The impossible dream

savingholmes

Good to have a plan. You can refine as you go. Doesn't have to be perfect day one.

Tahlullah.H

Today's song on repeat - Wicked Game by Chris Isaak.

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you.

savingholmes

Hope you are okay... My song was Fight Song by Rachel Platten - fits with what is going on for me right now.

Tahlullah.H

I feel like I have been talking about this event forever.  Tomorrow should be a Wonderful day, assuming the sun is shining and Mr Bluebird is on your shoulder, as the work on the Chimney should finally start.  All the pieces are in place - suspected good weather for the rest of the week, scaffolding still up, bags of stuff to be used still sat in the garden and the chimney was swept in preparation.  The fire surround has been removed, the grate out of the fireplace and tea and coffee with biscuits on standby.  And the final piece de resistance - money in the bank waiting to pay for a job well done.  I will keep my fingers crossed for Wednesday 1 September 2021 being a memorable day.  Perhaps, I will burst into song...  

Feeling quite positive, as considering all the work done over the year, the mortgage is only £2k different to this time last year.  I may not be able to catch up financially, but I am pleased that I am not way in debt and I still have my savings in place.  Financially, this has been a good year so far.

Tahlullah.H

Well, the work has started, but the chimney people have found more problems.  And I need a builder to fix them.  As I am no longer in communication with the builder who did the work on the house and caused chaos, I am at a standstill again - considering how long it took me to find the builder in the first place.  All good things come to s/he who waits...
I think I need to concentrate on getting the central heating back up and running, as the open fire may never happen in my lifetime.

LadyWithAPlan

oh no, what a nightmare.. Hopefully you can turn this all around without costing too much more.

savingholmes

Sorry things derailed again. Hugs

Tahlullah.H

Thanks LWAP and Savings for the support.  Yes, it always goes pear shaped.  Nothing ever goes smoothly.  Anyway, the chimney people came, checked their work and gave me a certificate to say the work had been done, with 2 recommendations - fit an air brick in the siting room and the actual building work to the chimney, which is separate to the chimney lining which is completed.  So, for the work to be done, have to 1.  Find a builder.  2.  Change the scaffolding set up to allow the work to be done.  3.  Get the work done without it bankrupting me.  And every day, extends the cost on the scaffolding hire - it is cheaper to leave the scaffolding up than to take it down and then pay to have it put back up.  Plus, you can't guarantee you can get it put up when you need it again, which is what caused the delay in the first place. And although I have the certificate for the chimney, I still haven't been give the bill for the work, because he sees the outside as part of the job and won't bill until this work is done.  Not sure how I feel about being held to ransom like this, but I will tolerate it for a short period and then see if I get angry enough to start making demands.

On the other side of it all, I seem to have lost contact with the worker who is fitting the balustrade to the decking.  The glass is arriving soon and I can't get hold of him.  But I refuse to panic about this until the glass is here for more than a week and I still can't get hold of him to come and fit it.

On the positive side I want to go and buy some plants to go on the decking.  I want to do something nice and frivolous with what little money I have for once.  Rather than everything going into stuff that has to be done, I want to buy something just for the fun of it because it's a nice thing to buy.  I want something bush like, that can live in a pot all year round and can survive the harsh winters of being on the coast, so severe wind, rain and frost with the occasional snow.  There will be the tiniest bit of protection from the wind as it will be on the decking with a bit of glass to protect, but nothing substantial.  Anyway a bit of research is needed I think.

On the plus side - I won £5 on the Thunderball last night.  Be thankful for small wins.

savingholmes

I like your pots idea. Something like green box you can train like topiary?

I bought some pretty red, white and pink cyclamens yesterday to give me a lift too

Tahlullah.H

This is becoming more of a running commentary of my life, rather than a record of my Mortgage Free Journey!

Positives, the Central Heating is working again!  So pleased.  Plus, I can use the Open Fire in a couple more days, small ones to dry the chimney liner out slowly.  All good as we come into winter.  The glass for the balustrade arrived this morning.  Wasn't expecting it, so a positive.

Negatives - I still have to get hold of the man doing the balustrade to get it completed.  Hopefully he will show now that the glass is here.  Still waiting to hear about the scaffolding and the builder to do the work on the outside of the chimney.

If I can get these 2 things done and completed, then I will be happy.  Everything else that needs doing in the house is chopped liver and can take place over the next few  months, in preparation for next season's holidays.    The Hare and the Tortoise.