Help calm me, house buying and selling stress. Part 3

The wind is certainly getting up here. We're on the fourth floor and have floor to ceiling windows on one wall in the sitting room. It whistles like an express train!

Hello everyone, I'm finally back. Both houses look like they've been hit by a tornado, woe is me, I feel as though my legs are going to fall off.

I'd packed a few of the big boxes thinking the strong removal men would be lifting them - it was just my friend and her husband and a youngish man so I had to help, a lot.
The main house now looks dreadful without the furniture and carpets, I've got a lot to do before the valuer comes. So much sand under the rugs, luckily I can sweep it now the floor is clear. Piano body has gone with the removers, but the huge metal insides are in the old stable, I'll invite a strong scrap man to come round. Filing cabinet was broken up and has gone too.

The cottage is now stacked with bags and boxes, as the bedrooms are so small I couldn't take it all upstairs. I do find it odd there isn't any kind of instructions about anything, in my self catering I made sure people knew how everything worked. Will soon know! Took my torch and looked at the chimney, far too sooty to light the fire, being swept next Friday. No curtains in the bedroom so going to rummage through my linen cupboard in a minute. Hopefully when I turn the dial on the radiators the heating will come on, I'm going to google it later.

Off to drive my daughter's car to keep the battery going, then coming home to do a big logical list of how to attack all the things I have to do.

Stay safe in the coming winds and thank you all for your support today. My daughter sent a text and my son rang earlier, it's a sad day for them xx

Shandy57 take your time sorting out only do the basics today. You have plenty of days ahead of you to sort out. Is there a special reason your children are sad today? Be careful when you are outside.

If you have masking tape then just stick paper or cardboard on the bedroom window for now. Try and have an early night, you must be exhausted

The sea is whipping up a bit now. This is the proposed glass wall.

Really feel your children should be there assisting you - not feeling sorry for themselves. Surely, you have not paid a grand for yourself to move boxes? Sometimes,Shandy, think you let people calling themselves 'your friend' take advantage of your good nature !!!!
Anyway, you are in now, boxes can get unpacked over next few days, no rush.
We have had beautiful weather today in Somerset, Daughter took me to WsM hospital this morning for my CT scan. No waiting around and we then went back to my flat for a quick lunch. Decided to try to make the most of the lovely blue skies and sunshine and decided to have a trip to Cheddar. She did ask her children if any of them wished to come and they all declined - so just her and me - nice for me. We took my mobility scooter and had a lovely afternoon in some of the caves - and along Cheddar souveneer shops. Entry fee to caves gave us hot drink and cake before we left.
Expect not to go out tomorrow - if promised storm and wind hits. Need to spend some time sorting out all the summer clothes I brought with and have just unpacked into my new wardrobes.

Sounds like you had a lovely day Franbern. I can't imagine looking out Summer clothes. It must be very warm where you are.
Living in this old cold house, I've been wearing my coat indoors most of today. Truly.

What a shame you had to work so hard today Shandy. I know you are a lot younger than some of us on here but even so, fit young men, being paid , need to be doing their job.
Mind you, when the mini kitchen was brought in, I had help from a couple of young fit neighbours (one a local minister) plus DH and the Frenchman but DH squashed his hand quite badly and I have been applying bandages daily.

I meant to add:
Good wishes for a happy stay in your temporary home Shandy

Grammaretto, not wearing summer clothes yet. When I moved I crammed them all (t-shirts, skirts, summer trousers) into a very large suitcase, and there they remained until my fitted wardrobes were put in yesterday. I unpacked that case yesterday and put them into my new cupboards, but realised that they really did need a good sort out, sure many could go into Charity Shop Bag.
Not sure if Ciara will really have much effect on my flat- probably not. I do have several battery operated, very bright lights, and also a wind-up lantern, but really do not expect to need them. Car and mobility scooter are safely in my garage, no plans to go out tomorrow.

Morning all, what's the weather like where you live?

My little bit of Northumberland is dark with driving rain here, the wind raged all night, not quite as bad now.

I stayed on the sofa at the station last night as there isn't any broadband down at the cottage yet, will have to sort out tomorrow. No tv either, the only portable tv I have here is wall mounted, need to see if it will work down there but I hadn't reset the Freeview when the notice came round. I found a website that referred to 'inches' of oil, it's a system where you divide the cubic metres of the tank with litres to get the depth. Silly me didn't make note of the tank size so I'm still in the dark, checking later, must take my glasses so I can see the heating control too. Wish they had a watchman.
Was funny yesterday to want a glass of water - nothing there at all, I've been spoilt by self catering rentals.

