tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post2409427479545174534..comments2024-03-19T08:35:01.699+00:00Comments on Love my life: Stop flicking the switchMeanqueenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-9434627706368610792014-01-23T02:44:00.506+00:002014-01-23T02:44:00.506+00:00You motivated me to go to the shed, get 3 of my la...You motivated me to go to the shed, get 3 of my lamps, dust them, and set them up. One had a good bulb, but I needed 2 new ones. I have a local Aldi, and was wondering if anyone thinks they do good light bulbs. Anyone recommend Aldi bulbs? I live in Australia, but they probably sell the same type as the UK ones. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-49387394951153460652014-01-22T06:19:38.554+00:002014-01-22T06:19:38.554+00:00I'm surprised not to see energy saving light b...I'm surprised not to see energy saving light bulbs.<br />How do you know that the light has gone off when you close the fridge door. I'd be worried that it was still on and using unnecesary power and worse still the heat from the bulb would make the fridge work harder and use even more electricity. I think i'll put my phone in the fridge to make a video just to be sure.<br />Going to the toilet in the dark could lead to all sorts if trouble for us chaps, far safer to put the light on.<br />Dave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-41087369724408746232014-01-21T21:36:23.574+00:002014-01-21T21:36:23.574+00:00Some brilliant ideas from Ilona and others here. I...Some brilliant ideas from Ilona and others here. I always chase after DB to switch off the TV as he leaves it running when he decides to spend some time on his computer in an upstairs room. No point in wasting electricity downstairs.<br />I never bother with lights when nature calls during the night. I know my way around the house and don`t disturb anyone else that`s sleeping. Having a pee in the dark is second nature to me. Not switching the lights on also tells the cat that I`m not getting up to feed him, so he will often not even move from the foot end of my side of the bed when I go to find the toilet. As DB is often not sleeping well during the night (due to health problems) he now likes to have a bit of a rest in the morning. I therefore get dressed in the dark before I have to go to work. If I lay out the clothes in the evening before this is never a problem for me. We have been using the central heating very sparingly this winter, not having had it on at all for the last week. We only use it for an hour on occasion, just to take the chill off the rooms before night time. I`m active enough during the day not to need any heating in the house. Hot tea or spicy soup often warms you up when needed. Older generations often are frail and not physically able to keep moving around so much, and that`s when they will feel the cold far quicker than anyone else. Keep moving as long as you can and tank up with plenty of hot beverages during winter, is the answer. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114653674812242486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-83837202364938283422014-01-21T21:07:46.715+00:002014-01-21T21:07:46.715+00:00We have 4 solar lights that we charge during the d...We have 4 solar lights that we charge during the day (over winter we charge the batteries during lowest tariff periods) and place them around the house to provide light during the night. The lights are fantastic. The sensors come on as one approaches and switch off when there is no one about. They create enough light to see and we can move about safely. We believe the lights are saving us money as we are not constantly switching lights on and off. By using less power we are also being kinder to the environment which is important to us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-72930158484759502072014-01-21T17:31:30.846+00:002014-01-21T17:31:30.846+00:00I'm glad you saw it. I felt concerned and I t...I'm glad you saw it. I felt concerned and I thought of you when they were talking to that lady. They did say that she was still at risk because her blood pressure was up when she was cold and that caused thick, sticky blood. perhaps she should have had more layers on and her blood pressure might not have gone up. I agree legging are not warm on there own. <br />CarolxCarolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04332392686031711784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-78509504029812287692014-01-21T16:48:48.765+00:002014-01-21T16:48:48.765+00:00For as long as I can remember I have had two night...For as long as I can remember I have had two night lights in the kitchen. One by the sink and one over the cat's bowls. They're the kind that automatically come on at night, then off when it's light. I never have to use the "big" lights in the kitchen and it makes enough light to walk through the house at night without tripping over anything, plus as I am an early riser, I can see to feed the kitties, make a cup of coffee, etc. without disturbing the hubby (our bedroom is right outside the kitchen). JanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-69355120611122408492014-01-21T14:53:19.789+00:002014-01-21T14:53:19.789+00:00You have just answered a question for me lol. My h...You have just answered a question for me lol. My husband has to have the bedroom window open a bit all year round. He too used to have an 'outside in all weathers job'. