Preparing for Winter V

dreaming

I didn't get on with the remoska - I found the lid too heavy to lift comfortably, especially as it was quite high sitting on the worktop - and also ended up giving away my cast iron pots for the same reason. I have since been diagnosed with an auto-immune condition which causes muscle weakness so it's not my age (well, maybe a bit). When I had a hysterectomy last year and couldn't lift much for a few weeks I used a small plastic jug to fill the kettle, rather than taking the kettle to the sink. I could definitely do with a 6 footer in the family. We are all on the shorter side so changing lightbulbs etc. can be a problem. Easily solved, of course with a sturdy stepladder, but I would no longer feel safe going higher than the bottom rung. Since my auto-immune diagnosis I also feel the cold much more but hate wearing socks or slippers. I am currently sitting here barefoot (but wearing a jumper over my t-shirt and fleece trousers) and still go round to the local shop in my Birkenstocks. If I wear socks my feet seem to overheat very quickly and I end up just ripping them off. My daughter says I am just an old hippie - with too much emphasis on the "old" part now.

Floss

dreaming said:

...When I had a hysterectomy last year and couldn't lift much for a few weeks I used a small plastic jug to fill the kettle, rather than taking the kettle to the sink...

This was the advice given to my dad after major abdominal surgery in 1990, "take the sink to the kettle rather than the kettle to the sink".

otb666

I put Cardboard in my bay window last winter.  Does not look good from the outside but did the job last winter keeping room warm and quick and easy to do. I left a gap at the top to let light in. For the kitchen french windows I used bubble wrap that lets the light in as well.

cuddlymarm

Hi guys 
I’ve been AWOL for a while as I lost the plot when I was diagnosed with the big C in May. But after surgery and tests have just been told they got it all and now I may resemble a pincushion and be on extremely light duties for the next few months it’s time to rejoin the real world. But I must say it does make you reavaluate your life so I plan to live for now rather than planning for years ahead. And making sure that we’re ready for bad weather and illness are definitely top of the list.
I found my cupboards are full but OH struggles to meal plan. Also not all food is suitable, I came out of hospital and a lot of our usual diet I can’t eat yet as I’m on a low fibre diet.  I know that’s only me but a few ready meals/tins soup etc are probably a good idea if you get a full household of poorly people and you don’t feel up to cooking.
Last year we got hailstones which froze and you couldn’t get salt anywhere, a bag of dishwasher salt doesn’t take up much space and is quite grippy on slippery paths until it melts it. But if everyone is wanting it stocks soon run out.
Luckily while I was well I washed the scarves and winter throws so they are ready and although it’s a bit chilly this morning autumn doesn’t look like arriving any time soon so I’m keeping the electric bill down as much as possible.
I need to get organised because soon my wages will halve and then go down to SSP and as my job is quite physical at times I won’t be returning soon so I know it’s still September but every penny is going to need to stretch that little bit more so we have a nice Xmas ( not really expensive but we’ll thought out) but on the up side what I do have is time on my hands.
Anyway enough of my waffle 
Hugs to any who need one 
Cuddlymarm

sammy_kaye18

@Laura_Elsewhere what a good idea about the cereal packets. We tend to eat more oats and shredded wheat which are packaged separately but I seriously do think I need to invest in some tubs for the freezer. I did buy some food reusable storage bags that you can wash and reuse so I think they would be ok for blanched veg. I love using all of the veg though so I will have to try your cauliflower soup recommendation! 

@Siebrie love red lentils I find they are so easy to use - whether they are chucked in a soup or put into mince to fill it out a bit and so many other things. I will be stocking up on them this year since the kids don't seem to mind eating them and husband doesn't notice them so much. 

@London_1 I have had an evening and morning of writing a few lists for things to tackle this winter. Not only a store cupboard list of things to stock up on, but also one for the medicine cabinet, one for what to sort for winter and one that is thinking ahead in case really bad weather really comes in/power cuts etc. Our whole house uses electric and the only thing we use gas for is heating and hot water so I have been looking at things like a solar powered battery pack so we could keep phones etc charged, a wind up radio, board games, I'm thinking of getting a small folding fire too - not only so we can take it with us camping and in our van but also so its an alternative to cook with if the electric did go off because we'd be pretty stuck and I don't think a sandwich is going to keep us very warm in those situations. At least with a little fire and a camping kettle - we can stay stocked in hot drinks and basic meals. 

