THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

maryb

according to Zerohedge, Russia has turned off the gas to Ukraine again - although apparently it is not affecting transit supplies to Europe. Yet.

maryb

It will, one assumes, push up prices even further on the spot market. The market that can supposedly make good any shortages we encounter because no government of any colour has done any strategic thinking for the last 30 odd years.

Just as well it's getting a bit warmer in at least some parts of the UK, given the gas deficiency notice they had to issue to big commercial users last week

[Deleted User]

westcoastscot wrote: »

I *know* that mid-fifties isn't old, but if I want to make independent old bones then I need to pace myself now, to make sure I can maintain function as I get older.

absolutely yes yes yes, that is the whole idea, independence at older age. Pacing oneself while young enough is how to do it. Not like my elderly neighbour who denies his limitations, clears a path at his age but fell off a bike and fell in the bathroom and out for a walk and puffs and pants like a steam train. I pace myself all the time and am well aware of the problems that can come with older (or younger) age. That plus the sudden death that can come from over exertion, happened to my fit 67 year old husband, doing a sport that he did four times every week with not a problem, until that single event

[Deleted User]

Definitely Horses for Courses WCS and I know how fortunate we are both to have the mind set that we have and to still be physically relatively OK. I find the little things in life inspirational f'rinstance today I walked that Cookie hound, I do it most days and every day I'm amazed at how pleased she is to see me, it makes my heart happy. I love the walking I can think and be without any distractions and I love what I find when we're out and about, from the first celandine of spring to the first fat and beautiful harvest spider hanging in the middle of a dew bespeckled web in the autumn, I love the first cuttable asparagus from the bed, watching the strawberries ripen among their leaves, today I've so enjoyed green grass after the snow and the buds on the flowering currant bushes as we walked the footpaths, from my kitchen window my neighbours clematis that has climbed right through my bay tree has sprouted embryonic leaves and my other bay tree by the green house has become covered with fat little flower buds just itching to break into furry bloom. It's the small barely noticed things that give the most pleasure and keep the wonder of the universe from palling and keep life sparkling and full of interest. Live it as fully as you're able to, never ever give up on it, it really is beautiful!

mardatha

Phew - just caught up! I've been waiting for Russia to do that Maryb. Every cold snap, never fails!
This house can run without elect for long enough, but I'd go mad without internet. Cooking is Calor gas, heating and hot water is coal. Elect bills here are always under £4 a week.
I rarely see real people to talk to in winter, even in summer I only see a couple of neighbours in their gardens, so I'm more used to cabin fever than most of you. It is real but it's mainly in the mind. If you stop thinking OMG I can't get out, and decide that you choose to stay in... then it eases. Spring cleaning is good. Painting is good. Cooking batch meals or baking as well.
Re being old and worn out, the RV and I just had to mush along a half mile stretch of snow covered road to meet Sainsbugs with my home shopping - he couldn't get any closer to us. Then we had to haul the stuff back to the homestead. The RV being macho and tall, carried his bag. I dragged mine along the snow in an Ikea bag
No sign of a thaw here yet, schools staying shut tomorrow. Next door neighbour has snapped and driven off (in her 4x4) up to Edinburgh to stay at her mums

maryb

I got out today for the first time in a couple of days and it was lovely to hear the birds singing like mad - I think they were as pleased as we are to see better weather. The common looked a bit depressing though as the small patches of snow that were left looked like a sea of litter! All gone now though, except in the woods.

It has been a bit of a wakeup call, how I let my preps wind down as winter draws to its close - although we still have plenty of logs, thank goodness. However, living where we do, it was never going to be more than a few days of inconvenience and because I didn't do my normal weekly shop this week because I thought the supermarket car park would be icy, I've managed to save quite a bit of money with using up freezer stocks. Why is it I fancy the food when I put it in the freezer but unless I have to make do, there's always something else I'd rather eat than what I have in store?

Cappella

I love to walk too MrsLW, and although my cardiologist said avoid going out when it’s bitterly cold - with good reason - he also made it clear that retiring to an armchair wasn’t an option either! So the ginger ninja and I coat up (me not him) and walk a good four to five miles everyday. Even in a city it’s fascinating to wartch the changing seasons and Ive really missed those dog excursions this week.

Cabin fever - I like
https://www.futurelearn.com
Loads of free courses and I’ve really enjoyed a couple of the history ones.

GreyQueen

I've been having to manage pitiful supplies of energy resources since I got mugged by ME/CFS aged 20. At least at our age, my peer group are slowing down a bit, too, so it's not so apparent that I'm not as lively as they are.:rotfl:

I always recall that old saying about how many a creaking gate hangs long. Some people who are a bit poorly, but who take care of themselves, live good long lives and will outlast their more robust brethren, in certain cases.

Went for a wander around the city, which was as busy as a Saturday. Was looking at buying a specific thing (standard lamp lampshade) and doing a little preliminary recce for my next 'pooter. By gum, haven't the tower bits of desktop PCs shrunk a lot in the last 16 years, positively waif-like compared with this putty-coloured tank!

I'm fighting off a cold, ably assisted by my new best product, vicks first defense, which a complementary health practicioner introduced me to in early January, and which I cannot recommend highly enough. If I can get clear of March without getting some 'orrible coughing bug, I shall be very grateful.

:j I am also going to get another half-plot to add to my existing agricultural holdings, subject to the existing plot passing inspection, which I am confident it will. I share a 33 m boundary with this half-plot and its dereliction has caused me a considerable amount of extra work in the past decade, just keeping the carp from growing into my veggie patch. I'll be chaltelaine of 450 sq m, yippee.:j

I'm rubbing my hands with glee at the prospect of getting on there with the mattock and showing it cold steel, it won't know what's hit it, mwah ha ha!

[Deleted User]

oh I am chuffed to pieces. 2 1/2 years ago I did an important render repair on the house, lime render system, it has looked perfect ever since. Adhesive layer and 2 layers of lime render and then the paint top coat over stippling I just looked and it survived perfectly through the freeze . The paint I filled different hair line cracks with also did the job but there are 2 other narrow hair line cracks to be seen to as soon as.

What I am chuffed about is that I double bagged the lime render powder, shelf life of 1 year as it absorbs moisture. Double bagged and in a plastic storage box in 5kg packs. Took one out plus the triple wrapped adhesive and both are in good workable condition. Woo hoo, I have a small repair on the garden wall, in visible sight. Ok that is normal grey render with cream paint but this lime render will do just fine with a coat of paint, probably slightly diluted as I am worried about running out. I have to wait now, for a warmer dry period. Prepping for house maintenace, it worked for when I needed it

fuddle

Where's me pen? Ah yes. Vick's First Defence. There, it's on the list. Much obliged GQ

Congratulations on the extra growing space!

From someone who takes life at 100mph and has to do everything, all the time, at speed, I'm finding my latest health problem a bit of a mental grapple really. I'm lucky in that I have engineered a life that can cope with me taking a step back... whether I can cope mentality with having to do that I don't know.