Warming up Friday

Back to the brr's I think this weekend judging pretty much from how I felt overnight Wednesday, chilled in my room having once I had got up, got some warm porridge going and took a toffee hammer and screwdriver to the waste bins as they had frozen over.

One can only imagine what it is like for those who struggle with heating expenses trying to keep the house warm.

I usually try to get anything that features bearings and oils a bit of run to prevent it sticking such as tape and record decks although very cold weather can effect the damping fluid in the tone arm  as I did play a few records across the week from the collection.

There are a few plushies about which I just adore not just as pretty collectable objects but as things of comfort when as with a bit of this week things were shall we say a bit trying so something you can hug really does help.

Until next week, bye.

Winter in the wood

While the never-ending political discourse runs on and on as it has this week to the dismay of many, I took a bit of time out to look at what else is around me.

Fortunately here, even in the built up envelope you do have woodland pockets and about a week ago woodland management trimmed some dead wood off to let a bit of light in for new growth.
These trees have been here for over twenty-five years that I can recall.

Even though part of last week was relatively cool, the general temperature trend has been above the seasonal norm so these berries are out all ready.

Surprisingly so are these blossoms in an adjacent hedgerow approaching the built up core that I spotted yesterday while out dodging the ice.
Getting out of the discourse is so much healthier.

Snowed in!

We've been having some ahem, extreme weather this week of which this picture kind of sums it up as that temporary advertising hoarding  shown is for the local Snow Drop walk at our magnificent Georgian Hall held for charity but the grounds covered by snow. Snow chance of seeing much today.
Actually as I'm typing this up we've had nearly two inches land in less than an hour and that was followed by even more which is a good deal more than I can easily get about in to be  honest so I'll have to see what happens in the next day but at least I was able to get to the Post Office and use its ATM before this latest lot came down.
That is good for me given I'm unstable on my feet and I struggle at times with fears from when I fractured my upper arm when I was younger which was excruciatingly painful.
If that wasn't enough the overnight temperatures dropped to minus 8.5 overnight which I could feel in my bones despite having extra layers on in bed with Emma's winds howling around me.
I was glad to see our mailwoman get through with some things for next weeks around the sun activity just a half hour later than usual which is pretty good going actually having come out some three miles with the van to deliver.
Yesterday although the snow was powdery, there was sheet ice formed from the previous days snow melting and freezing over night that made it too slippy for me to venture out.
When will it end?

Snowbusiness!

Here's a picture of our bird feeder taking during the recent snowfalls

No room at the inn

Just a bit tired after battling with snow this morning but I thought I'd write this up as shot as I'm feeling right now while the idea is still fresh.
How much space do you think you might need to live in in 2013? Well I think we'd agree you need a place to prepare food in, a separate space for living and maybe studying in  and a bedroom perhaps.
Now ideally if you were to work from home you might have a requirement for dedicated work space.
Note so far in we've not mentioned children, carers or if you're like me with a physical disability our specific needs.
Why I am talking about this today is because the UK government, specifically the Department of Work and Pensions has brought in a measure of how much space people of working age who need help to pay rent for properties owned by Social Housing Providers alone should be allowed. Part of the reason given is they believe too many people are in property that is 'too big' while others who may need it are left waiting.
Astonishingly, the one portion of the population who are more likely to living in accommodation bigger than their needs - single elderly people remaining in property allocated when they themselves had children who have left - are excluded presumably not to lose the older vote.
The chief problem with the policy is that in Great Britain, very few Social Housing projects did build property of two bedroom or smaller as the focus was the 'nuclear family' of 2 adults and 2.4 children and most private property isn't either. The main provider of the small amount of smaller properties are Private Landlords who do (and are) charging significantly more per room which is subject to a financial cap for people who need help to pay for it.
The way this new policy is supposed to work is if you have more space you're said to require then you pay something like 14% per room extra unless you move, which will come from your regular income such as your wages if you're working or welfare benefits if you're not.
The reason you had help to pay the rent was precisely because you didn't have enough to pay for a place to live and you're expected to make it up when you find out there's nowhere smaller available!
Note this is also effects those in work too - so much for the supporting workers not shirkers mantra  the Tories had been peddling for the last 6 months - and although extra space had been belated recognized for families with disabled children and serving soldiers, no consideration is given to either separated people unable to afford to move out of a home so former partners are expect to share a single bedroom, those with sleep disorders are expected to sleep with those who don't (a recipe for a bad nights sleep and much edginess) and the needs of disabled adults with mobility problems and specialized equipment such as scooters, reclining beds, lifts etc.
Also ignored are the needs of children from split families who stay over a few days per week as part of continuing parental rights access programs.
It may not be good if one partner is living a life in a different gender and the other has issues with it (You're not dressing like that in MY bedroom).
The real solution would be to build more social housing for rent including smaller properties that would help the construction industry out rather than supporting private housing building and threatening to offer state backed mortgage guarantees to support private home ownership but then you know the Tories would only look after their interests didn't you?
Maybe they'll bring in a window tax to go with the bedroom one.

Keeping warm in style

For a period I was in love with sports leisure  wear and one example of it is this.

This Baseball jacket is by Henley's with stud fastening but you know there's  quite a few variations on this theme out there. The pink lining is a nice touch just taking the masculine edge off of it but I'll guess most of us could get away with a guys!

Prom-a-lot

You know apart from just getting soaked in today's downpour it's not the only reminder that we're approaching that time of year, girls, that has us on the one hand super excited about being with friends and yet at the other worried about how we look as well as if we have anything in that might cut it.
Well if you're in the UK with a reasonably slimish build this might be a dress that would work.

It's by Diamond stocked by Debenhams and designed by Julien McDonald.
Although it's shortish so you need legs, it's reasonably full with a mesh skirt with net trimming underneath to pouf it out a bit while the contrasting top half is simple leading itself to accessorising but with the cut outs at the side.
Available in UK sizes 6 through 18, teamed with heels you'll stand out without looking too out of place.

Stay safe, stay comfortable

Well after last week where we had major storms that resulted in trees being blown down here, stuff from next door in your garden and even some roofs being blown off it's hardly surprising my mind goes to comfort mode.

Heck that stuff was scary feeling the upper level of my house vibrate badly.

Anyway over the last few years winter head ware fashions have changes with Inca styled woollen hats becoming most popular in a variety of different designs and colours beuing worn by all of either gender and most ages.

I really like this one is that is typical of the breed with tie ups to keep it tight so your ears don't get the cold which is something I really dislike about this time of year.

Wrapping up time!

It's started to get colder now and as I like to go out a good deal walking, a form of exercise that not only keeps my weight under control but also keeps me mentally alert thoughts drifted toward new extremity covering garments for the season.
This caught my fancy at Monsoon. Made by Accessorize, it's a thick woollen hat and glove set entitled "Bright Heart & Check chunky Chullo" with the hat being £18 and the matching gloves for £12.

The onset of Winter

Today's has been like the last week over here cold and somewhat icy.

This would be fine except for the fact I'm not to good on my feet so it doesn't take much for me to lose my balance and fall over.
I had three attempts at falling over yesterday as even at 14:00 hours the ice had not melted in places.

I hurt my arm which had been damaged over twenty years ago from a playground accident so had to rest it for several hours.

It's okay now .