Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[1muttsfan]

Windy and cool here, just above freezing. We are going to get wind - rain - snow - sleet - or some combination anywhere from freezing rain to 8" of snow. Generator runs, so whatever I'm ready.

 

[Sally PB]

Here's something I learned from a neighbor. If you get the big containers of laundry soap that have the spigot-type pour spout, save the next empty one you have. Rinse it out, fill it with water, and store it away for the next power outage. Now you have a neat little "faucet" of water to rinse your hands.

She also got me a couple of 3-4 gallon food grade pour-spout buckets. They held flavored syrup, I think? Anyway, I rinsed them out, filled them up, and I have a source of drinking water if I need it.

The generator does run our pump, but this is back up for the back up. Plan C.

 

[Folly's place]

We have the whole house generator, and as long as we have propane in the tank, we're good. Love it!
Wind and rain tomorrow, but no snow. I'd rather have some snow...
Mary

 

[Sally PB]

We have the whole house generator,

We're looking at doing that in the next year. What brand do you have?

 

[Folly's place]

We have a Generac, cost $4500 installed two or three years ago. It will do the whole house, and hasn't been needed since it was put in. Actually that's just fine!
Mary

 

[Sally PB]

A neighbor is getting a Generac. His nephew is doing the work. (Nephew has done work for us too.) I asked him which brand of generator he prefers, since he does install, repair, deals with getting parts, etc. He said hands down, Generac. Good enough for me!

He'll be doing ours as well, when we get it done.

 

[RaZ]

Got ll the dishes and laundry done,
and filled the bathtub so the power won't go out.
Luckily it'll be in the upper 50's.
I kinda have a wood burner in the lower level, enough to keep the pipes from freezing.

I've been working on laundry as well. A lot of clothing was my Mom's and been stored in boxes & bags for months. Washing it for either a spring garage sale or donation to a local charity. I also have her wedding dress from 1958 and I'd like to sell it. I'm sure there is someone out there who appreciates antique clothing.

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I keep gallons of stored water in milk jugs that I keep outside as weights to keep the firewood tarps in place. That water can be used to flush the toilet or water the chickens as well. The only problem with storing plastic jugs outside is that they degrade under UV light. Luckily that takes a couple of years.

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What is "kinda" a wood burner?

 

[aart]

What is "kinda" a wood burner?

I think it's an old fireplace insert.
Not as efficient as a real wood burner, but better than nothing if it's freezing and there's no power for an extended time. I've only had to use it a few times in my 22 years here.

 

[chickflick]

We also have a Generac. Saved us a few times. Son in law is a electrician so he installed it and saved us a lot of money.
Haven't been able to take care of my flock. Hubby was gone yesterday, and the weather was so nice. Sunny and snow was melting. I just had to do it. Got myself down the stairs and put a plastic bag over my boot and let the chickens out. Getting up the stairs was a bit harder. As I reached the top, my hubby pulls into the garage! Was nice to see them outside enjoying the grass and sun.

 

[Sammster]

Wow! It's 58°! Still relatively calm winds. We also have a whole house generator. It comes in very handy. We lose power often in our area. Just old lines.

Made french toast this morning with my girls' eggs. That was the best French toast I ever had!

It's 98 days Until Spring!

Edit: 10 minutes later, and wind is picking up!