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

Ha Typical me. I’ve just been reading through the last few pages, someone said welcome back Razz and the penny dropped about 10 minutes ago ! Carry on ladies, it’s the best thread ever.

Franbern the canal trip sounds wonderful. Something I've wanted to do for ages but it's not likely to happen now. I cannot see me going back to the UK again. I did so much want one last trip. I've been watching and greatly enjoying the Great Canal Journeys with Prunella Scales and Timothy West. I'm sure you will manage your journey it just seems that anything new becomes a major issue to us as we age.

It is still cold and wet here and no sign of real improvement. The temperature may rise a little but we are still under the influence of LaNina and so expected to have a wetter than usual spring. It would be so nice to feel warm right through again. I'm sure in a few months I'll be saying it would be nice to be cool!

Had a baking session this morning - biscuits and a date and walnut loaf. 15 minutes out of the oven and son#2 and his family arrived. Let's just say the week's baking was sadly depleted by the time they left.

Razz I had the same problem with my old laptop, lost the letter S and eventually bought a new laptop. It was annoying though as I really liked the old one.

karmalady I understand you car issue. When I bought my car 2 years ago I bought it from the closest dealership - they are few and far between here for Volvo'd. Took it back there - about 40 minutes away - for the first service and it was a huge effort and most inconvenient. Due for service a couple of months ago I stumbled upon a new dealership closer to me and decided to try there. It was so much easier and a much pore pleasant experience in every way. The got a 5 star rating from me.

Hi Katyj Shandy is now Razz

Enjoy your weekend Fran

I booked a 4 day/3-night break in Seal Bay, on the South coast for second weekend in Oct yesterday, they didn't have anything earlier, so hope weather is ok. My DD&GDs are coming and hopefully my son too, if he hasn't started his new job he hopes to get after an interview yesterday, so fingers & toes crossed for him.

Nice weather this morning, have a nice weekend all.

Hi. Where’s Shandy gone ? I love reading all your moving news. We had a horrendous house move three years ago, just about settling in now, but I’ll never forget, and hope we don’t have to move again. I’ve followed Shandy from when she left her other house. I know she’s had lots of problems. Hope your okay Shandy.

Have a lovely weekend Franbern, I am sure all your planning will be worth it

I have most definitely booked passenger assistance. I would not be able to lift the folded chair - far too heavy for me. Explained about this chair on the phone to Passenger Assistance, not sure if I will be brave enough (even with their help) to stay in it going up and down the ramp. Will see at the time. I have a booked seat for each train, - three trains each way are involved. Does mean that at each train I will be able to 'drive' myself between the different platforms, with PA just taking my bag.

My g.son showed me a wonderful little video whereby a suitcase can be controlled by a small remote control and wheels itself along next to the person without being touched. I will not be able to take even a small suitcase, nowhere to put it when I am the chair, but I have a good sized bag which velcroe's onto the back of this chair, and I will just use that for the things I need to take with me.

Up early this weekend as I have to be at the coach station for 8 o'clock, (daughter is collecting me and driving me the whole half a mile there), Off then to Birmingham (boat trip ion their canals), and tomorrow off to Stratford on Avon for train ride (and look around). Seemed a good idea when I booked this, back last February - was supposed to be weekend in April, but I had to cancel that due to it clashing with the dress rehearsal for our drama group, and they were willing to give me this alternative date but not to to reimburse me. Think it is lucky daughter is taking me to coach station, otherwise I feel I might probably not make it, Dreadful how we start to get so worried about something different in our lives as we get older.

So, I will let you know how it all goes. Probably (hopefully) have a great time. Home Sunday evening (no idea what time), then on Monday my Sister-in-Law is being brought here to spend a couple of days with me.

Thanks for the vest recommendation Franbern. Sorry you had a sticking letter on your laptop. I was using my daughter's old laptop last year and suddenly lost many letters, I ended up having to plug an old keyboard in, ridiculous! I had to fork out for a new laptop in the end.

Have you booked your normal passenger assistance for your train journey, or are you going to fold it up and walk on now?

