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

Morning all, looks like we are going to get the thunder and lightning here earlier than predicted. It's not been that hot here really but I feel exhausted, not helped by the blow up bed.

I'm gearing myself up to varnish the small bathroom area. I've still got the chemical toilet, so the ideal time to do it as I can't walk on it for 8 hours.

No idea why I haven't launched into doing it, I just feel worried I'll mess it up I think. It's clear varnish so can't really go wrong, it's just a brush and a tin! I did rely heavily on my late husband for DIY. Putting my overalls on and going for it after my coffee. And when I've found the big screwdriver to open the tin. Two coats then a sand, my friend has lent me a pole with a flat end you attach the sandpaper too, at least it's not all knee work.

I do regret giving away two of my oil filled radiators karmalady, I had the D'Longhi. They were so heavy it nearly killed me getting them downstairs, and then I thought about having to lift them up into the car and unload into the cottage garage. I couldn't face doing it with three. No hand holds at all and the wheels were pretty awkward.

I went to our street coffee morning for a short time yesterday and the organiser was talking about the local burgage for sale for £20K, and the possibility of it being a community garden. The parish council have a very healthy bank balance, I've written to them to ask if they would consider buying it and said I'd volunteer. Unfortunately it is being sold at 'modern auction' where you have to pay a big non refundable deposit to register your interest, 4.2% or £6000, no guarantee you'll win. The selling point is that you have 56 days to sort out a mortgage, rather than the 28 days for a traditional auction. I agreed to 56 days with my buyer, which I resented at first, until I actually had to do the physical moving! I think it took me six weeks.

Have a good day everyone

The couple in these flats who already have one of non-electric awnings fitted, sent me all the details of the one they purchased. I thanked them, but said it was slightly different for me as I needed a company that would put up the fixings for me. The Husband came back immediately saying not to worry, he would be happy to do that AND, then even dropped in the measure the area to ensure I could order the correct size. People can be so very lovely. Think a large bouquet for them will be in order when he carries out this work for me

I have nothing to do here to prepare for winter. One of the first work I had done when I moved was to have individual controls on each radiator. Mind you there are only five rads here. One in each bedroom, two in Living room, control one in hallway. My en-suite has a small electric panel that I switch on just before I go into the shower and gets hot very quickly - and turn off when I am out - so on for ten minutes or less. Bathroom has electric towel rail which is only used when using that room. Spare bedroom rad is off nearly all the time, rarely have an overnight visitor in winter. I hate heated bedrooms - cannot sleep in them, so that rad goes on for a couple of hours in evening and perhaps one hour in morning. I know I am at present still on a fixed tariff, but my energy bills are not very high at all and even if they double when that finishes (or more), it will be far, far lower than so many of you are reporting. I do have good lined curtains at the windows and these are kept closed during bad weather. If I could afford it I would have triple glazing for the very large window and patio door in the Living Room,. Something to consider for the future. I am extravagent with leccie, as I do like technology. Standby is convenient and many items here are on that - and will stay that way. AND.....I really do appreciate my wonderful boiling water tap in kitchen. Even after only having it for a couple of months cannot imagine life without it now.

I cannot believe the times some of you on here seem to getting going each day. I am obviously, quite lazy as I still do not get up until between 7.30 to 8 am. The small fan at my bedside works well, and I have the windows wide open at night with curtains open and blind up. Sun moves round and will start to blast its way through that window later this morning, so blind will be pulled down and curtains closed - windows still left open.

I love my little volunteer role that I do each summer - being part of the children's Summer Reading Challenge. Was there at library doing this yesterday - wonderful library, totally air conditioned. So pleasant to sit there, My next stint is on Tuesday afternoon.

Not much to do today, I will be going round to daughter's house this afternoon to sit under the shade in her garden by the very large paddling pool they have there.

