Preparing for winter II

rising_from_the_ashes

Arrrrrgh can’t post! (it might’ve been too big), so ....


Confuzzled yay to the freezer! :j And re the amount of stuff in the house .... mine's getting a bit that way too - having friends over for dinner on Friday and thinking I must try to hide some of it or they will think I'm nuts (although, they already know that anyway:rotfl:).


SuziQ – Great buy on those curtains! (and also Sparrer) Never would've thought of bubble wrap for the top of the rail so will give that a bash too!:)


Rainydays – hoping to get my duvet washed tomorrow too (1 done, 1 to do) - looking like it might not be too bad, fingers crossed (running out of days off to do it).


Toots - great list, have now added a couple more to mine tho':(. I've now had to separate my excel spreadsheet into different pages for home, garden, food, toiletries, pets, kitchen etc (oh lordy, I need help!)

I have also added a couple of "crafty" things to my list to keep me occupied in case I'm stuck for days. I have a huge puzzle to do and also have a tapestry canvas (bought to use up some threads I inherited) but need to get a couple colours that I don't have (a trip to Hobby*craft:j).


Re bird food - managed to get packs of 6 fat balls for 49p @ Home B*argains this morning (£4 for 48), cheapest I've seen apart from that has been £5.99 for 50 so a great deal.

That screen wash looks fab so will def be getting some of that (think we got to -17 last year:eek:).

Found a 1/2 used roll of the foam sticky stuff you put on windows/doors to keep drafts out so will need to go along the windows again (are double glazed but useless).


Do you think it's worth making a draft excluder for my patio doors? (made a fab one for the front door). I have really long (lined) curtains up but not sure if an excluder is needed too (in/out door a lot as various pets are always wanting in and out.

Feeling a lot better after my nap! (Woke up about 7:30) Have made a huge pot of spag bol sauce with my last pack of mince that I got on offer (will be packed off to the freezer).

Only thing is, I'm now wide awake and raring to go again!:eek:

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bluebag

Brrrr... tell you what, all these preparations made be needed sooner than we think, there is a definate nip in the air tonight. Was hoping for a mini heatwave to set us all up before the autumn.

abwsco

I've only recently found this thread and dare I say it, it scared me at first:o

However, I realised that I prepare for winter to some extent all year round. I bought Snow Joggers in May when they were on sale at Amazon, always have a stockpile of loo rolls, baked beans and tinned tomatoes in the house along with screen wash and de-icer in the garage. I've also got some "magic ice" stuff from last year and cheap Yaktraxs for DH were delivered today:D Folding snow shovels are on order as well.

Reading the lists that you've done has made me realise I still need to stock up on some bits and bobs, so thank you all:)

I know a few of you have posted about wind up lanterns. Are the ones from B & M's any good and are any of you considering using them around the house instead of putting on lights to try and save money on the electric bill. Family think I'm bad enough as it is with some of the things I store but they really think I've lost the plot with this idea.:o

abwsco

bramble1 wrote: »

Are these prices too good to be true?

http://www.reddevotion.info/Products-95-165-33.html

Yes, they'll be fakes I'm sure. If you're after good sheepskins I'd personally go for ones with thick soles. Bearpaws do some (try TK's or Amazon) or Kiwi Sheepskins. Mine from Kiwi will take me through my fourth winter this year:)

GreyQueen

Morning all you lovely preppers.

I've just bought a rather elegant wind-up 4-LED lantern, "Rolson" brand, for £5.99. It's purchase was motivated by a camping trip but I'm contemplating trying it around the home in the winter evenings, but not for reading as I don't want to risk my eyesight. I thought about the £land ones and decided they looked a touch flimsy to be lumped around in rucksacks, although I think they would be fine for home-based emergencies. Safer than candles.

On winter nights, if I'm nattering on the phone, I have been known to turn the light off anyway as don't need to see to talk and it's all a saving on the bills, isn't it?

