Help calm me. House buying and selling stress. Part 6

I have been rural for over 45 years, now semi-rural and have grown my own for almost as long and I eat organic food as much as possible. All the food in my freezer is organic and much is home grown. It is so lovely to go into my freezer in winter and fetch berries and apple, tomatoes, green beans, herbs and potatoes,all grown by me without pesticides and believe me, pesticides are not good for us and neither are commercial artificial fertilisers and weed killers. It is how I have always lived and will do so as long as possible. Having a large freezer makes it all possible and makes life very easy come winter. Being eco and organic is a way of life, not a fad for many. There is an upside for me, I am energetic and healthy, no meds at all, not bad in my 8th decade.

A lovely 8 hour sleep last night and as much airflow through the house as I can muster in the rain, not opening windows too wide or they would get wet. I feel very lucky with this gentle rain, wetting the ground bit by bit, too much in a short time on dry ground, does not soak in

I feel as though I might have a hobby day today, no cleaning needed apart from daily stuff, no sorting needed. I have plying to do on my spinning wheel, then skeining, which will take a few hours. I have lovely easy knitting with beautiful devonia wool, a cardigan, always useful. Some indoor exercise up and down stairs to compensate for sitting

Yes, I suppose if I lived in a more isolated place I might be more inclined to store food. But I do not, never have, never wanted to. I love living virtaully in the centre of town. Everything is so nearby.
I did contemplate even getting rid of my car totally -buses stop outside the flats, bu,t have now decided to keep it whilst I am permitted and able to drive. It is good for long journeys to London, etc. At present I only use it once a week to go the three miles to Sainsbury's but could easily do that journey by bus.
I do have a very large Tesco just a short trundle distance away (about a quarter of a mile), then Waitrose, Asda, M&S Aldi, etc. about a mile away. And, so many small shops in and around the High Road a few minutes away. I am happy to let them be my storage areas.
Also, once of the big advantages of living near the sea is that the chance of snow laying is very much lower than it was in London.
Silly family row is trying hard not to brew around my 80th birthday next year. A couple of months ago, I sent an email to all children saying I accepted that we could not get together on my birthday weekend as not only was that the same weekend as my eldest g.daughter 18th birthday, but was also in between A levels and GCSE's being sat by three g.children. A week later will be the 11th birthday of another g.child, As she has obviously been denied a birthday party this year, I did not want to deny her one next year. This is the eldest child of my youngest daughter who with whom I have long had a careful (challenging!) relationship. So, I asked them all to put in their diaries my birthday weekend being celebrated when I will be 80 yrs and 2 weeks!!! All agreed and my daughter even thanked me for taking that other birthday into account.
So, I was rather upset and taken aback when this week I had an email from her saying she has now realised that one of the clubs that her daughter normally attends may well have their show that weekend, so that would exclude them coming - and the following weekend is also not possible as they have other arrangements.
My eldest daughter did hit the roof about this - short sharp exchange of emails. She pointed out that a hobby club in which the child may or may not still be involved with and which MAY have their show that weekend, or may not - surely takes a very low place against such an important occasion. Thing have calmed down now - although no agreement - just leaving things for the time being to see how thing work out nearer the time.
It seems so easy for something to jump up and cause family problems. I was very upset at first, but have recovered from that now. Will try to make arrangements in the New Year.
Some exciting times for some of us on here over the final two weeks of August. Ellianne's daughter making her move in a couple of days time. Shandy off to Kent for her first real home hunt, me having my bathroom started.
I am glad the weather is a little cooler, will feel more able to do things now, than I have over the past couple of weeks.

I’m still here (Shandy) but thank you,

Waiting for some answers from GN before I decide what to do, I don’t like them spying on DHs iPad as well as my own.

