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

Afternoon all, lots happening to all of you!

Your poor french girl having to go straight to bed Gramaretto - and first time on a plane! It reminded me of my daughter going to Uni in Canada for a year, just after my husband died, she was 20. She arrived at 11 pm at night at her Airbnb and the taxi driver left her at the wrong address! We were both in such a state then - we'd not even got her any currency, only realised a few days before. Luckily when she finally found her accommodation the hostess was marvellous, and took her under her wing.

Sorry your event was cancelled Franbern, it seems lots of group events are. I hope you get your hotel money back. Your friend will be disappointed too. I've got the sniffles at the moment and a sore throat, luckily have both paracetomol and lots of tissues.

I feel great that I'm not taking my curtains, it's a relief. I might have told you I went up the ladder to rescue a butterfly last year, and the ladder tipped sideways, I just managed to right it again. As I was near the stairs, I realised I had a lucky escape from being knocked unconscious, or worse but am bad, I still leave my mobile phone on the charger, should carry it at all times. Scared me and I am not climbing ladders any more, blinds or shutters for me in the future and all Christmas decorations will be at the maximum I can stretch my five foot two!

I have been looking at future homes and will adjust my list Franbern. I've had a nice time looking locally, nothing yet, so I've been looking all over the UK - I was in Broadstairs last night! My husband and I had such marvellous holidays in Brighton, I'm sorry it's changed so much.

I've just got back from the curtain pulling/door shutting at the station and feel quite annoyed. Two panes of glass are broken in the lounge and covered by my stained glass panel - they'd moved it and left it precariously balanced. Someone has also had a dig at the damp and left a lump on the floor. Just one viewing agent and five viewers today, it's too many for one person to supervise, I wonder what else they did. I think they should send another person when numbers are so high. I can't bear to be there myself, just makes me too sad. No request for a survey from anyone yet though, I can't believe anyone will bid without. It is giving me the jitters that it won't sell.

Off to watch more Last Tango in Halifax, isn't it marvellous. I think I like both drama and books about human psychology, one of my favourite authors is Anne Tyler.

Enjoy your afternoon, lovely double rainbow here across the field.

A good lightweight aluminium stepladder is a must, with enough room at the top so you never have to use the top step. Mine has a bit of a safety rail at the top but I am using it less and less these days.

Only 3 years ago I was working outside up a long builders ladder, sanding and re-painting a wooden rail around a first floor verandah. I tied the ladder to the rails at every move. Then I got a stepladder and balanced on the verandah to paint the wooden pillars holding the verandah roof, that was high and awkward. Don`t know how I did it but I did a better job than any paid-for man.

I will never need to do those dreadful jobs again. All that wood preserving, all over the garden, the tall wooden retaining walls. They last about 7 years and then you see subtle signs of rotting on the side away from air. This was the reason I have no wood here in my garden, apart from the bit of fencing and I have already put preservative on the posts after moving the soil away.

I meant to do such a lot today but have pottered after filling one trug. I wasnt inclined to do any real cleaning, that can wait

I am going to buy one craftyone, you recommended it before and I need one now. I think I told you that the batteries in the wall heating thing had gone when I moved in - now the doorbell batteries have gone and the works bit is up a height on the wall next to the high electric meter. Also horrible lights right up at the ceiling with uplighter shades in the lounge, a covered one on the landing. Think I'll leave that one off, not sure how to get the shade off it. Previous tenants didn't change the light bulbs as they were supposed to, only have two lights out of five in the kitchen. Will tackle it soon, very tired at the minute. Watch your shoulders with that compost, so unwieldy aren't they, how many bags did it take to fill the trug? Did I ever mention I cover drainage holes with tea bags to stop the earwigs? Tip from Geoff Hamilton.

I'm cross with the local branch of the Halifax. I had a letter from them about my late husband's account, and had to go in to a local branch with my ID and the forms as I don't have an account with them myself. I went in on 14 February and haven't heard anything, so I phoned late this afternoon and the Bereavement team still have my ID and the forms as pending. The local branch haven't sent it through. I do feel I cannot trust big companies to administer paperwork competently sometimes, I think I told you Sainsbury's lost my passport and an original Death Certificate. It's just not good enough. I want a million pounds in compensation! ha ha.

Salad tonight so no cooking, I've treated myself to a cheese quiche as well. And a bag of chocolate raisins, haven't had them for years. Last Tango in Halifax number 4 coming up! And when I go to bed more of Hilary Mantel's new book ... I'm really enjoying it.

PS I can't use this shark, should have bought the G tech as you recommended! It's like a pogo stick with a bathroom bin on!

