Help calm me. house buying and selling stress. Part 5

cuppatea time, I am waiting for the soup to cook, I made a large pan of it and am also waiting for a mix of red peppers and onions to caramelise, they are in the drawn-out softening stage, then I finish them with fresh thyme and balsamic. I made that for the first time last week and it was gorgeous and I finally finished it as a yummy topping for a small pizza yesterday

I had my octopus energy bill yesterday and it is now £8 for gas and electricity is a steady £34 a month for electricity, that gives me a bit of spare out of my £55 a month dd, to start the winter build up of cash. Gas is so much cheaper, £2 a week for all the hot water I want.

I am going to try and get back to doing dishes by hand, sometimes anyway, like this morning. I am all cleaned up in the kitchen, it helps to have a bowl of very hot sudsy water and a small drainer, I have the small rectangular joseph joseph wash and drain, its a very useful kit and the drainer is small enough to hide away. Harts of stur, better imo than lakeland for good value and just as good customer service

11 yoghurt lollies made from one easy yo sachet. Kitchen floor has crumbs on it so I am going to set my old roomba to work while I take a shower. I am excited about receiving the pegboards, should arrive on tuesday, it will help me to get some crafting sorted

Anyone who goes through life saying they don't have any worries about their children is either extremely fortunate or lying. It is because we care so much. Franbern I hope your daughter can at least get a scan quickly to find the cause.
I've not dared mention it for fear of jinksing things but yes, the housing market is booming. Our DD put her house on the market on Wednesday, had 10 viewers over the w/e and 4 more coming on Tuesday. Suddenly 3 possible houses in the area she likes and have come onto the market too.
Beautiful blue skies here. Our town is introducing a one way system for pedestrians on the narrow pavements. Down to the seafront on the left, back up the town on the other side.

Franbern you never stop worrying about your children and I would ask her what she wants and read between the lines. I would drive there and stay a while if it I sensed that is what she needs. I personally would not wait for government permission, I feel as though we have been well and truly manipulated to conform.

I never did finish all the putting away and sorting, only realised yesterday when I wanted to get something for making skeins. I could not find it until 10 last night, still with wrapping holding it together. Sadly some of my best home made `designer` jumpers have well and truly disappeared, the only place I have left for a thorough search is under a bed and it has had quick searches. They were pure wool, so would have gone into a vac pack lakeland cube. If they are not there then will have gone the way of my disappeared gardening bits. I was very glad to have moved so many of my precious things by myself

I was up just when dawn was breaking again and my easy yo will be ready at 8, I am putting this lot into popsicle moulds to freeze. They make a very nice refreshing ice lolly and give me my daily yoghurt fix at the same time.

All the windows are open for a blow through while it is cooler out, today will be warm again

I think I need to make some soup too whiff, soup seems to be the only food that does not give me heartburn at night, very soothing and I have spare carrots, carrot and lentil will do nicelytoday

Shandy57 silly me it's bank holiday today. Why did I think completion was on the 25th . What is the date for it?

Talking to my friend in the Midlands last night she said she was amazed at the amount of houses that are on the market now. As a month ago there where non within a few miles of where she lives.

Already got a load of washing on. Made my Easiyo yogurt. Need to make some soup. Then pop to the post box. Talking to my best friend at 10. Then hopefully have couple of hours in the garden.

What's everyone else up to today?

Franbern sorry about your daughter. My husband had a kidney stone before we got married. He had to have some tablets to break it up. He said it was like I will put it politely weeing razor blades. I am sure the treatment is more advanced now. No matter how old our children get we still want to look after them and protect them.

You have more patience than me to do such a difficult jigsaw.

Just to add, that none of my daughters symptoms are anything whatsoever to do with this virus. she is just generally run down, and in a lot of pain in her kidney area (almost definitely a kidney stone).

Had a pleasant dahy. A cousin telephoned this morning for a chat, and whilst on the phone to her, my daughter popped in to sort something out for me. I persuaded her to stay for lunch - was so pleasant eating a meal with someone else. I have really missed that. Then we went down the High Road, I needed to pop a letter into Nat West Bank.

When I went to do this during the week, there was such a long queue that I did not like to go down the front to pop that enveloped into their letter box. Could not believe how many people wanted to get into that Bank. Also needed to post a letter/

I also needed some more bread, my little Tesco (virtually opposite the flats) which I used to use a lot has made it one way, and the slope (up which I used to go and leave with my mobility scooter) is now the only way in, and I cannot get out. Anyway, my daughter got me my bread, and then I treated her and her youngest, who had met up with us), to a cake at our lovely artisan bakers,.

When I got home, I finally managed to finish my second one thousand piece jigsaw. This was really difficult, too much sky and trees, all the same colour - I decided on several occasions to give it up. But felt I ought to try to complete it if possible as I needed to know if any pieces were missing (it was second hand). Even this morning, I told my daughter I was giving up., But after my tea I gritted my teeth and have finished it. No missing pieces!!!

Will keep it for a couple of days and then break it up and start another one.

