Wow, I haven't done one of these posts in ages. Just goes to show what a funk I was in.
Making me happy this week;
1) We've now been in the house for over a week now. It feels a little weird. Anni seems settled, indeed she drags us back to this house now when we take her for a walk. I wouldn't yet call it home, but I suspect it may start to feel more like home when we finish decorating a room or two.
2) Spending an hour in the garden in the sunshine today. I may have only cut 3/4 of a Lavender back and pulled up a handful of weeds so far. To sit on the step, talking to Dave, in the sunshine while we planned was just lovely. So I need to order a white lavender and a French Lavender and buy and plant some Sweet Pea seeds to get us started. Oooh I am so excited.
3) "Borrowing" ice from a neighbour. Such a simple thing having access to ice but oh after a few weeks with no cold drinks, an easy happy :-)
4) Painting the glitter paint on my craft room ceiling - well half of the ceiling, and it looks pants and I need to buy more paint to finish it and second coat it. But what has been done is all my own work.
5) My Mum being so strong. We went wig shopping this week and she's shaved her hair so it's a little easier for her. We went from someone who looked so sad waiting to try on wigs, my heart actually broke a little, to a woman with the biggest smile on her face when she found "the" one. Love you Mum, you rock.
Sunday, 20 March 2016
Thursday, 17 March 2016
Checking In, Moving Out & Moving In
Does the title give away why I have been so quiet lately? :-)
Yup, we finally moved on Friday 11th March. It seemed to take forever to finalise our move. The Sunday before we moved, I read an email from the solicitor who took over when mine went on holiday who asked if we wanted to move on 11th. We jumped at it. Of course, we then had to confirm a removal firm, exchange and pack up most of the house in 4 days - such fun.
I AM NEVER MOVING AGAIN - unless I am rich and someone else is packing the house up for me!!!!!
The removal men came at 8am and left the new house at 5.45pm. It went on forever.
The new house remains as Grotville. It was dirty and uckky when we moved in - the ex owner even left all her dog poo in the back garden - still to be cleaned up as she also filled up ALL the wheelie bins (there are 3) so I have no where to put it. We FINALLY get a bin emptied tomorrow so then I shall be in the garden as soon as possible trying to put it right.
Both Mums and my Dad helped massively with packing up the old house. Indeed I couldn't have done it with out them. Then more importantly my parents have REALLY helped with settling us into the new house -I think we wore H's Mum out!!!
On the Sat morning friends came up from down South and spent 2/3 days cleaning and decorating. We managed to clean the kitchen - the house fridge stopped working on the Sun morning, and I found out tonight that both ovens don't work. My fridge is locked in the garage (Dad has the key!) and I am feeling very frustrated.
Anyway onto nicer things, what will be our new bedroom has had the built in wardrobes removed, the carpet ripped up and the wallpaper stripped. Then My Dad and D have started putting up lining paper and the paint should be painted tomorrow. So exciting.
More importantly (to me) is that D redecorated what will be my craft room. I love it.
I still can't understand why H didn't want it in the new bedroom....................
Now once I have painted the ceiling with the glitter paint I can start unpacking all my bits.
Yup, we finally moved on Friday 11th March. It seemed to take forever to finalise our move. The Sunday before we moved, I read an email from the solicitor who took over when mine went on holiday who asked if we wanted to move on 11th. We jumped at it. Of course, we then had to confirm a removal firm, exchange and pack up most of the house in 4 days - such fun.
I AM NEVER MOVING AGAIN - unless I am rich and someone else is packing the house up for me!!!!!
The removal men came at 8am and left the new house at 5.45pm. It went on forever.
The new house remains as Grotville. It was dirty and uckky when we moved in - the ex owner even left all her dog poo in the back garden - still to be cleaned up as she also filled up ALL the wheelie bins (there are 3) so I have no where to put it. We FINALLY get a bin emptied tomorrow so then I shall be in the garden as soon as possible trying to put it right.
Both Mums and my Dad helped massively with packing up the old house. Indeed I couldn't have done it with out them. Then more importantly my parents have REALLY helped with settling us into the new house -I think we wore H's Mum out!!!
On the Sat morning friends came up from down South and spent 2/3 days cleaning and decorating. We managed to clean the kitchen - the house fridge stopped working on the Sun morning, and I found out tonight that both ovens don't work. My fridge is locked in the garage (Dad has the key!) and I am feeling very frustrated.
Anyway onto nicer things, what will be our new bedroom has had the built in wardrobes removed, the carpet ripped up and the wallpaper stripped. Then My Dad and D have started putting up lining paper and the paint should be painted tomorrow. So exciting.
More importantly (to me) is that D redecorated what will be my craft room. I love it.
I still can't understand why H didn't want it in the new bedroom....................
