Preparedness for when

Butterfly_Brain

How about making some home made "ready meals" that she can freeze and can just pop into the microwave when she is hungry.

Nargleblast

mardatha wrote: »

What is chocolate?

An essential item in the home medicine cabinet. It contains theobromine, which has been shown to be more effective in soothing coughs than any cough medicine.:D

mardatha

Nargleblast I love yoo lol

boultdj

7_week_wonder wrote: »

Please can a long-time lurker pick your collective brains?

First - does anyone have recommendations for a good small light-weight torch that I could keep in my handbag? I've got torches and candles in places where I can find them at home, but nothing for if I was out and about

B&M or any of the £shop's do a small rachet charge one, not a bad light and you don't have to worry about the batteries running out or leaking.hth.

And second - my mum (in her 80's but completely independent and able when she is well) has been struck down with a stinking cold. Poor thing sounds awful, so we are heading down to visit her on Sunday, basically to cook her Sunday lunch and cheer her up a bit. I also want to take her some emergency bits and pieces to tide her over for similar occasions when she can't get out to the shops for a few days. She normally has a well stocked freezer and the neightbours are pretty good, but she hates bothering them. I'm thinking:
Tins of soup
Tins of tuna
UHT milk
Squash
Lemon juice (to make soothing drinks)
Honey (to add to soothing drinks)

What else would people suggest? My mind has gone blank!

Thanks everyone.

Oxo's, remember you can use 'em as a drink
Blackcurrent, it alway's seem's to be stronger flavour to me than lemon
Tissues/toilet paper for blowing her nose
Sliced loaf
Bean's/tomatoes/spaggetti in case she get's fed up with soup
Vitamin C tablet's
Coffee/tea/ Drinking chocolate
boiled sweet's/cough lozenger's

All I can think off at the mo, hth.

[Deleted User]

Cuppasoups
Ready to cook rolls/baguettes
oatcakes
some ready cooked rice sachets
some nice biscuits
some small choc bars i.e 2 finger kit kats etc.
tinned rice pudding
tinned fruit
tinned ready made custard
a jar of bovril

maryb

People on the OS doorstep thread are worrying about the storm that's due to hit the South this weekend which could well result in power cuts. I've mentioned this thread, so hope we get some new visitors.

ALIBOBSY

I was thinking today, you seem to keep hearing about studies where the richest people AREN'T the happiest and those that are most happy are the ones without the wodges of cash and living simpler lives.

Don't get me wrong being short enough money to keep warm or put food in your belly is pretty miserable all around, but I think once those basic things are covered that desire to "aquire stuff" and keep up with the jones etc is actually making people more stressed out and less happy.

I think a simpler life generally involves leaving work at work, ie Work to live not live to work, and focusing on enjoying simpler things that those leading a more hectic, money chasing, consumerist lifestyle will simply miss completely.

An example was for me this morning. After being ill for the last few weeks I haven't been out for a walk in a while-the wind/damp/cold doesn't do my asthma any favours when my chest is tight. I finally got out and walked little one to nursery. On the way back alone, up the little quiet lane I listened to birds singing and the wind sighing through the trees and it was lovely. I smiled at a lovely peaceful moment, happy with my little spot on this planet.

I wonder how many of the consumerist fans get moments like that, or would even appreciate them if they did.

Same sort of moments I get sat in the garden potting on seedlings in spring, or foraging with the kids.
Bet we are happier than most of the greedy lot in westminster with all their money/cars.big houses and "stuff".

Ali x

Wyre

Feel free to skip this post as it is a moan.

Now as I have previously mentioned we don't have a working boiler at present so our gas use is just for cooking dinner in the evening. We use roughly £70 a year on our prepayment meter. Today I just opened the letter from BG telling us about the price rise. We will spend £95 a year just on the standing charge without actually using any gas at all! Then let's not forget that the price per unit has gone up too. I am dreading the electricity one arriving as no doubt it will. And the government are saying 'keep your living room at 18-21 degrees' sure cos we can afford that! I am just so grateful that none of mine suffer from asthma or other illnesses.

[Deleted User]

Not a moan my friend, just a reflection on life in 2013 eh? would that it were gentler for us all, but as it's not, you're entitled to say what you feel about it!!! Love Lyn xxx.

Wyre

MrsLurcherwalker you always have cheerful word to say, thank you so much!

So assuming that we are getting more readers than normal due to the storm warning, what would you say is the most important things for someone not normally 'prepping' to have ready? For folks with limited funds (and let's face it who isn't these days?) and those that a bit more that they could quickly make purchases?

My first thoughts are torches and batteries. Wind up are good but any torch with a battery is better than trying to remember how many steps there are down the stairs for instance!