Help calm me, house buying and selling stress. Part 4

No wobbles now, Shandy - just get positive and start to think what a lovely place that money is going to get you in a few months time.
I remember moving house back in 1972, and my 3-year old was a rather anxious child, so I went to great pains to explain exactly what was going to happen. He thought about it, and then asked 'What about the bath, you didn't say you were taking the bath". He did love his nightly play in the bath,
Onwards and upwards and looking at positives. I am fortunate in that I have a good head of hair (despite my Dad's prophecy that I would be bald by 50 due to all the stuff I put on it in my teenage years). When I retired I decided to go 'au naturelle', and stopped colouring it. Was a little disappointed then that it was very salt and pepperish, but to my delight over the years I have actually gone nearly totally silvery grey. I keep it very short, just like to brush it in position after my shower each day and forget about it.
It grows very quickly (described by one hairdresser, 'like a weed' so complimentary!!!
So between cuts I do have a habit of doing what I call 'a trim' and hairdressers insist on calling 'a chop' of the top and sides. I actually now get scared of doing this too much because of the telling off I get each time.
Today, I have happily chopped, trimmed, cut- top, sides and even had a go at the back. Nobody will really be able to tell me off when I hairdressers open and I can go again, can they? I feel conscience free!!!
Just to comment on next years meet-up for us - we will treat ourselves to a nice hotel somewhere in the middle of the country for us all to get to. A good long weekend. Will be taking suggestion on these as we get later this year.

Shandy it’s brilliant news. There are always...OMG s and what ifs when a decision has been made. You have done it and now it’s time for you to relax a bit! Forget the garden they won’t be your weeds/problem, start planning for your new life.
Oh I wish I planted my peas!

How wonderful that the peas are sprouting - mine are still on the kitchen table in the pile marked ‘procrastinate’!

Glad your family have settled in Grammaretto. When we moved to the station our children were two and a half and four - my husband's secretary had left each of them a 'bedroom monster' to see off any fears they might have ie something under the bed.

I'm having a wobble, the solicitor has just sent me an email confirming the buyer's solicitor has all draft documents.

Such a very low price, I have sold it for a song, but as you say GrandmaMoira no more viewings and no more worry about maintaining a big old house. I had to spend thousands over the autumn/winter, I couldn't leave the two window repairs or stonework to deteriorate further.

I really need a holiday!

I'm about to embark on my first yoga class on zoom. You are so right about the link between exercise and wellbeing Franbern . I am trying to involve DH as he is getting really down.
I've been to Edinburgh and Glasgow for meetups Gaga1950. I get on a bus. How I miss my trips into the city!
I hope your plants and compost arrive. Lidl etc usually have these things too if you want some instant colour.
The peas I planted on Wednesday are already sprouting!

Shandy, congratulations on your sale finally being confirmed. It is such a relief when that happens with no more viewings and no more worry about maintaining a big old house.

Good Morning to you all. I am going to drive to Sainsbury tomorrow to do a shop. Oldies hour 8.00 am - 9..00 am. Just the little bit of normality of doing that shop (and having that short drive) will do me a lot of good. Sainsbury's are being very strict with distancing, including the queue outside, so will take the chance. All sorts of things I need - and I know that Sainsbury's now, so know exactly which aisles I need to go down. Will move my car from the garage into the car park this afternoon, so I can drive off at 7.30 tomorrow morning.
My daughter is so busy this week, the children are all finding it hard to be motivated to continue with their studies, she is also having problems with the SENCO students she teaches English to - many of them either cannot or are unwilling to come on-line). At the end of last week the college - without consulting her - allocated three more teaching slots, . She is also having to do the cooking etc. at home (hubbie in isolation in their bedroom). Yes, she should involve the older children more in this, but their kitchen is not that big - and I can remember from the past, sometimes, such help can be a hindrance - and at present she does not have time for it. Next week would have been Easter hols, so things will be better for her. A
So, I am not asking or expecting her to find time for me at all this week.
Beautiful sunshine again, I really would like to plant some pots on my balcony - did you see the news that many plants will be binned? I have ordered a couple of pots on line and need to get some compost the same way. The trees on the main road outside the flats that I can see from my patio windows are bursting into gorgeous flowers.
Yesterday, I spoke on the phone to a couple of friends, and will phone two more today -trying to ration those phone calls out, so I have some each day.
Are you all doing some home exercise each day. As I was for many years a tutor/examiner of gymnastic coaches, I am pretty knowledgeable in what I can do. Have not done any such exercises since my spinal damage fall early last year, but have started - just 10-15 mins a day at present. Very gentle!!!!
We do all need to remember that our mental health in this challenging time, is as important as our physical one.
Keep well, all of your, and let's look forward to a happy, healthier time next year.