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-11361050538553180032014-01-21T13:34:06.262+00:002014-01-21T13:34:06.262+00:00Many eons ago when my husband was in the military ...Many eons ago when my husband was in the military there was an outbreak of meningitis on the post in the midst of a very cold winter. All the barracks windows were flung open to circulate the cool air as the stagnant warm air kept it alive. I like a cooler house and I love to burn candles. Your house would suit me perfectly! Linda Metcalfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14706004604567190617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-17524720933099848312014-01-21T13:18:47.282+00:002014-01-21T13:18:47.282+00:00It's a case of what works for you. Here in Ca...It's a case of what works for you. Here in Canada we HAVE to have some sort of heating on in the winter regardless as it gets so cold and as Jane said minus 35 oC was last nights temp. I am also married to a man with poor circulation so he is cold all of the time. We do turn off lights when not needed and I do try and heat water on top of the wood burner when I can.<br /><br />It's good though for you to show us what works for you and for everyone to take that info and apply it to our daily lives,Gill - That British Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17456247587052149765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-29684087145201986932014-01-21T12:19:58.244+00:002014-01-21T12:19:58.244+00:00That is a cunning plan, wouldn't work here tho...That is a cunning plan, wouldn't work here though as mine pays me board and I think I would struggle to get him to pay me more....Kate Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325725955137255316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-4351460069865311362014-01-21T12:10:10.636+00:002014-01-21T12:10:10.636+00:00Hi Sue, I do similar things to you, I also bought ...Hi Sue, I do similar things to you, I also bought a mini oven which has been fantastic. Our winter statement has arrived and I am £20 a month better off since last year regardless of rise in energy costs. To me that is a lot of money to save. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-71784672126314538082014-01-21T11:23:19.554+00:002014-01-21T11:23:19.554+00:00Hi Kate, I got tired of my son leaving lights on s...Hi Kate, I got tired of my son leaving lights on so I threatened to deduct the cost of the electricity he was wasting from his monthly allowance! It worked. Mean Mum eh?SusanMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09622557936441532144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-25034214222745180612014-01-21T10:33:10.923+00:002014-01-21T10:33:10.923+00:00I know my way around my house in the dark, so on m...I know my way around my house in the dark, so on my (increasingly frequent) trips to the loo in the night I don't bother with any kind of light. I feel in front with my toe if the cat isn't on the bed, just in case she is on the stairs.<br />I'm with Sue on the steamer though I don't have an electric one, just a couple of steamer pans that I put on top of saucepans. Potatoes / carrots/ swede etc underneath and greens / beans /peas or puddings etc on top. I bought the pans for 50p each from a Charity Shop many years ago.<br />GillFrugal in Derbyshire https://www.blogger.com/profile/10221169113482164565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-55473863969686938602014-01-21T09:44:48.876+00:002014-01-21T09:44:48.876+00:00Hi Carol, I saw that report on another programme. ...Hi Carol, I saw that report on another programme. I don't think it is a case of one rule for all. Everybody has a different tolerance level towards cold, it will affect different people in different ways. I thought it was a bit scaremongering, the man from Age Uk seemed to imply that anyone living in a house where the heating is only switched on for a couple of hours a day, is at risk of a heart attack or stroke. I wonder if they have done any research on the people who died during the cold weather, were there any other factors involved, such as age and other medical conditions, which may have contributed to their death. <br /><br />Some people are more hardy than others. The woman in the report is like me, although I think she should have been wearing more clothes than she was. Those skin tight leggins are no protection at all, unless they are just one of several layers. The man seemed a bit older, and not quite so active.<br /><br />They talked of pensioners being at risk. Although I am technically a pensioner I am only 64, hardly old at all. I may be at risk in twenty years time, I'll let you know how I go on. Meanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-31179587218644857082014-01-21T09:23:18.764+00:002014-01-21T09:23:18.764+00:00Hi Sue, Thanks for those great tips. I have one of...Hi Sue, Thanks for those great tips. I have one of those electric steamers which I use sometimes, but mostly I steam in a pan on the gas stove. My freezer is usually full, but when I go away I fill the fridge and freezer up with bottles of waterMeanqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02705837426373680532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-89830483865672584982014-01-21T08:48:57.629+00:002014-01-21T08:48:57.629+00:00I was a little bit worried about you going up and ...I was a little bit worried about you going up and down stairs with just a head torch on, tripping over kitties could be an issue but I guess you are grown up enough to take this chance. Now will you come around here and teach my lot how to switch lights etc. off?Kate Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325725955137255316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-56566472609976819202014-01-21T08:35:03.317+00:002014-01-21T08:35:03.317+00:00With the price of energy I think lots of people ar...With the price of energy I think lots of people are becoming more aware about their use of gas and electricity. I find the same as you with my kettle - I have to put two mugs worth of water in to cover the element, but I save the rest in a flask, kept by the kettle, or pour it into the dirty dog bowls to leave them to soak until washed. I use the shower instead of the bath and have a flannel wash every second (or second