Preparing for Winter V

pollyanna_26

annieb64 said:

Polly-I commuted from Manchester for a year to work in Liverpool then got a transfer to Warrington then finally to Manchester.  All for the Inland Revenue.  Then I started a family and stopped working as just couldn't get childcare.  We had no family nearby. We stayed around the Manchester area.

We moved south to Kent a few months ago. About three years ago we visited Liverpool.  It has changed so much since the 1970s although it was still windy around the Pierhead.

I couldn't remember where you were travelling from but remember it was a long journey before you began your working day and the same going home..

I was single when working in the Liver Buildings so no problems with childcare for me.

It's a few years since I visited Liverpool just one hospital appt for my youngest dd shortly before the pandemic, We live further up the coast so a long way from Liverpool.

I watched the figures there rising rapidly so it was straight to the hospital and back home.

I doubt there has ever been a windless day around the Pierhead, My dad served in the Royal Navy during the war protecting the Merchant Ship Convoys on their long voyages for essential food and other supplies and often spoke how they'd be ined up at the Pierhead waiting for for the winds to diminish so they could set sail for America , Canada and others aiding Britain through the war.

At some point the RAF would arrive to chase the German bombers clear of the shiips although they would drop landmines which blew many ships out of the water. All the crews watched out for the Liver Birds as they crossed the Mersey Bar on their way back to the Pier Head and their home port.

It's lovely to hear how things went for you. Enjoy your lives in the beautful Garden of Kent. Plenty of fruit there if there's a shortage. You'll have to take up Scrumping and Foraging.

Take care,

pollyxx

annieb64

I'm already making note of where the blackberry bushes are and have spotted some wild fruit trees. 

sammy_kaye18

annieb64 said:

I'm already making note of where the blackberry bushes are and have spotted some wild fruit trees. 

Definitely worth doing and I havent ever used Jam Sugar, just regular sugar and a lemon for the pectin. Then strain it so the seeds are removed for a few jars to keep my daughter happy. 
I cant wait to get out and picking this year. My kids are that bit older now so I doubt they will come with me but Im hoping to get a good glut and as my mother in law makes her own wine and beer - I may give her some of them so she can make some kind of wine or liqueur for Christmas. 
I wish I knew how to forage though as Im sure there must be lots around here that is worth picking / harvesting etc - even if its flower seeds etc. I was thinking of asking on a local group to see if anyone forages and if they would like to meet up to go for a walk and then maybe I can take a flask of tea and some cake as a thank you for them sharing their knowledge with me. 

@pollyanna_26
 I will be looking for hot water bottles before long. I'm hoping to just find things that will help him out and make him more comfortable with his arthritis. He suffers badly from cracked hands too so hoping to help him with that too. He has creams from the doctors but I'm not sure how much they are helping to be honest.
I actually had a gift voucher for HobbyCraft for Christmas and treated myself to a looming kit and a few small balls of yarn so I am hoping to try and knit a few hats with it for the winter to wear whilst Im out walking the dogs or in the garden. I might even gift a few too. 

I have also started making a basics list for family as well. I intend to give them baskets this year to help keep them warm this winter without really rubbing in there face or being preachy so Im thinking a nice drinks set (be it tea/coffee/hot chocolate) , a nice blanket (maybe home made), home made gloves/socks/hats, perhaps a hot water bottle and a few other bits if I can make them or things I see cheaply. I have just brought my mother in law little slipper booties as she suffers with cold feet but she likes slipper socks to so I think some of them will be on her list as well. 

I have also been looking today at ways to block off doorways that dont have doors in. I have brought an extending curtain pole which is quite chunky and sturdy and last year it worked well to keep heat in the living room so I am considering buying another one to put up between our back porch and kitchen to sandwich the heat in. I do need to try and move our chairs too because at the minute our bigger sofa is in front of the radiator in the kitchen and blocks it off. Plus there is a vent on the window that a draught comes through. 

annieb64

 I don't use jam sugar either. My mother never used it as my father claimed he could taste the pectin!

We used to do "themed" presents for DH's family such as a hamper with mugs, hot chocolate , tea or coffee and fancy biscuits . 