Phone call to my daughter in London this morning, has not reassured me. she is not well at all, probably got a kidney stone , but needs scan to see that. She talked to her GP and has had blood tests and other tests arranged. she is normally so full of live and very fit -

I am so tempted to drive there to be with her - my parental instinct coming into play!!!! Will give it a few more weeks though, but have told her,if she does get any worse and wants me I will go to her anytime.

She will be fifty in a few months time, but to me is just my little girl!!!

Shandy57 I keep all the paperwork from when the mortgage was paid off in 2004 after my husband died until I sorted out ready for moving. I had even keep all his hospital paperwork and work stuff as I couldn't face it until I had to. I will keep some paperwork from my old house for a few years. Remember to keep your husband's national insurance number for when you get your state pension. My husband paid in for 30 years until the day he died. Been told by works and pensions I will get 43p a week from his contributions. I will just get my state pension I paid an extra ten years voluntary contributions to boost it up. I have no private pension and the only benefit I have ever been able to claim was careerers allowance when my husband was terminal and for looking after my mom for 18 months. Annoys me no end when people can claim all the benefits under sun and never have paid anything in. If my illness had a label I could have had something all these years. No label no money. Sorry just having a winge.

Had a lovely wapps app call with my brother and sister in law. There garden was looking lovely full of colour. So nice to talk face to face.

My daughter popped my shopping round. She was impressed with what I done to the garden in a week. She will take me to the hospital on Friday. And then on Sunday they will come and move the furniture around and put the covering on the carpets and furniture. Then moving in with them for a while. While the works done on the bungalow. Can't wait to have it done.

Shandy57 tomorrow with be a day of mixed emotions for you but also a load off your mind and wallet. Ready for your new life and property search.

My niece and her boyfriend will complete on their house on the 12th July.

Thank you Oopsadaisy, I will make an effort to file it all neatly and put it in one big box, just in case. I'll dump all the bills. Feeling bit panicky today, only have to read the meter again tomorrow and that's it.

I'm struggling to get to grips with the cottage rental inspection report I've been asked to do, I think I'll follow the format of the inventory.

I kept all of the relevant paperwork on our old homes for 7 years just in case the tax man popped up( I don’t know why he would, but there you go) I kept the mortgage offer , surveyors reports etc. Planning permissions, and major expenditure, and then the final letter stating that we had paid it off ( Yaay I almost framed it) .
I also kept all of the photos I took before and after works and they are in separate albums, it’s quite nice sometimes to go back and see that we paid £11,000 for our first house in 1977 and to see the photos.
However, I keep a running total and all outgoings From the bank in Big accounting Books and I’ve kept all of those as well from way back, interesting to see that I used cheques for almost everything back in the day ( again 1977) my hand writing was so much neater back then.

Morning all. Thankfully the wind has dropped, and it's a bit warmer.

Did anyone watch Citizen Kane yesterday? For it's time it was astounding.

I went to the beach last night, lots of people. I counted four dog bags in the dunes, people are disgusting. In normal times I'd pick them up, I'll take my gloves and a bag tonight.

Today I've got to compile the inspection report for the rental company, I've taken all the photos. Good it happened really, I've made much better use of the space.

When you paid off your mortgage, did you destroy all the paperwork? I have folder upon folder, as well as all the information on our kitchen/bathroom remodelling. I am going to throw away all the bills, glad not to have to pay such large ones here. My Octopus electric bill was £16 this month, I paid £80 per month at the station.

I have always had very good plants and seeds via ebay, they will settle nicely whiff

So it is a long day because I am not busy, except I have only 5 rows of knitting to finish and then the final asembly. I am in process of making pizzas, 3 x 5 minute plain baked to freeze and use later and one fully baked for today

I am wondering what the beaches are like today,some very crowded photos over the last couple of days and a woman by a west beach with no open toilets, says that paths are disgusting now and gardens used as urinals.

I finished servants episodes, was extremely interesting, made me very glad not to have lived in those days when women weremenial beings. I ordered a book by margaret powell for 1p

Franbern thank you for the info. Always washed my hands a lot. Can't stand my hands feeling grubby. You are right the hospital will be cleaner than anywhere else. Every time I've been to various departments everywhere was clean.

My 6 heathers from eBay arrived this morning so braved the wind to plant them out. Excellent quality only £13.99 for them . Ordered them 2 days ago. Will have a look at the same supplier see what else I can get.

We must be getting in tune like ladies do with their cycles craftyone, I can't find my one and only lipstick and am just about to buy one on line!

oops forgot, I splashed out on 3 lipsticks from qvc last night. Doll 10 and perfect colours for me. I haven`t worn lippie since I moved, must fix that. It seems that women buy lipsticks when in wars and this is indeed a war

outdoor plants for me, yes, indoor no, all faux from peony, just a waft with a duster now and then

ooh maltesers, get them out your head shandy. Its definitely a nibbling day today, I had to be strong over my sourdough bread and a banana, they are still there, I love crunchy sourdough toast. I just had coffee on its own and will have to pull my knitting onto my knee pdq

Sunny and some rain [grin} and I am wearing a liinen skirt and a top called afterlight by amy herzog. I made the top in the recommended yarn and it wears loosely. Absolutely perfect for days when I am not warm or cold. I made 3. The yarn cost an arm and a leg but they were worth it. All home made on today, it reminds me that I need to keep cracking on with indoor crafting. That top has a beautifully fitted neckline, I raised it to a modest level and it has some gathers and elbow length sleeves

It`s a wittering day for me too, again. Ooh yes I bunged some calendula into the ground early on, just before the rain. I have no home grown plugs left

When my daughter took me to A&E, I told her to take one of my masks, and we put those on before we left her car. However, at reception, we were both given masks and told to use those. They were identical to the ones I had, but the hospital still wanted their own to be used.

