Help calm me, house buying and selling stress part 2

Scaffolder said £400 - for cash - which the joiner had 'guessed at' - it's the only firm in the area, so I'm lucky they are going to squeeze me in. I didn't expect to have to pay for this repair, but it is so urgent, I just have to do it. They spent some time talking outside, I hope they can do it without damaging any of the stonework.

Glad my medical check is over, the last one ever apparentlly! I remember going for my check up after the op and the surgeon said he might take another biopsy, I said thanks but no thanks while I was awake! So painful, wouldn't like to be one of the marvellous nurses having to hold hands!

Glad you found your laptop craftyone. Stupidly in my haste to 'tidy' ready for marketing I can't find the cables for my old computer, I know it has lots of photos on there. They'll turn up eventually. HSBC used to have a programme you could download to, I think it was called Quick Books? I need to get a handle on my finances, will have a look at your programme.

I've come home to my 'forms' from the solicitor, going to have to make a pot of coffee to get through it all. What a daunting task. Actually I won't drink coffee near it in case I spill it!

Off to the beach now, I hope the man with the pushy husky isn't there again today, I wasn't happy with his lack of response when his dog was bothering my dog the other day.

Collecting my daughter from the theatre at 3 pm then going to try the broccoli soup - had to buy organic raw cashew nuts, £4.00. Hopefully will last in an airtight jar. My grandad used to have a jar of salted ones by his chair, I love them.

Enjoy your day

Craftyone My son said once- when you move house you haemorrhage money for the first year of a new house then things settle down! Hope you reap the rewards soon.

It really is a money pit for you mosaics, here is hoping that this is the last big expense. Re that selling pack, be very careful to not say more than you need ie repairs/changes could slip your memory, use your nowse, if it might require a certificate then keep schtum. It definitely feels as though things will move apace for you. I hate to say but packing needs to be ongoing otherwise it is just too exhausting

That is hopeful for me midgey, just the garden cost me a lot but I didn`t want to delay, time is of the essence at my age.

I am back from carving, was very satisfying again, am learning to carve eyes on my beautiful rayed sun. It is dark out and very cold and I had to get some food in, a vegan is eating here tomorrow. Ok I was tempted, a charlie bingham lasagne came my way and was lovely with salad. Never had CB rm, very nice

escape to the country now, south devon

Charlie Bingham meals are very nice, if a little pricey. The Chilli con Carne is tasty and the chicken with leeks.
The houses in South Devon were pretty, not sure why they wanted a big project at home when there are so many beautiful places to visit. We go out every day just to punch ourselves that we have coastline, fields and hills and countryside all around us.
mosaicwarts I agree that you don't hav

Ooops clicked too soon

...... was saying you don't have to give every single minute detail to the solicitor at this stage. In our experience they come back and ask for all the guarantees and permission papers later so it's best to get the ball rolling with the basics first.

I'm a bit nervous of Huskies around my golden retriever too. I don't like their eyes.

The least lonely town in Britain is Frome in Somerset?

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/somerset/articles/frome-what-to-see-do-attractions/

It looks lovely but probably v expensive. Plymouth and Southampton come out as the best cities to retire to.

I go to Frome quite often, my dd lives 30 minutes from there and she works there. I decided that I didn`t want to live in Frome for several reasons, it is very steep in places all around the centre, there are some very rough areas, transport does not really go anywhere and yes it is disproportionately expensive. It is very good if you are a crafter and there are many crafting groups which is why it can be a sociable place, if you enjoy the crafts like weaving, spinning etc. It is expanding very quickly with hundreds more homes and without the infrastructure to match. I also don`t think it is a pretty place at all, not like some of the old market towns. I went to Martock yesterday, the sense of history was all around, the church in that small place is as big as an abbey. I went to yandles to feast my eyes on wood crafting things and to see their new upgraded arts and crafts shop, I had brunch. They have a happy to chat table

Glad to come on here to relax for a few minutes while the veg water is boiling. Soup making on hold, my day changed.

The joiner was here rubbing down the front door and windows when I got home at 2 pm, his painter turned up shortly afterwards. Luckily we can get out another way, but my dog wouldn't stop barking, and I had to have the front door open so house is now freezing. In the middle of it I had to leave him to collect my daughter - and as he needed electricity I had to leave the front door open My daughter was really angry with me for being so silly - and when we got back the joiner wasn't even here! Just the painter and my house open for him to explore if he'd been so inclined! Never again.

I feel like a pressure cooker, I might explode any minute!

Have you a comfy seat where you can put your legs up for a bit? Lie back on pillows on your bed if needed, shut your eyes and relax your limbs starting with your feet, just concentrate on the limbs and try to wipe your mind. Only 10 minutes. No point in having a whizzy brain over this painter.

It will all look better tomorrow

Mosaicwarts my children would have reacted the same as your daughter. She must worry about you when she is not there. My children are glad I live closer to them both especially as my body over the last 2 months is having a mind of its own more than usual. Don't know about you but I forget that as much as I worry about the family they worry about me.

Like Craftyone says try and relax I know that is easier said than done. Have you decided what sort of property you would like? I know you are having trouble deciding where you want to live. One of the things I factored into what sort of property I wanted was what would I need in 10 or 15 yrs time. Main thing was no stairs.

Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

Hi everyone well the good news is we're sleeping in our new home tonight as the mattress arrived on time. Bad news that they sent a silver Hoover washing machine instead of the white indeset one I ordered so no washing machine yet. Promised it for tomorrow. Loving the new house feel very much at home here now already. Dogs are a bit unsettled but I've left the radio on low downstairs for them so fingers crossed they sleep all night. One thing I have missed here is that there are lots of cupboards and drawers but no hooks or towel rails anywhere for coats, toilet roll, towel, bath robe etc. As a temporary solution we've bought an overdoor hanger for downstairs coats but seems odd there are none here in any room.
Mosaic hope your buyer will turn out to be genuine and you are able to move to a nice warm home soon.
All the best to everyone xxx

Your first day sazzl, congratulations, now the fun begins

Ds is coming today from Glasgow, a few hours and 2 meals with me then onto dd, rugby beckons tomorrow. Vegan food for him

I have been going through my bank account, made a list of incomings and outgoings, the only one I need to look up later from a file is saga car insurance. I am surprised now I see the figures in the flesh, less for house insurance as this is a standard build, now £280 for buildings and contents, last was specialist at £680. Council tax is £400 a year cheaper. Very good so far and I will set up the new m/s money files later. I will add my various savings accounts and it is easier then to get the overall picture. As always, most bills seem to come from january to march

I looked up past cc statements and old current acc statements and it is payment after payment for weeks and weeks. Midgey was right

Sazzl so glad you love your new home. Hope you washing machine arrives today. As the days go by you will notice things that you need and aren't in your new home. I found it fun finding about all the products available for the home . Had a lot of things from Ikea. Good quality and reasonable prices.

Had a call from the customer service manager for the Midlands at Pickfords yesterday. Went through everything's again. Again promised it would be resolved soon. My daughter sent a follow up email stating all the problems we have with the delivery and aftermath. Hope it does some good , if not next step furniture ombudsman.

Craftyone all my bills including insurance cheaper for the bungalow except for council tax which is £24 more than my old house. It's the same band. But I get the free bus pass so I don't mind. On a water meter here.

Bit warmer here today hope it is for everyone else.

Pleasant surprise re the costings eh whiff. I have just finished and right now am happy with incomings being in excess of outgoings, I will actually have enough left to be able to save and will not need to withdraw from savings as far as I can work out. Might even start to think of holidays but quite honestly feel no need for a holiday right now. I have registered all incomings and outgoings to the end of december. It all updates automatically, I just have to click register on each individual dated transaction

Just done my good deed for the day. Heard my neighbour shouting for help. Dashed round or should I say hobbled. The man next door was just coming out so told him I heard her shouting for help . Luckily he had a key. Poor woman was on the loo. She's 98. Her carer hadn't come yet. After looking after my mom and doing everything for her nothing bothers me. Whilst he phoned her daughter I cleaned her up and put on a clean pad. Got her into the living room and just put the kettle on as her daughter arrived. Explained what I had done. Her carer was ill and another was on the way. We exchanged numbers and she told me the lock box code. Thinking about it don't know if I should have cleaned her up but I did ask her if it was ok. What would any of you do ? Hell I'm second guessing myself now.

oh whiff you were an absolute angel. What a great way to make friends quickly

Just mind you are not put upon, stuff that her daughter or carer could do

Morning all!

Every happiness Sazzl, hope you slept OK on your new mattress

Glad you are happy with your finances craftyone. I haven't touched mine, I seem to be like a rabbit frozen in the headlights with everything at the moment.

Whiff, well done you, I've never helped anyone on the toilet. I wouldn't want to be left on there if a nice woman turned up to help me off, brave and kind of you to help her. It's really sad to think of other people stuck on the toilet or in a wet bed because their carer is late I hope your Pickfords fiasco is resolved soon.

Talking of late, joiner sent a text late last night to say he needed his painter for another job this morning. I'm going to ride with it and not be irritable with him in any way, so far they've spent 3 hours here out of the £200 per day - he quoted me £635 for the complete job. I'll see what happens, I can't do it, so will have to put up with it. My late husband would have done it for free

My daughter didn't sleep well so routine changed this morning, just took my dog down to the rainy river walk this morning.

Have a good day all

Thank you both. It was probably a one off. As there is usually someone with her most of the time. If I live to 98 I hope I look as good as she does.

My neighbours daughter has just brought me some flowers to say thank you for this morning.

Just ordered (ao) the last of my new 'Whites'. A Heat Pump Tumble dryer. This will live in my spare bedroom, not in the kitchen. Since moving here, I have purchased new washing machine, slim line dishwasher, and under counter freezer. Only thing I brought with me was my lovely largish larder fridge. My old washing machine was rather old, and although still working properly, did not think it would live through a move. The tumble dryer at the house was a vented one, as it sat in utility room with external wall, , and the dishwasher was full sized, Also in that utility room was my matching large larder freezer - this was nearly new, just a few months old, and I have brought that with and at present is in my garage, and I will try to sell that soon.
As I planned, instead of spending thousands of pounds completely re-fitting the kitchen. I have just tweeked what was there. Nearly done now, just need one new base cupboard door.
Took out the eye level oven, and instead of having an oven purchased a wonderful Convector/combination microwave/grill - and I am still experimenting with this - but finding it absolutely wonderful - even to the extent that I have now put away my Halogen oven as no longer needed.

I like hearing your updates franbern, you are a busy bee

Whiff, fate or what, already made friends. Its karma, you must be on cloud 9

ds has left, 6 hours and 2 meals later, was truly lovely to see him and to catch up. I think that basically I like being on my own in a very selfish way, no extra bed to make and no more meals to think about. Its so easy to speak to everyone these days via phone and internet. I feel uplifted and not overworked

Really looking forward to this weekend
My eldest daughter, who is the only one of my kids still living in London - and did live less than a mile from me, - is driving down this morning with her 16-year old daughter to stay with me. My first overnight visitors, and as she was the one who was most concerned about this move for me, I do hope she can see how happy and settled I am. The ONLY downside of this move us how far I am from them now (although have lots of arrangements to see them quite a lot over the next few months giving me regular trips tostay in London)
As my daughter is a one-parent family, I had a great deal of involvement with this g.daughter, particularly up to the time she went to Secondary school. Of course, in less than two years time she will be off to Uni - but do miss not having them both just around the corner.
Saturday evening we will all be having a family meal out to celebrate the birthday (last Wednesday) of my No. 2 daughter who is now the one living so close to me.
I think that part of my reasons for rushing to get the flat in order so quickly has been in preparation for this weekend.
They should be arriving in just over an hours time - I am ridiculously excited.

Have a lovely time with your family Franbern, I hope your daughter enjoys her meal.

Glad you enjoyed your family visit craftyone, I feel as though I haven't seen my son for months, no idea when I saw him last.

Had a horrible incident yesterday when painter turned up and thought of your woodworking skills craftyone - lots of noise coming from the porch, and when I went in, could see he was using some sort of metal tool on the window frame. Noise was terrible and I was nervous for the wood and the glass. I think it was a rasp? It wasn't the triangular pointed tool, was a solid bar with bumps on on a handle. He was dragging it sideways down the vertical frame, and applying a huge amount of pressure. I said the windows were very fragile, and could he use sandpaper instead? Unbelievably he banged the glass when I said it. He was quite put out I'd spoken, said he had some in his pocket, added aggressively he wasn't working in the dark today, couldn't see. He gave the very obvious impression he thought I was a silly old woman, and didn't want to be here. Really unpleasant. We went out for two hours and he'd gone at 4 pm, it was still light. I suspect he continued with his heavy handed sanding with his rusty tool - the wood is curling and 'shaved' off in one place on the door frame. I didn't hear from the joiner he works for at all yesterday and feel nervous to mention it, I so need him to do the windows in the courtyard. It's all bare wood now, and soaking wet as it's rained so much. Roll on the survey!

I'm going into Newcastle with my daughter to buy her 'bovver boots' - Dr Martens. I have got used to this fashion now, but when it first started, thought they looked dreadful. Apparently lots of the staff at the theatre wear them and find them extremely comfortable. I know I should wait for Black Friday but I'm nervous to go shopping that day, too busy for me. Poor dog can't have his beach walk this morning, I can't manage it as well as lots of 'shopping' walking.

Enjoy your day everyone