Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

We've just had the first ever 'grass fire' I've heard of here in twenty odd years, along the banks of the river. We had a barn fire nearby about ten years ago, but that was suspected arson.

Luckily not farmland so no livestock in danger, but it was a big enough fire for the council to announce it, many fire engines were there.

And I've learnt a lesson - I popped out for five minutes leaving the back patio doors open. When I returned, my always unlocked side gate was open - and I feel very lucky my dog is still here. Buying a big bolt tomorrow, I know people jump gates but at least I can make it harder.

I had a wonderful day yesterday in North London - and we were very lucky that we had no rain, even though only a very few miles to the East (where I used to live) there was flooding.

My niece (my brothers eldest child) had one of her family meet-ups. Her two siblings, their children and their children's children. My daughter here drove me there - last time I saw her was two years ago - sadly her hubbie was a covid victim back in last April.

So good seeing all that side of the family again - my brother was so foolish in his actions when he abandoned his wife and children. Lovely family photo in the garden to keep for the future. My nephew is off to live in Israel in a few days time with his Israeli wife and their two gorgeous teenage sons - her Mum is not well and she wants to go out there to look after her. My nephew is looking more and more like his Dad (my brother) as he gets older - happily not acting like him.

Family is SO important - I know what they say about choosing your friends, etc. but there is something about family that is very important (at least to me).

How nice you saw them all Franbern - and so terribly sorry to read your niece's husband died from Covid.

I'm supposed to be at the garage this morning but my dog was up again with an upset stomach in the night.

I can't wait for this heatwave to pass.

Just had a look at the London flooding - Walthamstow was really bad, Steve used to work there. Amazed at the driver's speeding through the water.

When I came back yesterday my side gate was wide open.

I had contacted a DIY person about putting a bolt/lock on, but he's stopped doing it, he's concentrating on gardening and I got distracted from getting this job done. It scared me the gate had been opened and left by some wandering person, so I got a bolt this morning. Unfortunately screws are too small for my electric screwdriver. Put all the screws and fittings in a bowl, went out with everything I needed and put first screw in - it flicked off and went down the drain Ha ha I'm having a coffee, will go back in a minute.

Hope you succeeded with your DIY now Shandy!
Good to hear about your lovely family gathering Franbern.

I have midgey, but I've got a sore blister on my palm, feeling sorry for myself!

I realised the pressure was injuring my hand and wrapped a tea towel around the end of the screwdriver, but too late. Should have worn gloves. Screws were rubbish as the heads were disintegrating as I worked, I had to get the ladder and be at eye level rather than work from the ground. Gate is poorly made and the only place where the gate meets the wall post is at the top, so I just have one bolt at the top, secured with a padlock, but it's better than nothing

I've cleared an area of stacked pictures in my bedroom and have only just realised the seller has put a piece of carpet over the water stain she told me about from overwatering her plant - it's horribly brown. It isn't the guttering or damp as it's only the carpet, where the houses are attached. I'll be replacing the carpets one day, but it's funny I had looked and couldn't find the stain when I moved in!

I joined this thread March 2019 after my second sale fell through and didn't know which way to turn. Craftyone started and Spice has kept it going. This thread saved my sanity and found I wasn't alone. This was my first move on my own. Last time I moved house was in 1985 with my late husband.

Luckily each the my sale fell through the executors of the late owners estate was willing to sell me the bungalow which I am grateful for. I had set my heart on it. I have never been a I want person even as a child. But I wanted this bungalow to be my last home.

Finally completed on 9th August 2019 and got the keys on the 10th. I had moved 112 miles to Crosby. Best thing I could have done. I love my bungalow and my neighbours are wonderful. Even got a free bus/ local train pass . You get them here men and women at 60. Would have had to be 66 in the Midlands and that was only for the bus.

Today I finally had the last thing that wanted doing on my bungalow. Had new windows put in the 2 bedrooms.
Since I moved in I have had
New garage roof,up and over door,side door and window.
New chimney and hard hinged plastic put under the end of my tiles into the gutter. As I have had both mice and a Squirrel in my loft.
Whole bungalow and garage repointed and clear weather shield painted on the bricks and mortar.
New garden gate .
New paving with soak ways put in the front and back garden.
Stripped out all the old planting and completely replant. Even got a greenhouse. Growing my own veg for the first time. So far harvested french beans, courgettes and strawberries.
Lights fitted by front and back doors.
Old loft insulation removed and new put down. Loft hatch moved from shower room into my bedroom and loft ladder fitted. But nothing is ever going to be put up there.
New ceiling in the kitchen and new kitchen.
New front door and side panel.
New ceiling and new shower room. Fully tiled walls and floor.
New ceiling and walls replastered in my bedroom.
Karndean flooring in kitchen and hall.
Carpeted living room and bedrooms.
Completely decorated .
New lights fitted.
And I think that's it.

