Preparing for winter III

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks Frugal - I'm really just after a bit of help with getting up / waking up a bit more gently (luckily not a sad sufferer).

I do like the iBoutique one (sucker for nice shapes & pretty colours:o) but the silver one (which isn't that attractive!) may be better at actually waking me up!:)

Will have a further trawl around and see what else's around......

hummingfridge

risingfromtheashes, we have had a Lumie bodyclock alarm for a long time and they make all the difference to waking up in the dark, though as Frugal said, they simulate natural daylight at a weaker strength, rather than treating SAD. I am not allowed to post a link (newbie) but there are some bodyclocks for sale on the Bo*ots website.

Fruball

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Thanks Frugal - I'm really just after a bit of help with getting up / waking up a bit more gently (luckily not a sad sufferer).

I do like the iBoutique one (sucker for nice shapes & pretty colours:o) but the silver one (which isn't that attractive!) may be better at actually waking me up!:)

Will have a further trawl around and see what else's around......

For waking up - any of those would be effective so you could go for the pretty one you like

Dustykitten

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Thanks Frugal - I'm really just after a bit of help with getting up / waking up a bit more gently (luckily not a sad sufferer).

I have one for the same reason and I really find it helps once you get used to it. The first few times I woke up thinking who is shining a torch in my face:rotfl:

I had this one as a present and have been happy with it. It did go wrong once, hands kept getting stuck, but they repaired it foc.

We have a teasmaid too which I love even more :j

Thermals - kids have had the ASDA and the M&S ones for years. Mine wear them to death and I'd say the M&S ones keep their shape and last a bit longer but with kids growing it may not be an issue unless you want to pass them down. I saw Matalan had some in yesterday too.

Frost on the top of DHs car for the first time this morning.

Nearly there with the brasswear, more to clean and french door ones to source.

The hottie will be out for the first time tonight I think.

darkrev

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

For anyone that's got experience of these, I'd appreciate your thoughts on these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/L-E-D-SAD-LIGHT-SUNRISE-ALARM-CLOCK-CRAZY-SALE-SAVE-S-/270823148445?pt=UK_Clocks&hash=item3f0e514b9d

http://www.amazon.co.uk/iBoutique-Premium-Natural-Sunrise-Simulator/dp/B004D85P1E/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1319009394&sr=8-5

http://www.paramountzone.com/alarmclock-pz.htm

Thanks:)

I have a lumi clock, the key with all of them is to make sure they get bright enough its something like 1000 watts candle power or something like that on the brightness chart or they are not effective. It's to do with hormone production. so worth doing further research on any clock you buy as it is not njust about it slowly getting brighter. I suffer bad migraines and find my clock great, yes i dont like waking to a bright light in the morning but i do find myself more alert and feel better when I wake especially with shift work, I really helps me. hope you find a good one

Swinstie73

Hi all,

Have been lurking on this thread for ages (and have only got to page 150 on the last thread, could be reading for a long while yet), anyway have seen some thermal lined curtains on ebay which look really nice and are only £8 including delivery. Now, I currently have long unlined curtains at the windows which I was hoping to use as door curtains - the thermal ones will be too heavy but just wondering if I'd be better ordering shorter curtains for the main windows as the radiators are underneath?

Problem is I like the 'look' of long curtains, think they look cosier but I'm aware I probably shouldn't cover the radiators up - can't turn radiators off as the valves don't work - new house, just finding these problems.

One wee tip whilst I'm here, my sister in Canada told me to keep a candle in the car, a yankee one in glass would be good, and if stuck in the car for any length of time, to light it for five mins to generate some heat. Obviously keeping it safe, don't want that much heat!

Lastly, getting married in 3 weeks, honeymoon in 4 weeks, is there anything I should do to keep the house safe whilst we're away? OH's mum and dad live nearby but are elderly and wouldn't want them having to come to our house if weather is bad, my family live miles away and we only know one neighbour but not that well.

Great tips everyone, just need to put them into action now - once OH stops laughing at me.

springdreams

Swinstie73 wrote: »

Hi all,

Have been lurking on this thread for ages (and have only got to page 150 on the last thread, could be reading for a long while yet), anyway have seen some thermal lined curtains on ebay which look really nice and are only £8 including delivery. Now, I currently have long unlined curtains at the windows which I was hoping to use as door curtains - the thermal ones will be too heavy but just wondering if I'd be better ordering shorter curtains for the main windows as the radiators are underneath?