Franbern, can you swing it around to 2 weeks before, that situation needs to be defused fast and who better than you.

oopsadaisy, I am putting malwarebytes back onto my laptop

www.malwarebytes.com/spyware/

Craftyone, do not wish to bring it forward as not sure of GCSE and A level exam which will be (hopefully) in full swing at that time. We will just wait to see how it works out - not worries.
Once again I must comment on and compliment DFS on Customer Service. The sofa bed I purchased last November, and has little use has six buttons on its seat. I noticed that one of these had come off - have it safe, but cannot work out how I can re-fix it as it has a small eyelet underneath that obviously needs to be used. So, yesterday I posted a letter to the DFS branch where I purchased it giving full details (second class post)., Have just had a phone call from store manager to make arrangement for uoholsterer to come to do repair next week.

That is excellent service Franbern. Sorry about your family problems. Hopefully it will all be sorted soon.

Very hot here again. Spend 2 hours weeding and am done.

My daughter and grandson came yesterday as they were having the toilet fixed. We went to the park a couple of roads from me. My grandson had a wonderful time. There were some older children there and they all talked to him and us. He tried to climb up some ropes as an older boy about 10 was doing it. He said it's very hard you need to grow bigger. My grandson looked at him and said ok and went on the slide. After he had a go on the roundabout he insisted nana had a go. Hadn't been on one since I was a child. He pushed me round and then my daughter joined in. Laughing her socks off all the time. They had lunch with me which was lovely. He zonked out in the car on the way home and slept for a couple of hours in bed.

Made some soup this morning so going to blend it then have a cross stitch telly afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

craftyone it isn’t a Malware problem because you are automatically consenting to their demands, there is no way to not consent, as soon as you click the ‘ legitimate ‘ parts they go back to consent whatever you click.

As DH does business work on his IPad , plus banking, I object to them being given access to iPads at my home.

If the advertisers get hacked, they will have all of our info

oopsadaisy, does this mean that it will be forever on the computer, even if leaving MN. Once clicked is that it, forever?

I have this strange excited uppy feeling again, I love it when I am firing on all four cylinders and can chhose what I want to do. Best thing is that my friend with cancer rang, her husband rang and my heart was in my mouth. They have another option and wanted some advice, we finished with her on the upbeat and that made me happy

What else made me happy? easily getting through 7 a day so far, no effort at all, the poached pears made me happy they were yummy and I have enough for 4 more days and they downsized the last half bottle of wine in cooking, one bottle out of my fridge, more space for something else. I have had my 95% chocolate strip and no more mouth hunger. I used my slicer and got 14 nice slices from the wholemeal spelt and rye loaf I made yesterday in my panasonic, 7 days worth, all frozen. Now I have currant bun dough being made in the panasonic, easy peasy way to make nice food

No hobby done as yet, we were on the phone a long time, first her husband who is learning to de-clutter after having to clear her parents home this week. At last, he is learning to leave things tidy for their children, as he says `he is feeling as though it is his life he is getting rid off` I hope he gets that lovely feeling soon, of being load-lightened which replaces that quite sad feeling

Craftyone glad you are so up beat. After what happened yesterday. You will understand as I have sent you a PM and to a couple others who I have PM ed with. I feel a great sense of relief. That I no longer have to hold on to a hope I had .

Like my daughter says I have a lot of positives in my life don't need negatives. The way the world is at the moment we need all the positives we can get. A really good positive would be for Shandy to find her new home next week.

Shandy57 have you got any viewings lined up.

Afternoon all, I was watching Line of Duty and have just woken up, feeling groggy and horrible.

My poor cat has got a sore eye again and the 'anti-inflammatory' isn't working, so vets for her hopefully Monday if I can get in. She had cat flu as a kitten, comes out now every summer as sneezing and a runny eye, she'll be 15 in January. Third time this year.

I went to see a friend today for a quick chat, she's suffered a lot of upset this year and has developed something called 'globus' - difficulty in swallowing. Had a lovely time, she is such a nice woman, I do know a lot of very nice people.

I just wondered how many of you as grandparents teach your children about nature? There is a post on facebook where someone was about to kill an elephant hawk moth caterpillar in case it 'stung them', I do despair, why don't people have any books to look things up anymore.

