Help calm me, house buying and selling stress. Part 4

Morning all, lovely to read all your news. I am so glad I have this page to look forward to, I am starting to feel so alone.

My only news is that my daughter's car tyre has a puncture. I bet it is a hawthorn thorn, they'd cut the hedges before lockdown. Luckily I have my own car.

Happy anniversary Grammaretto Thank you for the Edinburgh tips, I had a look at the terrace, lovely houses but too expensive for me now. I'm a bit worried my buyer will try to extend completion so won't be looking until it happens. I am so very glad he exchanged - on the house forum on moneysavingexpert people are pulling out of sales all over the country.

I'm up late, my dog woke me again at 3 am, I'm not sure why he's started doing this over the past few weeks. I wonder if he can hear something next door, they sleep in the front bedroom too. Sadly I'm going to have to shut him out of the bedroom in future.

Walking to the beach shortly then back to the station to do more packing. I am using the dog pram to move the boxes from the car boot to the cottage, I pulled a muscle in my hand yesterday. Hopefully will be able to clear the upstairs by tomorrow night, I need to sort out the garage here ready for things that won't be affected by moisture. I keep thinking of things all over the house, must just focus on upstairs.

Have a good day everyone

This thing about maybe meeting someone, on a personal level, I have no interest whatsoever. I married for the whole of my life and now that I have been widowed for 5 years I would never give that up. The freedom to do entirely what I like. I was always with lots of people, until 5 years ago and becoming single is something I am now used to. No-one to look after but myself. The first time I ever lived by myself was 5 years ago

I decided to give my car a run this morning, 40 mile round trip and I bunged my cc into my pocket. Drove to sainsbury and thought I might stop and see what the shopping was like. I did not enjoy the local co-op, it felt `dangerous` only 1 m apart in the aisles there. Sainbury was great, it was over 70 hour and I felt very relaxed. I took one basket in, filled it with dairy, eggs 2 paracetamol and ice cream bars. Thats all and was out in quick time. I notice that the milk is out of date so must be hard to source. I have frozen half and will have the other half today

I need some treats every day and treated myself to a lovely chocolate drink maker, it came last week. I had hazelnut chocolate this morning, pure silky heaven. Today will be a lovely relaxing day for me

should have been 'ate' not are in two sentences above

Sue, your experience about packers leaving thing behind was what happened to me. Packers were there all day on the Monday. My son and daughter took me off for an evening meal just before they finished. When we returned, fortunately, we checked every cupboard, etc in the house. In the kitchen - we found two base cupboards and a small, narrow wall cupboard had everything stil in them. The one under the built in oven contained all my cake and pastry cooking dishes. Fortunately, they had also left behind, out by the dustbins several of their boxes, still flat and their wrapping papaer. So, my son and daughter used three of these to pack these item and son put them in his car as he was going to come down to the new flat with me the following day. Afterwards, I did mention this to the boss of the packing/removal company - he seemed quite blase about it. Said, 'sorry' and that was it!!!
The one thing I NEVER found was my (old) Tupperware Baking sheet - for rolling out pastry. This used to hang inside the door of one of my base kitchen cupboards and I assume it stayed there. Not a dreadful thing, it was some fifty years old, and I replaced it with a nicer, new one, which rolls up when not in use and lives in a drawer now.
So pleased you for you found you figurine, it is so annoying when you have mislaid something.
Craftyone, I love quiche, and was delighted when I discovered that it was perfectly possible to continue making these without a large oven, just my clever microwave with oven setting. With now just having a small under-counter freezer, I never now make meal in advance to put in there. Used to do that in my big freezer, but found I would put in there and put in there, but rarely used them, so would end up in throwing things away. I now never cook more than I can use that day and the following day (food kept in fridge for 24 hours). I really do prefer cooking fresh most days.
Think it much easier for those who have never really been totally hard-up to appreciate the importance of having a little spare money. When my children were small, my husband was unable to get a job due to his MS being regarded by most employers as akin to old-time leprosy.....we had to survive on benefits. My children all are healthily but pretty boring,. five different ways of cooking mince meat, type of thing, bread made (hand-made by me) daily, no food allowed to be wasted. They are what they were given at each meal. Many clothes hand-made, house fell more and more bad state as no cash to be able to do repairs, even by ourselves. I would dread any unusual noise I heard in the house, as it could (often did) mean that one of the machines was failing and that was always a total disaster.
I suppose it was these early memories that has meant that all my adult children are now so careful with money The only debts any of them have ever incurred were student debts (now, thankfully, all paid off) and mortgages. Nothing else for any of them. So, -Yes -, it is easier to be unhappy in financial comfort, than it is in real poverty. Sure that more relationships fail in times of economic insecurity than other times.