Now once I have painted the ceiling with the glitter paint I can start unpacking all my bits.
Saturday, 27 February 2016
Sucks, sucks and sucks
I have been desperately wanting to blog but first my head wasn't in the right place and then I had to make sure that friends who read this blog were told before I published here.
So the news about Mum isn't good. She has stage 4 cancer (the worst) in her liver and the little bugger has gotten into both lungs. We've been told that the Dr's can only manage it and can't get rid of it. She started Chemo today, to give her as much time as possible. She is not ready to give in and I am not ready for her to give in. We had a date to go wig shopping - I am trying to convince her that this is her chance of going for a Mohican but I am not so sure that she is buying my reasoning..... just think of the smiles she'd spread with her when she goes for more chemo.
We all went out for a lovely meal last week and then Sunday lunch at Mum's this past Sunday. H struggles to visit most houses- steps to get in, laminate floors to slip on, no downstairs loo etc and he did look tired, but with a 2 hour sleep he managed to stay til after tea. Anni had a sleep over with Grandma and Grandad but H and I kept looking for her when we got home. It's odd but when you have a dog you do get into your habits and just cause she's elsewhere doesn't mean you remember to change your habits. H got up in the morning to let her out.... D'oh. Mind I asked an invisible Anni if she wanted to go out before I went to bed.........
The House move is still on and no idea when we'll actually move. Our sellers were asked a list of questions on 5th Feb and my Solicitor received answers late yesterday. I am still waiting for news. How long do these things take? There must be a better way forward. I think we have been held up as the seller can't find paperwork for the sunroom (AKA converted garage). We suspect there isn't any but rather than admit it, she's been avoiding the issue completely. I am hopeful we are nearly there now and we may be able to agree a date next week.
We do have news on the ill health retirement application - kind of. The Occupational Health department rang today and have all the paperwork they need to complete the paperwork. We may hear something soon.
So lots of nothing and sadness.
We've also had some happiness. Friends we met on holiday years ago, have sent flowers, chocolate and hand knitted cowls. They are also going to come up when we move to get stuck in the unpacking and helping us settle. I am so pleased about this, as I was planning on leaving things in boxes as much as possible whilst we can clean the place from top to bottom. I have chosen the wallpaper for the bedroom (the grottiest room) and the craft room (small room upstairs) so we'll at least 2 nice spaces to live in.
and at least someone is settled!!!!!!
So the news about Mum isn't good. She has stage 4 cancer (the worst) in her liver and the little bugger has gotten into both lungs. We've been told that the Dr's can only manage it and can't get rid of it. She started Chemo today, to give her as much time as possible. She is not ready to give in and I am not ready for her to give in. We had a date to go wig shopping - I am trying to convince her that this is her chance of going for a Mohican but I am not so sure that she is buying my reasoning..... just think of the smiles she'd spread with her when she goes for more chemo.
We all went out for a lovely meal last week and then Sunday lunch at Mum's this past Sunday. H struggles to visit most houses- steps to get in, laminate floors to slip on, no downstairs loo etc and he did look tired, but with a 2 hour sleep he managed to stay til after tea. Anni had a sleep over with Grandma and Grandad but H and I kept looking for her when we got home. It's odd but when you have a dog you do get into your habits and just cause she's elsewhere doesn't mean you remember to change your habits. H got up in the morning to let her out.... D'oh. Mind I asked an invisible Anni if she wanted to go out before I went to bed.........
The House move is still on and no idea when we'll actually move. Our sellers were asked a list of questions on 5th Feb and my Solicitor received answers late yesterday. I am still waiting for news. How long do these things take? There must be a better way forward. I think we have been held up as the seller can't find paperwork for the sunroom (AKA converted garage). We suspect there isn't any but rather than admit it, she's been avoiding the issue completely. I am hopeful we are nearly there now and we may be able to agree a date next week.
We do have news on the ill health retirement application - kind of. The Occupational Health department rang today and have all the paperwork they need to complete the paperwork. We may hear something soon.
So lots of nothing and sadness.
We've also had some happiness. Friends we met on holiday years ago, have sent flowers, chocolate and hand knitted cowls. They are also going to come up when we move to get stuck in the unpacking and helping us settle. I am so pleased about this, as I was planning on leaving things in boxes as much as possible whilst we can clean the place from top to bottom. I have chosen the wallpaper for the bedroom (the grottiest room) and the craft room (small room upstairs) so we'll at least 2 nice spaces to live in.
and at least someone is settled!!!!!!
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Pulling my Big Girls Pants Up
So I still think life sucks, but I can either wallow (and I did on Sunday, I stayed in my PJ's ALL day. Bliss), or pull up my big girl pants and get on with.
