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

Don't know about you but I felt a sense of achievement doing the varnishing. Proved to myself I can do more than I think I can.

Soup all made and 6.5 lbs mango chutney.

Glad your A-Z arrived Shandy57 shouldn't get lost. Have you a list of properties you want to visit?

Morning all, sunny and windy here.

I feel for the people in Texas, how frightening, with the virus how are they going to socially distance in the few evacuation centres.

Great to read all your news. Glad you have resolved your sensitive dilemma craftyone.

I love car boot sales Franbern, I envy you. I could have car booted my bric a brac, but didn't like the thought of so many people touching it and putting it down again. There is a huge one here at an airfield, but I was put off visiting in the summer by people leaving dogs in their cars. A young girl with a pram and many children opened her car door as I was passing and her staffie fell out on the ground, I was horrified she'd left him to cook in her car.

I feel for the people who are stuck in Spain/can't go. Keep your fingers crossed Broadstairs isn't locked down again before my visit. My A-Z arrived yesterday, I feel a lot better looking on paper, I don't like moving the screen around on my laptop. I have just downloaded the Broadstairs 'trail' map, and will use it on arrival so I get a real feel for the town. I haven't found the Exmouth trail yet, only a Dinosaur one.

Enjoy your day whatever you are doing

Thanks to Whiff, I ventured out yesterday, between the rain - to local small shopping mall to purchase a small tin of varnish. That was an interesting experience. Most people in there were wearing masks , but there were a few, looking quite defiant -who were not -and none of them looked as if they had any specific reasons not to do so. (Okay I know I do not know this). They looked as if they were wanting to be challenged. People ignored them - although I think if they actually tried to go into any of the shops, they would have been asked, politely to put a mask. on What really puzzled me were the few walking around with the mask tucked under their chin. Obviously ready to comply if told, but not understanding the reason to wear it all the time. Then there was the one, elderly lady, with the mask very carefully covering her mouth but keeping her nose exposed!!!! I used my special mask with plastic covering my mouth so that people can see my lips and also when I smile at them.

Anyway got my varnish and a small brush. Came home and did those to radiator shelves. Do not know why I had not thought of this previously. These long rad shelves in light oak were very costly, and always looked dull to me. Now they have been varnished, it has brought the natural colour out and they look as I wished.

Whilst there, also purchased some cupboard paint for my bedroom. The robe that was there when I moved in is in shiny white, and the rest of my furniture is is in a sort of matt dusky cream. So, I want to paint that robe in a similar colour. Once I get my new blind and curtains in there, ready to get that room decorated. Have already got, ready to go on large area of wall, a very large decorative sticker.

Before Lockdown, each morning, with my brekkie, I would check my diary for the day. And, it was always to hand. Must get back into that habit. Twice recently I have made arrangements which clashed with something else. Once with my curtain lady - managed to sort that out quickly. And yesterday realised that I had arranged for the bathroom bossman to come to see me to finalise arrangements, on the day I will have daughter and two small g.children here and we will be out mid-afternoon. Have sent an email to him apologising.

Craftyone, I agree with what others have written. Holiday cottages are not the best places for us oldies in the winter months I never mind visiting during that time any of my children in their own houses, where I know I will have all my creature comforts. Lovely that they want you to join them, but I am sure they will understand why you feel it would not be a good idea for you to join them. Do think our children really find it hard to accept we are aging and have to limit much of our former activity.

I usually try to set up some sort of easy indoor based 'project' for January and February. This coming year it will be the decoration of my spare bedroom. Unable even to start this, in any case, until bathroom people have been as they are changing both the rad and its position in there. Then will need some tracking for wires for the on the wall television, and probably will paper the walls - as taking down many of the firmly stuck on hooks, etc has left it in not a good place just for painting. Paper will hide these faults and then I will paint it. Be a good project for this winter.

Assuming it remains dry this morning, I am off soon to meet up with daughter to trundle down to local weekly car-boot sale, etc. This is about the third week it has run, and will give me an hour or two in the outside, which I feel is always good and healthy.

Your family love you Craftyone. So they will understand. Our children forget we are getting older at times. It's because we are independent and can do the things we do. Especially you with all the hard work you have put into your garden and home.

