It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

taplady

Mely wrote: »

I had visions of your guinnea pig lounging on the sofa with a cuppa and watching the Jeremy Kyle show,while you where out!:rotfl:

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: made me smile thanks!:T

not too bad here when it comes to supplies as I live about 100m from a small co-op shop!:j and I've got a decent amount in stock - keeping it stocked up when I get the chance in case deliveries dont get through.
DH is a milkman so no probs getting milk.

The dogs are fed up - and are being naughty and eating the bird crumbs that I put out so I've had to put it higher up to outwit them!:D
The ferret is nice and snug in her hutch with lots of straw and I'm defrosting her water daily.
DH gave her a couple of pigeons to eat but they're frozen so she's on dried food.

I stocked up on candles today as well.

ixwood

kidcat wrote: »

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I wandered to Asda by car today (dad said needed to run it to prevent it freezing!)

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Cars have antifireeze in them to prevent freezing. If not, it'd just freeze overnight anyway.

kidcat

ixwood wrote: »

Cars have antifireeze in them to prevent freezing. If not, it'd just freeze overnight anyway.

Diesel freezes apparently. Not had a diesel before so its never even occurred to me.

Discovered today that our rabbit (who has been coughing and sneezing all week) is allergic to hay:eek: Having removed the hay and replaced with old sheet and shredded paper she is happy again and no sneezing at all. Means I am going to have to venture out again to buy her some other type of bedding tomorrow to make sure she is warm enough, either that or give in and let her bring her bed into the living room in front of the fire, which is where she would prefer to be.

DD15 has realised her GCSE is Monday so its vital we manage to get her there on time for that, looks like its going to be a very early start.

lil_me

BMF Try bigger size waterproof walking gaiters with smaller boots, there is folks on ebay sell them. Better for us with larger ankles. I chop tops off wellies for dog walking

Kidcat you could try blankets/towels. Don't want her over heating either.

Yes diesel does freeze at very cold temperatures they are struggling with this in some areas. Gel point I think it is called occurs at around -10C this is when the stuff in it (which all has different freezing points) can become too big & clogs the filter. Petrol won't usually have a problem but some anti freeze only protects to -8 to -10C ish, less than some areas have been but some work down to -90C

Things are getting tight here, 3 weeks without pay for DP, it's cost me for him to get to work sometimes as he's made nothing. 2 lots of shopping bought with several years of nectar points so far so that has helped but car needed 2 tyres which didn't. Luckily I have a 4x4 so managing to get to most things we need without problem (and pulling others out) having to use a CC (interest free 12 month) to pay for anything else we need like diesel, bills etc.

Hope you are all coping well

wigglebeena

notjustlaura wrote: »

ginnyknit wrote: »

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The cats driving me mad too cos he waits and waits to go out for a wee, not that I blame him, his bums nearer the floor than all us short people on here ( are we all tiny people on MSE?) .../QUOTE]

Sammy-cat is most unhappy. He keeps asking to go out, sniffing the air and going back to bed. He doesn't like litter trays and I'm hoping he doesn't give himself a urine infection by hanging on too long ...

Laura

Have you got some old carpet or something else that could make some makeshift little snow-free shelter outside? Or would he then class that as 'indoors' and refuse to do his business anyway?

ginnyknit

The problem,apparently, with snow chains is they only work on snow so when you drive onto a clear road they damage the tyres - not sure but thats what they said on tv the other night.

We got stuck in Home Bargains car park as we had to drive into the space DH says you should always try and reverse in and then you have more gears to pull you out forwards. Luckily some very kind people pushed us out, as DD is preggers and DH is disabled I was trying to push the car on me own lol

Am now stocked up again but am trying to buy a bag of sugar everytime I see it cheap in Home Bargains as I see it going up in price soon.

Animals all snug in the shed with a candle in a syrup tin to take off the chill in there, I think they are going to survive despite 2 of the guinea pigs being geriatrics!!

Primrose

ginnyknit - when I was a child we used to have a stray cat visit us regularly and my dad used to make him up a cosy bed in the shed every night by filling a metal petrol can with boiling water. He would cover it with an old towel and put it next to the cat's sleeping box and it helped to keep the poor old thing a little warmer on bitter winter nights.

notjustlaura

wigglebeena wrote: »

notjustlaura wrote: »

Have you got some old carpet or something else that could make some makeshift little snow-free shelter outside? Or would he then class that as 'indoors' and refuse to do his business anyway?

Thanks for the suggestion - if he was still not doing what he needs to then I'd try it. However, today he's given in and gone out am and pm as he usually does if it's raining and it's just out, pee, come home so I'm not as worried about him. Actually, I wouldn't be worried at all but he's prone to UTIs and I don't want the problem flaring up again.

Laura (and Sam)

lil_me

ginnyknit - That is right about snow chains, drive on a clear road and they will rip off causing more damage than snow. Correct about reversing in if possible...but I hate reversing into spaces. Try keeping hessian sacks or similar in the car to put under tyres if it gets stuck and a shovel.
taplady we could walk to 2 coop stores near here but they have had one delivery all week instead of 6! Needless to say the local bakery is out of bread an hour after opening.

I've just ordered some new walking gaiters from ebay (that's if we get post they might arrive....nothing for 2 days) yeast and bread improver as supermarkets here sold out, I have 2 sachets left but that's nothing & would rather know I am getting some. Used DW salt on the path/steps after clearing them with neighbours snow scoop which worked really well. Snows only about knee height on me where it has been walked on so not too bad locally, fields are much deeper. I've put the sledge in the shed as they keep getting stolen. Compacted some cardboard in bags (rubbish) and put them along the kick boards in the kitchen as it feels cold there. Boys are wandering round with their fleece blankets I got them which is great.

kidcat

Had good rummage in garage today and have managed to clear enough space to bring car in, no easy thing cos the garage is packed to the rafters with all the stuff we storing since our move (we are still in temp house) as a result managed to find old blankets (keep bunny warm), old gazebo cover to use as car cover for car left on drive and some old carpet I thought would do draped over engines of both cars and make starting them easier.
Also ran car for hour and a half - made me sick the amount of diesel I have wasted but it was the only way to defrost the sliding back doors. Hopefully they should stay defrosted and I will be able to get the kids in on Monday when we attempt the school run. Have packed car with spade, blankets and biscuits ready so that we are prepared for anything.

Again have squeezed our sledge, and rock salt (down to half a bag now) into the garage as I can see them disappearing otherwise.

Just waiting for DH to arrive home so I can get him to move the last two items I couldnt lift then I am getting car inside then hopping into nice hot bath.

So a productive day, kids all pleased cos more toys have been reclaimed from garage to make room, bunny pleased she got snuggly blankets and no more sneezing. Parents came for visit bringing much needed cat litter, and more fruit and veg. Caught them snooping in fridge cos they really dont believe I have managed this long not shopping!! The idea of store cupboards and preparation is beyond them. Bless.