Glad I made you smile Grammaretto. Does us all good to have a rant about things especially when we have to pay out money that hasn't been earned to our satisfaction. Be honest on this thread we can rant as much as we want and no one judges us. In fact I have learnt such at lot about things I thought only I ranted about does me good to know I am in excellent company.

Good morning. I spoke with my family in NZ and they are very pleased a nurse from Invercargill was mentioned by Boris for helping him through Covid19. She is sensibly refusing to do any media interviews. NZ should get on top of the virus. They shut their borders early and all returning NZers are quarantined.
Our DD had a mad dash to the vet yesterday as the puppy scoffed a box of posh Easter chocolate cup cakes and brownies. He was taken in alone and made to be sick. Apparently the vet said they normally get 5 a day over the Easter weekend! I doubt whether he will learn his lesson, labradors are greedy.

Craftyone, I had written a long epistle but it vanished when I tried to add a link, my mention of money was meant to refer to the price for Shandy's house. I think that the lack of worry and responsibility for a future house are worth their weight in gold.
But of course it is easier to be miserable when you are rich than miserable and poor, as the old saying goes.
I am not spending nearly as much money while in lockdown and realised, as I dressed today, that I was wearing my newest garment, bought from TK Max about 3 years ago. I shall wear things out at this rate!

I am impressed by your DH's progress too SueH
Whiff you make me smile
Who knows what the future could bring. You may meet someone....

Bucket day today oh the highlights of the week but flytippers have filled the council bin on our shared entry to double its height and I'm sure there will be rats. The council offices have been closed for weeks but people still leave rubbish in their bins which are never emptied. I don't know why I am ranting to you except that I know you would hate it too.

I want to listen to the second half of Jane Eyre today. DH may want to go to another part of the house. I missed my friend's talented DD on the radio yesterday and can't seem to find her on play again. I don't know how I found the time for all the social activities before this but I do miss them.

Such lovely pictures to have Ellianne

Please don’t mention money. I am spitting as having paid £700 to late BiL’s solicitor for the advice (blocking) he gave to him and his failure to progress, our solicitor, who did his best including a lot of chasing when we reminded him, has also requested £700. I hate to think what the trust solicitors will expect after leading us down the proverbial for over 6 months. Ok, I feel better for that and I know it will come back when the house is sold. Easter greetings to you all.

Wish I could have a piece of of your quiche Craftyone sounds yummy. Had a change from my usual stew for dinner last night. Piece of aged rump steak, saute pots and mushrooms with my homemade tomato ketchup. Really enjoyed it. Making a Quorn sausage stew today with pasta in it. That's 6 dinners sorted then. You had another busy day again yesterday. How's the knitting going? Must crack on with the boys cushions. But if it's nice garden this morning then cross stitch this afternoon.

Have a good day everyone.

