11-15-12

10:55am

Got a turkey going in the oven for supper.

I couldn't find my wire rack to put in the roasting

pan so I used a bunt cake pan to stand the turkey in.

It's a smaller turkey at just over 12 pounds.

 I slathered it with honey and an all purpose seasoning.

In about an hour and a half I'll drizzle maple syrup

over the turkey and add

a mix of brown sugar, grated orange peel

(I keep orange peels in the freezer, 

they are easier to grate that way)

nutmeg and allspice on top the turkey

My turkey came with a pouch that said

turkey gravy.  I injected that into the turkey
and then covered it with foil.
I can make my own gravy from the turkey drippings.

I usually put my turkey in an oven bag but

found out that I didn't have any.

So here goes without one.

I just make stuff up for recipes along the way

as to what sounds good or what I have at hand.

I'm sitting here trying to come up with a plan
for running dryer ducts from the solar
heater to the house.  When it's going to be
20 feet or more away from the house you
have to figure out how to insulate your ducts
so that there is no heat loss.  So how
do you do this as cheaply as possible?

 I went to the thrift store in search of a wool
blanket.  They didn't have any so I looked for 
the next best thing, long Winter coats.
I found two, really heavy, 100% wool coats
for $2.99 each.  I plan to cut them up into
strips and then sew them into tubes
to run the dryer duct through.
You figure if these jackets are made to be worn
outside in very cold weather then it should
work well on the ducts for insulation.
Then I would wrap it in trash bags to keep
any snow or rain out.
By doing it yourself with things you can make homemade
can save you lots of money.
Two coats cost me $5.98.
Now compare that to two insulated
duct jackets for $41.56 at Menards!!

FYI-
100% wool is a very good insulator.
They do make rolls of roll out wool insulation
at home improvement stores to put into
walls and attics.  
It is naturally flame retardant,
naturally resistant to mold,
it does not endanger the health of people or the environment,
and the list goes on that you can read HERE.

Yes I have done my research beforehand :0)


12:45pm


I got the one black coat all cut up.
I think I can insulate 20 feet of dryer duct with it
with the pieces I got from the one coat.


2:00pm


Turkey is done and so is one insulated dryer duct.

Each dryer duct piece is about 6-8 feet long. 
This is the duct we found along side the road for free.
I took the two ducts that were connected apart
and got the one bent back out where it was smashed in.
I took a heavy duty needle and some yarn and 
sewed pieces of the wool in sections around the duct.

3:30pm


Got the other duct insulated with wool.
Put some potatoes and carrots in a pot
to get ready for supper to go with the turkey. 

5:30pm


Now that's what I call a supper!  LOL.
Almost like a mini Thanksgiving dinner minus the stuffing.

 

11-14-12

9:00am

Kids are out of school today due to 

some kind of teacher training class.

I got more cans glued this morning.

I should be done with gluing cans today I hope!

My forearm is sore due to the caulk gun.

I was 5 cans short so had to cut more cans,

wash them out and now awaiting for them

to dry then will punch holes in the bottom

and glue to the rest of them.

12 rows by 13 rows is a total of 156 cans.

 I have a plan for supporting the solar heater once done.

For the best sun to hit it you should put it

at about a 65 degree angle.  That's the angle of

the sun during Winter months.

I want to prop the heater up against an old

ladder we have.  This is an example in the photo

below but not the actual ladder I will be using.

This is a lightweight ladder and the other ladder is

much heaver.

But you can see the angle it has for the steps.

Close enough for that correct angle.

It'll be better than being completely upright. 

But I have also read that Columbus is 41 latitude

so should it be at a 41 degree angle instead?

Will have to play with it some.

10:15am


Started putting my .50 cent rubber weather stripping
around the back door.  During the colder weather
I can feel cold air coming through the gaps
and for the past three years have always put
a blanket over that door.  This weather stripping
looks like it will do the trick!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Might go out and glue a few more

cans together then work on sealing a

few bedroom windows with the waterproof silcone.

