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

Thanks Niobe, I did manage a short trundle down the road to collect my prescriptions. I normally enjoy a daily trundle around.
The painter is now back doing the second coat. Last time as he went over the wall down the ladder, it almost gave me a heart attack!! Looked very dangerous. When I saw him outside, told him not to do that a second time, but to come through the flat.
When my children were small I did make most of our own bread (by hand), for economy reasons - since then I have tried breadmakers, but never really got on with them. I prefer these days to purchase small loaves from my local artisan bakery - delicious bread, no work for me. Particularly love Corn Bread, I treat it like cake!!!
Craftyone, thanks for that Link. I am horrified that such articles are virtually encouraging people to move around the country so much.
It is NOT a Bank Holiday next weekend, that is the following weekend which should have been the start of Half Term. I was due to be visited by a daughter and her family (staying at a nice local hotel), she has not yet seen the flat and I was really looking forward to that - no idea when that will happen now.
Think I told you that I had booked into a B&B for one night in Eastbourne for Easter Sunday, when I was due to spend a day with my twins and their families. I cancelled that three weeks beforehand, as soon as lockdown started. They acknowledged that cancellation, and we exchanged pleasantries as I said I hoped to be able to visit later in the year. Then they had the cheek to still take the cost of that night from my credit card.
When I contacted them, I got a rambling reply about how difficult it was for them financially, so please stop harrassing them. I did reply, just to say if they had declared bankrupt to let me know (so that I could go on their list of creditors), and if not, then I would be taking out a small claims court action against them (which would cost them more as they would be liable for costs).
I also completed a form for Barclaycard and sent print-outs of the correspondence when I cancelled. Just noticed that B.card has stopped the payment to them. Not talking about a lot of money (£54), but it is the principle - stupid of people behaving that way, thinking they can get away with it.
Be very interesting to see how quick the housing market can really get underway and the effect on prices. Shandy, you are in such a good position to purchase.

Sorry to hear of your fall Franbern. It might be worth telephoning you’re pharmacy and getting them to deliver your meds. My husband is avoiding going out because of his age and heart health so the pharmacy deliver his medication each month.

Ellianne doh, I know it was you made the bread

lovely bread shandy, sd is my favourite. Franbern, perfect weather for drying paint to hard, not too hot and it is breezy, no wonder you are chuffed.

17th is my memorable number too shandy and for the same reason. A very big and positive move forward for you between now and the 17th last year, your husband would be very pleased for you

There was a list of places to visit and all could be inundated if the weather is good. Includes WsM beach
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/health/11-best-places-somerset-can-4126894

Is it a bank holiday next weekend?

ooh lovely bread Ellianne, I can smell it from here!

Great you have your ceiling painted Franbern, how satisfying. Take it easy moving around, don't over do it.

I had meant to tell you that my second home neighbour, who went to say goodbye to his mother dying from Covid, has now developed a high temperature and cough, so has his daughter. They were given PPE by the care home staff. His wife here is unable see him for two weeks, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them. I'm shocked.

Glad you are able to move ok Franbern, hope your cough goes away quickly. More cars here too in seafront carpark and people eating their chips on benches, they must be from out of town but hopefully within the county.
Everyone here sounds busy and life goes on with jobs on house and garden. We are waiting for new garage doors (from Germany) before we have the front garden redesigned and our bathroom is being done in September when we will hopefully be able to get away while they work.
Sourdough bread made for lunch today.

Morning all, sunny again here.

I was pleased to see the blackbird I had to persuade out of my fat ball feeder did survive his ordeal, he was on the fence yesterday.

Glad your works are making progress Whiff, everything will be done and you will be content in your new lovely bunga. I do hope your son does make contact soon. I haven't spoken to my daughter on the phone since late March when she rang to tell me I'd be stupid to sell so cheap to the bully in the middle of a pandemic - she hadn't realised the deed was done. I expect her visit to collect the car will be strained, even though she has now said she appreciates my point of view. I think she thought as I was in the cottage and away from the daily anxiety of it, I could have waited. I agree I could have waited, but for how long, I just didn't want to. I do feel the lack of auction bids proved to me, at least, no-one wanted to take it on, it is going to be a huge and expensive renovation. I've left him all my Listed Building info, that should make him tremble!

Craftyone you've reminded me I've got a Bose somewhere in my boxes, I'll hunt it out soon. I don't have an alarm, just wake up with the sun. I use my phone if I need to be up early. I hope your First Aid kit is now to your satisfaction. I thought everyone knew about Giant Hogweed - a local took his daughter with him fishing, and the poor little soul was in contact with it, huge balloony blisters all over her hands, agony.

