Preparing for Winter

debtfreein4years

have managed to get quite a bit done on my list. will aim to have the rest done by the end of september. im hopeing to avoid having the heating on till the end of october but will see how it goes.

the curtain is up in the hall above the front door and its amazing how much warmer the hall is already.

1. must make a car emergency box. very important as i now drive and will be using the car to get to work. thinking torch, aa membership details, warning triangle thingey, couple of bottles of juice, box of cereal bars, blankets and some cash - say £20 as a mix of change and a note?
2. getting salt for the front path so i dont break my neck.
[STRIKE]3. digging out the dehumidifier for when drying clothes in the house.
[/STRIKE] done
[STRIKE]4. getting matches. i only have a lighter so might be a wise investment of a few pence. [/STRIKE] done
[STRIKE]5. emergency box for the house. i'm a worrier and people talking about power cuts means i want to be prepared for all weather. in this im thinking torch, candles, matches, corkscrew, hot chocolate, marshmallows and a big bar of chocolate! gas hob so will be able to get a hot drink and a hot meal even if cooking by candle light. corkscrew so i dont need to go rooting round for one as wine by candlelight is nice [/STRIKE] done used an old shoe box
[STRIKE]6. get some uht milk in[/STRIKE] done
7. making sure the medicine box is stocked with decongestents and vick's
8. new toweling dressing gown so that i can alternate giving each time to dry out
9. thick socks for oh as i can wear his socks but he cant wear mine
10. hat, scarf and gloves for both of us
11. slippers for us both
12. dig out the electric radiator for bedroom - boost the bedroom heat for a little bit before bed making the room nice and toasty
[STRIKE]13. change lightweight duvet to 13.5tog duvet on our bed[/STRIKE] done
14. find and buy flannelette sheets
15. see if asda still do the terry bedding in a bag (had this years ago and it was lovely and toasty warm)
16. buy flask in case of power cut and needing to heat water. the water will then stay hot without needing to keep heating it on the stove.
[STRIKE]17. get some nice bubble bath for those nights when it is truely awful.
[/STRIKE] done 18. get plug in landline rather than cordless phones in case power does go out. would be nice to be able to make a phonecall rather than using mobile. - mum has got a box full so just going to get one from her when i next go to visit
[STRIKE]19. make the board games more accesable than they are now for something to do if powercut does happen.[/STRIKE] done
20. buy a battery powered/wind up radio just in case.

msgnomey

I need to
1. get a thermal blind for the kitchen
2. make some draught excluders
3. hang a curtain rail for the front door (I have the curtains all ready) the winter curtains are lined so will help keep the warmth in
4. take the big snuggly duvet to the laundrette and wash it ready (soon if tonight is 'owt to go by-it's chffin freezing)
5. make plans for the garden!!

Money_maker

Not very OS but Avon have Snuggle Boots coming up in their brochures soon. These are fleecy, warm and look snug and comfy @ £10. Not very attractive but cosy.

A couple of winters ago, I was working in a cold warehouse and used to have my break/lunch in the car. I would take in a hot water bottle in a fluffy cover which I left on the seat and could defrost with it. Even when going cold, a hot water bottle stays warm in a fluffy cover.

stacey809

I went to B and M's yesterday. Got a fleece blanket, hot water bottle and these slippers (filled with wheat) that you put in the microwave for 2 mins and the keep yur feet nice and toasty. All for just less than £10.

I need to get curtains up ove the blinds in the livingroom
Get (or make) draught excluders for the front and back door
Sort out an emergancy box (more than likely will have a power cut ver the festive period).

I am trying not to use my heating until October.

helyg

mrssnowy wrote: »

Live near the Elan Valley,typical BH weather as well.But as DH says'you don't build dams in deserts':rotfl:

mrss

Not too far away then! Hope the people of Birmingham understand how rainy it has to be with you in order for them to have a water supply Lovely part of the world though.

valk_scot

I think I'm pretty set up for the winter inside the house We got new central heating a couple of years ago, plus cavity wall insulation three years back. I have endless amounts of winter curtains and heavy duvets up in our (well insullated) attic and I knit a lot so we're never short of wooly things. I've sorted out my own and the kids clothes to make sure we have vests and jumpers and good warm jackets. And the larder and freezers are well stocked.

