When we woke up the next morning I went downstairs to start breakfast and decided the leftover taco's would make good breakfast tacos so I scrambled up some eggs to get started. Mike walked through and said, "That looks so good."
Sitting down we ate and when we were done I cleaned up the little mess we had. Mike grabbed his boots and asked, "Should I bring all the cream and eggs in from the barn?"
"Yes I will catch that up and by the time I get back the butter milk in the freezer dryer should be done. I will fill our bottle for the fridge after I made some home made ricotta and mozzarella," I said. "I also have to work on and off between food projects."
Going outside I felt it was a bit warmer and put two coolers into my truck. Checking my purse I added a bit more cash to my wallet and headed to Walmart. Going in I stopped in the craft section and grabbed some more things to make Christmas gifts. Going to the canning aisle I debated on what size jars and containers I wanted to make while loading up on pickling spices and stuff to make cheese. I heard, "Ivy you look so much better today!"
Turning to the voice I saw Gus and said, "Hello Gus! Yes I am. However as sick as I felt at the end of my shopping and coming home I realized I forgot to stop here as I am going to pickle things today since I can't work until the next week. But when I went to check my vegetable pile I realized no pickles until I go to the farmers market. Mike went to grab me my mason jars and I only had three left."
Gus laughed and said, "That's the way it works. Ivy this is my fiancée Cloe. She also has the same plan as you and to pickle her garden. I bet between both of you we will buy them out."
Laughing I said, "Hi Cloe. We just moved so my greenhouse is nothing but seedlings. I am hoping that we will start to get things in the next few months."
She laughed and said, "Well we will probably see you at the farmers market. We love pickles with our meals and Gus here will bring a full jar with him to work to eat while in duty."
I laughed and said, "Oh my Mike is the same way. He begged me to get the stuff for pickled eggs. Even after we gave you the eggs yesterday Gus Mike checked the hen house again and we have two more dozen, not including what he finds before I get home."
Cloe looked at me and asked, "Do you dehydrate or freeze dry as well?"
"Guilty as charged," I said. "In the freeze dryer now is a large batch of butter milk. Before I left this morning I put in the parsley I found at the Asian market for cheap. Once my herbs start growing I will have to still buy but then I will be able to go to the greenhouse for whatever I need."
"Gus was telling me he had to do a prepper check on you," She said. "I think its ridiculous."
"Same but I will not even try to break that law," I said. "I can almost guarantee everything I make the next few days will be gone in a few weeks because Mike works so hard and the Asian culture has it right eating pickled food helps with digestion. We noticed we have had less stomach troubles with having a few pickles a day."
We filled our carts and walked towards the cleaning isle and I grabbed laundry detergent and dish soap. Then when we got to the food area I saw a lot of yellow tags on the food. The worker saw my looks as I browsed dairy and looked towards meat and said, "They had a supply issue and will be having us reset the shelves tonight for the next truck."
When he walked away I said, "Gus would this be considered prepping if I go get more jars and can some of the meat for easy meals?"
He laughed and said, "Nope I guess your going to get more jars like us?"
We ran and loaded the bottom of the carts with jars. Between both of us we wiped out most of the jars. We walked through the dairy and meet department and grabbed what we could can and pack. I did grab cheese and creams. I loaded smaller packs of meat and when I found huge pork and meat packs I grabbed them to break down as well. Gus and Chloe did the same and when we got to produce I saw they had fresh peeled garlic marked down to super cheap. My car was loaded when we got to the check out. When I finished putting everything in the car I headed to the farmers market.
When I got to the farmers market I grabbed my pull behind cart and started on one side of the market. The vendors were all smiles and before I was a quarter of the way through I filled my cart. Heading back to the SUV to drop things off I saw Gus bringing a cart to his truck. We both laughed and I headed back in. Personally I think I bought way more from the non food vendors but I couldn't help myself. When I got to the meat and artesian section I stood still and said, "Will power."
Cloe came up next to me and said, "Forget it throw caution to the wind we are."
Laughing I went to Mrs. Francie's chicken and I got an assortment of different foods. Moving on I found the homemade sausage stall. I love this stall because they have grilled up samples ready to go and I loaded up on their assorted sausages. When I got to the end I saw they had bulk items. Emptying my cart I came back and found that they were selling large boxes of fruits, vegetables and meats. Talking to the vendors I saw they have large quantities of beef pork and chicken fat. One of the workers had a hand cart and anything I could not carry they loaded up for me. I just had enough room when we loaded all the boxes in the SUV. When I got home I was so happy to see the siding Mike put up on the walkways. It matched the house and the barn. I heard him call my name and looking up I saw him n the roof.
Calling out I said, "Mike what are you doing up there?"
He said, "I ran out of siding so I had to run to Lowes. You have to see what I got. Come to the bedroom and then I will unload the SUV."
Heading up to the bedroom I met Mike at the window overlooking the back roof. I was surprised to see large solar panels. Looking at Mike I asked, "Where did this come from?"