Now we just do presents for the children and MIL. I still buy presents throughout the year. I've got two baby tops upstairs which I got in a "three for two" offer in M&S.

pollyanna_26

sammy-kaye. I don'tsuffer from dry hands myself but both my daughter and I share three conitions. Psooriatic Arthritis, Osteo Arthritis and Fibromyalgia.

I was plagued with the Psoriasis Rash in childhod and in to my 20s when it suddenly stoppped appearing . My skin had been very dry and scaly but seemed to settle in my 20s.

My youngest dd now in her  30s wasn't so lucky and still had sore, dry skin often with the rash and dry painful hands and feet.

I hadn't been prescribed any treatments growing up but our GP prescribed a number of things for dd over the years.

Her skin was dry , cracked and she also had eczema and dermatitis  often with Psorias is iash on both hands and feet,

GP tried Dermol 500 Lotion which comes on prescription in a dispenser hers comes in a big 500ml dispenser with a pump top you just press.

There are smaller sizes. Her big one is very heavy and Iused to dread picking it up from the Pharmacy with her other meds,

It has worked like magic over the years.

It's for a number of different conditons including itchy skin or dry skin conditions, psoriasis, dermatiis and many others . it works as a soap substute so no soap needed, It quicky got her skin problems under control and was quite a game changer.

It is available on prescription and her huge dispenser lasts for ages , There are smaller sizes It used to also be on sale at the Pharmacy in various sizes without a prescription but I've no idea if that is still the case as the pharmacy have been delivering her meds.

There isn't anything harmful or irritating in it and it really impoved her skin very quickly.

i don't know what skin condition the person you're taking about suffers from but it could be worth having a chat with the GP about Dermo 500 or maybe trying the smallest size.It is very gentle and if anyone was going to react to it my youngest would but has never had a problem,

It actually helped her mentally as she'd been very self conscious when the rashes , dry skin etc appeared in her teens. Msny years on there may be an odd flare of the Psoriasis but the lotion sorts that out in a couple of days,

There is a lot of online advice about foraging but it would be much nicer if you can join with like minded people to forage together.

Nothing better on a nice day and some good company. my youngest is ECV so under Drs orders since the start of the pandemic and I'm pretty wary of being in quiet places on my own nowadays,

I do have friends I've known for decades . One couple have had an organic small holding for many years . The husband has a stall in the nearby farmers market and wil often drop off lovely organic eggs, fruit and veg here on his way to market, They also sell from the gate and have been very popular the last couple of years. many passing on the road would pull in to buy from the gate and they have sold far more during Covid than was usual when there were more shops open. They now have many customers and have had to involve family members to help with demand,

pollyx

Floss

annieb64 said:

I commuted from Manchester for a year to work in Liverpool then got a transfer to Warrington...

That would have been down by the river in Latchford I guess? 

Laura_Elsewhere

The cheapest but best thing I've found for dry skin is to make my own rosewater and glycerine - most handcreams/moisturisers simply sit on the surface as a barrier, but glycerine actually attracts moisture out of the air into the outer layers of the skin so it isn't only keeping what moisture your skin has but is adding extra; I buy a little bottle of glycerine from the chemist, £2.50 or so, and then the cheap rosewater in supermarkets' "World foods" aisles is a fraction of the stuff in the tiny bottles in their baking aisle! I use the KTC rosewater from Sainsbury's which is 190ml for £1.35, but sometimes half-price. I mix them about two parts rosewater to one part glycerine, and then just use it as often as is needed. I have psoriasis and my fingernails are malformed as a result and the glycerine is about the only thing that has ever worked and far cheaper than most things!

@pollyanna_26 "I wonder if it's still possible to buy those stone hot water bottles I remember from childhood.

My mum never allowed us to carry those hot water bottles in case we dropped them, She would fill and empty them .

Perhaps there is as similar but unbreakable option. I managed to kill a few months old laptop last year carrying it downstairs without it's case and losing my grip part way as it tumbled down the stairs landing on the hardwood hall floor,"

Yes, you can still find them in charity shops or vintage jumble sales - typically sold as doorstops   If you buy a single cork tile from a DIY supplier online then you can cut new washers that are beautifully leakproof. 
They are heavy - and breakable - so no good if your bed has no footboard or footrail to it and it's going to just fall out of the bed. But if your bed has tucked-in bedding, and/or a footrail/board then it will stay put. 

