Help calm me. House buying and selling stress *Part 9*

Spoke to my friend back in the Midlands yesterday. The couple who brought my old house have sold it. Of course I looked at the pictures and sold price. They have done a lot but what made me laugh was the kitchen was exactly the old 30 year old one all they had done was take up the floor coverings and left bare floor boards. I knew house prices have gone up . I sold for £207,000 it went for £307,500. But know my bungalow is now worth £100,000 is more than what I paid.

My friend didn't know whether to tell me or not. But I detached myself from my old house once I decided to sell. In my bungalow I feel like I have always lived here. I live my life to the full no longer exist like I did. Best thing I did was to move here .

Just had email from Razz she has left Gransnet incase anyone missed her. She will not be emailing me again.

That's a shame. I do hope Razz is all right. She had been having a pretty rough trot really since selling the Station or even before.

That is a shame about razz leaving but I understand that. GN can suck you in, it is not just about being with a small group of friends but GN can take too much time away from real life.

I had quite a while away when using my last username, it just took a couple of nasty comments on other threads and that was that. I weaned myself off GN and never missed the site

If you are having a last read razz, then all the very best and I hope your travelling dream comes true

Sorry to see you go Razz. I’ve enjoyed reading about your move from the station. Have a happy healthy life.

That’s a shame, as someone who reads but has nothing to post about as we haven’t moved for 24 yrs, I will miss her.

Razz Another who followed your story and is sorry to see you go. If you are reading this, I send you my sincere good wishes for peace and happiness in your future life.

So sorry to learn than Razz has left. She has become a friend over the past years. Hopefully, she will (as Karmalady did) have a brek and come back in the future.

Went to bed very late last night as at 9.30 was called by another Lady here (Chair of our Residents Assocation), as she had been contacted by the son of another resident, and he was very worried about her - thought she might have had a stroke. He had rung for an ambulance. So, the two of us went up to that flat (we have keys for every front door here in our office). She was in poor way, speech very bad, but did not appear to have had a stroke. Ambulance control rang just as we got there, and I spoke with them. There was concern tht she had a fall (one of many), the day before and she thought she might have hit her head then. Control questioned me and her and then said she was High Priority but not to permit her to eat or drink anything before paramedics arrived.

We helped her onto her sofa as she was very sleepy, and she did doze off, having first told us she had not eaten anything sionce 2 pm that day!! Then her son phoned us and told us she was Type 1 diabetic. So, we had a bit of a panic, got through to amublance control again, who then said let her eat something if she can swallow it. She woke up and did eat a few sugary biscuits.

Paramedics arrived soon after 11 pm and left with her nearly an hour later. By the time we had sorted out and secured her flat it was pretty late when I got back downstairs and into my own bed. Fortunately, nothing arranged for me today, except some dusting, hoovering, etc.

Good luck Razz in all you do, you deserve it

Sorry to hear about your neighbour Fran

Just a quickie as I am logging myself off for days at a time now. All is fine and I am keeping warm, whatever the cost. This ufh is very good but needs to be on night and day as it takes forever to heat up and then cool down

I am very glad that the builder put non-slip slabs around the back of the house, including the extra patio that I had put down. They are definitely not pretty but non-slip, as tested

I went out in the dark 2 nights ago and worked by the light of the sensor lamps. There are 4 around the back, good light too. I grabbed plant fleece and quickly covered the agapanthus, in 7 pots, found the pegs and they are safe all winter

I am glad I half emptied my big water butts when I did, they are nice grey columns. I want some water, just in case there is a supply problem hence the half full. I put a ball into each one and that will stop any potential for expansion sideways and splitting

Hope you are all well and hunkered down

Thanks for all that info/tips Karma wonder if I should be covering my plants.

My smart-meter read £10.44 yesterday, it was never that high in my previous 4bed house! I have it on 20` and turn off when comfortable. I have terrible condensation on my front door glass windows & in the loo which is the first room along. I'm really concerned about it, not from washing drying, but maybe from shower, I've told my son to pull the door to when he comes out, but that doesn't happen till I notice and close it. Any ideas please?

Had such a pleasant day yesterday having invited two ladies from u3a for lunch at mine and chat.

I made us all butternut squash soup, easily made, nourishing and covers most diets. Made this up the previous day, so all that was required was to put in three bowls and warm up in microwave. Also two baguettes, warmed up and cut up. Home made apple cake for desert with coffee.

I feel that I am finally, starting to make new friends. Have thought this would not happen in my old age, but these two plus anpothjer one who is away at present are ones that I have found I have things in common with, so am slowly, very slowly building on that.

