In the past few weeks I've managed to make a bit of headway! I'm finally gearing up to graduate college, and now that my cash doesn't go straight to school I have money to spend on preps! I've managed to pick up some little things like extra batteries, vitamins, otc painkillers, and personal hygiene items to add to my stash.
Just before New Year's I remembered a site that was shared on here a few years ago that I loved, http://www.13skills.com/ . I think I've mostly focused on material prepping up to this point, and the more informational preps have been largely 'in-theory' or classes that aren't entirely practical to a likely situation (I.e. wilderness survival courses). I found this site helped me set goals that involve learning skills that are more practical. I think we all know that New Year's resolutions usually get dropped by the end of January, but I've got my goals set out in timelines to help set a pace to follow. If you're anything like me, having a written list seems to help me keep on top of things rather than having it in my head.

I consider my goals to be preps because they're going to help me be better prepared both mentally and physically. Paying off current debts from school will help me free up cash for future projects, and I also have a savings goal for year end. I've set goals for my canning as well as what I will can, since most of what I do so far is jam and tomato sauce; delicious but one hopes for a more varied diet. I've also resolved to grow the size of my garden and try out grains for the first time as well as learn more about local wild edibles. I'm also going to finally learn to use the reloading equipment we have and reload a few hundred rounds. I've been avoiding going to the range because ammunition is becoming expensive, and reloading will be a good way to cut costs and help me add to my stores. I'm going to practice my butchery, and improve my second language skills.

Finally stopped procrastinating and put some of my dry goods in Mylar and put them away. 4 pails worth of gallon-sized bags. A bit of everything: pasta, rice, sugar, beans, lentils powdered milk, oats...

This week.. hmmm Does putting up a years plus supply of marmalade count.. I am on my 6th kind in the past few weeks..

After a two year break from prepping, recent events have prompted me to get prepping again, as well as develop our household infrastructure. Yesterday I picked up more peanut butter for the prep shelves. Today my partner and I decided on the next three big prepping-related purchases. Time to get off my arse and get my ducks in a row!

Pruned the fruit trees. Unfortunately the plum tree was in poor shape so the main tree is gone, hoping that the fresh-looking suckers will take over.

Also had to cut a very large mayday that was covered in black knots. Got a few good logs for the outdoor pit out of it, stored in the wood shed far from all the other trees!

Inherited a nice kero heater...with half a tank of kerosene to boot!
Almost new shape.

Kindle Cracker got added this week.. so far so good, I like it..

1000 litre (250 gal is what is on it) water tank, filled with potable water.

I added a couple of Ka-Bar knives and a multi-tool (gifts from my son Kip). 🙂

Got 4 "girls"

Samantha the Ameraucana
Diana the Icelandic
Sierra the Silver-laced Wyandotte
Hen-Rietta the Black Copper Maran

Thought starting easy with cute birds to help Mrs and little HP get used to chicken chores.

My Exaclibur 5 tray dehydrator arrived this week and I used it a few times already. I did, however, learn it does not work well if we don't have the AC/Dehumidifier on as our humidity often seems to be + 70%. Basil took hours to get only partially dry in the humidity, but once we had the AC working I managed to get about 15lbs of cherries done in 6 hours perfectly

Picked up enough raspberries and Saskatoons to fill up 8 gallon-sized freezer bags (packed in "snack-sized" ziplock) to have this winter. Also canned several jars of berries (Saskatoons, raspberries and red currant) syrup - love them on pancakes and waffles!

Did a pilgrimage to Princess auto, picked up some odds and ends hardware.

Added a pressure canner and tried it today, making 10 large jars of pickled beets. Still have enough beets in the garden for another 20 or so large jars and as few fresh side dishes. Will have to start pickle by up and processing apples, my 3 trees are just full of delicious apples. I see fresh apple crisp in my future!! 😎

Stocked up on more Canned Food Supplies and more Water + miscellaneous stuff like more Black Rubbish Bags and Petrol.

Built myself an interface for PC to Ham radio that keys up morse code!
Now I can type a mesage, click a button, and *poof* it gets sent out as morse code!
Can't wait to build a NVIS antenna and do some range testing with the little QRP rig!