Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

Holidays have never been important to me. In the past ten years these have always been a few day visits to children. Do not like being away from my own home for more than 4 or 5 days at the time.
So that is something which does not worry me at all.

Daughter and SiL popped over, and checked my blue badge application. SiL was surprised, as when he did his last one a couple of years ago, it will still the three or four page paper form. That no longer exists, and this on-line one (the only one accepted) goes on and on.
Also note that has to have either driving licence or passport (picture) as prove of ID. There are very many people who do not have either of these. This form is a government one, being sent out to be used by all local authorities. So, any of you who have a blue badge, be prepared when it comes to renewing it.
If you in receipt of Higher Level Disability then it is quite straight forward. I am in receipt of Higher Level Attendance Allowance, but that is not one specified.

Our libraries here never fully opened, and, of course, will now fully close again on Thursday.

Whilst here, my daughter took down a large back of 'stuff' to local Pride charity, to which, as a family, we give our support. Glad to get rid of that bag from my garage. Much could be sold on their Car Boot stall held every Sunday -but that will (presumably) not be permitted for the next four weeks.

Thank you, Franbern, for the warning about the Blue Badge renewal form - I think DH has another year to go, but it is always best to be forearmed.

Like you, I am not a great holiday fan, though I realise it is over two years since we went away even for a night, and I would relish someone else producing the odd meal. Not going to happen, though.

Made me shiver reading about you doing your form on-line Franbern. I had to do our Visa application for India on line and knew it was complex, plus I was being timed. I also had to take our photographs and 'size' them correctly or the application would have been refused. I googled everywhere for help and info, to make sure I was really prepared.

When I finally got down to it the form had 'family name', as well as last name, so I put our surname in both boxes.

When the time was up I checked everything and was sure I'd done it correctly before submitting. I remember I was so shaky!

You can imagine my horror when the confirming Visa email arrived - pretend my surname is Smith - saying Mr Fred Smith Smith and Mrs Freda Smith Smith! Frantic phone calls later I was told it would be accepted! Phew!

Another vote for New Zealand from me, but then I would because my family live there. We usually do it non stop via LA, it's a case of psyching yourself up for 24 hours' flying.
Canada sounds vast, but very scenic especially the wildlife.
Shandy hope the vet can help sort your dog tomorrow. Our dogs have always started to slow down and get things wrong around that age, but they usually push on for a few more years.
Whiff that fall sounded a bit of a shock especially on top of your previous injury. Hope you have recovered ok.
craftyone glad you have nice people around of mixed ages. I'm not surprised the properties in your SW area have sold recently. Hope it doesn't become too popular!
I am never buying armchairs online again without seeing them first. They arrived today, after 3 months' waiting, but they are horrible so going back asap. I guess the odd mistake buy in a new house is to be expected, but not at the price these were!
I too need to start looking at gifts for Christmas. I have a feeling all the shops will be busy for the next few days. Take care.

It is rather nice planning for christmas right now Ellianne, its similar to watching new sprouting plants in the garden and the starling murmurations. Life goes on. This wave is going to be huge and catastrophic especially from two weeks after christmas but the third wave next year will be a lot less and the pandemic will be on finally its way out.

Sorry to see you had a fall Whiff, bet you are black and blue, glad nothing broken.

I bought a few Christmas gifts in our local shops yesterday, but have bought this on-line for my two best friends -

www.country-catalogue.co.uk/brand/the-boot-butler

Very tempted to buy myself one, perhaps an 'exchange' treat!

Shandy and Ellianne I thought I had gotten away without hurting myself. But found out yesterday morning the back of my neck was hurting. It's was eased under the hot water in the shower but couldn't have hot water on it all day. Told my daughter and she said I needed a rice sock. Had to ask what it was . Also I hadn't got any rice.
My home improvements guy came and put a coat of clear varnish on my new gate and frame . Whilst talking to him my daughter popped round she has her own keys and had brought me some rice. Also the things to go in the skip. Luckily having the skip meant the old door and frame went in as well. It's being collected today.
After he had finished the gate I left it hooked open to dry.