Any cold air drafts you can keep out of your house

during the cold seasons will help your heating bill.

Last year I sprayed foam and or applied silicone around the outside basement walls where pipes or wiring went into

holes through the basement concrete blocks. 

It helped especially to keep water out.

We was getting water on the breaker box

during heavy downpours.  No more water!

No more replacing main breakers (only 3 years old at that)!

We lost half the electricity to our home

last Winter because of it.

Lucky for us a friend bought the breaker

and installed it and called it our Christmas present.

The breaker was about $90 I think.

I should waterproof silicone around all

the basement windows.

Maybe this weekend as I'm not that energetic just yet, lol.

10:55am


All cans now are officially glued together
and are drying.  Thank goodness!


11:40am

Got two windows caulked.
Not the prettiest but should work.
I think I see one more window to do later on.

Need to work on some lunch soon.
Looks like a ramen noodle kinda day, lol.


 4:55pm


Got windows caulked, weather stripping on door,
cans glued, 2 loads laundry done,
cleaned up living & dining room, swept the floor.
Happy Birthday to me, lol.
Oh and Mother Nature gave me a gift today.
Time to go change my clothes because if I get any
furrier from cleaning I'm gonna look like a cat!
Getting ready to go to mom's for birthday dinner,
cake & ice cream.

11-13-14

7:05am

I'm not having fun this morning!

It's 29 and feels like 24 degrees out with

a 41 for a high.

I allow myself 15 minutes to warm the truck

up and let it run to defrost the windows

before leaving to go to the bus stop.

For starters I couldn't get the lock on the gate to

slide open so pushed the gate open which

in turn broke a piece of wood off the top.

Next I couldn't get my key into any key hole on

the truck.  And if it did go in it wouldn't turn

to unlock the doors.  Ran back inside and grabbed by lighter.

Heated the outside of the door lock some then

heated my key up and it worked.  Still had

to pull like heck to get doors open.

Even after 15 minutes I still had to scrape my windows.

Ice scraper was in the back of the truck.

Barn doors were frozen so I had to climb over seats

to get it.  No washer fluid coming out to help my windows.

The driver's side wiper wasn't even hitting half the

window because of frost.  I spent my time while

sitting at the bus stop wiping the insides of my windshield.

Awhile back I used RainX defogger on my windows.

That stuff doesn't work!  My windows on the inside look

as though I sprayed them with something and left it to run down

the window without wiping with streaks.

Oh and I look like I'm read to go hunting with 

my camo leaves frozen on the hood and top of the truck. 

7:35am

Time to try this again, getting my tags and license renewed

and go to the bank this morning.

Might see if mom will also go over to Menards with me so I can pick up a tube of high heat silicone for the heater

and some thumbtacks to put my door weather stripping up. 

Need to get a move on with the solar heater

so I can park my truck under the carport and

not have to go through what I went through

this morning with frost/ice!!

10:30am



This morning went pretty well at the BMV, bank and Menards.
There was about 10 people in line in front of
me at the BMV but the line moved really quick
surprisingly.  Driver's license photo actually turned
out good :0)

Stopped in Menards to get some flat head
metal thumbtacks to put my door weather stripping up
and I got a tube of Flamebuster High Heat Latex.
Couldn't find the other silicone I posted about yesterday
and this was the only high heat one I could find
which resists temperatures up to 1800 degrees.
It was actually cheaper than the silicone and was $4.97 a tube.
It says it's good to use around wiring, vents
and duct work.

I also found my hubby a pair of 
self molding insoles for his shoes with the 
bad feet he has.  They were on sale for $5.00.
If you were to get Dr. Scholl's memory foam
insoles it would run you about $15.00.
I was able to take them out of the packaging
before buying to check them out to see
how thick and cushy they were.
I hate packaging where you can't remove
items to see them before buying.
Because how are you supposed to know
how thick they are just through a little
opening in the front of the package when
they have two insoles stacked together?!

