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

I have tried to make the guest room nice for the French girl who is due this afternoon . I miss my big strong Frenchman who has gone back home.
There is still furniture to be moved about and it's all so big and heavy!

I feel as though my house is a stage set but instead of lightweight scenery, there are great solid wooden wardrobes to deal with.

Afternoon all, just back from cleaning the station, still have to clean the shower doors tomorrow but I got puffed out buffing everything else. I don't like going back in there now, and don't like coming back here either!

I saw my neighbour when I got back, she has been away in London for two days, and apparently her cat feeder didn't see him and he's not turned up this morning. I hope my dog barking at him didn't frighten him away from his home.
She does have a cat flap, I hope he pops through it soon.

Hoover arrived whilst I was at the station and I've just unpacked it in the kitchen, unfortunately have to put my dog in the car when I hoover as he attacks it. As I haven't hoovered since I move in I expect it to be very full!

I got my water bill for the station today and it is actually lower than usual, what a bonus! I have to pay £13.75 per month here at the cottage.

I've now listed nearly all my big furniture including a cast iron bench on ebay and I've just had an email from a buyer asking about the bench, he is suggesting if he pays the starting price I've listed it at, if I'll arrange delivery, he'll pay up to £70. He hasn't said where he is, which is ridiculous. Honestly, I don't want to mess about organising delivery, I'll have to work out how to wrap it up somehow and try to carry down the steps with the driver. I just want someone to buy it and come and take it away!

I've just discovered the Last Tango in Halifax programme, going to have a binge watch with a Twirl. Have a good afternoon!

shandy please don’t accept the start price, message the bidder and tell him you are going to let the bid run until the end date and it’s collection only.

I’m afraid you do get some chancers , you have to be firm and stand your ground.

Had a pleasant afternoon mooching around both The Range and Dunelm looking at furniture for my balcony. do not want to actually buy any just now - until I have checked out other places (B&Q), but ave now got some good ideas. I have been looking for several years for a pretty duvet cover set for my bedroom I have two sets, both the same, purchased some 15 years back in B&Q. They were expensive but really lovely. Nothing wrong with them, but I would just like a change. My bedroom is (as it was previously) white and blue - but not the current fashion of duck blue and that is what has caused me problems finding anything. Anyway, today saw two sets I liked. I have purchased one - also saw some lovely curtains for my bedroom there, just need to measure up to see if they will be suitable for my window. Thank goodness for smartphones where it is so easy now to take pictures of material and details.
Realised that I had actually got myself 24 hours wrong for my trip to London this week, fortunately, Travel Inn was able to change my booking - and I have emailed my friend to tell her what an idiot I am and see if it will still be possible for me to visit her 24 hours later than originally arranged. So glad I realised my mistake in time and did not turn up at the school a day too early!!

Don't make it difficult for yourself sending the bench Shandy. See how it goes for a while.
We found some seaside curtains and a beach hut lampshade for our spare room in Dunelm and The Range. Their selection is good and prices are reasonable. I find their shops easier than IKEA when it comes to furnishings.
Glad you realised your mistake Franbern and were able to rebook your accommodation. Easily done. We turned up at the wrong airport once for a flight!

I usually find gumtree better than ebay as it's more local so people expect to pick up. Do not offer delivery - that would be counter productive. Shandy

I'm just back from an IKEA trip. I bought a rug for the new room and fitted out the mini kitchen with pans and utensils. £50 in total. I don't know how they can be so cheap. I didn't find a new bed cover but I'm certain to find something around the house.

My visitor isn't here yet so I'll make us a warming soup. What a shame to arrive in Scotland from Southern France to this cold blustery, rainy weather.

Ikea towels and Tea cloths all come up with sewn in hanging tapes. Such a useful and lovely idea.
I used Gumtree rather than Ebay for selling items as it did mean the purchasers were going to be local. Shandy, as others have said do not get involved with trying to send such a large and heavy item, if they want it they can arrange collection.
Why do you also not like going back to your rental at the moment? Is it anything specific, or just that you feel so generally unsettled. Have you started to really look for your future home purchase.
Grammaretto, many, many years ago I used to have those french students also - but only during the summer holiday period. One did become quite a good friend of the family. Did sometimes find it difficult to have responsibility for teenagers in London, some of whom came from very small villages and had no idea as to the size, etc. of London. I am sure they will be so excited at going to Scotland, they will accept the weather as part of the process.
Your mini kitchen sounds wonderful - are there still plans for your daughter and family to move in with you?

