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

That important bucket list Razz and best with company

I had a browse on the way back from my covid jab, got 6 dvds and 2 cds for a total of £2 in a cs. Got a cd on now, lovely, verdi opera choruses. Very uplifting while I am cooking

Have had a good weekend away. I really must say how easy and comfortable and stress free my journey in both directions was. Do really enjoy these travels in my small power chair. Feel so very independent. I always have to change trains at Bristol in both directions. But the train to and from London, the carriage which has a special place for wheelchairs in the First Class one. So that is where I travel. Great, - tea and coffee offered to me AND (more important) an attendant is always there, so I never have any worries as whether or not I will be met at stations with the ramp.

Cannot speak highly enough of these wonderful rail Passenger Assistance personnel. All went extremely well on the london underground. Again, such wonderful assistance. Sevefral of the tube lines now have doors which open totally level with and no gap to platforms, which means I can get myself on and off the train. The Central Line, unfortunately, is not one of these yet, so on there I had to use a ramp - but no problems always met as tube drew into station, etc.

Had a wonderful time on Friday evening attending the Gala evening of the London Festival of Gymnastics (this Festival has been cancelled for the past two years), Saw so many of my former colleagues and friends, was really exciting for me

Did meet up with my Sister-in-Law. Her daughter told me of the horrendous move - only after eight days from removal date have they finally managed to move in - however, the leaving family have caused a lot of damaged. Leaving loose leccie wires. No heating or hot water, etc. I told my niece to take lots of photos of all of this as it is quite illegal to do that these days.

Lovely coffee morning today with friends for over sixty years, They live near the underground from which I commenced my journey home, which made it very convenient.

Also nice seeing my lovely g.daughter as she came back home for her Mums birthday. Next term, after christmas, she commences her work placements as part of her social worker degree course. She seems very ready for this.

Still - it good to be back home.

karmalady

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

Absolutely…????????????

kitchen tap dripping, annoying. Tools out this morning, first worked out if hot or cold. Everyone needs to know that there is a screw on each pipe under the sink, a line across it and if horizontal it stops the water in that tap. Good to know in an emergency

It was the hot tap. Water off, tap handle off and I never had a big enough pipe spanner to take the ceramic valve out. Re-assembled, valve fully opened the screw but the drip was still annoying. Thinking back to before the drip started. Boiler service and he fiddled under the sink before switching the hot water on full. I turned the screw a little bit, to slightly reduce the full flow. Put a dry jug underneath and the drip has stopped

I am just saying about this because how many plumbers would have charged a relatively large amount of money to replace the ceramic valve at best and if honest, or just twiddled that screw under the sink if your back was turned and charged > £60

I could replace that ceramic valve myself, would cost me £15 plus I would need a bigger pipe spanner. Not a difficult job

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Good for you Karma - although I must say that anything to do with water, electricity or gas I NEVER do as DIY. For total safety I always have a professional for any work or repair.

The Loo in my en-suite has a very slight drip - I will get in a plumber to deal with this. Slightly annoying as this is the next (and last) room which I will probably have a complete re-do on - but not until 2024. I have dug into savings this year, what with my lovely new kitchen and the purchase of my (equally lovely) power chair. So, 2023 is designated for putting money back into savings without any large expenditure.

U3A weekly coffee morning today - just a nice chance to chat to people. Stopped off (planned) at Bon Marche on way home to purchase a couple of new jumpers for winter. We still have lovely sunny weather here, but can feel it getting a bit chilly - although no need to put on any heating in flat as yet.

My youngest daughter says everything is going well in their move. Contracts signed, but not dated, still hoping to move before end of this month. I received, yet again, a repeat question from the solicitors for the buyers of the flat here. Do wonder if anyone in Solicitors offices ever actual read replies sent to them.

It does not need to be replaced at this time goldbee. My fix has worked 100%. However replacing a monobloc tap ceramic disc cartridge does not phase me. It is an easy job. I have ordered the tools for the future, £8 for the full set.