I "wombled" a large quantity of big bubble bubble-wrap a couple of years ago and will use some of it as insulation in my lottie shed. My flat is tiny and very well-insulated but I've spent most of my life in terribly draughty places; in my last flat I had to have a bolt on the inside of the living room door to stop the draughts sucking it open.

Can I recommend those brush-type draught excluders which fit along the bottom of doors? They are very cheap and easy to fit and really help (but they do gather fluff so you need to vac them from time to time).

Come September, I will be in my annual cleaning mode, where all the curtains come down and are washed and appliances dragged out an cleaned under, and a few other thingies which need to be done from time to time but not too frequently. This is my spring-cleaning substitute and I do it in Sept because this was the month I moved into my current home.

Hmmm, will have to start winter-prepping my allotment; treating the shed, rounding up stray items, organising shed, putting away stray items, harvesting and tidying up.

It's a good idea to check roofing felt (or other roofing materials) on sheds and outbuildings now, as well as frequently during the winter esp after bad storms, to check all is well and to make timely repairs. I've known people who've had to replace part of a shed roof because they didn't patch the felt when it needed it and the board rotted. A stitch in time, etc.

Right, must inventory the tinned foods in storage.......and the loo rolls, of course.;)

bramble1

abwsco wrote: »

Yes, they'll be fakes I'm sure. If you're after good sheepskins I'd personally go for ones with thick soles. Bearpaws do some (try TK's or Amazon) or Kiwi Sheepskins. Mine from Kiwi will take me through my fourth winter this year:)

I decided the spelling and grammar on the site was too bad, so wouldn't attempt to order from them. My uggs saw me through 3 winters (i say winters, i still wear them now, so more 3 years...) and i need to get a replacement now - what's TKs? Will check out Amazon, thanks

abwsco

bramble1 wrote: »

I decided the spelling and grammar on the site was too bad, so wouldn't attempt to order from them. My uggs saw me through 3 winters (i say winters, i still wear them now, so more 3 years...) and i need to get a replacement now - what's TKs? Will check out Amazon, thanks

Sorry, TK Maxx. Oh, and there's Javari as well:)

Rainy-Days

I bought 13 years ago a pair of 'Just Sheepskin' boots in a sale for £15.00 and for a few years I didn't wear them and was thinking of even at one point giving them away (but held out) but these last few winters we have had they have been invaluable. I had my suede brush out on them the other day and gave them a good going over then treated them with the waterproofing spray.

They look like Uggs but have a far more substantial, sole with deep groves and tread to stop you skidding all over the show. Love them to bits. They were invaluable when walking the dogs up the lane and I used them for going shopping in as well.

If you want something that is far better than Uggs and is the front runner then Emu are the best. I got mine off Amazon. The RRP was £252.00 and QVC were also selling them for this price as well plus P&P. On Amazon, this particular seller only had certain colours and certain sizes available for a reduced price (the chocolate was full price at £250.00) and I got mine for £104.95 in the light tan/caramel colour and size seven. Well pleased I can't even begin to tell you because I had even thought, briefly about buying them from QVC. The turth of what held me back was quite simply I could not afford to pay that price - absolutely not and I have never ever paid over £100.00 for any item of clothing or shoes/boots. This was £4.95 over my limit, but I will get allot of wear out of them and I put some of my birthday money from July towards this purchase.

bramble1

Thanks for the suggestions guys - they don't have to be Ugg brand boots - just better quality than the imitation ones you get in town! I'd prefere a better sole on them too. My feet have gotten too used to being surrounded by sheepskin (I have slipper boots too!) and with reynaulds they really do help keep my toes warm .

Will do some research tonight and am popping to the £ shop on saturday so may try and see what other shops have to offer - i'm sure the surf/snowboard shops must do some.