I didn't get my bedroom done yesterday but did manage to clear a path around the sofa. I'm going to have to lay the two runners down in the lounge, one on top of the other, there's no room upstairs to store them rolled. I can keep the other rug folded under my bed. I do find it difficult carrying things upstairs, they are steep and shallow with a bend at the top, would fit a size 4 foot but I'm a 7!

I have a very boring job of sorting out cleaning materials today, I have a huge collection as I doubled up when the self catering annexe was open. Thankfully it's general waste day today and I'll have bin space, it's alternate weeks with recycling here.

I've ordered a rainbow wreath for my husband's anniversary from a lovely local girl. Have I told you already? Not sure. When I moved here in '99 she used to work in the local florist, and I met her Mum a few times in the shop, she'd moved down from Scotland to be near her. Sadly her Mum died from cancer the following year.

Another coffee and I'll walk the dog across the road, glad I got his tick meds now, the grass is very long.

Enjoy your day everyone

The balcony above my flat overhangs the area immediately outside of my windows. That is a normal sized balcony, mine is the only very large one, as it covers the roof of the solicitors office on the ground floor . This overhang is useful, as it provides protection from rain, etc.
However, the underside of it (ceiling for me) was very patchy, and flaky. Nothing to worry about - but as it was in my eye line as I look out form my living room it has been annoying me. Had planned to get it sorted and painted as soon as weather improved. Then came lockdown.
Saw the painters employed by the Residents Committee doing some work on outside area (fences, etc) and they had a look (from outside) and said they could reach my balcony by a ladder, so would be able to do this work easily.
So pleased, they started it at 7.45 am this morning, have already rubbed it all down and done first coat of paint. They are going to wait for that to dry and then return to do second coat .later today. So pleased.
My hip feels a lot better, but still having problem with walking round the flat - have to use my trolley just to go from room to room. Real problem is that any time I am run down, or very tired or have a shock I develop a bronchial type cough. It was extremely bad yesterday, much better this morning, but still there. So, I will not dare go out at present - I know what it is - but other people hearing it will assume it is something else!!!
The only thing I need today is for some repeat prescriptions to be collected, will have to ask my daughter to do that for me later today. Thursday is her busiest work day at present, so will not ring her, just send her a message.
There do seem to be some mixed messages locally - WsM official website still says CLOSED, but Council is opening some of the car parks near the beach and even opening some public toilets. How very silly- need to discourage people driving down here for a day out. I will avoid the promenade this coming weekend.

reflective is important now and then, it is the past that made us what we are now

DPD is amazing, I like my drivers a lot but I packed a big box of crafting things for ds yesterday, 8kg and it was picked up at 11 am from my house and in glasgow 12 hours later, he will get it before 12 and all for only £17 and that to me is a bargain

I am planning the next box now, a very good way of reducing my stash of wood and implements.

Since moving here I have never slept so well. Funny that as I used to lie awake for hours in my old house. As soon as my head hits the pillow I' m asleep. Need to follow your example Craftyone and put all my first aid stuff in one place. Another job on my list . Speaking to my friend in the Midlands last night she was teasing me I will be getting a reputation with all the men at my home. Roofers here from Monday to Saturday last week. Pest controller Monday. BT and pharmacy delivery Tuesday. And home improvements guys yesterday and today.

Many years ago when the mortgage interest rate went up to 15% my husband said it's no good you will have to go on the streets but then said 50p a day wouldn't help much. I thumped him one. Funny the things you think back on.

My friend asked what do I think he would look like now. Well he would be grey probably with a tubby midriff. Arthritis in his back and knees. Still a Kultz and hopefully still full of energy like he was before the cancer. Of course still always hungary and wanting cakes and biscuits. Honestly sometimes it was like being a full time baker keeping up with him and the kids. No wonder I could never lose weight without putting it back on again.

Seen to be in a reflective mood today but not in a bad way.
Well better get all the plastic down but work starts again.

Morning all, I had to chase jackdaws out of my garden, they are all drinking from my water feature but I saw them tugging at shiny envirofleece covering plants. Big raucous things, loud and bolshy

I am glad the lions have been safely re-homed and whiff you do indeed have a good circle of workmen around you

I have a neat space in the utility for the first aid box, I do have a box of lint and will fit it in if there is room but I know I will have to store more stuff under my bed. First aid box will only be full of emergency aid things. You just don`t know what you need until you need it and hopefully never, like insurance but I do want it in sight

I went to bed and decided to do a swap-around, I wanted to use my old bose radio when I go to bed as it has a sleep timer but also the words are lit and I don`t want that too close. I was thankful for my hard flooring and both heavy dressers slid forward easily, a double socket behind each one. Now duly swapped and dusted behind. Alexa is closer and radio is further and it worked well last night.I have to have some talk when I go to bed, silence at that time is too heavy for me