My garden needed a bit of future-proofing, replacing sad roses in tubs that were too hot as by a s facing wall, in 3 big square pots in a row, in a great big trough. Those roses are now happier in garden soil. I put a fig in the centre (nice one from ebay) and fireworks agapanthius in the pots each side. Looks very nice and I have a good strong trellis in place. JI3 with grit. They will be good in hot drought

Oh I would not attempt something like a loo, apart from checking that there was no build up of anything (limescale) around the valve. I can do electrics but I don`t do anything major. I have spent a fair bit of time with a soldering iron in my hand and last was in 2012 when I bought the bits and installed a solar lighting system all down a big timber outhouse, even down to putting a lightening conductor in, controller, battery etc. I have always been practical, it is my nature

I am pleased that your daughter`s move is progressing well. I cannot help feeling that the flat buyer`s solicitor is playing for time

The old type of loos I was happy as all you needed to do was to lift the cover to see what was going on inside.. AND...the insides were far less complicated. The modern ones, are much more difficult. I do know how to get to that screw under the thingie that we push - but will not do that any more. My days of DIY except for a little decorating are well are truly past - and cannot say I am sorry.

I also feel that something is a little strange in these delays on the flat. Have contacted the vendors solicitors advising them that over the next few months (and could be commencing any day), four or five flats here will be going on the market - and for the sake of their client they might wish to expedite this current sale.

Sadly, there have been two deaths here, another person moving to Care Home and a fourth to a protected flat. Another is in hospital awaiting report as to whether she can return here (she is 104 years of age!!) and yet another may have to move out as her partner died and the flat now belongs to his children. Suppose this is the way it goes when you have a block of flats almost entirely occupied by retired folk.

Every time a Solicitor asks a new and difficult question I make a note of it in my own file - so that it should make it so much easier for my kids when they come to selling my flat.

Once all those flats come on the market, think I am likely to be kept quite busy!!!!

oh such a shame about the children selling the flat from underneath the remaining partner. Its a pity that it was not in a will trust for her (or him) to be able to continue to live there. It must happen over and over if people prematurely sign their homes over to children or if a partner is ignored in a will

It is going to be tricky to keep track of all the accruing ongoing service charges which need to be paid into the pot

Well done Karmalady on stopping that drip!

Fortunately our service charges are paid six monthly, so next ones not due until March. Although there never seems to be a problem with having these paid. Our Committee has close contact with the people of each flat including those who are selling it, and send our invoice direct to them and they pay - then once the flat is sold their solicitors proportion out how much they get back and how much the buyers pay.

We are far more concerned about having flats empty - do turn off water in them and keep a close check on them (we have front door keys for very flat), but like having all flats lived in. Hopefully, some of the in-comers will be willing to come onto our Committee.

Miserable morning here today, no sun, but still very mild. I am gazing at the glorious autumn colour of the tree I can see from my living room chair - wonderful rust red now covering a good 75% of the leaves. Makes me appreciate Autumn.

yogi, how are things with you? has the `relationship` with your neighbour and the garden calmed down?

Franbern, it always unsettling when there is a change around in a small block of flats, everyone needs to be empathetic to and considerate of others needs.

Thanks for asking Karmalady unfortunately we have had a few more stinkers of an argument, but we are still on speaking terms today, after I pointed out on Tuesday that his outlet pipe to his washing machine was split & all the water was gushing out the top and flooding the pathway to the garden gate and had been doing so for months. He only puts his wash on once per week. When I pointed out the split pipe, he said to me hang on I'll see if I've got a bit of pipe up the back of the garden I waited a while and then left before he could ask me to just shimmy up there and fix it for him.
So I think I have to accept it's going to be a love hate relationship with him.

Its good that you have such a nice personality yogi, best way is not to get entrenched.

