Preparing for Winter

Maryb I have heard that before about ME. I think imminent death would be the only thing that would make me have another baby. That and the fact I'm pastit.
I came in here to say the same thing as Oliveoyl. I wear a tshirt down to my knees tucked into woolly tights upto my armpits, covered by a jumper down to the knees, and jeans. If I'm having a bad day it takes me 2 hours to get dressed and longer to get them all off again! LOL
Opaque tights are very cosy.

Earlier this year, when it was very cold just before we had a snow flutter DH and I had gone horseracing.

I had everything tucked into the next layer as those above, including thermal long johns and topped it all with a big heavy coat and was nice and snug, but....................when I needed to go to the loo it took ages to get undressed and nearly wet myself :embarasse (eek smily not working!) but also took ages to get dressed again.

DH was so worried about the length of time I was in there he asked a womon to go into the ladies to make sure I was OK, the embarrasment at hearing my name called out and was I OK? :embarasse

she understood when I explained. Will stick to racing in the summer from now on

oohhhhh

Im sorry but it reminds me of when I was a child and mum used to make us wear knickers, then tights on top, then another pair of knickers on top to keep the tights up , then socks under our boots, those skirts with the vest attatched, a vest under that, a jumper on top , coat -complete with idiot mitts (those attatched to elastic through the sleeves) oh and not forgetting the scarves mum used to make that started as a hat, came down into a huge scarf that wrapped round how many times :eek: and had pockets on the ends :rotfl:
No wonder I can't bear being wrapped up -i have been psychologically damaged :rotfl:

Having found out that my firm are re-locating at the end of october and that I will be out of work I am giving serious attention to the coming winter. This thread has really spurred me on. Thanks :A

Since I went part time a few years back I seem to be working simply to fund a second car. So, big decision time. Selling second car and not bothering to look for a job. We live in a remote area so this is a big step to take. I will shop online and there a a few buses a day which will get me into town if I want to go or to visit friends. The walk to the bus stop will get me fitter too :rotfl:

I am looking forward to being a housewife and hope to be able to keep costs down by doing everything from scratch. Already do most from scratch and make own bread/ice cream/jams etc but will get crafty and make cards and pressies too from now on.

The big hike in the cost of solid fuel, wef from Monday in my area, prompted me to order the fuel for the whole winter rather than doing it monthly as I usually do. Fortunatley I am organised and save so much a month all through the yaer for my fuel. This means that most of the fuel I have bought is paid for already.

Saving of about £80 :j :j :j . I just love a victory like that.

We had nowhere to store so much but had got a coal cellar which was bricked up many many years ago. It took my lovely OH two days of hard graft to open this up again but he has done it. Love him to bits

I am now getting a lovely cosy glow just thinking about the fact that our winters warmth is all squirreled away and that I don't even have to go out on cold, wet days to get a bucketful. We manage to get free logs and have quite a stash of them but OH now has a lot of chainsawing and chopping to do to get them to a useable size.

Whilst visiting friends in Cornwall a couple of weeks ago I came across a lovely fleece shawl and that is now folded on the edge of the sofa for snuggling up in on cold nights. With all the other cheap fleece blankets we have around we should be snug as bugs etc.

The CH will be used only as an emergency. The solid fuel stove will heat the lounge and kitchen and hopefully air the rest of the house ... and that is all it is getting. OH is a bit apprehensive but we will see how it goes.

I also intend to try doing more cooking on the multi fuel in the lounge. I have used it for doing jacket potatoes before but now intend to try using the top of it for casseroles and cooking things in foil parcels. Have also got a kettle to leave on it so I always have a small amount of hot water for washing up little bits.

For a month now I have been taking gas and electric readings every day and seeing just what makes the big differences. Having used my Remoska during that time, rather than the oven, the electric was quite low.
Had friends for a meal last night and used the oven YIKES :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: Big increase in electric used. I think twice about everything I switch on now.
Had a quick rub down with a damp flannel this morning as working in the garden today. Will have a shower later. Normally would have had a shower this morning anyway and one later. Is this really me talking? I was always pretty unconcerned about fuel useage. I think I have turned into my mother :eek: .

My big concern now is cutting food costs. We do spend far too much on food. Things are about to change big time.
Due to the poor weather this summer the grow my own campaign has been a failure. The ex battery hens are still laying quiet well but will slow down soon as the nights draw in.

I have just re-read this and I seem to be painting a cosy picture. In reality, I don't think it will be a picnic. Managing with a loss on my income and the huge increases in everything are giving me sleepless nights but with the help of this Forum .... I WILL SUCCEED and I think I our quality of life will be better.

Good luck to you all with your preparations for the coming winter.

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

oohhhhh

Im sorry but it reminds me of when I was a child and mum used to make us wear knickers, then tights on top, then another pair of knickers on top to keep the tights up , then socks under our boots, those skirts with the vest attatched, a vest under that, a jumper on top , coat -complete with idiot mitts (those attatched to elastic through the sleeves) oh and not forgetting the scarves mum used to make that started as a hat, came down into a huge scarf that wrapped round how many times :eek: and had pockets on the ends :rotfl:
No wonder I can't bear being wrapped up -i have been psychologically damaged :rotfl:

He he he ...my mum was just the same. She always knitted mittens, scarfs and hats with a compulsary bobble on the top! She even made us blue duffle coats one year with huge toggles. The problem was her colour choices were always a little dubious. My brother and I had matching bright yellow cable knitt cardys and that was just for the summer!! She also used to make me party dresses when I was little. I remember a fetching little brown floral floor length number with matching mop hat. I too had the skirt /vest all in one for school . Despite not being able to afford the heating I dont remember being cold at least!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: