Renovations and Repayments.

AlexLK

maman wrote: »

Oh at least that's something settled then!!:D

It's very fashionable to retain 'original features' but people also expect mod cons. It wasn't the whole house in the link I was suggesting just that you could compromise with MrsK by having an unobtrusive shower (no more than a tiled corner with a plain glass wall) while doing the rest of the room/fittings in a Victorian style.

Interesting though it is to discuss interior design I was trying to suggest ways that you and MrsK could live in harmony!!;)

Enjoy your Hallowe'en prep and don't eat too many sweets.:)

:rotfl:

I don't care about what is fashionable or not, to be honest. As for "mod cons" that's not something that bothers me terribly. Personally, I thought the house in the link was fundamentally a modern design, just with a few accents of the past. I would like something at least fairly authentic.

Mrs K will live with whatever I choose in the end as she's not too concerned about it.

Prep is done, house looks sufficiently "spooky" and no sweets / cakes / toffee apples eaten yet.

Goldiegirl wrote: »

You say that in the same quizzical tone that the rest of us say 'Why is Alex obsessed with keeping his parents house?'

It looks so heavy, it'd crash through the floor!:rotfl:

Who is 'holding the cards'? Hopefully it's both of you

Don't think you're ever going to understand my reasons.

You have made me wonder if the creaky floors will hold it, now. :eek: :rotfl:

Ultimately, the decisions about what we're doing regarding renovating the house fall to me. I do take my wife's wishes into account, though.

maman

AlexLK wrote: »

:rotfl:

I don't care about what is fashionable or not, to be honest. As for "mod cons" that's not something that bothers me terribly.



Mrs K will live with whatever I choose in the end as she's not too concerned about it.
Ultimately, the decisions about what we're doing regarding renovating the house fall to me. I do take my wife's wishes into account, though.

Although I said 'fashionable' I probably meant saleable. Period features with mod cons seems to be what buyers look for.


I've got used to your turn of phrase and I'm sure you mean that MrsK is happy to leave home renovating decisions to you. Does come across as a bit strong though;).


Hope you have a lovely party and that LittleK enjoys himself (and the sweets:D) very much. Then you and MrsK can relax afterwards.

AlexLK

Unfortunately, I can't see us selling the house anytime soon. Wife said after the party this evening that she's starting to really like living here (she wasn't a fan of the house when we moved here) and doesn't want to move. I asked when she thinks she'd like to move and she said that she doesn't want to. :mad: Hopefully she'll come round to my way of thinking soon enough.

She's happy to leave me to it for the most part, yes. I suppose my comments yesterday could be construed as being a bit controlling.

This evening went really well, was quite glad parents decided not to attend. Brother-in-law was awfully disappointed and thought it acceptable to tell his host that I'm not so bad now I'm less of a pretentious p****. Think that was his way of saying thank you to me for doing this. :rotfl:

My son had a great time but was really spoilt being the youngest, also scared silly by his cousins. Quite surprised he went to sleep with little fuss after all the spooky house tales they were telling him. He knocked on our neighbour's door for a treat, I think they were expecting him because they'd baked some Halloween cup cakes. They came around for an hour or so which was quite nice.

Must say I was quite surprised just how much fun we all had, considering everyone was stone cold sober. Will definitely do another next year if Mrs K and I ever see the end of the tidy up tomorrow. Was a cheap event, mainly owing to the fact the only money we spent on alcohol was a bottle of wine for Mrs K and I to share once it was over this evening.

AlexLK

Well, after my sweet comments last week, I'm left wondering what to do with all the cakes and sweets left here last night! Parents wouldn't be happy to receive anything as they didn't come, Mrs K is thinking about taking some to work and I could take some to cousin's. Hopefully they'll be happy to receive. Son asked if he could take them to school :eek:, fortunately he seems OK about going back.