Her plane has landed but it will take her a while to find her way down to us from the airport. We only meet people in exceptional circumstances . It's part of the adventure to make your way on trams and buses - isn't it!
Parking is extortionate now and so fraught because planes are often delayed. There are direct buses into the city centre and trams and buses to us. I've given her instructions. I'll let you know if she makes it!
She's not a teenager Franbern. She has a degree but couldn't find a job so is coming to improve her English and help around the house and garden.
I do not like being responsible for other peoples youngsters so we hardly ever take under 20 yr olds.

I am still keeping the flat empty for a month longer in case DD needs it but it doesn't look like it now.

Enjoy your binge viewing Shandy and choc!!

Where us she from in France? Is your town twinned with hers Grammaretto?
Our town is twinned with somewhere in Switzerland. Strange, there's not a mountain in sight here and we are on the coast??

She's not here yet!!
She is from Burgundy. Plenty of hills here but it's dreadful weather today.
No our town is twinned with a town in Provence. We are hoping to go again this Summer but this damned virus is a cloud hanging over everything.

When I went to close blinds and curtains tonight - the curtains on the small window in my living room fell down!!! The rail has broken in each place it joins = so will need replacing. Think this break is due to the way it was put up - and the curtains hung - Although it is quite a narrow window it is (as are all in the flat) very long running from ceiling almost to floor, Not a real problem not having curtains closed on it - but as I will not be going away tomorrow will probably go out to get a replacement rail and see if my daughter can assist me in putting it up tomorrow evening.
My eldest daughter and her daughter are off to France over Easter - cannot see her cancelling that trip.

Burgundy is nice, we stayed near Beaune and "did" the vineyards.
Ptovence us even nicer. I love the light. Hope you get there *Grammaretto".
Oh dear *Franbern", glad you weren't hurt when the real fell.

*rail
Yes, lots of trips seem to still be going ahead over Easter. Schools are even carrying on with exchange visits but then children aren't at risk anyway.

She got here eventually and is so tired she's gone to bed already. I must follow. She seems very sweet. It was her first time in a plane and there was turbulence. It must have been scary.
Oh no! Poor you having the rail fall down. Franbern. I was struggling with the curtains in the guest room. All those silly plastic hooks keep snapping but worse the loops on the rail snap as well and I can't see how to replace them..

Grammaretto glad the French girl arrived safely. How long is she staying.

Franbern hope you get your rail sorted out today. At least you found out before you travelled you had got your dates mixed up.

Shandy57 as others have said don't try sending large items in the post. People who buy from eBay or gumtree seem to have common sense when it comes to large items and know it is collect only. It's great you are getting so many viewings. Hope you have started to look for your new home. You need to be Pro active now. Do you know what you need and don't need in your new home ? Also what facilities you need close by. Factor in getting older. Also what you are prepared to do in a property. I know you probably don't want to do this until after the auction but you need to start looking. As my children told me have what you want do not factor in them as they have their own homes. I had thought originally about a 3 bed semi. They asked why also told me in no uncertain terms I needed a bungalow and 2 bedrooms were enough. Love my bungalow and the area. Never slept so well since moving. Don't miss my old house or life. Love the new me. I really want you to be happy and at peace.

Dunelm phoned yesterday my curtains are ready to collect they have shortened them for me. Had never been to a store until moving always brought things online. Wide choice, good quality at reasonable prices.

Hope everyone has a good day.

yes dunelm was good for curtains, good quality and cheap but I have to say I am very glad that I have no more curtains no more curtain rails and no more curtain cleaning

I am feeling very settled, it will be a whole year in about 6 weeks when I started moving in, car load after car load, then 6 trips by the movers (low archway at last home). All that work in the first few months, new cupboards and so on. My house is now typically homey, never minimalistic, my kitchen is always full. All my drawers and units are full, everywhere. It is my home, visitors can take it or leave it. I tidy up then two days later it gets `busy` again, I have too much to do to faff around

What I am saying is that it takes time to feel settled, unless a rental is for long term, then it would not be natural to feel settled in such a temporary shelter. I assume you are looking now shandy, it needs to be done, that next step, to catch that new forever home

Gosh Franbern, I can hear that sigh of relief, easy to get a date wrong

Craftyone like you my home is homely. People take me as they find me. Never been house proud but am people proud. Always been glad that when people come that they felt so at home that they could sit as they would in their own homes. Always felt that way since we had our first home ,gosh that was 40 years ago. Don't know about you but since moving the time flies.