We have decided that we will have these sort of chatty lunches regularly in the New year around each other homes.

It is bitter cold now. Using my mobility scooter when out and about, I really need to dress warm as cannot warm up with walking. So, thermal vest under jumper and thermal leggings under my fleece trousers. I also have a wonder winter coach - purchased at M&S about 12 years ago. It is brilliant and keeps me toasty warm. Normally only use it on thse fewbitter cold day each winter, thenit is washed and packed away. I said when I bought it that it would be last coach I would buy - as normally prefer jackets. This still looks exactly like new.

Lovely to hear about your lunch with your new friends Fran Soup sounded lovely. My DD would only eat butternut squash when she was a baby.

I spent an age on-line yesterday buying Xmas gifts from 'Sportsdirect' £125. Got the PP email of purchase through with my old address on!! Tried for hours to contact SD, they are uncontactable! Everything virtual, no customer service and phone numbers not answered. The only thing I can do is contact my old house and pick up there

No snow here, thank goodness. I hate snow......Not interested in its 'beauty', just see how dangerous it is to everyone.

Very cold. keeping my heating on all day as it is unlikely to go much above freezing outside today. Concerned that one of my 12 yrs old g.children is very unwell. Probably just a nasty cold, as his parents say it is - but with this Strep A around I am worried. This is his third day now, never known him unwell previously. Is always so proud of his one hundred per cent school attendance. Daughter working from home today to stay with him.

Attended the excellent Foodfest (Eat Weston) yesterday morning. Went with the intention of just looking and not purchasing, but did buy some lovely sausages from nearby farm, some lemonades for Xmas Day (my local family is, like me, pretty much non-alcoholic) , a xmas cracker with local gin for daughter in London, and a beautiful ceramic tea pot for myself. I do prefer to use loose tea (more eco friendly), but my last small (2 mug)_ t-pot broke a few months ago and I have been putting off replacing it - and this one just caught my eye.

The son of the Lady whom we stayed with a week ago waiting the ambulance, came to me yesterday with the most gorgeous bunch of perfumed flowers and a large box of chocolates. How very nice of him. Flowers aranged, chocs will be kept for Christmas.
Hope everyone is keeping safe and warm.

All sounds lovely Franbern, and the butternut soup too, just hope your grandson gets better soon.

No snow in S Somerset either, just a 10 minute attempt at sleet flurries yesterday!

Was going to report that DH got some good news on Friday, after 3 very stressful weeks of not getting any responses from the solicitor, dealing with the sale of MIL's house, now she's in a care home. House has got to be sold, as there is only a few months' savings to cover the care home fees.

Finally got some enquiries back, after the practice manager, buyer's solicitor and estate agent joined in the "badgering". Hoping to get a date for exchange (at least) soon, and before the Xmas break if possible!

Just bumping this up for Nansnet

I did the same years ago as Razz has done, was trolled by a dreadful person, left for a couple of years came back with a different user name and there she was again, using a different name but it was her. It must be her form of entertainment but I don’t respond. Gransnet like other forums can take too much time, it’s good to have small breaks for me.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Not sure if it’s of any interest, but a quick update

After spending the best part of 18 months looking for 2 houses in either Devon or Dorset, we decided to stay put and look for a small property for MissOops and nephew locally.
Nephew then decided to look for a rental elsewhere, he moved out of their shared rental a month ago.
We completed on a house for MissOops yesterday, she is beside herself! Popped over to get the gas boiler and cooker checked, but they didn’t arrive, so I’m going over again this morning to let them in.
Electricity checks can’t be done until later this month so MissOops will move bits in and go over to sit in the garden and then move in properly in November.
The house has been empty most of the year but the conveyancing went through fairly quickly, the survey threw up a few things that we need to get fixed before MissOops moves in, the rest can wait until Spring of next year.
MrOops is happy not to move, I’ve resigned myself to not living ‘back home’ ☹️.but MrOops has promised frequent visits.
This was such a useful thread, shame it just fizzled out.

Oopsadaisy wonderful to read your news . So glad for MissOops. Glad this thread still going as I was in despair when I joined it in March 2019. That year a lot of us moved and when I posted when it was my 5 years anniversary of my move everyone who moved that year posted and everyone was happy in their new homes..

My life has never been so busy since my move and healthcare is excellent.

Mr Oops has promised visits to where you come from . But your home is Mr Oops. When my husband died my home became a house as he was home . But moving gave me a home again .