Shandy57 did you complain about the damage. They need your permission before any investigation takes place. So no one should be digging lumps out of anywhere.

With regard to the cleaner that's why I went to PC world to try them out . Good job I did . I couldn't move some off them even the ones claiming to be light weight. My Bosch is great. Easy to use and can use it 4 times on the whole of the bungalow before charging.

I had always assumed that if you rented a property then the landlord, as well as taking your money, was also responsible for doing any on-going repairs. Okay, perhaps not changing light bulbs (although surely the landlord would have responsibility of ensuring that all lights, etc. were working at the commencement of any new contract.
My central heating clock decided a few weeks back that it was now British Summer Time and jumped forward by one hour. Not a real problem as I tend to control the heating by the thermostat - so I am waiting to see if it corrects itself when BST really starts - otherwise I will have get in British Gas to see why it is wrong - it cannot be altered by me.
My daughter took that new 1.2 metre curtain rail back home with her last night for her hubbie to cut down to 1 metre, and I will collect that tomorrow on my way back from my U3A debating group. I did try to cut it myself with a stanley knive - but to no avail.
I have one of those steps with hand rails up each side and a hand rail at the top. Unfortunately, it is rather heavy to move around, but extremely safe to use.
This weekend, my daughter down here is going up to London to her sister there. The one in London has been dealing with her father over the past few months - and is feeling very 'put upon' and resentful. He is extremely difficult, was taken into hospital earlier this year and has been stuck there as he has refused to accept the only discharge they will permit for him which is to a nursing home.
He is now in one 'for assessment, but everyone is hoping (assuming) it will become permanent. He is an extremely difficult person to deal with and has a very 'selective' memory (always has - I can testify to that!!!). It would never occur to him to say 'Thank You', or ask after anyone else - including his g.children. Our three older children, who do remember the horrible life he led me for many years (one of the reason I became so very ill as he would not accept it even those Doctors were telling me how ill I was), they have absolutely no love for him, but will do what is necessary out of a sense of duty. The two young ones were not so affected, but even they have little to do with him.
So pleased my children are all close to each other and supportive and all keep in close contact with me. Even my lovely son, who hates talking to ANYONE on the'phone actually rings me about once a month just to check I am okay. Told him to ring his sister in London - just to give some moral support.
With my visit to London cancelled, does mean I can now attend both groups I normally do on Wednesdays today and also my debating group tomorrow and the monthly 'U3A branch talk on Friday. So good here as all these meetings take place in different venues and ALL are between a five minutes and 15 minutes away for me, on my scooter.

Whiff the Bosch sounds great. Wish I had bought one and not the Dyson though to be fair to it, it does the job.
I think what's needed is one on each floor so I don't have to go to the top floor to return it to its charging post. My joiner fixed that up for me. I have found a wonderful joiner (via my hairdresser ) seeing as DH has never been a handyman, it's worth every penny to call the joiner. He has repaired kitchen cupboards and various doors. He is in the process of putting up curtain poles. Funny thing though, he couldn't come yesterday as he "had an emergency!" what could that have been?

DD is definitely not moving here as DSiL has found a job with accommodation. I hope this is good news for them. It's quite far away but closer than before and in the same direction so they won't be too far from their friends and there is a good school.

This means I must get on and let out the flat - so I can pay the joiner. The French girl - who is a sweetie btw- will help me to freshen it up.

It must be such a relief for you Franbern that you are no longer responsible for your ex. and can concentrate on your own future.

Onwards and upwards. Bother this virus. Do you think it will disappear as quickly as it came? I hope so much that it does.

Afernoon all, good to catch up on what's happening to you, have a good day.

I'm fed up to see the Bank of England have slashed interest rates to .25% again, this virus is having such an affect on the world. 85 elephant camps in Thailand have been closed down and both the people and elephants are in a state of distress. Volunteers have cancelled their trips to the sanctuary I worked at. I am especially angry the Bangkok wet market is continuing to trade in live animals.

I woke up feeling a bit wobbly this morning and didn't feel great on my very windy beach walk just now, so I'm off to bed to read with a big bowl of porridge. Hope I've just over done it and this is temporary. This leather sofa is nice to look at but not to nap on, I do miss my huge one at the station!

Glad your U3A is carrying on Franbern. Ours has cancelled the next two monthly meetings but groups are left to make their own decisions. The impact on elderly mental health if all social and educational groups decide not to meet will be serious, so I am all for carrying on with sensible precautions.

