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

Had a very busy (but enjoyable) day yesterday. Helped at both the Eco and Knit and Natter stalls at our u3a Open Morning. Then went directly to the house (very close by), the u3a History book club meting was due to beheld in afternoon. As it was close to church where open day was held I had been invited to go there for lunch rather than traipsing back to my home the other side of the town. So, left home at 9.15 in the morning and arrived back at 4.20 in the afternoon.

During that day I had been contacted by the son of one of recent owner of one of the flats, to ask if I would be willing to let in a carpet cleaning firm to do a quote for that work in the flat. Also, several answerphone messages on my landline which I had to deal with on my return.

Having a really quiet weekend - catch up with washing, housework and intend to make a lovely (well I hopeit will be) Leek and potato soup today.

Then late last night had a message from daughter in Eastbourne confirming everything well on track with their move and mortgage had been agreed and is being honoured before the recent chaos. They do hope to move during October half-term. So pleased as she so much wants this to happen. I remember that sometime ago when chatting to her on the phone - in a moment of madness!!! I said that I would purchase as a house warming pressie a new Kenwood mixer as her one has died. Looked at prices of these and gulped!!!!

I hope this is the right place to ask about house removals. I am waiting for completion on my move and exploring removal companies.
Has anyone here used a company, AnyVan, currently advertising on TV. I have looked them up on line amd the reviews (of course) are glowing. So if you - or someone you know - has had experience of their service, I;d be happy to hear from you.

Good luck annodomini, I hope you have good weather for your move.

Never heard of AnyVan. I used a local firm after three or four local people sung their praises and they were excellent. I used them again when I had to store everything to get the floors done. Have you asked on your local community Facebook page?

Good luck to your daughter too Franbern, I hope her move goes well.

annodommi Back in the early days of this thread there was discussion and some comments about well-known moving companies.

Never heard of the one you mentioned. Best thing is to get at least three different companies giving you a quote. Perhaps one where you currently live, one from where you are going to and then a third from one of this big ones. I can remember being quite amazed as to the big differences in pirce when I did this.

Ensure you know exactly what sort of service you want - do you want them to pack, etc. Be aware there will be loads of 'extras' you will be offered. Sometimes, some household items need specialists. Probably good idea these day is to take out the insurance against getting the key to the property you are moving into too late for the removal company to unload etc.

Good that your removal journey is coming to the end.
Good Luck

grhh I am not going to impulsively buy any more gingerbread men with chocolate heads and toes, was going to save them for dgc. I ate them over the weekend, every one of them. From Burns the bread, they sell lovely baked goodies and gingerbread men are lovely straight from the freezer

I did order a cheap leaf vacuum this morning, leaves swirl all over my patio, into nooks and crannies and I never look forward to getting at them with a brush. Leaves are just starting to fall, as I noticed on a cycle ride today. Beautiful day

My smart meter monitor is quite addictive, very useful tbh. I can see at a glance what the daily total is and can compare with several past days. I can remember when I had the oven on, when I used the washing machine and eventually will have a pretty good idea which appliances are energy-eaters and it won`t be guesswork

I dared to look at my drawdown sipp today, yikes the actual value of my gilts has fallen off a cliff, however I rest easy in that the fixed income will always be the same, no matter how the gilts fall and rise. I bought 4 different long dated gilts and the first one will mature when I am 89.

Whatever is left of the sipp will eventually go to my AC and some to my DGC, an annuity would be similar income with the capital disappearing on death, not so with gilts. Anyway I am taking some income cash out today, need to top up my pension. Gilt income is stored in the sipp as cash. Same as all cash, the value is being eroded rapidly due to inflation

I did some lovely sewing yesterday, that room really is my haven and I got out for a cycle ride. I have 4 days to my covid jab and am going to keep myself to myself. My neighbour who had covid and is still recovering, now has to wait until mid november for his jab

Garden is still looking nice, a bit like a fairy glade, the jelly king crab apples are bright red all over the tree. Blueberry leaves are now bright red and will blow off in any strong wind

Morning all

Just catching up after a long w/e away at Seal Bay, it was really lovely and the weather was good, unfortunately didn't see the Seals. My son, D&GC came, and the girls had so much fun by the sea, which was right where we were staying, just a short walk away.

Fran It was a big part of your life and still is, so it's fine if you what to talk about it now and again and it's interesting to hear.