Talking of buying new things, I also bought a cordless Shark, which hasn't been vacuuming very well lately. Watched a few videos and took it apart - I had put something back on upside down, months and months ago. Like a new hoover now!

I've had a lazy day today. I wrote my newly widowed friend a letter (it was her husband's private funeral today), picked the ripe plums and put the extra out the front for people to take, and finished my new Jessie Burton book, 'Muse'. Need a new book for tonight now.

Have a good weekend

Life NEVER seems to be without something for us to have worry about.
Karmalady with her car sensors, Rassmatazz, even now after everything with the doubleglazed window. Me.....a sticking o on my laptop keyboard. Yes, okay now, but took me twenty minutes to get it working this morning. and will probably be longer each day. Until this happened I had no idea how many words had an 'o' on them.

It would be really pleasant to have a totally worry free period sometimes. But, then I suppose we would almost invent something to concern us. I am building up all sorts of worries about m my forthcoming train journeys with my new wheelchair. Not made any easier that the outward journey is on the day after a railway strike day, so trains will not be where they are supposed to be.

Good move re the awning Franbern

Razz, yes we all have blessings to count. nothing is ever perfect but as long as the move enables a better life then we have blessings

Today is gorgeous after a cool start, so as always, my morning evolved and I have potted on 50 patio strawberries that grew like topsey. I cannot put them into the troughs yet as the old ones in troughs are producing huge amounts right now.

I enjoyed a bit of crochet outdoors, making a warm rustic throw from home-spun sheeps wool. Very easy to make. One mug of home ground coffee is my every day treat, that plus the radio while basking in the autumn sun. Really is uplifting

More sensors are causing bother on my car, trying not to think about it, hopefully related to the sensors interfacing with the radio head that will be replaced in 2 weeks.

Razz nothing as post as those mentioned, mine are all purchased from Sainsburys.

My awning is up. Hope I will still get some use out of it this year. This came from ManoMano. Very cheap - not attached to wall, freestanding on poles that suction between floor of balcony and the underneath of balcony above, But it will definitely do the job of protecting my Living room large patio door and windows from the sun.

I can imagine the taste of that cream karmalady, as well as home grown strawberries. My supermarket ones had a horrible 'edge' to them, I gave the rest to the blackbird.

I've just been looking at a photo of my old house in the memory book.

How thankful I am that you all helped and encouraged me to make those very hard decisions. This time of year I'd be chasing up my huge dumpy bags of wood, dreading the carrying up the stairs, as well as waiting for the oil man to deliver my monthly 800L oil order. I wouldn't have any money left for much after the basic essentials, I'd have had to use my credit cards to survive like the late 80's.

Off to the beach now, tide is in enough for my dog to walk to the strandline, then the buggy push back

so good to see you posting again razz, don`t try and run ahead with the things that you think you `should` do. It will be enough for you to sort out your painting and then to get rooms in order, one at a time

My weight is still going in the right direction, I don`t weigh myself too often but was delighted to see another 2lb gone. My clothes are slowly being replaced, was size 22 at one time, now probably average a 14-16 and will be trying for 12 by next summer

Anyway my day has evolved as it often does, went to pick a couple of tomatoes, it felt very autumnal so all tomatoes are picked, red and green and the other 2 vegtrugs are now ready, one for next year and one for my new plantings which will be here is a few days. Heavy lifting but I like that as it strengthens my muscles and my core. I think it took 5 hours in all. I have scrubbed my nails but so hard to get ingrained soil out, in spite of wearing gloves

All that work deserved a treat, big bowl of home grown strawberries and double cream, was yummy

I have vests in my drawer, they are wool or silk as I like them next to my skin, might be too big on me this winter but who cares. I am more than happy with the thought of a small cosy room, I think that is where I will keep my little heater with the thermostat, the rest of the house can just be a steady 18.

I reduced flow temperature on my boiler to 55, could be that low because of new combi boiler and good insulation. Should save me at least 8% on my heating cost as it will increase efficiency by a fair bit. Anyone with a tank for hot water needs a flow of 70 to avoid legionella. The old boilers only have one flow setting

Can I ask which vest make you like Franbern? M&S or Uniqlo? I want to get some for this winter.