Smiling he said, "When I went in to get more siding so I could cover lines and finish up going to the greenhouse. They had an overhead announcement that they had ten solar panel set ups at a discounted rate. I went over and checked it out. It came with these five panels and a converter box. So I did a set up in the kitchen. The spot under the window in the corner I set up the first setup. I also have another set up to put on the backside of the barn. I am going to cover the cords and run the extra line to the converter box through the now enclosed walk way and that box is going into the basement so we will have that and the generator."
"Mike that is amazing," I said.
"So before you go into the kitchen Gretchen gave a lot of milk last night and this morning. I poured them into the jars and cream is forming on both," He said. "Also your freeze dryer stopped so I set it to the finish setting."
We walked down to the SUV and Mike looked in and said, "Wow Ivy you got most of this at the market?"
"Well and Walmart," I said. Telling him about what was going on at Walmart with the discounted food. Then I said, "I did get a lot from both and will process a lot of the vegetables in the freeze dryer. I also got a bunch of beef, pork and chicken fat. There is also a few boxes of bones to make bone broth. Also there is a massive box of beef bits that I am going to break down to stew or ground beef. Now that its all in I am gonna take an hour to see what I can get done now but all the boxes have frozen packs in them so I can take my time. The coolers I filled from Walmart also have eggs, cream, milk, meat and cheese. I am going to sort it and get stuff to the coolers to see what I a going to make from it."
"Well I see you have bags from Mrs. Francine's so why don't I make lunch and you go do an hour of work," He said. "Right now this will hold and you won't feel bad for not working."
"Well let me at least grab some of the pork and beef fat," I said. "That way they can start cooking down low and slow."
I grabbed out three crock pots and put one of each fat in a crock pot. Mike started cutting up a salad from what I brought today and I saw him grab out the deep fryer to make us lunch. Going up to the office I started to work. Seeing some high priority I knocked out those items as fast as I could and after an hour Mike came in with a huge salad plate. He said, "I added more fat to each of the crock pots and put the rest of the chicken into the cooler. Do you want me to take the bags of precut vegetables from Walmart and put them in the freeze dryer?"
"You remember how to?" I asked.
"Yes I do," He said. "I will make sure each type of vegetables goes on a different tray. Also I am grabbing out the other two dehydrators and will get them started with the shredded carrots and a few other items. Also I am assuming all the bread you got is meant for croutons. I will get a few pans started in the oven as well for you. Also there is a huge box of chicken bones with some meat on them is that for chicken stock?"
"Thank you," I said. "I will eat and work and when I am done I will come down. Yes that is for chicken stock if you want to pour that big box into the crab pot there are also carrots celery and onion and a thing of herbs to go in there as well."
Mike saluted and went downstairs. I continued working and eating my lunch. When I finished my lunch I finished the project I was working on and when I completed it I sent a message to the boss and said I may be back later. She gave me the thumbs up and as I was walking downstairs I saw Mike was out working on the fallen trees and branches.
Starting with the coolers I took out the single packs of meat and filled my first laundry basket full and headed down to the basement. Everything that has to be repackaged or worked on I put on the end of the dining room table next to the milk and cream Mike brought in from the barn.
While I was sorting my neighbor Maggie called and asked if I had any spare butter milk she was going to make biscuits to freeze and ran out. I told her give me about thirty minutes I was going to make some butter now. She said she would bring some large mason jars in exchange for the butter milk and I got out my mixer to start churning the butter. I had three extra large jars of butter milk by the time she knocked at the door. I shut the shelf to the basement and met her at the door.
She looked at me and said, "You are a lifesaver. Here are four of the same size jars in payment for the buttermilk. With everything happening I decided butter milk biscuits precooked and frozen would hold. I am also thinking with as much as you gave me I may make some butter milk pancakes as well. So you know you can freeze butter milk as well. I place my extra milk and butter milk in gallon size freezer bags and freeze on a tray laying flat."
"Oh that is good to know," I said. "I am making some ricotta and mozzarella today as well. I read that afterwards if you jar it cream will form on the top again and you can make more butter. It was suggested that you can add honey or herbs and its a great way to make flavored butters. I may try that to stretch everything further and the leftover liquid can be used in the garden."
Her eyes lit up and said, "Let me know."
When she left Mike came in and said, "I have a new freezer for you I will bring it in so you can freeze butter milk and more butter. It will have to go into the space before the secret wall. But it will hold the butter milk and milk you decide to keep. Also I took five dozen of the eggs you brought home and put them on the wood stove to hard boil for the pickled eggs."
Leaning up I gave him a kiss and said, "Thank you babe. I never thought to freeze the milk or butter milk. It will be like giant bricks of ice."
While I worked on more in the kitchen with consistent butter making from all the creams I got at Walmart I got out my cheese making pot and started to get milk hot to make home made butter and ricotta cheese. Mike came up and said, "I had it plugged in in the barn so your ready to go to move your butter to the bins I placed in there. Also I have baskets in there for ricotta and mozzarella."
