Preparing for winter IV

afeitar

I really want a dehumidifier but they all seem too expensive for me at the moment I know that they will solve a lot of the problems in our house (we have a very moist kitchen as it's so cold and condensation seems to get everywhere, we also have a bit of mould around the bedroom window because of drying clothes inside) and it will help to dry clothes quicker. Maybe next payday I will finally succumb..I've been looking on eBay but there are no cheap ones on near me. We nearly bid on one last weekend but it ended up going for £160! Does this John Lewis one look any good?http://www.johnlewis.com/231741493/Product.aspx

Uniscots97

MarilynMonroe wrote: »

I'm shocked they were interested as no crime was commited really. Or if that is a crime then delivery guys/gals across the land are commiting crimes, same as postmen.
I also find it hard to believe they told you he was a reformed character, inferring he had a criminal record.
He was only doing his job at the end of the day and never stole anything and left you your item.

Sorry to sound harsh, but I just find this hard to believe, and if i were the delivery guy I'd be having words with the police myself about what they are telling strangers about him.

If you live somewhere as small as I do then everyone knows everyone else's business. The reformed character I've been told from other sources has relapses every so often. I'm all for second chances but there's certain jobs shouldn't go to people with certain convictions (would you be happy getting in a cab with someone that had been convicted of rape? mini cabs never check backgrounds). In my case it made me feel very uneasy, we got broken into at the beginning of the year (my car) and they were scared off, they tried again but I didn't follow same routine so they lost their opportunity. Unfortunately 3 neighbours weren't so lucky. At the end of the day I have the right to deny someone access to my property, and not be happy about them letting themselves in as they didn't have permission.

bajangal

unixgirluk wrote: »

If you live somewhere as small as I do then everyone knows everyone else's business. The reformed character I've been told from other sources has relapses every so often. I'm all for second chances but there's certain jobs shouldn't go to people with certain convictions (would you be happy getting in a cab with someone that had been convicted of rape? mini cabs never check backgrounds). In my case it made me feel very uneasy, we got broken into at the beginning of the year (my car) and they were scared off, they tried again but I didn't follow same routine so they lost their opportunity. Unfortunately 3 neighbours weren't so lucky. At the end of the day I have the right to deny someone access to my property, and not be happy about them letting themselves in as they didn't have permission.

If I had previously been broken into, then I would be double conscious of security around my home, including making sure the garage was locked. In a way, you were lucky that it was this reformed courier and not someone else who was chancing their luck. In a way, the courier has done you a favour.

MoonJelly

I have been lucky so far. I've got 2 storage heaters which are keeping the place super toasty so I haven't had to switch up the remaining 3 heaters. However I can feel the chill when I get too close to the windows -which means I am loosing heat there. I will be heading up to my local market where there is a lovely stall selling fleece in many colours. £5-6 for a metre, the length is 1.50m. to line up my curtains. I can't find any other faults with the flat.

By the way, I got one of those microwavable stuffed toys for my boy and he LOVES it. It comforts him and helps him fall asleep. I got it second hand from Ebay so I had to buy a replacement bag (less than £2) but it was worth it.

Fruball

twiglet98 wrote: »

I wonder if anyone has a great idea for blocking the draught through the front door keyhole when the door furniture isn't the right metal for a fridge magnet? I thought about Blutak but worry it would clog up the keyhole, it's already hard to unlock the door as it's swollen from the rain.. Maybe sticking a flap of bubble wrap or similar above it would work?

I have taped a cushion cover above the inside of the letterbox, it has a cheap brush-type draught excluder from Wilkinsons and although it's better than nothing, a fair bit of cold air still gets through.

Also got a wonderful heavy, lined door curtain last weekend, in yellow cotton sateen which will work better at the front door than the floral print there at present - the door and window curtains are different Sanderson prints, both cheap from charity shops, but the print at the window has a lot of the same shade of yellow as the 'new' curtain. It was just £3 in a recently opened charity shop, along with two perfect double flannellette sheets for £1.50 each. Both my grown-up DDs refuse to use clothes or bedlinen from a CS but I point out that neither hotels nor hospitals provide new bedding for every occupant of their beds, they just wash it between guests. These sheets went straight into a hot wash and are as new, spotless, and so WARM! Along with a gorgeous toffee colour thick fleecy blanket by Dunelm Mill, from yet another CS, my bed is now blissfully cosy for less than £5. My 13.5 tog duvet was from Sainsbugs a couple of years ago, paid for with Nectar points, and it won't need replacing for a while, and my DD treated me to a lovely white cotton duvet set from John Lewis last year. The cats like my bed too, three of them are sharing the hot water bottles at each end of the bed!