Good to hear from you Razz. I have just had to have the batteries in my scooter replaced. Not an expense I had reckoned on. !!!!

I keep very careful accounts Just a single bank account, which I check each morning. Use my Credit Card for most payments out, each one written into my own notebook the same day, and account checked on line every day or so. I have only used savings for large items ( eg: kitchen- and also for flooring). I do want to replace some of that during the next eighteen months. Not sure what 2024 is going to look like - so many things going on economically.

I am far off from putting away summer clothes. Off this weekend for a trip to the Midlands, and will probably take skirts and t-shirts with. Still only using just a sheet as my bed covering at night and still in summer, sleeveless nighties,. So much difference between being in the south to up in Northumberland.

Find I really require very few new clothes each year now. Very few wear out, and I just wear the same things year after year. Usually purchase one new jumper each winter, and one new t-shirt and skirt in the summer months. And, the very occasional new shoes. Obviously underwear needs replenishing more often. Do not think that the clothes suppliers get very rich on me!!! Once the weather gets more autumnal, I well pack away summer skirts and go into thin trousers, with long sleeved thin tops. For the really cold weather I do wear layers, with the outer layer being a nice jumper and fleece lined trousers. A few years ago I introduced myself to thermal vests (short and long sleeved) and really find these incredibly good in the winter. Takes so much longer getting dressed on cold weather (at present four items - bra, pants, skirt, top), then it will become, bra, pants, thermal vest, t-shirt, jumper, fleecy trouser and socks
- occasionally, plus thermal tights

The coldest it has been here daylight times) is abut 22 degrees, so still very much a summer feel. Patio door wide open, windows all open.

Afternoon everyone, great to catch up with your news, just popping in to say 'pinch and a punch for the first of the month'. Autumn is coming and has shown me another window here has blown, all wet inside it this morning. I'm pretending not to see it

Not feeling great, my friend's husband dying has made me reflect on painful memories -and saying that, I'm disappointed with myself for not maintaining my husband's 'memory book' for the kids. I had to take my dog for his monthly injection this morning and the vet gave me a condolences card - I was very touched.

Quiet day today waiting for my paint sample to arrive, and washing my summer clothes ready to pack away.

I am with halifax bank and they have a simple graphic for every month, outgoings v incomings for the month. I just studied 2021 v 2022 and the outgoings now are definitely less overall but I am still topping up every single month with savings. I shall remedy that this month, I want to add to savings instead and will do that at the end of each month, after I have seen the graphic, so I don`t cheat myself

My winter stores are extremely good, 2010 we were suddenly snowed in for six weeks, it could happen again so I am not letting food and essential stores go low. Walking on ice is definitely not an option, I sat down hard on my backside winter 2018, my feet slipped from under me, luckily onto snow. I am never going to risk that again

It is time for me to change crafting hobby, getting into autumn mode, spinning and have set my wheel up in my tiny cosy bedroom upstairs, window is low and there is a lovely view, it will be so easy to keep that room warm. Months ago I pushed and shoved my comfiest armchair into that room, glad I never gave that one away, the room will also be grand for reading and I have a radio in there

More downsizing yesterday evening, all my odds and sods of `bargain` merino, bought as goody bags, was for felting and too felted already for spinning. To the cs and it is a big bag hence a big space cleared. All that beginner yarn that I spun donkeys years ago, not being chucked but now out of hiding and I shall be using for garden ties for years to come, also some will make a rug and rest a throw. Cosy crochet, while sitting in that armchair

LOL Franbern, yes differences make the world more interesting. I actually feel, like you, that I have come to the end of things to do and hence of money flowing out but I admit that I loved having so much to get on with and now I do find that I get gleeful if I can see something that will add to my life in this house

I don`t want it just to be cleaning and maintenance, hence me keeping myself busy doing nice things. I am exploring U3A at the moment but not really seeing a group that I really really want to join, however I know I can still attend all the talks and I do get chatting to people

It must very difficult to keep track of those flats and occupants, easier if people on holiday let commitee know

Oh! karmalady we are so different. I detest ANYTHING to do with gardens and gardening. Always felt it was such a waste of my time and my money, when I had one to look after. As soon as anything is done, it does not last and needs doing over and over again. Caused me so much stress constantly worrying about keeping in check ivy, brambles, etc. etc.