I would keep a couple of strong jute shopping bags for carrying things up and down stairs - and why not take your bedtime water upstairs in a reusable plastic bottle and then decant it once you're up? I have terrible eyesight so have had more than my fair share of unexpected tumbles on stairs, so I try never to have my hands full if I can help it!

pollyanna_26

Laura_Elsewhere said:

The cheapest but best thing I've found for dry skin is to make my own rosewater and glycerine - most handcreams/moisturisers simply sit on the surface as a barrier, but glycerine actually attracts moisture out of the air into the outer layers of the skin so it isn't only keeping what moisture your skin has but is adding extra; I buy a little bottle of glycerine from the chemist, £2.50 or so, and then the cheap rosewater in supermarkets' "World foods" aisles is a fraction of the stuff in the tiny bottles in their baking aisle! I use the KTC rosewater from Sainsbury's which is 190ml for £1.35, but sometimes half-price. I mix them about two parts rosewater to one part glycerine, and then just use it as often as is needed. I have psoriasis and my fingernails are malformed as a result and the glycerine is about the only thing that has ever worked and far cheaper than most things!

@pollyanna_26 "I wonder if it's still possible to buy those stone hot water bottles I remember from childhood.

My mum never allowed us to carry those hot water bottles in case we dropped them, She would fill and empty them .

Perhaps there is as similar but unbreakable option. I managed to kill a few months old laptop last year carrying it downstairs without it's case and losing my grip part way as it tumbled down the stairs landing on the hardwood hall floor,"

Yes, you can still find them in charity shops or vintage jumble sales - typically sold as doorstops   If you buy a single cork tile from a DIY supplier online then you can cut new washers that are beautifully leakproof. 
They are heavy - and breakable - so no good if your bed has no footboard or footrail to it and it's going to just fall out of the bed. But if your bed has tucked-in bedding, and/or a footrail/board then it will stay put. 

I would keep a couple of strong jute shopping bags for carrying things up and down stairs - and why not take your bedtime water upstairs in a reusable plastic bottle and then decant it once you're up? I have terrible eyesight so have had more than my fair share of unexpected tumbles on stairs, so I try never to have my hands full if I can help it!

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a helpful reply. Brain is still a bit foggy but I will read your post properly.

Something that surprised me was your mention of SBs seling rosewater. I've made my own lotions , potions and cleaning products for decades and was a regular shopper in the SBs in town until shortly after the start of the pandemic when after a good start they started letting far too many customers in the store after originally limiting the numbers. The social distancing arrows were taken off the floor and with everyone fearing shortages it was free for all and that was the last time I shopped there.

I had never over the years noticed Rosewater. I did buy glycerine from our Boots pharmacy as they were supplying youngests meds.

Essential oils were from Holland and Barrett as they sold all the dairy free etc products for dds food intolerances. back then such things were difficult to find.

I did look for stone hot water bottles which are very much vintage market.  I found some heating pads supposed to be an alternative to hot water bottles. To be heated in a combi microwave there were a lot of ifs  buts involved combi needed to be a certain size . I used to have family size ones over the years but last time one needed replacing I opted for a smaller size as I was no longer needing to cook much bigger meals ones the offsprings began to leave the nest.

I have had a good look at the last Wilko hot water bottle I bought it was the 2nd of it's kind with a fleecy cover after our local store stopped selling the traditional ones.

I'd read a number of reviews all positive reviews I now remembera few questions asked about was it possible to buy replacement caps which I was a bit bewildered by.

Today I filled the one remaining with cold water and realised the bottle was undamaged the leak was coming from the top that sealed the bottle. I took the top off had a little poke at it and pushed it hard, that stopped the leak, I've tested it twice since with hot water checking the centre of the cap is pushed in rather than sticking up as I'd noticed, I'm crossing my fingers that may solve the problem. The fleecy covers add to the warmth and are removable for washing so an improvement on the usual plain ones,

Reading my original post I sound utterly inept! the laptop and water incident happened after a long exhausting day. I'd struggled to sleep the night before. Iended up washing the cup my bedtime drink had been in and putting water in so I could swallow a painkiller then left the cup by the bed.

i needed to be  up early next morning to go to the Coop round the corner calling at the GPs to collect something on the way.