Was it worth all the money and mess. You bet it is. I have surprised myself. I have chosen colours I would never thought I would like. But I looked at everything with an open mind.

Was moving worth all the let's downs and stress. Yes. It's not all been playing sailing. Health problems, Covid and my son decided he no longer wants a mother.

But I wouldn't live any where else. I love my new life. I got my identity back. My postman knocked on my door and introduced himself. I had lived my whole life in the West Midlands that never happened.

I joined a craft group , sit fit class and U3A where I made a friend but all closed due to Covid. But started new exercise class 4 weeks ago. Have been in touch and seen my friend when rules allowed.

I even painted my fence and varnished my gate and bench. Put together my first ever flat pack. Ok it was a bedside table tops wonky but who cares I did varnished it as well .

To all you who have moved recently and those still yet to move. It's is worth ever single tear, sleepless night and horrible people letting you down. To finally have the home you want and be totally happy with it. My first night here I slept better than I have slept for years and that's every night.

And I get to see my daughter ,son in law and 2 grandson's every week. Icing on the cake.

I have either bored you to tears or I hope given you hope it's all worth it. Plus it takes time to get your new home as you want it.

Only wish I could say thank you to Craftyone . ??

Whiff, you have done an amazing amount in your new home. Congratulations on getting it all completed.

Well Done Whifffor gettng the home of your dreams. Nothing quite like it for reall on-going happiness and satisfaction. You have done so much in such a comparative short time. When I purchased my last house in 2003, I was.still carrying out planned work on it right upto 2012\13.

In my lovely flat I still have replacement verticle blinds on my large patio door/windows (being done on Thursday this week), re-carpeting in my bedroom and spare bedroom. After that the only job that is required - the biggest!! is a new kitchen (hopefully next year).

There is little dounbt that my health has improved since I made my move to WsM back at the end of October 2019. Like Whiff, following so much stress and heartache in the process of selling, etc., with people letting me down at the last minute. All so worth it now and I am glad I did persist.

I think it is probably even more difficult at the moment, but can only give my heartfelt best wishes for a successfull conclusion to all those in the process currently.

Morning all, hot hot hot here! No rainstorms yet.

Glad to read your cheery posts this morning, I've got new home miseries today, there is so much to do but not as much as you Whiff - your list is very impressive! I'd forgotten some of the jobs - and time has flown, I'd forgotten it is window week! Glad you had good weather for it.

My neighbour knocked yesterday - people at the back of me asked her to let me know the concrete is falling off the ridge tiles at the back. I had a look and it is worse than before. I had already contacted my roofer, but will ring him again today.

I'm glad your health has improved Franbern, I'll look forward to feeling better. I've been here five months, I can't find my get up and go again.

Good luck to everyone waiting for news

I've just bought my first piece of furniture in twenty years, I think it has such a nice 'face'! Arrived this afternoon.

Looks Lovely Shandy. Really first piece for twenty years. I purchased a new tv table a few months before I moved. My previous tv had its own built in table. So happy with the one I have fits perfectly into my flat.. Indeed, over the 28 months before I moved, I did puchase new furniture (electric recliner sofa, electric recliner armchair,)but did so keeping in mind the sort of flat I hoped to moved to. All worked out very well. Since moving in, aside from the two built in wardrobes I also bought chest of drawers and dressing table for bedroom, and a new dining table and four chairs. However, had chosen this bedroom furniture and table six months before I actually moved . Also bought an Ikea Hallex unit for my hallway, sofa bed for spare room, and - now, of course, my lovely recliner/riser chair which I had for my last birthday.

Did also have some new 'whites in kitchen. Phew!! sounds a lot when listed like this.

Apologies should have said first piece I've chosen on my own in twenty years.

Just sold a pair of the curtains I bought from the seller, but ebay take a chunk of the sale price and the postage cost, doesn't really add up!

