Flannel Update

I am pleased with most of the results.

I cut out 40 bandage pads, 20 of the 4x7 family cloths and 20 of the 6x10  paper towel substitutes  and ran a zig-zag stitch around each one.  I wanted to test them before going crazy cutting flannel.

I am using the bandage pads now.  The nurse was here and applied them to the areas on my legs that needed them.  I use an antibiotic salve on each one.  Without that, they could stick to an open wound, but any kind of salve including just Vaseline would work.  My personal preference is Bag Balm (for cows) to use on scrapes or minor cuts.  My legs are wrapped from toes to knees in Ace bandages and they hold the pads in place.  For use in other areas I have found the first aid tape they sell in stores to be pretty much useless.  It doesn't stick well at all.  I would use duct tape before I would use the first aid tape to hold a pad in place.  I have used the ribbed part of a sock to hold a bandage pad on a cut on my arm, but I need to find a better way to keep them in place where I wouldn't use the Ace bandages.   I think two or three layers of flannel could be sewn together with a zig-zag stitch to provide different sizes or thicker pads, but I will make mine single layered and just use several together if I need more absorption.

I got another dozen or so family cloths cut and then decided to quit being so persnickety about size.  My ruler that I use with my rotary cutter is 6.5 inches wide.  The cloths are now 6.5 x 6.5 inches square.  Went much faster cutting.

I have been using the family cloths for a couple of days and find no problem with them.  They are softer than toilet paper and are very absorbent.  I washed them in my little apartment sized washer on the low water setting in hot water with a little bit of bleach and laundry detergent, and they came out clean with no odor.  In a grid down situation, they can be washed by hand.  Sometimes I think we have become more squeamish and less practical.  Grandma washed diapers for 9 children using a wash tub and washboard.

I need to buy a small trash can with a lid to hold the used ones until laundry day each week.  I folded each cloth and stacked them in a basket that sits on top of the toilet tank.

I don't like the flannel paper towels.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe they are too small and too thin, but when I made a couple larger sizes and double thickness, I still didn't like them.  The ones I have seen in how-to videos online and in Etsy shops are much more elaborate, often using terry cloth on one side and another fabric on top, with enclosed edges and top stitching around each one.  This isn't rocket science.  This is paper towels and I just can't justify the time and expense for making them like that.  So I may just buy some cheap washcloths at the dollar store or maybe use some of my older terrycloth dishtowels  instead and use the ones I already made for handkerchiefs.  I have a big bag that holds more sturdy rags that are from old clothes I cut up and recycled for scrub rags, mostly t-shirts and sweatshirts and pants.  With those and a few washcloths, I likely can get along just fine without paper towels of any sort.

I will definitely be making more of the bandages and the family cloths.  I can dry them in my little clothes dryer, but I think I will look for one of those fold-up wooden clothes drying racks.  I should have one anyway in case we lose our electricity for any length of time making the dryer useless.  If stored in zip lock bags, they will stay neat and clean and can be tucked anywhere for storage.  Because they can be stored flat rather than on a roll, they take up much less space.  Any fabric will eventually wear out so having extras stashed seems like a good idea to me.  Lord knows - I surely do have enough flannel for it!!

Up To My Knees in Flannel

Daughter Jill arrived this evening with 26 yards of flannel.  I am going to be busy cutting and sewing.  I have decided to not only make the 4 x 4 inch bandages, but will also try some 6 x 10 inch pieces to use instead of paper towels and some 4 x 7 inch pieces for what is known in polite society as family cloths (washable TP).  The way I look at it, the more I use washables instead of use and toss, the easier it will be to store.  Rolls of paper towels and TP take up space I just don't have.  Fabric can be folded and stored in a much smaller space.  And as a bonus, I will save money that can go for other preps I can not make at home.

So I will return in a couple of days and let you know how it all works out.  In the meantime, if you haven't already read Frank and Fern's latest article, you should.  The link is in the side bar.  It is definitely worth your time.

Back to My Normal Life

I have been busy getting back to my relatively drama free life.  Duane is home and doing well.  After a couple of months of physical therapy and occupational therapy to help him recover from his stroke, his remark was, "Oh, goodie. Now I get to go to heart therapy."  Sometimes we have to make jokes to keep depression at bay.  He says his diet is basically don't eat anything that tastes good.  But in all seriousness, he and his family are grateful that the problem of clogged arteries was found and fixed before he had a heart attack.  There have been many prayers of thanks as well as heartfelt thanks to all of you who have kept me and mine in your thoughts and prayers.

