This weeks preps check-in

[dirtdiva]

I read an article today that the best fabric for cloth masks that one lab tested is several alternating layers of cotton with silk or rayon. This combination creates static which traps even tiny particles. The article said the filtration was close to the equivalent of an N95 mask, but also warned that unless you can make it seal around the face then you won't get that level of protection.

I had some leftover silk from a prom dress I made for granddaughter a couple years ago. Lined my masks with that. So Pretty. It was even pink. Hubby will love that

 

[Mountain trapper]

They delivered the rest of the lumber for the corral yesterday. I only have about 70 more boards to put up, maybe 2 more days. Then I have a gate to build, clear out some trees and put in a new road to the corral where I can turn a stock trailer around. In the next couple of days I'll go out and look for the cattle and start moving them closer to the corral to get ready for branding and cutting the bull calves.
The wife was supposed to be "allowed" to come home around the end of May. Now the facist governor in her state decided that he's not even going to make a decision on whether to open the state until the end of May. What a POS coward. Oh well. The longest hitch that we've ever worked was 15 months stright without a day off. I just thought those days were long behind us.

 

[Dani]

They delivered the rest of the lumber for the corral yesterday. I only have about 70 more boards to put up, maybe 2 more days. Then I have a gate to build, clear out some trees and put in a new road to the corral where I can turn a stock trailer around. In the next couple of days I'll go out and look for the cattle and start moving them closer to the corral to get ready for branding and cutting the bull calves.
The wife was supposed to be "allowed" to come home around the end of May. Now the facist governor in her state decided that he's not even going to make a decision on whether to open the state until the end of May. What a POS coward. Oh well. The longest hitch that we've ever worked was 15 months stright without a day off. I just thought those days were long behind us.

I feel bad for you and your wife Bud. . . that's just a long time apart! And away from the homestead that you both dreamed of. . . . You are making great head way doing everything on your own though and she will be impressed with all you have gotten accomplished while she was gone.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I feel bad for you and your wife Bud. . . that's just a long time apart! And away from the homestead that you both dreamed of. . . . You are making great head way doing everything on your own though and she will be impressed with all you have gotten accomplished while she was gone.

Thanks Danilgrl. That means a lot. Espicilly coming from someone who can appreciate what it takes to build up a place like this from nothing. I'm done working on the corral for the night but I still need to ride out and find the cattle and fill up the house water tank.
I need to find a week or so and complete the repairs on the primiter fence. Fortunately we had a mild winter and the couple miles that I've checked so far look pretty good. While we still have some moisture in the ground I have another mile or so of new cross fencing to build.
Up until a few days ago I was texting the wife pictures of the place. Then my phone decided that it wouldn't send pictures anymore. She really misses the pics of the baby calves. We talk on the phone once a week or so.
With all the oil fields pretty much shut down she has time to shop. Today she asked if I'd drive down to Texas and pick up a couple miniture mules from a breeder down there. Sure. I have an extra week with nothing better to do.
On a good note, my daughter is planing on coming down with the grandbabies soon. I haven't seen them since last Fall.

 

[Mountain trapper]

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[KateMTx]

I had some leftover silk from a prom dress I made for granddaughter a couple years ago. Lined my masks with that. So Pretty. It was even pink. Hubby will love that

Who knew pretty was also practical? Might not be too popular with the guys though

 

[dirtdiva]

Who knew pretty was also practical? Might not be too popular with the guys though

Put it on the inside and no one will see it

 

[Dani]

Thanks Danilgrl. That means a lot. Espicilly coming from someone who can appreciate what it takes to build up a place like this from nothing. I'm done working on the corral for the night but I still need to ride out and find the cattle and fill up the house water tank.
I need to find a week or so and complete the repairs on the primiter fence. Fortunately we had a mild winter and the couple miles that I've checked so far look pretty good. While we still have some moisture in the ground I have another mile or so of new cross fencing to build.
Up until a few days ago I was texting the wife pictures of the place. Then my phone decided that it wouldn't send pictures anymore. She really misses the pics of the baby calves. We talk on the phone once a week or so.
With all the oil fields pretty much shut down she has time to shop. Today she asked if I'd drive down to Texas and pick up a couple miniture mules from a breeder down there. Sure. I have an extra week with nothing better to do.
On a good note, my daughter is planing on coming down with the grandbabies soon. I haven't seen them since last Fall.