Decided to use cotton socks. Put one inside the other as I thought if the outside one got grubby won't have to empty the rice out just wash that one
. I sewed up the end and pop I into the microwave for 30 secs. Put it on my neck . Bliss. As it got cold reheated and applied throughout the day. Feeling better. Will be using it today. Will be keeping it safe as next time I am in a pain flare up it will be ideal to use on my arm or leg whichever hurts worse.

It rained later but the varnish had dried and the gate had beads of rain water on it. Proves it's water tight. If we have any dry days I will get a tin and give it another coat I know what he used. Will have to get my son in law to do the top of the frame as I won't be climbing up. But the rest I can reach.

Sorry you don't like your furniture Ellianne. Especially after waiting so long for it. My three piece is over 25 years old it's G plan and still remember how much it cost £1,200. My husband knew if I saw how much it was I wouldn't want it. So he hid the price tags . It's still in good condition and lovely and comfortable. It has high backs which was the fashion in those days. Both my children have ones with low back I much prefer high ones. My brother and sister in law just had a new suite but made sure they went to the shop to try them out. High backed for comfort.

All my Christmas presents are here or ordered. I will be sending quite a few parcels through the post this year as no visitors from the Midlands or Shropshire. Will start to do some wrapping this week and writing cards. I always put my tree up the first weekend in December. My grandson will be able to help more this year.

Talking of my grandson he told his mom yesterday she had nannies pjs on. When I stayed with them in June whilst shower room etc was being done I wore some m&s red checked trousers and red top pjs one week, my daughter has the same pair but in a smaller size. What a memory as he only saw them that time.

Have a good day everyone.

Just clicked on your link Shandy as hadn't got a clue what a boot butler was. What a handy gadget. Love this thread learning new things all the time.

Your life always sounds so busy and productive whiff and you have such nice happy times with your grandchild, love your stories

Nothing to do in the house or garden this week, everything is behaving and I have cleaned enough, I know that many do an autumn clean, must be to do with the forthcoming nesting

I did de-frost a very good smoked ham hock last night, I will put it to soak in cold water soon to remove excess salt and will start the 6 hour simmer this afternoon in a tall stockpot. I want good ham stock to freeze and cooked meat. It makes it very easy to make pea and ham soup, which is always a winter stalwart for me. Ever since I was married, the first sign of snow and I would prep a big pan of that soup. I use marrowfat peas, not split peas

I need to add some hygge to my living room as I am using daylight biobulbs, better for seeing and for crafting. A decent size salt lamp is on its way, I want that warm light in a corner this winter, it is pouring, dark and very windy right now, typical november

So I have ordered yet another wood carving book, christmas ornaments, somehow I have to get my mojo back, even if it is just making tree ornaments for future years. No classes, no group any more, kind of feels like no point carving when there is so much other stuff I can do. I also have the supplies for a needle felted squirrel on my dining table. It will be a bit complicated and about 20 cm and a nice orange colour. It will stay out or I might forget to make him.

We had an email from the agent we are renting through to say that our lease will not be extended when it ends on March 1st. This really puts pressure on us to find something to buy very soon. However at the same time we need to be careful that we don’t buy something that is not what we want just for the sake of buying something. From the email the owners want to move back and would really like us to leave before the lease is up. They did say they would not charge us anything if we broke the lease and left early. I know they are well within their right not to extend it but when we applied for the property one of the questions we were asked
was would we be prepared to renew the lease.

Could really do without the added pressure. It would be oh so nice for things to go in our favour.

Spice added pressure is something you don't need. You have 4 months hopefully you will find somewhere soon. I hope so.

Craftyone your life is very busy as well. I don't know where the day goes . Where I used to live there was a very good butchers and always had my ham and pork hocks from him. I find cheaper cuts of meat are the tastiest. And they go a long way. Pea and ham soup is so warming and filling. Yum.

Never tried felting but it seems very satisfying stabbing away at something.

Spice, that really does put pressure on you. But, in a way that could be a good thing. Sometimes, it becomes easier to sit tight and wait, in hopes, of the perfect property to come up, and then always find some fault with anything that you see. Now, you really need to be absolutely resolute - make a very firm list of the MUSTS - and not be so concerned about the WOULD LIKEs.
Whiff, one of my best buys some years back was an good size electric heating pad. Thermostatically controlled, so even if I fall asleep with it on, I have no worries about it. When I had that stress fracture last year, this became almost attached to me, and for months went everywhere with me - used it on trains to and from London and Somerset, in hotels, in anybody's house I visited, etc. etc.
You can also purchase microwave warming pads which sound similar to your rice pad.

