keeping warm this winter

[IggyB]

i was watching the news this morning about people suffering in the uk because of low wages and high fuel bills (fuel in this case being used for heating their houses) - the report discussed the help that was available for some people who need grants etc to keep warm this winter. They then featured one family that had been helped who all seemed to be wearing shorts and t-shirts etc. Is this normal? I only put my heating on when its too cold even with thick jumper etc on... am i not normal?

[theonlyone]

My mother in law is 87 years old and not hard up but will have the heating on for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon . She has arthritis , gets the heating money , but thinks heating is a waste of money so sits with a blanket wrapped around her, also has a bath in 2 inches of tepid water , it all goes back to WW2 , make do and mend. She hates it when we visit as I feel the cold , so has to put the heating on for longer .

[Ethel]

People do seem to wear summer clothes all year round these days - straight from the heated house to the heated car.

I getting a burning itch to slap those red-with-the-cold legs of young girls in mini skirts in the cold. It would really sting.

[China Doll]

I dislike being in the house and not being able to walk round in a vest top and PJ bottoms but instead having to stick a great thikc out door jumper on so I guess I'm the oppostie to you.

That said, if I paid the heating bills in the house I might see things differently.

[beryllium]

I love my thick warm cosy socks and warm fluffy jumpers with my jim am bottoms, wrapped up under a big throw with mr B and the mutt snuggled up beside me and just the fire lit.
The heating isn't on tonight......

[pastafreak]

When I was growing up, my parents house was always HOT-75+. Since coming to the UK 18 yrs ago I have lived in houses that feel cold whether the heat is on or not.....and I prefer it that way. Like berylium I love getting comfy in cosy clothing,I NEVER have the heat on over night and I love my hot water bottle. Autumn and winter are almost perfect....just wish there was more daylight!! lol

[Ice.Maiden]

We don't always have the central heating on, because we have two rooms which have big open fires. Nothing like throwing a few logs on, and geting cosy - but as soon as you leave the room - brrrrrrr!

[rabbitygirl]

IggyB - I too noticed this family lightly clad in the new report. Once the cold starts I always have the heating ticking over a couple of times a day, all day in a very cold spell, but I would always put a jumper on before putting the heat up.
Having been without gas for the best part of 2 days this week I have been in 2 jumpers, and a blanket during the evening. It's miserable being cold, but at least I didn't have to worry about the cost of running an electric fire constantly. It is a scandal that this country has so many people living cold because they fear their bills. I heard on the news that many old folk wear outer clothes indoors or go to libraries etc to keep warm for free.
We may help financially for the old and vulnerable to afford their heating bills, but the statistics of people enduring a cold house are shaming. Other countries try harder and the numbers in this situation are far less.

[babybombo]

I'm the same as beryllium and pastafreak, I love getting cosy.

When I was younger, if I asked to put the heating on she would say no, go and put some decent clothes on! ( Meaning warmer! =] )

So thats what I always do now, big comfy hoodie, slipper socks and jogging bottoms, and if its really cold , my duvet too!

Turning on/up the heating and turning the fire on is a last resort in my house.