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

Under NHS you should be offered it when you are 70 yrs old., but think you can get it privately prior to that.

Whiff pretty sure you need to be 70. You are much too young!

Franbern glad you had a good time at the craft fair and with the family. How old do you have to be for the shingles vaccine? I'm 61.

Mythbirthedragon (love to know where you got this name from) - glad something is being sorted out about the legalities on the house in Southend. Yes, people do like 'a project' but then seem to think whatever they intend to spend on that should be taken into account in the price they pay for the house,
Sue Ryder and British Heart Association will both take all electrical items large and small. Animal Charities (as have been said) happy to take duvets, pillows, towels, although last Xmas I did manage to find a charity collecting for local homeless hostel that were delighted to have these - must admit so much prefer them going to human charities than animal ones. Furniture is usually fine, but anything with upholstery needs a fire certificate which means older settees, armchairs, padded dining chairs (which were sold before these came into being) are not acceptable by most charities. Seems daft how difficult it can be getting rid of such items . Went to local Craft Fair today with my daughter, lovely stuff, but dreadfully expensive, did buy a small 'owl' pin cushion, stuffed with broken up walnut shells, so also sharpens pins and needles when pushed in.
Have not heard anything about France and quarantine - my eldest daughter and her daughter are going there over Easter (I will cat and house sit for her - and catch up with friends in London). She was also saying that this could be a good time to look for some cheap holidays abroad, with so many people cancelling their bookings.
Shandy - getting closer to the 25th - must seem each day is like a lifetime, but it is good that you are still having viewings, so plenty of interest, just hope that translates into plenty of people making offers at the auction. I am sure we will all be there on that day for you in spirit and so hoping to hear really good news from you.
Lovely sunny (most of the time) day here - except for when I first went out this morning to go to craft fair, when it started to rain!!! fortunately, only for a short time. Spent the rest of the day at my daughters house and the cake over from my coffee morning last Friday was welcomed by four g.children and all consumed very quickly!!!!
Hope all have had the shingles vaccination. I was always rather concerned about this particular illness which can be so painful. Remember my Dad, big and strong and never ill suffering for years from pain following an attack of shingles.

Mythbirtthedragon I hope you find a good agent who is realistic both in their fees and your price. I definitely agree that young people love a project and usually hate the place to be too perfect. My DS and DiL bought a flat which I could have moved into but they pulled nearly everything out and spent the first year making it theirs- especially the kitchen. They are still in it after 10 years or so (they are not so young any more!).

I have read that you can't catch shingles from chicken pox but I know someone who is still recovering from shingles and perhaps it is best to avoid both if your immune system is low.
Sorry you are to have more tests Whiff there is always something to worry about.

I have had an interesting day so far. DH got a puncture in my car and I have had to deal with it while he was the only person at the shop to keep it open. I pumped up the tyre with my foot pump and drove the car to the garage where they said there was glass in it so I'd need a new tyre.
That done, I drove home and handed him the keys to take his ladies singing!! (it's my car but it's our only car) I pay all the bills but we share it. Fair??
My friend came over to see me and she's had a pretty horrible time recently but she's such a good listener, I found myself telling her all my woes and hardly mentioning hers!

Whiff I caught shingles from a child with chicken pox ?

Happy birthday Ellianne and a very safe journey Franbern, if I say that you are a feisty woman, I mean that as a great big complement

It must seem like a lifetime away shandy, the dragging days. Try and arrange some rest days for yourself, you must be all in

I haven`t ordered them yet Merylstreep, yes they work so well, I remember seeing dead small black slugs that normally live underground and do lots of damage. I think my allotment was protected for 2 years after that eradication

I have been sorting a couple of drawers upstairs and prepped my medications kit, just in case I get the virus, living on my own, I can cope if everything is handy. I have had some great chats with dd for the past few days wrt virology and immunology. Really stimulating stuff

Craftyone
Another nematode fan here. I 'sprayed' mine yesterday. I didn't feel like it as the wind was cold, but I ( and you ?) know they work.
I can't understand why people moan about slugs and don't use this wonderful safe product.

You can't catch shingles from chicken pox. You can only get shingles if you had chicken pox . Shingles is the reactivation of the virus in your blood. Or so I have been told. My son had chicken pox as a child and shingles when he was in his 20's. He was in agony.

