Preparing for winter III

I_want_a_baby

Hi all,

I have been reading this thread with interest and though it would be a good idea to list what I have done/to do.

Done -
Thick winter coats for DS & DD - sainsburys sale - coming from father christmas.
Hats, Scarves & Gloves for DS & DD - various sales - coming from father christmas.
Fleece jumper x 1 each for DS & DD - various sales - coming from father christmas.
Waterproof all in one for DS have already - DD can wear blue hand me down from DS.
Husband & I have suitable winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, & warm jumpers as well as both have sturdy winter boots.
Husband has ice grippers for walk across the road to work.
One golf size umbrella and one handbag size one.
Have enough hot water bottles & have a rice bag.
Thermal vest & leggings for me & lots of thick socks!
Bag of newspapers full for winter fires.
Have lots of candles.
Camping stove, Gas cylinders, 5l water bottle - under stairs in case of power cut.
Bought wind up radio already.
All of us have wellies - if DD happened to start walking she can wear DS's hand me downs.
Bought a sledge last year.
Bought a snow shovel last year.
Electric 'wood burner effect' heater not put in the attic so ready for use if needbe.
Slow cooker available.
Draught proofing done last year.
Have a draught excluder 'sausage' for bottom of living room door.
Metal skewers owned for toasting marshmallows.
Have lots of extra blankets for sofas/beds.
Don't need chimney swept this year as barely used fire last year.

To do -
Chop up logs from the pile and store in log store to keep dry.
Chop up kindling from the log pile and store in log store to keep dry.
Compile prices from emails sent out & order coal from the cheapest.
Check if we have matches and/or gas for refillable light.
Inventory of winter prep stuff under stairs & list on here to ensure do not double buy.
Check if we need to buy screen wash.
Find out ice scraper & windscreen de-icer/buy more if needed.
Ensure kids car blankets are kept in car for them.
List items needed for car emergency bag.
Listed items for winter prep (food) in mysupermarket list, remove when purchased.
Sellotape up draughty windows (rented house!) when weather gets bad.
Been through medical box and thrown all old out. Listed replacements needed and sourced the cheapest for each item - just need to buy when funds allow.

Think that's all for now, will add more if/when I think of it.
Am I missing anything obvious?

Stacey x

Wee_Pilsbury

unixgirluk wrote: »

I think I need to maybe look again at the heated rails, I'm definitely not getting a tumble dryer. But I am fed up of wet washing.

Unxigirl, with no drying area, I spent almost 3 years in my current flat trying to find ways of drying washing without getting an evil tumble drier - I tried a dehimidifier, Dry Buddy thing and I even resorted to switching on the heating on days when really, it wasn't needed. I finally gave in last month and bought a tumble drier and it's heaven! I spent more money trying other methods than it would have cost to buy and run a drier!

Admittedly, I'm on my own so may not have as much washing and drying as many others but it's worth it for the joy of not having wet washing draped everywhere :T

Other benefits are no condensation or dampness - I dread to think how that would have impacted on my flat over the years.

So, tumble driers - not for everyone but maybe worth consideration in some circumstances.

Uniscots97

Thanks Pilsbury as I have OH and SS here I know everything would get tumble dried for the sake of it and my bills would rocket. OH is finally realising money doesn't grow on trees but SS wastes loads and doesn't care I'm not working (its normally me that pays all the household bills). I'll be glad once he's gone as he might realise then how very cushy he has it here.

abwsco

unixgirluk wrote: »

Thanks Pilsbury as I have OH and SS here I know everything would get tumble dried for the sake of it and my bills would rocket. OH is finally realising money doesn't grow on trees but SS wastes loads and doesn't care I'm not working (its normally me that pays all the household bills). I'll be glad once he's gone as he might realise then how very cushy he has it here.

I've had a condensing TD for years and do think it's worth it compared to wet washing everywhere or having to put the heating on to try and get it dry. Sounds like your SS needs to be told about the costs of everything.

slm6002

I hate the idea of spending money on electric for a tumble dryer but like others have said i have too been struggling with washing, damp, mould etc, I am waiting for my 1st tumble dryer to be delivered and have told everyone that it will only go on when we are desperate.

Looking forward to not having all radiators with wet washing on and drying towels easily

On another note today i looked in my store cupboard at my winter food. Still have quite a bit left. Found a number of things i had totally forgotten about

Wee_Pilsbury

unixgirluk wrote: »

Thanks Pilsbury as I have OH and SS here I know everything would get tumble dried for the sake of it and my bills would rocket. OH is finally realising money doesn't grow on trees but SS wastes loads and doesn't care I'm not working (its normally me that pays all the household bills). I'll be glad once he's gone as he might realise then how very cushy he has it here.

Wee Pilsbury ponders where to buy a tumble drier with built-in combination padlock ....:think:

abwsco

Wee_Pilsbury wrote: »

Wee Pilsbury ponders where to buy a tumble drier with built-in combination padlock ....:think:

Bit extreme but taking the fuse out of the plug after each use could work...............

Wee_Pilsbury

abwsco wrote: »

Bit extreme but taking the fuse out of the plug after each use could work...............

Ha ha, a woman in work says she does this - her brood think the drier doesn't work but they don't seem to have cottoned on to how she gets everything dried

Uniscots97

Abwsco, Pilsbury, explaining wouldn't do any good..... a padlock nowthere's an idea

Wee_Pilsbury

unixgirluk wrote: »

Abwsco, Pilsbury, explaining wouldn't do any good..... a padlock nowthere's an idea

....and if you can't get a padlock for the drier, just get them for OH and SS! Sorted :rotfl:

There is no problem that cannot be solved on the OS thread