I used to have two good humidifiers and gave one away before I moved. I bought them for a good reason, my dry gritty eyes in hot summers. It was only 38% in my badroom last night, no wonder my lungs feel tickly and my throat is dry. The one downstairs is so good but not one to carry up and down

I do sometimes think I wish I had not given this or that away.

inspirational, proactivity franbern and whiff. I liked reading that

I haven`t much to do right now so am thinking through my winter preps

battery power, tick
lights and radio, tick
electric blanket, tick
multi fuel, tick
more stearin candles ordered, tick
boiler flow reduced, tick

I have reduced my boiler flow down from 72 to 55, This is all that is needed to keep the optimum temperatures. This will save me around 10% on my gas. Very easy to do, the vertical lines on the boiler, on the right are + and -, just press the minus until you get to 55. My water is already at 52 so a constant saving on that anyway

Later to go around the house thermostats and I am aiming for consistency so will be setting downstairs at 19 day and night, best to do that with underfloor heating. Utility room will be off. I can top up heating via the stove or a candle, no kidding

Upstairs I only need and want 18, apart from shower time when the en suite radiator needs to comes on at full blast very quickly. So 18 all the time apart from a 15 minute period a.m when it will blast on at 21. I have only one thermostat upstairs and that will heat the bathroom and en suite rads so I can put my towels to dry. A short time like that will not affect the bedroom rads, which I will leave alone

I don`t think there is anything else for me to sort before the mad winter rush

Mainly doing quiet slow stuff today, I do not want to get hot, so enough to drink and am knitting nice socks to wear with leggings. I walked to the shops first thing, I like to buy things locally and bought 3 pair of soft top bamboo socks for £6 as well as a bit of fruit and dairy stuff. Felt like a big croissant but was quite strong-willed and ignored the feeling but did buy a diddy 72% willies choc bar and ate that

Franbern had to use a ramp to get my mom on trains. It's not very steep so you should have no problem . Travel assistance is wonderful. I have 2 changes on Tuesday and one on Friday. No worries about which platform or train to get on. Plus have time between trains to use the loo.

I did that with home insurance phoned and got a cheaper price than quoted on paper and paying it in one sum cheaper than direct debit.

Full of admiration for your good sense and tenacity, Franbern. Hope your new chair gets lots of outings.

use of a ramp (not tamp).

I went into local Careco branch on Thursday and saw a lovely small power chair. This would enable me to go onto buses, which I cannot do with my mobility scooter. Could also use it to go on long journeys to visit my children having my own transport with me when I arrive.

However the price took my breath away. Came home and spent some time looking up power chairs on the laptop. Then found the identical chair at two thirds of the price Careco were charging, supplied via Amazon, but from a London based company.

Following a chat on the 'phone to their Sales Dept., they told me to send in the full details plus screen shot, which I did, and they then telephoned me last night saying they would pricematch.

I am delighted. Still a lot of money, but I think I will get a great deal of usage from it. Was really worth while making that phone call yesterday morning. Does make me wonder as to how companies do price things.

Thank goodness I receive Attendance Allowance. This is what makes it possible for me to purchase these sort of items. So, have decided to splash out and get this and will really try it out on a long journey next month when I am off to Warrington to visit son and DiL. This will involve two train changes. I have used Passenger assistance on trains for several years, but this will be the first time I will need to have use of a tamp. Will let you all know how it goes.

squirrels, yes very cute to watch but I saw one easily climb up a house wall. and they are really damaging in a loft

Humidifier is nice, eyes are no longer gritty and the room feels more comfortable than it did with a fan. Fan works best in front of an open window or door as long as the air outside is cooler. It then pulls cooler air in. My fan is off now, just the humidifier on

Think electric awnings are costly, however, the one I have seen here cost well under a hundred pounds. Does the job brilliantly as a long handled winder thingie slots in for putting it down and up At each end it is rather like those container things that are used in showers. With a long pole which sort off suctions at bottom and on top (on the ceiling of the balcony above). That will be the sort of thing I will go for. Sorry Razz not striped. I will just have plain cream one. This will work with my balcony which has the walls and small shed all painted cream

I have had a long trundle out this morning, I had to deliver a book I had borrowed back to its owner in good time for them to read for book club, They live about a mile away from me, and I go to their house for meetings. However, partially seeking shade, and partially not really concentrating, I got myself totally lost. Interesting as I went up and down roads I had never been previously. A little more of WsM geography now in my brain.

