Help calm me, house buying and selling stress part 2

i must say that this week has been one of the worst for stress in my life. Although I am have removal company doing packing, obviously, I have done some =clothes into suitcases, etc. I have really been worried about how this stress was affecting my health I have been so bad.
Still finding it hard to believe it is nearly there. My son is coming down here on Sunday to be with me whilst they pack (have told the removal company boss that his people will have at least one sane, calm adult at each end). Staying at my nearby daughters overnight on Monday and then a slow drive down there on Tuesday. As the top of the chain do not expect to get key much before 3 pm.
However, my daughter down there is being let into the flat in the morning by the chairman of the Management Cttee to meet the boiler maintenance man, so I have asked her to take her vacuum cleaner and go through the flat (which is all carpeted) before the removal van (and me) arrives.
Scaredykatt, this is such a coincidence of us both packing and moving on the same day. Think you are also going somewhere in west country. Once I get more settled will send you a message and see if we can make an arrangement to meet up sometime.
Good luck to all at whatever stage your journey is at

Franbern I also have been concerned about my health as I have been very stressed. Although I only joined the Forum quite recently various things connected with moving have caused me stress and anxiety over the last year or so. Hope it all goes well for you next week - I can’t quite believe I am at last moving either! I am going to the West Country - but far West Cornwall so rather a long way from Weston unfortunately.

Mosaic I hope you get some good news soon.

Craftytone, I have been looking at flats in Weston S Mare for four or five years. Even this year when I started the journey in April I made an offer for a flat tthat had all been completely re-done by developer. Heart over head......Could just move in, nothing to do - but when I really thought about it I realised it was much too small for me.
Second flat, went along for a good time, indeed having to pay my solicitor for all the work they did on this. Had increasing concerns as time went on, but felt I could not pull out. It was on a third floor, which I feel is a little to high up for me, but the main concern was the extremely expensive annual maintenance charge which really did worry me. When my house sale fell through so late in the day, it gave me the opportunity to pull out and am so please I did so.
The flat that I viewed and tried to buy there four years back came back on the market when I was setting out this year, viewed it and realised how wrong it would have been for me on several accounts.
Strangely enough, four years back I had viewed a flat in the block I am now going to - loved everything about it, but it was one of the few flats there which did not have an accompanying garage - so that was out for me - not a good area for parking.
I viewed this flat earlier on the process, that time I was viewing when I was really not recovered from my fall. It does need re-decorating and having seen the other one all bright and clean and sparkling this did not appeal - heart over head again!!!
Only when my 4th purchaser made an offer much later in the summer I noticed this was still on the market and had been reduced by ten grand from the original price, re-viewed it, made an offer same day - and am now moving in. I know I have made the correct decision. It actually ticks every box bar one on my checklist and that one is not insurmountable. Head over heart - but now my heart is with this flat also.

Franbern I am very happy for you. You will have fun choosing decor etc for your new home. You health should improve as you will not be under all this stress. Both you and Scaredykatt have Christmas to look forward to in your new homes. Both of you pace yourself. I did a foolish thing as the removers emptied each room I went into cleaning mode and wore myself out. What I should have done was clean where I could days before and then only clean the bits that had furniture and boxes on .

Craftyone thank you for the message totally agree. You started this thread to help people and as I think I have said before but you and others have help me through selling my old house and are still helping now I have moved. I know for me moving house was worse than my husband dying I know that seems strange, but we always knew he would die. Selling and buying properties you are at the mercy of other people and their wims.

Mosaicwarts hope you have some good news soon. Try and take it easy if you can you need to look after yourself so you health does not suffer.

Can anyone remember what date SueH49 auction is?
Better get up now as I have 5 of my new appliances coming today the other 2 on Wednesday. They start on my kitchen on Monday.
Have a good day everyone.

29th for Sue. I read that outpouring of yours Franbern and it made me feel emotional, what you said` I felt as though I could not pull out` It does not take much to become trapped and to make the wrong decision. I know that I moved to the last house because my husband wanted an eco house so much, he kept asking me if I was happy there and naturally I said yes because I wanted to set his mind at ease.

