Preparing for Winter

WASHER

One thing I have been stockpiling since April is salt, couldn't get any for love nor money last winter, we live on a slope and couldn't get the car off the drive, and the grit box at the side of the road was constantly empty.

vanilla

I love winter but my goodness was it bad for us last year. We got an extension on to the house so a hole was knocked through in the hall, it was freezing. Just abit of cardboard to cover it at night.

We contacted the warm homes as well and got oil heating, new rads and the loft done. It made such a big difference.

This year so far we have been fixing at the house, extension is done, bathroom has been done, kitchen is done. Still have loads to do.

I still need to.
Get blinds for every window and curtains
Get a door curtain
Fix the lining on the other door curtain
Get flooring for the hall
Refill oil tank
Get coal shed filled
Cut sticks and fill another shed
Build up a store cupboard
Get another couple hot water bottles
Get new quilts for everyone
Get new mattresses for boys
Get salt (the yard is an ice ring in the winter)

I think thats it for now but i'm sure i'll think of more. :rotfl:

Prudent

hermum wrote: »

Poundland & a 99p shop I was in today, have packs of thermal socks, I think the mens, were 3 pairs in the packs, fleecy hats, scarves & gloves, also in the camping section there's all sorts of goodies that could be put in a winter survival box. It may be worth taking a look around.
Microwave wheat bags & hand warmers are good to make, they can safely be used for young children if too young for hot water bottles.

Of to Poundland later thanks Does anyone know is primark has winter stuff in yet? I like their warm fluffy socks and Pjs.

mollythewestie

I am in the process of emptying a kitchen cupboard, which will house my winter stores.

I already have lots of big bags of salt, but still need extra supplies of:
UHT Milk
Bread flour
Yeast
Rice
Pasta
Cous Cous
Tinned tomatoes
Various tinned veg
Bottled water
I am going to make some jams and pickles too

I managed to get DD a few woolly hats and some mittens last year for 20p each after Xmas (She will no doubt lose a few as hats rarely stay on her head :cool:). And a friend of the family has given her a thermal ski suit (worn once) that should see her through the coldest weather.


I have been surprised during the last couple of winters at how cut off we become after just a little snow. I have previously lived on main roads in the city which were always gritted. But living in a side road that is only accessible by hills, we become isolated very quickly.

parsonswife8

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1299139/Food-prices-soar-10-time-New-Year.html

Just read this online.....

Just what we all need.:mad:

Nessa56

poorbabe wrote: »

Me too, but mine stay in the hallway as there is enough space. Occasionally, I'll use the tumble dryer though.

I have 3 clothes aires which get dotted around the flat in the winter and the sumner, they are a godsend, I also have radiator racks to dry the smalls on.

I used to have a tumble drier which I promised myself I would only use in emergencies but I found I was using it more and more, I have never had so many emergencies :rotfl:

I have now given it to my daughter who has 3 little ones and she has found it a godsend in the winter so now I can't be tempted :T
I also find that if I put trousers/skirts/blouses on hangers and hang then from the top of the doors when I go off to work they are practically dry by the time I get in at night, heat rises so they dry much quicker than if on the airers,

v
x

Kitchenbunny

I have a bit of a question. Do those with double glazed windows find any benefit from having draught excluders?

KB xx

muffin_man_7

Nessa56 i did the same gave my dryer to eldest cos hers packed up i don't miss it at all if you wash stuff a couple of days before you want to wear it no problem my son and daughter at home still think you can wash and dry in half a day only good thing with that is i started using quick wash more often and dropped temp to 30 wash cycle even faster when i do that only stuff i wont quick wash are whites don't know why but stains on whites stay put on 30 very weird i hang everything on hangers on a pole held up wth cup hooks that way they don't tend to fall off if someone goes past most stuff dry 24 hours or less and i suppose when heating eventually goes on i'll use the radiators too might even be a good excuse to put them on some days although i don't like putting heating on in the day as its always colder at night only time i have it on in day is if some one not well or if my granddaughters are here gas fire is a no go makes my head throb and thats after the safety check don't know about draught excluding double glazed windows we only got ours in feb but will check them on next windy day now doors def need sorting very draughty they don't fit snug to frame but council say they ok stick draught excluder on i tried that it just keeps falling off anyone else had same prob ? how did you fix it any ideas gratefully accepted

seabright

Hi all,
This thread is so big am finding it a bit off putting, would anyone object to a Prepare for Winter 2010 thread being started?

Emma1979

Last winter was a bad one and I ran out of milk, bread and a few other bits, DH decided to risk taking the car out.... A normal 15 min journey took over 2 hrs and resulted in him having to leave the car and walk home minus the milk, bread so I am determined that I am going to be prepared this winter.

I have also recently had a gas meter fitted so I have to cut down on the gas usage too as I really won't be able to put the heating on as and when I feel like it this year.

Here is my list of the things I am going to pick up over the next few weeks in preparation for it

2 x new duvets for us and DS
3 Fleece blankets for the sofa (1 for each of us)
new slippers for us all
Thick dressing gowns for DS & DH
Thick socks for us all
Slipper socks for DS
Hat scarves and gloves for all of us
Thick winter coats for DS & myself
slippers for myself & DH
Thermal vests for DS
Halogen heater to take the chill off the bedrooms 30mins before we get into bed *On offer at the mo for £8.99 from £24.99 at Argos so reserved 2 for collection *
Flask for myself and DH to take bed with us at night
3 x hotwater bottles
3 x Draught excluders for living room door & back doors
Thick door curtain for front door (will look in charity shops for this or make my own)
Buys some more gas for the camping stove
Candles
Matches
batteries
Airer

Also need to stock up on loo roll, toiletries, washing up liquid, cleaning products and cat food /litter

Will work out what food I could start to pick up now and stash away.