Sue,cross posted, your OH wanting to be out and about, the best news

morning everyone,just checking in. Cooler today and I am glad, it was hard to keep up with watering all the baby plants. I started watching `safe` yesterday on netflix, joining netflix was worth every penny, tv is rubbish. Back to doing some knitting thankfully, my arm was not aching, thankfully

Baking yesterday was safisfying, I made pastry with 12 oz plain flour and 4.5 oz lard because I had some in the fridge. I made 2 quiches with my leek/wild garlic saute and egg/milk mix with added powdered milk and a bit of cheese. Result was lovely and I froze 6 portions, ate one with salad and have another for today. I also made a deep gooseberry pie. The pastry was beautiful, very flaky and crispy. I also froze 2 portions of soup and have 2 portions left. It is a long time since I made pastry and quiches, none of the skills have disappeared, I even found my baking beans

I moved something in the fridge and found 3 packs of yeo butter, lurking behind. They are now frozen in cubes. So the freezer is replenished, garden is on-going, I finished my book, laced my lafuma, vacuumed the floor, Obviously not a lot left for today but I will treat today as a rest day.

Grammaretto, you mentioned money, yes losing someone has that effect. All that saving over a lifetime, money meant nothing after my husband died. That feeling did not last forever, I have reached a point when I am conserving money because I hopefully have a long time ahead of me and need to keep my indepence, which could need money, even if just paying for a cleaner one day. Anyway, one day there will be driverless cars and I will get one or at the very least, will get driverless taxis

Yes Whiff, we are in isolation - well sort of. I don't think it is as strict as yours and of course every State has slightly different rules. Here in Victoria we are supposed to be at home except for shopping for essentials, education or work, medical matters or care and exercise. We can have one visitor come to our house, must only exercise with one other - unless you live in the same household, and must maintain the 1.5 metre social distancing. Weddings may be held but only 5 people allowed - ie bride, groom, celebrant/official and witnesses. Funerals can go ahead but only 10 people can attend. Supermarkets and shops that are open have a limit on how many people can enter the store at any one time. What I find a bit silly is that businesses are allowed to be open but in many cases the goods being sold are not considered essential so no one can go to buy them. This is why I cannot buy a new car. I know it is not an essential purchase but it would help stimulate the economy.

I have just read that we should expect our borders (International) to be closed until Christmas or after. Most of the States have closed their borders.
The one between Victoria and New South Wales is open but I think all the others are closed and one would need to go into quarantine if one was allowed to enter. I think these restrictions will be lifted before too long - maybe another month or so but there will be a big push for domestic travel over the summer and to do that borders will need to be open.

OH takes the dog for a walk every day and he is slowly getting more stamina. He is well enough to pretty much do all he wants to now and manages to keep himself occupied for most of the day. He was happy to go and look for the plastic ware as it gave him an excuse to get out.

SueH49 glad you found your missing items. Lovely your husband is well enough to go hunting for them. Bet your Easter was like ours, strange. Didn't feel any different . Thought I would pay a bill via telephone banking and then remembered it's bank holiday. Can't remember if you are in isolation in Oz? If so how is are you doing?

My son and daughter in law set up an Easter egg hunt for my grandsons in their back garden and sent me the video. They had to do it after my son got home from work. But he starts work at 3am so is home late afternoon. Did make me laugh. The 3yr old blow on every egg he found and gave every second egg to his brother even though he had plenty of his own. His little brother only went for the eggs didn't like the rabbit or carrot shaped chocolate. My daughter and son in law was doing one for my other grandson. But haven't had any pics or video yet. He's 2 and knowing him he probably refused to go along with it and do his own thing.

My brother has another week off work and will decided whether or not to continue his sick leave later in the week. He has heart problems but my sister in law has MS he has taken sick leave to protect her. Two years ago she was so ill thought she would died. My brother had 3 months off work to look after her. She says it's because if him she survived. Didn't get back to how she was before but they have adjusted their lives to suit.

Just like we did when I got ill 32 years ago. If my husband hadn't been the man he was dread to think what my life would have been like. Mind you isolation would have driven him mad. He could have still worked via computer etc and the whole bungalow would have be decorated and the garden weeded to within its life. He was a very loving and attentive man and I would have been exhausted if you get my meaning. Funny me thinking about it this morning. But not in a sad or lonely way but in a happy glad I had him in my life as long as I did way.