Fortunately, Mrs K got up this morning and has done the majority of the tidy up. Quite glad about that. Think we'll have a quiet day and take a trip to Derby later to see the fireworks. Then back to school tomorrow, I'm missing son already.

smallholdingsister

I like your BIL's style.

maman

smallholdingsister wrote: »

I like your BIL's style.

Not exactly how I would speak to the host but I do understand where he's coming from. You have changed Alex, far readier to be tolerant of others who don't necessarily agree with you or see things from your point of view.


Except, you have this enormous sticking point on moving to your parents' home. It's just that their home, not yours or MrsK's. You and your wife seem to be getting along quite well at the moment. I think she was an absolute star when she visited the parents when you were unwell. You could wreck all the good work if you keep constantly nagging at her to move. She wants her own home with her own family. That's what people do.

pavlovs_dog

Sweets will keep - put them away for another time. Kids will not be unduly phased about eating Halloween themed sweets out of season.

Almost any cake that is not iced will freeze well, if that helps at all. Wrap it tightly in clingfilm. Freezing larger cakes in slices makes it easier to take out what you need as and when. Otherwise, cake in the workplace is always well received and will help to boost morale.

AlexLK

smallholdingsister wrote: »

I like your BIL's style.

He's a bit of a "character".

maman wrote: »

Not exactly how I would speak to the host but I do understand where he's coming from. You have changed Alex, far readier to be tolerant of others who don't necessarily agree with you or see things from your point of view.

Except, you have this enormous sticking point on moving to your parents' home. It's just that their home, not yours or MrsK's. You and your wife seem to be getting along quite well at the moment. I think she was an absolute star when she visited the parents when you were unwell. You could wreck all the good work if you keep constantly nagging at her to move. She wants her own home with her own family. That's what people do.

Not you also, maman. :rotfl: I suppose you're right re. the tolerance, I've been trying over these past few years. Don't want my son to grow up thinking he's above others. Will admit I did until the rest of the world showed me I was anything but. Though having no sense of self worth isn't exactly healthy, either.

My wife and I are still going to counselling, it's helping a lot though I wish I hadn't put her through all the things I have and continue to. I know she deserves better. My parents really appreciated her going there when I wasn't well, I appreciated it too. I wish I could give her somewhere better to call home.

AlexLK

Bluefire wrote: »

I know the feeling; we were supposed to have 10 over last night, it ended up being 6 with us included! DH's workmates are going to feast well this week, I made way too much cake for that many people: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/45/a3/de/45a3de2a120bee4782e2a053ee0efdf9.jpg

:rotfl: Mrs K is taking cake to work and we did have a little this evening too. Also bonfire toffee, so son has now definitely had enough sweet things until his birthday.

Your Halloween table looks great. A pity not all your guests turned up, though. Wife had gone a bit crazy with the "blood" and skulls around ours.

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

Sweets will keep - put them away for another time. Kids will not be unduly phased about eating Halloween themed sweets out of season.

Almost any cake that is not iced will freeze well, if that helps at all. Wrap it tightly in clingfilm. Freezing larger cakes in slices makes it easier to take out what you need as and when. Otherwise, cake in the workplace is always well received and will help to boost morale.

Thanks for the advice. Will certainly put the sweets away.

Usually we don't freeze anything, I don't think it tastes quite the same after it's been in the freezer. However, I may try this another time as the cakes are going to work with Mrs K tomorrow.

AlexLK

Today has been another cheap day. Not much done in the day apart from a free lunch at parents' and some music. This evening we went to see the fireworks which was free apart from the petrol used to get there. An actual no spend day for once, though.

Tomorrow, I've promised Mrs K that I'll do a couple of jobs on the house. Also going to school for a few hours to do last minute theory prep for the kids at my old school that will be taking Grade 5. The day after I've got to go there again for Music exam prep too, voluntary school wouldn't even think about doing this. Ought to try to get some sleep but am wondering how son will get on being at school for lunch tomorrow, quite worried about him.