Preparing for Winter V

katiepants

falcieri wrote: »

The SAD lamps are great. My mum swears by hers and has been using them for probably 15 years. They extend the light hours each day as the nights draw in and give you that extra boost. Give it a go if you can and if you're suffering really badly.

Thanks, might have to bite the bullet and invest!

Living_proof

katiepants wrote: »

Thanks, might have to bite the bullet and invest!

I got mine in Aldi a couple of years ago so look out for one anytime soon!

RebeccaAnn

Living_proof wrote: »

I have collected candles from car boots and charity shops for many years. When I lived in Scotland they were a necessity as there were regular power cuts, but now they are more for effect. I try and get the most candle for my money and that usually would be a pillar or church type and it's important with these to light them and keep them lit for at least three hours on the first occasion you use them so that they burn evenly. I often have them in the big glass holders so that drafts don't effect them as much, not that I have many these days. I think if you go to a couple of car boots you will find lots but avoid the cheap novelty ones made of paraffin wax as they can leave a sooty mark above where you are burning them. They were all the rage at one time about 15 years ago and it seems a lot of them were never used and maybe given as gifts. My son bought me some Joe Malone ones for Christmas but they will wait for a special occasion!

Thank you, I will check out car boots when we go, I have never thoughts of looking for candles when we go to them. I will also have a look for some glass containers. We normally use tealights and I have some ceramic decorative houses Iput these in, they give off a lot of heat but not much light.

Doveling

I made draught excluders out of a length of fabric which matched my decor and some pipe insulation cut to door length.

Using the one piece of fabric, I covered one piece of insulation then left a length of fabric to go under the door then covered another piece of insulation with the remainder of the fabric.
I didn't stitch one end, just folded in neatly, so the fabric could be taken off and washed occasionally

The draught excluder then moves with the door. We have wooden floors though.

Sort of looks like this O_O

Does that make sense? Not very good at explaining things

Nargleblast

Doveling that is a brilliant idea, never thought of a two sided draught excluder before!

katiepants

OK, so I think I need a list. It looks like everyone else is ahead of the game, but I think I need to make a start. We're lucky that our little 1800's mid terrace is cosy warm and dry (thick stone walls, new combi boiler and new roof), and I'm now working in the city where I live, so don't have too much stress about getting to work if it snows (plus I'd be allowed to work from home anyway). So, to start with:

- As per above recommendations, look into getting a SAD lamp to help my mood.

- Paint the kitchen. We think magnolia to brighten it up. It's quite a dark room so this will help I think.

- Declutter house to make it easier to clean (I have already made a huge start on this during summer. Still some more to do though to make cleaning a quicker job)

- Fill the freezer with home made ready meals to save time cooking on winter nights. Have already made 5 portions of 3-bean chilli that are now in the freezer. Also on the list: beef chilli, spag bol, chicken soup and a curry.

- Get my flu jab (already booked in - 1st Oct). I asked about the pneumonia vaccination last year, but they'll only give it to over 65's

- Re-do sealant around bath. I can't get rid of the black mould whatever I try so think it needs refeshing.

- Generally try and look after myself (limit alcohol, get regular exercise, eat healthily)

- Go through my clothes to check I have enough warm stuff. Off the top of my head I think I need thinner long sleeve PJ's (my other long sleeve ones are thick so too hot for autumn) and some warm/water resistant outdoor trousers for wearing to the stables. I wear jogging bottoms in summer but if it's wet or snowy they get saturated.

- Think about how I can make winter mornings more bearable for myself. I'm thinking that preparing everything the night before would help so I can stay in bed longer, and maybe putting clothes on radiator so they are warm by the time I get up...

I think that's it for now but will read this thread with interest.

Siebrie

Doveling wrote: »

I made draught excluders out of a length of fabric which matched my decor and some pipe insulation cut to door length.

Using the one piece of fabric, I covered one piece of insulation then left a length of fabric to go under the door then covered another piece of insulation with the remainder of the fabric.
I didn't stitch one end, just folded in neatly, so the fabric could be taken off and washed occasionally

The draught excluder then moves with the door. We have wooden floors though.

Sort of looks like this O_O

Does that make sense? Not very good at explaining things

They sell those readymade in autumn in Aldi and some diy stores here in Belgium. Ours cost €7 for a doorlength and lasted three years (for those who cannot or will not make them themselves).

wort

Doveling I bought some like that think they were £1.99 for 2 . Unfortunately the cat would pull them off and fight them!!! Then they ended up looking ratty and a mess plus he pulled the foam inner out and shredded that so I had to throw away.

Living_proof

wort wrote: »

Doveling I bought some like that think they were £1.99 for 2 . Unfortunately the cat would pull them off and fight them!!! Then they ended up looking ratty and a mess plus he pulled the foam inner out and shredded that so I had to throw away.

My daughter had some and they were very effective, but especially as scratchpads for her two cats. They spend an absolute fortune on their house and particularly heating it so I don't know why they dont spend some money on good fitting doors!

[Deleted User]

We have the Wood Stove chap coming on the 1st October to do the chimney inspection and let us know if it's suitable for a stove or not. If it isn't suitable for a closed stove I'll hope we can install an open fire grate and still be able to enjoy burning wood. If it is suitable we'll then have to hunt down a log supplier to get a load in store, I think it will be sensible as we're told the town is often cut off by snow or flooding in the colder weather and we've had several short power cuts and 'flickery light' periods in the short time we've lived here. I'll make sure we have supplies of all we need to see us through any 'power out' periods particularly meds for the two of us and loo roll, can't be without that can we?