Grammaretto where in Scotland do you live? Our youngest daughter is in Edinburgh and the SW is a regular destination for us.
Your poor little love who wants to go home - I so understand the sentiment, but in a week or so when she is surrounded by the things she’ll settle down. So confusing for littlies.

Good morning all - sounds to be good news all round! Yesterday I was deeply frustrated trying to abide by the rules and stay at home - tried to book an online shop can’t even register with the supermarkets without first registering on the Gov site. Answered all their questions and got to the last one - underlining health issues - None - pregnant - no (we’re in our 70s for goodness sakes!) NOT ELIGIBLE ! Today I shall venture out.
No news from the EA regarding the virtual tour of the house that he insisted will bring the crowds flocking once they’re permitted out!
At the moment I’m watching the red kites wheeling and dealing in the wood opposite - it’s a short time they are visible while the trees are still line drawings with increasing amounts of shadowing. It won’t be long before they are clothed and the magnolia tree that has been magnificent will shed its flowers.
Enjoy your days - I shall repopulate my ‘workroom’ after last weeks clear up for the video, and get on with some sewing - a skirt for a 7 year old perhaps!

Hello early birds!
I wonder where the meetup will be? At Shandy's new house?
I have been to quite a few GN meetups . The first time was a bit of a blind date. I couldn't remember what name the table had been booked under so was floundering. The waiter just assumed I was a dotty old woman, then smiled knowingly and ushered me to join the others.
DD and co slept in the new house last night but the wee one said "my want to go home"
It was eerie driving through a deserted Scotland. All very strange.

Morning everyone, I'm glad to hear you are all well.

I've just watched a family singing a lockdown song on tv from their lounge, lovely. I feel guilty feeling bored, so many parents are working so hard helping their children get through this, as well as studying.

I let my puss cat out again this morning, she didn't run straight off this time, just had a sniff around then ran back into the house.

I struggled to write my 'will' letters to my friends yesterday, I'm going to try to do them today.

Have a good day everyone

Morning whiff.

What a good nights sleep again, all I did was change my pillow to one I had in my airing cupboard, a buckwheat pillow, filled with buckwheat hulls. I bought it last year and never got on with it then, the reviews are excellent, so I took some hulls out because it was too high and then it went away. My shoulders have had no comfort from normal pillows so I tried buckwheat again and I don`t know why but I have slept soundly ever since and my shoulders are no longer giving me gyp. It is crackly and not at all like a cloud but it must be the support which does not change all night

I have made my mind up, am going for a drive to a food shop 14 miles away, my car battery will be getting more discharged by the day. The new mini charger won`t be arriving until the end of april.

It seems as though we are all on an equilibrium today, long may it continue

Morning all. My daughter got my shopping for me yesterday. She was going to Tesco but there was a 2 hour wait to get in. No problem getting into Aldi. Said it was well stocked and everyone was keeping their distance. Even on the car park people were spaced out. Message finally seems to be sinking in. We stood either end of my hall to chat. When she wanted to see what I had done in the garden I moved to the bedroom. We had to laugh but for everyone's safety the results must be followed.

I have noticed that the dog walkers have altered their times. Don't think they planned it, it just happened.

Franbern how are you today? Thank you for the messages . Wish I was more expressive with words and hope you got the gist of what I was trying to say.

Shandy57 like I and others have said your children are adults. It was your house not there's and they should be over the moon that you are free to do what you want. Keep all the money from the sale for yourself you will need it. What I don't understand why did you buy your daughter a car and it's with you and not her. I'm not criticising just don't understand why if she doesn't need it. Can't be the only one wondering.

Why do you need to bother with the garden at the station seems a lot of hard work and you won't be getting the benefit from it. You will have plenty to do sorting stuff out in it. The weeks will fly by.

At least you don't have to clean it anymore.

Grammaretto glad your family got to their new home. And will be very happy there.

If we manage all together next year do you think it will be like a game of guess who. Do you have red hair, no glasses , yes plink plink.

Stay safe and hope everyone has a good day.

Congratulations Shandy. The next 8 weeks will fly by for you. After all this time it will be very hard for your to realise the sale has actually happened, you've had so many false alarms.

I fully understand what you mean when you say you will not believe it until the money is in your bank account. It really is a great day when that happens.

Then it will be time for you to just sit back and relax for a while. You have a roof over your head and you can take time to find something else. For us that has been harder than the selling bit.

It's unfortunate that your children will not be happy about the sale. They do need to accept it is the best for you and that you needed to off load the liability -both financial and emotional- of the place. They are not dealing with that and only see things through rose coloured glasses. They have been removed now and it is time for you to make yourself number 1.

So glad to hear your good news about the house Shandy57. You've come a long way from the mosaicwarts days!
Just have to get past all this Coronavirus stuff and then we can all move on.
to all on this thread.

I've had a glass of white wine with my smoked salmon and wild garlic omelette! I toasted you Shandy

And DD who finally made it to the new house late this afternoon.
Phew and phew!!