One of my great joys here is NO GARDEN. My little patio balcony had several good quality faux flowers in patio pots (which store away during the winter and come back out each year. Just have two or three containers with real flowers - petunias and impatiens during summer months, re-planted wiht spring bulbs and winter violas in October. So little work, so easy to keep clean, and very little on-going expense.

Love doing things inside. Although very little to do now. Nearly three years here, and I am coming to the end of things to be done. First year was new bathroom, and work to radiators, plus quite a lot of new furniture for flat. Second year, main big expense was my karndean flooring in the large living/sitting room, and hallway & spare bedroom., and carpet for my bedroom, plus two new internal doors. This year as been a very expensive year, what with my new kitchen, plus new power wheelchair.

Hopefully, no large items required next year (although never know what may need replacing) but I am hoping to be able to start to replace some of the savings that have been used over past couple of years.

Re. the empty flat, TBH, do not think most people here really know what flats are empty or not. At present we have several empty for different reasons, couple of people in hospital/convalescent, one flat near completion on sale, one being got ready to on market, couple with owners away on extensive holidays. The Committee has to be aware, to ensure that our fire lists are always up to date. Usually people around in main foyer as we go in and out.

With the Bank Holiday over, do hope that everyone involved in the selling/buying process can see things moving.

I do hope that completion happens very soon Franbern. It certainly must be making residents restless as it is so important to have someone new that will gel with you all

Beautiful day today, windy but warm hence a big wash is out drying and I am pottering. Making plans for another drought resistant area on my patio. I have ordered the plants, flowering plants and will need to get 7 bags of john innes. I have to wait a couple of weeks to start as my tomatoes are ripening in the space right now. Costs a lot of money to set this up but I will not have to touch it for many years to come, all in a trug and I already have a new replacement liner. Trug is black powder-coated aluminium

I like planning garden things

Good to see that you seem to be really settling into your 'new' home now, Razz. Paint colours I am always very decisive about -but then I usually purchase paint in somewhere like Wilkos, go there with an idea in my mind and just take the paint closest to that.
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I like blue for my bedroom. Had it in my last house as well as here. Did mean that I was able to transfer the bedding from house to flat with no problems. Only one wall (the long on behind the bed) painted blue, rest is cream with curtains, light shades, bedding continuing the blue - very restful colour. My spare bedroom has one wall painted a sort of mushroom colour, which picks up the colour in the curtains. Sofabed also this colour, and bedding, when used is chocolate brown.

My living/dining room has a golden oak colour wooden floor, and this is reflected with golden oak furniture. Cream walls, off-white sofas, etc. then gold and silver picked up in curtains - embroidered on cream and those colours and pattern are picked upon rug and border around tops of walls.

It is a very sunny room, double aspect windows, the only other colour I have in it is the green of house plants. Any flowers I get are always white.

Have been taken out for a morning in Clarks Village. G.son needed new schools for school (he grows as you look at him), and I have been wanting to purchase a further small saucepan (so that I have two of the little ones), from Procook.

Pleasant day and gave me a good practice with my new chair. Where there is a smooth surface it works perfectly, more difficult on bumpy pavements. I am a little nervous at taking it (with me in it) on to a bus, daughter has said she will accompany me first time I do this. I do get myself very worried in advance about such things. Keeps me awake at nights.

I was given a couple of pears off the bush in my daughter's garden over the weekend, and am at present poaching them. Wonderful aroma of Cinnamon, Star Anise, etc is drifting throughout the flat. On the subject of food aromas, a new Thai restaurant opened in the building next door to our block of flats last week. We went there last Saturday night, very nice. However, as I keep my patio door wide open at present until just before I go to bed, I am having the most wonderful cooking aromas coming into the flat whilst I watch tv each evening. Really smells scrumptious.

