I need a little help from my friends...

What a challenge for you both, soop. I know that ultimately you will rise to it, but do take care of yourself and Mr soop. If there are "treasures" that you know members of your family would like, maybe you will give them first refusal and be able to visit them when you visit the family! Do you have heirlooms that you would ordinarily put in your will? Your GC might enjoy them sooner rather than later - if you see what I mean. Books can be sold on Amazon Marketplace or even on Ebay - I have a growing pile ready to be advertised but as usual haven't 'got around to it'. Car boot sales? As long as someone else is organising them they can be fun and you can make a modest profit, your fee for entering might go to charity, so it's win/win.

soop tirry daddle tiz woz . I can confirm that getting rid of 'stuff' is extremely liberating. And the nicest thing about having got rid of stuff to other family members, is how happy I am when I am in their houses and see things in use, I greet them like old friends: "Oh, I love that butter dish, how lovely to see it again".

I'm so pleased you feel calmer soop but I don't like the idea of you living in a caravan- come and live with me in Devon in the winter

My lovely soop you have supported me over the last few days,with all these thoughts going round in your mind.
I love the idea of donating mr soops piano what a lovely permanant reminder perhaps a plaque could be made saying who donated it,is there a small coffee/tea shop or even pub who would display your artwork and perhaps provide you with some more income,would your library like some book donations.
I totally understand your night time eerie jeebies,the feeling of insecurity that changes bring,your home is an extension of who you are,you are exposing your self and feel vulnerable ,but we will support you,as you have supported us lots of love nelliexxxxxxx

We have had to be very firmwith the "stuff"", soop, though perhaps not as stringent as you may have to be. But I can confirm that it is, as Grannyknot says, quite liberating. But we do have a lot of storage, so have been able to look at what we don't quite know what to do with (store) and at what we are happy to dispose of in different ways. There is always the tip.

There was stuff, like Aunt Florrie's half painted tea set, which we inherited from Theseus' parents 20 years ago. It was in a box then, it's still in the same box (because it is truly awful) and do you know what, it is stored...

Dear soop you have some hard decisions to make, and I do hope it works out well for you. Try to find a shed or something in which you can keep some of that special "stuff"!

can I ask as still trying find way round gransnet why some names are in black and some blue?/

also does anyone else find it slow to go on to different things and thread or is it my computer playing up??!!

The blue names have a profile that you can click on to look at, celebgran, and the black ones (like your own), haven't given any information about themselves.

Thanks Marelli!!

Brave girl scoop! Will write more when I get home. I have been thinking about your tizzy moments. x (smile)

admire you scoop and every good wish for this venture!!

You will get agood feeling when you have got rid of stuff you did not need, I cannot speak from experience as we live in 4 bed family home surrounded by far too much clutter!!
#
One day maybe??!!

soop you are just amazing you know and so is mr.soop and I hope you get your build started asap in your lovely part of the world.
If it is of any help I totally agree about offering piano to a suitable home within your village,can mr.soop at a future date give beginners lessons to any interested little ones ? As you know from previous information we moved from our very large family home over 10 yrs ago when DS2 left home,when we made the move abroad there where 3 x downstairs living rooms 4 beds and a massive kitchen to relocate to family and friends plus a loft space that held 30+ yrs of treasures.I had to put my mind in place very quickly as we had a buyer straight away and thought of all the enjoyment these "possessions" had give to my family over the years and then "filed" them away in my memory never to be forgotton.To my delight when I called on DDs best friend not long ago there in pride of place and still looking as beautiful as ever was my old (much loved) chest of drawers still loved but now by someone new,and I knew I made the right decission all those years ago.I love my small apartment which we now have and I'm sure you will love your new home,everything just feels right for us and hey ! it only takes a couple of hours to spring clean from top to bottom so that is a massive plus for your SWOT list. ((hugs))

Wow! Back home from work. Logged on to find such uplifting messages. You lot are amazing in so many ways. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
On Thursday, we're taking Mr soop's drawings into the well-known house building firm in Lochgilphead. We've a date with someone who may possibly give us an estimate for the build. A good place to start! The kitchen people in Campbeltown are to give us an estimate [chosen the fixtures and fittings and left them with the floor plan.] Then, we're off to Oban. Mr soop needs a scan to determine which of his two hernias has decided to go AWOL, so that it can be repaired. When in Oban, we're to meet with a lady who will give an estimate on the cost of connecting electricity to the plot.
Since telling you about my early morning wibble-wobble, I've rallied. Thanks again.
In the event of the project going ahead, three sons have agreed to take away treasured albums, books and paintings. We shall need to sell furniture. Many good items of clothing will be offered for sale on eBay. The charity shop will have knick-knacks and paper back books. Nothing will go to waste.