Your homely comments make me feel all fuzzy and warm. It is right that there's no place like home, it's where we all love to be, a little sanctuary. And yes, mine can turn into a bit of a mess and be grubby and disorganised too, but I feel happy and safe.
Some houses I have liked more than others, some have had a few unhappy memories, some cost more money and stress than their worth, but home is always where the heart is.
For those still searching or about to move, don't be too picky on every single wish because you will soon make it your home. Just stick to four or five priorities, the rest you can make come right.

So..... having amended hotel booking AND re-arranged my visit to a friend, this morning received an email saying the meet is cancelled. Did not say why, but obviously due to current panic!!! I am very disappointed. Have asked that they refund to me my hotel costs.
In the last house (to which I moved in 2003) all the windows and curtains were sorted for me by professionals, - I do like good drapes on windows - most windows at that house were bays - and all had draw cords. Prior to that I always sorted out my own windows and rails. This window is not very wide, once I get the remains of the old rail down it will not be a problem. It was only one of those plastic one, so not heavy - no danger to me - just slightly annoying.
Back to re-arranging my week - means I can attend all my groups this week and have already arranged for my daughter to come to her normal weekly tea with me tonight.
Whiff, - were the curtains you purchased in Dunelm and they shortened for you readymade? I ask this as I have seen some lovely readymade curtains there for my bedroom window, but they will be about three inches too long and did wonder if it is worth while asking them to alter them.
Shandy - before I moved (on both the last occasions), I made three tick box lists. The first were absolutely MUST HAVES, the second was WOULD LIKE, and the third - equally important, was DEFINITELY NOT_ The flat that I have moved to ticked all but one box on List one, most on List 2 and none on List 3. Also, equally important, is working out the absolute maximum amount I could pay.

Franbern they were brought from Dunelm. But it would be worth giving them a ring. They probably alter any curtsin. They were cheaper than independent alteration places. I had 7.5" taken off them cost £60 to do. They are fully lined. My living room french doors and side windows are an odd shape so had to get bigger curtains. Still cheaper than made to measure.

I would have thought that if meetings are cancelled by the organiser then they have to refund all incurred expenses, so you should be fine Franbern. Where school trips are cancelled by the school, costs are being refunded, but if parents choose to opt out then they have to pay.

Thanks Whiff......yes the ones I saw yesterday in Dunelm are fully lined, Would not have any drapes that are not. When I go in there next will ask if they will alter them for me - will take accurate measurements with me then.
whereas, I am not sorry at not having to do the long drive to South London tomorrow, I do feel that cancelling this meet is somewhat OTT. Will need to do some further shopping now as when I went yesterday morning it was with the (then) knowledge that I would be away for two evenings, this week.

Shandy with all this advice on here, I would sit back and let us find you the perfect place at the perfect price for you!
I'm loving it and I'm not even moving.
.
When the time comes, I will remember some of it I'm sure. Make lists!!!
I have set the French girl to sorting out my greenhouse as it's far too wet to work outside and after a quick look around the rooms inside, I was horrified to see so much clutter.
It needs to be a fine day before tackling that or the garden.
What a pest about the cancellation Franbern I hope you can get a refund.

I'm due to go to a big meetup/AGM this weekend. We have had advance warning that it could be cancelled. We'll know by midday Thursday but we are being offered a refund if we need to withdraw. I suppose if enough pull out, they will cancel.
It is disappointing but small nuisance in the greater order of things....

Cannot believe the problem in purchasing a 1-metre long straight curtain rail. Seemed so simple and straight forward. Looked in Wilko, curtain shop, my local (usually has everything) DIY shop. Nothing - only curtain poles, which I did not want.
Eventually had to get into car and go to large B&Q - they did have something, but it was a corded one, and really do not need that for this small window. So, on to Dunelms - nothing there, finally found what I wanted in The Range. Just a little too long, but can be cut to size.
Will need to get Son in Law to do the cut for me, but it looks simple to put up and I will do that over the weekend. Was able to remove the screws and broken brackets on the old one without too many problems. It is a window in my living room, (in the dining area), opposite to the very large ones with the patio door etc. It is totally un-overlooked - so there is no rush to get those curtains back up.
Did notice that all these places had piles and piles of loo rolls!!!

Franbern I've had to buy bigger curtain poles for the 2 bedrooms got wooden ones so my son will cut them to size. Had them from Screwfix.