewing of them, I'm fairly confident I could handle, but finding a good pattern is a different story. I did find one online but haven't made it yet so will see. I didn't know Kwik Sew had a book - will have to look for it. Thank you!

 

[Bacpacker]

A 5 minute job is only one broken bolt away from being an all day job.

Agreed. And I have many lbs of hardware. But not much plumbing supplies. Interest plays a part im sure

 

[LadyLocust]

Serendipity: The brand of patterns that had undergarments is on sale this weekend for $1.99 ea. I ended up getting 5 different patterns (pj’s also) for about $10. Receipt said I saved about $95! .

 

[Amish Heart]

Great deal!
In the freeze dryer and finished the last few days...
portobello mushrooms (they were on sale for 99 cents a carton)
Grated mozzarella cheese (for SHTF pizza!)
Now have 5 dz eggs running
I dry packed a bunch of banana nut muffin mix and spanish rice

 

[ClemKadiddlehopper]

I was going to ask what you all put in the freeze dryer.

 

[Amish Heart]

I'll probably put some raw milk in it next, if I get some from my cousin's place. Always have eggs to put in. I think I've got 8 more lbs of mozzarella to put in sometime this week.

 

[CalicoKatie]

I never thought about Walmart as a mail order source for seeds but to my surprise they have a huge supply. It looks like the best bargains are the collections like this one. I don't expect a lot of seeds per packet but at 50 cents each I'll give it a shot.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Set-of-4...n-Seeds-100-Non-GMO-May-Be-Assorted/648391437
I was thrilled to find white icicle radishes. They were my favorite as a kid and I haven't seen them in years. They have separate packages but I went for the collection.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/12-Radis...rench-Breakfast-Champion-Purple-Wa/1758761921
https://www.walmart.com/browse/patio-garden/heirloom-seeds/5428_6061364_9253730_2325750
I'm really stocking up on seeds because who knows how much food will be available in the next couple of years.

 

[LadyLocust]

I never thought about Walmart as a mail order source for seeds but to my surprise they have a huge supply. It looks like the best bargains are the collections like this one. I don't expect a lot of seeds per packet but at 50 cents each I'll give it a shot.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Set-of-4...n-Seeds-100-Non-GMO-May-Be-Assorted/648391437
I was thrilled to find white icicle radishes. They were my favorite as a kid and I haven't seen them in years. They have separate packages but I went for the collection.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/12-Radis...rench-Breakfast-Champion-Purple-Wa/1758761921
https://www.walmart.com/browse/patio-garden/heirloom-seeds/5428_6061364_9253730_2325750
I'm really stocking up on seeds because who knows how much food will be available in the next couple of years.

I love those white radishes too! Pretty easy to save seeds for radishes too

 

[CalicoKatie]

I love those white radishes too! Pretty easy to save seeds for radishes too

We dipped them in butter and they were so good. I'm going to try to save a lot of my seeds this year. I don't want to take the chance that they'll be out of stock next year.

 

[LadyLocust]

I can't remember if I shared this: a while back I was looking for some silicone spray for here at work in a near by "ranch and home" type store. I went back to the automotive section and found a can of something. Then on the way up to the counters, I meandered down the LEM equipment isle just for hoots and giggles. There was a silicone spray there for the equipment that was I think $2 a can cheaper and looked like it would work. I put the auto can back and got the LEM spray. Hubby says it's the best spray he's used. Thought I'd give y'all the heads up on it. I'll be grabbing a couple more cans to have on hand. We use it in our shop for various things.