Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

shandy nothing wrong with waterproof trousers, I have the mens regatta ones that go into a pouch, I cut the bottoms off and still need to roll them up. They are thin and pack very small, I hate to think of you wet to the skin, they fit easly over my chubby thighs and only make a whooshing noise

It has to be the time of year for me to do a bit of sorting/refining in my kitchen. I very much need to get out of the ingrained habit of cooking for a family and buying for a family. I mean I had a costco bag of pine nuts in the fridge, 680g and unopened and a kg bag of sesame seeds unopened. Why on earth did I buy them? Some psychology going on I think. I will have well fed birds around me, they are now scattered on the green in front of my house

I'm just coming on to say I have new respect for the weather forecasters.

By chance I looked at the forecast on my laptop and it said 'rain expected in 5 minutes'. After the 1987 storm I've never bothered with the weather forecast as they got it so wrong then, but my late husband always looked, especially if he was playing golf.

It was mild and sunny outside so I wore my skechers, and I still wore my mac as habit, more than a belief that it would rain - luckily! By the time I'd driven the five minutes to the beach the sky was navy blue, the temperature had dropped from 10 to 4 degrees, and it came hammering down. Got absolutely soaked and came home to the buckets all plink/plonk/slapping. I should get waterproof trousers I know, but I've got chubby thighs and I just hate the noise and feel of them

Yes, loads of people on beach here today. More than I sometimes have seen on summer days, although big difference is that no-one is sitting down with their chairs, tables, wind breakers, tents, etc. etc.
Think the majority were people exercising their dogs - enormous number of people in Weston have dogs, and they do love playing on the beach.
Also lots of families with young children all dressed carefully for the winter, Several paddling in their wellies!!
With such a vast expanse of beach, although so many people it was not by any means anyone getting in anyone else's way or space. Fish and chip shops were doing roaring business.- even saw some brave souls eating ice-cream.
I do love being able to trundle down to the Promenade and along it seeing so many people. Also went round my local park and lots of squirrels out.
Back home, for a mug of coffee and my kindle.

Morning all, it's like a summer's day here today, most peculiar!

I'm glad, although I've been living with these leaks for five weeks now I still feel anxious when we have rain, and the noise of it hitting the various containers is so loud. I still have the drying machine on, it's being collected on the 5th. I keep telling myself it's only water! I can't imagine what it's going to be like when the work starts, it's going to be noisy and messy and probably cold! The remains of the flat roof will be completely removed from the back bedroom, bathroom, lounge and kitchen. At least when it's done I can start planning the floor works.

Mobbed is the right word Yogi. I went yesterday and large groups of people are marching along the beach, ignoring their dogs behind them pooing on the sand . The local beach and car park are owned privately, parking is charged. Yet again they haven't employed anyone to clean the beach at this very busy time, so much litter.

I was very upset my buyer chopped my pagoda down, as well as the majority of the mature trees at platform level, as soon as he moved in. The garden is still like a building site, soon he will be unearthing my late pets.

Unfortunately my car exhaust has gone again, I don't drive far or fast enough to keep it clear. Definitely time to replace it.

I do recommend the on-line Duolingo course, it's fun. I'm also binge watching 'The Tourist' today.

Enjoy your day

Good to hear I'm not the only one that doesn't like decking. Mine is falling to bits! The pagoda above is good and strong though. When I first 'sold' my house in Dec 2020, I pointed this out saying I had ordered the boards to replace but they couldn't be delivered till after Xmas. They told me not to bother as they would get rid. My second buyers said the same, apart from they would renew with a different material. A whole year later and it's now shameful, with all this bad weather we've had, I'm embarrassed, but each month I'm thinking we are about to move, otherwise I would have repaired it this time last year. Never want decking again!

What a wonderful s.i.l you have Fran you can enjoy your viewing in comfort now.

How are you doing Shandy? I too avoided the beach as thought it would be mobbed, when I read your post I was glad I did.

Take care all x

Oh, I so agree about decking - just making homes for rats as far as I am concerned.
SiL came back, spent a good half an hour, having to renew the aerial face plate on the wall, as well as damaged aerial wire, he also added a booster, which now means that, for the first time since I have been here, I can actually watch the tv in my bedroom. He also joined up my old Humax to that bedroom tv, so I can watch the recordings on it,which cannot be transferred to the new one.