At the drama group (U3A) this morning, it was asked if there had been any guidance from HQ and we were told, that it was up to each branch and group - and just take sensible precautions. We all felt it was more important to our health for us to continue than not. Thank goodness none are the panicky type.
As stores and supermarkets are now so well stocked with Loo rolls, could I suggest that those that did a panicky purchase of these could now donate some of those to Food Banks.

Only 4 of us in our yarn group today, including our French girl, but I don't think it was virus related - colds and feeling too cold to go out in the awful weather. I've sent my French helper to pick up all the litter that ends up in my garden after a bit of wind. I am feeling sorry for her because that's the rain back again.
I hope you are all right Shandy. You have been overdoing things so perhaps a bit of cosying down with a book and some chocolate is what the doctor ordered.

Shandy, do hope you feel better. All the stress does catch up with us - I had a bad health year last year with all that selling and buying. Have had one of my best winters ever this year, now that is all past - even my normal SAD has not been very bad. Shandy, you do need to look after yourself and accept that there are times just to have a duvet day and coddle oneself. At present you appear to have responsibility for two homes, and also your daughters car (do not really understand that!). Roll on 25th March and, hopefully, some excellent news from the auction.
Craftyone, hope you are preparing for starting the FOURTH one of these threads very soon.

Moving house is a bit like having a baby. You get the bad bit over and done with first, then you have all the time in the world to enjoy the next phase.
Look after yourself Shandy and take some rest.

ellianne yes and then you forget how awful it all was and do it all again!

Gosh thread 4 soon and shandy will be near the top, only 14 sleeps to the auction, near and far. Its been one hell of a journey for shandy, I agree, time for some rest. It has been non-stop for so long

I have been sowing seeds in one trug today, I thoroughly enjoyed it, the soil in there is warm and I have watered and covered it with fleece. I have to be honest, this gardening at waist height, it is lovely and it is effortless. April 7th, I will be planting everbearer strawberries in another trug and will add dwarf beans on a mini trellis and marigolds and maybe short nasturtiums or poached egg plants or borage and lollo rosso lettuce

Evening all, I've just had someone offer £250 for my bench on ebay - the auction starting price. I can't decide whether to take the offer - fees will be £25 to ebay, £8 to Paypal. He also can't collect for two weeks. There are repro ones about for £600. It's some money I suppose and if I reject his offer might not get another one and have to leave it behind.

Shandy
How many days does it have left to run?

Have you looked at Completed Listings to see how much other similar benches have sold for?

If it still has a while to go, it might be worth gritting your teeth and hanging on, you still have some days to go before you sell your house.

As I said before , there are plenty of people who make what they think is a cheeky offer, I think that they are just taking the P....

Just say you were hoping for a bit more so could you let him know in a few days.

have a look at his feedback

Morning all, sunny and a very cold wind here today.

Thanks so much for your advice about the bench, I checked the completed listings and £200 seems to have been the general price they've sold at in similar condition, so I've made a small profit for once and have accepted his offer. Lots of people have looked and are watching but haven't bid, I'm going to buy a washing machine with the money. He's having to drive up from Yorkshire so has to pay a lot of petrol. No bids on my heavy bedroom furniture yet, 3 days to go.

Still feeling wobbly today but it is just a normal cold, just feel fuzzy headed. In the past I used to lose my hearing with colds, I'm glad that hasn't happened this time.

I am finding the wait for the auction difficult to cope with. I had a look at the house auction site yesterday and some lucky people have already received bids before the auction. As no-one has requested a survey I just have to be patient and wait and see what happens, the agent did say properties don't always sell in the first auction. Tuesday's viewing agent said she was glad to have the opportunity of seeing my 'beautiful' house, hopefully some of the viewers liked it too.

Have a good day whatever you are doing

yes, I agree it does feel an endless time to the auction. Will you be there shandy or do you get the result afterwards?

Hi Craftyone, I couldn't bear to be there, I think my son might go. I am Lot 17, so it's at the beginning of the evening.

I've another viewing tomorrow, and two on the 21st. The 21st seems so late, they definitely won't be able to get a survey, perhaps taking a builder with them. Just charging the shark to take up tomorrow for a quick dash around, put candle/lights on, unlock the gates and quick polish. My kids have no idea!

I've just had a letter about my tv license, and have now transferred it to the cottage. I think I've already said I'm buying a tv when my daughter comes on Mother's Day. I can't change it into my name without writing in, hopefully still have some stamps somewhere.

I hadn't realised how much 'admin' you movers had to deal with, it's good practise for me!

Dare I ask an irritating question?
How will this Coronavirus problem affect the property market, if at all?