Depending on what part of Texas, I could possibly send you home with some snacks? It's a big state. . . how south are you coming?

 

[GaRp58]

It was even pink. Hubby will love that

PICTURES PLEASE!!!! GP

 

[Mountain trapper]

Depending on what part of Texas, I could possibly send you home with some snacks? It's a big state. . . how south are you coming?

That would be great. I haven't heard back from her so I don't know what of Texas it is. We've driven across Texas before and spent a month in Corpus Christi. Even though Texas is much smaller than Alaska it still seemed to take forever to get from El Paso to the LA border. We did enjoy the eastern part of the state.

 

[dirtdiva]

Those of you making cloth masks elastic can be hard to find right now. Below is a link to a small family owned fabric business in South Carolina that just got some in. I sew alot and I do business with them online often and have always had great service. Good price too 15 yards for 10.50. I ordered the larger pack to have some on hand for later.

https://shop.farmhousefabrics.com/s...atex-Free-Elastic-Cord,-White,-Soft!,-15-yard

 

[GaRp58]

My wife still cannot believe which things I decided were important and when she needs to go shopping for something, I tell her where it is in the cellar...I made our masks and used about a third of our elastic and she didn't even know we had it...now I'm happy. GP

 

[Dani]

The only elastic I had was 1/2 inch so I cut it down the middle. . .

 

[Doreena]

The only elastic I had was 1/2 inch so I cut it down the middle. . .

I had some 30 year old 1/4” which was ok, made my first one. I used a pattern linked on the CDC site where you take 2 fabrics 6x10 and put elastic on the ends. Seems hot but will work in a pinch. I used an old sheet and some quilting fabric. Do you have a better pattern? I bought one that seems more comfortable that has pleats.


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[Dani]

I had some 30 year old 1/4” which was ok, made my first one. I used a pattern linked on the CDC site where you take 2 fabrics 6x10 and put elastic on the ends. Seems hot but will work in a pinch. I used an old sheet and some quilting fabric. Do you have a better pattern? I bought one that seems more comfortable that has pleats.


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The pattern I use was a 6 x 9 double fabric, elastic loops on the end and three pleats on each side. I posted a link on how to make under pandemic.

 

[Dani]

I had some 30 year old 1/4” which was ok, made my first one. I used a pattern linked on the CDC site where you take 2 fabrics 6x10 and put elastic on the ends. Seems hot but will work in a pinch. I used an old sheet and some quilting fabric. Do you have a better pattern? I bought one that seems more comfortable that has pleats.


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This is the pattern I used
http://www.doomsdayprepperforums.com/index.phpthreads/how-to-make-a-face-mask.12457/

it is comfortable wearing for me and fits good. I had to make hunny a tad bigger to make it comfortable for him. His was 6 1/2 x 9.

 

[Doreena]

This is the pattern I used
http://www.doomsdayprepperforums.com/index.phpthreads/how-to-make-a-face-mask.12457/

it is comfortable wearing for me and fits good. I had to make hunny a tad bigger to make it comfortable for him. His was 6 1/2 x 9.

Thank you, I will give it a try!


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[Dani]

Thank you, I will give it a try!


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Were you able to find the link? When I tried it out tonight it took me to the home screen. It is listed under 'tactics and resource material' or at least something like that.

 

[Doreena]

Were you able to find the link? When I tried it out tonight it took me to the home screen. It is listed under 'tactics and resource material' or at least something like that.

Yes, I made a mask, it seems to be much better than the first one I made.