Going downstairs I grabbed all the butter I had made from the other freezers and added them to the new freezer along with the cheese I made. While I had the first batch of cheese forming I started to break down the meats and vegetables. I noticed that the beef fat was ready to strain and put in jars. Grabbing a bunch of mason jars that I had cleaned and dried I took the fat and started to strain it through a fine mesh strainer with a cheese cloth. When I filled the first batch of jars I added more fat to melt and placed then in the basket after labeling. Between all the items being worked on I cut a few steaks for Mike to grill that evening. After seasoning them I placed them in the fridge. After cutting more steaks and adding more butter milk to the basket to freeze I went downstairs to put everything away.
For the rest of the day I continued to work on everything I had purchased. By the time Mike came in the house for dinner I had everything ready to go for dinner and a large portion of items put away. Mike saw the steaks sitting out on the counter and said, "Oh man babe this going to be a great dinner. How much more do you have left?"
"The freeze dryer went on the final cycle and I have potatoes in the jars ready to be pressure canned," I said. "The last of the fats are also almost done as well. I think tomorrow I am going to go north while you cut up more of the trees. Now that we have the dairy freezer I am excited to add and fill more. I think I will hop onto work after dinner for another hour or so tonight."
While Mike got the grill started I went to start adding the melted fat to the jars. By the time he came in with the food I had only a small pile of food to be worked and that was all in 1 cooler with freezer packs. My phone binged and I saw a message from Melissa that said, "Do not come back in tonight get things as fast as you can. We have a meeting scheduled for tonight at 10pm if you can swing in."
Walking outside I showed Mike the message and he said, "They live a thousand miles away I wonder what is going on."
Going back inside I put the pressure canner on and started the process while we ate. When we were done Mike cleaned up while I grabbed the trays from the freeze dryer and emptied all the vegetables into large mason jars. Then I refilled them with the last of the bagged precut vegetables I had and chunks of zucchini, onions and pepper strips. We worked until my alarm went off for the meeting. Mike told me to go and he would keep peeling the carrots I was going to can as well as getting the green beans jarred as well.
Logging into work meeting room I saw everyone. Melissa and Brian appeared on the screen each looking worried. I said, "What happened guys you look like you seen a ghost?"
Brian gave a stressed chuckle and said, "Ivy a ghost would have been a blessing."
Kyle asked, "Please tell me they didn't try to bust you for prepping?"
Both Liz and I said at the same time, "No but they tried to with me."
Melissa said, "The kids were watching TV and the dogs started barking so we checked the security cameras. I will let you tell me what you think. Actually before we do get your spouses in on the call."
We all stood up and got our significant others. Sitting on Mikes lap Brian said, "I am shocked with what we caught."
Brian hit play and we heard the kids playing in the back ground. Then we heard their dog start barking and growling. In the background we hear Brian say, "Benji boy what has gotten into you."
A few second latter we heard Brian say, "Holy shit."
We watched as a massive group of wolves cross the screen. Mike leaned closer and said, "Man I used to work in the back woods in Canada and those are not timber wolves."
Esteban's wife asked, "Please tell me you got bored and played with CGI."
Esteban said, "My love what do you mean?"
"My class just went over this," She said. "Those are Dire wolves. Do you see when they go past the swing set their haunches are almost up to the top of the frame. Dire wolves were supposed to have went extinct a couple thousand years ago. Their hides are like armor the only way you can kill them is along their rib cage underneath. They were used by armies to attic cities due to how deadly they were."
Polly said, "Well then if Brian can give me the ability to share you need to see this video from last night."
She pulled up a video and you heard Polly's horses going crazy in the barn. You see here run to the barn in her robe and the lights come on. Then while we hear her soothing the horses you see three giant creatures pass the barn right where she had just ran. They stopped for a second and the woman creature shook her head no and the continued on. A few minutes later Polly comes out and goes back to the house. She said, "I will not leave the house without my rifle after seeing that. My horses are being kept in the barn or the paddock during the day. They are brought back in before sun down."
Esteban's wife said, "Those look like frost giants. But they were only legend in north Alaska and Canada. What in the world is going on?"
Brian took over and said, "My brother works for the government. There is going to be a state of the union address in the morning. They are supposed to lift the prepping ban and will be putting a curfew nation wide starting tomorrow right for sundown. Take tomorrow and get as much as you can. If you do not have security camera's get some. Be safe everyone we value you all and are thinking about you."
We ended the call and Mike said, "I will get more wood to reinforce the walls to the pathway tomorrow as well as lights to run along the pathways. We have the security camera and I will put them up in the morning. Do you want to do the state of the union address or are you going to start early in the morning?"
"I want to watch the address and them will be heading north," I said. "Keep your shot gun with you at all times. We need to get this house ready. While your out please head to animal supply store and load up on more feed for everyone."
He nodded and said, "They open at 6am I will go there first. I should be able to get everything before the address starts."