We are waiting, almost with baited breath, for completion on the empty flat here. Couple moving in told me a couple of weeks ago they were hoping for end of month (August) Obviously this has not actually worked out, but am hoping it will be within the next couple of weeks.

cycling was good today, set me up for the whole day and sweeps away that `sitting down` guilt. I have been pondering what else to do for winter, have abandoned any idea of campingaz and camping stove which is better for a family. I am sure we will get rolling power cuts so we, at homers, can plan ahead and with that in mind, I have bought another thermos. 900ml and cheapest from amazon. I gave my other large thermos away last year, none of us saw this coming

I don`t need to do anything else, boiler service in a couple of weeks

This afternoon I shall definitely tackle that pile of paperwork and patterns sitting in an ever-growing pile on the dining table

Decisions, decisions razz. It sounds as though, at last, you are home and becoming content

Morning everyone, great to catch up with all your news.

I hope you're continuing to master your new wheelchair Franbern, hope access to the places you frequent is good. I took the dog out in his buggy yesterday and needed to use the bathroom, the ramp seemed to go on for miles. I went to church to light a candle for my late husband and an acquaintance has just got a mobility scooter. Her grandaughter has wrapped a hi vis jacket round the back of it for visibility. Such a nice woman, she spoke to me just after I lost my husband, she's been alone for twenty years now. When I had the self catering accommodation I had no idea at the time my accountant was her son! So important never to say anything about anybody here, a lesson I learnt a bit late.

I've had some miserable BH's on my own, so as it was such a nice day, decided to continue walking and pushed the dog the mile and a half to the next village which had a big car boot sale. Met a lot of people, had a coffee, and popped into the local charity shop on the way back. Bought a double eiderdown for the spare room, they gave me a big long strapped Primark bag which I put over me like a cross body bag. By the time I got home it felt as though I was carrying a sack of potatoes and I was boiling hot. If I had a shower, I'd have been straight in it!

I am still exploring paint colours, haven't started yet karmalady During my exploring I found your mineral paint. It's ridiculous I'm having such difficulty choosing as I only have four rooms here, but I only want to do it once. I'm unsure on the shade of 'blue' to paint my bedroom, I've just ordered a sample pot of Turkish Blue from Fired Earth, a warm turquoise colour. I'm not a blue person normally, I'd hoped to keep the F&B Borrowed Light, but now have the big white patch where the fitted wardrobe was removed, so might as well go the whole hog and redecorate. The Liberty Ianthe curtains have a deep almost slate blue in them but it's too dark, so they are temporarily going into the hall as a door curtain. I'll be painting the hall F&B Rectory Red, I'm going to gold leaf or gold paint the arch. I know I should be going neutral, but I'll let the kids do that when I've gone

I'm feeling better about my beautiful cat now, no regrets, just grief. A friend has just written and reminded me that my cat went out at night several times during the floor replacement, not coming back until the very early hours. I think I was lucky to be able to give her a peaceful end. I've finally got round to moving all of her possessions and will be taking them to the charity shop xx

Have a good week everyone

Having an excellent time with visiting daughter and g.daughter. Yesterday we went for an outing to Dunster Castle. Not all of it is accessible for motor scooters, but I was quite happy to sit in that and read my kindle whilst they (and other daughter), went to explore there. Glorious gardens, all National Trust property now - just seems obscene (to that for hundreds of years it was the private property of one family.

I am having to learn how to steer my new wheelchair -totally different form the scooter. Been out and about today with both daughters learning how to do this.

My eldest g.daughter has just completed her first year degree , course training as a Social Worker. she really is such a lovely person, and with her Mother having worked in mental health for so long, she does have a down to earth approach to SW.

Enjoying a beautiful warm summer day here in WsM today along promenade, watching rhe children playing in the water and on the sand, and also enjoying the rock and roll band playing at one of sea front hotels. This evening we are going to a new Thai restaurant for a family meal (all nine of us). My g.son has comeback for this weekend from Uni as one his siblings has birthday in a couple of days time.