Karmalady my smoke bush is a beautiful bright red and next to that I have a pale lilac Hosta & next to them I have a Rhododendron & a Camillia all with buds!

Your right Fran re the removals. I chose the cheepiest quote, half the price of the dreariest! and they were excellent.

Its a really scary time in the financial bond markets right now, pension funds are at risk, especially after friday this week. Remember when some pension funds collapsed years ago (2008ish). I can see people hunkering down rather than selling or buying. If anyone is in process, it would be very worthwhile hurrying on with it

Razz how are you feeling today? I do think of you and your struggles. Misty right now, no wind and quite high humidity all day. A flat dead day really, no sparkle.

Morning all, cold and sunny here. Condensation on the windows again, I am leaving them cracked open.

I hope everyone is well. I've had both flu/booster and luckily only had a sore arm. My poor daughter has got Covid for the second time.

I've still got the dreaded labyrinthitis, but it's not as bad when it comes, I can't wait to feel 'normal' again.

I had a blood test on Monday and got the results yesterday, 'raised' cholesterol levels. Rang the doctor's surgery, number 19 in the queue, on hold for 40 minutes - I've got a 'telephone' appointment on 27 October. A silent killer as you said Franbern, so glad I pushed for a test. Stupidly I smoked until I was 57.

My saddest news is that I had to have my beloved dog euthanised on Tuesday, six weeks after my beautiful cat. He would have been 14 yesterday. I miss him, he was my little mate, I loved him and he loved me. I gave his stroller to the vet, his dog has hip dysplasia. I've just washed all his toys, my son is coming on Sunday, his tiny dogs might like some of them. I'd bumped into two neighbours the day before, and they left sympathy cards for me when I got back from the vets, so very nice of them. I've just had some flowers delivered from a lovely friend - thank you so much, so very kind of you xx

Oh dear Razz so sad for you but not unexpected and it is going to free you up to go travelling, on holidays etc. You gave both your pets a wonderful life.

Give yourself time to mourn and recover. This really is now, the time for looking forward to a new lease of life for you.

How are things going in your bungalow now? Feeling much cosier, I hope

Tomorrow I go to London and will brave the underground system on my electric power chair. My eldest daughter's birthday in Saturday, and my g.daughter will come back from Uni to be with her Mum (and me) for this. When I (nostalgically) look back to 1970 when she was born, and think how much my life has progressed since then. I find it difficult to believe.

Still not had need to turn on heating in the flat yet, although last night I did use my winter dressing gown after I undressed as I usually do at around 7-7.30.

What a beautiful little dog Razz, beyond sad, even though expected. Enjoy your time with your son

One brave person Franbern, underground on a friday. Enjoy your weekend too

I am getting changed early this evening after a shower. I did a lot of digging and stone lifting this afternoon and got mucky when a plant I was lifting showered me with soil. I moved 5 roses and three blackcurrants and one echinacea. I took 3 of the roses out of a trio of very large square pots in a huge trough. They were not that happy. The position is against a wall, very warm and s facing. New easy care plants ordered, fig in the centre and agapanthus each side, all in their own confining pots

Annodomini,have you managed to sort your removals?

Razz
So sorry to hear about your dog. I had my dog for 13 years but never replaced him. I always think that he had a better life than many a child. I'm sure you feel the same way about your dog. Grief is natural but it doesn't make it any easier. Keep being strong.

Oh Razz I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. It’s the worst thing and the kindest thing to euthanise. Hope you can treat yourself to something nice when your son is over.

So sorry to hear about your little dog Razz, ?

Thank you for your kind words everyone, it has been a shock to lose him so soon after my beautiful cat. I was reassured again by the vet yesterday that it was his old age, and his kidneys failing, not the mould. There is a fungal condition called aspergillosis that both humans and animals get when exposed to mould, he did have a runny nose at the end.

I do hope he is with my husband. I don't remember ever buying silver heart shaped confetti as my daughter didn't like 'hearts', but I have found them at sad/stressful times, one was on the carpet when I came home from the vets. I just feel such a huge sense of loss, it's just me now. When I was young I dreamt of a big house in the country, with a lovely husband, kids and pets, and I did achieve that, so I do count my blessings.