Anyway the fun starts soon for franbern and scaredykat and whiff you won`t know yourself in your new kitchen. I was very worried about my health too, I remember the stress and consequences after my husband died, how my bp went sky high, how I could hear my heart pumping very loudly when I went to bed. I reduced that stress with calm times and focussed on nothing at times and even hypnosis cds. Then a year later came all the dreadful aches and pains

Moving stress is very prolonged, it goes on and on and meantime there was no time to sit staring into empty space. Sorting, cleaning, keeping up with a dirty fingerprint or a tiny hairline crack or a smokey fire. The neighbours who kept asking how it was going and all this as well as looking for a new area plus a new home. Hence me taking it slowly now, yes I appear settled and fine but I know it takes a year for stress effects to show so I am treating my body with tlc, at least until the year is over from moving in. Get essentials done but don`t join too much, not too soon

Just popping in to see how you all are, just watched Disc 1 of Schindler's List. Obviously well researched and shocking scenes, not sure if I can watch part 2. I was overwhelmed when I went into Anne Frank's bedroom in Amsterdam, I had to leave the building without looking at all the info in the loft, I just felt something I can't describe.

My dog doesn't want to go out for his night time walk tonight so I've just washed up and hoovered my daughter's bedroom. She's staying out tonight and meeting her boyfriend in town tomorrow, he's coming here for a few days. Unfortunately a brake pad has come loose so I won't have my car on Monday, it's problematic as she's arranged to go away with him for the day and needs to get to the station. We could walk, but it's two and a half miles through the edges of the fields, the road is too dangerous to walk on. Most rural taxis here are booked for the school run, luckily we found someone that isn't doing his this week. Fingers crossed he turns up!

I've just remembered the clocks go back tonight, ugh. I think I need to change my living room around or just do something different this winter, I can't bear the thought of sitting on that sofa all night again staring west at the tv. If I wasn't on the market I'd do some sewing, but like to spread out, would have to put it all away each time if someone was coming. Enough to do with the cleaning without the extra work. I've decided to stay on the market continuously until next Spring to allow as many viewings as possible, then think again about the auction. Hopefully I'll still have a roof!

Hope you are all enjoying Strictly, the widow's website I'm on have a facebook chat about it, which is nice.

I'm delighted to say that we sold at auction yesterday. We now have a binding contract of sale. There was a good turn out at the auction although most just sticky beak neighbours but four interested parties and a very enthusiastic auctioneer. We sold for a price we are happy with and most importantly it is an unconditional sale. We will settle, by agreement, in late March next year. There has been a deposit paid and we are able to apply to have that released in in order to use those funds to put a deposit on another place. It was lovely that both of our sons were here for the auction and it was great to have their support and counsel.
Now I really will have to get serious about the clearing out.

Progress with my hip is slow but hopefully it will become easier and faster before long. It was not a good idea to have these two things happening at the same time but we have and will just have to deal with it.

SueH49 brilliant news. I am very happy for you. At least now you can plan your future. Have you decided on any area and sort of home you want? When my brother had his hip operation it took him a good 6 weeks to recover he was 50 at the time. How is your mom?

Franbern and Scaredykatt you must be both excited about tomorrow. I have got that right I hope. You have both got the removals coming tomorrow. Pace yourselves and make sure you have plenty to drink. Exciting times ahead for both of you.

Mosaicwarts I could never watch that film it's to upsetting. Hope you have a better day and next week your luck changes.

Craftyone you are so right about after move stress . I didn't realise it was effecting me until I read your post. Thank you yet again for your help.

Hope everyone remembered to put their clocks back a hour. Have a good day.

Morning all. Thank you all so much for your 'virtual' support.
Great news about the auction Sue.

Removal company come tomorrow. I hardly slept last night and I am very worried about sleeping the next couple of nights as I have a long drive ahead of me on both Tuesday and Wednesday which I really cannot do without sleeping. I know of course that there is no point worrying but have been a worrier all my life.

How are you Franbern?

Scaredykatt the night before the removers came I went to bed early. But decided at 3am I could fill another couple of boxes. Went back to bed but got up at 5am. Luckily I don't drive so lack of slept wasn't an issue. Hope everything arrives at your new home safely.

Exciting times for you ladies. Wonderful news re auction sale. mosaicwarts could that be a way ahead for you?
Good luck with the moves next week. Also good luck in getting a good night's sleep. It's just typical when you really need one it evades you. Probably you're just swimming in adrenalin?
Remember 'this too shall pass'!

