prep thought for today

Callieslamb · #1 09/26/08, 12:28 PM

doing a bit of shopping this morning while waiting for a simple repair on my car. I was in the kitchen gadet isle and a can opener caught my eye. My current can opener is a little hard to work with - aging hands. So, I bought 2. One for now and one for later. I certainly don't want to run out of one of those since we keep on hand a goodly amount of canned foods.

I also decided to pick up a few other "odd" little things - electrical tape, marine glue, shoe laces, descant packages (to take the moisture out). Two extra vegetable parers, ice trays ( we have enough gas to keep the freezers running for a long time - so we could make ice!). . .

There are just so many of these little things ....

What do you need to add to your list?

Sharon · #2 09/26/08, 01:13 PM

Chocolate.

unregistered29228 · #3 09/26/08, 01:49 PM

Another propane tank for the gas grill, and a better funnel for filling jars and vac bags. I want one with a HUGE opening, and a smallish spout. I'm tired of the ones I have not working right. So I'm on the hunt.

Callie, I have three Swing-A-Way can openers that I swear by. One of them I've had longer than I've had my hubby (20yrs), and the other two are reserves. They're the best, and never wear out!

Here's a cute article about my can opener, and yes, I do use the bottle opener on the bottom....

http://www.core77.com/inconspicuous/swingaway.html

Beaners · #4 09/26/08, 02:19 PM

Our can opener got left in the sink with the dirty dishes, and the blade started to rust. It works for now, but who knows how much longer. I wrote down 2 can openers on my shopping list, because I don't want to be without one. I always tell people to spend an extra dollar or two and get a good comfortable manual can opener. Sure, the little 25¢ ones will open cans, but you dread using them.

I need to get more hand sewing needles. I don't know what box they got packed into when we moved and they are nowhere to be found.

Kayleigh

Lorax_Of_Gilead · #5 09/26/08, 02:33 PM

Instead of buying individual shoe laces, buy 550 paracord in 1000 ft rolls. Then cut them for your shoes/boots. Much cheaper and more uses.

Cyngbaeld · #6 09/26/08, 02:54 PM

I need a cow or a good goat. Haven't decided which yet.

tab · #7 09/26/08, 03:07 PM

My list keeps growing. As things get darker I get more worried. I try to get extra spark plugs, bolts, screws, etc whenever we purchase some. The can opener I had in reserve is in service now so it needs to be replaced. I find I am thinking about this as I work and am really looking ahead more.....

unregistered29228 · #8 09/26/08, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaners

Our can opener got left in the sink with the dirty dishes, and the blade started to rust.

Spray it with WD40 and leave it overnight to soak in. Then you can sand off the rust with steel wool. Every time I wash mine I rinse it in really hot water, dry it and give it a squirt of WD40.

mnn2501 · #9 09/26/08, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mom_of_Four

Callie, I have three Swing-A-Way can openers that I swear by. One of them I've had longer than I've had my hubby (20yrs), and the other two are reserves. They're the best, and never wear out!

We have 2, one on each side of the kitchen. Best can openers around, easy to use, easy on your hands and fingers.

A small greenhouse is in my future. Will grow my own instead of buying starter plants. Should be able to get a good head start on veggies here in N Texas.

Callieslamb · #10 09/26/08, 06:13 PM

Where do you find a Swing away opener? I bought the most expensive one at WM today - $12!!!!! Whatever happened to those skinny little vegatable parers? Now they are as big as the can opener!

Does the paracord come in black? Good idea!
Sounds like extra bottles of WD 40 are in order also.

I wouldn't call a cow or a goat a small item! Even the mini's! I want one too!

Here are some more I thought of today:

I saw a 1/2 mile roll of electric fencing wire. I bought it. I don't have electric fencing, but wire it so useful

I save ALL grocery bags. I get more than I can re-use, but who knows what they might be handy for later? (I try not to think of DH's grandma that saved the plastic rings she pulled off the milk jugs....and the little lady in our church that had 2 large boxes of the foam trays from purchased meat)

Fingernail files and clippers
scissors
hand lotion - maybe even bag balm
mechanical timer -rather than a digital one

Bonnie L · #11 09/26/08, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the reminder! I need to get backup can opener. I like the SwingAway too. Don't remember where I bought this one so I hope I can find another.

Because we have a wood stove for heat & a propane cook stove, I've been picking up a 3-pack of wooden strike anywhere matches every month or 2.

I'm going to have to take inventory to see if there is anything else we could use a backup or 2 or 3 of.

I want a mini-cow, too. But it isn't practical at the moment.

Spinner · #12 09/26/08, 07:15 PM

About the only things I still need are hard to find or too expensive to buy.

cream separator
apple pealer/corer/slicer
skinning knife
and about a ton of dog food (the price has more than doubled since I last stocked up!)

I'm sure there are lots of little things I'm forgetting, but I've been prepping most of my life so I'm pretty well set with most things, but there's always things I'm discovering that I've missed and still need. Prepping is never complete.

Colorado · #13 09/26/08, 07:19 PM

I want to buy some can openers like we use to get. They were cheap and would open cans fine. I toss out a couple real old ones as no longer worked good. So far have not found one. I have one that works that was not as old and not used much. I have a couple of those punch in and hitch them around but would rather not use but could in a case of have too.

I do use some of those foam trays in my crafts.

shellycoley · #14 09/26/08, 07:38 PM

Check out the little local hardware stores for good can openers. Many have quite a selection of kitchen items.

Shelly

AngieM2 · #15 09/26/08, 08:01 PM

I've only used manual can openers, and even have the old fashioned bottle opener with the pointed end and the rounded end. Heck, way back in 1971 when I got electric can opener/s for wedding presents - they got recycled or sold or traded out - never could stand those things. Then when Y2K was mentioned I still was using manual openers, but got a couple of more.

I do like the more basic kitchen tools. (then I like some gadgets for now, also).

Angie

ovsfarm · #16 09/26/08, 08:02 PM

One thing I was thinking about today was cheap sunglasses. Whether global warming is going to be a problem or not, my eyes are fairly sensitive to the sun. And based on the shape of my cheekbones, I prefer a certain shape of glasses that don't rub on my cheeks and cause skin irritation. I watch for them on sale and am the Queen of cheap sun glasses. I usually spend between $1 and $3 per pair. I stocked up about 4 years ago, but am now on my last pair. I need to get some more!

unregistered29228 · #17 09/26/08, 08:06 PM

^^ That's a good point. I wear Rx glasses, and it's on my list as money allows to get a couple of extra pairs. And Rx sunglasses too...I can't wear non Rx sunglasses, unless they are the clip-on or wrap around styles that go with regular glasses.

Callieslamb · #18 09/27/08, 12:14 AM

Or how about just reading glasses? Those might be hard to come by and really aren't that expensive! Might come in handy some day!

Pencils and a manual pencil sharpener

soulsurvivor · #19 09/27/08, 02:26 AM

Lighters
C and D batteries
aspirin
powdered milk
solar gadgets - assess if really needed/useful
use coupons to purchase cold medications

Still saving to buy a wireless laptop

Any thoughts on what's the best walkie talkies?

celticfalcon · #20 09/27/08, 05:53 AM

your mention of can openers made me think.got one in the drawer. but........... trusty p-38 om my key ring. get a couple more at army surplus next time im there.