and third) day. Curtains are heavily lined in winter and closed at dusk. Washing machine washes on a low temperature on a quick wash cycle. I check the weather forecast before deciding to put the washing machine on the following day so I can dry clothes on the line whenever possible. I bought an extra cheap clothes airer so I now have two clothes airers to finish drying off clothes and hang shirts etc on coat hangers on door handles and curtain poles. Also, my mini oven (£30 from Lidl) is saving an absolute fortune compared with using the main oven. Like you, we just use a lamp in the room we are using - all other lights in the house are switched off. Using a steamer for veg saves money too - potatoes or sprouts in the bottom in the water and the other veggies in the steamer part on top. My freezer is usually full but apparently if you fill empty milk cartons with water to fill up the freezer space this saves energy. Despite the rise in energy costs, my electricity bill has decreased too. SusanMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09622557936441532144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-45994614988961024252014-01-21T08:32:13.936+00:002014-01-21T08:32:13.936+00:00You can get wind-up radios as well as wind up torc...You can get wind-up radios as well as wind up torches, that way you won't be using any electricity at all :-) I have one and I take it into the greenhouse with me to listen to Radio 4 when I'm pottering around <br />Kay xKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09242633962339344241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-19322711033562048952014-01-21T08:15:15.312+00:002014-01-21T08:15:15.312+00:00My other half's nickname for me is 'The Sw...My other half's nickname for me is 'The Switch Police' because I'm always going round switching off after him.He'd kill me if I wandered round in the dark with a torch though, he says it's too dangerous, I once fell down the stairs because I couldn't see where I was going!Sue Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16463317651625459406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-79678298538197196682014-01-21T07:59:01.671+00:002014-01-21T07:59:01.671+00:00I have one of those circular light fittings in the...I have one of those circular light fittings in the kitchen where you have 3 bulbs which can be individually angled to light up a specific work area. Two of the bulbs have blown and I haven't bothered to replace them and you know what, the one bulb I have left illuminates the kitchen perfectly.<br /><br />Must get myself a wind up torch though.<br /><br />Linda xxCrystalMoonCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09903091876032634142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-29096490619353037152014-01-21T07:43:35.678+00:002014-01-21T07:43:35.678+00:00Saw an interesting article, on the BBC One Show, l...Saw an interesting article, on the BBC One Show, last night about the cold and blood pressure and the risks. Itt might be worth a look on iplayer. I would be interested to hear your comments. My husband is always cold in his layers and I'm always warm in my T-shirt, similar to the Frank Skinner comment afterwards. our living room is nearly always 21 degrees if not more and I have to open a window and he closes it. We don't have central heating but a multi fuel stove that heats the whole house.<br />Carolx<br />Carolx<br />Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04332392686031711784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-45165384279274433762014-01-21T06:34:03.205+00:002014-01-21T06:34:03.205+00:00Be careful youre not reported to social services ,...Be careful youre not reported to social services , thats just happened to my father in law , but hes in his 80s . Hes worked outside all his life so doesnt feel the cold , it has to be proper pipe freezing weather before he puts the heating on . He doesnt use lights much because hes on his own so whos going to trip him up as he says . He also likes to sit with his memories , because theres nothing on the tv or radio he would find interesting . Hes not a poor pensioner but theyre trying to send him for alzheimers testing now, hes not amused at all .<br />kate steeperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05772776996207438308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-67323442899346390852014-01-21T00:01:30.844+00:002014-01-21T00:01:30.844+00:00I felt like I was walking round the house with you...I felt like I was walking round the house with you on your torch journey, I loved this post.Winterfell Mixed Mediahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05085237973862858567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-60675077104663964802014-01-20T22:12:57.577+00:002014-01-20T22:12:57.577+00:00Lights on when you need them...off when you don...Lights on when you need them...off when you don't, is how we live.Hydro (electricity) costs are stoooooopid here,sowe hae to save where we can.<br />Just threw another log on the fire as it's going to be -35C overnight.<br />Jane xJane and Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08102086552682194819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3556657999892839298.post-35960316345466054572014-01-20T22:00:19.186+00:002014-01-20T22:00:19.186+00:00My husband likes too many lights on. I'm alway...My husband likes too many lights on. I'm always asking if he needs the one on the other side of the room, and he always says "yes". Some days i'm okay with it, others , not so much. I use a lot of candles in the Winter. One in the bathroom is perfect; the kitchen most nights. Also, i have a string of Christmas lights in a large potted plant that i use until we start turning the regular lights on. Of course, we use the energy efficient kind.<br />This is a nice reminder to be more mindful.momsavnoreply@blogger.com