Shandy57 thank you for those kind words. But don't put yourself down. All that you have gone through since your husband's death has taken courage you are stronger than you think. When I think back to your first posts to your latest ones you have changed such a lot. We never see ourselves as others do. We will never met but I am sure if we did we would be life long friends. If you look at some of your old posts you will see how far you have come. You are a strong resourceful woman be proud of all the obstacles you have over come . Look to the future. You have a wonderful life ahead of you. Enjoy every minute the good and the bad. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Grammaretto, I'm just not with it this morning, I meant to say you could get shingles? I've never had it but my friend did, extremely painful, she had a patch on her forehead and slept with it uncovered, unfortunately also infected one of her eyes. Hope your GC likes her toy and it distracts her from the itching.

Ellianne happy birthday. Have a lovely lunch.

Mythbirtthedragon when you need to get rid of the furniture you will find charity shops very picky . I found Emmaus are grateful for anything also they take white goods will slight damage as long as they still work. Took a fridge with small dent in door and freezer with a broken handle. Don't know if there is a branch near where the house is. Also found animal charities will take bedding and towels human charities won't as long as they can be washed.

Franbern have fun with your judging and your catch up with your friend. I'm with you not going to worry about this virus. My son in law should be going aboard for work at the end of the month but will have to wait and see if he can go.

Have a good day everyone.

Mythbirtthedragon, my experience of EA's is that they over estimated the price I'd get for my house to get my business and it's haunted me ever since. It's a horrible numbers game. If you have time have a look at Rightmove and see what similar houses sold for in the road to get an 'average' that you would be happy to accept. I am sorry the poor cat has to be rehomed. Good luck, I hope it sells quickly.

Whiff, I kept meaning to say good luck with your new test, I am sorry you have another challenge to face, you are a very courageous woman, I could do with some, I'm such a jelly most of the time.

Off to the beach with my dog then back to hoover the haunted house, my handbrake seems to be stuck on the car now as well, good I'm taking it in tomorrow for the exhaust blow out.

We have some movement (of sorts) on the Southend house (brief recap, left to DP and his 2 siblings with his brother having a life interest via a trust. As BiL has now died, the house is being sold). I arranged for estate agent visits as I was fed up with DP procrastinating. The fact it hasn’t been touched for over 20 years seems a positive as ‘young people like a project’ which is demonstrated by previous comments. Just got to decide who to go with now; fees very similar, know the area etc. The cat (who still needs rehoming, centres all seem full up) was particularly taken with one of the chaps who unfortunately has just got a dog. Should we trust her instinct or was she just being a contrary tart. Charity shop has said it will take all the books, regardless of condition, as they can get money through recycling not just selling. Hope they’ve got plenty of storage space. Task today is to try and get rid of BiL’s car; basically, it was a dog taxi so going on FB marketplace. We’re getting a bit of aggravation from the energy company who keep sending us estimated bills despite us submitting photos of the meter readings. Guess whose side these are weighted on. Total aside, on the loo roll theme, for Christmas I gave DS (a student) a box of 48 loo rolls, all prettily wrapped from a charity that funds the building of toilets in developing countries. Gave us all a laugh at the time; just hope I don’t have to ask for some. He’ll probably charge me.

Happy Birthday Ellianne. I hope you have a very nice day albeit away from your other DGC.
Our smallest DGC has chicken pox and I've just been sent a photo of a very poxy child. I wish I could do something to help. I thought I might post a small game or toy . They are still a 3 hr drive away and are keeping away from us because DH is having cancer treatment. We've all had the cp though so I don't know why they're worried.

Everyone around here is carrying on as usual but DS2 says they may have to cancel their trip to France in June if this gets worse. France may be in quarantine by then!
They are in NZ and asked their insurers if they would get any compensation.
"in your dreams!" or something to that effect was the reply..

Best wishes for a happy birthday Ellianne. My birthday in June falls on a Saturday and that is the day that my SiL near here is celebrating his 50th birthday - so there will be quite a few of my family coming down for that. If I make it through another year, I will have to really think what best to do for my 80th.
I am the most un-panicking person you can find - went to the local High Street yesterday, shelves in places like Poundstretcher, Wilko all well stocked. Did not buy anything - will do my normal weekly shop tomorrow.
This week I will be travelling to South London for a school gym competition (and then to a friend near that school for an overnight stay/gossip). I do not like or use handgel (it is sticky and nasty in my opinion). Always wash hands regularly the way I was taught by Infection Control at the hospital in which I worked. Still feel that there is far more chance of me catching something like Influenza than anything else - and do not take any specific precautions against that.
No intention of putting my life on hold 'just in case' - so will continue to go to shops, go to gym competitions, travel around and enjoy myself.