"Okay I will finish up everything I can tonight," I said. "Well at least till 11:30 tonight. Then I will continue on in the morning until the address then I am going to leave after the presidents speech. I may just do one big circle and finish up in town. I know I want to hit the weight store."
Mike said, "I am going to check on the animals and will come back and help you."
As Mike went outside I started to work on more items. By the time Mike came back almost everything was prepped for the following morning and Mike started cleaning up the mess. As our alarm went off we had just a few more bags and one cooler full with frozen packs still keeping it cool. We brought the basket down and added things to the shelves. Looking at the four freezers Mike said, "The chicken cooler is half full, The beef freezer is half full, The pork and other meats is half full and the packaged goods is a third of the way full."
He walked to the freezer with the butter milk, butter and cheese and said, "Wow that is a lot of butter milk."
Laughing I said, "Yeah there will be more in there tomorrow. With all the eggs I am thinking of making omelet bags with some of the eggs we have as well. I will probably make those tomorrow after we see what I get. Just add all the eggs into the basket tomorrow and I will work on them."
We went to bed and during the night we were woken up by the sounds of howling. Mike looked out the windows and Mike said, "I don't see anything."
Going back to sleep we woke up at 530 when the alarm went off. Mike got up and went to use the bathroom and I went to the kitchen to make coffee. When he came down I had his to go cup ready and was looking at the property. He looked where I was looking and saw giant wolf prints in the dirt around the house. He put his mug down and went to check on the animals. Coming back in he said, "The animals are all alright. I will take care of them when I get back."
When Mike left I grabbed all the jars I prepared the night before and placed them in the pressure canner on the wood stove. As the canner was coming to temperature I brought the stock back to a boil instead of a simmer. While I worked through everything I watched some videos on my tablet and by the time Mike came back my rolling cart in the kitchen was half full of everything I canned that morning. The stock, meat and vegetables were in the canner and the last of the items were either packaged for downstairs or in the freezer dryer or dehydrator. Cleaning up all the dishes he came in and said, "I will definitely be reinforcing the walls and getting more gas to fill everything. I have a feeling your going to be very busy today as people have seen a lot of strange creatures."
"After seeing Polly's video's I don't think they are all bad," I said. "But I will be careful I promise."
We put the TV and waited for the state of the union address. When it came on President Trump looked more stressed than ever. Unlike most state of the unions his wife was standing next to him holding his hand. He started to speak, "My fellow Americans. Normally I can say some strange things however, this may be the strangest woods that are ever going to come out of my mouth. As you all are experiencing winter seems to have come back when we should be outside having picnics and outdoor activities with our families. As of today not only is the United States but the entire world is under a state of emergency. The cold weather has seemed to awaken creatures of old. So to the people who follow paganism or the old ways please I ask you if you know anything about lore call the number on the screen below. We are taking any and all information we can. As of this morning over thirty different forms of creatures from old have been seen in the cold weather including Ice Dragons in Alaska. Making this clear DO NOT fight them or attack them just call or go on the hotline with information. We want peace. Also to keep our people in this country safe all emergency shelters are open. We are lifting the preppers ban and everyone can buy as much as they want. If you have financial constraints go to your nearest EBT/Snap office with your family count and we will be issuing emergency funds so you can feed your family. Also as of right now as of sun down every day you must be on your property. We are implementing this for your safety as many of these unknown creatures come out more at night. Please me safe my fellow Americans. We are praying for answers and ---"
Someone came on stage and said something in the Presidents ear. The look on his face was one of shock and he asked, "Are you 100% positive."
The gentleman stood back and said, "Yes sir all the other countries are looking into it now but it looks like this is happening."
The President hugged his wife and said, "My love I think you can explain what is going on a bit more than I can. Everyone when the temperatures dipped my wife told me of a story told to her by her Grandmother and apparently she hit the nail on the head."
"Good afternoon," She said. "My Grandmother lived in Siberia and when I would visit her as a child she told me the following story. When the world feels like it has had enough it will send the creatures of old to bring the world back to peace.. I apologize if it sounds cryptic but we have thirteen years give or take and the world herself will choose how long she wants each season to be." First there will be five years of winter to stop the world in its place. Then there will be two years of heat and summer to kill off the bad in the world. Then there will be four years of fall to bring about the darkness to remove the evils. and two years or so a perpetual spring to bring the world back to normal. On the fourteenth year the seasons will reset. But be aware all the creatures of the seasons will be around to keep the peace. If these creatures find you to be evil and unjust then you will have thirteen weeks to change your ways or you will be punished. This is to reset our world and the creatures who appear will fade with the end of each trial period. When the world resets it will be a time of peace or if anyone fights the world she will fight you back and you will be no more
Mike was holding onto me when we heard a noise outside. Looking out the window I saw fur. Mike asked, "What do we do?"
Looking at him I slipped on my shoes and grabbed a steak from the basket I just cut. Placing the bag on the inside of the door I opened it and saw a beautiful gray and black dire wolf leaning against the house. Mike asked, "Are you crazy?"
