Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

Karmalady - just to say that visitors looking into EA windows does not indicate that they are thinking of moving. I must admit that EVERY TIME I visit a new town, I spend ages looking into the EA windows at finding out about the prices there. Just out of interest!!!!

TBH, I have no interest as to the value of my flat now. The next time it will be sold will be after my death, there is no reason whatsoever, that I will move out of here. It is totally future proofed for me, in terms of being able to stay here if I became further disabled, or unwell. Our oldest flat owner here will be celebrating their 104th birthday this year, and we have several others in their late 90's, and many in the late 80's I often feel quite a baby when we stand around and chat in the entrance foyer.

As soon as my daughter left yesterday I did bring up my packng boxes from my garage and have emptied one cupboard (taken off the very nice handle of the door). Plan to do one per day and see how it goes. Next Monday it all begins!!!

Spent part of yesterday having a battle with the very large shower head over the bath in the guest bathroom. This was only put in a couple of years back, and has been used rarely. I think that is the problem. I foolishly had the idea that as it was rarely sued it would be fine,. My daughter told me that only just of half the nozzles were working. We are in a very hard water area. Suppose I should have turned that on every few weeks to help keep it clear. Could not find a way of taking it down, so I had to clear it all, by standing on a small folding stool in the bath!!!! It is nearly all working now and I will run it every month for a few minutes in future.

Must just tell you about an experience I had this weekend making me realise how small our world really is,.

When I got off the bus at Sand Bay on Saturday - where I had arranged to meet my daughters. I sent them a text to say I was there. Not sure where they were. This is a very small, out of the way place. Few tourists ever go there - nothing there for them- just a small tea room!!!!. Then this man and his wife approached me and addressed me by name!!!! I am not good on recognition and he started off by saying 'Do you recognise me?'

I assumed he was someone from one of my WsM groups = but then he laughed and told me how I knew him. He had been (for very many years), my optician in Chingford, London!!! Felt slightly unbelievable. Turned out he was in WsM for bowling competitions, decided to take a few days there for a short holiday and hotel had mentioned Sand Bay as a nice, short drive to have!!!

Morning all, drizzly today as per usual on a BH Monday!

I wonder how many people that do look in EA windows actually move here. When we were moving up here my husband found the station featured in the Evening Standard newspaper! I walk my dog through a new estate and a couple were moving yesterday, going back down to Yorkshire. The estate was built on a field on the outskirts of the village, the field adjacent is no doubt earmarked for future development, they've probably moved just in time. So lovely to hear the skylarks.

How nice your optician recognised you Franbern. You've reminded me I must go, I seem to need these cheap reading glasses more and more, might be time for proper glasses.

My friend is coming in a few weeks and I'm completely stuck on what to do on our last day, which happens to be the anniversary of my husband's death. My driving nerves do limit what I can do as public transport isn't great - I think I might take her on the bus to Newcastle, the local dog walker might be free to help with my dog.

Have a good BH everyone

Bit ungrateful of your aunt Shandy she must be a bit colour blind. Yes that mash Karmalady mentioned, does sound good, I'm sure I've bought similar in Tesco, ready made. Still need to empty inherited shed, not really seen much more than the entrance from the door, so that will be interesting. Think I will put my dinning table in the new shed and buy a new smaller garden table now.

Enjoy your time with your daughters Fran the trip through the woods to the beach sounds idyllic. That Keto diet is bad for your health, so you're doing the right thing on doing your own, well done on losing 2 stone!!

A trip to newcastle on the last day sounds perfect. I remember spending some of my student grant in fenwicks.

I don`t have grass and my sedum ground cover is growing very well but I have decided to put more down, also hardy geranium ground cover. I ordered many more plants this morning. I need to cover the soil to prevent weeds and hide the round rubber stepping areas

I agree that a full-on keto animal flesh diet is not at all good, bacon, sausage etc. I have known (studied) for a very long time about smoked foods, preserved foods and nitrates and the cancer causations. Hence my mainly veg food, not even many fruits, particularly the lovely ones like juicy peaches, bananas, papayas etc all extremely high in sugars. I don`t eat them but do have berries every single day and one apple a day

Oh yes re the estate agents, I remember the wishful thinking and looking, when holidaying in a lovely place. Price does matter to me, if the house value is up, then I need to be sure that my house insurance covers it, which it does as it is a saga insurance. House values are up generally, I suspect that most are undervalued wrt insurance. ok until something happens

Karmalady my problem is that my son cannot tolerate any oil and also Quorn or the none meat alternatives. The only thing I get away with is roast potatoes, but I blot them on kitchen paper before serving. I cooked stir fry veg the other day, but put a tiny knob of good quality margarine in, instead of the oil, but he wouldn't eat it.

yogi it does sound as though you are settling now, it was a traumatic start re the parking. I hope your son is feeling well

oh crossed posts yogi. Is your son averse to those textures yogi?

