Author Topic: Our "Experiment" (Read 42036 times)

Cedar · « **Reply #30 on:** March 28, 2012, 04:16:51 PM »

Quote from: notsofast on March 28, 2012, 03:49:29 PM

Another point... We've been having stuff come up missing. Nothing major, just unopened sodas, bug spray, etc. that is left out when we leave for a little while. Sooooo....

Just don't be too fast and point your finger at humans. Might get a trail camera or two about the place if you are really worried. $89 http://www.trailcampro.com/wildviewextreme5review.aspx

Cedar

Matglock · « **Reply #31 on:** March 28, 2012, 04:57:02 PM »

The smaller batteries will probably work with the inverter. As long as you don't reverse the wires it won't hurt the inverter. If you put several in parallel (positive to positive, negative to negative). You will be able to run the inverter longer.

Wish I had done what you are doing when I got out of school.

notsofast · « **Reply #32 on:** April 03, 2012, 10:08:25 AM »

Found the best deal yet on waterline. Now it's just a waiting game.

GF had a complication yesterday with the pregnancy. Turned out ok bit, she's done with any yard work or... any work for that matter. So, we're stuck on a single income... Not good.

Lots of rain again last night so I warmed beef stew over an oil lamp. Lol. Whatever works, I guess.

After I left for work saturday, my girlfriend heard a noise in the house. She looked up to see a squirrel pulling taco shells out of the box and eating them. She yelled at him, he tried to run off, through the hole for the old washer drain... With the taco shell in his mouth. The taco shell was too big to make it through the hole, he backed up, ran around in a circle. Looked at the hole, tried again. Taco shell caught, he backed up, ran in a circle, saw the hole and tried one more time. Backed up, ran in a circle looked, found the bigger hole for the dryer vent and hauled ass. She said she could hear him just under the hole eating taco shells. Lmao. While she was telling me the story all I could see in my head was SCRAT from the ice age flicks...

Cedar · « **Reply #33 on:** April 03, 2012, 10:37:29 AM »

OK, that is funnier than all get out. Thanks for sharing that. Hope all is well with your gf.

Cedar

notsofast · « **Reply #34 on:** April 04, 2012, 02:12:35 PM »

Reworked my lines on the electrical meter. Hoping it's long enough to hook up. Gonna have to cut the old lugs off with a hacksaw to make sure.

"Redesigned" a bunch of stuff which basically consisted of me looking at the property and saying "No, I don't wanna do it that way anymore." Still trying to decide where I wanna put my outside faucets so I don't have to run 80 ft of hose.

Matglock... We really should've done this before, back when we had two incomes. Just going sloooow. Lol.

I'll try using the small batteries tonight. Maybe see if I can get the t.v. and dvd player or few lights.

Cedar... I'm pretty sure it's people. Actually, I think it's the neighbor's kid. Like I said, nothing major has been taken. The kid is about 4-5, has one of those battery powered cars he drives down our way since we live at the end of a dead end so, there's no traffic.

GF messed up a "round ligament". Whatever the hell that is lol. But, seriously... She's ok, just sore. Actually at the ob/gyn right now hoping to find out the sex of the baby.

FrugalFannie · « **Reply #35 on:** April 05, 2012, 05:35:12 AM »

hoping all is great with you guys. are you going to share with us the sex of the baby?

notsofast · « **Reply #36 on:** April 05, 2012, 08:05:30 AM »

It's a boy

idelphic · « **Reply #37 on:** April 05, 2012, 08:25:58 AM »

Quote from: notsofast on April 05, 2012, 08:05:30 AM

It's a boy

Congratulations to you and your GF.

Cedar · « **Reply #38 on:** April 05, 2012, 08:48:57 AM »

Quote from: notsofast on April 05, 2012, 08:05:30 AM

It's a boy

Yay.. someone else to help chop firewood in a couple years.

Congrats!