Shrugging I walked to face the wolf and said, "Good morning."
The wolf turned to me and huffed. "You poor thing you been walking a long while are you tired."
It put its head down and I asked, "Was it you we heard last night?"
Lifting its head I heard the word, "Yes"
"Oh you can talk," I said. "My name is Ivy what's yours?"
"Young one my name is Sila," It said.
"Sila are you injured," I asked. "I am not very knowledgeable but I would like to help you."
Sila put her paw out and said, "I stepped on this in the woods before I came to your land. Do not fear I will not harm your animals."
"Mike babe come out here she is hurt," I said. "There is a hunters trap on her front paw."
Mike came out and I said, "Sila this is my fiancee Mike. We will do what we can to help you."
Mike went to the trap and said, "When we moved in we cleared all these traps off the land they are inhumane."
He said, "I have to get some tools from my work shop. Stay strong Sila we will help you. Babe go to the emergency supplies and get as much bandages as you can and stuff to clean the wound. I feel like your going to have to get more if it broke a bone we will have to dress the wound for a few days to stave off an infection."
Running into the house I went to our bathroom and grabbed as much bandages I could carry. I also grabbed a few bottles of hydrogen peroxide. Adding a second steak to the pile I went back outside. Placing all the items next to Sila I went into the garage and grabbed the baby pool I had in there and when I came back there was another wolf standing next to the house. Sila said, "Do not fear Ivy this is my mate Moha."
"Hello Moha," I said. "We are going to do everything to help Sila."
"Thank you young one," He said. "Our pack went more south but I will not leave my beloved."
Mike came out the door and said, "I could never leave Ivy either. Sila listen this is going to hurt these traps are meant to dispose of creatures but I think I have a way to get this off. I need you to be as still as possible."
Mike took our his metal saw and said, "Babe go get our thickest towel and we need to get it soaked in water. we have to get it under the metal and around her paw because the blade will make the metal hot. I do not want to burn her."
When I got back with the towel Mike had filled the pool and had a bucket to pour water with. He soaked the towel and said, "Babe I want you to put on these safety glasses and sorry I know its cold but I am going to soak your legs and you need to block the sparks from Silas head. When I say to pour I want you to pour a slow stream of water where I point. Moha I need you to stand back please."
Mike looked at me and said, "Ready."
Mike worked with steady hands and cut the first side of the trap. When he said I poured water onto the glowing metal. After a few minutes we hear the first side break. Sila said, "Oh that feels a lot better already."
Mike went to the next side and we did the same process When the trap was completely broken Mike said, "Sila this next part is going to hurt a lot we need to remove the trap. Moha can you please trade with Ivy, I need you to keep Silas leg on this wood so we can remove it. Ivy babe we need to do this as fast as we can I will pull the top and you push the bottom. On the count of three."
We removed the metal from Sila's paw and she howled. We moved the wood out and I moved Mike aside. "Sila Mike is going to refill the water and I am going to clean the wound and bandage it. This will hurt a bit."
I opened a full bottle of hydrogen peroxide and pored it over the wound. After I got it as clean as I could I used womans maxi pads coated with neosporin and placed them over the wounds. Then I wrapped the pads with bandages. When I was done I sat back and asked her, "How does that feel?"
"Much better young one," She said.
Mike said, "Good. Now for the important part you cannot travel for a few days and your welcome to stay here as long as you need to heal. Moha there is a river past the house which is on our property and there are fish if you eat that. All we ask if you do not harm our animals."
Walking to the door I went inside and grabbed the steaks and said, "I figured you might be hungry. What do you all eat?"
Moha answered and said, "We like fish."
Mike said, "Well then your in luck Sila can rest here as long as she wants or I can get you a shelter closer to the river. The river is packed with fish."
Moha said, "Sila prefers to lay on the grass will you show me the river and we can look for a shelter?"
"Mike if you have things here I am about to head out," I said. Bending down to Sila I asked, "Should I try to get some medicine for pain from a vet office or feed store?"
"No young one," She said. "I just need rest."
Getting the coolers back in the truck I headed out. I headed north and as I was going through one of the back roads a large wolf walked out in front of my SUV. Stopping I asked, "Are you lost?"
He walked over and said, "We realized two of our pack were missing and headed back to find them.We back tracked to find them."
"Do you mean Sila and Moha?" I asked.
"You know where they are?" It asked.
"Yes," I said. "I know you all eat more fish but I ask you not to bother my animals that are in the barn. They are rescues from rough situations."
"Of course," He said. "How do we find them?"
"This road your on go about ten miles," I said. "You will see a intersection and I am going to have my fiancee meet you so he can bring you to them. Give me a minute alright."
I dialed Mike and when he picked up he asked, "Are you alright?"
"Yes I am I need you to go to where the main road meets our back roads in the truck and wait," I said. "As I was heading north for supplies I ran into Sila's and Moha's pack. We do not know where Sila stepped on that trap and I do not want to have them going through the woods."