Personally, I think that, if anything, the hospital is a safer place than virtually any other public building. Not only is anyone with any CV symptoms kept in different areas, but, obviously - hospital hygiene is much better than, for example, a supermarket.

In reception in A&E there was a hand washing machine, which was timed, and had little pictures which showed how properly to wash hands in the time it gave before water was given for washing off soap. Also, a notice saying do NOT depend on Anti-bac gels, - soap and water are the only proper way.

Shandy57 the 1st of June is when my home improvements guys start on my shower room etc. If I didn't write everything down on my calendar I would never be organised. You have a rest. The is in sight. I will pop my clothes in the wash as soon as I get home.

Niobe I have never been able to keep house plants. My daughter when she was young had lovely violets in her bedroom. She went away on a weekend trip with school I managed them kill them in 2, days . I killed my son's Venus fly trap and living rock . Don't know how as I didn't need to do anything to them while he was on a school trip. I'm amazed everything I 've planted here in the garden is thriving.

Morning everyone. Windy again here, it really howls down the huge fireplace chimney in this lounge.

Whiff I thought you were going on 1st June? I think your precautions are very wise. Most nurses seem to change their clothes immediately they step into their homes, perhaps do that too?

I've no energy left to do anything this weekend, I think I'll find some nice films too. Wish I hadn't given my maltesers to the bin men now!

Enjoy your day

Whiff, you are being very sensible in your precautions to protect yourself and your family. I am sure it will be worth it.
Crafting , I love YouTube too and have been watching old films and documentaries lately.
My new compost bin came so a few videos on making compost were welcome and a new houseplant (Monstera Adonsonii ) that I had bought in Sainsbury’s turns out to be quite a demanding one so at least I now know how to care for it. Binging on houseplant videos I found out why another of my plants was not doing well. Apparently that one is a Stromanthe Tricolour and it is much happier now. We live and learn!

sensible and logical precautions whiff, not overkill.

I watched servants on youtube last night, it was a BBC programme and about an hour long. There are 2 more episodes, it was very interesting and watchable. A terrible life, 17 hours a day of the hardest work and then just 7 hours for sleep. I am looking forward to episodes 2 and 3.

There are some very good things on youtube, including full length films. I simply put a large cushion behind my back and was very comfortable while knitting and watching. I see a similar day today

Morning all. Because I am going to the hospital I decided to buy some face masks. Normally I would not bother. But my daughter will be dropping me off and then I have a little walk to the lift and it's only up one floor. I am not worried for myself but I will be staying with my daughter and family from Sunday. I don't want to pick anything up at the hospital. I am taking anti bac wipes with me. I know there will be hand sanitizer at the hospital which I will use a lot. When I come out of the hospital and before I get back in the car. I will use a plastic bag over my hand to remove the mask and turn the bag inside out so as not to touch the mask before tying the bag. Then use the wipes to clean my walking stick and soles of my shoes. I know it sounds like over kill but I have been thinking how to keep my family safe.
I am not one who wipes down the shopping . But I think I need to take extra care at the hospital. Just read that back I sound mad or do I?

My friend from U3A text yesterday we made friends after only being in each others company for hour and half in December. Last week she asked if I knew an electrician so I gave her my guys number. She is thrilled with him and says what a lovely chap. So glad she like him my daughter's in law's use him and gave me his number. I have been very lucky with all the tradesmen I have been using. She sent me a picture of her kitchen which she has painted looks lovely. Can't wait until lockdown over so I can see her new home. She like me doesn't know why she brought half the things with her as she knew she would be moving into a smaller house when she brought one. She has just had to stack everything in one room waiting for the charities to start collecting again. She hasn't got a garage.

Do you think it would be ok if I took some tea, sugar, hot chocolate and homemade jam to give to the cardio department I'm going to on Friday? I want to but don't know if they would except them. What do you think?

Very windy here again hope it dies down would love to go in the front garden. Never thought I would love gardening so much. My husband would be laughing his socks off. I suppose it's because my old one was just to much to handle but here it's just right.

Spoke to my nephew yesterday. He used to visit me every Monday really miss our chats. But he has promised once free movement is allowed he's coming with his dad and his step mom. Never used that word before. But it just dawned on me that's what my sister in law is. Which means I have 2 step nephews is that a thing?

Oh Must stop now I am prattling on. Have a great day everyone.

ooh yes,maybe poirot tomorrow and hot chocolate for me. Its very nice, being able to sit quietly, choosing what to watch and drinking a favourite hedonistic drink

For me it's Poirot and Curtain his last case. Watched it many times before but love it. Hot chocolate and cross stitch.