Did weeks washing before I went out. That will now be dried on the airer in my spare bedroom. Window in there very wide open. Apart from that having a totally relaxing day. Daughter has promised to pop over this evening as I need to send a 'screenshot' to a company (their price for an item I am interesting in purchaseing is a third more than another English company selling same item via Amazon - and they have told me to do this to see if they can amend their price for this - we are talking several hundreds of pounds difference!!!!).

Razz glad you have floors. Have you got a block of wood to put the sandpaper round as it makes it easier sand things . Make sure you wear a mask when doing it.

I looked at awning but decide they where to expensive . But am managing to stay cool.

Yogin squirrels are funny to watch but not funny when one gets in your loft. I had one thought it was trying to dig its way threw my ceiling . Soon got pest control out. A wet cost for dogs sounds a lovely idea especially if your dog has a thick coat.

Off to visit my brother and sister in law next week. Been a year since I saw them. Looking forward to seeing their new bungalow and surrounding area. 4 hours each way on the train. Will take plenty of water with me.

Keep cool everyone.

Squirrel now sitting at base of my tree eating a digestive biscuit that I broke up and put on the feeder, wonder if he/she will have a sip of water out of the saucer I put there, so amusing, he/she seems to be here all day

Yes I was up early too, 5.45. Took doggie out before 8am, park really busy with dog walkers, but all gone by 9am, park empty! There was a lady that arrived just as I was leaving and her dog had a full 'wet coat' on, like my doggie's bandana. I felt under the coat and her dog was as cool as a cucumber!

Congratulations Razz, all your floors down, it must feel wonderful . Hope your dog's feet are better today.

I want to get a water butt Karmalady, must be lovely to have rain water, when it come!!

Sitting in the garden watching the squirrels on my tree, so funny!

Definitely an awning Franbern, as you will be staying there and it wilI add to your comfort

Not worth it for me as the max my interior gets to has been 26 and my perfect fit insulating blinds plus wooden shutters are doing well

I am killing time today so am pondering winter preps, always best done in plenty of time before prices sky rocket. Potential for longer power cuts this winter. I have some makita lighting devices and some makita batteries, have ordered one more battery. I also have a very reliable portable makita radio in the garage. I would be able to read or knit by that light

I do have a complete stock of fuel in for winter and beyond, multi fuel fire and different fuels now stocked, in garage and bunker. I also have a large comfy sofa in that room, good for emergency sleeping if extremely cold temperatures outside. Electric blanket, tick, warm layering clothing, tick

Awnings will be lovely Franbern, are you going striped? Does make me think of Paris!

Make a mistake and opened the kitchen door before the hour is up, the stuff the man has sprayed really smells nasty. I've just spent a boring half hour investigating the 'grit' of sandpaper to use in between varnish coats, and ten minutes heaving everything out of the shed to find the pack I bought years ago. I need Fine/Extra Fine which is 240 grit, my pack only has five sheets so I'll have to go out to buy some. Amazon have some but not prime delivery, I'm not paying £6 to have it delivered tomorrow.

You will wonder how you managed without an awning/blind, Franbern. The back of this house faces south west and I have exterior blinds on the three ground floor windows. Expensive but I bless them throughout the summer even when it’s not as hot as this one. Opened and closed from inside they are effort free. Money well spent!

Razz so delighted that you have proper floors at last. You can really start to settle down now. Decisions as to whether to have carpets or laminate, etc on them now.

I spent an enjoyable day out, yesterday, in Wales at Cosmeston Medieval Village. OMG does make me appreciate how wonderfully easy we have life now!!!! But, then, of course, life expectancy back then (at its best) was 39 years),so none of us would be around.

I find that adding a slice of lemon to tap water does make it much nicer to drink. I also make up a lovely cold (and healthy) drink with frozen berries, apple juice and water and a dash of honey - whizzed together for a couple of minutes. My 12=year old g.son came round on Tuesday suffering an upset stomach (from three days of eating trash during the local shanty festival at the weekend). I gave him half a glass of this berry drink and he then asked me to make up a further full glass of it. Evidently first thing he had eaten that day. - Back on proper diet at home now he has fully recovered - good lesson in how much trash food can cause upsets.