Happy birthday bumps to you Ellianne, many happy returns of the day! Can you skype the grandchildren later? xx

There was a little ray of sunshine this morning to welcome my birthday, now its raining again. Our son and dil are taking us to lunch at a favourite country pub of theirs. I'm missing the other grandchildren terribly as it's my first birthday in our new home 200 miles away from them.

I think it depends on the county Franbern. Somerset is quite laid back about lots of things, I see the old fashioned coping ways here and caring for neighbours. I needed a few things locally today, lots on the shelves and I only bought what I needed, left everything else for others

Lots of people have that fetal development issue whiff, my sister too. She lives with it fine, just gets on with it, like you do

I have put another 5 big bags of compost in the garage and now have a total of 28 bags ready to hoist into action for spring. I did the last (fingers crossed) 2 holes for the obelisks and have continues to order more seeds, won`t need any next year. Ebay sellers are excellent and cheap, early purple sprouting is one I ordered. I only need to put 2 on my garden to feed me for feb through to june next year. I must be self-disciplined and not sow too many of anything

I spoilt myself and have ordered more plug plants, cosmos, marigolds and sweet peas. Anywhere with a bare space will have plants put in this summer. I bought a rhubarb plant in a big pot in the small market here, had excellent full roots, £2.25, I don`t know why I nearly broke my spade trying to dig a piece out of my allotment and it failed (I think)

Slug nematodes will be next, they work very well and at least the birds will be protected

Popped out briefly - mainly to post a letter - but whilst out trundled round Wilko, Poundstretcher and B&M. All were well stocked with loo rolls, soap and surface cleanser. No signs of people buying up loads of anything. Perhaps the panic as not reached Somerset yet, or it is past and people have so much stocked up they do not need to buy anymore. I will do my normal shop on Monday morning.

Had the results of my echo. Need to have an agitated saline bubble echocardiogram. Might have something wrong. But if I have what they think, I was born with it. Not worried about it as there is nothing I can do and will just have to wait and see. Has anyone had this test done? Off the give the kitchen a clean.

That's a pain about the C-virus affecting the auction Shandy. It may not because don't most people bid online anyway? You may get more people because they think they'll be getting a bargain which they will be of course
Sorry about the sore rib SueH
I spend a lot of the time touching wood and crossing my fingers.
I am becoming clumsy or at least clumsier. Is this another precursor of old age? I broke my porridge bowl this morning.
MiL will be 95 this week - I'll ask her.

Morning all, bright and sunny here today.

I hope you get better soon SueH49, how very painful. I've just made big lists of things I am going to dispose of, decluttering is hard isn't it. I had a wander around the charity shops yesterday and saw the items I'd donated for sale, an odd feeling. Now my toe is slightly better I'm going up to collect the record collection, so very heavy and I'm not great on the 18 steps without holding on. Definitely not going to drop them on my other toe! Less is more as they say!

I always buy huge packs of loo roll in case of snow/road flooding, but I'm not buying extra food, I can't understand why people are doing it unless they are self quarantining. I feel a bit depressed about the coronavirus as my sale was initially affected by Brexit, now this fear of infection may affect the people attending the auction. I've just had another viewing text, four viewers on Tuesday.

I'm still in my dressing gown, I had a dream about my late husband and it's left me feeling very low. I really didn't appreciate how much he did for me.

Have a good Saturday. Someone on gransnet has asked what people did for a Saturday job - at 14 I used to work in a transport cafe, and always smelt of burnt fat when I went home! Lovely fry ups - owner used to coat the sausages in lard and cook them in the oven, they were delicious but very unhealthy!

I shall phone the plumber immediately to install a bidet. I wonder why they never caught on in the UK? They are much more hygienic surely.

I did laugh at the loo rolls as currency! So it's happening in Australia too.
My son in NZ is a film maker and 2 of his cast are supposed to be travelling in from Aus this week.

All the toilet rolls were sold out here in Waitrose, Lidl and Tesco yesterday, so I went back at 8 am today and grabbed a few. What made me laugh was people standing staring at the shelves yesterday and discussing what they were going to do.
Hope your rib settles Sue.