I never eat quorn, the thought of it. A great mound of slimy pink fermented fungus (mold), formed into nuggets. That to me is not food and can cause serious allergic reactions in some people

My son was a vegan, then a vegetarian, now eats chicken & fish, same as me. He once made some distilled water, put it in the fridge and then when cold asked if I wanted to try it, it was awful, like drinking petrol, He said he was going to drink that from now on, but actually didn't. He only drinks water, nothing else at all, no coffee or tea, or fruit juice, definitely no alcohol.

No he doesn't eat mushrooms Karmalady so I suppose that's why he doesn't like Quorn. He says he can instantly feel what is going into his body, even vitamin supplements.

yes, distilled water has no taste at all. I use a water filter called zero and the water tastes lovely. I had a water filter installed on my sink last house and the two houses previously but don`t appear to have enough room here

Lamb is also a good meat, lambs don`t live in barns eating grain but that thought, eating baby sheep, is too much for a thoughtful person. Your son seems to be a sensitive soul in many ways

I do not and never have agonised over what I eat. I do enjoy food, nearly any food. I do not have any moral feelings about eating other animals - human beings always have done so. Yes, I am concerned as to welfare of farmed animals, but provided that is clearly and carefully covered by good laws, then I am happy to eat whatever is put in front of me.

My main problem is that I enjoy food too much - when I was younger, had to be a little careful - but led a very active, sporty life so worked off calories. Not so these days. It is fortunate that my love of foodstuffs extend to all salad, so that is my normal main meal each day along with some protein like fish or chicken.

I am very firm believer (or perhaps it just me being lazy) that a good, balanced and very varied diet is the best. Anyway, the way I eat has kept me going for nearly 81 years, so can't be too bad!!!! No way would I ever go along either vegan route - find the majority of their foods are either highly spiced and contain so much salt AND often have horrendous mileage.

Would not even be a vegetarian - I love chicken and adore eating fish. Do enjoy some meat on occasions. I will stick with my varied diet, of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, salad, etc. etc. which takes me little time or involvement in preparation each day.

No 2 daughter has just been in touch with all the family about arranging her 50th birthday celebrations next November. She is looking at a lovely hotel with a spa, etc and the evening meal is a murder mystery one. Sounds great. I have recently discovered this wonderful form of entertainment. She and I went to one last year, locally and have now booked to go to another one in August They are such good fun, brilliant entertaining actors, and people attending are all friendly as you have to work together with the other people on your table. Mind you I am terrible at solving these.

2nd May today - really is about time Spring arrived properly - not really warm. This afternoon, I am planting into pots some petunia small plug plants. They and Impatiens (Bizzie Lizzies) are the only real flowers I have on my patio balcony.

Yes I've been to a few murder mystery evenings Fran. Also went to an Xmas 'Faulty Towers' meal, where they come in and act between courses, very funny.

I don't eat red meat because of the animals. I do eat free range chicken & fish once per week, only just gone back to eating chicken the last few months since living here.....phoning ringing...

Morning all, another miserable one. Doesn't feel like May, it's 46 degrees.

I had a marvellous murder mystery for my birthday, I remember my husband driving miles to find a 'white' jacket to wear for it. Everyone made a great effort dressing up.

I had to go out with the torch last night as I had noises and was upset to see lots of little pieces of black roof on the gravel, they shone out with the torch. Either crows, or it is disintegrating. Give me strength!

Have a good day everyone

Oh Shandy!!…. I really do feel for you ???

oh no, that is sending a pit to my stomach. How much more can a person take

I have been working on some electricity savings. I paid just under £6 on a microwave steamer, that will save about 2/3 on electricity, for cooking vegetables, compared to using my pan on an induction hob. I did the maths wrt specific heat capacity. It is a pretty easy way to be saving on energy

Also have started using the eco setting on a full dishwasher, I never liked that setting because any plastics would always remain wet but I have decided to do the plastic by hand as I always wash my green plastic veg bags, as well as any other decent freezer bags anyway. Eco dries and cleans my pottery and cutlery very well, the door comes open and I just leave it until the following morning to empty. That is working for me

Tv licence money has gone out today, that was in my plannng book, then I noticed that july is quite heavy and june is not but july is heavier than most months. I had to transfer a small amount from ns&i savings account as paying my cc bill does not leave a comfortable enough amount in my current account. More costs come out this week eg council tax, energy bill, internet etc. I don`t ever like to sail close to the wind, one of the reasons I have a savings account as a feeder account, I will replenish it over the summer

I need to wait in now, otherwise would be out on my bike, there are hills to climb. Parcel is coming with some sewing stuff. I shall be making some warm woollen winter skirts by september

Shandy hopefully the bits off your new roof are just the remanence from the workman fitting it. I'm sure they wouldn't bother to gather them up. When my son did our shed roof there where lots of odd bits from him trimming it, he just left them where they fell and I gathered them up when I noticed them on the floor.