Cedar

AnonPrepper · « **Reply #39 on:** April 05, 2012, 11:58:57 AM »

The best preps one can have is a "family"

charles · « **Reply #40 on:** April 05, 2012, 02:13:16 PM »

Congrats on the boy

What your family is doing is great! Thanks for posting your experience on here, As for the thief/spy problem - I saw somewhere plans for a blank firing noise maker that would work very well. I dont know about this company specifically just did a google search for blank firing trip wire, but you get the idea. probially wouldnt be too hard to make one yourself just an idea,

take care

charles

http://www.warhogoutfitters.com/blankfiringtripalarms.htm

(Photo from Warhog outfitters)

charles · « **Reply #41 on:** April 06, 2012, 12:36:19 AM »

this is a pic of a more home made looking one,

charles · « **Reply #42 on:** April 06, 2012, 12:44:23 AM »

this one and a trail cam would be good for some laughs, ge a pic of the guy/gal in action mwahahahahahahaha

notsofast · « **Reply #43 on:** April 06, 2012, 07:00:44 AM »

Charles... I'll gave to look into the paintball landmines. Lmao. That could come in handy for just about anything. Haha.

Mr. Bill · « **Reply #44 on:** April 06, 2012, 07:35:46 AM »

MODERATOR REMINDER on booby traps: Noisemakers and water-sprayers are probably legal in many circumstances. Booby traps using actual shot shells, pepper spray, etc. are mostly not legal, and will fall under our forum's "no illegal stuff here" rule.

(Just wanted to mention this because we recently had a member get mad and leave after we deleted his DIY plans for a pepper spray landmine!)

charles · « **Reply #45 on:** April 08, 2012, 05:57:06 PM »

you guys/gals gotta do what you gotta do to keep this train on the tracks, if anything I put up was too borderline you wont hurt my feelings one bit, thaks for the work y'all do!!!!

Louisiana Suvivor · « **Reply #46 on:** April 08, 2012, 07:33:22 PM »

so what is the layout of what you got going? you have a mobile home and it sounds like you got the service head up so you have a/c? down here in NOLA it's gonna be getting hot soon. hate for mama to start heating up in her pregnancy. you in North MS? hate to be nosey but i'm just trying to throw out some ideas but first gotta understand everything u got set up

notsofast · « **Reply #47 on:** April 10, 2012, 10:45:00 PM »

got the weather head up, water meter in. just waiting to be able to afford to get the power on and lay the water line (800 ft.). South/central ms. probably an hour and a half, give or take from you (if memory serves).

The canopy keeps the place pretty cool. So, not much worry there. Power will be the first thing on though. Just a matter of getting a week with no bills lol.

Haven't posted for a few days since we were out of town for easter. She stayed at her mom's place to visit, which is good since i've been working some OT and getting in late. In fact, i'm sleeping in my van in the parking lot at work tonight as there was no sense in driving all the way home and wasting precious gas.

The coyotes are still getting closer. Swear I heard a couple right out the back door last night. I think the food smell is bringing them in.

During the course of the last week or so of cleaning we discovered a bunch of black berry and muscadibes bushes, hoping to be able to cultivate those into something pretty productive.

notsofast · « **Reply #48 on:** April 14, 2012, 11:47:22 AM »

We've decided even though we can't really afford it right now, to go ahead and get cats and a dog. Cats for the family of apparently large rats that have decided to live in the ceiling and a dog to help with the racoons, squirrels, sasquatch and coyotes.

Came home yesterday to find the grill flipped over. It had apparently just happened as I ended up chasing it through the woods as soon as we got out of the van. Stupid bigfoots... Feet... bigfo... whatever.

Cedar · « **Reply #49 on:** April 14, 2012, 11:55:24 AM »

Quote from: notsofast on April 14, 2012, 11:47:22 AM

Came home yesterday to find the grill flipped over. It had apparently just happened as I ended up chasing it through the woods as soon as we got out of the van.

