Preparing for winter IV

pollys

I'm decluttering and preparing for winter as I go along. Wellingtons are all checked - a pair for everyone.
We have just decluttered and cleaned the porch - this is where we keep our walking boots etc. I need to get something with edges to put our wet/snowy boots on, something that stops the water rolling off the edges.
Last year I just put an old plastic table cover down but we have carpet down now, I don't want to get it wet.
Just remembered a plastic tray in the garage, that'll do.
I do need to get some refills for the moisture trays, I spotted some in the range a couple of weeks I'll get some this week.

Happy prepping.

Pollys

BritishBibliophile

Was viewing this thread in my lunch break and realised there's quite a few chores I need to sort out before winter hits. I'm just finishing up my 2nd eBook, and traditionally I give myself a bit of a break after a bit project to help me clear my head so hopefully I'll get stuff done in August and September.

Hopefully this will remind me properly!

- Get a new duvet. The one I've had was my parent's old one from when they used to have a spare room, been mine for many years now and it's lived a long life. Starting to get very tatty and manky (dropped tea more times than I can count) so I'll get a new one, possibly with a higher tog to keep me warmer in winter.

- Get my coats dry-cleaned, I have 2 for winter as one is a bit smarter than the other. They really need a wash, had them for 3 years and they've got loads of life left in them. Rather dry-clean them than machine wash as I'd want to do them at 60 degrees (I've had nightmares about bringing bedbugs home) but I'd worry about damaging them.

- Sort out better storage. Only have a small room but a lot of stuff and I have a new website selling history designs on products so I need better storage for everything. Ikea currently have a nice little drawer set as part of their student range so I might be that and then it'll tuck away in a corner.

- Get a new washing basket as my current one is falling apart.

- Have a clear out, had one a few months ago but I've already run out of space. Need to trade in some books with Amazon, possibly trade a few DVDs with Cex, chuck out other stuff.

- Possibly buy some wellies. I'm in London so it's not like I get flooding, but my hiking boots aren't very waterproof and I got a bit bored with wet socks last year.

- Clear out my food shelves, find better ways to store the enormous amount of pasta I seem to have, and then start stocking up on soups and the like.

- Sort out gloves, scarves etc so they're all nice and ready for the chill, and buy some thicker socks as mine all developed massive holes last winter.

Hmm, a lot of this isn't very moneysaving, but on the other hand it's the first time in 3 years I've actually done any of it and most of the stuff should last me a good few years, just need to persuade myself to go for the initial outlay as it'll pay off in the long run.

Cheapskate

Hello folks :waves: now we're in August I can officially start thinking about winter preps!

Have been washing fleeces and blankets whilst it's been nice, today I've bought new waterproof trousers for littlies and next week I'll go through all the woollies to see what still fits.

Our house renovations are on hold until next spring, so I will be winter-proofing the house properly this time. We desperately need 2 good door curtains, draught excluders, new pjs for the littlies, and some hefty bubble wrap at certain windows.

I'm going to work my way through the freezer and pantry during the rest of the school hols, then replace during the early part of September with bought and home made items, along with whatever I can forage around here. Our medicine cabinet is in need of a revamp, too, but it can wait a week or so as we've enough for now.

We all need wellies, I need winter boots as mine died in May, and I'm knitting and crocheting some simple winter preps (scarves, mainly! ).

A xo

greenbee

Took 2 duvets and a mattress topper to the launderette today. Two were clean, but wherever they were washed last used something revolting - it was 8 months ago and they still smell of sickly artificial detergent. It was overpowering. It's still there (after washing soda, bicarb & detergent in the wash and vinegar in the rinse) but not as bad. Washed and dried 3 for less than the price of having one sent away by the laundry and at least I know what they were washed with. They may still spend some time on the line.

ALL my windows are being replaced at the end of this month. I was going to do them in phases, but as they are all falling apart I can't leave it any longer. I also need to book to have the oil tank replaced before the weather gets cold, and sort out the pipework under the floors so I can put down some kind of temporary flooring.

[Deleted User]

I don't know about GREENBEE petal, I think we should all call you BUSY BEE!!!

greenbee

Not sure how I have time for work Mrs LW I need to get the loft sorted out (existing boarding up, defunct plumbing and electrics and sky cabling removed and a lot more insulation installed) and also ideally get a woodstove installed before winter. I'm in the process of having my log store constructed - I've dug out the flowerbed, and we have three half pallets and various bits of wood and roofing felt waiting to be stuck together. Another three half pallets are at my dads and will come back with me from holiday. I need to order a coal bunker. And somehow start to get control of the garden... I have to keep remind myself that this is a long-term project and that I have to get the infrastructure right first!

Oh - and I was going to ask - do you have any decent farm shops down your way? Food shopping up here is pretty awful. No decent greengrocer etc. I used to get all my veg from a lovely little organic market garden that was cheaper than non-organic in the supermarkets I passed it the other day and stocked up on tomatoes (some of which are currently roasting in the oven for making soup). I miss it...

[Deleted User]

You're not in any danger of getting bored are you love? I wish I could get you a 27 hour day in place, you need that for all those jobs!!!

greenbee

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

You're not in any danger of getting bored are you love? I wish I could get you a 27 hour day in place, you need that for all those jobs!!!

My boss asked how he could help with my workload, and I suggested a 27 hour day, but he doesn't seem to be able to fix that

Work calms down a bit in October, so maybe we can catch up again then...

[Deleted User]

Yes Please, that would be lovely, you only have to ask and we'll be there, Lyn xxx.

nicki_2

pollys wrote: »

I need to get something with edges to put our wet/snowy boots on, something that stops the water rolling off the edges.
Last year I just put an old plastic table cover down but we have carpet down now, I don't want to get it wet.
Just remembered a plastic tray in the garage, that'll do.

Thank you! That is a brilliant idea. Adding it to my winter prep list. We have no hallway so its through the front door and straight into the livingroom and we end up leaving our wet shoes on a mat on the floor and then the floor ends up wet, a tray to put them in is a great idea

We're starting a major redecoration on Friday of the whole house (I've got a work delivery turning up Wednesday and it'll be hanging around until Thursday night so I don't want chaos just yet!) so I'm putting stain sealing paint in the kitchen & bathroom then painting with proper paint instead of normal emulsion in the hopes of keeping the mould down, painting the outside of the back door which has been on my to do list since we moved in here 10 years ago, and I'm going to reseal all the windows and around the doors with sealant to try and reduce the drafts. Its going to be a mammoth job but I am determined to get as much done before I have to go back to work 1st September! I'm hoping that by treating the mould, stopping the drafts, and putting curtain rails up/nets at windows etc I can make the house much more pleasant this winter.