Oh and I also got a couple boxes of 20.8 ounce cereals
for $1.88.  Can't beat that price without
coupons for a large box of cereal.

12:00 - 1:30pm


I went through and punched holes in the rest
of the cans I need for the solar heater.
They already had their tops removed and only
needed the three holes in the bottoms.
Instead of using a drill, I took a pair of closed scissors
and punched each hole and twisted a little to make them
while sitting on the couch and watching tv
inside where it was warm.

I then started the tedious task of 
putting the high heat caulk on them.
It looks like a red clay.
I got 38 pairs done.
I do two at a time.
Still have to remove the waterproof silicone off all
the cans in the upper portion of the photo
and redo them with high heat caulk.
Want to make sure everything is done right
before sealing it all up!!

I've been brainstorming as to how to
run fans and ventilation to this thing.
I think I'm gonna need more powerful fans
than the small computer ones I have considering
the solar heater will have about 25 feet of
vent tube.  I can't sit it up against the house
because there's not enough sun there and will
have to put it at the side of the carport.
Was wondering if I could use this twin window
fan that has the option to vent in and out
on each fan along with a temperature control, timer
and 3 different speed controls.
It has sides that pull out to fit the whole window
and I could insulate those with pieces of
extra insulation.  Just an idea.
Don't have a plan as to how to attach 
the vent hose to it though but working on it.

3:05pm


After school snack of nacho Bugles
and a mug of hot chocolate with pumpkin spice marshmallows.

The only total solar eclipse of 2012

will begin t 3:35pm today!



4:30pm


Supper tonight-

Cocktail sausages wrapped in biscuits
along with mozarella cheese wrapped in biscuits
served with spaghetti sauce dip.

I made a double batch.
One for now and one
for a snack later on before bed.

Double batch-

3 cans biscuits
2 cans, biscuits cut in half.  
1 can biscuits cut into quarters.
($1.50)

8 mozarella cheese sticks.  Each one cut into 6 pieces. (.96 cents)

1 package cocktail sausages ($2.50)

parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano
(mix together in small bowl) (.25 cents)

Spaghetti sauce (.59 cents)

Wrap each cocktail sausage with one quarter
of a biscuit.  Place on cookie sheet.

Wrap each cut piece of cheese in 
half biscuit.  Pinch edges together then
roll into a ball in your hands.
Roll biscuit into parmesan mix.
Place on cookie sheet.

Bake 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes.

TOTAL COST FOR MEAL & SNACK
$5.80 


7:30pm


Me-1 Cat-1


I bought a couple of flea and tick collars
today at Menards for $2.99.  They are
good for 6 months.
I got one on Boo earlier with no problem.
I had a collar on him and who knows what
happened to it.  Boo don't give a crap
about you putting collars on.
It's Mow that give a big flying crap about collars!
I looked like I was hog tying a pig on the floor
trying to get that sucker on him.
In the process I got clawed to hell and back
and are now wearing a fur coat.

11-12-12

8 - 10:30am

Well today didn't go as planned.

Got the kids taken to the bus stop by 7:00am.

Came back home and put some make up

on and kinda did up my hair by 8:00am.

I had planned to go get my license and two car

tags renewed today.

Got over to the BMV and guess what,

they are closed for Veteran's Day.  Ahhhh!

So from there went to the bank to put

the money we got from the truck into our checking account.

And same thing, closed!

Double ahhhh!

The next place me and mom wanted to go was

Aldis but they weren't open yet so I took

her to McDonalds for breakfast while waiting.

Spent $5 and change for breakfast

for the both of us.  We split one drink.

Got to Aldis.  I didn't have a list.

I hardly have anything in the house so 

just went through the store and put whatever

in my cart til it was full.

I figured a full, actually overflowing, cart would run about $100

and that included the bottom rack on the 

cart by the wheels.  I spent $107.