TK maxx!! This is new thing for me, i don't normally have the patience to search through rails for things. but went there on Saturday in Scotland and got a matching bag and purse from my favourite designer total should have been £85 and i (my nan actually) paid £35 instead! Will head there too to have a look

sammy_kaye18

Toots - Dont worry about your list honey. You should see the state/size of mine!!!!

In fact here is the updated version of what Ive done so far and not done and some 'need to get' items!

HOUSE
fleeces inside living room windows
fleeces on hollys window
fleeces on bens window
fleece inside our bedroom window
fleece on top bens bed
fleece on top our bed
fleece on top hollys cot
fleece under ben sheet
fleece under our sheet
fleece under hollys sheet
big rug for living room floor
fleeces for sofa snuggling
[STRIKE]move pooches bed[/STRIKE]
make a door curtain for front door
2 extendable shower rails or net curtain wire --- curtains in argos 66 x 90 - £14.99 - split a pair and use one on each door. Shower rails are £3.99 each.
bath mat + toilet mat for bathroom to add warmth under foot
[STRIKE]small curtain to fit small window in hallway[/STRIKE]
make a door curtain for back door
curtains in bens room
[STRIKE]curtains for hollys room[/STRIKE]
curtains in our room
[STRIKE]curtains in cupboard in our bedroom[/STRIKE]
dressing gown for ben washed
bens slippers washed
shelves for kitchen alcoves to make a store cupboard
possible new fridge freezer??

US
[STRIKE]gloves/[/STRIKE]scarf/[STRIKE]hat[/STRIKE] (me) - 2 pairs in hollys blue box in her room
[STRIKE]gloves/hat/scarf [/STRIKE](ben)
[STRIKE]gloves/hat (holly)[/STRIKE] - princess set upstairs in blue box next to her draws
winter coat - ben
winter coat - holly
winter coat - me
fleece sleepsuits for holly
pyjamas (me)
pyjamas (ben)
vests (ben)
long sleeve body suits (holly)
me - slippers
me - jumpers/hoodys
ben - jumpers/hoodies
holly - jumpers/hoodies
gripper/bed socks - me
gripper/bed socks - ben
gripper socks/tights - holly
[STRIKE]Hot water bottles[/STRIKE]
sports skins - ben (he will be into his rugby/football seasons then)
insulated cup for me for watching
reflective jacket/strips to wear for the school run
reflective tape or clip ons for the buggy to be seen (road is poorly lit here)
wellies - me
wellies - ben

OTHER
[STRIKE]candles![/STRIKE]
batteries
[STRIKE]torch[/STRIKE]
tin foil
sandwich bags
cling film
tupperware

SHOPPING TO STOCK UP ON
extra dog food

---

dog food is £17 for 15kg of Tesco senior (3kg bags), - currently got 6 2.5kg bags of wagg from wilko offer
terrapin food needs to be brought in advance!
baby food jars
baby milk (1yr +)
soups - lentil, chicken, chicken noodle
cereals - porridge, oats, shreddies, weetabix, frosties
tins - vegetables - sweetcorn, peas, carrots
tins - beans, spaghetti, beans and sausages
SMASH
If have new freezer by then - a winter freezer shop to include frozen value mince/garlic breads/pizza/etc

CAR KIT
granola/cereal bars
bottled water
fleece blanket
dry socks
dry tshirt
[STRIKE]roll of black bags - method to madness - can be worn as a poncho etc[/STRIKE]
gloves/hat/buff
window scraper
[STRIKE]small torch[/STRIKE]
£2 in small change
small shovel/trowel to at least help clear snow
bag of salt
hand warmers
de - icer
box to keep it in


MEDICINE CABINET
calpol/medinol
paracetemol capsules
ipbrufen
beechams all in 1
anadin
plasters
olbas oil
vicks
syringe for hollys meds
owens eye medication
box to lock it in

Im hoping the stuff in blue will get done this month with a trip to Primark, and Ill have my new chest freezer with money Ive earned from the over time worked.

Still got a hell of a lot to do though! :(:(:(:(:( and its getting colder quickly!