Off to the beach now, hope it's quiet, the weather has become overcast and really quite autumn feeling. Apparently Kent is roasting, will be a contrast!

I have booked to see three houses Whiff, there aren't any bungalows in my budget. I've done my research and for the first road, out of a road of 150 houses, 30 are rented - a high proportion isn't it. There was a fire in one of the terraces last summer due to a smoker, that's scared me too. Can only go and look!

Enjoy your evening

whiff, hugs and keep on with that chin up positive attitude, a true northern woman making the best of life

Thank goodness for me having a natural positive nature, always have done, all my life, in spite of extreme hardships when a child. So I get filthy gardening in the wet soil, so my nails get dirty and my mud-spattered clothes need washing again and my hair is wet and straggly under a small perky black rainhat. So what that someone comes to see a neighbour,such a glamorous woman visitor, older than me, perfectly groomed with long coloured nails, who has never been dishevelled. Its so nice to be comfy in myself, I don`t care. My roses are beautiful, all she commented on were a couple of weeds, while I quietly smiled to myself at what she was missing

Not a single bit of crafting done yesterday, life was too full, doing earthy things like baking and gardening between showers. I have a bubble in my vinyl en suite floor, I will try and mend that today, prick it with a needle. then a hot iron on a towel and weigh it down with a pile of books

Nothing wrong with many renters but 30 is a high number, 20%. Ok if the renters next door are long term and quiet, sometimes short term renters, could be noisy. The only trouble we had in one complex were from 2 sets of renters, garbage, noise etc. Always of course these days, multi occupancy too

Are you sure that area is right for you shandy? I would not consider living in a long row, when I could afford a bungalow somewhere else. Older terraces do not have a dividing fireproof wall in the loft, between houses, dangerous in many ways. There was a fire last year, in my county, when a fire in one house ripped through several lofts, I think it was on christmas eve and families were homeless

Shandy57 I agree with Craftyone . You need to really be looking in cheaper areas. I know you say you don't want to live in the north. But did you look at the areas I suggested up here. It is not in the back of beyond. It's easy to go anywhere from here by train or motorway. And more importantly your money will buy exactly what you want. You do not want to buy something just because it's the only thing you can afford and then hate it. Cost of living has got to be a high factor. Can you really afford the prices you will have to pay.

I know since living here apart from council tax all my bills are cheaper. You would find all the things you want beaches, friendship, voluntary organisations you could join.

Unfortunately I think you are going to be disappointed by what you view. I hope I am wrong .

I am in agreement with both comments to Shandy. It is bad enough when we are much younger to have to purchase property which may not be what we actually waned, but because we can afford it. In our later years, we are not tied to certain areas due to work, school, etc.
A house instead of a bungalow - could become an expensive mistake within very few years. Maintenance etc. will be that much more costly year on year - and although you are comparatively young now, it is quite surprising how sometime in your seventies, stairs, which have always been fine and easy - suddenly become a problem.
I can understand your wish to get into the warmer South of England, but you have been shown on here, several places in the south, near to beaches, which are that much cheaper for property.
You really must think very, very carefully - the cost of moving is so great, it is not really an option to repeat.
With the 'end of summer' weather, my thoughts are now turning towards getting spring bulbs planted in pots (next month) on my balcony. I surprised myself how much I missed being able to see these from indoors earlier this year.
Was slightly annoyed with whoever delivered my latest items from Amazon. Informed they were due to arrive yesterday - I was at home all day. When I get a ring on bell from the main entrance door from a deliverer, I buzz them into the building, telling them to leave the parcel just inside in our large lobby. No such contact was made yesterday and at 9.00pm I checked on the laptop where it said parcel had been 'left in porch'. I went downstairs - nothing in the lobby - but found, outside the main front door to the flats, this parcel just propped up against that door, underneath the buzzers!!!!
This parcel contained an oximeter - (perhaps I should not have bought this, as I am getting quite worrying readings on it!!), and a small battery screwdriver.