I want to make easy yo today and cannot find the inner, drat

Morning all. Yes I know it's early. Fell straight asleep last night just after 10. And didn't wake till 4.30. Can never get back to sleep once I've had my slept out. So already emptied the dishwasher and made some Easiyo yogurt. Didn't rain last night so I can go in the garden this morning. At least that way my joints won't stiffen up not doing anything. One very weedy patch I haven't tackled yet. As soon as the men came yesterday the dad said someone's been busy. It was lovely he notice. They are a father and son team same as my roofers are. My husband always said I had a black thumb. Nice to see I've proved him wrong. Gertrude Jekyll has started to sprout leaves. I brought it as a bare root plant. Saw a blue tit try and get at my damsons yesterday but couldn't. If you could see my fruit cage you would laugh at its construction. But it works. Hopefully my other plants will arrive before to long.

One of the guys found an old photo in the loft under some wood. It's a very old black and white photo of a man called George Dixon his wearing an uniform not military. What made me laugh was his pose very lay back on a bench holding a cigarette. On the back was written' George Dixon my daddy who I love very much but he died when I was 8'. My son in law has been doing his family tree for a few years and he may be able to recognise the uniform from his researches.

Now the estate agents are getting back to work hopefully my niece's and her boyfriends house purchase can continue and they will be given a date for exchange and completion.

My friend from U3A has had work done on her new home and asked if I knew a good electrician. So sent my guys number. All my traders men have been recommend to me apart from the pest guy who I pick. Glad to say I made a good choice.

It will be lovely to have my shower room done and finally be able to move into my bedroom once it's plastered and painted.

Haven't heard anything from my son. But I am a patient person and will wait for him to contact me. But when he does if he thinks his in for an easy ride he had better watch out. The way he sent that email was cowardly and being a coward is one thing I would never thought of him.

Franbern you probably have found other sore places today. Hopefully you slept well.

Everyone else have a good day and stay safe.

Interesting you are revamping your first aid kits, after my toe accident I would recommend lint as well. I did have the melapore pads but it was too hard and hurt, the lint was much softer. I've also got a needle for splinters in mine, why oh why do I always get them in my right hand!!

I did find my first aid box under the sink at the station, it had fallen down the back. Wish I hadn't got a new tap, he couldn't get the back of the cupboard back in.

Just popped in to say a friend texted me this morning to say the lions had gone - amazing, they'd only been gone an hour!! She was driving to work and noticed they weren't there, so nice of her. I went up to check and the top of the wall is in perfect condition, thankfully. My solicitor had written to the buyer to ask if they'd give me time to get them removed as the builder was furloughed. Still not had a reply, it seems it takes them a week to reply to the simplest question. My husband loved the lions, I am glad they have gone to a nice home

Horrible at the beach this afternoon, cars driving past me at 60 mph .... beach car park is still closed, so they were all parking on the grass. I think I've got used to lockdown and being the last person on earth! ;)

oh whiff always worse before it gets better, I mean house improvements. You are going to be snug when all this is finished and cleaned up

EA niece e mailed me, was told at 10pm to open up today, she has been getting people off furlough and e mails are going manic because people are wanting to get going on purchases and sales. I hear that house builders have been told they can work up to 9pm monday to saturday, so much for peace and quiet if close to a site. I have one site behind me and another at the other end on my small estate. The one behind has been on lockdown the whole time and the one on my estate has had only 4 builders at one time. Living by a big site with lorries back and forth could be horrendous for some. However I am glad to see people get off furlough,

Franbern hope aren't in much pain from your fall.

Large skip arrived this morning thought they are never going to fill it. It's full to overflowing and they still haven't got all the insulation and wood out. There where 3 sorts of insulation and loads of flooring. Some of the insulation is lose grainy stuff that I can't think what you call it . Glad I went over board with covering the carpet and furniture with plastic and dust sheets. They wore full body suit, thick gloves and hard face masks. It was boiling up there today. Hope it doesn't rain tonight that way I can do some gardening tomorrow. All I did today was cross stitch and read. Glad to do a good clean up after they went as my joints had stiffened up.

Shandy take some photos of each room once it is emptied, and keep those for your own peace of mind
Also, do you have any sort of service agreement on the boiler? If you have leave the signed off copies of those, if not, then has surely, when the purchaser had the survey the age and condition of the boiler would have come up in that. In my last house I needed to replace the boiler soon after i moved in. Never occured to me to claim from the sellers for that.