I was awake at 5.30 this morning so made my Easiyo yogurt. As I have it and fruit after dinner everyday day my sweet treat. If it's nice I get into the garden again. As bunga doesn't need doing apart from usual shower room and kitchen clean.

Have a good day everyone and stay safe. Lockdown for a while longer.

Since being in this house for 4 weeks and in spite of opening every box that came with us I have not been able to find my plastic storage containers, some baking equipment and my dishwashing liquid. We have both given this much thought and eventually OH decided he would go back to the old place and have a look. Guess what he found sitting in a cupboard that had been missed by both the packers and us?

Order is now restored and I can stop wondering where they are. It also means I do not need to go to Costco to buy more Dawn liquid.

Oh and to top it off I also found the Royal Doulton figurine that I could not remember where I put it.

Oh my, I am feeling satisfied.

Amazing ... both ...

This was another cottage rosecarmel. It was a privilege to have lived there but we very much felt like custodians for a short time. I love history where it incorporates real people who lived and worked through many ages.

Yes rosecarmel. The stones the house was built from formed part of a druid settlement dating back to late medieval times. The property was actually a small hamlet and most of the farm building you see there was made up of cowsheds and barns. Above the open fire a date was carved into the stone work.

If we learn one thing from this pandemic it should be that money is not the most important thing.
I found a nice colony house near Leith Links Shandy but for seaside in Edinburgh, the Joppa end of Portobello is less busy with plenty of beach. Look out for property in Bedford Tce.
I'm about to go back indoors as there's a little chilly wind now.
It's our wedding anniversary today so a bit weird to be in lockdown . We had a glass of wine and chocolate with our lunch in the greenhouse. I have arranged a table and chairs inside.

I cant say I am bored yet. I don't have enough time!

what if!! I cannot tell you how many times I have seen those words spoil lives, they make people worry, often needlessly. My friend with cancer was always a `what if` person and only now has she faced up to living in the moment. Her thinking has turned to `ok how do I deal with it?` and at long last she is at peace with herself. Sh***t always happens but it is how you deal with it that is important

So I think I will buy a jigsaw, I will have to get one online

Forgive my ignorance ... That gorgeous home in the painting .. Is it old?

I've emptied the ten book boxes and thought I'd peek in before going up to the station. My skechers haven't dried, so have to wear my chunky sorel boots, hopefully can finish emptying upstairs today.

Thank you for the encouragement Whiff, I am such a scaredy cat and don't tell craftyone ;) I'm a dreadful what iffer!

How amazing Ellianne, thank you for showing me. My husband always wanted our house painted, I wish I'd had a good friend like yours

Ellianne that's beautiful.

One for you Shandy. Part of our complex, my friend painted it.

Shandy57 it is frightening moving away . I lived my whole life in the West Midlands the area used to be classed as Worcestershire then they changed the boundary. I moved to nearer to to the children. But was terrified. I loved the bungalow I brought. But didn't know the people or my way round. Travelling on the bus was fun. I kept on having to memorize land marks so I knew when to get off. Made a few mistakes getting off to early or the time I got on the bus going in the opposite direction. The bus driver was very understanding and pointed me in the right direction. So glad I moved. Joining the sit fit and craft group was also frightening but I was soon made to feel welcome at both. And if I was ill and couldn't go it was lovely to be missed. Joining the U3A made another friend . We used to met up for coffee and cake , and will do again once lockdown is over. In the mean time there is texting and phone calls.

Life is an adventure be it good or bad . The thing is to live it to the full. We all have regrets in life . Things we wish we had done or not done. But we all do the best we can.

Look at the courage you have shown so far. You are stronger than you think. Think how proud your husband would be of you. You have a lot of living still to do . New challenges and new friends to meet. Grab it all with open hands.

Hey Ellianne our posts crossed - 15th century? How fantastic, I'd love to have seen it. You have had a very interesting life