Preparing for winter III

Confuzzled

chirpychick wrote: »

His welly socks and keyring torch are birthday presents (2nd oct) so they wont go in yet.

He point blank refuses to use a scarf or hat (even in really bad snow).

Have I missed anything?
I do normally do these things but I think this year I am feeling very vulnerable and protective of hubby and just need to make myself feel better by being organised in doing these things.

i would suggest slipping in a hat and scarf in both the car bag and the rucksack, he may change his mind about those things if he's stranded and could well wind up in a dire situation if he didn't use them

particularly though i'd recommend getting some space blankets for both the car kit and his rucksack, they weigh almost nothing and are very warm, set of 5 space blankets for cheap

maybe some of those stick on heat pads you can get for your back/knee etc, if it were really really cold putting on on your chests under your clothes (or attached to your shirt if it's that type) would help keep your core warm which is imperative for resisting hypothermia should you get stranded.

perhaps a well washed empty plastic milk jug would be good for the car for emergency wee's when stranded (at least for him!) don't forget some tissues you might well need them if you're in the cold for a long spell. also useful if you have to wee outside the car if you get stranded

Topher

Smookle wrote: »

I do have a question, does anyone have any recommendations for insulating cat flaps?

I honestly read this as insulating flat caps.... must be cos I'm Northern!

bossymoo

Topher wrote: »

I honestly read this as insulating flat caps.... must be cos I'm Northern!

:rotfl:
Hee hee

I have foiled the back of the radiators that needed doing, and I have fleece up at DS window. DDs is a bit big, so will need two fleeces, and I think I'll have to pin them to the curtains, so will do this tomorrow. She already has a blackout blind too.

We've had our slow cooker on all day, a lovely warming chicken and chorizo stew. They both ate a good plateful. Plus, the kitchen has felt a touch warmer today...

I'm going to put my new thermal bedroom curtains up. They are eyelets so I will probably leave the existing ones on too... Think I'll do that tonight...

41_and_i_know_it

Smookle wrote: »

Hi everyone! I had a couple of peeks at this thread last winter, but never found the time to actually buckle down to getting ready. Consequently it was not a very warm one! So, this year, I'm making a big effort to start early, and have started my winter prep list! (It's actually quite long, and slightly daunting!) :eek:

I do have a question, does anyone have any recommendations for insulating cat flaps? Ours is at the end of our hallway in the backdoor and it can be quite drafty when the wind blows. Doesn't help that our living room is open plan with the hallway...any suggestions?

Foam insert which can move when cat goes through, curtain over the door, bubble wrap already mentioned, or just ask cat to leave his coat in the gap when he comes in hee hee

Confuzzled

nikki2804 wrote: »

Did not enjoy finding a gigantic hairy spider on the back of my 3 year olds wardrobe. It was already squished but still, boak!!

i've noticed spiders making themselves at home in MY home for the last month or so, you know it's getting cold when mr spidey comes to stay :rotfl:

we have one in the living room we call bob, he's very big so you can't miss him! i don't mind them much as long as they stay out of the bedrooms and stay on the walls or ceilings. last week i found a banana that had fallen down the side of the dehydrator, needless to say i had fruit flies because of it (that's why i started digging around, trying to find the cause!) and i dare say bob was very handy in helping me get rid of some of those flies, i noticed a few in his web so i really can't complain too loudly... as long as i never see him in my room! i have to draw the line somewhere

Popperwell

Some good stuff on that site Confuzzled and not badly priced, may have to consider ordering a few items(The tent, water purification tablets, whistles, blankets and radio would be a start...):)

Some items are cheaper if ordered together...I saw some paracord too:p

41_and_i_know_it

Confuzzled wrote: »

i've noticed spiders making themselves at home in MY home for the last month or so, you know it's getting cold when mr spidey comes to stay :rotfl:

we have one in the living room we call bob, he's very big so you can't miss him! i don't mind them much as long as they stay out of the bedrooms and stay on the walls or ceilings. last week i found a banana that had fallen down the side of the dehydrator, needless to say i had fruit flies because of it (that's why i started digging around, trying to find the cause!) and i dare say bob was very handy in helping me get rid of some of those flies, i noticed a few in his web so i really can't complain too loudly... as long as i never see him in my room! i have to draw the line somewhere

Our big boy when he makes an appearance is called Little Will. He gets rid of flies, I love him but not enough to share a bedroom.

darkrev

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

:j Well .... they will be a few inches short (how much will depend on how I can fix them - they have raggy ends IYKWIM - any suggestions:question: ) but should come down to about where the hem starts (so that's thicker at the floor anyway).

They're a dark purple (curtains are light beige) but tbh I don't really care as long as they help the heat (and at least they do match!).

I also found another hardly used fleece which I was also going to make cat beds with (I used to do these for a rescue) which has washed up fantastically well so will be finding a use for that too!:)

re : the raggy ends, have you thought of either iron on hemming tape or copydex glue to glue a seam and stop it freying. the glue stinks but its what proffessionals like my dad use. use a tea towl in between the iron and the cloth and make a hem. good luck

darkrev

well i have embarked on my winter project, i cut the first pieces of a dress pattern today with nervous hands, i have no clue what i'm doing and i have a pile of tissue paper pieces with instructions and a stack of bits to try turn into something wearable, i hope it doesnt go to astray as i hate to waste good material.

Popperwell

darkrev wrote: »

re : the raggy ends, have you thought of either iron on hemming tape or copydex glue to glue a seam and stop it freying. the glue stinks but its what proffessionals like my dad use. use a tea towl in between the iron and the cloth and make a hem. good luck

I don't iron:)My Dad was great at ironing and did not seem to mind doing it but I have a lovely new iron unused(originally the idea was to shorten trousers as much as anything)being short, using that Wunderweb stuff but I purchased 7 pairs of trousers to last me hopefully years but had them atered profesionally and that has cost too much so I probably won't do that again. I'm not great at sewing but can do it well enough for clothes I wear indoors.

But your suggestion of using a tea towel between the iron and curtains(clothes in my case is great!)So thank you...

I don't think it's worth investing in a sewing machine even one of those tiny jobs that are sometimes sold for under £50. Most of my clothes are years old and will last me the rest of the time I have remaining.

For patching clothes up what's the best material to use and should I wonder web the patch on or attempt sewing it up/pulling the hole together if it is stretchy material? Thanks!