So, I am well sorted now for home entertainment.

quite right Franbern, different circumstances too and a very supportive family

A couple of things I have learnt, wood, even tannalised wood, in contact with soil, rots after about 7 years so I was delighted to have a stone wall around my garden. Decking over a void can shelter rats. Retaining walls are best built from stone, A neighbour`s wall, last house, rotted and the soil hill slid right down to his house. Various things were automatic in my brain when I was house hunting and the reason I rejected some properties

Leylandii next to a fence grows fast and big, the reason I rejected a lovely new build bungalow, the tops were only as high as the fence at that time but on the other side of the fence and 1m away from the bungalow wall. I went past last week, the leylandii are already a couple of feet higher than the fence already

Thank goodness, I got myself out on a cycle ride early on, just an hour but good exercise, I have spent the rest of the day knitting, watching films and cooking nice food. Simple bliss

When I moved into my last house, I was concerned that a very fancy step outside the Patio Door had no ventilation holes. (nothing mentioned about this in the survey - but it worried me). One of the first jobs I had carried out there was to have these put in to ensure ventilation under the floorboards.

In my flat ventilation to the internal bathroom and en-suite shower room was provided via a duct to the outside wall. Problem was it was not working here. When I had my bathroom completely re-done I asked the electrician to sort this out. I did wonder if it was something a simple as a fuse being taken out to prevent this working due to the noise. But, it turned out that the original motor, still in there, had died. Amazingly, my electrician eventually managed to source a replacement one and fitted this for me. When it goes on in the en-suite (attached to light cord), it also works in bathroom. This is fine for me as bathroom is very much there for guests and the bath and shower in there is rarely used. I do have two other lights in my shower room, which I use on my trips during the night so that there is no noise.

Good if you can manage a separate account for maintenance. I have never done that. Here, of course, I pay a Service charge, which is a lot lower than 1% and that covers things like building insurance, British Gas 24/7 maintenance, water rates. The only maintenance I would have would be internal, decoration, etc. so am not making any special arrangements. Once I get the kitchen done (hopefully later this year, the only room that may ever need anything like an expensive job would be if I needed to do the en-suite again. Have money in savings to cover that if it became necessary.

Good to see my bulbs coming through in the pots on my balcony. January and February are my most disliked months each year, always just want to stagger through them to get to Spring. Definitely most of the time they are totally in-door days. Glad that at least two of my groups are getting going again the week after this one.

Yesterday my eldest g.son (at home from Uni), got the two positive lines. He is a great hypochondriac, and, I think, was secretly delighted that the slight head cold (man flu), he had for the past three or four days actually now proved to be something more. Probably caught it from his youngest sibling - but his own fault as he had 'not got round' to getting his booster.

Interesting that his Dad, (my Son-in-law), who is very EV, had not caught it, even though their youngest (11 years old), did spend the first night he was unwell in bed with them. He is due to get his fourth vaccine shot during this coming week. This will be the booster, he was given a third dose of the normal vaccine due to his immune suppressed condition.

The 'temporary' repair my son-in-law carried out on my tv aerial has and is working perfectly. Television to me is probably the most important item I have in my home, it provides most of my company and entertainment. Yes, I know I could watch it on my laptop, but that is not the same. I am appreciative of having my SiL able and willing to sort this out for me.

Another maintenance job, that I have done, is to use silicone spray on every window and door moving part, definitely only silicone. Oh and check the window handle screws are tight, one handle pulled right off because the screw was loose. The part was broken but I got a handle from the installer and replaced it myself. None of these jobs are difficult

Another thing I have done is to re-seal the shower basin, after a neighbour had a leak from the shower. I put a much better beading in with 2 rows of mastic, previousy it was only one skinny layer and no beading. Mostly everything I have done has been preventative

A couple of people here have found that their vent systems in the loft, from bathrooms, had come off the external vents and needed to be re-fixed, mine included. My immediate neighbour had a ceiling damp problem from ducting condensation in the loft. All that needs checking as part of on-going maintenance. I checked mine only last week, lowered the loft hatch and could see the ducting was still in place. I do toss and turn about things like that, only because there is only me to check it all. You have to be quite astute about your biggest investment

Shandy, re ventilation, my husband fixed soffit vents as soon as we moved into the family home, just holes with round grills. As a structural engineer, he was very on the ball re damp. I was still aware of loft damp and had a good chat with the builder about what arrangements they made wrt loft spaces, they said there is ventilation at soffits, eaves and ridge tiles. Lots more ventilation in new houses these days but very necessary because of the sealed box syndrome. I also made sure that this house had window vents, it would have been a deal breaker if they hadn`t. One of the first jobs I ever did here was to go around every single external vent, poked all the spaces to make sure they were clear, most were but not all. Also this is a radon area and I was reassured that there was a radon membrane below the floor

So glad Franbern, I'm lost without my tv and thankful I have my laptop, small as it is. I'm looking forward to Downton Abbey later, I hope the story line isn't sad!

