Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

Whiff, I quite agree with you about being careful. I'm sure most of us here feel the same. I am in an area of lower infection but it is going up all the time. Stay safe everyone.

Perhaps if the 'rules' had not kept being so different and ever-changing, more people might be willing to follow them strictly. What is the 'rule' one week becomes the opposite the next one. Stay at home, do not mix, eat out as often as possible, go to the pub, use public transport, get back to work, do not go out, do not use public transport, work from home. AND....none of these rules, whatever they are, apply to government members themselves!!!

It started to wrong in the eyes and minds of the public when Cummings did his eye test trip.

Whiff, you and others should live their lives the way they feel comfortable with. That is what matters.......that is how we all should.

Your g.son sounds to be a bundle of fun and energy. It is lovely that you are able to spend so much time with him, both for you and for him. He will exhaust you, but in such a wonderful manner. Lovely memories being built. In another ten years, as he enters teenage, you will remember slightly wistfully, this time.

My son in Cheshire has now invited me there for Xmas - assuming they are, then, permitted to have visitors from other households.. A very safe household for me to go to just the two of them, both work from home. Lovely, detached house situated at the end of a cul-de-sac which is surrounded by the Woodland Trust. I had suggested for me to go there, back in the Spring, but they then told me that they were hoping to get to see his wives family in USA then, so I made other arrangements - my usual Christmas arrangements - with my daughtet and family in WsM.
Have now to word an email very carefully thanking them but saying not possible. I have not spent a Christmas day with them for about 15 years and it would have been nice - but hopefully (if I live long enough) a future Christmas day.

The announcements that GCSE's and A levels will be put back by three weeks, has thrown any provisional plans I had for my 80th birthday celebrations completely into disarray. Not that it is very important in the bigger scheme of things, Decided that I will not even think more about that until very much closer to the time. Do hope that it has been factored still to get the results out at the same dates in August. I have three g.children involved in those next summer.

Lovely day again here, off to start looking at flooring. Ellianne - I did love my wonderful Amtico 'parquet' flooring, but do not I am willing to go that sort of cost again now. But who knows, what I will end up with, - have vague ideas what I want, and more definite ideas as to how much I want to spend. So we will see.

It is important for me to use a local, smallish supplier/fitter, not one of the large national ones. My constantly nagging worries about the economic future is something I am finding it very hard to cope with. Hate to see increasing number of empty premises in the High Street.

As I sit in my living room I look out of the trees in the main road, turning a wonderful, gorgeous russet colour - which matches the (faux) autumn leaves and plants I have on my balcony. This view and the fact that I can sit here is such comfort continues to remind me how very fortunate I am to have made my move in less surreal times.

Keep well everybody, and keep in touch

Ooo Franbern you made my heart sad when you told Whiff to make the most of her GS before his teenage years. My GD is 9 now but already the laptop and chatting to friends commands her time. They grow up too fast, but we did all have a great time at the donkey sanctuary on Sunday afternoon discussing donkey habits!
Also that word "russet" needed some explanation to the younger ones. It almost sounds like crunching leaves, isn't that onomatopoeia or something?
My new bathroom has an autumnal theme with burnt orange and reds!
I'm definitely staying local now. We had almost zero cases but the return to uni has pushed Exeter way up the top, in fact I was surprised we are still on tier one.

PS Franbern was that chocolate Jewish bread on Bake Off what you make? Do you have a recipe?

I will enjoy my grandson no matter what age he is. Hopefully I will live to see him reach 21. I am doing my best to keep healthy and don't believe in taking unnecessary risks health wise . Find out next week about my heart but expect to be discharged into my GPs care.

Spent the last 3 hours tidying my garage . Decided to get a skip as there is so much rubbish. Would take several trips to the skip.
Most likely have a nap this after afternoon as I am tired but pleased with the results of my hard work.
At least the sun is out today.

Challah bread, Ellianne, (not Chocolate). Although must admit now I am in the throes of my diet, the idea of chocolate bread sounds gorgeous. Lots of recipes on line, I use the very simple Jamie Oliver one. It is a plaited loaf, and I would suggest you ignore the rather complicated four piece plaiting this shows, stick to normal 3 strand plaiting, -works just as well.

It is quite simple to try, I use my dough hook in my Kenwood for the mixing. Note: I do not have a full size oven, I use half the amount, and that makes two nice loaves which cook in my convector microwave.

I think I have found my flooring. a Karndean one - golden oak, to match my units, etc, with a light coloured border all around. Fitter arranged to come to do proper survey in a few weeks time, although I have said I do not want the job carried out this year. Something to look forward to in 2021.

Where was the donkey Sanctuary? - I am start collecting ideas on places to visit next Spring/Summer (hopefully).