I am sticking to my usual plan of not putting any Xmas decs. up until 1st December. I know there are lots of people doing them early this year - as a way of bringing some sort of light and sparkle to these dismal times - but this would not work for me. After three or four weeks that sort of tinsel and sparkle becomes very jaded, which is why I have always had (and note that all my AC follow suit even now) that ALL Xmas decs. are taken down - at the very latest - on 31st December. Detest going into a New Year with last years tinsel, etc hanging around.

I am enjoying the fact that my new role as Secretary of the Residents Association is, once again, giving me things to put into my diary - still find it strange to see so many empty pages in there.

Off shortly to do my normal weekly Supermarket shop. Hope things are reasonably normal in there, Have been some reports of stupid people panic buying over the weekend. My SiL spoke to a person in Sainsbury's yesterday who had 15 big loaves of white bread in their trolley and another one with 13 large packs of pork chops to ask what they were doing - and was told they would just be going into their freezers. WHY???? Supermarkets will remain open as normal.. Such a selfish attitude also. Very much 'I'm alright Jack'!!!!

I have debated as to whether or not to have my hair trimmed before Thursday - decided not to, it is still quite nice and short, would probably not have had it done until about end of November, so will wait until the hairdressers can open again before Xmas. Can always go back to doing (as I did earlier this year) in giving it my own self-inflicted trim (chop).
As I enter my second year in the flat, I am fully appreciating how happy and settled I am here. Still am not needing to put on the CH - although forecast is for it getting chillier later this week. So far, this Autumn, think I have had that on for a total of about eight hours!!!!!
Have finally got through my appointment at the hospital for MRI on my head. Assume this will still go ahead in three weeks time, but need to phone them. I am very, very claustrophobic and the last time I had an MRI I needed a pill from the GP to get me through it and then they insisted I had to be there to take that pill, at the clinic an hour earlier so they could keep an eye on me. The letter this time says I need to arrive 15 minutes before the appointment and no earlier (so not to have too may people sitting around). So do need to ask them. I will need to take a taxi to and from the hospital for this.
Hope everyone has a good week.

Morning all, great to read your news.

Sorry you have had that news Spice101, fingers crossed something comes up in the nick of time for you.

Let us know what the hospital say Franbern, I'm sure a lot of people need to do the same.

I've just popped in to say my surveyor has written and can do the survey end of this week/beginning of next depending on the vendor. Fingers crossed!

Enjoy your day

oh spice, that is an absolute bummer. If you like an area very much perhaps try putting flyers through the doors. There must be people sitting tight who would go out to rental if they could sell soon

I hope all goes well at the hospital franbern and shandy, excellent news about the surveyor appointment so soon. I think his report will settle you one way or another

Franbern know how you feel about the MRI scanner. Last one I had was in a mobile unit and it's sealed off at the end not like the hospital ones which are open ended. I had to been in for almost a hour as they did my brain and spine. Did the breathing exercises I remembered from ante natal classes and stayed perfectly still that way it wouldn't take any longer than necessary. When I was fully in there was a bit of paint missing inside so I concentrated on that. And when I could see a bit out focused on the exit sign.

Glad your survey will soon be done Shandy. At least it will put your mind at rest. How is your dog today?

Had a letter on Saturday to book my mammogram. Phoned this morning having it done next Monday. The health care up here is amazing.

Could not believe Sainsbury's. As soon as I drove into the car park, knew it was going to be busy. WHY???? and would someone explain to me why their is the panic buying of loo rolls again? Just does not make any sense. Just that people are like sheep - if someone else is buying a lot of something, then so should we - so stupid!

Only a couple of things from my Alexa list I could not get, but none that will cause me any problems. I normally keep a good store cupboard and my main important purchases on a weekly basis are the fresh fruit and veg and salad - and there was no panic buying or shortage on any of these!!!

Not helped as this branch is still in the throes of totally re-organising their aisles, and making more aisles, so many what were wide ones are now narrow ones.

I expect it all to be back to normal next Monday.

