Preparing for winter IV

graspandsave

ragz wrote: »

Our living room curtains (on the patio doors) are a really silly length, so I can't buy ready made linings. I have read on here about people lining with fleece material, is that safe? If so, how simple is it? Could I just use safety pins to fix it on? When I sew it tends to go wrong (one curtain is now 2 inches too short, the other is still about 3 inches too long!).

You might want to try blackout lining which are have excellent thermal qualities. Blackout lining can be cut with scissors and doesn't need sewing and wont fray. These are available as detachable linings which are fixed on their own hooks , and so no sewing required at the top of the curtain to the tape either!
Might look better than something safety pinned on

babyblooz

I got some lovely little child size hot water bottles for a pound each. When the grand kids came for a sleep over last winter I gave them one each but they didn't like them without a cover and when I wrapped them in a tea towel they wouldn't stay wrapped up. Its impossible around here to buy just the covers so I decided I could probably make some out of something.

Looking at my bag of wool bits I decided I could try crocheting a simple drawstring bag to pop them in and after a little trial and error I managed to make one and it looks fab and cosy, so I am now on with making number two. On a cold night like tonight it is also the perfect excuse to sit by the fire and watch the telly at the same time.

pollys

DH took some wallpaper back to b&q today and picked up a bag of rock salt. We have a very steep drive and even the slightest fall of snow or hint of ice makes the driveway dangerous.

One more job done.

Pollys

toozie_2

Hello
Just though this was a good place to ask, sorry for buldozering in or snow ploughing in!!!

Does everyone think we may get the worst winter in 100 years as I've seen on some headlines?

Had a look at Piers Corbyn's site last night, but found it hard to understand!

I have done a few bits here, like lined door curtains from charity shop, taken everything in from the garden that can move, torch, candles, home made ready meals in freezer, and most of my Xmas presents are bought.

Do you think it's going to be a normal winter with some temps below zero, and some snow.......or worse?

toozie:beer:

[Deleted User]

I have huge respect for joe bustardi (doh put an a in for u). The following was taken as a copy and paste from a posting on the public part of the weather action site

"Joe !!!!!!!i is going for a cold and blocked December "Europe-parties over as it turns colder, could deepen into a December to remember". A repeat of Dec 2010? Worse? "

I do not have any inside knowledge. No harm at all in preparation, even putting a bit in the freezer for christmas, just in case

[Deleted User]

oh crikey!!
http://iceagenow.info/2013/09/brutal-winter-europe/

worth reading down the posts. I have no idea of what is going to happen, except that nov is ok even warm. However I decided to double my internet order next week and have added a few nice things to put by just in case, for the christmas hols. I have an order scheduled for 23rd dec but it may never happen, as was the case in 2010 when we ate out of the freezer at christmas. Cut off here for 6 weeks, no 4x4 with winter tyres and steep hills up from the village. We have lots of hobby stuff in too as the worst thing was boredom after the second week. We weren`t going anywhere unsafe at 65+ and the lane was like shot ice after the snow plough had gone through. Just got to make sure that dh has all his vital meds in by december, if the piers corbyn forecast looks bad. Watch this space!!

toozie_2

I was lucky in 2010, as I'd done all the Xmas shopping/presents and bought dried goods, and could get fresh locally.

My friend- as single mum of 3 had a total nightmare, she'd done an on-line food shop for the 23rd. The delivery van couldn't get up the hill to her house and refused to deliver, T-sco said she could collect but the store was 20 miles away and she doesn't drive, and they debited her account with the order!!
Didn't refund until after Christmas-it was awful. On top of that because of her finances she's ordered oil for heating to come on 23rd-could afford it earlier, and the tanker couldn't get to her.
So they ate out of the freezer with an electric fire for warmth.

Thought I might get together a box for the car, with some cereal bars, and a blanket and some bottled water, I have to drive 20 miles along a B road to work, and 20 miles back. Luckily it has just had a service.

Thanks for the reminder-Kittie, I will make sure OH has plenty of her meds-we can walk to doctors & chemist, but just in case deliveries are disrupted.

Will buy my daughter some rock salt (she won't think of doing it) she will be 8 months pregnant at Christmas, and their house has an incredibly steep path to the door.

At least I have been quite frugal with the gas central heating so far, as it's been quite mild, so if I have to have it on during the day over Xmas period I won't mind so much.

Thank you x

bossymoo

Serendipity! Stopped at mr s on way home tonight and got 4 loaves of bread at 19p each. So decided it was time to switch the garage freezer back on, and got some other bargains to pop in too!

I'm lucky enough to be able to work from home if the snow is bad - power dependent of course! This week I shall wd40 the car door handles. A few winters ago one popped off in my hand as it was frozen solid, the door opened but the frozen catch snapped and the door wouldn't hold closed :eek: cue bungees of various designs to enable the drive to the garage for a rather costly repair

But the guy did give me tips on how to avoid frozen doors including wiping Vaseline round the rubber door jams and wd40 in the hinges etc...

pollys

Dh put a new outside light up today. This one has two spotlights on it and works from dawn to dusk. It is very dark round the back of the house, the police suggested we get one when we had a security check, after the neighbours had a break-in. It lights up as soon as we open the gate, or we step out of the house.

Boys carpet will be fitted a week on Friday. Looking forward to that and putting their new bedding on. They want to wait so it is all new together.

Ds needs walking boots, we will possibly get those this weekend but we have quite a lot on at the moment.

Stay warm.

Pollys

greenbee

New boiler, hot water tank and 6 radiators installed and apparently working (there was a slight hiccup, caused by the frost stat being set at 20... which is higher than I usually set the heating!).

Living room is cleaned and the curtains up. I need to slowly clean the rest of the house and put up curtains/blinds where I can as I go. They won't match the decor, as that's not going to be done for a while. Hopefully sometime next year, but they will at least help to keep the heat in. New windows are due in the spring sometime.