Preparing for winter II

pinkmami

mummytoo wrote: »

We had consensation on our window this morning, to me thats a sign autumn is really on its way now! Has anyone noticed the unusal amount of wasps today.

Yes the blooming wasps are everywhere!

And I noticed for the 1st time in months that when I boiled the kettle for my morning coffee the kitchen window steamed up!

I mentioned it to DH & said "oohh winter on the way!!" & he said "have you been on that website again?" - meaning this one!!:rotfl::rotfl: He isn;t amused my the amount of candles & blankets I'm harvesting!!

pinkmami

Prudent wrote: »

I am going to Asda tomorrow, so will check thank you

I bought 2 cream ones to line DS's curtains & they're big enough for each one.

abwsco

Just back from B & M's and bought my lantern. Might not have been the cheapest around at £8.99 but only one I've seen anywhere around here.

They also had flanelette sheet sets in double size but didn't buy as they were a flat sheet (won't use), fitted sheet and two pillowcases for £12.99. They were also pale colours but had floral, striped and chceked in. These weren't in on Tuesday so perhaps they're going to get different sets in.

Ellidee

Good post about cutting gas/leccy costs on this blog today http://frugalincornwall.blogspot.com/

rising_from_the_ashes

Gigervamp wrote: »

I try to just use the heating on the timer, ie, 3 hours in the morning and about 5 hours in the afternoon/evening, but as I'm at home all day, it's difficult.

Ginger, how many times can you have your heating go on/off on the time (mine can do three) - I wonder if it's worth splitting it up a bit and maybe having 2 hours am, 2 early afternoon and 4 evening (same amount in total). It may stop the house cooling down as much and hopefully help stop you getting toooooooo cold.

bramble1 wrote: »

The good weather this year started in April, so i figure everything will be early this year.

Yup, also thinking that could be right. If we go back to last year, the really bad snow etc started in Nov (usually Jan) so it's been about 2 months in advance since then.

rising_from_the_ashes

toottifrootti wrote: »

I have seen a whole room done in the carpet sample squares that you can get from carpet shops - they sometimes sell them at 50p/£1 and my friend gathered up similar colours and did a carpet - it started as a rug and she kept adding to it until the whole room was covered - they are usually well finished so she just oversewed the edges together with wool - the end result was shades of browns and creams and was fantastic

That's a fantastic idea!:D

I use these for loads of things (under cats' litter trays, under dog's water & food bowls, in car, to kneel on in garden etc). My lounge carpet really needs replacing but just can't afford it just now - looked at the market last weekend for a big rug but these were still too expensive. They did have loads of carpet square (got a couple) but am now going to pop back on Sunday to see if they've any more.

I could easily stitch together and make a rug for the middle of the floor which would hopefully detract from how bad it is!:D

chirpychick

Hello,
I havent caught up with the thread since i last posted but today with it being rainy and Autumnal im starting to panic a little bit!
We have to pay for my dentist treatment £204 in 2 weeks and my in laws paid for us to go to Cornwall the first week in October which was wonderfully generous but we didnt remember to factor in the Petrol costs! So that will be about £150 I would imagine. So we are having to use up everything we have in the cupboards and freezer (nothing in the fridge) for next month so that we can scrape together as much money as possible. So glad i got hubbys presents for his birthday (2nd oct) a month ago and theyre practical (waterproof jacket, walking boots & gloves) otherwise he would be getting nothing.
I am just now in the process of sorting out my kitchen cupboards as in October I would like to buy enough to stock up for the winter which shouldnt be a problem to much money wise except we eat so adhoc that i dont have "staples" so i dont really know what to buy in. We still need to change our fence panels £66 and change a couple of lightbulbs over, I need a draught excluder for the living room door but it has to be one that fits onto the door otherwise the dogs steal it.
Im dreading the cost of electricity and CHRISTMAS is fast approaching.
I just dont know how we are going to manage everything if im honest.
We had a plan for Christmas but that ended up being put on hold as other things cropped up so now our parents are getting shop and scan vouchers and we are spending £10 on each other and thats it.
We have the in laws AGAIN for Christmas as my hubbys brother never invites them and i love them to pieces they are wonderful but i just cant afford to cater for them every year and father in law doesnt eat poultry so we end up having turkey for us christmas eve and beef with them christmas day. Hubby ends up spending 2 hours driving them back and forth and we dont really get to enjoy the day. Like we would like to go for a long dog walk after lunch for example but cant.
I knew this year would be a real struggle and i am grateful for so much but i do feel like the bad weather is cropping up so quickly and im not on top of it as much as i would like.
sorry for the rant.

Confuzzled

ghp wrote: »

Tugrin, how about one of these? Maybe using fleeces?

http://www.ragrugcafe.com/toothbrush-rugs-complete-video-instructions-part-1-beginners

you can use old duvets and sheets for these too, i'm chuffed to bits about this, i watched the videos from the links that were posted last night and it answered several questions i'd had about how to make these, i think i'll def be doing one this winter

using fleeces sounds intriguing, i would think they would feel nicer under the feet than just plain cotton... hmmmm

Confuzzled

mummytoo wrote: »

We had consensation on our window this morning, to me thats a sign autumn is really on its way now! Has anyone noticed the unusal amount of wasps today.

i noticed wasps yesterday when i was mowing the lawn. it's also a bit nippy here today, i'm thinking of putting my slipper boots on *shivers*

as for martin getting on the gov't about regulating heating oil prices (sorry can't remember which poster that was) i believe he's already on that one

Justamum

I've just been having a long chat with my mum on the phone, and told her that winter is predicted to be harsh again and she should get some supplies in so that she doesn't have to venture out to the shops if the roads are bad. Last year they had to go out and really struggled. They are both in their late 70s, my mum has arthritis in both hips, and my dad's right leg doesn't work so well since he had a stroke a few years ago. Anyway she doesn't think I'm mad to suggest it, and is going to start getting stuff in. So I can feel a bit more relaxed now!