Spent the first night on my new mattress slept for 6 hours before needing to get up and then straight back to slept . Bliss. Apart from making soup and mango chutney having a cross stitching day. The garden is to wet to weed.

Have a good day everyone.

oh thank you very much. I was deep down thinking the same thoughts, it is so good to have you confirm them. I won`t dither, I`ll get in touch today. I needed that confirmation for my peace of mind. I think they forget that I am on the last lap wrt my age

That was quite some rain yesterday afternoon. Another thing to beware of when house hunting is local flooding by run-off. Modern planners do a good job in that they specify pavers rather than tarmac, or absorbent tarmac. Also I saw plans that detailed angles for run-off, for example here, the rain washes down over pavers and swirls around to go down the channel drain

Craftyone I agree with Oopsyadaisy3 and Midgey. I would not go on holiday during the winter months. I feel the cold and like you like the comfort of my own home. They love you so they will understand or they wouldn't have asked you in the first place.

I’d say they are hoping you don’t come....in the nicest possible way! Very sweet of them to invite you but I don’t think they will argue when you say no thanks!

Just thank them very much for the wonderful invitation, but you would really prefer to be at home during the Winter months and that you would certainly cramp their style, because you would want to stay indoors in the warm!
Then tell them that you hope they have an amazing time and will they take lots of photos for you to see when they return.
Then hope they don’t invite you again in the Summer!

advice needed, on how to gently word a refusal. DD and DS and their spouses and 10 and 12 year old children are going to a large chalet in Bala n Wales in february and have asked me to go, I see whatsapp, they say how much they would love me there etc. I lived in n wales and have been to that area many times when I was a student. It is isolated, wet and cold and they will be wanting to go walking etc. Those days are well and truly over for me, when I used to enjoy long walks up snowdon

Several reasons, first one is my age, I will be 73 and do now molly coddle myself all through winter, forget covid for now but no way do I want to risk catching flu on holiday away from creature comforts and in such a remore area. They always see me as well and fit but I know my limits and do not want to push myself to go on holiday self catering in february. A 4 hour drive and I always need a loo close by too

So I must bite the bullet and tell them a definite no. One has offered to have me in their very full car but that is not the point. I want to be at home, hibernating and keeping myself well. The other is going there from scotland

I have only ever had a bad chesty cough twice and they take ages to get rid of, colds easily turn to sinusitis. Help!! what can I say that will make them easily appreciate that I really will not go

I can see them all taking mountain bikes, I don`t want to be a spoil sport either

Hey thank you everyone, I went back to my bill - I send a photo and they read it - now I've found my glasses it's actually MINUS 801 silly me. Looks like the last person read it wrong, I think I said I had a bill of £149 for April-June which I paid. I've now been credited £110, so my bill was £70, which is still a lot. Honestly, if they can't read the figures what chance do I stand!! Ha ha at least I've unplugged my tooth brush charger

New mattress on and with the help of my grandson all made. Waterproof/dust proof cover on the spare bed mattress also with his help. I watched him while his parents popped out for a bit. By the time they got back my bungalow was covered in wool. Had 2 large balls with the cushion cover I am still making. He had a lovely time. Old mattress all wrapped up in plastic ready for the council next month. Made a video to send to my brother and sister in law to see the finished bungalow for this year. Only living room and hall to decorate next year.

Hope everyone is having a restful day.

checked my last bill which covered three months 6th Feb to 7th May - all my appliances kept plugged in all the time. TV on standby all day, etc.

In that three month period I used 403 kWh.

There is no way Shandy, you can be using 800 units. How are your charges/ COuld be you are making an error in your readings.

4 bed detached, lots of appliances and lots plugged in all the time, charging. Total for last july was 160 units

Do make sure that you are reading the correct units ie kwh. It does sound as though maybe the decimal point is in the wrong place in your reading. Ask octopus to send a meter reader out

Thanks so much. Luckily the electricity people are coming to do the electrics on Monday, how an earth am I using 700+ more watts than everyone else? I always switch lights off but I'm not so good at leaving things on standby, I'll unplug my toothbrush charger now

Also electric toothbrush, always plugged in and charging when not in use.