I was very careful as to what I chose.

I didn't want convenient foods like pizzas,

entrees and such.  I wanted things I could

make meals with from scratch or close to it.

I figured with what I bought today will mostly

last us for the next 2 to 3 weeks, hoping anyway.

So figure about $33 to $50 a week for the main groceries.

That's pretty darn good for a family of 4

without having to use any coupons.

Now of course I'll have to go to the store

for things during these weeks like eggs, bread, pop,

milk, cheese, basic stuff. 

Aldis had a very good deal on potatoes.

I bought 30 pounds of potatoes for $2.97.

They were .99 cents for a 10 pound bag!

That's .10 cents a pound!

Yesterday when we were out and about 

and almost home hubby told me to turn the

truck around he thought he saw something

on the side of the road in someone's trash 

that I might want.  So I did.

He found me a dryer duct for free!  Woo hoo!

It has a smushed part that I think I can hammer

back out.  It's a thick duct not the cheap flimsy ones.

It'll stretch out even further than what it shows in the pic.

I can use this for helping to vent the 

solar can heater.  I'll still need more though

but this will help cut the cost :0)

 WHAT DOES $107 BUY AT ALDIS?


4 rolls ground turkey

20 hash brown patties

2- 10 count boxes of sausage links

2 frozen cans 100% orange juice

2 frozen cans 100% apple juice

1 packages hot dogs

1 package cocktail weenies

13 chicken leg quarters

bag of 24 meatballs

1 package bologna

5 pack brats

box of 16 hamburgers

2- 3lb bags of onions

3- 10lb bags of potatoes

12 count package chicken ramen noodles

12 count package beef ramen noodles

2lb bag brown sugar

5 bananas

1 bag nacho tortilla chips

1 bag bbq potato chips

2 bags pumpkin spice marshmallows

italian dressing

1 gallon milk

1 dozen eggs

8oz. mushrooms

4 cup package shredded mozarella cheese

box of 20 count french toast sticks

package of 3 heads of fresh broccoli

package of 16 american cheese slices

4 cans biscuits

package 10 flour tortillas

2 chicken pot pies

2 1lb packages of baby carrots

2 bags frozen corn

canned whipped cream

2 boxes instant mashed potatoes

1 box chicken "rice a roni"

1 box beef "rice a roni"

Boxed cheesecake mix

2 cans tuna fish

2 can no beans chili

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 cans tomato soup

1 bag wide egg noodles

2lb box spaghetti

1lb box lasagna noodles

1 large can baked beans

1 tub orange frosting

100 count reclosable sandwich bags

1 bag oyster crackers


 3:10pm


After school snack today for each child-

1 slice of leftover macaroni & cheese and hot dog pizza
and
milk warmed in a pan with some
vitamin hot chocolate mix 
topped with pumpkin spice marshmallows. 

That should hit the spot on a cold, windy,
rainy, yucky day.
This weekend was lower 70's and now it's 
42 and feel like 35 degrees.
They even said that we could
see some snow today. 
Only in Ohio can you go from Spring to Winter,
all 4 seasons, in one week!


I'm thinking about making some hamburgers ($1.80)
for supper served on white bread (.50 cents) with a slice of
cheese (.66 cents) , ketchup (.10 cents) , mustard (.05 cents), onions (.05 cents) and sweet relish (.05 cents)
with a side of chips (.75 cents)

TOTAL COST FOR SUPPER FOR 4
(everyone gets 1 1/2 cheeseburgers)
$4.86


3:30pm


I was reading on channel 10's website that
Saturday there was a 4.3 magnitude earthquake in
Kentucky that could be felt in places
like Pataskala, Circleville and Westerville.
Not sure what time it was but me nor the kids
remember feeling any tremors that day
and we were outside working on the solar heater.


