From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

It's blustery with us Cheery and at times the gusts are really strong, but we're still a lot better off than folks that were in the path of the storm.  

We just popped out to a window showroom.  It was helpful to see eg door colours in 'real' life, and the one firm had used a bit of shorthand 'code' which mean nothing to me, so we were able to see that it referred to the shape of the actual window frame etc.  A very worthwhile exercise.  It was only a small room, and we were the only ones there, until....... the world and his wife came to have a look at windows and doors too 🤣

Anyway, it's cemented what we would get if we proceed (which I think we will), and so we will look to make that happen - as you all know, there are lead times and order times and everything, but we could have it done and dusted within the next 6 weeks or so, potentially.

The sun is trying to come out - but the wind and rain is making it seem more dreich.  I think it's a soup for lunch style day.  

I can't think of anything else MSE-minded to add, so I shall push orf in search of something to soupify.

Ta for popping in.  Greying X

greenbee

That's exciting GP! How lovely to have windows done in time to be cosy over the winter!

Blackcats

Great progress on the windows.  Sounds like a day out in the windows showroom is THE thing to be doing in Greying Town today,

Greying_Pilgrim

Blackcats said:

Great progress on the windows.  Sounds like a day out in the windows showroom is THE thing to be doing in Greying Town today,

Sad, but clearly true! 🤣🤣🤣

greenbee - I hope it makes a tangible difference - especially in LG's room. i'm hopeful that we can start to change curtains etc, once we've had the windows done - and the radiator needs changing in LG's room too - it was never big enough to heat the room, despite me pointing out to the plumber the stark difference in temperature of LG's room.  

So soup was a made up but was along the lines of minestrone.  I used up the last of the orzo pasta, a tin of black eyed beans, a tin of tomatoes, a stock cube, 2 carrots, an onion, a stick of celery, some garlic and some tomato puree.  All cooked up in the PrC with some water for 10 mins.  It had thickened up and I added in a bit of paprika and some dried herbs and black pepper.  A big bowlful each and a bit left over for another day.  

It's still blowy, but at least the rain has stopped, which makes things a bit more cheerful.

Greying X

greenbee

It's definitely worth oversizing radiators - you can put thermostats on them and/or lower the flow temperature on the boiler. Much better than not being able to heat the room sufficiently. I'm currently replacing all of mine with larger ones as I do each room... although, like you, I have to keep an eye on the plumber as he doesn't believe in solar/heat pumps, so is somewhat resistant to my requirement to maximise the radiator sizes. I think that the office, recording studio, and old master bedroom/ensuite may well need upgrading at some point as those were redecorated before I started to look seriously at heat pump options. But the old master bedroom is currently lovely and warm as the chimney goes up against one wall, and releases heat well into the morning.

Wet and wild and windy here ... and the dog doesn't see this as a reason to stay inside. Or appear to listen to my explanations! The cats, however, are staging a protest about the weather. 

badmemory

Years ago I had a discussion with a plumber about why I would rather NOT have the room where I would take my clothes off over 10 degrees colder that a room where I would not.  I think it must be a man thing as so many seem not to feel the cold.

Incidently I am with greenbee's cats, but at least my battery is full thanks to today's freebie & more tomorrow.

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, windows done in 6 weeks sounds fantastic! 😊😊

Greying_Pilgrim

Anyone else seeing greenbee's cats parading up and down the living room with sashes and placards?  No?  Just me?  🤣  I'm not surprised your doggy is not put of by the rain - did you see that news feature about the last day of the season at Gourock outdoor swimming pool being given over to doggies to have a splash about.  They were launching in with gleeful abandon.  Mind the owners must have been made of stern stuff - not a dry suit amongst 'em 👍

I don't know if it is a bloke thing badmemory, as DH feels the cold from about June 21st onwards.... But in our previous house the plumbing firm fitted the 'rated' radiator for the room, but replaced it with a bigger one when I said it wasn't warming the room.  The firm that fitted this radiator just said open the valve more...... 🙄  Our bedroom radiator - whilst it is bigger, and serves a bigger room - warms the room and you can feel it as you walk through the door.  There is no such sensation in LG's room, and it's not a comfortable place to be/sit in winter.  Part of that is the window (but it's the same - old - spec as our bedroom window), but it is North-ish facing too.

Fingers crossed Cheery - might be a bit sooner, might be a bit longer, but hopefully before Chrimbo.  

I have no idea what to make for tea.  Nothing is 'grabbing' my attention.  Not that I'm super hungry - soup was a good choice for lunch.  

LG has completed a bit more of their homework quota.  It wasn't done without squeaking and flouncing 🙄  Such a waste of energy, but it's done now, copied in bestest handwriting and ticked off the list.  

The weather has improved, and we have had sunshine.  I'm hopeful that tomorrow will stay dry (as forecast), as I could get a load of workwear washed and potentially dried if it does.  

Right, I had better go a ferreting around a cupboard or freezer and come up with summat for us tea, otherwise the fam will be revolting.......

Greying X

greenbee

The cats say 'yes please' to sashes and placards...

Tip from my plumber - he picks up cheap radiators for his house from his supplier that have scratches on them and can't be sold to customers. I've pointed out that my radiators are painted, so I'd quite like the free/cheap ones too please You may be able to ask your plumber if he can get a better price if they have cosmetic damage.

I need to go and ferret around in the freezer too... I need to get pulses and some frozen spinach out. I've also got a whole lot of dog food to prep and put in there. 

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

A bright start with us, still breezy, but at much more moderate levels.  Workwear wash has just been pegged out, school clobber and general clothes are currently in the machine.  The whites wash has been folded and put away, it was left to dry naturally, and has done OK - but not something I would wish to do regularly tho.

Tea last night ended up being burger baps and a few oven chips.  Crowd pleaser and 'enough' without going full blown 'stuffed'.  DH and LG finished off the apple crumble with some yoghurt.

Not too sure what the day has in store, but I don't think we're off out anywhere - well, DH & LG will probably go out on the bikes or something.  I'm not sure I want them to bring back anymore cooking apples tho 😆

Can't think of anything else MSE to add at the mo.  Not sure what meals will be dished up today, but everything will be from stocks/stores, so I should achieve another NSD.

Ta for popping by.  Greying X