I do feel quite pleased with myself this morning, I got my second wind late last night and tidied out the annexe ready for cleaning. All ornaments are now in a box for the charity shop, including about twenty boxes of pieces of a vintage chandelier my estranged Dad sent me. I'm never going to make it and it's far too heavy to sell on line. The kitchen/bathroom/lounge and bedroom are now clear apart from the curtains, wall mounted mirrors and pictures, and the rugs. And the books on trains, but I'm going to box them and see if I can ebay them.

Glad you had your scan Franbern, I hope the results come through quickly and they can find the source of your pain. When we were flying internally in Australia I had very severe head pain and ended up in hospital, apparently air had become trapped in my sinus, I do feel for you. How lovely you now have your wardrobes, I took eight ikea bags of clothes down to the cottage, will be halving the amount when I can relax.

Hope your husband's squashed hand heals quickly Grammaretto, the kitchen looks amazing!

Wish I had a proper long raincoat to walk the dog, I bought a seasalt 'tin cloth' mac but it's shortish.

I am glad you came on this morning shandy. You sound like a happy new woman full of get up and go. Its like a weight off the shoulders, isn`t it?

I’m not quite up to date on your move, but I hope you soon settle into your rental.

I just wanted to say, never underestimate the ability of eBay buyers to collect something as amazing as a vintage chandelier!

Please try to sell it online.

Hope you get into your rental today, stay safe in this wind.

Shandy, so tonight will be your first night in your cosy cottage. when moving, should always pack that 'first aid' box to be kept separate from all others, containing, - kettle, mugs, tea/coffee/ sugar, biccies, medication, change of underwear, book and/or puzzle or magazine, nightclothes and washing things.
Provided there is as tv aerial socket your tv should work perfectly well when you move and as you are staying in the same area, will probably not even need re-tuning. In my house there had been an aerial socket in every room (except bathrooms), had these installed some years back, so people moving in could (if they wished) have television in all or whichever rooms they wished. At the flat, there was just the single one in the Living room, and had to have an 'aerial man' come in to extend that into my bedroom. As the spare bedroom is on the other side of my hallway, and these flats have very thick, solid (Weston stone), walls, he advised me that it would cost quite a lot to extend it to there. He advised, and I eventually purchased, a small modern indoor aerial for tv for guests and it works perfectly well.
So far 'Ciara' has been rather a non-event down here. Bit windy out (looking at trees from my Living room window), grey (but not heavily so) sky, but no rain - yet. No idea what it looks like down on the front. Plan to have a day indoors today,

Glad to hear you so up beat Shandy57. You have been a busy bee. Hopefully you will be sleeping in the cottage tonight. Your son and daughter should be helping you. Be careful not to injure yourself it's so easy to over do things . I had help from my children still do but they have told me off for still over doing things. Could do with 8 arms at times.

Hope everyone else is coping with this storm. Wind and heavy rain lashing the bungalow. So glad I had the new roof and chimney done also new doors and window. Staying nice and cosy inside today.

SueH49 hope your husband is recovering well and you find somewhere to live soon.

Take care everyone.

Heavy rain and gusty winds here in Oxfordshire, but no worse (so far) than many other rainy days. Our little rescue dog was a bit scared when she went out having spent most of her life on a chain in an enclosed yard. So glad you have achieved so much Shandy but don't overdo it.

Evening all, still windy here, but I've still got all of my 'balls'! The one at the front of the house fell off in 1986 and bounced down the steps, breaking them, and onto the owner's car bonnet Some are strapped, most aren't.

I am just coming on to boast that I've worked really hard and the station is really tidy, just needs cleaning downstairs on Tuesday and upstairs on Wednesday so I can relax now and focus on the cottage. The damp in the annexe is bad now the bed has gone, I hadn't realised how it has spread. Not the end of the world, I'm not going to worry about it, but it is bad.

Luckily garden hasn't started sprouting too many weeds yet so that is OK. I've got to cut the grass at the cottage, I've never used a lawnmower before, hope I keep my toes!