Then needed to pick up dds meds from the town pharmacy and head to see her. I had a shower, washed my hair and started making a large shopping list and reminders of the other things I needed to do.

I sat down to let my hair dry for a while before using the hot brush and checked to see if dd had emailed. She had awake most of the night what time would I be there.

I knew it would be a few hours by the time I'd done everything so said a few hours and asked if she needed anything.

I carried on making the list with various emails from here.

i was stil upstairs with the laptop on the bed as she'd asked me to email her when I was leaving the house- Anxiety issues.

Finaly I was ready so sent her an email.

As i was leaving the bedroom i looked back at the laptop on the bed. I'd closed it down but hadn't put it back in it's case. All my laptops have lived in a protective case whether indoors or travelling with me so I went downstairs collected my shopping bags and set off.

It turned out to be a very long day she was in pain and struggling and I was trying to think of solutions to help. Superdoc had supplied every possible med that may be needed and any of my suggestions she'd tried already.

It was late and dark and we were both very tired . Among her meds she has both capsule and liquid Morphine and she decided she'd get ready for bed and take the liquid morphine Dr has approved that when she's in very bad pain so I just told her not to go overboard just take his recommended dose and set off home.

I was shattered and laden with bags when I got home so sat down for a while then went upstairs to change into my pyjamas and dressing gown.

I noticed the laptop still on the bed next to its case. Still didn't think to put in the case with the handle so it was under my arm carrying it downstairs no idea why I didn't realise a cup of water in the other hand was an accident waiting to happen especially combined with a long dressing gown.

I'm adamant I will never be such an idiot again.

It's been a nice sunny day here so I hope you and other posters have had a good day.

if the hot water bottle problem is solved I'll order another only concern is if the electrics go off. We're already on a flood plain and have internet and other problems in bad weather,

No one mentioned reclaimed from the sea and flood plain when I was signing up for the mortgage in the 70s . We were lucky some years later when the water only  reached to  the top of the very high front door threshold I'd often wondered about same with the back door.

Others a few minutes away weren't so lucky and spent over a year out of their homes as the water had reached halfway up the ground floor walls

pollyx.

Jellytotts

I've had a couple of lucky finds at boot sales in the past few weeks.  A kingsized electric blanket (could see it was barely, if in fact used) and the seller said she'd bought it for her daughter who used it once and didn't like it.  I'm not a fan of electric blankets as we have a memory foam mattress topper and you can feel every bump and wore but this is designed to be used with memory foam so will try it out. If we don't like sleeping on it, it will get put in the bed when I make it each morning and used to warm the bed before removing it when we climb in.  It was a whole £3 so worth a go.

I've also found a neck and back heated pad that is similar to one I own but longer, so DH and I can use one each (£4) still sealed in its box and a lumber wireless heated pad that is rechargeable and very much suits DHs sciatica issues.  Again still boxed, an unwanted gift for £1.50.

A carrier bag full of candles, a mix of tea lights and pillar candles, some half used but 5 unused ones for £1 for the bag and a large velvety soft throw blanket for £1.  

Charity shops have been turning up thermals and jumpers on the reduced rails and I found a pair of unworn pavers boots (half a size to big) that I will use as "slippers" with nice thick socks.  I have very high arches and find slippers very uncomfortable so prefer a dedicated pair of boots that I can pop some arched insoles into.  They were £2 but worth it.  I also found my 3rd woollen coat in the "every things £1 shop".  A lovely mix of turquoise, light blue and navy and happened to have some alpaca wool (purchased in the same shop a few months ago) that compliments it perfectly so have been crocheting myself a fancy snoody/scarf....there may be enough left for wrist warmers too.

cornishchick

ordered a heated throw using Quidco cash back. so sort of free, My partner hates shopping online so will ask me to buy it for him, then transfer the cash, he knows I do most of it through Quidco lol he calls it the price he pays for having me search and order stuff for him. 
decluttering and found some candles I don't really like the colour of, but in a coloured candle jar, you cant tell. so added to the stash. 

ETA well-done @Jellytotts on your car boot finds.