Your grill was RUNNING away from you? Did you not treat it nicely? Is it a teenager, threatened to run away and made good on the threat? Did it find a romance with Weber?

Cedar

Cedar · « **Reply #50 on:** April 14, 2012, 12:07:28 PM »

Quote from: notsofast on April 14, 2012, 11:47:22 AM

Cats for the family of apparently large rats that have decided to live in the ceiling

The rats need food, water and shelter. Cut off their sources unless you are chucking the cats into the attic. And even then take away their food, water and shelter.

Quote from: notsofast on April 14, 2012, 11:47:22 AM

and a dog to help with the racoons, squirrels, sasquatch and coyotes.

Dogs and Sasquatch's generally get along. Do be careful with the dogs and raccoons. Not just Rabies, and you should vaccinate for that. But most vets have not seen this condition and I have three times now by sheer luck. http://www.bobmckee.com/Client%20Info/Neurolog/Polyradiculoneuritis.html
Most people I suspect put their dog down if they have it, as it looks like to be no hope or the dog has had a stroke. And it lasts about three weeks. As long as you can get food and water into them, and carry them outside to go to the bathroom or wash ALOT of towels, your pet will be good as new within a month. I have also had to sew up a couple dogs which got into a raccoon fight.

Cedar

notsofast · « **Reply #51 on:** April 16, 2012, 07:58:43 AM »

Quote from: Cedar on April 14, 2012, 11:55:24 AM

Your grill was RUNNING away from you? Did you not treat it nicely? Is it a teenager, threatened to run away and made good on the threat? Did it find a romance with Weber?

Cedar

haha.

GF saw something jump out from behind the trash can last night, which she swears was about 2 1/2 ft tall and light colored. I told her that would be the biggest opossum in the world. Lol

Trying to get the temporary power on tomorrow. We'll see.

Got two kittens. One peed on the floor, GF was honna wipe it up, I told her not to. Just th SMELL of cats will drive away rats and mice. Didn't hear anything the first night we had them and just a little last night.

Cedar · « **Reply #52 on:** April 16, 2012, 08:35:50 AM »

Quote from: charles on April 06, 2012, 12:36:19 AM

this is a pic of a more home made looking one,

OMG Charles!! When I did Search and Rescue I had to watch out for these things all the time and I actually had an escort at times in 'at more risk' areas with ex-military guys who could apparently smell these things out. While I can see how to make them is a good idea, actually putting it into practice unless it is a war zone is really bad. While I was out there in the field I wanted to rip the entrails out of whomever put them up. There are plenty enough dangerous situations out there to keep an eye out for looking for a lost person without those shannanigans. And OP has small children running around including possibly the neighbors child!

What I hate about these types of devices, is they kill indiscriminately.

Cedar

charles · « **Reply #53 on:** April 16, 2012, 12:22:24 PM »

I like the principle of it you could make one any size, 9mm blanks or what not. Im not saying they are a great idea, and you would have to be careful not just because of the kids but in areas prone to fires. My favorite is the paintball landmine, because you would not only scare the crap out of the two legged rat but because you would be able to see who it was (look for the paint) and if it was a kid when they got home there would be some expaining to mom. I know if I went home covered in paint that would be my ass.

take care and be safe everyone
Charles

sylvan · « **Reply #54 on:** April 23, 2012, 10:26:25 AM »

notsofast, man, I am totally eating this up! This is better than watching survival shows on TV! I too am a little bit jealous. Your stories remind me of when my family moved back to our home state when I was a kid. It was interesting and a whole lot of fun.

Congratulations on your son and I hope for the best! Can't wait for another episode of "Our Experiment".

Zef_66 · « **Reply #55 on:** April 23, 2012, 11:33:55 AM »

Hope things are going well for you and your family.

I have been following this for awhile as well and just thought I would stop in and drop a line.