So, no more worry about cat sitters and dog kennels, I am free to travel. Franbern you are really brave, I hope your journey goes well today. I feel nervous of going on the underground again after so long, but I must get down to London soon to see my late friend's Mum. Just thinking about it I can smell it, that hot filthy dirty air. I've been wearing flat skechers for years walking the dog, must dig out my boots with a heel and go for it. I haven't had a dizzy spell for two days now, perhaps I am on the mend - but I do have a buzzing in my ear. I'm going to have next week as a rest week to make sure I'm completely recovered, and then make some plans. Unbelievable almost a year ago I was sitting here in the dark while the flat roof blew off in Storm Arwen, time flies!

I'm going out in the garden now to make a nest site for the hedgehog that visits occasionally. Then I am going to make a final decision on the paint colour for my bedroom, my indecision is ridiculous, I have got my eyes shut in there for at least eight hours!

Have a good day everyone

I am so glad that you are soon to find your new lease of life. Razz re the paint colours, if you are staying then go for it, whatever colour lifts your spirits. If there is a shadow of potential that you may sell, then go completely neutral. My dd had to overpaint all their brightly coloured rooms to sell

The heart shaped confetti, yes that was a message, an arm around you. My message came via a small fluffy white feather on an inside half landing that had no open windows. It appeared on my last day at my old house

I had to do similar with each of our dogs, four of them, ages 14-15. It is not at all easy but the greatest thing you can do for them when the tail stops wagging

I've only just seen your post Razzamatazz. So sorry about your dear dog. He was very sweet, lovely photo of him. You will miss him and your walks together. It's just been one thing after the other for you. It is difficult to believe that it's almost a year since roof blew off your home. I hope the coming year will be better and kinder to you. Best wishes.

Surely life must look up for you now, Razz! You are due some good things happening after so much in the way of difficulty and problems, all coped with so valiantly. Your animals had such a good life. Now it’s your turn.

Oh Razz so very sorry to hear about your dear dog passing, he looks lovely in the picture. You will miss him tons I know. I bet you can't wait for this year to be over with, it's been such a bad one for you }}}Hugs{{{

Thanks everyone. I did rely on him for 'noises' and haven't been sleeping so well. I'm not looking forward to collecting his ashes next week, it's bought memories back of collecting my husband's, a sad sad day.

I've woken up very dizzy again this morning, such a pain.

It's 9C outside and I have got condensation on the front bedroom windows, I think I will have to get the ventilation unit in the loft. When I can stand on a ladder I'm going to check the window vents, perhaps they are blocked, I am leaving the windows cracked open. I am running the dehumidifier in the back bedroom which doesn't have working airbricks/can't leave the window open (full window) and it hasn't collected much. Glad I know how much it costs to run now.

I thought about your comment karmalady regarding painting throughout in neutral colours ready to sell. Still thinking about it, and looking at RightMove. My home town of Whitton in Middlesex is completely out of budget, I'm going to visit when I go down. If I won the lottery I would go home, I feel close to my Mum when I am there.

A local woman is driving to Poland with supplies for the winter at the end of the month, 250 Ukrainian children are in the orphanage. I'm going shopping today for some xmas gifts for them, hopefully they'll each get something.

Have a good day everyone

Razz I don`t feel that your heart is in where you live now, you would have felt that attachment after all your hard work. Without pets, you would perhaps be able to get somewhere safe such as a first floor apartment, even one bedroom as airbnb is so convenient for guests these days. You would be able to lock up and leave, I feel that you still have wanderlust in your being and when you are better, you should follow your dream

In the meantime, try not to put good money into your property, apart from basics to make it look good and feel cosy. Perhaps that ventilation system is what would be good if you were staying but right now, it would be far far cheaper to keep humidifiers going. You don`t want any potential buyers inquiring too deeply into why a ventilation system, that you would have to declare when selling

If you choose an apartment, think far ahead to convenience for when you are older. Moving twice, with your circumstances and what you have paid out, would be almost an impossible dream and really now, you deserve to be comfortable and cosy and in a financially stable environment for your future. The past needs a line drawn across

Thanks karmalady. I'm going to have a good think about where I want to be in ten years now I'm completely free of the ties and responsibilities of my pets.

I'm going to look at my budget and plan the renovation as cheaply as possible, I don't intend being here much. Unfortunately our second hand furniture shop, which had some amazing donations, has moved down to Newcastle. Might end up with my books on bricks and planks!

My son is coming tomorrow, I'm hoping he'll come with me to Borneo to see the orangutans at Sepilok next year.