I'm getting quite envious of those of you beavering away in the garden in warm weather. I am getting rather impatient to get into our own hoe and being able to play around in the garden again.

Huds to you Whiff it sounds as though you need them.

Morning all, drizzly day again.

Sorry you are going through the mill Whiff, I'd missed that, big huds to you. I did send my estranged Dad a birthday card for his 88th birthday, and know that I'll never hear from him again, it's very sad. It seems my brother has asked for my mobile number in the event of his death, that will be a dreadful phone call one day in the future.

Thank you for your comments regarding houses v bungalows. Reminded me of reading the CS Lewis books thinking of open lofts! Looking at the comments on the community page for Kent, I'm not sure it's right for me any way, although I know it gives a skewed view - plus there has just been a publication predicting a lot of Kent will be under water by 2050.

Better walk my patient dog, beach walks are a bit tense with so many huge lions mane jelly fish, they are coming in thick and fast.

Enjoy your day

There we are then, a good two hours in the garden and what a good hobby that is, peaceful, only birds and going at plant pace. I think I neglected my roses at the front a bit, always dead headed but not enough water. I have tidied the 2 rose beds, used secateurs, took out more rocks, dead headed, fed with tomato fertiliser and gave them water because under the top layer was dry. More humus needed in autumn, only 2 worms seen

Picking ready veg is done. compost bins filled to busting and all tomatoes stopped and leaves thinned to let light and air in. Not worth leaving tomato flowers now, not enough weeks left and potentially not that much sun

I am in two minds about tulips this year, yes they were lovely last year but I ended up again with too many pots full. I may get violas this year instead

I haven't been able to get in the garden as it's raining. I like the dwarf tulips they seem to last longer than ordinary ones. I want to fill front and back with bulbs. All different sorts. I will have to make myself a list and get some ready to plant out next month. Something to look forward to in the spring.

Made a Quorn mince lasagne which will last me 6 dinners. Could job I made a fresh batch of soup yesterday. But then again I have been having soup for lunch even though it was 26° in my living room. Salad or sandwich wouldn't satisfy me.

Thanks for the huds.

Craftyone - are older terraces really a high fire risk? I have spent my life living in Victoria/Edwardian terraces until my recent move and the insurance is higher here in a smaller semi than a larger terrace. I've never known a fire anywhere near me.

I have ordered winter and spring colour. Early harvest tulips and viola sorbet, all from parkers. Delivery september

Grandmamoira, depends on fire insulation in a terrace. It happened in my county as I said, christmas eve last year, fire can rip through conjoined lofts. Even with a wall of some sort dividing lofts, unless protected from fire.
forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1492675/terraced-house-with-a-shared-loft-space

Craftyone, roses are pretty resilient. At our old place we had some roses against the house. The bed they were in was about 8" wide and the soil below fell away under the house. They got water both from rain and us watering the garden very occasionally fort he majority of the year. After several years we built a veranda across the front of the house and paved right around the beds with the roses. They were covered by the veranda which was 2 meters deep. They got no natural rain and we hardly ever gave them water, only received early morning dappled sun. There were 6 bushes and we always had flowers on some of them. They did get pruned twice a year and fed and pests removed but other than that the care was minimal.

Talking about house fires. When I was in my front garden yesterday. I was talking to one of my neighbours. A friend of hers had friends visiting from the south somewhere. Whilst up here there house burnt to the ground . The cause was a Glis Glis an edible dormouse. It had gotten into the loft and chewed through electrical cables and set the house on fire. They lost everything. They will have it rebuilt but without a loft. They are a protected species.

Craftyone - that's interesting. I've never come across that before. I've mostly lived in fairly large Edwardian villas and they are not built like that.
Near where I used to live there are "half houses" which are small Edwardian terraces with shared entrance hall. They could have that issue. They often share floorboards and only have one layer of bricks between the houses. They are also very expensive and I think are overpriced.