My very youngest g.child is now turned 8 yrs of age, three others are 10 going on 11 yrs. The remainder in their teens. My eldest, now at Southampton Uni is leading very quiet and sedate life . He is autistic and not much into social gatherings of any sort. He is in halls with six other lads, halls designated as non-alcoholic and quiet. Finally, last weekend he met all the other six as he invited them to share in his home-cooked Macaroni cheese. They were all very happy so to do, particularly the one who seems only to have previously had shop sandwiches, and another whose main food was pot noodles. The only time my g.son has left his halls has been for an occasional trip to a small supermarket. At present all his lectures have been on-line, although he is expecting to be able to get to a lab based one soon. So, do not think he is in part of any problems being blamed on students. He keeps in touch with his parents via computer, most days showing what he has cooked for his tea. His Mum is still hoping to be able to visit him at half-term - but who knows if that will be able to take place.

I heard from my sister regarding her dd with clots after covid. Has been left with a large clot in her leg and will need medication for weeks. She is 42. The medics were telling her about the large number of teenagers who have come in, also for post covid clotting problems. These clots can easily break away and kill them. These same teenagers that are grabbing freedom, only building up potential lifelong health problems. We older ones should lead by example

Thanks for that crafty. I have a little GS with ITP which is to do with the platelets not clotting properly. Strangely enough it came on after one of his vaccines. He is no way near teenage years, but still need to be vigilant.

Franburn
I had my suspicions as to how confident they were with their predictions when Niel Ferguson ( he who said we must lock down the whole country or 500,000 people are going to die) then proceeded to invite his married lover over for some afternoon entertainment.
I don't think I've ever been more incensed ? knowing that my elderly neighbours were suffering mentally.
I said then: you can all go and f&@k yourself with your rules.

no-one would need rules if we all behaved out of consideration for others, our families and ourselves. There are far too many who could not care less about any-one else

Hi Ellianne, I am just catching up on Bake Off and now know to what you were referring with Chocolate bread. TBH, I have never heard or eaten babka - so have no idea what it is. There are very many different aspects to what is lumped together as 'Jewish cookery'. Eastern European and Northern European can be very different, even when they may have the same name.
Interestingly, my eldest daughter (who will be 50 tomorrow) developed ITP when she was in her very late teens. Took a while to get it diagnosed as she had left home in a huff and also dropped out of education. So, even when she did go to her GP her symptoms were put down to 'depression'. Only after I brought her back home and made a bit of a fuss did blood tests and proper diagnosis made. By then she was pretty unwell. All treatment with steroids, etc. failed and she finally had to have her spleen removed. No-one was sure how ITP was caused, just another of those strange auto-immune illnesses.

Thanks Franbern there was nothing in my Paul Hollywood bread books but I think I've found it online. It looks like the brioche we used to eat in France but that had nutella in it.
Their chocolate brownies last night were all too complicated instead of concentrating on the insides.
A brilliant doctor at Whipps diagnosed ITP almost straightaway after ruling out leukaemia. Poor little boy was covered in bruises and not allowed to join in games at nursery or fly abroad.

Oh yes, I can remember those bruises and little round circles of spot type things. Whilst waiting for her operation I was told not to let her out of my sight, even at night as a spontaneous bleed could start at any time, she was even told to be extremely careful when cleaning her teeth.
We were told at the time the ITP usually effect older people, or young children (like your g.son), her age group was unusual. I do not think they do spleenectomies for this these days, as they can now control it better with medication.
I can remember being in Whipps X hospital with her and listening to the two department doctors discussing her op. Haemotology were concerned about her bleeding out on the table, whereas surgical felt it was necessary to get the operation done asap. As this was only less than a year after I had been seriously ill there, in ITU following surgery, and less than six months since my Dad had died there - it was a very frightening time for me.
She refused to go onto daily low level anti-biotics as was the recommendation for anyone with a spleenectomy - and is extremely fit and healthy now. This year she has started taken those ab's in light of Corona.
In many way, that ITP was a life changing thing for her -as she had left home, in rebellion prior that, left school, worked in a supermarket. Back with me during that time, I paid for her take external A Levels, and whilst convalescing she went on to get the job in the NHS which started her on the long, but highly successful road, of her high flying career now.

Weeded the front and back gardens . All ready for winter now. Spoke to my neighbour the other side of my fence at the bottom of the garden and asked if I could cut part of a branch off his tree. Explained I was having a green house . He said no problem he would do it. He did and it fell in my garden so I was going to cut it up and put into my green bin. But he insisted I pass it over as he was going to the tip. I couldn't have moved to a nicer area.

As expected my cardiologist appointment has been cancelled. But it was nice they phoned me. Will get an new appointment when things get better.

Had a lovely time with my daughter and grandson this afternoon.

Having a skip on Monday so I can get rid of the rubbish in the garage and finally get it as I want.

Have a good evening everyone.

Blimey, I just saw some brand new homes on the net and noticed that they were leasehold!!!! with a life of 999 years. How primitive is that, new build leasehold. Beware if buying new build, check the tenure. Leasehold gives a regular income to the developer.

summer holiday is on tv this evening, a nice bit of light relief to lift the spirits

Visiti to Tesco this morning to purchase two more of their sweety tins . I now have plenty of chocs and sweets for the coming festive season. I have always found that I tend to purchase more chocolates, etc when I am on diet, a sort of compensation for being able to eat them.

I am still waiting for my flooring sample to arrive - do not intend to have this work done until, hopefully, next February, but getting quite excited about it now. Will put the final stamp of 'ME' on the flat.