5:10pm


I had some concerns about gluing my cans together
for the solar box.  I want it done right the first time
and don't want to have to take this box apart.
I was using waterproof silicone to glue the cans together.
I think I might try to peel off any silicone
on the cans I did and replace it with
a High Heat Silicone.  You don't need fumes entering
your home or risk the chance of silicone melting
or causing other problems if you don't use the
right kind.    So here is what I will probably
end up using instead of the waterproof silicone-
High Temperature Silicone
Menards $6.31 a tube.

I think the waterproof silicone I used
to make the wooden box will be ok.


6:30pm


My head is spinning.  Just got off the phone
with a health insurance person from Worthington.
When your insurance is climbing to over
$600 a month, you're willing to listen to other options
and see if other
insurance companies may be cheaper
than your health insurance through your employer.
It's a business that deals with numerous
health insurance companies that look for 
the best deals and rates to fit your family's needs.
I've gotten car insurance through a company like this before.
Now I deal with one main company  
that has a better standing even if that means
paying a little more.  I now have a home to worry
about and need better coverage.  I have my home and car insurance through the same company to get a discount.


Well it's a little after 7:00pm
and I'm wearing down.  Time to hit the shower
and retire to bed soon.
Ever since the time change I've been going to bed
earlier and earlier.  I can say I actually slept well last night.
Something I haven't been able to do in awhile with
all the worrying.

11-11-12

11:20am

Went down to the flea market this morning.

There's only one more week left of it being

open this year so figured we'd go this weekend

since the weather was so nice.

I did something a little different.

I had each child pick out a Christmas gift they

wanted at the flea market.  They could hold it and

look at it in the car on the way home but

once home it was being put up and outta sight.

Don't want the newness of it to wear off.

One son got a tote of train stuff.

Couldn't get the greatest pic of it because of the sun.

The one pic shows hand comparison for

the size of the tote it was all in.

It's stuff to do train layouts with many buildings,

landscaping things, people, fences, cars, wiring, etc.

I didn't go through it to see what all was in there

and only could tell you what I saw on the top.

Guess y'all will have to wait til Christmas also to see, lol.

And the other son got a paintball gun.   

The costs of these gifts will come out of the Christmas savings account!

I bought a package of weather stripping for

our back door for .50 cents

and a couple connected computer fans for $2.00.

4:00pm

Getting ready to eat macaroni & cheese and hot dog

pizza with bacon ranch dressing for sauce and

topped with shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

On and off today I've been working on

getting cans I do have done

(tops removed and 3 holes drilled in each bottom)

siliconed altogether.  This is the longest process

to putting this solar can heater together,

very time consuming.  I still have 76 more cans to do.

Only got 80 done and glued together today.

Hubby also started

drilling out some holes in one of the headers.

It would have been nice if it had not been so windy today!

Had cans blowing everywhere! 

Oooo, Ooooh, Oooooh.....

WE SOLD THE TRUCK TODAY!

Same guy, cash in hand.

It's now official!

It's like a brick has been lifted off my chest

and I can breathe easier for the time being.

Thank you God!!


4:35pm


I'm so tired.  I didn't get any laundry done today.
Everyone still has clean clothes to wear though :0)
I haven't been sleeping good lately.
I've tried taking naps during the week days
but end up getting back up.
Yesterday I went to bed early because I was
so tired.  I tossed and turned and would nod
off only to wake back up and not be able to
fall back asleep.  I didn't get to sleep til 2:00am!
Then turned around this morning and
got up at 7:00am to get everyone ready
to go to the flea market.
My butt is dragging and I told the
kids I was giving them haircuts tonight.
I am hoping I can sleep good tonight
knowing that we sold the truck.
You just don't understand how rough it's been for us
here lately.  I can finally pay off my outstanding
electric bill I've been slacking on the last
two months.  


5:40pm


I saw this on Facebook this evening.

"Man Critical After Being Shot Multiple Times"
on channel 28 on Facebook. 
Count 6 houses down from the left
to the blue house.  That's my EX in-laws house!