The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

cheerio61

Thriftygifty said:
Can anyone suggest a cookery book for meals using store cupboard ingredients.   

Tin Can Cook: Jack Monroe 

rachsecret

Thriftygifty said:

Well today was THE day....DS started school  and do I feel any better about it erm...no!  I spoke with his teacher last week to see what measures were being implemented and explained my concern due to my parents, I also made the comment that I felt local people were getting complacent due to thankfully low numbers, I thought they may get the hint that I was serious.  I did feel reassured, I was told the children would be given hand sanitiser on entry to the class room, they have markings on the floor to sit on spaced apart, the children are told every morning what Covid is in a non scary way and they play a game each morning to explain they are individual bubbles and hold their arms out to explain others can't come into your personal space, they won't be having hot meals, and they will have jugs of water for the children to refill their own bottles and frequent hand washing in pairs. Arrived, no hand sanitiser given to the children, one of the teachers came out to speak to a parent and stood very close to speak with them, I asked my son about if he was told about a bubble he said no however he is 4 so its difficult to get info out of him, the parents aren't gathered outside of the school gate instead they are up the road a bit stood in a circle pavement width probably 8 - 10 of them, we had to cross the road to get past them.  I'm having trouble, I really don't understand why it is so hard for people to social distance?  I am really not comfortable i'm hoping things will improve in the next week or so, it was chaos there this morning people everywhere but then in fairness we haven't been around lots of people for quite some time.  

We have A for another 4 weeks as a priority customer and then our regular recurring slot is up, It has been a Godsend, I plan on doing 4 large shops and hopefully refilling the larder.  I think after that it will probably be CC for us. 
Can anyone suggest a cookery book for meals using store cupboard ingredients.   

It might be worth sending an e-mail to school to explain your concerns as there may be some explanations for some of it. I work in school and our hand sanitiser is situated just inside the doorway of every class on the wall and so may not be visible to you. In terms of children remembering what they did in school, I think you're totally right in that most children don't remember , especially when they are only in Reception.
Re the crowding on the street; originally schools were told to not allow parents on the premises, and my school had the same rules. We had exactly he same issue the first day back with parents crowding on the streets and so tweaked our arrangements for the next day to allow them to stand spaced out in an area of the playground which made a huge difference. Listening to parent feedback is really important so hopefully the school will welcome your feedback and be able to reassure you. 
There is no guarantee however that children will social distance, but staff should be. The whole situation is a huge worry for staff who are not allowed to wear masks etc in school. School staff are the only workforce that is public facing that is not allowed to wear masks (secondary staff can, but not in primary schools) which is worrying. Hope you get it sorted.

Thriftygifty

Thanks rachsecret, it was slightly better today, we were greeted with hand sanitiser, I presume they hadn't sorted themselves out yesterday, the large crowded groups of parents on the streets had dispensed somewhat, again I presume this was everyone reconnecting after 5 months, however today people were on the whole social distancing whilst waiting for their children, and then you get the people that know each other that walk side by side with each other, it occurred to me that it must be really awkward if you were wanting to social distance but not upset your friend, at this point I was thankful that I don't know anyone and am happy keeping it that way!  The teachers were not distancing themselves from each other at all that I could see, I kind of feel defeated before we have even begun, I don't want to be one of "those" parents and I doubt it would do any good when the head teacher is stood outside school close to someone having a conversation.  Lets just hope for the best.  I feel for the teachers/other staff members that do want to take this seriously as it must be unbelievably frustrating for them and such a worry. 

Back to prepping, i've made a spreadsheet with basic store cupboard but it is looking very bland and plain I would need 554 items at a cost of £450 this doesn't include childrens items etc or toilet roll but does include washing powder and dishwasher tablets, I'm just not sure where to store the powder as it makes my husband sneeze/not be able to breathe I think 7 boxes may wipe him out, I may have to cut the peanut butter down by a few jars as £28 seems excessive, I think I may start with bland and plain and work my way up, hopefully we still have a bit more time to prepare. 

r.a.i.n.b.o.w

cheerio61 said:

Thriftygifty said:
Can anyone suggest a cookery book for meals using store cupboard ingredients.   

Tin Can Cook: Jack Monroe 

Can recommend. In fact, many of Jack's books are storecupboard/low cost recipes.

muffin_man_7

Thriftygifty just a suggestion could  u switch to liquid instead of soap powder or   something i do is clean out a milk carton  let it dry then transfere soap powder    i had to do this because it was always getting damp in the winter plus my  youngest daughter had asthma  ht h
Wow you have got that stock taking well sorted with how many items you need    ive no idea how to do a spread sheet but it sounds  like it helpful
Im stocked up in some areas  but not others   i live on my own now kids are all adults   unless u count the dog  i have a note book to keep track of what. ive got  but forget to write in it      im aim to add another 2 month to my stash but with waiting to move  im not supposed to be stocking up  i cant not have extras.  I can be at home for 3 weeks at a time when fibro  flares  I hope things with school continue to improve 

MingVase

Or keep soap powder boxes inside a black binbag tied at the neck. Keep out one box under the sink to use.

jamanda

Does anyone know if Greyqueen is better?  She's very quiet.

MingVase

She's at home with parents and doing very well Jamanda 

basketcase

muffin_man_7 said:

Thriftygifty just a suggestion could  u switch to liquid instead of soap powder or   something i do is clean out a milk carton  let it dry then transfere soap powder    i had to do this because it was always getting damp in the winter plus my  youngest daughter had asthma  ht h
Wow you have got that stock taking well sorted with how many items you need    ive no idea how to do a spread sheet but it sounds  like it helpful
Im stocked up in some areas  but not others   i live on my own now kids are all adults   unless u count the dog  i have a note book to keep track of what. ive got  but forget to write in it      im aim to add another 2 month to my stash but with waiting to move  im not supposed to be stocking up  i cant not have extras.  I can be at home for 3 weeks at a time when fibro  flares  I hope things with school continue to improve 

Hi Muffin man - agree with you about TG's stock taking.  Must get something similar organised.
When you're prepping absolutely count the dog!

basketcase

@Thriftygifty

Did you create your own spreadsheet or is there one online?

I think it'd be sensible to do something similar, but have no idea where to start.  Any help/links appreciated...