He said, "Hold on."
I listened as he explained to Moha that his pack was looking for them. He said, "Moha will stay with Sila and I will come meet them."
"Okay I will send them your way," I said.
Looking at the alpha I pointed and said, "Mike will meet you along this road about ten miles in that way. You are more than welcome to bunk on the property please just be kind to our rescues. The river has plenty of fish and you can bunk anywhere from the house to the river."
He leaned his head forward and said, "Your kindness will be recognized."
Smiling I said, "There is nothing wrong with being a good person."
He turned and said, "We know their location let's go."
I watch them run down the road and headed on my way. As I drove along the highway I saw a shadow flying over head and as I parked in the plaza and looked up. I said, "No way."
A elderly couple looked up and the wife said, "Well would you look at that. Well Fred dear your cooking the rest of the week as dragons do exist."
He chuckled and said, "Yes my dear."
Going into the dollar tree I loaded up on supplies. After I placed everything in the SUV I followed it up with going into the Big Lots, Aldi, CVS, Publix and the discount store. When I was done I went to the next plaza and hit up the Walmart. After finishing the walmart I drove across the street and went to the Sam's Club. When my car was full I headed back home and went to a doller tree to fill the front seat. When I got home I found the yard had wolves resting on the lawn.
Mike joined me and said, "We have a few more visitors now. They are resting in the sun while there is some warmth. A few are in the back of the property getting shelters set up for the next few days. I see the full car I will start unloading while you put it away. Saber the Alpha said the snows will be coming in a few weeks."
Looking at Mike I said, "We need to step up our game."
He said, "Well pass on the word to step it up to your co workers. Saber said life will go on but we need to prepare."
"Well I can unload if you want to get back to the wood," I said.
He leaned over and kissed me and said, "No your fine I love helping you. The wolves actually pulled together a bunch of the fallen logs as a gesture of gratitude for letting them stay here. I told them it was not necessary but they insisted."
I saw two dire wolf pups run through and I said, "Oh I have questions."
"Well Ivy why don't you ask?" A voice said behind me.
Turning I said, "Hello Saber."
"You saw the pups and had questions?" He said.
"At the end of the winter it was said you would disappear?" I asked. "What about the pups they will be so young where do you go?"
"Back to the north," He said. "We do exist and have never went away. We will still be in our domain even when the next season comes and we will be safe."
"When this is over may we visit you all," I asked.
"Yes you may and once this is over we may visit you as well," he said.
Placing my hand on his shoulder I said, "You and yours will always be welcome. Do the pups need anything special for their diet?"
He looked at the pups and said, "No they are a few weeks old but they eat fish and meat like we do. Unless you can calm them down for a nap."
Bursting out in laughter I said, "My friends with children feel the same way."
Mike came out and said, "Alright Ivy everything is inside. I am going back to get the wood cut."
I went upstairs and sent Melissa a message about the snows coming in a few weeks. She said they would send out a email to all our coworkers and prepare some more. Grabbing all the gift sets I purchased I brought them downstairs to add to the food stock as we were allowed to prep.
Going into the kitchen I went to start putting everything away. A few hours later Mike came in and said, "Ivy how much do you want to have a big wedding?"
"Why do you ask?" I asked.
"I was thinking maybe we should do a courthouse wedding and a honeymoon at home before the snows hit," He said. "If Saber is right we will not be able to ask friends and family to travel with the world covered in snow. Besides the money would be better spent with supplies for the animals and our stock."
Sighing with relief I said, "That is a great idea."
"Really," He asked. "Yes we will need to stock up on supplies and clothes. Things may be rough if people do not prepare and I cannot think about asking family or friends to come here when they need to spend that money on their families. We were lucky we got money in the inheritance and I do not want to see people in a spot because we invited them."
"So how about asking Melissa for next week off and we go to the court house on Friday?" He asked.
Laughing I said, "Well I am glad I got my engagement party dress weeks ago. I will use that as a wedding dress. Let me go up to the office and give her a call."
Going upstairs I messaged Melissa asking her to join me on a zoom call. She came on and said, "Hey Ivy I hope everything is alright."
"Well I have a pack of dire wolves in my yard," I said. "They are wonderful and they have pups."
She laughed and said, "Funny you should mention that we met a lovely family of frost giants today. We hit a ice patch and went into the snow bank. They helped pull the car out and made sure we were alright. I guess the good people will be alright. But what's up."
"How opposed would you be to me being off next week?" I asked.
"That shouldn't be a problem," She said. "Brian and I are discussing letting you all work as is until the snows start to fall so we can all get prepared. I would over stock ivy. The stores up here are starting to run out. Brian and I keep going out and filling the basement and storage area. One of us stays with the kids while the other goes and stocks up. The kids find it fun unloading the car when we get back. May I ask why you needed next week off?"