I decided 1 day of wallowing was ok and actually healthy for me but no more. Well actually I loved being in my PJ's, a long soak in a bubble bath (whilst I still have one) and fresh PJ's. Yes please, bring on this Sunday :-)
On Monday, I finally remembered to do what I have been meaning to do since the start of the year. Our little, local Asda has a collecting basket for the local foodbank. H and I have agreed to donate 1 thing a week to the collection. So on Monday, I finally got round to adding 5 things to the basket. It did feel good thinking of someone else.
Mum's biopsy on Monday went ok. They were running late, so she didn't get home til after 10.30pm but she's feeling okay now. Indeed, we went out for a lovely lunch today.
In house news, we've agreed a lower price on our house and the sale is still on. No news on a completion date -how long do these things take????? Should I be packing yet for this unknown date? I feel my lack of packing may bite me :-)
I decided 1 day of wallowing was ok and actually healthy for me but no more. Well actually I loved being in my PJ's, a long soak in a bubble bath (whilst I still have one) and fresh PJ's. Yes please, bring on this Sunday :-)
On Monday, I finally remembered to do what I have been meaning to do since the start of the year. Our little, local Asda has a collecting basket for the local foodbank. H and I have agreed to donate 1 thing a week to the collection. So on Monday, I finally got round to adding 5 things to the basket. It did feel good thinking of someone else.
Mum's biopsy on Monday went ok. They were running late, so she didn't get home til after 10.30pm but she's feeling okay now. Indeed, we went out for a lovely lunch today.
In house news, we've agreed a lower price on our house and the sale is still on. No news on a completion date -how long do these things take????? Should I be packing yet for this unknown date? I feel my lack of packing may bite me :-)
Sunday, 31 January 2016
Life Sucks, but we'll just keep swimming
I have been quiet this past week and have wondered about writing this post for most of the week. I don't want to appear to only talk about annoying, upsetting things but something major in my life has happened and whilst it is negative it is major and is part of our lives.
So much has been happening with the house and because of this thing, we don't actually care. We are in discussions with our buyers to reduce the cost of our house. In the past month alone the boiler has thrown a dicky fit, the chimney has started leaking and damp has appeared in the kitchen. If only we'd sold a month quicker!!! I suspect the damp in the kitchen is down to a faulty gutter next door which is leaking, hitting our water butt and hitting the exact spot that is getting damp in the kitchen. The buyers have had an independent report done and been told that it needs the damp proof course re-doing - sigh.
My Mum had cancer a number of years ago. She had an op and Radiotherapy and away it went. We'd just gotten home from a fabulous bonding trip to New York when we found out she was ill. Over Christmas she thought she had a gallstone so was booked in for a scan. We've found out that the cancer is back. I am scared witless. She knows I am. We are trying to be big and brave and we will fight it. Life sucks.
Love you Mum. x
So much has been happening with the house and because of this thing, we don't actually care. We are in discussions with our buyers to reduce the cost of our house. In the past month alone the boiler has thrown a dicky fit, the chimney has started leaking and damp has appeared in the kitchen. If only we'd sold a month quicker!!! I suspect the damp in the kitchen is down to a faulty gutter next door which is leaking, hitting our water butt and hitting the exact spot that is getting damp in the kitchen. The buyers have had an independent report done and been told that it needs the damp proof course re-doing - sigh.
My Mum had cancer a number of years ago. She had an op and Radiotherapy and away it went. We'd just gotten home from a fabulous bonding trip to New York when we found out she was ill. Over Christmas she thought she had a gallstone so was booked in for a scan. We've found out that the cancer is back. I am scared witless. She knows I am. We are trying to be big and brave and we will fight it. Life sucks.
Love you Mum. x
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Selling the House
We accepted the offer on our house in early December. We made and had our offer on our new place accepted later the same week.
We are now in the 3rd week of January and nothing seems to have moved forward. Sigh. Our boiler has decided now would be the perfect time to stop working. Double sigh. British Gas came down yesterday and quoted over £4k to replace it (that's the sale price!). Triple sigh. Although it is our boiler, we are hoping to be out within the next 6 weeks so are working with our buyer to find a solution. H and I are hoping that the quote we get from a smaller company will be much more reasonable.
Our buyer was given our phone number to pass onto BG so we are now in contact and although it feels a little odd at times, we are talking to each other and know where we are in the scheme of things. In fact, we are learning that things we are being asked "your buyers are demanding the answers to X, Y or Z" have certainly not been asked by our buyers. You have to laugh.
Our seller (of the new house) is harder to deal with. I don't feel like I should approach her and realise that she is doing her best, but with everything you can only move at the speed of the slowest person. I am hopeful that she will catch up and we can finally have a completion date.
I am thankful that we only have 3 people in our chain, I am not sure I could handle a larger chain.