A small piece of masking tape over the lock will block ALL cold from coming in. I've been doing this for the last couple of years on my back door.

One piece of masking tape, around an inch and a half long with a small bit of one end folded over on itself for ease of removal, will last all winter!

I've run out of masking tape so have got wide cell0tape there atm. Slightly fiddlier than the masking tape but does the job.

HTH

MarilynMonroe_2

I've got the new Lidls list, some good things coming in

monday 12th november
*radiator reflector foil 4.99
*draught excluder strips 2.99
*fan heater 14.99
*comfort blankets 7.99
*ladies thermal knee high socks 3.99
*ladies fluffy socks 2 pairs 2.49
*bed socks 2.49
*ladies knitted dresses 10-20 9.99

Intoday
*foldable sledge (lovely wood slatted one) 39.99

*selection of kids jackets, cardies, gloves, boots etc. Got their ski wear in.
*Saw some snow suits in too.

darkrev

trying to sort garden / yard for winter but the neighbors cat thinks it is a large litter tray for his convenience. how do i stop the !!!!!! ? even my indoor cats know better than to !!!! in their own yard . whats the best way to stop him, i did have netting over the beds and it worked for a while but he has sussed it out now ?

darkrev

twiglet98 wrote: »

I wonder if anyone has a great idea for blocking the draught through the front door keyhole when the door furniture isn't the right metal for a fridge magnet? I thought about Blutak but worry it would clog up the keyhole, it's already hard to unlock the door as it's swollen from the rain.. Maybe sticking a flap of bubble wrap or similar above it would work?

I have taped a cushion cover above the inside of the letterbox, it has a cheap brush-type draught excluder from Wilkinsons and although it's better than nothing, a fair bit of cold air still gets through.

Also got a wonderful heavy, lined door curtain last weekend, in yellow cotton sateen which will work better at the front door than the floral print there at present - the door and window curtains are different Sanderson prints, both cheap from charity shops, but the print at the window has a lot of the same shade of yellow as the 'new' curtain. It was just £3 in a recently opened charity shop, along with two perfect double flannellette sheets for £1.50 each. Both my grown-up DDs refuse to use clothes or bedlinen from a CS but I point out that neither hotels nor hospitals provide new bedding for every occupant of their beds, they just wash it between guests. These sheets went straight into a hot wash and are as new, spotless, and so WARM! Along with a gorgeous toffee colour thick fleecy blanket by Dunelm Mill, from yet another CS, my bed is now blissfully cosy for less than £5. My 13.5 tog duvet was from Sainsbugs a couple of years ago, paid for with Nectar points, and it won't need replacing for a while, and my DD treated me to a lovely white cotton duvet set from John Lewis last year. The cats like my bed too, three of them are sharing the hot water bottles at each end of the bed!

I have seen key hole covers like thses as a simple solution http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polished-Brass-Covered-Keyhole-Escutcheon-or-Keyhole-Cover-item-No-260-/281014741921?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Door_Accessories_LE&hash=item416dc8aba1

MarilynMonroe_2

You can get a green gel called ''Keep Off''/ It doesnt affect your plants but they dont like the stuff.

Fruball

darkrev wrote: »

trying to sort garden / yard for winter but the neighbors cat thinks it is a large litter tray for his convenience. how do i stop the !!!!!! ? even my indoor cats know better than to !!!! in their own yard . whats the best way to stop him, i did have netting over the beds and it worked for a while but he has sussed it out now ?

Cats are a damned nuisance.

They hate human urine though and I have found that sprinkling my own wee around the garden keeps them off.

I also managed to throw some over a particularly stubborn feline... He hasn't been back since

Since I got chickens, they don't come in now - I think they are scared of them :rotfl: