Help calm me, house buying and selling stress part 2

Sue, I was thinking about you just now, that infection is so very disappointing. I am so sorry that it happened, no wonder you cannot think of house buying yet, you must be feeling well under par

Franbern, furniture shopping `the old creamery` yeovil. I got some amazing bargains from there. Allow a good couple of hous, it is a treasure trove. Watch out for rolling road closures for carnival, people come to see carnival from abroad

Its tipping down like no-bodys business, I did have to go out, needed to post a package, so I bought a paper, the mail has a £10 voucher for lidl and then I went to a wholefood shop and stocked up on the sweet carbs, I am so weak willed when I have a cold. I met someone a few days ago, she moved from the somerset levels, was badly flooded, said that NFU insurance was excellent. They sold at 1/3 loss, had to leave for their sanity

A job to do: Find the little screw that closes off the water to an outside tap, turn it so the screw line is across the pipe, then open the tap and put on a winter tap protector.

Honey and lemon drank, beetroot juice is defrosting and 2 fat local made sausages defrosting to have with mixed veg

Carnival was AMAZING!! I had no idea as to how wonderful this could be. Able to see it all from my balcony and/or my bedroom window. Took about two hours for it all to go past. Craftyone, - astonished that I knew so little (nothing) about these wonderful Somerset Carnivals and their incredible floats. Can quite see why they need to work on them all year.
I am finding it quite difficult to remember that I have only been here for less than a fortnight. Feel so settled in, I have now unpacked all that I can - remaining items waiting for more cupboards in kitchen and fitted wardrobes in both bedrooms. Started putting up family photos.
Relaxing day today, will find out how to use my new washing machine - they are all so complicated these days. Could not find one with just a few simple programmes - know that I will only ever use about three or four of the many there are. I am certain there is a definite market slot out there for a manufacturer that produced a washing machine with just four or five basic programmmes.
Tomorrow being taken to Taunton to look at sofa beds for my spare bedroom and, maybe, a new phone (my current one is coming to the end of its life).

Craftyone, have you tried Garlic and Horseradish tablets for your cold. I find those combined with Vitamin C in large doses help reduce the symptoms and shorten the duration.

Hello All, at the risk of boring everyone, I thought I'd pop in and give you an update on life with me.
Firstly although we are officially only 3 weeks away from summer and parts of the country have horrendous fires, down here in Melbourne it is ridiculously cold. One day last week it was 36C most days this week it has struggled to get to 14C. Before I went into hospital almost 4 weeks ago I changed my duvet to the summer one. I've had to change back to my winter one and still need an extra blanket.

House hunting is on the back burner at the moment. Fortunately we do have plenty of time and as yet have not seen anything that we consider a must see property. I really cannot face the physical effort of looking at houses just yet.

Unfortunately my recovery from the hip replacement is yet again compromised. A few days ago an infection flared up in the wound. I spent several hours at the local hospital emergency department having an antibiotic via IV and am now on a course of strong ab's. I saw the surgeon on Thursday and he said if the abs do not work by Monday he will probably need to surgically wash out the infection. He is not happy about that because it means I would need to stop the blood thinning medication needed to dissolve the clots, that appeared after surgery, for several days. Pretty much all the pain I have is from the infection at this stage. It never occurred to me that this operation would be anything but straightforward and "normal".

Son number 2 and his family popped in today. Always lovely to see them. He wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas. I told him that after thinking long and hard I would make it easy for everyone and had decided that DH and DSx2 could all put in and give me a joint birthday and Christmas present - only 3 days apart and it is my 70th. As I really do not want for anything I thought it would be fun to have personalized plates for my car. I presented him with options thinking they could all get together and pick something. His response was that he thought they were a silly idea and was not going to buy me those. DDIL laughed at him and told him it was not about him and if that is what I wanted so be it. He then looked at my list and said well none of those would be available.........guess what as of yesterday they are all available. So much for making life easy for them.

Glad to see some of you are now settled into your new homes and hopefully those of you still in the process of selling or completing the sale will have an easy and quick path to success.
Take care everyone.

The cold saga, I am hoping that this is the only cold this winter, what always gets me is how quickly a body full of energy gets dragged down. Day 4 and echinoforce forte for the second day, I always keep a cold kit under the bed, am surviving well on a neti pot using cooler boiled water with salt and a hand held steaming cup with a couple of menthol crystals. I don`t think anything shortens a cold but I do think the bad potentials can be reduced

Being unwell is the hardest part of bring on your own but in some ways it is also easier. Now to cope with the next stage which is often a cough, 2 pillows for that and lots of steam in an inhaler. It could be a boring day, I am mindful of not spreading germs so will stay in again. Aim for today is to try amd sharpen the 2 tools, one is about 1 mm wide with a groove down the middle, the other was badly ground by someone else and has already taken a lot of honing. Ahh these small purposes in a day, nice to have something to do, however mindless

Oh it is so lovely to hear you chatting, like friends do. Franbern the carnival people in somerset work on their floats for the whole year, carnival is a very big thing in this county. I`m on day 3 of cold now, trying very hard not to let it turn into sinusitis. I am congested and feeling chilly now, it is performing as colds do. Wish I had been able to use the bath here yesterday, it often zaps a cold but I dare not in case I cannot get out

I killed time today, broke two fine carving gouges but had to do something to make the day less boring. I am fine for food, always have a very well stocked cupboard and that pan of soup, cabbage and ginger is lovely, just the ticket and will be good for at least another three days. I started having porridge for breakfast today but I use an electric rice cooker and pop some frozen blackcurrants in with a little water to soak all night, add milk tomorrow and cook. I have eaten too many carbs these last few days, must have been feeding the cold. Appetite has gone now, thought it would

Have a good weekend

Franbern have great time tonight. Wrap up warm. Just think you have lovely warm cosy flat to go back too.

Mosaicwarts don't over do it and wear yourself out. So glad I don't have to heat a large house anymore.

Craftyone hope you are feeling better.

You might feel up to bowls next year Franbern, you have been through an ironman marathon event getting to where you are! Once you've had several months to get over all of this I'm sure you will regain your energy.

I'm envious you are hot, coat on here in the kitchen, even with the aga heat. Central heating comes on at 3 pm. Can't afford to run it any earlier, I'm using 600L a month. I just popped in to say that the engineer rang - from the video I sent, he thinks my boiler motor might be failing. Although my boiler is very old, he is sure he can get a replacement. Phew! I feel a lot better, my biggest terror is running out of money, I have no-one left to borrow from except the bank now. The heat goes straight out of the single glazing windows, why I am tied to replacing them with single glazing is a ridiculous waste of energy. I think all Listed Building Owners should unite in being allowed to conserve energy with tasteful secondary glazing.

I didn't know you had a scooter. My Mum had one with a rain cover, but was terrified in it on the IOW, the bungalow she bought was on a hill with a narrow pavement, she was scared it might tip She was happy on it in Twickenham, and used to come and see us on it regularly. I think I've said she had spondulitis of the spine, walking was so painful. I felt terrible her last years were spent housebound.

Have a good evening, my daughter is going out with friends tonight and won't be back until Sunday so I will start deep cleaning. I will, I will, I will - argh I hate it so much!

Oh dear......A gentleman in the flats is a coach at the bowling club just round the corner and I went along with him today to 'have a go'. Indoor bowls, it was very interesting, and in the past I would have loved it - but found that I was just not up to it physically. After only a short while I felt totally exhausted, unable even to lift a 'wood' and my COPD kicked in. Had to sit down and recover before I reluctantly agreed that bowls is not for me now.
Even now - nearly two hours later I have a raging headache, which is not something I usually have. Anyway, I am going to apply just for Social membership of this club. Must accept that my physical condition and stamina is just not up to it these days,.
Have also sent an email to the local U3A group which is very active here.
Just accepted quote for fitted wardrobes, both in my and in spare room - but they will not be done until February.
Amazingly, I am sitting in my Living Room with the sun pouring through the windows to the balcony - so warm that I have actually had to open those doors a little., Know it will get cold this evening, when the sun goes down, but forecast is dry and cold - perfect for the Carnival.
It was so lovely today - when I left the bowling club (on my scooter) I was able to trundle down to the High Street to purchase some eggs (XL for £2.49 a dozen) and some cake for tonight. No time taken. High street is pedestrian only, so ideal for scooters, etc.

Morning all, I'm off to look at the car dealers with my daughter later today.

I feel so for the people of Sheffield affected by the flooding. I still haven't got a clue of where to go Whiff but will definitely check for flooding alerts I am so scared of making a mistake and ending up in the wrong place like my poor Mum.

Lovely to hear of what you are doing Franbern, you are making such a lovely home for yourself. The carpet was absolutely disgusting, it had to go, I scrubbed it several times and it wasn't coming up. Talking of electric ovens, I had a big fright with the electric oven at the end of the house last Christmas. I'd put an empty oven dish on the hob plate while I was getting the food out of the oven underneath. Suddenly the dish exploded and just missed my eyes - I'd left the hob plate on by mistake, I was sad about it, my late Mum bought it for me. I hadn't used the oven very often and used to get the controls mixed up, it's an old oven and the symbols are small. I didn't get the Aga reconnected until February, this Christmas will be easier.

Hope the weather is good for carnival night - just had hail stones again here, very grey and overcast.

My elderly boiler made some awful noises last night, I feel despair of having to go through the expense and upheaval of replacing it but I can't risk frozen pipes and floods. I was quoted £8K last year, such a mahoosive amount. I've also been told by the new engineer I'm using that I don't need Glomax or additive in the oil - I've been paying for the more expensive stuff for a year now.

Have a good day, off to the beach, wish I could remember where I've put my hat!

MW - I have always felt that my bedroom was very important. Room to relax in - as important to me as my Living Room. shame you ripped up the carpet. The only room in my old house that I had not re-done the carpet was my bedroom, so the carpet in there was a little worse for wear. I purchased two nice rugs in Dunelm to put either side of the bed (which was the only area that could be seen - and they did the job beautifully, - and have come with me to the flat
Yesterday new washing machine and dishwasher were delivered. Also my new all singing and dancing convector combination microwave, that I am going to use and not even bother to have a large oven. (I do use a Halogen cooker mostly). Made a mess of my porridge this morning as I did it on too high a heat - but now know for tomorrow. Last night used the electric hobs for the first time, never ever cooked on electric hobs before. Another learning experience. Am considering having those - eventually - changed for an Induction hob.
Tonight is Carnival night in WsM. As this goes right past my flats, my daughter and family are coming here to watch it - g.children will probably go down to road but the adults can stay in the warm!!!

Mosaicwarts my son in law passed his test at 17 and never drove again until my daughter was expecting. My grandson is nearly 2. She made him do it as she pointed out she couldn't drive in labour. He is very good and enjoys it. Hope you can get a reliable car at a reasonable price. Don't wear yourself out cleaning. I really hope you get a buyer soon. Have you had time to think about where you want to live?

Hello all, great reading tonight, just popping in before Gaji/Haji or whatever it's called. So glad you are having fun Franbern. My bedroom is absolutely horrible as I cleared it ready to go on the market, I've just got my bed and a bed side table. My son had dropped coke on the carpet so I ripped it up, it's stained bare floorboards. Chilblains are starting to beep, I'm ashamed to say I have just put a bathmat by the side of the bed so I can take my slippers off without touching the floor

Sorry you feel as though you have a cold coming on craftyone, do you take echinaea? Not sure of spelling and no time to google it but I understand it gives some protection. Wrap up and take care, avoid this wind and hail if you can. Can you do your food shopping on line? Hope to see you again very soon when you are better.

Whiff, my daughter hasn't driven since she passed her test six years ago, I'm convinced my husband didn't buy her a car when she passed her test as my son crashed in the first eight weeks of owning his I was terrified when I went to get him - so lucky he was only doing 22 mph, he had a 'black box'. I gave my daughter the money to buy a car a year after my husband died, and now her plans have changed, she is very keen to get one. I am going cross eyed looking at good cars for 'first time drivers' and would prefer to go to a car dealer, rather than buy privately. I asked a friend if he could recommend someone - most of his cars are around £2K. She wants to visit friends in Leeds, so reliable is essential, it's hours from here. Will potter locally first to get used to it.

Talking of private sales reminds me of when my son was about eighteen months old and I sold my old Cortina - someone came to test drive it, came back and said no, and drove off. Few hours later I went into the boot for the buggy and the swine had stolen my tools! Lesson learnt.

Thanks for the recommendation to get some xmas dex out, have put a few cherub decorations up and some candles. I only have three cherubs, it's a mystery where the fourth one has gone. I have a habit of giving people things if they admire them, it's a fault of mine. I'm not cleaning until tomorrow and Saturday, I'm just feeling so tired, just tidying away at the moment. Seems a long time ago the last viewing, it's only two weeks. Strange things happen to me in the time change of autumn, I lose track.

Off to raid the ice cream, sweet dreams all!

Craftyone hope you feel better soon.

I am reading, wishing you all well, loving to hear you chatting to each other. I`ll join in again when I feel ok, it`s only a cold coming but it does drag you down. I am ver grateful to be able to stay indoors in the warm. I did e mail octopus energy today, they had recommended a lower tariff for me, I took them up on it. Gas plus electric will only cost me £41 a month and I am cerainly not skimping on anyhing

I made a large pot of soup today, cabbage and ginger, just in case this cold takes hold. I do hope everything goes well for you esp mosaics on her second viewing

Sounds like you are having fun Franbern . I'm glad. All you've gone through you deserve to be happy and settled. It was ridiculous how happy having a new dark green front door , side garage door and window made me yesterday. Don't about you but I feel like a kid in a sweet shop. I'm discovering all these new things for the home which I hadn't bothered looking at since my husband was diagnosed. Just wish my health would go back on an even keel.

Mosaicwarts does your daughter drive? If so when you pick her up and drop her off you would only have to drive one way. She could drive when you are both together. Hope you aren't wearing yourself getting ready for your viewing.

MW - If your daughter gets that job, you will soon be okay with that drive, Do it a few times in daylight firstly, just so you know any difficulties/lane changes, etc. It could be good for building your confidence in driving.
I have found the trademen down here, extremely helpful. Had someone come you give quote for built in wardrobe in my bedroom. He dropped off the quote in my letter box, and I realised that I will also on in spare bedroom. EMailed him last night, and this morning, when he was nearby he phoned me so he could pop in. Cannot do the work until early February, but can get it all organised. If he could do it too soon, I would probably be a little suspicious.
Electrician here most of yesterday giving me much needed points in kitchen and also changing some of the very old fashioned light fittings. Again, prompt and helpful.
Plumber due to this afternoon.
It is all very exciting as I am beginning to get the flat set up for me. Lovely large sitting room, had a new dining table delivered yesterday -one my daughter and I spotted about six months back at a local good furniture shop. Round, and extends easily with no lifting for me. Looks perfect in my dining section - have to wait until end of November for the new dining chairs to arrive though.
I am still using remarkably little heating,. The communal areas of the block are kept very warm and this obviously spills over into the flats. I have put my thermostat onto 20 degrees, but the heating rarely kicks in.
Hope the second viewing goes well this weekend MWarts.

So sorry about your friend Whiff, what a great loss, how lovely she helped so many. It always makes me feel guilty that I'm not enjoying life more when I hear of someone so young passing. My cat sitter friend is 50, and battling with secondary lung cancer after ten years clear of breast cancer, her daughter is just 18. I must message her today to see how she is.

As for tradesmen, in Northumberland, I now know that they all accept every job in the hope of eventually getting round to it. I've waited two years for a joiner, phoned him repeatedly, have now given up. Had a nice young man round last night and he is going to repair my porch woodwork which is scarily rotting in front of my eyes. Huge price at £200 per day, he estimated two days. At least the entrance to the house will look good, it is original to 1847.

My daughter didn't get the first job, might have got the second. Unfortunately will involve me in a 20 mile scary night drive to collect her from a remote train station once a week, but I've got to steel myself.

Riversidegirl must say since moving here all the tradesmen I have used have been excellent but I did get them through family recommendations. I have so far used 7 different tradesmen. They were all reasonably priced, friendly, polite, clean working , hard working and good time keepers. At the moment my kitchen fitters are into week 2 of my new kitchen. Yesterday I had a new front door, side garage door and garage window fitted. They were to replace horrible old wooden ones. Since moving here I have had a lot done but once done that is it apart from redecorating in future years they will see me out. Already planned to jobs to be done next year but that will only be new shower room, decorating rest of the bungalow and sorting out the garden. Not bad as I only moved here in August. Hope you won't be to sad on your mom's anniversary.

Following on from that: we completed our move back "home" only 4 minutes from my childhood home. We sold and bought almost immediately, but oh what a long drawn-out process. We got fed up with not being able to get same day removals at the end of August due to school holidays(!) so put the furniture etc in store from August 21st to September 4th. Stayed with son. We are settled in, lots to do. Solicitor submitted the wrong purchase price to the Stamp Duty people, and they have been chasing us for extra payment. Threatened with bailiffs or something. When we finally ignored solicitor's excuses and rang IR, they said they are 8 weeks behind! Everybody seems to be. Does anyone else have problems with tradesmen either not bothering to turn up, or turning up, giving an estimate, and then becoming uncontactable? We are up to 50% now. Very fed up.

That is sad news Whiff. It's 20 years ago on the 7th since my Mum died. I am going to phone an old work pal of hers and see if she fancies a drink!

Just had some sad news my fitness instructor in the Midlands has died . She was only 48 married with 2 sons in early 20's and 2 sons in early teens. She was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer last year. I saw her for the last time in January. I am very glad I told her what difference she had made to my life. It's only through her that I found I enjoyed exercising. She adapted exercises for me so I could do the leg ones holding onto a chair and sit down to do the arm ones. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A new friend of mine who is on her own, sold her house down south and moved up to Scotland to be near to her DD and expected DGC as soon as she retired.

She ended up renting for about 2 years, until she found the house she really wanted. I thought at the time she was being too fussy but she knew what she was doing because with cash in the bank (or wherever she had it invested!) she was in a strong position as a buyer.

She is now settled and happy in her house and although I know she still finds it hard to have left her beautiful English cottage, she has made friends, grumbles about the weather, has joined organisations and babysits a lot for the DGC. She goes back for holidays to stay with her old friends.

I don't know how hard she found it to sell her house in England. I can ask her.

sazzl are you managing to get a bit of a breather this week?