"Mike and I are eloping on Friday," I said. "We have had our license for a while now and we can't justify the wedding when everyone should be stocking up. We are going to go to the court house and have a nice dinner at a local restaurant or at home if nothing is open."
"Oh I am so happy for you," She said. "You were weary of the huge wedding anyway. Can we do anything for you guys?"
"Just stock up and keep those babies safe," I said.
We spoke for a few more minutes and then I found Mike downstairs. He looked at me and said, "Everything go good?"
"Yeah," I said. "We will know tomorrow if we are going to work as is. But Melissa said I am good for next week and can sneak on to work if I want. Her and Brian want everyone over stocking if possible. She said stores up there are starting to run out of items. Her and Brian are taking turns going to the stores and coming back so the kids are at home."
"I was thinking about that as well," He said. "Since you got everything put up why don't we go to a few stores since it is only going on three."
"Let me grab more cash from the safe," I said. "Lets go to the farmers market first the freezers still have room and we can go to other stores from there."
The rest of the afternoon Mike and I went to the stores over packing my SUV. We made sure to get more animal supplies if we saw it and when we got home that night we added two more freezers to the basement and filled what we had into them and the shelves.
We ate subs we got at our last store and when I woke up the following morning Mike had already went out to two farm stores over stocking the barn. When I went outside he was emptying the truck with what I assumed was a frost giant. I said, "Good morning."
Mike turned and said, "I know you want to prepare but I was hoping you would have slept for a while. Ivy the is Geld his family was assigned to the area and the were wondering if they could set camp along the river. They know saber and his pack and I am alright with it if you are."
Nodding I said, "Of course welcome Geld. Like we told the pack please be kind to the animals a lot are rescues from horrible situations."
He said, "Of course. The big horse is quite the fellow. Although I do think the cold weather bothers him some."
Mike said, "I was thinking the same. Before I leave I am going to start the wood stove again to warm the barn and then when I get back from getting more supplies I am going to get more of the fallen branches cut up so they animals will have all the warmth they need. While I am out I am going to see about getting all the horses warming blankets to offset the cold. Ivy you may need to sew one for Samson or alter one."
"That won't be a problem one of the stops I am making today is to Hobby Lobby I will get quilted material incase you cannot find any blankets for him," I said.
Geld looked at the youngest rescue and said, "How far along is your smaller girl?"
Mike and I looked at each other and I said, "I didn't realize she was pregnant we just rescued her a few weeks ago."
Geld said, "I tend the animals in our lands. I am almost positive she is going to have a foal. Once we get a shelter up and going I will look at her with your permission."
"Thank you," I said. "Does she need anything special. Like food or medicine."
"A good feed with nutrients," He said.
"Alright then I am going to grab my drink and get back to my preparations," I said. "Geld does your family need anything or would you like anything?"
"If you are going to the craft store I would ask for some yarns for my wife," She loves to knit. She ran out of supplies. Other than that some salt and flour I can help around here for payment."
"Your fine there is no need for payment," I said. "Do you have children? Would there be anything they would like?"
He chuckled and said, "We have a little girl and she loves to color and sweets."
"Alright then I have a list," I said. "Mike be safe and I will be back once I load the SUV."
Grabbing my bag and extra cash I headed to Hobby Lobby. The store was slow and I went first to the children's section and picked up Gelds daughter a few coloring books and crayons. Then I went to the yarn section and picked a large amount of yarn for myself and Gelds wife. Knowing that the stores may be out I went to the food and gift sections and picked up a large amount of the food gifts to stock up on. After I checked out and got everything into the SUV i went to every small store in the plaza that sold food items and stocked up.
Leaving the plaza I stopped at kitchen supply store and picked up food grade bucket and a large amount of mason jars. Finding steno and mini propane tanks I also grabbed my limit. The front held my first cart as I went to the food section and filled another two carts of staples and spices. With the help of the staff I packed everything in and headed to the bulk store. When I went inside I said, "Why isn't this store more busy?"
The clerk who was upfront and heard me said, "Because they think this is going to pass over us. Our company is going to keep the supply lines open as long as we can but I am doing the same thing you are. Whenever I am not here I am out buying what we will need. Make sure you stop and get ammo if your a gun owner. People will realize soon enough that this is not a game."
I said, "I agree. My boss lives up north and stores are already running low with no ETA on when supplies will be ready."
She smiled and said, "If you need to do multiple carts please bring it up here and I will hold whatever you need."
I thanked her and three carts later the staff and I were able to pack every nook and cranny of my SUV. I made sure to get a few large sacks of flour for Gelds family along with salt. When I got back home I saw Mike and Geld unloading Mikes truck and he saw my look and said, "Stores were running low on a lot so I went to four different places to get more feed."
"I understand that," I said. "I was shocked by how many people are taking this seriously, but amazed by how many are not. Geld if you have a moment, I have stuff for you I can give to you now. The rest will be a while as its all mixed in."
He followed me to the SUV and I handed him some sacks of flour saying, "These are three sacks of flour. This is a sack of sugar. Here is a large container of salt. I also picked up some cornmeal for you as well. I have a few other items in here but its mixed in."