Franbern, I hope you feel better soon.
Shandy - I wouldn't worry about your picture hooks. I took one out and it left a hole so left the rest in and the buyers didn't complain. My buyers complained about various things since the sale. I've even had a phone call from my solicitor since lockdown with their complaints but I ignore it as there is nothing they can do now. It's annoying but not a big issue.

There is built in obsolescence, I mean blister plasters and steri strips with throw out dates. In the old days, I used to make butterfly plasters from plaster strips when I had to deal with bad cuts that needed closure, I worked in a pharmacy from age 15 until A levels. I always had good results from my first aid. A child once slipped onto glass and had a bad cut in her cheek. I remember the mum sitting her on the counter while I dealt with the cut, cleaned her up and brought the sides together. I would have to check the date these days. I understand re gels and so on but sealed plasters?

I have ordered new, elastoplast sensitive plasters this time and will trust in fate if I need to use a blister plaster or a steri strip or one of my sealed waterproof plasters

I ordered a new car kit, mine is such a jumble in a zip lock I want neat with a space blanket so have ordered the AA kit. I never thought I would be buying any new items

I have those things upstairs franbern. I know this is only a basic kit but it will be easy to grab. I have ordered an empty first aid box and wall bracket, it will be easy to see in the utility room. I will add some burn first aid, I needed to get a couple of new packs as my existing ones are just out of date

I used to have a full green kit and a burns kit and a massive kit for horses all hanging in my old utility room. It was time to re-vamp for solo me

I have the crepe bandage and triangular bandage etc so may well add some more things if there is room enough. I got the small empty case this time

I only ever used the burns kit once but it was miraculous, I had a nasty burn on my hand. I always keep a 10 x 10 gel dressing in the fridge. I needed tweezers so bought a pair, cheap for first aid

I think I will also check over the car kit

craftyone, add in something like oil of cloves for toothache, particularly at this time when dentists are closed, also an antiseptic cream.
I prefer fabric plasters to the waterproof ones, and also have several different sized safety pins. Crepe bandages are difficult to get these days (out of fashion for use), although I like them and have several rather old but perfectly good ones. I also have couple of triangular bandages and proper sealed first aid dressings. All these are from my days from when one of my daughters was a First Aid Tutor. I would also strongly recommend an electric largish heat pad. This has proven invaluable on many occasions.

I think I will refine my first aid kit this afternoon. I have too many plasters and bandages in there. I have a list

waterproof plasters, paracetamol,crepe bandage,blister plasters, closure strips, tweezers, thermometer, imodium, antiseptic wipes, steroid cream

I copied the list online a couple of weeks ago. I do have other bits and bobs but a quick grab box downstairs is always handy

Franbern, what a shock, just shows how easily it can happen and you are always so careful. Thank goodness that you have not broken anything

Midgey I have just this minute ordered some command strip hooks to put inside a kitchen cupboard

For colour touch ups, I used a coloured pencil where needed. A kitchen fitter once told me about tippex on white shelves that got marked and floorer told me about wax touch up sticks, rub over and wipe off, good on floors and doors etc

Franbern sorry to hear about your fall, do hope you are taking it easy today.
I don’t know if any of you have tried the Command brand of hooks. They use two tabs with ‘sticky stuff’, when you want to remove them from the wall you pull one tab and it comes off cleanly. Not cheap but better than a hole! They come in different sizes for different weights.

Franbern sorry to hear about your fall but glad you have no broken bones. Problem is tissue damage can take a while to heal. Learnt that the hard way after I got blown over earlier this year.

Shandy57 I took out all the picture hooks out of my old house. Wish I hadn't bothered. When I moved here they had taken out some of the hooks but left the wall plugs in. I've got very hard walls think they are concrete like the floors. Where wall units had been removed left large holes but I just stuck tape over them and when the rooms get painted the holes will get filled in then. It's them leaving the mice in residence that I didn't like. But just dealt with it myself with the pest controller. Like everyone has said he's had a bargain the rotten swine. Don't do anything to endanger yourself.

Hello all, thanks for the picture hook advice - they are mainly in the red room and will leave white marks, I don't have the paint any more. Thank you very much for the advice on repairing craftyone, I'll use it in the next property. I think I have some pincers.

I have to stop being scared by this man. I am going to leave them and forget about it, especially as Franbern has had a fall. I'm not going to risk the ladder slipping on the floorboards. Get well soon Franbern, glad nothing broken, it's a shock isn't it. Happened to me once when I was typing on here, I bent down to stroke the cat.

I've just changed my address on my driving licence, it does worry me when they say it 'will time out'. Why do they time us? All done, thankfully.

Now I'm not dehooking this afternoon I'll do my bedroom this afternoon, it looks like the sorting room in a charity shop! Beach later.