My new room cooler machine has a humidifier setting which is very useful. I am not finding it too difficult to keep the flat reasonable despite very large windows in each room. They are all kept open. blinds down when sun comes through them, but then nothing when they are not. Do keep fan in bedroom on most of the night - plus very wide open window.

At present I have two parasols on the balcony - but for next year I am going to have an awning. It would take up less room, and I would not worry about any gust of wind blowing it over. One of the other flat owners has one, and it looks ideal. Although they all state that they are simple for DIY installations, I will not even try it, but get someone to put up all the fittings for me.

Yep, I have a very dry throat when I wake up, but I've only got a dehumidifer. Can't put a bowl of water in front of the fan in case the dog or cat knock it. I think I told you I have to wear a gum shield or I chew myself to bits with this bruxism, doesn't help I've probably got my mouth gaping like a bull frog all night!

humidity is really important and reduced during very hot spells. I know that my eyes feel gritty most days at the moment. I do have a humidifier in a cupboard, I will have to set it up. Low humidity is very bad for any mucous membranes, nose, lungs eyes and viruses can hand around longer on those dry membranes. Fans can be drying so it is a tricky balancing act

I'm up too karmalady, could hardly sleep last night even with the fan going full blast. I read somewhere yesterday that the UK is under a heat dome. The sun is blazing in at the east facing front, such a shame I don't have solar panels.

Take care everyone, curtains and windows closed until it is cooler, with a fan on. That is the advice from my friend who lived in Portugal, she said it works there - but their houses are designed for heat with tiled floors etc.

I don`t know how we can prep for this stifling heat, windows are a big culprit and even triple glazing does not keep it out, we had huge tg windows at my last house. I expect that pale coloured outside walls helps somewhat, reflective colours. Verandahs are very permanent and most of us welcome the sun in during 3/4 of the year but at the right height, they do work in that they keep out the high sun in high summer

I could not find any suitable reflective film. I suppose an electric awning would be good but would cost a fortune for the whole span. Air con requires a lot of electricity and a hole in the wall. I don`t think there is anything we can do really, apart from personal clothing and not moving quickly

I shall be putting more humus down this autumn, the soil is going to have to look after itself and pots will contain plants that do ok in drought, agapanthus and lavenders. The upside is that my tomatoes are lush, the downside is that the accidental courgette in a bag is struggling. As always it is about adapting in whatever way we can

I have 2 large nice water butts, I think a total of 660 litres. They are not quite empty yet. Here comes the sun so the cave will be set up in a moment

karmalady

Happy anniversary whiff. You have achieved such a lot in three years

Up early today, doors and windows open now as was the hatch all night. It was 23 out at bedtime last night and is 13 at the moment.

This will be my next sew aldom, in a fine cream linen.
www.tessuti-shop.com/products/helga-shirt-pattern
I could not be without a satisfying indoor hobby.

What a beautiful shirt Karmalady. Thank you for showing it to me.

Razzamatazz So pleased to hear you now have your floors. You are on the last lap now, thankfully. What a journey it's been for you. Sending you my best wishes.

lovely news razz, almost at a stage when you can put things back. It has been a long time coming but very well done on getting this organised all by yourself

Afternoon all, I have floors!

Man is coming back tomorrow to 'spray' them with something, then that's it. I've just washed the boards in all of the rooms, their shoes have made marks, as well as black marks from dragging something heavy. Luckily the green scourer took the marks out. Unfortunately the boards are pine, so will one day be a 70's orange, but I don't care, at least I won't be in danger of going through the floor now.

I realised I havn't told you why the floor was rotten. Seems in the floorboarded bedroom, the repair was attached to the rotten joists, the man snapped one in half in front of me. The other floors that had been replaced with plasterboard had been attached to untreated joists - not tannelised I think was the expression. I now have some air flow to the back bedroom as they've increased the joist spaces to the front bedroom.

So, waiting on my 'varnish' pads and will be ready for the handyman on Tuesday, hopefully I'll get my bed back by the following weekend!

Stay safe in this heat, I can't find anything to quench my thirst, tap water is warm and doesn't taste very nice. Might have a lemonade.