Problem is I like the 'look' of long curtains, think they look cosier but I'm aware I probably shouldn't cover the radiators up - can't turn radiators off as the valves don't work - new house, just finding these problems.

One wee tip whilst I'm here, my sister in Canada told me to keep a candle in the car, a yankee one in glass would be good, and if stuck in the car for any length of time, to light it for five mins to generate some heat. Obviously keeping it safe, don't want that much heat!

Lastly, getting married in 3 weeks, honeymoon in 4 weeks, is there anything I should do to keep the house safe whilst we're away? OH's mum and dad live nearby but are elderly and wouldn't want them having to come to our house if weather is bad, my family live miles away and we only know one neighbour but not that well.

Great tips everyone, just need to put them into action now - once OH stops laughing at me.

Congrats on your upcoming marriage.

A few have suggested tucking the long curtains behind the rads.

You could dot a few lamps around the house on timers for when you are away. May be worth asking at the post office if they would keep your mail and you can collect it on your return.

Katkin_2

I have to tell you that yesterday in the sunny Midlands, it snowed! I was sitting in my car waiting for my winter tyres to be put on. The sun was shining, a big black cloud appeared overhead and it snowed :eek: It was that very fine snow and lasted only for a minute or two, but it was definately s n o w. Didnt leave any water on the windscreen so wasnt rain. Winter tyres dont seem to be such an extravegance now.

Think I'm going to be glad of all that winter prep.

Hope everyone keeps warm over the next few days - I'm off to warm 28 degree Spain tomorrow for a week :j
K x

Fruball

I have a new trick :j:j:j

Fridge magnets don't work on my doors so I have been wracking my brain to think of another effective way to stop drafts coming in through the keyhole when the key is in it.... Hair scrunchie! I have put a scrunchie around the handle end of the key and it sits nice and close to the lock blocking the drafts :T

Wouldn't work with all keys or all locks but might help someone

rising_from_the_ashes

Frugal wrote: »

For waking up - any of those would be effective so you could go for the pretty one you like

:j:j I may just have to give in to the pretty one then!

Swinstie73 wrote: »

Problem is I like the 'look' of long curtains, think they look cosier but I'm aware I probably shouldn't cover the radiators up - can't turn radiators off as the valves don't work - new house, just finding these problems.

One wee tip whilst I'm here, my sister in Canada told me to keep a candle in the car, a yankee one in glass would be good, and if stuck in the car for any length of time, to light it for five mins to generate some heat. Obviously keeping it safe, don't want that much heat!

Lastly, getting married in 3 weeks, honeymoon in 4 weeks, is there anything I should do to keep the house safe whilst we're away? OH's mum and dad live nearby but are elderly and wouldn't want them having to come to our house if weather is bad, my family live miles away and we only know one neighbour but not that well.

I also like long curtains and have radiators under my windows. My bedroom ones go about 3/4 down the radiators but I just fold them & tuck them in behind to stop the heat escaping.

Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials:D wishing you a lovely day and many happy years together.

I've got a floor standing lamp in the hall which I put on a timer (all the time in the winter as the dog hates being "home alone" in the in the dark:huh: so it comes on mid-afternoon). If I'm away, I also put one on my bedroom lamp.

I've got these ones http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9822911.htm and they are brilliant you can buy single ones cheaper though if you only need one. HTH

Katkin wrote: »

I have to tell you that yesterday in the sunny Midlands, it snowed! I was sitting in my car waiting for my winter tyres to be put on. The sun was shining, a big black cloud appeared overhead and it snowed :eek: It was that very fine snow and lasted only for a minute or two, but it was definately s n o w. Didnt leave any water on the windscreen so wasnt rain. Winter tyres dont seem to be such an extravegance now.

Think I'm going to be glad of all that winter prep.

Hope everyone keeps warm over the next few days - I'm off to warm 28 degree Spain tomorrow for a week :j
K x

ohhhhh myyyyyy, we had sleet which was bad enough! Enjoy your hols!!!!!