Preparing for Winter V

Sylvan

We've lost the electricity several times in the last couple of days. There doesn't seem to have been any reason - it's not windy or anything.
I've made sure all the torches have fully charged batteries and bought some more cheap gaslighters from A$da, to light candles, 'cos I'm useless with matches.

[Deleted User]

This is copy and paste from a poster on weatheraction, his name is Gerry and perhaps people should be aware that snow is not the only `danger point` in winter. What happens is that people don`t see snow forecast so they think that power will be ok

When it comes to winter people should remember not to be obsessed by snowfall. What will cause more problems are spells where a high pressure remains static over us so it is cold but with no wind. Lots of snow makes people think of it as a cold winter but it was a spell of prolonged high pressure that brought us to about a week from having problems with gas supply

pollys

We try and wind proof our home and garden for the winter. I find the wind quite scary. The BBQ and black bins are lodged down the side of the garage. When high winds are forecast we put the wheelie bin and food waste bin with them. Recycling boxes have now been placed just inside the garage. The wooden bench has a cover on which is fastened around each leg, it's new so we are hoping its secure.
I think that preparing for winter is preparing for all the season might throw at us.
Have a lovely evening all, I'm making a food shopping list of winter essentials.

Polly

Rainy-Days

Clocks go back this weekend and so the advent of Winter approaches! For me begins the fourteen week countdown to then start seeing the lighter nights approaching February next year.

Dark mornings and dark nights - how I hate it

mrs_motivated

Rainy-Days wrote: »

Clocks go back this weekend and so the advent of Winter approaches! For me begins the fourteen week countdown to then start seeing the lighter nights approaching February next year.

Dark mornings and dark nights - how I hate it

Oh me too Rainy-Days...I'm dread the dark nights and mornings, going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark is just awful.

BritishBibliophile

I'll miss seeing the house in day light for 5 days a week, but on the plus side I'll see some lovely frosty sunrises and some very pretty sunsets.

Having moved out of London I'm finding I'm not hating getting up early as much as I thought I would as seeing the sun come up across the trees and fields is a nice start to the morning.

NaughtySpot

nicki wrote: »

Our nearest class is by DD's school and I can't afford them atm. I still need to get him snipped and his jabs from scratch. When he first arrived things were up in the air for nearly 2 months as I got very ill literally the same day he arrived, then it was the school holidays and then I had a house full of workmen so setting the ground rules didn't happen. I'm reading Cesar Milans books and implementing his approaches as I can, but I'm having to re-train DD at the same time. She said the other day she's fed up of him always getting under her feet and jumping up to see her, she rarely walks him (when she does she has the lead so short he ends up getting under her feet and then she yells at him for that), she rags him over to her for hugs etc (something I've told her not to do repeatedly) them moans when he wants to lie next to her and I have to remind her repeatedly to feed him every day :mad: She loves him and plays with him but the novelty has definitely worn off for her, so I've told her either her attitude towards him improves or I'll rehome him for his sake. I'm just glad I didn't get a smaller dog as she would probably have injured it by now either standing/sitting on it or pulling it around to much.

nicki please don't panic about your dog. I have had two border collies and I can tell you they are a bit strange but once you learn who they are they are totally amazing.

BCs are like small boys with serious OCD, they like things they way they like them, don't respond easily to change in home routines and need a lot of stimulation. Find your dog's "on" switch and he'll love you forever. My BC is tennis ball mad. I buy them in 50s off ebay, and the house is full of them. I have in the past (not so much now as he's nearly 13) done everything while throwing/hiding balls for him. This has made him very happy, and then when I can't do it anymore I tell him "enough" and he goes off and amuses himself. You need to give him attention and stimulation, then show him play time is over (if that makes sense). I think neutering may help a little if he is prone to wandering off but it didn't change my dogs personality really. You need to show him you are the boss and in charge, and he'll do anything for you. You have to keep their brain occupied, or they'll look for mischief. Even walking the normal route the opposite way helps them think about things.

As for feeling the cold, mine have always loved a cuddle (and I have no issues with having a big dog on my knee) but do get really hot and then go somewhere cold to cool down. Please don't worry about him, he's very intelligent and won't freeze!

I've always let my dogs go wherever they want in the house, and it's always served me well with no problems once the chewing stage is over, but each to their own. BCs need to know their boundaries. Please feel free to PM me if you need to sound off about anything.

missyrichards

I went out to move the garden storage boxes and clean underneath them with a stiff brush and I pulled up the weeds.

I still need to get more tins for my storecupboard (as I keep sampling them lol) and some cold and flu medicine even though I had the jab.

pollys

Very windy here last night. The garden items were secure, however the alarm went off, a gust must have rattled the garage door. Heard about one or two trampolines being uplifted and gates blowing down.
Off shopping later to get a few things off my list.

Polly

Callisto

Still to get/do:

Sort out a car kit Not done yet as I am in the process of selling my car and having my parents smaller car as they have bought a larger one.
Bedroom curtains need lining Not done yet
Stock up on bulbs/batteries/[STRIKE]candles/medicines[/STRIKE] Have bought tealights and extra medicines. Still to get some more bulbs and batteries.
[STRIKE]Get a spare coat for the dog[/STRIKE] Got her a lovely bright waterproof coat with a warm fleece lining
[STRIKE]Stock up on tinned dog food[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]Get a thermal vest[/STRIKE] Got one, but realised I will need another one as will need to wash the first one at some point!
Get a spare torch for hallway Not got yet, just looking out for a small cheap torch

Also need to add to the list -

Set up bird feeding station and get some extra bird food for it.
Get one of those little lights for dog's collar for evening walking now the clocks have gone back.