Just had a horrible thirty second experience! The seller left a big Ikea bookcase and I've just emptied and photographed it ready to sell on Facebook. When I uploaded the photo I saw my Dad looking back at me reflected in the glass!

I'd never realised how like him I am. Quickly deleted the photo and had to take the photo at an angle from the kitchen

Replacement taken place of my vertical blinds in my Living Room. The previous ones had a green tinge to match the previous owners green carpet. Large window and Patio door. so required a lot of new slats. Now all done in a lovely brilliant white, regency stripe. I do not use these much in the summer months, keeping them completely folded back behind my lovely curtains. Being on the first floor and with a low stone wall round my balcony, it is all very private and no-one can look in.

Next job to be done is replacing that green carpet in both bedrooms, due to be done in the Autumn.

Going to be a busy weekend as one of my twin daughters and her family are visiting Weston this weekend. They do not stay with me - but I will see them each day, finishing on Tuesday when we will be meeting up with the other twin and her family at Longleat.

Fantastic Franbern, lovely to have new things that please you to look at.

I bought the seller's eyelet top curtains and have managed to sell two pairs so far. I've bought replacement Ikea curtains, and have the job of putting curtain rings on the poles, hooks in the curtains, and I'm waiting for the liners to arrive. Up and down the ladder like a yo-yo which I had hoped to avoid, but the ceiling here is low, it's only about 8 foot so I'm not as nervous.

How nice you have visitors, ice cream time! Enjoy!

Ebay purchases, thermal/blackout polyester coated liners arrived by Hermes just after I got home from a dog walk, I was so excited!

I unwrapped both sets, and one of each set had tears in, so disappointing! I have just spent twenty minutes repacking them to return and have contacted the ebay seller.

At £33 each set I'm not happy!

Thank you for your messages. I am very happy with all I have achieved. Can't believe I got it done. But when I decide on something I follow through with it. Most of the work was done when Covid restrictions where eased a bit. But I was never worried as both myself and tradesmen took all the precautions. The shower room , new doors , my bedroom where all done June last year. I went to stay with my daughter and family for 4 weeks while the work was done. Just pop back every couple of days to check on everything. Luckily I could trust my tradesmen with a key.

I have had added health problems since moving but the health care I get here is far superior to that of my old health authority. But on the whole feel healthier and fitter than I have for years.

Moving has given me a new lease of life. It has cost me my son and grandson's but that is his choice not mine. But I see my daughter and family every week. Have made friends here. My brother and sister in law plus dog stayed in June and coming back this month. I went to stay with them last month.

Love reading about all your plans and am glad those that have moved are happy in your new homes. Only wish those in the process of moving where having an easier time of it.

Take care everyone ?

This week we were supposed to have new guttering and a back door removed and replaced with wall and window.
Yesterday the company called to postpone the work for "Covid reasons". DH just accepted this without question and no future date was given.
This throws our decorating schedule into disarray.
Back to the drawing board as they say!!

So sorry Pittcity, fingers crossed it can still be done during the nicer weather.

I was delighted to open the door to my roofer yesterday, he is retiring next April. The gutter above the front door here leaks horrible muddy blobs onto the front step, and occasionally me - he used his hands to scoop out some of the muck. I did ask someone to come and clean the gutters in April, he never appeared. Apparently the concrete in the flashing has all fallen from a previous repair, and will all need to be taken out and done again. I trust him and am delighted he has managed to squeeze me in next week - although he has recently had chest pains He is in remission from leukemia.

Suffering so horribly from hayfever, I'm going to have to take a tablet but worry about driving even on the 'non drowsy' type. I've also got a cold sore on the inside and outside of my bottom lip, the pharmacist looked like she was going to be sick when I showed her! Don't google pictures!

Sounds like a reaction to all the stress and excitement of the move, Shandy. I have developed tooth abscesses after the last three moves. Hope you feel better soon.

Shandy the hay fever is so much worse this year....I seem to have been suffering for ever!!

Sorry you are suffering too Pittcity. I've starting putting Vic under my nose when I go to bed so I can breathe in the night, my nose is so blocked up, ghastly. I must be snoring horribly. There are fields of gone over rape to the side of me, I feel like it's been months too. Lip is so sore I don't know what to do with myself.

Not going into much detail but it isn't our fault or our solicitors,
informed today sale not happening by 30 September to say we are upset is an understatement. Not sure what we are going to do.