Today my son is driving down to be with me until the removal van actually leaves on its way - and I leave in my car on its way on Tuesday. Although having packers, still doing much myself, for my own sake, so that really essential items are easily available as soon as I arrive. I have put all my medication and such like in a big bag which will come with me in my car. Small case also packed as Monday night - the house will be empty and I staying at my daughter who lives jusr a mile away.
My wheely bins are getting filled up, amazing when I consider that I have been taking boxes and boxes of stuff to charity shops etc nearly every week for the past several months. At least in a flat I will not be able to hoard so much in the future.
Getting in touch with essential services, mainly on -line. Unfortunately, I will not have wi fi up and running until 4th November. I will pop round sometimes to my daughter and Son in Laws house to use theirs, but will probably not be on this site now until sometime after that date.
Good luck scaredykatt with the move Wonderful news about the auction - could be the way forward for Mosaicwarts. Last year I did enquire about these 'We buy any house' sites, but they take the price it was then being advertised for, and knocked about 10%-15% off so did not proceed. Understand they are not all they cracked up to be in anycase.
Thanks for all your support - this thread has been a life-line these past months. Will come back in just over a weeks time to see how it is all going and give you an update on the actual move and settling in

Franbern - if you have a mobile phone contract you can buy extra data which can be linked to your Ipad/laptop. I expect you can do the same if you have a PAYG phone. My son did this for me. I couldn't have managed without it to keep in touch with solicitor/estate agent etc. in the last week or so.

I would recommend buying a portable mobile charger for moving day. I was on the phone so much back and forth to the solicitor and removals company, as things were delayed, that my phone died. Luckily I had given the numbers to a family member who was with me.

Franbern hope all goes well tomorrow and you don't wear yourself out. Look forward to your posts from your new home.

A great big bunch of flowers for you Franbern and for you scaredykat and we will see you again when you are able

Re the internet, I bought a phone that could do 4G and managed to tether my laptop to it. I could use the internet like that and it was very good for those few weeks, got me out of a pickle

I am just happily mundane at the moment. My house is warm and bright and I have been out on my bike, getting some light on my face. Cleaned my chain and that fixed a gear that was sticky. Had a lovely lunch which was a treat and some lindt chocolate. Feeling cosy and happy, feet up, book ready to read

Very good news Sue, I am glad that you are settled now re the sale

My bed is finally fixed. A sub contract who works for Pickfords came and made a new central bar and put a leg on it half way down. My daughter can have her books back. And my grandsons can bounce on my bed without me worrying . Just need Pickfords to pull their fingers out with regards to my insurance claim. It has been going on far to long.

Craftyone you had a lovely day for a bike ride.

Good luck for tomorrow everyone, hope the wind dies down for you and you all have a good journey to your future homes!

Congratulations to you Sue and thanks all for the auction encouragement. I've calmed down about it now, honestly I'm scared of my own shadow nowadays. I can only try, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I was just making a huge lasagne for tonight when the doorbell went - which never happens here! It was a nice young man we employed when we moved here in 1999. He attended my husband's funeral with his Dad, who I discovered played darts with my husband, so I didn't mind him knocking and coming in, although my bed wasn't made! He seemed to like the house and said he'd like to show his wife at some time in the future.

Off to walk my dog again, wish this wind would drop.

Fingers crossed for all tomorrow x

I know you say you know the young man. But did he ask to view your house? If so for your own safety don't let anyone view without them going through your estate agent. You need to protect yourself as you live alone.

I was going to say the same as whiff, mosaics you should not have shown the man in. You have no idea about his life now, about his inner motives. You were on your own and no-one knew he was there

I would ask the EA to put `by appointment only` on the sales board and in the RM advert

You are right of course, I was silly to let him in. I didn't show him the garden as I had my slippers on and didn't want to go out there too. If he contacts me again I'll ask him to make the appointment through the estate agent, but would be happy to do the viewing if he brings his wife. Took me off guard, was just cooking and in a world of my own when he knocked, felt awkward to turn him away - which is obviously what he was banking on! It's got so cold here, the Aga is playing up, lasagne won't cook!

It is going to be quiet for a little while so now is the time to extend the hand of support and friendship to anyone who needs moral support if going through stressful buying, selling and even just downsizing in prep for future buying/selling

The people who are in the settling in/settling down process, please also come on here. I have made many many posts after buying, settling is also difficult especially settling in a new area and/or miles from family or with no family

Tbh It is nice to get back to mundane, like me hanging out the washing today but where do I put it when it comes in damp?

Craftyone the only thing I miss about old home is the airing cupboard. To solve the shortage of drying space I now have a condenser tumble dryer in the garage. The kitchen fitters have been hard at since 9 ripping everything out including the horrible plastic ceiling
Roll on 2 weeks when it will be finished. First I'm going to cook chocolate brownies yum. I hope Franbern and Scaredykatt are getting on ok with their removals.

Whiff same here, I used to have a smashing large airing cupboard, only a little normal cupboard here with a little in-built electric heater which I will never use. Like you I bought a heap pump tumbler dryer and it is in my utility room, only used it 3 times but I can`t be having wet washing hanging around. Its outside today so will be reasonable when I bring it in

Your kitchen will be lovely, such a mess for a while but so right to get it done now.