I have been getting back into a sort of routine.  I found some ideas for quilts that will make use of all the leftover pieces of fabric from other projects.  I have been ironing bits and pieces, getting them  ready to cut into little squares and rectangles.  Who knew a person could accumulate so many scraps of fabric, but there they are.  I can't make myself just toss them all.  Not when they can be made into something useful.

I was talking with the nurse who comes in to care for my legs.  In the course of conversation we decided that the 4-inch gauze pads that are used to cover the open areas on my legs could just as well be made from flannel.   If I order the pads, sometimes the delivery person brings them to my door, but most times they are left at the bottom of the stairs and sometimes outside.  A box of 25 pads costs anywhere from $9 to $12, depending where I get them.  If I buy white flannel, cut it into 4-inch squares, run a zig-zag stitch around the edges to keep the fabric from fraying, I can get 90 pads out of one yard of flannel, which is on sale now for 2.99 per yard.  Even including the price of the thread, that's still way cheaper than buying ready-made.  And they can be washed and re-used.  So my daughter is making a run to Joann Fabrics to buy flannel for me.  Looks like I will be busy next week.

Mother Nature is still grumpy.  She is sending us more snow for the weekend.  They say between 6 and 12 inches worth.  At least the temps are now above miserable cold.  We may even see some thawing next week.  I was beginning to believe a new Ice Age had arrived.  :) 

Not much else going on here right now.  I have more canning to do, but that will keep until a couple of my sewing projects are finished.  Nothing I can do about the snow except watch it fall and pile up - from my rocking chair - wrapped in a green fuzzy blanket - with a nice cup of coffee.  They only way to get through another snow storm.  :)

Update...

Duane's surgery went well.  The doctors inserted one stent in one artery and two stents in another.  He will remain in the hospital overnight.

His sister called earlier to let me know the surgery went well.  Just a few minutes ago, Duane called me.  He was still pretty groggy, but he managed to tell me about the surgery.  It seems that one of his arteries was 90% blocked. 

I am so grateful that they found it and fixed it.  And I am so very grateful for your response to my call for prayer.  This little online community has a way of taking care of one another that is astounding.  Duane says "Thank you" for all the thoughts and prayers on his behalf.  And may God richly bless each and every one of you. 

Calling on the Prayer Brigade Again

This morning Duane is back in the hospital.  This time he is having surgery to unblock two arteries.  Please. if you are so inclined, keep him in your prayers today.  I will post when I know more.  I thank you all in advance and thank God there are those of you I can ask for this favor.  Bless you all.

Dear Politicians, Both State and Federal:

I see you have been busy devising more ways to deprive we honest, law abiding citizens of our Second Amendment rights.  For instance, in my state of Minnesota, there are two bills pending:

"...One bill calls for universal background checks for any and all gun transfers in the state, including family members passing down an heirloom hunting rifle or shotgun, or a friend giving a gun to another friend. There are fears it could lead to the government compiling a list of gun owners. Another bill allows people to go to a judge with concerns about potentially dangerous people owning guns, and allows the judge to confiscate those weapons before going through due process."  (from the Lakeland Broadcasting Website)

There is no law that will prevent the bad guys from getting their hands on guns.  Your laws will not stop bank robberies, convenience store robberies, gang related shootings or the actions of a man who wants to shoot as many school children or concert attendees as possible.  None of them.  Because criminals don't care about your laws.

So before you get to the point where you want us all to turn in our guns, and don't think for a minute that we don't know that is the ultimate goal of politicians, I really wish even one of you would tell me all about your plans to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, because so far, none of your ideas are working, except to make it more difficult for we - the ones who you work for -  to defend our lives and the lives of those we love from the bad guys.

I'm waiting..........

Sometimes things go according to plan...

sometimes not so much.

The original plan was to combine all the ingredients for the soup and divide it between the two largest pots I own to simmer it for awhile before canning.  It soon became obvious that there were way more vegetables than would fit in the pots.  As I didn't want to spend the better part of the day cooking and not canning, I devised a Plan B.

I filled each jar 2/3 full of raw vegetables and topped them off with diced tomatoes.   I made beef broth with bouillon cubes and used that for the liquid in each jar.   Because beef bouillon contains protein, I canned the soup at the same times I use for canning meat.

One pint jar didn't seal, so I heated that soup for lunch.  It turned out really good.  There are still two canner loads waiting to be processed, but when all is said and done, I will have 48 pints and 25 quarts to go on my shelves.  It was definitely worth the time and effort.

And now I think I could use a nap.  :)