"Ivy you are a generous soul," He said. "We have not had sugar in a while and cornmeal is very hard to get where we are from. Thank you."
"Do you drink coffee and tea," I asked seeing two of the items on top.
"We love tea," He said. "I tried coffee once and its not to my liking."
"Oh good I was worried," I said. "Here is a restaurant size package of tea bags. If you need anything please ask."
"I will bring these to Thea she was setting up our tent and kitchen she will be very happy with these thank you," He said.
Mike came over and said, "When I got back I found a massive stack of fallen limbs next to the greenhouse. Like the length of the greenhouse and laid out about ten feet for me to cut."
"Wow," I said. "That will save you a lot of time. So I am going to get everything in and place the nom perishable in the dining room. When I have everything sorted I am going to get back out to the stores because once the news reports start showing stores running out of supplies it is going to be chaos."
He said, "I ran into Gus at the feed store he said the county is considering a curfew. Go inside I will bring everything in for you."
Grabbing the first two bags of supplies, I started separating everything and found the items i got for Gelds family. Putting it in a box, I finished putting everything that could wait in the dining room. Going outside I saw Geld and Mike by the wood pile and handed Geld the box of supplies and a bag for his wife and his daughter. He said, "I am sure my wife will visit soon enough with our daughter to thank you. But truly we appreciate this."
"It's my pleasure and thank you for helping Mike with gathering the broken branches," I said. "I am off to Sam's Club now and all the stores in the area. Till I am full again."
Waving I got into the car and checked my cash supply. Since I had enough money to fill the SUV again I headed to Sam's to get even more supplies. When I walked in it seemed everyone had the same idea. Walking the store with a flat bed cart I started to gather more supplies. Filling up my cart I went to start the first of multiple trips inside after dropping off my groceries.
When I got through Sam's club I drove across the road to our local staple store. Grabbing a cart I saw the store was a bit more empty than I thought it would be. The clerk saw me looking around and asked, "Miss do you need help with anything?
Smiling I said, "No I was just wondering why people are not getting supplies when we know what is coming?"
The clerk said, "Miss I agree completely My wife and I emptied our savings to stock up our home for us and our kids. I hope you and yours are doing the same."
"We are," I said. "We have been getting the home and farm ready. When I left he was getting our wood stores up and I will be stocking our home as much as I can before the roads cannot be driven on."
He nodded and said, "On the last isle we have air-tight containers if you want to put the items in to keep them for longer."
"Thank you for that information," I said. For the rest of the week, we got into a routine. Mike, Geld and the wolves prepared the property. I would shop daily and load up the home with non perishables. If I could get mason jars I would buy meat and fresh vegetables and can the items.
Then Friday came along I woke up and Mike kissed my forhead saying, "Are you ready to get married."
Smiling I said, "I sure am."
Pulling me to him he said, "Well let us get ready and get to the court house. Afterwards we can go to the stores and stock up. Since the curfew is in effect I will cook you a amazing dinner and we will get a cake from publix."
"That sounds like the perfect day," I said. "Go I am going to shower in here and get dressed."
CLimbing out of the bed I went into the shower. When I came out I found a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich on my side table. Sitting on the bed I ate and then I sat down and did my hair and makeup. After I was ready I grabbed my shoes and dress and got ready. There was a knock at the door and I opened it. We both said, "Woah."
Mike looked amazing in his suit. He took my hand and said, "You look amazing."
Straightening his tie I said, "So do you. Do you have the license and rings?"
He patted his suit pocket and said, "You ready Ivy?"
Taking his hand I said, "You bet."
We went to the SUV which he had heated and headed to town. When we pulled up to the courthouse we went to the area to get married. The receptionist said, "Welcome do you have your license?"
Mike handed her the license and she smiled. "please take a seat and we will be with you in a few minutes."
We waited about ten minutes when they called us back. The judge was a kind grey haired man and the receptionist took my phone and took a few pictures during the ceremony for us. When it was over and we were married she handed me my phone and said, "Congratulations."
Ivy- Main
Mike- Fiancé
Melissa- Boss Brian-Husband/owner
CO workers- Matt, Shelly, Shawn, kyle, Esteban, Liz, Polly
Dave- Government official that thought Ivy was prepping
Gus- Cop
Saber- Alpha wolf , sila, moha
First there will be five years of winter to stop the world in its place. Then there will be two years of heat and summer to kill off the bad in the world. Then there will be four years of fall to bring about the darkness to remove the evils. and two years or so a perpetual spring to bring the world back to normal. On the fourteenth year the seasons will reset. But be aware all the creatures of the seasons will be around to keep the peace. If these creatures find you to be evil and unjust then you will have thirteen weeks to change your ways or you will be punished. This is to reset our world and the creatures who appear will fade with the end of each trial period. When the world resets it will be a time of peace or if anyone fights the world she will fight you back and you will be no more
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