My flat is leasehold (999 years from 1985), BUT some years ago, this was evidently purchased for each flat, (have a certificate for it), so we have land rent to pay. Do wonder if leasehold has any responsibilities for the land owners, or is just about them collecting rents. Just thinking with so many new-builds being built in places they should not be.

Hope everybody is keeping well, and leading as normal a life as they can. Am I the only person who has not yet found the need to put on central heating?

Did not proof read - meant 'compesation for NOT being able to eat them'.

Can't say I understand how leasehold works as we only ever brought freehold.

Wanted a nice mug for my sister in law for Christmas with 2 handles . All the ones on disabled sites were ugly. Finally got one on Etsy. After contacting sites on not on the high street and eBay. Why do they think people with disabilities want ugly things is beyond me. Disability doesn't mean lack of taste. Especially as there are a lot of disabled young people. There is a gap in the market somewhere. Rant over.

Having a lazy day today. Garden winter ready. Bungalow clean. So reading, cross stitching and TV that only goes on at lunchtime. Listen to classic FM from when I wake up to them.
Have a good day.

Glad everyone is well and being productive. Lazy days are not allowed here with two big energetic dogs, so it's back into the hills again this morning. We are still very green down this way as in the photo I took yesterday.
I need some advice from you all on flooring later. I'll get some pictures in a bit.
Are you still able to see your grandson Whiff? Mine are all at school in the daytime and I can't wait for weekends. Luckily we are in Tier 1 and despite the figures, Exeter Uni has really got on top of things, even suspending students who break the rules and sending them home.

Of course I meant that I do NOT pay any land rental.
This flat is the first time I have ever had anything to do with leasehold, and did not even know that each flat owner had their own purchased bit of that until several weeks AFTER I had moved in, when someone from the Residents Cttee came to give me my certificate. My Solicitor had failed to tell me this rather important piece of information.

I have a weekend in front of me with nothing particularly to do, suppose I could use sometime doing some exercise!!! My daughter is with her older sister who is celebrating her 50th birthday. How can I possibly be old enough now to have two children in their fifties? (My son reached his last year). And, it is not as if I had my children whilst I was particularly young!

Ellianne, ask away with any queries re flooring - sure someone can assist and will be interesting. Have decided on the latter., not only looks nicer, but so much easier to keep really clean. Will keep carpet in bedrooms, though.
Loved my beautiful parquet type Amtico flooring in my through lounge at my house, it looked like it had just been put down when I sold the house - it was then some 14 years old. Only thing to be at all careful about is any large amount of fluid on it, needs mopping up quickly.

The only real problem is the total upheaval in having this laid (would apply even if just re-carpeting). Have been told it will take two or three days in all.

Ellianne I am still able to see my daughter, son in law and grandson as they are my bubble and me theirs. I can go there and them here. It was awful back in March and we had to been 2m apart . It's so much better as we can hug and kiss. We are all very careful about taking all the precautions.

Mind you my daughter said some people are over the top. They where in a large park on a wide path and a couple both wearing masks where coming the other way and seeing my daughter and a little boy who was running ahead moved into a bush so as they would not get anywhere near then. This isn't an isolated occurrence it happened the week before a woman walked into a tree getting away from them. Don't know what the woman's dog thought she was doing. My daughter had to laugh as the dog looked as if it said Doh !.

Elliane, I'm surprised you are still in Tier 1. I don't understand how they make the decisions on who goes into Tier 2. Where I live we have below national average infection figures but we're in Tier 2. I think any restrictions should be nationwide.
I know there is plenty to do indoors but I'm not looking forward to a winter with no social life at all and not being able to go anywhere. Summer lockdown meant walks in the woods and gardening but not now.

GrandmaMoira, I feel concern as you do about the winter months stretching in front of us with no real social contact. I do have a bubble with my daughter and her family - but they are all busy, so I do not like to inflict myself on them too often. During lockdown, my daughter was working from home, so we did manage to have an hour together in the park on along the promenade, most days - but that is not the case now. She comes to me for a couple of hours once a week for her tea, and I go to them for a couple of hours occasionally on weekends, but that is all. I am afraid that zoom meet-ups do not really cut it for me.

Most of the South West is below national average, so I think that is why we are staying in Tier 1 - another new term we are learning. Doubtless, as we start understanding the rules, they will change. So many knee jerk reactions from Government!!

Whiff, yes there are so many people who are now scared if they even SEE someone else. It is very sad and just emphasises how damaged mental health is now. There is just one resident in my flats, who virtually scurries to the other end of the foyer (about ten metres away, if she happens to SEE anyone else in that foyer. She wears her mask at all times, (I would even guess, probably, when she is in her own flat!!!). She has been like this since March, even through the summer months.

Afternoon everyone, great to catch up on your news.

My news isn't great. I've been all over the place viewing local places and today I've just offered full asking price on a very lovely bungalow. However it is just 'on the table as the vendor wants to continue with the viewings booked in for this weekend.

Unfortunately I think I shot myself in the foot, I mentioned that my tenancy ends here early February, she looked alarmed and I wonder if she speculates that I will be pressurising her to complete. The EA said I should know by Monday afternoon.