Good luck soop with the arrangements, and subsequent move!

I had not realised that you were up and away!!

Do your carrier pigeons have your new address, or a satnav?

All good wishes for Mr. S and his probs.. Hope he is soon more comfy again!

xx

Soop, it's such an adventure! Put all doubts behind you and steam ahead - Mr Soop won't let you down! I am quite envious

And extra good wishes for Mr. Soop when he goes to Oban! xx

gramps and Ana...very early days, so no idea when the hoped-for project will become reality. We need to get as many acurate costings as possible. No point in purchasing the plot on offer, unless the proposed wee house can be built for a sum we can afford [leaving sufficient in the bank to live on.] That's the scary bit! Really appreciate your goodwill messages. They help greatly.

Thanks, number x

There is a dear Lady called "soop"
Who was spinning around in a loop,
The problem was caused by a move out of doors,
No house yet - She may be moving to yours!!

Our dear friend has backing galore,
To help her when her morale is dour,
That's Scootish, ye ken.
I'd say it again, but my accent is pretty damn poor!

Now our "Soop and her Mr. "S" too ,
Are keeping their eye on the view,
That with backing from us,
They won't give a cuss,
'cos we know that they'll win
in their dream home,
The noo!
xx

gramps I love the poem. Clever clogs! Warm cuddle coming your way...

to you sooperwoman you are an inspiration. I wish I had more of your 'can do' attitude. I just know you can do anything you set out to do

(I've been away for a few days and have just seen this thread.)

Soop I am a naturally timid unadventurous person and come from a long line of people who have shied away from adventurous decisions, taken the safe line and rarely taken a risk. It is a part of my character that I regret and while I do not wish to complain about my life, I do have many regrets about missed opportunities or decisions for the "safe option" . We all have too much stuff and our children will have an awful job one day clearing our houses, deciding what to dump and what to keep - how much better to give away the precious things now which will bring joy both to them and to you. Or to give things to charities you both support. I think you will feel liberated and if you don't take this opportunity now - assuming it is a viable option, you will regret it, If on the other hand it ibecomes apparent that it is not possible, then so be it, perhaps it was not meant. But from everything you say this has much to commend it. Being closer to the village makes a lot of sense both as you get older and in the depths of winter or if you were unable to drive. My dear parents in law left a lovely rmbling house in Galloway which they loved and which was relatively near MIL's family roots in Ayrshire to move down to Rye to a tiny little modern house, partly because FIL had nearly died form a ruptured aorta and because they were 5 miles from the nearest small town. All thier grown up children lioved in the South too and latterly that made a huge difference. We acquired a lot of lovely Victorian furniture which wouldn't fit the "new" house and I believe it gave them pleasure to see it used.

soop It all sounds very exciting and I wish you both all the happiness in the world.

gramps I love your poem

gramps you are a lovely man..
soop I really think you are making the right move,but anxiety is an awful pain in the *rse and clouds a lot of judgements...mine included sometimes...go with your heartxxxxxxx

soop; I know I'm a worrier but will there be a problem selling your current home with the housing market being in such a bad way? I only ask because my daughter had to rent out one house to buy another when they were desperate to move and couldn't get anywhere near a good price for their home [and very few viewings].

crimson ...indeed, the selling of our home could prove to be a nasty fly in the ointment. Our location, 'though beautiful, is remote, and will have a limited market.
Tomorrow, we shall be gathering important info regarding the nitty gritty element of our project. We've sorted drainage. We're to talk about cost of bringing electricity to the plot. We'll also be asking a builder for an estimate based on Mr soop's detailed plans. It's essential that we keep a tight rein on every aspect of the project.
I cannot thank you lot enough for all the good advice and support. I'm really feeling up to the challenge. About to search for info on log burning stoves. Virtual hugs xxx