Preparing for winter III

Fruball

Nicepeach wrote: »

Thanks suki, that's really helpful I have read customer reviews but like to get recommendations from here as never fails.

Not quite sure which ones you went for though - the Y*aks or the Q*V*C ones?

tumptyteapot - I agree, the Crocs mite have to mysteriously disappear??? Or put just a little too close to oven or hot radiator & come a cropper??? You could treat her to some new ones like mine with a removable furry/fleecy insole for Crimbo with a safer tread if she's adamant she won't ditch them? Not sure how much they are though my DS bought me these about 5 years ago when he went to America. I take the fleece out in summer but I have to agree with tugrin, they can be lethal. Mine are really worn now but I NEVER go outside in ice/snow in them & they live next to the back door, always put something sensible on. Saw too many nasty injuries over the years when I worked in healthcare environment & sometimes the shock is harder to get over than the physical injuries.

I don't need an excuse to fall over though, I think I'm the only person I know who falls UP the stairs, usually rushing around with a basket of laundry on hip...

Are you serious?!!! A kitchen full of croc fumes and fire risk :eek:

From somebody who nearly had a serious house fire due to plastic being left on a hob when we went out (twin toddlers turned hob on when I wasn't looking :eek:) I would definately not recommend that course of action!!! :rotfl: (wasn't funny at the time, mind, esp when the fire engine turned up, house full of acrid smoke and had to rescue the dog who then pee'd all the way thru the house, and all over the fireman, as he carried him out and then all the neighbours helping to remove everything fabric from the house, wash and return it :o )

Needless to say, cooker is always turned off at the wall as soon as I have finished cooking. Lesson learned!

Emmala

May I ask someone to explain the Nectar references to me in a nutshell please???? I'm trying to follow the thread backwards to find out, but I'm tired and my brain won't work!!

I have a Nectar card which we use when we shop in Sains and Homebase......can I use it in other shops as well then? or only if I buy on line from them? and if so, do I need to do something extra with my card????

Sorry to be so dull, it's just been one of those days, in one of those weeks!!!!

Nicepeach

No Frugal wasn't serious! I meant that could be the OFFICIAL reason for the mysterious disappearance but reading post back does sound like I'm advocating melting Crocs!!! :eek: Sorry was rushing post.

On reflection best just be honest & raise concerns & see if that works...

sarahl1_2

Rachel_G wrote: »

May I ask someone to explain the Nectar references to me in a nutshell please???? I'm trying to follow the thread backwards to find out, but I'm tired and my brain won't work!!

I have a Nectar card which we use when we shop in Sains and Homebase......can I use it in other shops as well then? or only if I buy on line from them? and if so, do I need to do something extra with my card????

Sorry to be so dull, it's just been one of those days, in one of those weeks!!!!

Hiya,

Yep here goes: go to the N*ctar site. I think you have to register with it so it has your card details (I think it then remembers you).
If you go to the tab saying 'Collect (points)' you can link to loads of online stores - by doing so, any purchases you make will accrue points. Loads of shops - A*azon being the big one. Worth checking anytime you're shopping online to see if the store you want to use is on there.

Watch the points rack up!

Hope that helps!

tugrin

Everyone has gone off into hiding again! And where has the financial education petition gone????
Its grey and dreary here again but not cold -about 3 degrees and we dont have any wind at the mo. I have had to put the big rug in the washing machine due to flipping incontinent old dog and have no idea how long that will take to dry as its very damp feeling outside.
I see there is a 'dog potty' in the House of Bath cactalogue also they have the boots with the fold up ice gripper for £24.99. They also have a selection of flannel sheets - so probs worth a look if you are still searching.

sashanut

sashanut wrote: »

Hi all:j

Hope this is not too daft a question - I have been doing some winter prep thanks to this impressive thread, still a way to go as yet, but getting there slowly. We have very large Victorian stained glass windows that are not DG, They are bay windows & have 5 large panes + 5 smaller stained glass ones at the top. I bought several packs of the plastic shrink insulation from B+Q and DH & I first of all did one large lower pane. At this point I have to say that DIY + DH is a recipe for disaster & normally the two are kept well apart, but if I don't get him to help me then I end up doing everything:eek:

The first time we ended up just doing one pane, due to the foul language (his) + general bad temper (both). In fairness I have to say our windows are far from smooth & easy:rotfl:

Anyhow, it was quite cold the next morning - we still don't have the CH on - & came down to find that the DG window was clear whilst all the others were running with condensation. Since then we have managed to do another couple of windows in the same bay. Finally, the question is - do we now need to get a dehumdifier??? In other words, where is all that water going if we dont? And can anyone recommend one if so? We have an open fire in that room, which is the only source of heat in there till I put the CH on. TIA if you can help:T

PS - we do have a lot of windows to do:eek::eek::eek:

TIA if you can help

Sorry to quote my own post but does anyone know the answer to this one please, or should I be posting on another thread? Would like to get this sorted before the really cold weather sets in if poss

It's still very mild here for the time of year, still no heating on but it's been grey for the best part of a week now - I really need some brightness to take some photos for eBay!!

