Preparing for winter II

Rainy-Days

The boiler has been serviced this morning and is all tickety boo so hopefully nothing will breakdown in the dead of a cold winter! Touches wood

The fascias boards around the garage have been done and painted. DH has gone off to the wood supplier to buy in the replacement wood for the fascias on the house.

As Sunnyday says, once the boards are done, then everything else is a want and not a need. The butchers stock up has been put back to the first week of October as the big outlay has eaten into our resources. DH has said that he will also paint the garage door while he is at it, he will have a surplus of paint and the fact that everywhere externally will be crisp and fresh it will make the door look shabby, so he is going to do that and have it it matching - how good is he? :T

Final jobs to do:-

Re-silicone the shower
Clean and polish both cars
Check fluid levels on both cars
Clean kitchen rug
Drain and cover outside tap
Clean windows (October)
Oil gates and locks
Quick tidy up in the garage
Deep clean house (October)
Sewing
Butchers stock up

NualaBuala

I just knew you lot would have good advice on jackets - thank you so much, especially Rainy Days, Sunnyday and Boddy! I would never have thought of looking at ski gear or equestrian stuff. And I don't have a fleece jacket - I think that could be very handy for layering under waterproof things - I would get multi-season use out of them. I have Dare2be open now and will have a look in the sale. I think sales will be the way I go - keeping my eyes peeled for something suitable and making do with what I've got till then. What I've got is ok (from Next as it happens and it lasted 13 years), just too big and not really warm enough in the coldest weather but I can easily make do and can layer up with what I've got.

My yaktrax arrived from Scoutgear today - very quick and efficient so am pleased.

I'm considering putting up curtain rails so I can hang fleeces (just have rather precariously hung venetian blinds) but afraid I will destroy the house when I try to use a drill. :eek: The house will be sold soon so don't want to make it look worse and I am at the learning stage where DIY is concerned. But I think they would help and I am already feeling the cold (have ME/CFS and my thermoregulation is a bit rubbish at times).

All the good stuff was gone from Aldi by the time I got there yesterday but I did get the fleece and thermal insoles - will be good for my wellies. But I remember Lidl also did the thermal underwear sets last year at a good price so I'll keep my eyes open for them.

Kathy, glad you liked Ireland - just hope it didn't bankrupt you! I think I am already in the introductions thread Squeaky mentioned.

pinkmami

pinkmami wrote: »

I went to Dunelm today to buy curtains (for the new house) & came home with this too!

http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/teddy-bear-mattress-enhancer-188401

Soooo cosy & warm - bed striped, this down & nice clean bedding - can't wait for Downton Abbey & bed this evening! lol!

I've wanted a topper but saw them expensive & this is so snug & I've had a little lie down & it seems to have made a differece. Test will be this evening.

WELL WELL WELL!!! It was blooming lovely! So warm & snug, in fact a bit too warm for September but hey-ho its there now! Well worth £25.00! It was also comfy to sleep on & DH gave it the thumbs up. So I suggest you all pop along to Dunelm & buy one! Now thinking of buying them for the kids!

fuddle

Hey all. Going to bookmark to have a good read later.

My preps are just beginning.

I've arranged to hire a dehumidifier for our master bedroom - very wet condensation, feels damp and cold in there and wardrobe (sliding doors across walls) so that's the first major task.

Second is to buy an electric heater for that bedroom. We've gas central heating in our rented house but our bedroom is never warm (one tiny radiator in the bay window to supply a really large room) so this will subsidise and hopefully prevent the thermostat being triggered to come on pretty much constantly as it's always so cold.

Also... 'TV' blankets washed|hot water bottles found|hats scarves washed.

Need gloves for my girls

toottifrootti

valk_scot wrote: »

Another suggestion is to use a couple of cheap plastic backed picnic rugs at back and front door. They're big enough to stand on to remove boots etc...that's what I use them for in my tent in fact. The plastic back is textured so less likely to slip on either carpet or wooden floor and you can machine wash them when they get grubby. Currently reduced to clear at a ££ shop near you! Another useful item is a plastic trug bucket, to stack wet wellies in upside down.

valk_scot thats a good idea - I saw them in £land - do you think they will be safe enough - I have regular carers coming in and the floor is laminate - last year was a nightmare getting it cleaned and dry all the time - I would be worried in case one of them slipped?

I was away for the weekend and there has been loads to catch up on:rotfl: I cant believe that you are all still coming up with fresh ideas - what a mine of information you all are:T

My only progress was that I got my new duvet that I wanted so now I need new duvet cover as its a different size or a sewing machine to alter old king size ones.

I am just on the edge of what they call the highlands in scotland and we have had a lovely weekend - I was out shopping in a t-shirt - the mornings and evening are def colder but i am trying hard to not put heating on until october and preferably the end.

tootsxx

nicki_2

Some winter prep done here, I put my fleece underblanket on yesterday and DD's flannellette (sp?) sheets on her bed as well as blankets over the end of the bed tucked in. She was lovely and toasty and slept well while I was still cold last night :eek: Being single does have it drawbacks, no extra body heat in the bed I'm going to put another blanket over the foot of my bed, I've tried wearing socks and they come off most nights :rotfl: And I don't like the idea of a hotwater bottle in my bed overnight

Just about to go out in the back yard/garden and try to sort it out. The weeds are taking over :eek: I want to get it sorted so I can sellotape the backdoor shut for the winter :rotfl: Yes I do resort to that, the draftproof tape doesn't stick, or doesn't fill the gap enough so I just sellotape over the gap instead :rotfl:Landlady has been told that it doesn't need replacing yet, BUT it will do very soon so come Easter I'm asking for it to be replaced!

mymerrywidow

washed the winter duvets, found the hot water bottles and more importantly the stoppers!!! stocked up on free soup! had the gas fire serviced and dusted.
i put up the winter curtains as well

Sunnyday

mesh wrote: »

Hi Sunnyday

just a suggestion mind, but if both doors need doing ask the price for the back door and then ask what would the price be for both doors to be done and then start negotiating. It may/may not work but the chippie would probably be glad to have both to do (a bit more work for him) and its generally not much more costs involved to have both done. Hope I haven't offended.....

:j:j Yay Mesh !

thats a great idea thanks :T:T

Fingers crossed for enough funds later this week and then i shall be investigating the cost. I have one company on approval from a relative and their door is fantastic so thats a favourite for starters but i need a proper quote and then a few besides for comparison.

I`m looking for composite doors and i think that the prices will be :eek:

SD

Rainy-Days

Well how good is this! DH was talking to our chap who services our gas boiler this morning, he recommended DH go to this timber yard and price up the timber there before going to Travis Perkins. DH has just got back and on TP's prices he has saved £63.00 (not including delivery charge). Total cost of the wood has come to £67.00 including the £6.00 delivery charge and VAT.

So there you go we have done well this morning and it was down to the engineer who told us to go there. Well chuffed because we were all set to go to TP.

[Deleted User]

dangerous sea storm surge due approx 21-23 oct ie e anglia, n kent and up nw coast to denmark. germany and holland. Foaming seas and heavy swell. Sea defences threat. If you live around these areas then you need to be aware