That is exactly what I thought this morning yogi, the birds probably chucked them out of the guttering

So inflation is skywards, that makes me very glad that I have a huge stash of fabrics, fibre etc, for my very enjoyable and productive hobbies. Better than interest on savings

I had such a nice cycle ride yesterday, had been dreading the hilly bits but I seem to retain some fitness. The insects and bumble bees are troublesome, they fly at my face and I cannot cycle strenuously without my mouth open. Several years ago, out cycling with my husband, a bumble bee flew into my mouth and stung me. Last week, one flew hard onto my cheek. I cycled home very fast that day and quickly took an anti-histamine, I always carry them with me now

I bought some tutu net and will cobble together a mouth cover today. Bumble bees are out early in the morning, later on you also get the flies, that is why I like to cycle early

I am expecting another 70 ground cover plants soon, only two types sedum and hardy geraniums. I saw a programme, he said that he covers everywhere with ground cover. If it gets too much later than they can simple be dug up. Good advice. I sat out with a drink just now, the birds are investigating my garden at last, going from tree to tree. I am happy with all that work over the 3 years

I am using my rotary line today, that was another very worthwhile project. I put a big gravel square around it. I remember struggling with the hole and a post borer. putting the rotary tube in and putting a tall round thinner post into that, using a spirit level and somehow bracing it not to move. Actually putting the 2 bags of dry concrete in and pouring water was the easy bit. I am very happy with it, it has not moved at all and is dead straight. It can take very heavy loads

Nice pottering stuff today, a bit of de-cluttering in one kitchen cupboard

Thanks for your kind words about the roof, I couldn't sleep last night It's resin and I understood that it would be hard when it went 'off'. I found my invoice and am going to ask the builder to get the roofer round to check it.

Bees and bikes are a problem aren't they karmalady. My husband's brother was stung inside his motorbike helmet, unfortunately that's how he found out he suffers from anaphylactic shock. A net mask is a good idea - as is a tutu!
That would get people talking!

Apart from a sparkle clean I'm ready for my friend to 'view' the bungalow when she comes, I've managed to tidy everywhere and have unpacked a few things so she can bath here if she wants to. I've washed my new Joules fleece dressing gown by hand for her as this washing machine is on its last legs, what a nightmare, I squeezed as much water out as possible but it's still very very wet. Now out on the nearly broken rotary line now, I really didn't get 'gifted' anything good! Need to buy a new one soon. Hopefully a breeze later to dry it.

Have a good day everyone

Have a very lovely relaxing time with your friend shandy, you well deserve the break

oh dear. There is a lot of fast jet action just now

Shandy have a wonderful time with your friend,.

Occasionally, in very good weather, I do miss my rotary dryer. I used a washing basket which had foldable legs (from Lakeland), so did not have to keep bending down when hanging out washing. Nowhere to dry washing outside now. I am pleased that it is banned from our balconies - do not like seeing that in other blocks of flats. So, either use the heat pump tumble dryer, or else on airer in my spare bedroom.

I am in the process, today, of changing everything over from my larder fridge and under-the-counter freezer into my lovely new fridge freezer. At present this is in my living room, and will be moved into its position when the new kitchen is finished. Does give me more room in the freezer, and I was a bit concerned about the fridge part. I have for many years had large larder fridges. The majority of my weekly shop is 'fridge items. However, I have now changed that all over, and because it is both wider and deeper than my larder fridge, have had no problems. This afternoon will do the freezer section.

I did email my kitchen fitter to confirm everything was in order to commence next Monday - used the excuse that I was giving information about parking here and access to our secure building!!! He replied very quickly. I am gradually taking everything out of those cupboards and putting in boxes in spare bedroom next to it. Using opportunity to get rid of some things -but not that many!!!

Spring seems to have arrived and beautifully sunny outside and even warm. I have cancelled my arrangements for today and taking it easy indoors as I found that my lovely weekend with my daughters did leave me much more exhausted than it should have done. When I get that tired I get a very bad bronchial cough. Had an uncomfortable day yesterday, but a very early night and late morning - and I am fine today- but not going to push myself.

I've just emailed the builder and asked for the roofers number. I don't know why I always feel so nervous doing these things! I do think it is crows, there's a lot more moss all over my recycling bin lid this morning. It's quite funny really, I thought the bin men put my bin back because I always leave them biscuits - but my neighbour has been doing it, I was up early enough to see her this morning. Glad I gave her the water butt!

Happy relocating everything into your fridge/freezer Franbern, roll on next Monday! Does remind me of the creep that stole my green waste bin, I wonder what he did with all my rejected frozen stuff. I never saw it fly tipped, perhaps he ate it!

The neighbour that is organising the Jubilee party has just knocked and offered me a beautiful rag wreath, lucky me!