Yikes, a big wash load of bedding done overnight, forecast did say ok before I went to bed. It is out now but I am watching outdoor humidity like a hawk

I did not want to waste my day so have bottomed my bedroom and glad of the quickstep flooring, rubber castors on the two 3` beds and the felt pads under heavy dressers. Fluffiest room in my house I think. Also did the stairs and skirtings all over. Enough for today, I have to leave enough housework for the next rainy day

Re- bounding impact exercise this morning instead, in my hall

Thanks to Razz for awakening memories. I bought a second hand paperback, cranks vegetarian classics and oh my goodness, those recipes are bringing back lovely memories. I have now ordered the things I don`t have any longer such as carob and soya flour and cracked wheat

All the children gew up very healthy on those foods and I was slimm (er). I cannot wait to be doing those recipes again. Excited tbh

I feel as though we are bedding down for the poorer weather that is so typical of november. I remember the wind and the rain hammering on the windows knowing that our horses were sheltered in their stables up the garden, munching fragrant hay, ahh what a nice etime in our lives, when the house was full. Very different now

My transplanted roses, roughly handled roots tbh and moved in the wrong season, are all sprouting new shoots, phew. Where I had 6 of two colours in each bed, I now have 3 of one colour. Much better and more air for them

I went shopping, 30 mile round trip as the car needed the exercise. Not that many people there and the rain was torrential.

I am impressed with my youngest daughter (the one in the process of moving again). Some time ago she told me that the Kenwood Chef I had purchased for her 40th birthday had died. I was surprised, I thought that Kenwood items lasted forever!!!!

Anyway, in a moment of madness during that phone call I said I would replace it as a Moving Pressie. As the move is (hopefully) taking place in the next few weeks I checked on the cost of these - and was pretty horrified. But did see many other makes looking very similar much much cheaper. So, I sent her a message asking if she would want me to send one of those to her or, if she wanted a Kenwood, then I would send some money towards the cost.

In no time at all, she came back saying that she has already replaced that Kenwood Chef, with a cheaper, different make which does the jobs perfectly (including making a large three-tier wedding cake which she did as a gift for someone. Then she went on to say I should not send anything as they had been 'serial' movers AND I should keep the money to ensure I stayed warm and well-fed this coming winter.

First time I can remember her being so considerate to me - Perhaps she is really starting to mature now!!!

Ahhh, I do love it when AC show thoughtfulness

My shark cordless stick vac cleaner has stopped working well, I thoroughly cleaned it etc but I suspect it has a limited lifespan. It is worse than useless now. I bought a new one this morning and chose a dyson at mega bucks with excellent reviews. Oh well, that is what what are savings are for?

Exactly,, Karmalady - that is what savings are for. My AC all laugh (gently) at me, when I obsess about having a reasonable amount in savings - asking me what I need these for. Yes, I do know that that if I did need anything that was important that they (particularly the eldest two or three), would happily provide it - BUT, I just like that feeling of a good cushion for myself. Which is why I am planning for no large expenditure during 2023 as I really hope to be able to replace some of the savings I have gone into this year (New Kitchen, new power chair).

Half term this coming week, and two of my AC are off abroad for holidays. As usual I follow flights until they land, one family off yesterday - happily now in Tunisia. But this morning. trying to check on a flight for another from Manchester Airport - all I get is the message saying 'network error' on that page. So, until I know the plane should be arriving in Rome and can check at that airport's web page I really do not know.

I have a lovely lazy day today - will try to sew up a little knitted dog, do, some work on my BSL course (really do need to work on these signs every day fora short while), and expect my Sainsbury's early evening.

How is everyone doing now that the dark days are fast approaching? I don`t get much winter SAD but do have a handy sad light, just in case I don`t get out into the light.