I went to the front door this afternoon and saw a mini parked in my drive - then saw two people sauntering out of my garden (I've opened the lower garden gates because of the storm). I called down to ask if I could help them, and the man said, with only slight embarrassment, 'you've been on our list to view for ages, we were just having a look around'. What a nerve, I was really angry - and surprised my dog hadn't heard them. I just shouted down 'I am no longer on the market' and shut the door and watched them drive away. I expect this will happen a lot when I've gone, but I think they were very rude not to knock as there are two cars in the drive.

I've just realised I'll have to be at the cottage first thing as someone is coming to replace the door - and he'll have to give me the new keys! My brain isn't working well at all. I've been down memory lane this afternoon looking at my fabric stash and found the toile curtains. I hope they fit the bedroom, I think it's very odd there is only one set in the downstairs lounge. I'll find some for the spare room when I deliver my ornaments to the charity shop.

I will advertise the chandelier pieces, I'll let you know what happens, thank you for the suggestion.

Going into the estate agents later to collect my keys and give some chox and cards to the two main figures I've dealt with.

I am glad of this short rest from it all, I do think being on my own too much has affected me and I am grateful to you all for cheering me on. I saw 'my' surveyor next to me at the checkout this evening, and he ignored me - I thought it was rude of him and said hello, but he hardly acknowledged me. I asked if I'd offended him (he was stand offish earlier in the year when I saw him) and he said no, I wonder if he is nervous if he engages in conversation I will ask him for help. I must say that it's been a long three and a half years without my husband and I have managed without any help so far. I have one friend here that I see for coffee about four times a year, and she's invited me round on Friday, I'm looking forward to an adult chat.

Have a good day tomorrow whatever you are doing, I can't wait to go to yoga and after watching The Great Throw Down, might find a pottery class!

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Reported (like the others)
S*d off there’s a good chap and try a dating site ?

If this man had read this thread what on earth led him to believe that this was a place to pick up women.

Hope everyone is ok and no one has had bits blown off their homes or are flooded.

Have to go out today. Signing my will this morning before my sit fit class then U3A talk this afternoon. Good excuse to treat myself to lunch out.

Shandy57 hope you have another productive day. Is great to hear you are so positive and proactive.

Ellianne has the sea breached that barrier?

After the power cut we had yesterday the boiler refuses to work. No heating or hot water. It's the hot water I miss the most. Grr.

What a nasty day yesterday and was pretty bad overnight too, the gusts and rain were so loud. Anyway, it is lovely to read Shandy being so upbeat and looking to the future. I never thought about the garden, yet another big reason to get the deed done. I wish we were up there, team Shandy would soon lick that cottage into shape

I agree craftyone, You're such a self starter, when I read your posts I have nothing but admiration for everything you tackle.

Hi Whiff and others. I've just been to take a photo. Not sure what to make of it.
I'll catch up with the chat here later.

The wind is actually worse here today than it was yesterday. Really big gusts. Must say, that I sat out this storm yesterday just feeling so very grateful I was in this flat and not back in my house. There, I would have been worried the whole time about the garden fence, the gutters, etc. etc. So nice not having those sort of concerns. Saw some photos from the from in WsM yesterday and it did look pretty wild. Spoke to all my children on the phone yesterday and they are all fine.
Went Sainsbury shopping this morning, and it was all quiet and nearly sunny. Just as I left S'bury the rain started, soon after I arrived home it came down with a vengeance and the wind built up and up.
Shandy, hope you have sorted out getting wifi. Mine took five days when I moved, although I gave them good notice. Amazing how cut-off we feel these days without that.
Would not worry about your surveyor not being too friendly, suppose in a job like that -when he meets so many people, he has to keep a distance between work and personal life. Just because he did work for you, does not make him much more than a casual aquaintance, definitely not a friend.
Did you manage to talk to the people in your Station garden at all? Do you think they were genuinely interested or just voyeurs??
Do get yourself tucked up, sorted out and cosy in your rental.

I am another inspired by Shandy.
Even when the s*it hits the fan she calmly thinks positive!

DD & co have found another property to get excited about. They are coming down later this week. Hope the blizzards have passed by then.

I'm waiting for my DB to arrive. Their plane has been delayed by 2 hours already.
I've baked a cake and am keeping busy watching the weather. DH is at a funeral.

I could mend my knitting but it's more fun spending wasting time on here.