Take care out there!

notsofast · « **Reply #56 on:** April 28, 2012, 03:05:45 PM »

well, sorry about the lull in the posts. my phone died so, i have no way to post unless i take my laptop into town or work with me which removes the GF's ability to keep the baby busy while she's trying to clean.

we ended up getting a dog and two cats. the puppy is half border collie and (i believe) half rottweiler. we named him spartacus. the two kittens are lucy and bella. the girlfriend wanted to call them dumb and not so smart, but i kind of figured the last one was just too long.

went to get the temporary power hooked up only to find out my gf's ex husband left a pretty big power bill that has to be paid before we can do anything. turned around and called to check on mine... my ex fiance left me an even larger bill...

been looking for some old deep cycle marine batteries and inverters, no luck with the batteries. all i can find a brand new ones that i just can't afford.

we've decided we need to do away with the charcoal and just use wood. i estimate we use over $30 in charcoal and fluid a month (cheapest i can find) and about $30 in ice also per month. the extra gas to go to the grocery store after work is also adding up, somewhere in the neighborhood of $40 just to go from work to the store then back home. the first two are a power bill alone.

the water line i priced last month has gone up. that's an additional $60 +/-.

i know these prices might not seem like much to some people but, right now they're killing us. baby is due in august, and GF's divorce is almost final. i have to get some power and water on.

have any of you ever dealt with a pregnant woman going through a divorce in the middle of summer?!?!?!?

how ever.. i was challenged to a drinking contest... check for check... beer.. by a guy who makes 3x's what i make. might have to take him up on it. of course... he might end up having to live with me after his wife finds out. lol.

Cedar · « **Reply #57 on:** April 28, 2012, 03:12:57 PM »

Quote from: notsofast on April 28, 2012, 03:05:45 PM

have any of you ever dealt with a pregnant woman going through a divorce in the middle of summer?!?!?!?

Does with myself count?

Quote from: notsofast on April 28, 2012, 03:05:45 PM

how ever.. i was challenged to a drinking contest... check for check... beer.. by a guy who makes 3x's what i make. might have to take him up on it. of course... he might end up having to live with me after his wife finds out. lol.

Then he can pay for the water line and get the power in his name?

Cedar

rjfortuna · « **Reply #58 on:** May 02, 2012, 05:14:30 PM »

As for water...I picked up a 600 gallon cistern from a guy that sells plastic barrels and hooked a on demand harbor freight well pressure pump ($80 bucks) to it. I then bought a 360 gallon cube that had soap in it, took it to a car wash and cleaned it real good. I haul water in to my place in my truck and it works out OK till the well is done. Once the well is done I'll pump into the cistern to have water and backup in case of no power. You could conceivably run a generator to pressurize the system when needed. It would be a little of a chore but it would work.

Harbor freight has 45 watt solar panels on sale RIGHT NOW for $159.99 3 of those and a small battery bank would do good stuff.

Good luck and YOU CAN DO IT!!!

notsofast · « **Reply #59 on:** May 05, 2012, 06:33:39 PM »

cedar, i don't know. did you yell at yourself? did you scream at the mirror and tell yourself just how inconsiderate you are and how you don't really care? hahaha....

we put a short piece of pipe to the meter and just walk or drive up to the meter when we need water. much better than trucking it in every other day.

power situation is the same. thought we might get it on this week but, as usual and as per my luck, things have gone south.... AGAIN. oh well, not gonna kill us... at least... i hope not...

we have, however, decided, through all of this, to recycle our grey water. gonna run the drain from the bath tub and bathroom sink to a couple of 55 gallon drums then i'm going to install a hand pump in the bathroom to pull the water from the drums to the toilet. bath water will pull double duty.

getting easier in some aspects... more stressful in others.

if we were living an actual collapse situation, i'd have almost no stress. but, since we're not all of the "day to day" stuff tends to be a little much at times. once again.. not going to kill me.

and our "buddy" came by last night to visit. had the dog cowering under a dresser, both cats under the chair and girlfriend almost had a heart attack...

News:

Author Topic: Our "Experiment" (Read 42036 times)