Preparing for Winter V

SuzeQStan

Cheapskate said:

Also thinking of investing in new electric blankets, not had any for years, and wondering if they'll work out more economical than heating being on...

We often have ours on in lieu of a fair amount of GCH over the last year - we have an under bed dual control leccy blanket (strongly recommend dual control if there’s 2 of you) and also leccy throws for the sofa. Wouldn’t be without them but haven’t done the official calcs to see what ROI would be.

our blankets advertise as from 1p per hour to use but I think that depends on the setting you use.

at the mo we have GCH on 1 hr in morning and
45 min at lunchtime. Also 1.5hr for DHW and at the moment that is costing us £2.50 a day for gas alone.  Which is Highway robbery for how little we use.

thank goodness for our multi fuel burner & leccy throws which we use evenings - highly recommend the leccy throws xx

London_1

 Hi Sammy, well I'm still in hospital, but at a different one than the one I had my operation in .
I'm in a rehab ward learning to get me mobile once more. One of the nerve blockers in my leg is still blocking, and I had no feeling from the top of my thigh to my knee on my left leg which is a most confusing feeling as though there is a part missing  But the physio has been good as I was bed bound for over two weeks and now after another two weeks I'm getting around on a walking frame so although its hard work its definitely working I am looking to be walking with just a stick maybe by next week.I'm nothing ,if not a determined old biddy

Definitely looking forward to getting home again, and life getting back to some sort of normality once more .

Rice pudding is one of my favourite winter warmers, and won't break the bank as 2 ounces of pudding rice will easily make a one pint pud, I make it with one of the  small tins of evaporated milk which mixed with a tin and a half of water makes about three quarters of a pint of milk then topped up with fresh milk to a pint its a reasonably cheap pudding a couple of ounces of caster sugar and it costs well under a pound for a one pint pudding which will easily give you a good four portions at 25p a pop. Make a pot of HM soup from past their best veg and that can also be a cheap winter warmer for very little cost. I chuck all sorts of stuff into soup, even the broken bits at the bottom of my dried  pasta container gets thrown it 

 Hospital food is actually not too bad the only thing I'm not keen on is the veg which really could be better, if strained a bit more, it tend to be a bit on the watery side, but I guess its different when cooking on a larger scale than in your own house. 

Ah  well the blood pressure nurse has just arrived  so it means a cuppa isn't far behind  

 Wi-Fi here is better first thing in the morning before too many folk are awake, hence why I'm posting so early  

Onwards and upwards chums 

JackieO xx

 

fionaandphil

Thanks for your lovely tips as usual @London_1 and hope you have a good recovery. 

dND

Oh Jackie, I missed the bit about you going into hospital 😞 but great to hear that you're recovering well. 😁

Rice pudding! I love every bit of what goes in it but I really can't eat the finished dish.  It's weird, but I've tried several times because logically I should love it. 🤣

My winter preparations are progressing slowly.  I've bought a windproof/waterproof lined Reg4tta jacket in the half-price sale and courtesy of someone on the charity shop thread, (sorry I've not gone back to find out who), I've ordered one of the oversized hoodies from 0HS - I also ordered a pet blanket at the same time and along with postage it's still less than the similar hoodie at B#M.

I've realised that all my winter gloves are in storage - didn't think about that back in May/June in sweltering France 🤣 so I'll see what I can find when out today.  When I finally move in to the house I know that some windows are only single glazed and one double glazed one is broken so I'm thinking of buying that plastic shrink film as a short term, maybe longer term measure.  I think that draught prevention is going to be a top priority.

Apart from that, I've been making soups and stews for my DS, DDiL and myself and wrapping up well.  No heating on here yet as DS and DDiL are out 13 hours a day.  Luckilly south Wales is generally pretty mild. 🤞🤞

Great preparations everyone and I hope you're soon back home @London_1.

sammy_kaye18

dND said:

  Luckilly south Wales is generally pretty mild. 🤞🤞

Ah another fellow Welshie. Where in south wales are you lovely? Im over in Port Talbot. 

I too have ordered a few OHS oodie style jumpers and Im hoping they will arrive today whilst everyone's out of the house so I can put them aside for Christmas. 

Today has taught me to stock up the medicine cabinet though and get a move on with it. Son woke up with a horrid headache so hes off work today, DD is still on her spray for her ear but I think its a bit swollen so shes uncomfortable but not in pain if that makes sense. 

Husband was nice and snug in his van, he came home Sunday night, had Monday off and was asked to go away again today. He was meant to be away for the day but has just messaged and said that he has been asked to stay on for tomorrow as well so he has an impromptu stay in the van - luckily being prepared came in handy and he has everything he needs with him in his spares box but he also found an app on his phone - I cant remember but someone suggested a book of places you can park up - well this app does the same thing so he is going to use it to see if its any good and find somewhere near him.  

Always lovely to hear from you @London_1 I am glad you are up and a bit more mobile. I remember your last operation and how you weren't liking being dependent on others because you like your independence. You'll be out having your cup of tea treat again in no time I'm sure. You are definitely a determined lady! 

@Cheapskate are you with OVO / Swalec = last year they ran a scheme where you can get free electric blankets. We were allowed 2. It was 1 blanket per two people in the household and we can easily fit two under one blanket, they are lovely and thick and the instructions etc are really easy to use. We use them on the sofa. 
I dont know if groups like BG or Octopus etc do something similar. 

ALSO anyone who is having some problems with the cost of living - Morrison's and Warburton's are running their scheme again to help out - so if you go into the cafe and ASK FOR ELLEN - then to coincide with national crumpet week - you'll be given two freshly toasted crumpets with butter and jam. No questions or conditions asked. They are also doing the kids eat free if an adult buys a £4.50 meal. 
Might help someone out x

Matty246

Make sure you check the measurements. I bought a double one last year and it is MUCH smaller than my previous one. Don't believe the pictures on the adverts. 

MrsCD

@London_1 Jackie I hadn't realised that you were in hospital, but I'm pleased your op has gone well and you are up on your feet. We'll all have a virtual cuppa once you're back home. 😉

dND

@sammy_kaye18 Currently Llanelli way but hopefully moving just over the Loughor estuary very soon. 🤞 I hope that the DC's are well again soon.  PS. I spotted you on the competition site I'm on too. Not stalking you I promise. 🤣🤣

Cherryfudge

sammy_kaye18 said:

Husband was nice and snug in his van, he came home Sunday night, had Monday off and was asked to go away again today. He was meant to be away for the day but has just messaged and said that he has been asked to stay on for tomorrow as well so he has an impromptu stay in the van - luckily being prepared came in handy and he has everything he needs with him in his spares box but he also found an app on his phone - I cant remember but someone suggested a book of places you can park up - well this app does the same thing so he is going to use it to see if its any good and find somewhere near him.  

Good to hear all your preparations have paid off! I hope he found a  good place to park up.

catz4m8z

Im currently stuck doing boring (and expensive!) stuff to prep for winter the moment. Yesterday had roofers out to replace bathroom roof as it was leaking, they are coming back tomorrow to put a new roof on my bay window which is so broken down it is cracked right down the middle!
Next will be getting the windows replaced, one of them has been stuck part open for years so it would be nice to actually get through a winter without an open window!
Then I have to hire someone to repaint the house and sort out any cracks....at which point Im fairly certain I will have run out of money!!LOL
Which is frustrating coz the walls inside are falling apart (the plaster and ceiling are literally crumbing off!) but I really have to pay for the bits I dont really see first! So Im now being super tight with my finances to try and get as much done as possible.