Preparing for winter III

lizzyb1812

savingqueen - I have a William Warm Bear. Like a microwaveable wheat bag but inside a soft teddy that smells of lavender. And as I live on my own no-one thinks I'm odd - well except for everyone on here now :rotfl:

*miaomiao*

I thought I'd pass on a recent discovery. We have vents installed into the frames of our double glazing which leak air terribly. Because we prefer to regularly one the windows a small way to allow fresh air in when we want it, yesterday I sealed up the window vents by stuffing them with a folded paper towel and then covering the vent with sellotape. No only are there no more drafts to make the curtains move (!!!), it's also loads quieter. Wish I'd thought of this last year! Easily removable too.

*miaomiao*

Bella2012 wrote: »

Thanks for all the help so far - I live in the north in an old house with big windows. Any advice on insulating them - we have curtains but not thick ones (cost comes into play).

It may be worth checking out the sealant around the glass (the bit between the glass and the wooden frame). In the past I put a waterproof sealant in a thin bead around the whole of the glass meets wood frame, which helped quite a lot with drafts. I did this using an inexpensive sealant gun.

A friend recently tried another trick with some putty that came in a strip to temporarily plug the gap needed for the window to slide up and down on sash windows that won't be opened for the winter. I imagine he got it at a standard diy shop.

HTH

Red_Doe

That's a good idea miaomiao, and one I might try, we have the same problem. Even with the windows tight shut you can hear the wind whistling in the air vents!

pinkmami

Purple_kitten wrote: »

I've seen the fluffy socks in pound strecher if you have one local to you.

I have these & they're not very good at staying up. OK is you have them under a tighter pair & they are warm but hopeless on their own!

*miaomiao*

singlestep wrote: »

NualaBuala, I tend to find it more difficult getting out of bed at this time of year and feel a lot more tired the less daylight I see during the week. However, I must arrive at work by 8:30 and so must be ready to leave before 7AM.

I feel your pain. I bought a sunrise lamp/alarm clock which seems to help quite a lot (it creates an artificial sunrise about 30min before my alarm tells me to get up), but an MSE way if you don't want to buy a new lamp could be to add a light timer to a lamp with low watt bulb in your bedroom and set it 15-30min before to help you adjust to light.

HTH

Fruball

*miaomiao* wrote: »

I feel your pain. I bought a sunrise lamp/alarm clock which seems to help quite a lot (it creates an artificial sunrise about 30min before my alarm tells me to get up), but an MSE way if you don't want to buy a new lamp could be to add a light timer to a lamp with low watt bulb in your bedroom and set it 15-30min before to help you adjust to light.

HTH

Another SAD sufferer here and I have one of those 'sunrise' clocks - it really does seem to help me to get up in the mornings. I have had mine for a long time and it was about £99 :eek: but I am sure you can get cheaper ones now. Still worth every penny though.

Its 10c here today and I have chilly feet and earache Off to find my winter headband thingy and warm socks!

Jobs for today...

Bleed radiators. Done!
Double glaze back door with windor film.
Bubble wrap the bottom half of door then window film that too.
Clean out the fire ready for tonight

Fruball

LondonDreamer wrote: »

I use a proper tart burner as they're generally larger than oil burners but I picked it up cheap from eBay. But either way, you don't need to line the top. When you want to change tarts, just stick the top in the freezer for a few minutes. The wax will then pop out easily. I then tuck them into my chest of drawers until I next use that one. Free drawer scenters. :money:

Brilliant idea. Thanks for that :T

They do smell good don't they - I treated myself to a candle too - Pink Lady Slipper one and its burning now and making the room smell lovely.

NualaBuala

littlecal wrote: »

NualaBuala,my getting up time is still 5am but I find that I'm getting tired earlier,but that may be to do with my SAD,whatever it is,it's almost like my body saying "ok,it's dark - time for bed!!!!"

I try to get out every lunchtime whatever the weather,and this helps a little.

singlestep wrote: »

NualaBuala, I tend to find it more difficult getting out of bed at this time of year and feel a lot more tired the less daylight I see during the week. However, I must arrive at work by 8:30 and so must be ready to leave before 7AM. When I can, I will have an earlier night but it isn't always possible. I tend not to bother with lights unless I'm reading or working but I've always done that. I'd love to be able to go out at lunchtime but my break lasts 45 minutes, there's usually a queue for the microwave/kettle and I usually spend ten minutes at the start and at the end tidying/setting up for the afternoon. That's when I'm not on supervision duty, running a club or offering supported study. There's only one small window in the room I work in, so I've had to get used to darkness!

Thanks for the feedback folks. Littlecal, I think my body too is tellng me it's time for bed! Singlestep, that sounds tough! You reminded me how when I was working/studying I hardly saw daylight from November till February. I wonder if I have a touch of SAD, have definitely been more tired and listless lately (and that's on top of "normal" M.E. fatigue).

Frugal and Miaomiao, those sunrise alarms sound great but a bit dear for me to consider at the moment. But maybe they are a worthwhile expense, must think about it!

Lucy5781

Only in North London but OH had to have his slippers out at the weekend and last night we had to close the windows up properly, pull the curtains in the lounge (we don't normally bother as they have voils too) and close the doors between rooms to take the chill off the flat....

Fingers crossed we'll be ok going to the Suffolk coast on the 28th for Lil bro's wedding!