Really fed up of rain and in and out, like in the old days, with washing on and off my ouside drying space. I brought my second and larger, indoor airer downstairs yesterday and found a storage space for it in my hall cupboard. I can see it being used often this autumn, as it was yesterday. I only managed to part dry the washing outside yesterday. Bringing my very large liftomatic airer here was a very good thing, I only had to make a hole, put in a new ground tube and concrete it in. It is very straight . My neighbour hammered a ground spike in for his and his is wonky now. I remember bracing mine with a contraption of poles and sticks and string. The concrete part was easy, to bags of instant plus a can of water. One minute to check with a vertical spirit level

Smart meter is now out of visual sight as I have dropped the addiction to it but I do look every morning, to compare past days. Definitely the oven which takes the most electricity, much more than the washing machine but hey ho. I made granola the other day in my smaller oven and needed the big tray. I am very much liking the sheer convenience of boiling water once a day for my thermos flasks, not just the saving of around £9 a month. It would be almost double that for some as I have fixed rate

I paid for 2 more years of Skoda assistance AA today, forgot to put that one into my bills calendar. I was suspicious about the price but shopped around this morning and it was cheapest

I want and need, to get out in the fresh air today but have parcels arriving later, a stand from dyson for my new vac which I will keep in my hall and some lands end nighties, which were cheaper than making them. Dyson handheld comes with a wall charger but I will not be drilling more holes in my newly painted house, hence the stand which is extra

Partial solar eclipse this morning between 10-12!

On Sunday morning a received a phone call from a Lady in one of our flats, very distressed as she had a leak in her CH boiler. Told her not to worry, but to call BG for emergency call-out. When she said but she was not with BG, told her to leave it to me and I would sort it out. She will be celebrating her 98th birthday tomorrow.

We have a multi premises contract with BG for 24/7 callout, so rang them gave them details and was told engineer would come on Tuesday 'No'., I said, 'Today - please. This leak is causing this lady extreme concern. With a little 'tweaking' as to how I gave replies to their standard questions (none of which took into any account age), they arranged for an engineer to call a couple of hours later.

Told her to call me when she received the phone call to say they were on their way, and went and sat in her flat with her whilst he was there. Lovely, obviously very knowledgeable young man. Did a great job, tested everything and even wore his own overshoes to prevent any damage to her carpets.

Hope, ( should I make it to that sort of age), there will be people around to look after me.

My two AC all had good journeys for their holiday, see fb photos each day from one of them swimming in sea etc. Will not hear from other until they get back home. But flight all checked and followed by me.

Off now to a couple who have invited me to their flat for lunch. Do love my active social life here.

I stubbed my toe, the one next to the little toe, it has started to bruise and as it is not sticking out at an angle, I have strapped it in between two toes. I have to walk about hence the strapping. Also arnica taken and now it is all down to healing and enforced rest

I put the rebounder back on its side, no chance of me using that for a while but cycling will be ok, if we get any dry days. All because I had not quite put a small padded seat box right back up against the side of the chest of drawers, after cleaning behind it.

It is always good to have a handy first aid kit. I have two, the usual small kit in my utility room and a bigger box under my bed with strapping, bandages, burn gels etc

It was painful, stubbed toes are painful

Plans for being out and about today have changed now, no long walk, nor anything that involves crouching or dancing while I dust

I hope you are all coping as the nights draw in

I have a tip:

I bumped the wall while lifting my cylinder vac onto a bed to read what model it is. Result was two black marks on my newly painted wall, one mark quite dark and big, the other a string of dots

Normally I would have tried soap to remove the marks, knowing that I would end up touching up in about 3 coats of paint. Instead I tried colgate complete, which has no colour, on a j cloth and it slid over the marks very easily. To my utter surprise, the marks vanished. Happy bunny here and no removed paint

I needed new vac bags and a voucher came to my email box this morning. Ordered a box of 8, they will last quite a while

Very grey again, right now. Hoping the sun appears, like yesterday

I have just received a new vacuum bag. I purchased some of these soon after I moved her to keep all the bedding from my spare (sofa) bed in. Worked perfectly -at first. I have been very careful each time I have unpacked them in order to use the duvet, etc. This last time, I have found that they no longer work for more than about a day. I pump out all the air, put in cupboard and by the following day it is if no air has been pumped out. Tried the duvet one at least three times with same effect. Obviously, they have a built-in obsolence factor. So have just purchased a single one for the duvet.

Today I am celebrating the third anniversary of my move to this flat. One of the best decisions of my life.