We are now in the 3rd week of January and nothing seems to have moved forward. Sigh. Our boiler has decided now would be the perfect time to stop working. Double sigh. British Gas came down yesterday and quoted over £4k to replace it (that's the sale price!). Triple sigh. Although it is our boiler, we are hoping to be out within the next 6 weeks so are working with our buyer to find a solution. H and I are hoping that the quote we get from a smaller company will be much more reasonable.
Our buyer was given our phone number to pass onto BG so we are now in contact and although it feels a little odd at times, we are talking to each other and know where we are in the scheme of things. In fact, we are learning that things we are being asked "your buyers are demanding the answers to X, Y or Z" have certainly not been asked by our buyers. You have to laugh.
Our seller (of the new house) is harder to deal with. I don't feel like I should approach her and realise that she is doing her best, but with everything you can only move at the speed of the slowest person. I am hopeful that she will catch up and we can finally have a completion date.
I am thankful that we only have 3 people in our chain, I am not sure I could handle a larger chain.
Thursday, 14 January 2016
12 Days of Christmas Swap
Last year Jo at throughthekeyhole blogged about a 12 day of Christmas swap that she did with Lisa at jumbleandjelly. They swapped a box containing 12 mystery gifts which they opened 1 per day from 25th December until 6th January. I think many people who read Jo's blog were jealous. I then forgot all about it, until late in 2015 when Jo asked if anyone else wanted to take part this year. I jumped at the chance. I had great plans at being creative. Then we marketed the house, and I had to keep tidying it for viewings!!!! and my brain turned to mush.
I was paired with Ellie at feltabulous and we emailed back and forth to try and get an understanding of each others likes and dislikes. I didn't get much time to be creative. I was even late in sending out my parcel. Thankfully, Ellie understood and I got my parcel packaged up and sent on it's way.
As soon as my parcel arrived I HAD to make myself open the box, take a glance and then go and hide the box on the tallest cupboard I could find so I didn't start open the packages. It was SOOOOOOO hard Ellie. Please excuse the quality of the photos, I have spent the past week meaning to take photos in daylight, but another and another day passes and I am desperate to blog about the swop so am going with the photos I took each day.
Look at all those unopened happies, just waiting for me. Now can you see why they had to be put away.
Day 7 Bag Charm/Keyring (not only the charm but an explanation of each stone)
Day 9 Star Tree Decoration
Day 11 Flamingo notebook - I was happy sighing with this one. How gorgeous is this?
I was paired with Ellie at feltabulous and we emailed back and forth to try and get an understanding of each others likes and dislikes. I didn't get much time to be creative. I was even late in sending out my parcel. Thankfully, Ellie understood and I got my parcel packaged up and sent on it's way.
As soon as my parcel arrived I HAD to make myself open the box, take a glance and then go and hide the box on the tallest cupboard I could find so I didn't start open the packages. It was SOOOOOOO hard Ellie. Please excuse the quality of the photos, I have spent the past week meaning to take photos in daylight, but another and another day passes and I am desperate to blog about the swop so am going with the photos I took each day.
Look at all those unopened happies, just waiting for me. Now can you see why they had to be put away.
I can honestly say that not one swop wasn't me. I would have chosen every single one - except I wouldn't have been clever enough to make most of them.
Day 1- magnets and magnetic pegs. I did smile when I opened these (I sent pegs to Ellie too).
Day 2 Cupcake cases and Malteser Mooses (yes that's a word). The chocolate was shared and the cupcake cases are going away until December. They will make December baking so much happier.
Day 3 Card and ribbon - a girl can never have too much card, or ribbon.
Day 4 Ear rings. My ears were pierced when I was 13 (I think) and have since closed up but I am DESPERATE to wear ear rings again, so I will, in 2016 go get them re-done. When I have either had a glass of wine or feel super brave I will get them re-done. These are perfectly me. In fact, if there were on a stall amongst 100's of other ear-rings I would have bought these.
Day 5 Pens - oh yes please.
Day 6 Bracelet - My colours again. So pretty.
Day 8 Crafty Bits
Day 9 Star Tree Decoration
Day 10 Flamingo bunting - oh my happy place in the new house will look fabulous with this. (Photo stolen from Ellie, hope that's ok Ellie). I can't wait until this is in my new craft room. It is perfect. I may have done a happy dance!!!!
Day 12 Flamingo. She has had to be put out of reach as Anni showed an unhealthy interest in getting hold of her. Unhealthy to poor Florence and to Anni if she got hold of her :-)
Jo, thank you for organizing and can I be in again this year?????? I am pretty certain (I hope) that I'll be in my new place by then, and unpacked so can be more creative.
Ellie, you ROCK. Thank you for making me feel so loved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)