Shandy57 my electric readings for June 75.67 watts= £17.55 July so far 129.87 watts = £27.60. Took them off the smart meter. I have a combi boiler for water and shower. Used my dryer a few times this month . The gas boiler is the only thing I have gas. Even run my radio on electricity. I'm with Npower. They were the cheapest for me

Forgot dishwasher (although only used occasionally, when I have visitors for a meal), also electric can opener. Shandy, I assume you charge your kindle at home - with electricity!!

Do not know my monthly usage, but know that I have a lot of leccie things. In my kitchen, there are electric mixer, hot water machine, microwave, the whizzer for soups, and scrambled eggs, etc. Have an electric hob, toaster, electric grill, fridge, freezer. egg boiler. (Phew!! No wonder one of the first things I had done here, was extra points in kitchen!!).

Then there is also my tumble dryer, my laptop is plugged in to electricity, and my mobile phone is charged. Alexa and radio, my Humax, and my DVD also use leccie, hall light, bathroom light, it is amazing how much we now rely on this utility, Even my garage door is run via electricity, as is the charging for my mobility scooter, Even such things as WiFi and landline and my printer are all plugged into electricity sockets.

Shandy, do go round each room with care and take note of ALL the many things that are using Electricity. Do not think that a lamp going on every so often on your outside light will be using more than a pennies each time. Lights are not very heavy users of electricity, particularly if you have the modern low usage bulbs in them

I do use very little gas, in the summer months just for hot water, and in the winter for that and central heating.

My total bills work out at about £800. per year.

Shandy I went to look for my meter readings for this time last year, I was then with Coop Energy which has now merged with Octopus. My circumstances are very similar to you re the use of electricity.
My readings for 2019 are
June 131 units
July 145 "
Aug 91 "
I would get on to your energy company ASAP for someone to come to check the meter. It is very daunting I know, but that is the only thing you can do.

PS forgot the kettle, microwave and oven use.

Morning all, another odd summer day here.

Great to read all your news.

I'm glad your bedroom is as you want it now Whiff. Great news for your daughter Franbern, fingers crossed my daughter is able to get a job soon.

I took all my bric a brac to the charity shop yesterday. I had thought of selling it, but much of it was bulky/heavy and difficult to post so I let it all go.

Would anyone mind sharing their 2 bed house monthly electricity bill please? I've just done my reading for Octopus this month and had used 801 units. I only have the tv on, and one light (overhead - five bulbs, unfortunately), plus a shower each day. I use the washing machine once a week, and haven't had the central heating on at all this month. When I go to bed I have the bedside light on for a short time, then read on my kindle. I'm wondering if the outside security light is using a lot during the night, if animals are passing.

Enjoy your day

Enjoy your new room Whiff!

I brought a cordless screwdriver a while ago. It made putting the flat pack easier. To wet today to have a go at the bench. My daughter and son in law putting my new mattress on my bed and bagging the old one ready for the council collection next month today.

Lovely to her your daughter is so in demand. At least she has her new job to look forward to in September.

Not much to do today. Put my new bedding on the bed today and my bedroom will have its complete new look.

Well done on your DIY Whiff. Made me think re that varnish. I purchased two wooden radiator covers for my living room rads, when I first moved here. Think they would be much better if varnished. You have spurred me on to do this now. With flatpacks, the thing to do is take it slowly. First of all, really carefully check and tick off allthe parts and fixings before you do anything else. Read through the instructions a couple of times. Ensure you really know which part is which (even use stick o notes to mark them. Know which is up and down and back and front of each piece. If you do it this was (the female way), then you will find you really cannot go wrong. A cordless electric screwdriver can be of great help.

My aughter says jobs and like buses. Having accepted a job (and she is very happy about that one), yesterday in the post she received a contract for a different one for which she had attended an interview early this week - but they had not even bothered to phone her, just sent this contract. Had they phoned she would have been able to tell them that she was no longer interested.

Wet this morning. But supposed to dry up later today. Need to start preparing menus for very busy week next week.

You`re a goodun whiff, wd

It has been very quiet today, both neighbours away for a few days, oops I have greenhouse watering to do