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[Dani]

Yes, I made a mask, it seems to be much better than the first one I made.


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I have to look down during my job quite frequently and sometimes I think 5 3/4 would have worked out much better for me or even 5 1/2 but I am dealing with it. I may have to lower my jaw to lower the mask but so far it has worked out for me. If I am out in the public I feel much more comfortable with the covering.

 

[KateMTx]

Those of you making cloth masks elastic can be hard to find right now. Below is a link to a small family owned fabric business in South Carolina that just got some in. I sew alot and I do business with them online often and have always had great service. Good price too 15 yards for 10.50. I ordered the larger pack to have some on hand for later.

https://shop.farmhousefabrics.com/s...atex-Free-Elastic-Cord,-White,-Soft!,-15-yard

My coworkers and are using elastic hair ties. A local company donated a bunch of the plastic "ear savers" that you attach the mask to behind your head so your ears don't get hurt. This is a better way to wear a mask if you have to wear one a lot and you have one that hooks onto the ears. The other way we've been making them is with ties that tie around the back of the head.

 

[DrHenley]

A local company donated a bunch of the plastic "ear savers" that you attach the mask to behind your head so your ears don't get hurt. This is a better way to wear a mask if you have to wear one a lot and you have one that hooks onto the ears. The other way we've been making them is with ties that tie around the back of the head.

You can get little mini bungee cords that would work for that.

 

[BillMasen]

Finally my kids are showing a propper interest in Prep PLANNING, So I've started knocking up and collecting aid memoirs, infographics, guides etc on the assorted aspects of preppings. I'm collasting them then i will put them ob DVD and Flash drives and add them to their GHBs and BOBs.

 

[BillMasen]

So today I'm trawling the interweb looking for more useful infographics, charts, and how-to's for my prep files, I like to collect useful images of assorted stuff such as Edible Plant Recognition, How to Connect up Solar Power Systems, How to make DIY water filters, How to plan a recce mission, Stockpile list (food, tools etc) Maps assorted such as road, rail, canal, pylon , cycleways, Kit lists, equipment schematics etc. I keep them on my PC and on data sticks in each GHB / BOB.

 

[Doreena]

So today I'm trawling the interweb looking for more useful infographics, charts, and how-to's for my prep files, I like to collect useful images of assorted stuff such as Edible Plant Recognition, How to Connect up Solar Power Systems, How to make DIY water filters, How to plan a recce mission, Stockpile list (food, tools etc) Maps assorted such as road, rail, canal, pylon , cycleways, Kit lists, equipment schematics etc. I keep them on my PC and on data sticks in each GHB / BOB.

I have quite a few in hard copy in case a computer isn’t available...EMPs you know! [emoji16]


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[JackDW]

Kate, I also found using the elastic hair ties work well. I purchased a bunch at the dollar tree (100 count for $1). I think they work a lot better than rubber bands. I already have a number of the blue shop towels (I always seem to purchase the two pack anytime I an working on the vehicles) so with the shop towels and hair ties, I can make a whole lot of masks, if needed.

 

[jontte]

more of those energy gels came with the post, some strap cutter ( Ontario ) and those fly boy nomex/leather gloves ordered,again from Varusteleka.

 

[GaRp58]

A new book on using Herbs from the fields to make medicines and tea. More honey, coffee, butter, rubber gaskets for canning and hygiene stuff. Waiting for the cookbook for preppers still. GP

 

[Brent S]

I have quite a few in hard copy in case a computer isn’t available...EMPs you know! [emoji16]


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It’s hard to beat good old fashioned books and magazines. No electricity required!

 

[Brent S]

I was working out of our big diesel bucket truck today and came across a 5 pack of n95 masks. Yay! My young, healthy, and stupid son won’t wear a mask so I confiscated them. I’ve had the elastic bands break on two masks so far so finding a few extras was nice. Even with broken straps they are repairable and considering how tough they are to come by I will get every last bit of use out of each of them.