Preparing for winter III

Jinx

Hello everyone, I've been reading your inspiring thread and realised I am only half organised! I just wanted to let you know if its not already posted Lidl have the car windscreen insulated foil type of covers today for 2.99 to keep the snow off and some serious looking ice scrapers for 1.79 for 2.

Most of my prep relates to my car after last years driving in a lot of snow - very stressful I found. I have my bag packed, have my winter tyres on, snow shovel, de-icer and scraper etc all in car. I just need to add extra jacket etc and some munchies.

almond

MarilynMonroe wrote: »

I got one years ago from a charity shop but it was old fashioned looking so I stitched patchwork pieces straight over the top, looked fab and made such a difference in the winter, cos the flat i had back then had no heating and you really did freeze there.

i make my own curtains and always buy more fabric to make matching throws , it means you can use any covers that don't match .
to make one measure length of bed you will need two lengths of fabric and i use lining as well, cut one piece in half that will do for the sides, hope i am making sense. then just sew up and turn the right way, the ones i have on at moment in main room is egg blue and has a little yellow flower on so trimmed the edges with matching fabric (cos our bed is deep)
you won;t believe how warm it makes the bed and we use it in summer for when its warm
will try and post pics if i get camera sorted

MarilynMonroe_2

The temperature is dropping folks, it was in the 20's yesterday this, time now it's 18.

I'm going to wash the pink throw today I was going to get rid of and put it on my bed. I was cold last night in bed, I'm tempted to see what tog my quilts are.

budgetboo

Just sorted winter footwear.

I have a pair of wellies but like a pair of flat black shoes/ankle boots for day to day wear iykwim. Got a pair of leather, fur lined ankle boots with decent soles for £20 from herehttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladies-Leather-Northwest-Territory-Walking/dp/B00485NO88/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_1 Thought the link to anyone else on a budget who wants something sensible but is on a limited budget.

Also gonna get a pair of these fur lined wellie type boots for DS in case it snows/walking the dog etc http://www.decathlon.co.uk/weasy-boots-id_8189054.html. The weasy boots come in a wide varieties of colours and aren't too dear. They also do adult sizes. I try and save my money for his "proper school shoes", as you never know when another growth spurt will mean raiding the piggy bank. It's a 30 min, (or twice that if icy) walk to school so he can wear these and then change into his shoes on arrival if the weather gets horrid. The fabric moon boots he had last year lost their waterproofing properties in Jan so we reverted to wellies, but they get a bit chilly on long walks.

DS wets the bed so bitter experience has taught me layers of fleece blankets are best + a summer weight duvet (as it fits in a domestic washing machine). Fleece dries quickly. I keep an eye out all year round for cheap fleece fabric/blankets and have come to the concluson you can NEVER have too many as they are nice to snuggle under on the sofa too when it's bitter out, especially when you've just come in from the cold and wet. Visitors appreciate a soft fleece blanket and towel when they arrive on your doorstep looking like drowned rats. Keeps em warm at least till the kettle's boiled lol!

I'm going to make some lavender scented microwave wheat bags for Xmas pressies I think. I'm thinking of making a couple of longish ones suitable for wrapping round necks/knees for older people to ease winter aches. Does anyone who suffers arthritis think it'll help? As I don't have much cash I try and give "thoughtful" gifts instead. Some of the old folk round here are so kind to my autistic son throughout the year, I'd like to say thank you.

rising_from_the_ashes

Wow Marilyn - it's amazing how it can vary so much in the same country!

It was only 5 deg here yesterday at lunchtime but was up to 12 deg at 6am this morning (currently 13.7 deg).

Unfortunately, it's really damp - it's stopped raining but the patio's not drying so no good for getting the washing out!

VJW87

Just made some curtains out of old fabric I had to go over my front door but just wondering what's the easiest/cheapest way to hang them up without causing any damage to the door? Questioned just using really strong tape but if the curtains gather any moister I think they'll just fall down!

budgetboo

I'd add a simple rod to the ceiling/wall around the door and hang from there. otherwise you risk it looking uunsightly. Hang them with the door open so you know you'l be able to open close the door with a minimum of kerfuffle. Use a broom handle instead of a posh pole and just buy the fixings to keep costs down.

Tape will damage the paintwork.

splodger_seedswapper

hello winter preppers - sorry that i haven't been around much recently - but my pc conked out over a month ago and i have only just managed to get it fixed

had news about my possible heating upgrade - the HA are going to let me have gas central heating installed - to replace the archaic electric storage heaters (yay) but they can't do it until at least january - and as it could take up to 3 weeks work - it looks like i am going to be without any proper heating at the coldest time of year (unless january is uncharacteristically mild - wishful thinking i know)

to help me through that time - i have managed to get hold of a small portable oil filled radiator, an electric fire and an old but working portable gas fire - so i should be ok - assuming that i can afford the extra leccy and gas refills

nice to read that most of you are already well organised for winter - well done :T

shirleymarye

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Wow Marilyn - it's amazing how it can vary so much in the same country!

It was only 5 deg here yesterday at lunchtime but was up to 12 deg at 6am this morning (currently 13.7 deg).

Unfortunately, it's really damp - it's stopped raining but the patio's not drying so no good for getting the washing out!

In my little bit of Scotland it's 15 degrees at the moment and the sun is shining! Makes a change from the rain though!

shirleymarye

VJW87 wrote: »

Just made some curtains out of old fabric I had to go over my front door but just wondering what's the easiest/cheapest way to hang them up without causing any damage to the door? Questioned just using really strong tape but if the curtains gather any moister I think they'll just fall down!

I used a length of curtain wire at the top of the door so that the curtain moves with the door when opening and closing.