The one job I really must do is to paint the front door and window ledges. It's been three years since they were put in and the paint is starting to look a bit thin and crackly in places. Painting is not my favourite job but if I leave it to Hubby I'll wait another three years to get them done, so one job for today is to get down into the utility room and see if we've any suitable paint. And I might even fit the draught strip to the bottom of the inside front door, the one that's been sitting there waiting for him to do it for the last 18 months.

I need to go and get a few winter things for myself too. M&S here I come...as a bribe for going to B&Q first, sigh. (Hate B&Q). I took some stuff to Oxfam last week when I turned out the wardrobes, so I have a couple of their £5 off vouchers to spend.

newlywed

Hmmm let's see what was the plan from last year?

1. Fleece blankets - all done and sorted - but if I spot some decent ones for the boys room I'll get them an extra one each as their room can be a bit chilli
2. Thermal lining for the boys curtains - must get this done this year
3. Hot water bottles - got one, didn't use it last winter though.

In addition OH has sorted the patio door so that it no longer blows a gale through a gap in the door.

Have had winter duvet cleaned.

nicki_2

I've done a couple more jobs

Still to do:

• Grit/salt for the yard when its icy
• Remove all the sticky tape around the door/window from last years glazing film - In progress I attacked the window yesterday with Stickystuff remover and a paint scraper...took me 4 hours :eek: There's still a sticky residue but I'll have another go at the weekend while DD is away.
• Replace glazing film on the back of the front door.
• [STRIKE]Repair tears in backdoor film[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]Make Draft excluders[/STRIKE]
• [STRIKE]Make inbetween room curtains[/STRIKE]
• Recover the dining chairs (not strictly winter prep, but its going to be the same material as the curtains ) Will do when DD is away
• Rug for the dining area of the livingroom -Going to start checking on freecycle daily for this. Can't afford to buy one ATM.
• Christmas Tree required.
• Bubblewrap bathroom windows (seperate so I can open the window if needs be)
  

Wardrobe wise :

• DD Fleecy PJ's, boots - Grandparents have been told about DD's need for boots so they should get sorted this coming weekend About to look in Asda at PJs.
• Me PJ bottoms & boots - Going to check out Asda today for these - Primarni don't do my size

I've also made a tempary "curtain" for the cubby between the kitchen and livingroom. Its only sticky velcro'd to the kitchen wall at bedtime (will put it up earlier when the nights start getting really cold) but it still makes a difference and my livingroom ends up pitch black when its up :eek:

Yesterday I also gave my frontdoor another coat of woodstain. I'd noticed it had become bald in some areas due to the way in which the rain hits it. Looks so much better. Don't think I'll get another chance to do it until the end of October as I'm back at work tomorrow which means errands run Saturdays/Sundays so I can't leave the door ajar while it dries :rolleyes:

Also all the winter woolies are washed and sorted, winter coats have been aired or washed. Only thing left to do is 2 big blankets (one is like camels wool and is a nightmare to wash/dry so I'll try just airing that)

I will admit to putting the gas fire on on Sunday night, on the lowest setting and only for about an hour - but I was freezing and it was damp here. Last night I had the iron & tumble drier on so I was toasty :rotfl::rotfl:

Can't wait to start cooking stews in the slowcooker while at work again. I love it

katieclampet

Hi all, have been reading my way through this thread, and been inspired to start own list

Done

• winter quilt out to go on my bed
• fleece blankets & throws washed & aired out
• checked we all have boots, coats, socks, hats, gloves & scarves
• checked we are well stocked with fuel
• checked we have plenty of matches, candles, torches & a small gas cooker
• plenty of tinned food & basics in store cupboard
• look out heavy duty winter curtains to replace thin summer ones
• all outside gutters, drains etc checked

To do

• iron winter curtains & hang
• buy new hwb
• ? think about buying electric blanket
• organise emergency box for car, snacks, drink, cash, torch, shovel, deicer, blanket
• check we have a spare shovel and salt
• make curtain for front door, to cut down on draughts

That should keep me busy. But I've noticed how cold its getting and the nights are definitely drawing in, it feels like autumn, so winter wont be too far away.

katiex

wendy52

I bought children's brushed cotton pyjamas at Home Bargains on Saturday.
They are great value at £2.49 a pair.
Granddaughter had them last winter and they washed and wore very well.