Phoned the hospital and explained I need to take a Diazapan tab. As I have used these before without any bad reactions, so still to come just 15 minutes before my appointment. It is my daughter's birthday that day - obviously restaurant meal that evening is now cancelled and will be a take-a-way -which will suit me as I will still be very 'hung over' that evening.

It was having an MRI about 15 years ago that I discovered how very claustrophobic I am. That time, they had not finished sliding me into the machine when I was pressing the panic button!!! Would not dare to open my eyes whilst I am inside the machine even with a sedative Have desperately to try to ignore how closed in I am. My OT daughter gave me all sorts of breathing exercises which did just about get me through a short MRI, but as they told me they were taking me out, I went to brush some hair on my forehead out of the way, touched the side of the machine and went into panic attack.y
My last MRI (with sedative) they put me in feet first, but will not be able to that this time as it is my head that the scan is for. So, will take sedative, shut eyes and do breathing exercises - and hope I can get through - really do need to find out why I am having these head pains (not headaches).

Oh dear Spice the pressure is well and truly on for you now. As others have said, if you have found an area you really like then a less than perfect house might be the answer. You can always re configure things.
Franbern the shops here were busy first thing, and queues at every bank machine, but by half eleven it was much quieter. Sheep is the right word. Good luck with the MRI. I will never consent to one again due to an issue with mine. PM if you like. I am not out to do scaremongering.
Good luck also with the surveyor Shandy. How is your dog today?

My monstrous disaster purchase, and I ordered two of them!

I am trying to go food shopping once a week again on a Sunday and went to Morrisons yesterday. I agree, there is definite panic buying again, people's trollies were huge. No need at all.

Thanks for asking about my dog, he's still bad and I am now wondering if he could have something wrong I'm off to get some more Pro Kolin as well as his normal meds at 3 pm. He is eating and his normal alert self, but who knows what could be happening internally.

The vet car park is very tiny so I can combine the trip with a walk by parking in Sainsbury's big car park. I always buy the vets nurses fruit so will leave him for five minutes in the car and race in for their bananas!

I've just had the bill for my survey - £570 inc VAT. Bit different to the £1300 I paid for the station! I've also paid the solicitor £370 up front, I'm recording all the 'costs'. I went onto a site called 'Shiply' to get quotes for delivering my sofa and chair to my son - from £126-£173. Hope to find a local person to do it for less.

I'm sorry your chairs weren't what you expected Ellianne. The fabric reminds me of something, I can't think what it is. I hope they are collected quickly and you can buy again.

Shandy
It's the classic Paul Smith stripes. It's everywhere. Floor coverings, shirts etc etc.

I like those chairs Ellianne. Pity I've got nowhere to put them.

Any dog that is still eating its food is usually ok Shandy.

Pittcity I like the fabric it's just they are huge and look like they should be in a hotel lounge, not in my cosy snug!

Such a pity Ellianne, having waited so long for the chairs to be disappointed with them.

Chairs, sofas and beds are things I would never consider purchasing without be able to try them out first, sit and lie on them. It does amaze me when I go onto QVC sometimes in the early hours of the mornings to see how many of these articles (none at cheap prices) are sold.

Having received my quote for the Karndean flooring which was nearly a third higher than the estimate in the shop, I have today visited another local flooring shop and they recommended that I consider Laminate flooring - still in golden oak colour - but much less money. Their fitter is coming to me in just over two weeks time and I will see what that comes out at. Do need to find out more about the difference between these.

Thanks for your comments on our situation.

I really feel as though I've been kicked in the guts. DH is saying that we simply find a new rental now and move out straight away. I'm for hanging out to buy so that we only have one move and one set of costs. The problem of course is that there has to be something to buy before you can buy it. However, if we cannot find something during the next month we most likely will have to rent again. Finding a suitable rental is not an easy task either. Sods Law says that as soon as we took a 12 month lease on a new rental our ideal property to buy would appear. I can see positives in doing this as it would most likely be a 12 month lease so we would have plenty of time to find something and also have any work done if necessary. The worst of it is that DH and I are now constantly at loggerheads about what to do. This is not what we planned but it is 2020

Craftyone your idea of letterbox dropping in an area we like is a good one and worth trying.

I feel this is really wasted time at our age, these years were supposed to be ones for us to enjoy not ones filled with stress. Had I known it was going to be this hard I would have stayed where we were and lived comfortably.