I couldn't take my dog to the beach, a friend warned me it was absolutely heaving to the point where the coastguards were called in. It wasn't for the NY swim, just generally overcrowded with lots of people on the beach and in the sea.

In the thirteen years I've been walking my dog at that beach I've never seen them there, but it is dangerous to bathe in the estuary. People don't read the signs do they!

Had a pleasant New Years day at daughters. Got home to discover tv was not working, blamed it on my new Humax. Telephone call and my excellent SiL came over straight away. Turned out it was an on-going worsening problem with the aerial where it goes into the wall. When I first moved here I brought in an aerial man to do an extension into my bedroom.
Okay, it was two years ago, but the bedroom one has never worked properly and my SiL realised (now) that it had been a very crap job and he had not used a proper splitter, etc. etc.
So, it had now just completely died and stop working. My SiL has got things working by using the indoor aerial I had for my spare bedroom tv for visitors and tomorrow will get a new plate and connector and repair it all properly.
I am so fortunate having him so willing to come immediately when I go into panic mode about such things, and to be able to fix it all up properly.

Morning 1st January 2022!

I'm glad you are enjoying decorating karmalady. I asked our local decorator back in May, no sign of him yet. I've got a horrible white 'Billy bookcase' ghost shape on the magnolia wall of the lounge here, as well as a hole where it was fixed on. The walls here haven't been lined and I'm trying the new 'Yes' colours at the moment but the colours I've chosen don't suit. I've spent a fortune on samples so far, I wish the designer people on Instagram would name the colours they've used when they showcase.

I've allowed 1% for house maintenance too and need to transfer it to a separate account. I had contacted someone to board the loft, but then discovered the big condensation problem here, and need to get a positive ventilation unit in the loft first, so postponed the boarding.

It's very quiet out there and dry! Just about to go on a dog walk, I expect some people might have a sore head this morning!

Happy New Year to all

I stayed up with my son to see the NY in, didn't think I'd be able to keep my eyes open till midnight as usually go to bed by 10pm. Glad I stayed up though as it was nice.

Lovely post Fran nice to hear what a good time you had with lots of hugs thrown in.

I wish you all the best for 2022

Not cold again today, I want to continue the being out theme, hopefully cycling, otherwise a walk around the small town. A little more daylight every day and spring not too far away. Tulips have come through the soil, the cycle of nature

Re house: I decided to have the whole interior painted with the white mineral paint, to cover the tiny cracks that appear when a house settles and shrinks after being built. 2 1/2 years living here and the house was finished some months before I moved in. It is amazing how my young decorator did all the prep, he goes around each room with sharp eyes and has dealt with every imperfection. I had left the alarm wires dangling, the builder had hard wired but I don`t need an alarm, I cut off all the wires once I realised that living here is as safe as could be.

I pre-prepped every area prior to decorating, put felt pads under furniture, so I could move by sliding. Lifted drawers, took pictures off walls and screws out etc. He has three areas left to do, lounge, sewing room and cloakroom. I have been so patient, wish it could have been done in one fell swoop but appreciate that he has other clients. Once the last areas are complete and I have put everything back, that is when I have truly finished my home.

I include the cost into moving-in costs and have started to put by the recommended 1% of house cost per year, for on-going maintenance. I may not need it but that is the recommended amount and that is what I am doing, I opened a new savings account for that purpose. House maintenance would include various servicings, replacement bulbs, all sorts of things eg I may yet get the loft boarded. Anyway, that account is out of mind and a good safety net for the future

Franbern, I am glad you had such a good time, saw family and are safely home

Glad to hear you had a good time Franbern. I'm ashamed to say I felt relieved when my trip had to be cancelled, I love my friends dearly and was so looking forward to seeing them, but the thought of the journey made me anxious. Laughable really, I spent hours working out how to get over to my late friend's Mum, she hasn't even sent me a Christmas card. Extra anxiety when I found out my Airbnb in Bucks was a large shed in the woods of the grounds of the owner's house. Lovely owner, she refunded me the full cost

Goodnight good friends, thank you for all your support this year, I've really appreciated it.

I find NY eve difficult as I move further in time away from my late husband. I am going to bed to read with a tub of ice cream, and hopefully when I go to sleep won't be woken by next door's fireworks.

See you in 2022

Want to wish everyone a happy new year and hope everyone moving it all goes well and all those having work done on your home's it all goes to plan.

My 2022 will be going the same as 2021. Exercise class,craft group and at my daughter's ever week. U3A second Monday in the month. Plus hospital appointments.

Face mask welded on like it has been since Covid started, distance and lateral flow testing.

Already got my plans for what fruit and veg I am growing in my garden and greenhouse.