Miss Oops will have fun with your assistant choosing new things and colours in her new home . And her dad no doubt doing DIY for her. 🥂

oopsadaisy, thanks for re-generating this thread. I used to enjoy it so much, was my first stop off each morning with my laptop. Good to hear also from Quiff, nice to know that she is so happy in her move.
Does seem amazing that it is only a couple of weeks away from my 5th anniversary living in this flat in Weston super Mare. This year I had my en-suite, completely re-done. Again, daft cost - but everything to do with building work seems to be so expensive these days. When I pointed out that the cost of re-doing this little room was more than two and half times the cost of the first house my hubbie and myself purchased back in 1964 in East London, I was told off by my kids telling me I was making a silly comparison.

Must say, I am delighted with what this bathroom company has done with this en-suite, enough cupboards for everything to be hidden away, easy to clean, comfort height loo and rimless. Had a bit of a problem with shower chair (and I do need to sit down when taking a shower). Refused the one recommended by bathroom company as it was so expensive. Fitter told me to continue to use my free standing shower stool, but have found that too large for this shower cubicle. Thought of purchasing a fold down one, but then discovered the difficulty and cost of getting that fitted was astronomical, and finally settled on a small fold up free standing seat which cost me less than thirty pounds and is perfect.

Although this fitting all took place in April, it is only now (October) I am really enjoying this room. Had problems after the new shower was fitted, with it running cold after a few minutes. Brought back fitters twice, before I realised it was actually a boiler problem. Then had the expense of having a new boiler fitted. After that the battle re my shower chair. Now, all sorted and am enjoying my lovely new en-suite.

So, what is needed in my flat still be done. I hope to have a decorator next year to paint the Living room and hall. And that should be IT!! But who knows, I had not reckoned on the boiler this year......think all my windows are fine, but like to keep some money aside for this sort of work if necessary,

I have to say that I love my wonderful flat, actually sit here quite often saying to myself how lucky I am to be living here, it is everything I could wish for, comfortable, so easy to run and not even expensive. Beautifully light and sunny in summer and cosy and warm in winter.

I have got very involved in knitting groups, and, for the firstg time for many years, have actually started a garment for myself. Alos latch hook cushion covers. Have made one for each of my grandchildren and am now finishing off with making the second one for myself.

When I moved I told my children that I would never, ever again go on any committee, large or small for whatever reason. Nine months later I informed them that I was now Secretary to our volunteer Management Committee at the flats - and the first I told laughed and said they were virtually thinking of running a book as to how long I would keep to not being a committee member!!111 Since then I have also gone on to the Committee for our lovely, local museum as hospitality offcer, and recent become a committee member for u3a.taking on the role of EDI.

I only do these roles while I enjoy them. So will see how they go. Must say the Management Committee Secretarial role has given me a much greater knowledge and understanding of all the problems involved in conveyancing. as I am the person that Solicitors have to deal with every time a flat is being sold.

Wonder if anyone from the past has heard from Shandy and know if she has rejoined this under a different name. WOuld love to hear that all has worked out well with her.

I too would love to hear from her, I hope she settled in her bungalow after having all the works done.

Your flat sounds so lovely Franbern especially as I remember you saying that you have a lovely terrace/balcony, outdoor space without the hassle of gardening and the sea nearby! Envious or what!

Our bathroom has been delayed yet again and is now pencilled in for the end of November, we are taking out the bath and having a walk-in shower, as all the tiles have decided (after 26 years) to throw themselves off of the wall, it can’t come soon enough.

It was a lovely thread wasnt it?

Yes, it is bright and sunny today and I have spent some time clearing my balcony off from its summer dressings. Have packed away the chairs and tables that keep there in the summer. It is a good size space, a triangle with a wall in front, not the glass like the other balconies here. Got changed during the building process in the eighties, when an 2-story office was built on the front of the building. This flat is on the first floor next to this, so they took .away the usual balcony and built this very extended one.
.One side of that triangle is the wall to the offices which goes up beyond my flat higer up and on that I display what is known as 'Wall Art' which I collected over the past five year,s a butterfly, dragonfly, lizard, parrot, woodpecker, peacock. These all fly off in October each year and return safely in the April. All the plants in the summer months are good quality faux flowers, which gives me an excellent display for very little work but all get packed away for winter. I do, however, like to see growing and flowering daffodills so have planters with bulbs in them for these winter months.
Next fine day (hopefully tomorrow) will sweep and clean the floor tiles out there and then all will be ready for winter