What a lovely surprise Franbern .
I'm sure you were and are a wonderful family.

see what happiness does! you too Franbern, your mood is light again and you sound happy

It is infectious and I have treated myself to mon cherie cherry liquors, which will arrive in a couple of days and which I will put away for next weekend and enjoy with a very nice GnT I do love good news

I chickened out of using the sophisticated battery charger, too heavy and too complicated and I don`t want to take the battery terminals off because that messes up the digital information on the dashboard.. I can use a trickle mini charger directly across the terminals and so I ordered one. The singing dancing charger will go to SIL. The new charger is non-essential so I won`t get it for almost a month but when it comes it will be easy to use and it will give me time to learn how to release the bonnet

So very pleased for Shandy that she is relieved of all the worry and responsibility and with the summer still to come. As others have said more than once, her well being and happiness need to come first. The grown up children need to start being just that - grown up. And Franbern’s good news too - glad I came back to see what was happening.

Definitely have every intention of working with Craftyone and Whiff to arrange a wonderful away weekend in a nice hotel sometime next year for us all to get together in reality. Something to look forward to. Middle of next year is also my 80th birthday, so lots to live for and look forward to.

I have had the most wonderful and uplifting message,. My n eldest daughter (who still uses my married name) just got a message from a man who had been adopted forty years ago, and had just been given letters from his adoptive parents solicitors giving him some more information about his past. In that he discovered that for his first eight weeks he was fostered by a family in Chingford, and because of our unusual surname had tracked down my daughter. He actually used the words 'wonderful family ...' How very uplifting to know that one of those lovely pre-adoptive babies has gone on to such a good life. Did have a few tears....but tears of happiness. So good of him to bother to make contact.
Such lovely people out there.

Hey Franbern, thanks for coming back to say congrats, so nice of you, I couldn't have done it without your help.

I hope you got out to see your daughter today. Take care xx

Thank you so much Dottygran59, I can hardly believe it's over. I must keep on top of the garden over the next eight weeks, as the weeds spring into action.

In celebration I let my cat out a day early as the six weeks are over tomorrow - she immediately went left to the station. I called her and she did return to me, had another nervous sniff around, then ran back in. I'm going to try her again in the morning, I'll withold her breakfast and hope she returns.

Fran I’m so sorry to hear your dreadful news. How lovely of you to pop back and congratulate Shandy. And Shandy........YOU BLOODY DID IT!!!!! Go you! Don’t worry about your daughter, she’s still very young. She’ll get it, eventually.

Can’t tell you what a relief it is to know that you won’t have to do another winter there. My heart was in my mouth when I used to read about your exploits, and driving in the dark to collect your daughter. I couldn’t have done it. My admiration knows no bounds.

Lovely to see you here, Gaga, have seen you posting, on other threads. This is a lovely thread, hence it’s over 4K long and gathering momentum all the time

Eeeeeeh this has really cheered me up!

Should have said my brother treated her Mum, and the children (not her), she was only a child when that all happened.

Shandy, had to come back now to say how wonderful it was to read your great news. I am so delighted, and hope,eventually that Gaga1950 will be as successful.
More than enough for you to buy your small easy to run dream home, although, I suspect, that may not be for a good few months, but you will be all ready to go when it is possible. Time to relax and then relax a little more. Your daughter should be absolutely delighted that there is such a big (in every sense) weight of your shoulders now.
Grammaretto, what a nightmare move, particularly with two small children. Hopefully, they are settling in now to their new home.
I am feeling much better now - I knew my nephew was very ill and did not have much longer to live - I am so sorry for my lovely sister-in-law and it is horrible not being able to get to see her and give her a hug. My nephew in law was a total shock, and sad that I was unable to go to the funeral held today. She does have a lot of family very close by and will have plenty of support,and like so many of you will need to get used to widowhood in her early 60's.
There is a lot of history as my brother was a total bastard and treated her and the children extremely badly which meant that they were forced to live with her parents for several years. They were, totally understandbly, beside themselves with fury at him, but (wrongly) would not let my niece or the children have any contact with his parents - my Mum and Dad, who had idiolised those children, This niece was about 12 yrs old so for the next few years there was no contact. When she married I saw the advertisement for this in the Jewish Chronical and drove my poor parents over to the synagogue to sit in the public gallery to watch their eldest g,child walk down the aisle. On her returnj from honeymoon, she and hubbie went to visit my parents and she said that whilst she was living in her g,.parents house she had to respect their wishes, but now she was setting up her own home, she could pick up
that relationship. Lovely young woman, and over the next few years my Mum and Dad were able to see and hold their first great g.children. So, I have a very soft spot for her and for her hubbie.

That's fantastic news Shandy. I'm so pleased for you. You can now relax in the knowledge that you can look forward to an easier life. Yay!!!!