Preparedness for when

moneyistooshorttomention

Think this is getting us going now. I've hunted out a jar and a recipe for making sourdough starter from 100% wholemeal flour.:). I've only been meaning to do it for...errrm...how long...

[Deleted User]

OK it's our turn for the next storm down here in the south and Imogen is on her way. Today I've changed all the stored water in the containers, charged fully my phone and kindle, know just where to lay hands on the solar lamps, the camping gas stove, I've made soup and welsh cakes, located the wind up radio and got a good stock of logs in for the stove. We've flagged up that we might not walk Cookie in the morning (depends on the wind) and I've checked stocks of things like mug shots and tinned foods. I hope we don't need to use any of them but I think we're prepared in case we lose power for a while. We've battened down all possible outside hazards and He Who Knows has put in some extra support on a couple of fence panels that are wiggling about a bit when we get high winds. Hope you all stay safe in the latest storm to blow our way, might be worth just knowing where your stocks are just in case?

elaine241

Well we have a yellow warning for rain today, yup they were right! Just looked at our forecast and they have updated the warning for tonight and tomorrow to an amber one for wind and rain :-(.
It says expect disruption to travel, possible power cuts etc! I have plenty of candles, logs for woodburner so no excuse to be smelly!( hot water), and the cooker runs on propane tanks so no problem with cooking. If it is as horrendous as they predict I may just hide from the world and not go out. I have every thing I need and no need to be brave and venture out. Livestock will need feeding and checking but I have the right clothes for that as they say!
Batten down the hatches everyone who lives in the South and West and stay safe! xx

[Deleted User]

I`ll read the posts in a mo, got back from wales, horrible on the motorway, wind and rain building up, went up to change into something comfy, went to shut the curtains and there it was. One dark sodden carpet patch just by the window. The window is very tall and goes down to the floor sitting in a cedar surround, which is the cill at floor level, carpet butts up to that. Sisal carpet :eek: which cannot get wet. Flipping heck, like a headless chicken for a few minutes. Ok calm down

went to next bedroom and there was another one, I couldn`t see properly with these low energy lights. Got my uber head torch and no choice, I had to peel the carpet back and yes it is stuck down but it isn`t now. So yes damp underneath, no sign of any leak from the nearby radiators. Had to be sure so got loo roll and stuffed it all along the cavity under the cill. Draught from there so likely not sealed properly, doubt the builder would care. Loo roll got damp in patches, sources found

Panic thought of me handling one of those sealant guns to eject silicone, was ok when I did a bath but still got covered in that stuff and anyway can`t get a finger into that narrow channel, to make sure it is spread properly. Thinks "rope" something like a thin rope to stuff in there with a kitchen knife, something that would not make a mess. Found it, just the thing, caulking rope which is like playdo and is removable but which will adhere enough. Went back up and put two heaters on full, couldn`t find the two remotes, not anywhere :mad: another 20 minutes wasted. They are off now, rooms are hot. Went to check those damp patches a few minutes ago, where the hack did I put my head torch? Can`t find it, not anywhere. :mad: I am going to have to put lavender on my pillow tonight. Caulking rope will come from america, they don`t sell it in the uk. In the meantime using that kitchen knife, I stuffed cling film in the long gaps. It might work well enough for now

So that is what rain does when it blows so hard. No matter how well prepared I am, when something happens it is so difficult to remain cool and calm. I hate water ingress

[Deleted User]

GreyQueen wrote: »

MTSTM,

You could watch the cogs go round in their heads; unattached female with own home = me living rent-free,

Never more so that a widow who can cook, has a pension, own home and a car. I already had one lonely man at the door, saying how lonely he was :rotfl: yes and this woman wasn`t born yesterday. Age and looks don`t matter when it comes to money grabbing potential

[Deleted User]

VJsmum wrote: »

hough - I have a fairly big magimix.

Those who make almond milk, which I am just getting into, is thee any use for the leftover pulp? Apart from sweeties.

I put some into cakes and bread but maybe in a quiche?

elona

DDs came round to help me clear the garage and we also packed the contents of a huge wall to wall set of bookcases.

Middle dd stayed over for a meal tonight and I sent her off with a couple of home frozen meals and a solar lamp in case of power problems.

Kittie

That sounds awful for you especially in the conditions. Fingers crossed your solution will work.

thriftwizard

Hatches battened down firmly here; torches, matches & candles all to hand, logs brought in, bread freshly made etc. etc. The power is dipping quite frequently so I'll be turning this thing off altogether shortly. The wind's already pretty noisy, but we're quite sheltered here; the idea of more rain is a bit more worrying as DD1 & I had to cut our afternoon walk short as the riverbank path was already 6" underwater although it hasn't actually been that wet lately. I think the ground just can't soak up any more.

greenbee

kittie - re. the leaking windows. You should probably get someone out to look at them as just sealing the gap on the inside means water is still getting in from the outside and may rot the frame. In the meantime, if you have got a sealant gun, it may work as a temporary fix (even better if you can do outside - that's the place you need to stop the water getting in) while you wait for someone to deal with it.

I skipped swimming to night as it was getting windy and I'd have been out 7.30-9.15. I went out to move my car (I usually park it with it's nose to the garage door - I've turned it side on so it is right up against the side of the garage and hopefully less exposed) and that was enough.

If we have power cuts, I have torches, masses of candles, tea lights and lanterns and the fire, but will have to use the smoker for cooking (can be used without smoke dust) as I gave my brother his camping stove back and haven't replaced it as the house and garage are too chaotic with the constant moving of stuff for the building work. Or just walk round to see a neighbour with an aga...

I have a dentist appointment tomorrow to get the crown put on my implant, but am seriously considering rescheduling (will call them first thing and find out how much they'll charge me for the short notice) as the winds will be very high 10-1 when I would be out. Don't think I'll be running either...

Frugalsod

I think I discovered where my prepping habits come from. My grandmother went on a world cruise may years ago and knowing how expensive medication would be on the cruise she took plenty along with her. She was caught by the crew when queues of people getting free painkillers etc were queuing outside her door. She was told by the captain in no uncertain terms that she was depriving the ships doctor of his revenues and wages and would be dumped un-ceremonially at the next port if she continued. The next port was Fiji where a family friend was head of the United Nations for the whole of the Pacific. There was a planned royal visit with the Queen and Prince Philip due a few days later and the local UN head asked my grandparents to stand in for the Royal couple. So my grand parents did the inspection of the army, with their duty frees, and had dinner at the Government House so everyone knew what they had to do. The ships crew and passengers looked on in amazement, wondering who these people were to be selected. On return to the ship they had been upgraded to the Royal Suite.