Preparing for Winter V

fuddle

The ploughs aren't on my hill this morning. DH dug out the front of the car, got down the back street to find abandoned cars blocking our exit. It's good that he's stuck home (Kittie I too feel sick with worry when loved ones are out in this stuff) but equally it's another barrier to me getting to the doctors for my chest.

That said 50% improvement this morning. The pain has subsided a little, the little breathlessness I had is even less. More inhalations and tea infusions for today. I'm also using my blue inhaler to keep things open. I'm hopeful and ever so thankful that I haven't exacerbated in these conditions. I feel very vulnerable at the moment. It doesn't matter how many preps we do we can't cover every base but that said, at least the worries and insecurities I do have aren't added to the stress of running out of food/water/fuel/toilet paper. I will always prep

[Deleted User]

fuddle the air is very very dry, hence the powdery snow. I think some humidity would help you by keeping the mucous membranes moist. You should steam when you can, even if standing over a gently bubbling pan of water or steam from a flask

greenbee

Fuddle - you'll probably find that your GP will be happy to have a phone consultation with you. It might be helpful, just for reassurance that you're doing the right thing, and if necessary they'll make an appointment for after the weather is expected to improve.

tori.k

kittie wrote: »

I think sw may well go red later. Heart is in mouth at the moment, dd has to go in, has patients and she is on call but will hand over as soon as, she lives rural. I have stressed that she needs to get away before 12. DS was wise in taking his rugged mountain bike to work in glasgow yesterday, it has very wide nobbly tyres. Others are still stuck on the roads after a very long freezing night.

Tea and toast mar and that lovely white silence and a warm home, bliss

Flasks re-filled and food for the day is out of the freezer. The flask water was very hot after 24 hours and used for dishes. Main meal will be at 12 and am well stocked on enough cold food after that, if needed

Stomach always churns in snow, until I know everyone is safe home

We just got the red warning Kittie, for the A30 into Devon
I share the same feeling about everyone being home, Our lad has gone into work as his boss will drive him home later in the 4x4, both DH & I are home as we'd be stuck in work by this afternoon. Cormac ( gritters ) have put out that they are unlikely to be able to keep the roads open .

Primrose

I also share everybody,s anxiety about the safety of loved ones in these conditions because often you!!!8217;re So helpless to do anything practical when they!!!8217;re out in difficult conditions. Much loved relative was due to check into hospital early this morning for major surgery but don!!!8217;t t know if they made it and doN,t want to increase the stress on immediate partner by ringing up to check at a time they!!!8217;re probably already stressed out with anxiety.

fuddle

kittie wrote: »

fuddle the air is very very dry, hence the powdery snow. I think some humidity would help you by keeping the mucous membranes moist. You should steam when you can, even if standing over a gently bubbling pan of water or steam from a flask

I started the day with a hot bath so hopefully that will help but yeah, I'll be sure put my head over a bowl with eucalyptus in throughout the day. Thank you.

greenbee wrote: »

Fuddle - you'll probably find that your GP will be happy to have a phone consultation with you. It might be helpful, just for reassurance that you're doing the right thing, and if necessary they'll make an appointment for after the weather is expected to improve.

Thank you, I did head your advice and it was worth it. I'm to leave off the blue inhaler unless I really need it and use the blue/steroid inhaler combined at intervals through the day. I can have 12 doses of that in 24 hours. I have to watch out for the breathlessness and if that starts to get worse even in the slightest I have to get help. Thank you Greenbee

[Deleted User]

fuddle, take it easy too. I am always thinking of you. Do you have a plug in phone, just in case there is a power cut?

Dd is home, lots of patients cancelled and she has cancelled tomorrow, makes it easier on the practice. She saw a car on its roof on the way in. Only a dil now, she walked to work and will be leaving for home soon in glasgow. I really am expecting the worst

Was with my neighbours for a cuppa yesterday, both retired intelligent people but where on earth is common sense. Their (eco) house was cool, they have loads of money, they listen benignly when I suggest having an additional source of heating on and to fill a flask. They don`t appreciate that to have warmth in a house involves a warm input. They don`t get the warming sun like I do but I also have the immersion on today, to keep the centrally situated tank hot as a source of house warmth plus I have several thermostatic heaters all switched on. I managed to persuade them to go out and get supplies yesterday. Hang the expense for us oldies, that is why we get winter fuel payments

Primrose

I can't quite understand the mentality of those who choose to wear hair shirts and shiver when they can afford to pay for heating, especially as you get older. surely looking after your health and wellbeing is a fairly basic essential. People don't seem to realise how long it takes for a building's structure to heat up again once the temperature drops. We kept the heating on low last night for the first time this winter and it did make a difference to how warm the house feels this morning.


I walk around indoors looking like Michelin Woman wrapped up in my thick quilted body warmer, but it does the job, and my little wrist buzzer reminds me every hour to get up and move around to keep my circulation going.


By the way, if anybody has those air vent slots in their double glazing windows, it might be sensible to close them while these bitter winds are blowing. It's surprising how much draught they can generate, which obviously reduces your room temperature.

juliettet

Bl00dy white stuff at the top of my wellies. Hate this and have cabin fever. Joking aside I am very grateful for a warm house and plenty of food. Thinking of the poor souls on the A80 stuck for 16 hours. Heartwarming to read that local people and shopkeepers are taking them supplies. Have fed the birds Primrose. Feeders were filled twice yesterday. Leftover Christmas shortbread will go down well I think.

Primrose

I think my solitary patch of frogspawn laid just before the pond iced over has probably had its chips. Must go out again and pour some boiling water into the birds drinking bath. Easy to forget they still need water to drink as well as food