DH has not been really on board, been sniggering & complaining about all the stockpiling going on. But yesterday the Cott*n Traders boots arrived - tks to OP for that - & he was seriously impressed:T I got us both a pair. He managed to fall over & hurt his leg twice last winter, in the garden - a combo of thick ice & very large boisterous (sp?) puppy. Also a factor was his shoes having glass-like soles:eek:
He must be getting on board though as last night when he came to bed, he said he'd been sourcing coal + wood locally on the internet, wonders will never cease. He's also impressed with his fleece lined trousers from Crag*oppers, he put on another pair of trousers yesterday to go to the PO & really noticed the difference:eek: I on the other hand kept mine on when going to the supermarket & was sweltering:rotfl:

Also the free pipe insulation arrived from YW yesterday, very nice but need about 20x the amount..

Gah I have gone on a bit - sorry - I am light years behind everyone else's prep so still have a way to go!

[Deleted User]

re winter candles. I just moved stuff on a dresser in the hall and noticed a large white patch on a much loved hand made woven wool runner from peru. I haven`t had a candle there for ages but white wizzard wouldn`t touch the stain and then I realised that it was stiff so nothing ventured, I got lots of brown paper and a hot iron and carefully touched the paper and saw grease come up. I worked a good hour on it with paper below and above and all laid on a soft towel. Masses came out and now I have a good as new runner and I am very grateful. I only ever used candles in medium to large jars and all were yankee. One at a time and they stood on a foil covered plate so I don`t know how wax got there, unless it was me blowing them out day after day. I did use beeswax a few times and that is so runnny too. Anyway, be careful

prepareathome

sashanut wrote: »

Sorry to quote my own post !

A coal fire gives off water vapour as part of the combustion process ( I think am remembering that correctly, its a long time since I did chemistry - someone will soon say if I am wrong I am sure) where as central heating dries the air.

So I would say you would need a humidifier while just using the open fire, unless you can keep windows open, as the water vapour has to go somewhere, even if now the windows you have DG are now staying dry - check window ledges, corners of rooms, outside walls and see if they are wet or damp - all over house as the water vapour can ride on the warm currents of air, that is why usually you find upstairs damp and downstairs dry when you have a coal fire.

Whenever the water vapour hits a cold surface it turns to water again. Fresh air coming into house blows the vapour and if you can have a cross draught then the vapour is blown out. A gas fire produces water vapour as well.

For anyone who just has CH but gets moisture on the window, remember people breath out moisture - as do animals, so even though the CH dries the air, if you home is draught proof your breathing can be enough to cause damp, along with hot water being used - all that steam has to go somewhere.

Same if you dry clothes on an airer in your home, the moisture from the clothes has to go somewhere and if no windows open, the moisture will be in the air, and then hit walls making them damp running central heating will remove some of it. Damp air from outside can come into your home and be trapped, again causing condensation, hence me saying about a cross draught to help clear it.

Remember condensation can turn into damp if not addressed its one of the biggest problems in homes.

I know this is a very convoluted reply but don't want to put yes or no, as better you understand why you might need one.

Our home which is oldish had this hence the thing fitted in the roof ( if ever I can get hubby to bring me some ladders upstairs I will see if I can find out what it is exactly called or who makes it as cannot find the instructions or any paper work at moment - they are buried in the mountain in the study, and I do mean mountain, stuff dumped in there from all other rooms while work has been done these past 3 years and lots still there as cannot decide whether to keep and all paperwork buried among it.:o

Sorry this sounds so serious, I have my serious head on today a day when I have to make a mountain out of a molehill , cannot make anything simple arggggggg:(

tugrin

sashanut - I got a Bionaire deumidifier from e-bay - there are always some on there and I must say its brilliant specially when drying the washing at this time of the year.

toottifrootti

Thanks for the tips about nectar - i didnt know about the amazon link either - will get checking on that.

Suki I know what you mean about your Mum not being able to use the yaktrax - mine wouldnt either so I got her snow boots - but like Tugrin I saw in a catalogue boots with retractable spikes so maybe that might do for people with difficulty - Tumpty it might work for yours if she would like new boots?

Was at Ik*a yesterday and got a cosy rug for my sittingroom and for my bedside as well as other bits so I am getting there slowly!

Fingers crossed LL will appear yet today and do the curtain poles and blind.

toots x

Just remembered - I went out to the garage for something and that is where my old freezer is - the sides and door were covered in condensation - is that ok?