Also thinking about getting some teddy bedding for the kids and our room to help keep us snug and warm this winter. 

sammy_kaye18

cuddlymarm said:

Hi guys 
I’ve been AWOL for a while as I lost the plot when I was diagnosed with the big C in May. But after surgery and tests have just been told they got it all and now I may resemble a pincushion and be on extremely light duties for the next few months it’s time to rejoin the real world. But I must say it does make you reavaluate your life so I plan to live for now rather than planning for years ahead. And making sure that we’re ready for bad weather and illness are definitely top of the list.

Congratulations on the news from your doctors that it is all gone Cuddlymarm. My mother just went through a similar experience with an early throat cancer diagnosis and has just finished radiation treatment so is currently finishing cooking as she calls it but the doctors seem to sound happy that its been tackled in time. 
Rest up and take care of yourself for a while. xxxx

Floss

Sammy, keep your eyes out for a camping stove on the free sites, ideally a double burner with grill. Once you invest in a gas bottle you will be sorted for meals if your power goes off.

Floss

cuddlymarm said:

...I need to get organised because soon my wages will halve and then go down to SSP....

Check your payslips, as you may have already been getting SSP - and it only lasts 28 weeks. I'm on half pay from today after cancer surgery in May, so this month's pay should be "interesting" 🙄

cuddlymarm

Thanks Floss
I get my wage slip on Monday so I’ll double check then. I’m lucky that OH has a small pension and a part time job so even if I can’t claim anything we won’t starve. But I won’t be able to return to work until I’m fully fit as my job is quite active and light duties won’t be possible. I’m a supervisor in a charity shop and the paid staff do the donkey work ( volunteers are few and far between and usually not fit enough to do it and quite frankly I wouldn’t expect them to have to do since they are good enough to work for free)

I’m having a tired day today so I’ve got some faggots out to defrost which will microwave and OH will cook some frozen veg with them when he gets home. Frozen veg is a lifesaver at the moment.

The weather has definitely turned today. It’s windy and dull but not that cold so the windows are still open. I’m making the most of it as living in the seafront it gets rough in winter so the windows stay firmly shut.

Anyway following doctors orders I’m off for a nanny nap.
Hugs to those who need them
Cuddlymarm 

sammy_kaye18

cuddlymarm said:

I’m having a tired day today so I’ve got some faggots out to defrost which will microwave and OH will cook some frozen veg with them when he gets home. Frozen veg is a lifesaver at the moment.

The weather has definitely turned today. It’s windy and dull but not that cold so the windows are still open. I’m making the most of it as living in the seafront it gets rough in winter so the windows stay firmly shut.

Anyway following doctors orders I’m off for a nanny nap.

My husband and daughter love faggots with peas and mash potato so they are a stable in our freezer and we have our fair share of frozen veg in as well especially this year since our garden was put on the back burner with family members being poorly. We had a bit and a good lot of potatoes but everything else just fell by the wayside this year. 

Its windy and drizzly here as well but the sun is trying to come out so we have just been over to help the in laws out and clean their pond for them. Husband got the nasty job of cleaning the filter complete with maggots - yuck! and we have just come home now for lunch and had eggs - scrambled for me and poached for him. 

Our van has failed its MOT and that looks like its going to be a good couple of £££ to fix it but we need it as our main vehicle so its got to be done so I'm doing a small food shop to tick us over as long as possible. Husband is paid on the 1st and Im paid on the 11th so we wont be too bad but just watching pennies. I pulled up another two bags of spuds yesterday so have a pillowcase half full of spuds that we can use and some good sized ones for baked potatoes. 

@Floss
I will do. I will keep an eye on the free sites and we have a go outdoors nearby thats having a refit sale as well so may check out there too.