Health and happiness to you all through 2022. ???????

Safely home again after my trip to London. Highly successful, on the way there, Passenger Assistance 'upgraded' me on the main train to First Class which was great.
was so good to see and be able to have a proper cuddle with my eldest g.daughter, home from Uni. My main incentive in keeping on living is to be able to attend her graduation.

The first afternoon there, my daughter had arranged for my sister-in-law to come to visit - so very good to see her and have a good few hours with her and her daughter. Then, yesterday one of my twin daughter visited with her 12-year old daughter -who is already taller than me - much to her excitement!!!
Lovely afternoon, and again a chance for lots of cuddles.
I must say, that mask wearing on trains and London underground is around 98%, although none of them were very crowded when I was travelling.

Back home today, and as I arrived at Paddington, received an email saying my final train from Bristol had been cancelled. As it would have been an hour until the next one I telephoned my daughter in Weston to ask if she could come to Bristol to collect me, which she did. When I alighted from the train at Bristol and met by Passenger Assistance and told them I needed now to be taken to car park,they told me that they had been about to arrange a taxi for me due to train cancellation. Such excellent care and service I get from this.

My Xmas pressie from children was a new Aura Humax machine. My Son-in-law set this up whilst I was away and I have spent a couple of hours 'playing ' with all the new features.

Still recovering from my last bout of bronchitus, slowly getting bette, and have not stayed up on New Years Eve for many a long year, I am looking forward to getting into my own bed tonight well before midnight. I do have a lovely room at my daughter's house, all newly done up for me when I moved down here a couple of years ago, BUT nothing like your own bed and home!!!!
Tomorrow having the day over at my daughter's home to make up for the fact that I was unable to go on Christmas Day.

I would say that I am NOT avoiding social occasions and people. Triple jabbed (expect we will be invited for a fourth one within the next three or four months), if I avoid my family now, could be a good chance at my age that I may never be able to see them. Because of this I have no problems with any sort of mental health or depressions, etc. I do have a strong feeling that the tsunami of mental health problems will cause as much, if not more, serious problems over very many years, long after the word Covid is virtually forgotten.
My best wishes to all those in the process of selling/buying/moving. Just hope for all of you it will prove to be as successful an experience as it had been for me. Best wishes to all for a Happy and Healthy and Peaceful 2022.

The answer to many situations is not to bemoan things but to say, ok it is what it is and what do I do about it. I almost let that philosophy, which I have always lived by, slip but I didn`t let it slip and I am back in control, living each day as it comes and always in the moment

Being outside in the garden is a tonic and I mean a real tonic.

All through last night, I kept wondering how to exit the ever increasing downward spiral that lockdown and covid and winter gloom was taking me. Too damp on the ground for a cycle ride which would regenerate me but it was air dry so gloves on, garden shoes and old clothes and out I went with my kneeling mat

Me kneeling on the ground, plucking tiny weeds, that was enough to ground me again. Two hours outside and suddenly I felt more like me again. There are more simple jobs to do, I can stretch them over three more sessions, so I shall save them for when they are needed

Morning all, a wet one, argh! My dog keeps coughing with the super heat of the drying machine but I've got to keep it on, I've got the windows open in the front bedroom for him.

Wishing everyone a Happy and healthy New Year, I will be glad to see the back of this one.

I am very glad you've come back too Karmalady - and I did enjoy the programme on Cowbridge. What a lovely couple, I wonder if their sparkling wine is the one recommended instead of champagne, £40 at Waitrose.

I think my happiest Christmas memory was in Port Douglas, diving the reef - tell your husband to get ready for a busy time Spice101 ;)

Happy New Year to all.
Thank you Karmalady for injecting renewed vigour into your thread. It has been invaluable to so many.
Somewhere in the distant past, there was mention of all getting together in real life. I'm up for Spice's gaff, especially the prawns and scallops.

Wishing everyone a very Happy and Healthy 2022.
Shandy I hope your house problems are soon sorted.
To everyone else let’s hope that 2022, finds you all in the home you want to be in.
Karmalady so good to see you posting again.

Happy New Year to all. We have just finished our traditional NYE dinner. BBQ lobster tails, prawns and scallops with jacket potatoes and salad. Dessert fresh berries and icecream all washed down with a glass of bubbles. As it was 38 degrees today I was happy to delegate cooking to Mr Spice.

Another 38 degree day tomorrow.
This time last year we were finalizing the purchase of this place. What. a year it has been but we are slowly getting things sorted. Hopefully 2022 will be more productive.

Best wishes to everyone waiting to buy, sell or move. Fingers crossed it will happen very soon and smoothly for you.