Preparing for winter II

Confuzzled

Red_Doe wrote: »

Just thought this link might be useful to some. I remember reading another thread on MSE where the OP argued that people freezing to death here in Britain was rubbish. But I know of at least two older people having frozen to death over the years here in Scotland and am sure I remember people dying because of the extreme cold temperatures the past two winters.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/humber/content/articles/2004/11/25/winter_advice_for_elderly_feature.shtml

it's a well known fact that many people, healthy young people that fall into freezing waters will die from the shock rather than drown. the heart gets such a massive shock from the intense temperature imbalance at the core that it has a heart attack so i don't understand why they can't see that elderly people, who people know can't regulate heat well, could freeze to death. especially when you consider that many live on such a tight pension they simply can't afford to keep their heat up as high as they might need.

pinkmami

I saw some thermal "thinsulate" gloves for the kids in a shop near me the other day for £1.50 each! Gonna buy 6 pairs (2 each) for them once they go back to school, & buy myself some!

Confuzzled

valk_scot wrote: »

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I also think you should go and get the doc to look at your back. I had this sort of pain a few years ago. It was like someone sticking a screwdriver in beside my spine and giving it a few twists. Didn't get better so went to doc's and it turned out to be referred pain from a disc problem which needed strong anti-inflammatories to keep it under control. Not saying yours is the same of course but long term back problems really should be checked out.

aye you're right i do need to go, i've given myself a deadline of the end of september. i loathe going to the docs though, inevitably it always winds up the same 'lose weight' and rarely any help. problem is my knee swells terribly with much exercise and then the back gets worse from me having to walk funny because of the knee. i've been on them about my knee both in the states and in the uk for 15 years now, long before my weight was an issue (hmm funny that it's now an issue, maybe just maybe it's partly cuz my knee doesn't work properly that i can't exercise as much as i should not just cuz i'm greedy *sigh*)

i bought a cane earlier this year and that helps a bit, the back pain has eased off a lot mind you it's also been warmer but the cane helps me get out of the chair easier and after i'm up walking with it for a minute or two i don't need it anymore as long as the back doesn't play up... anyway i've promised my daughter i'll get to the docs before the cold really sets in. and i'm waiting til it starts playing up more so they can actually SEE what it does to me, i've sadly learned that it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease with docs both in the states and the uk... except in this case it's the squeaky joints :rotfl:

Confuzzled

folly wrote: »

These may help some looking for cheap window coverings, only £2.99 and free delivery, lots of colours too,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0026GJZWA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2K0LTNZULUVCV

cheers for this! i'm going to see how heavy these are when they arrive, if i can i plan to use one on my front door as it currently has a net curtain on a small rod. if it's too heavy for that i shall sew some header tape on it and use it for the kitchen. i already have a blind up there but there is also a curtain rod with rings with hooks so i could have it as an extra for keeping the warmth in.

if they do work ok on the light weight curtain rod for my front door i shall also order another to put on at the top of the stairs as the door is mostly glass and whilst i put bubble wrap i wouldn't mind the extra heat staying inside vs on the cold staircase (i'm in a maisonette).

nuttybabe

folly wrote: »

These may help some looking for cheap window coverings, only £2.99 and free delivery, lots of colours too,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0026GJZWA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2K0LTNZULUVCV

Thank you so much. i have ordered 2!

broodylass_2

folly wrote: »

These may help some looking for cheap window coverings, only £2.99 and free delivery, lots of colours too,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0026GJZWA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2K0LTNZULUVCV

Thanks Folly! I actually needed a curtain for my little dining room window :j

DHT

Hi, Everyone,

Thanks for the info for Craghopper winter trousers.:j

I have ordered yesterday morning from Trekwear Ltd as my size was cheaper there. Their service is superb, already delivered this morning. It fits me very well and certainly flattering!

Even I live in North Surrey, 1930's flat with Grade II listed, all my windors are single grazed and main water pipe freeze a couple times every year. I will work hard this coming winter to keep energy bills as low as possible.

I will keep reading this thread every day. Thanks.

smileyt_2

folly wrote: »

These may help some looking for cheap window coverings, only £2.99 and free delivery, lots of colours too,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0026GJZWA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2K0LTNZULUVCV

Thank you - I've just ordered 5! Should make a huge difference to the bathroom, living room and my bedroom this winter.

Now I've just got to do something about the kitchen, and find a door curtain for the front door. That will probably be something cobbled together from emergency pound shop blankets and an old duvet cover.

Tink_04

folly wrote: »

These may help some looking for cheap window coverings, only £2.99 and free delivery, lots of colours too,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0026GJZWA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2K0LTNZULUVCV

Thanks need something like that for my windows - *off to measure now*

nikki2804

Raided my terracotta piggy bank (sat with a knife rather than breaking it) and found Ihad £138 in there. I'm actually excited about spending this on John Lewis sheets :rotfl:.

Also decorating my LO's room from baby teddies to 'grown up' diggers on Monday. Managed to get lined curtains in the Next sale for him and will also buy him a new duvet for his cotbed. Will put the flannellette sheets on his mattress too.

Thank you to the person who commented on my curtain question. It seems like a fool (nikki2804) proof plan!!

I also had a clear out of both mine and OH's clothes and shoes. Threw out (well still in a bin bag) loads of stuff. Lots of River Island and Burton clothes so will pop into the charity shop sometime next week, its in good condition so someone else may aswell have use of it. It also gives me an excuse to look for bargains :rotfl:.

Cleared out my kitchen cupboards and stashed some food at the back for my Winter store. Also took note of what I need to stock up on. Popping to Costco on Wednesday (payday) so will stock up on teabags, hot chocolate, cat food, cous cous etc.

Also going to order the LO's main Christmas present on Wednesday. Then at least if the bad weather comes early at least his Christmas is sorted.

My mum gave me a £20 voucher for Next (unwanted Christmas gift) so will buy a jumper or 2 for the LO with that. His winter jacket is beautiful and I'm hoping it will do well through Winter. Also need to get him a scarf, glove and hat set as the ones from last year are too small. Matalan have some pretty ones in although knowing my LO he will go straight for the Thomas the Tank ones :rotfl:

Sorry my post is so long but my OH and family think that I'm crazy considering we live in a town. I did point out that the supermarkets may not get the deliveries in if the weather is bad, OH pointed out that the distribution warehouse is just up the road - he can't understand that the distribution warehouse still depends on deliveries too. Also scared that my work may decide not to pay people who can't make it into work in the bad weather so I want a decent store built up.