Doing the house up, downsizing, old age prep

[Deleted User]

ovens: I have been getting used to my new combination oven and have to say that it is perfect for one or two people on a daily basis. It is big enough for roasting and to make a cake and bigger in fact than I imagined. You can actually get enough food in there easily for two people eg baked potatoes and fish in foil. I also got a larger oven but I make huge sourdough boules. If I didn`t then I would be perfectly happy with the combination oven. I have microwaved in it and used the conventional oven and also the fan oven. IMO it definitely can replace a big oven and a microwave. Downside is that they are expensive

Eenymeeny

kittie wrote: »

ovens: I have been getting used to my new combination oven and have to say that it is perfect for one or two people on a daily basis. It is big enough for roasting and to make a cake and bigger in fact than I imagined. You can actually get enough food in there easily for two people eg baked potatoes and fish in foil. I also got a larger oven but I make huge sourdough boules. If I didn`t then I would be perfectly happy with the combination oven. I have microwaved in it and used the conventional oven and also the fan oven. IMO it definitely can replace a big oven and a microwave. Downside is that they are expensive

I'm pleased that you are enjoying your combination oven Kitty. I use mine most days and find it heats up much quicker than the 'big' oven. I was a bit scared of mine at first and still haven't figured out how to use the combination setting unless I use the pre-set programmes like pizza, potato products etc! (Any tips please?)
One little tip that I've found useful is to keep an eye on things if you're cooking 2 layers. I usually swap them over halfway through, as the top layer can burn and the bottom be pale due to the grill. I also find that a round pyrex casserole is ideal for cooking in it, using the lid and base. In fact, I keep them inside the oven when not in use as they are used so often!

wymondham

ibizafan wrote: »

My parents, (84 and 88) have been in the process of de-cluttering for the last few months, bless 'em. They are determined not to leave it all to us to sort out when they have gone. The charity shops have certainly done well out of them recently!

Wow, how wonderful are your parents - very thoughtful and open.... lucky you!!!!!!

ibizafan_2

Thanks for that Wymondham, but I can assure you that they can still be infuriating at times. My father had an op on a leg artery last year, which has resulted in my mother helping him in the shower quite a bit. Despite having had a walk in shower put in downstairs a few years ago, they still prefer to get into the upstairs bath, but I suppose there's more room for two of them at the same time! Also, due to being frugal and good with money and investments, and subsequently amassing a large amount of money (and I do mean large) they are still reluctant to spend out on things that would make their life a bit easier. However, they have had plenty of aids put in around the house, which will be handy, even if not needed yet. I just wish they would acknowledge that the money is there to be spent, instead of still being stuck in the mindset of not "wasting" it, but it's difficult to change the habits of a lifetime, and very common with that age group.Dad in particular, refuses to accept that he's nearly 89, and still thinks he should be able to do everything. Mind you, he's better on a computer than me, and has just completed his memoirs which he has emailed to us children ready to read. Looking forward to that.

[Deleted User]

Thank you eenymeeny, very good tips for me. I just started using it, the kitchen is almost finished and I should have water tomorrow but I could use the oven from a few days ago. I have microwaved and am not used to the fact that it does not turn inside but I can hear it turning on and off, I have used the timer, the conventional oven and the fan oven. So far so good and I must say that it was a very good purchase for me. The combination aspect sounds excellent, just got to try it first

I think I went too mad downsizing and cannot find a couple of items that I may well have given to the cs. Oh well. I still have to do under the sink, when it and the dishwasher are connected and also one quite large corner bast unit and the wide drawer under the hob. A few paint tweaks from the fitter as well and otherwise it looks pretty amazing. Cream units with dark grey granite and a paler grey splashback to the hob. I put a matching dark grey mottled kitchen blind up the other week. Looks very clean and uncluttered so far and I will add colour with utensils and flowers.

I pushed the sofa back and dusted for the first proper time in two weeks. Tomorrow a smaller tv cabinet is coming in light oak and that will mean that I will be able to mix and match in the future, wherever I am. I shudder to think of all the money wasted on solid dark ercol furniture that I had to pay to be taken away, doesn`t bear thinking about.

Then that is IT. I will have finished downsizing. It took two whole years but the rate speeded up greatly after my husband died in february. It was now or never

cattermole

Lovely to come back to this thread and read what everyone has been doing.

Can't believe it was 6 months ago when I typed a post!

Well we've gone and done it hopefully sold the house, hoping to exchange soon. Where we are going to put everything is uppermost in my mind. Until we actually exchange I feel reluctant to do the really big things. So I've mainly been decluttering and been pretty ruthless.

We've cleared the shed and stored it at a friends (well most of it!) as we will need somewhere temporary until we can get a shed at the new house. Apparently we need a full size removal van and another van for the garden stuff. DH is taking his newish Greenhouse he had for Christmas last and all his plants in pots, plus a huge fan palm that we are going to have to get out of the garden.

His back has been really bad since May, so he can't do much and is waiting for injections, which will hopefully improve things.

A lot of compromises at the new house, it's a new build on a very small development on a corner of quite a busy junction, but overlooks a Common. We considered moving to the East to be near Step-daughter and could have bought a much bigger property for the same price but it just didn't feel right. We won't have to change Doctors, it's right by a bus stop (if needed) for the future, easy to walk the dog on the Common and other walks. Close to friends as just the next village along from where we are now.

Caravan it doesn't have room for, so it's going to a winter pitch which we can use whenever we like. However our plan is when Hubby retires fully (he's part time) is to buy a small motorhome and do Europe while we still can (god willing) so a motorhome will go on the drive at the house.

The appeal of no maintenance and a very energy efficient house is appealing, it's much smaller rooms than this house and the garden is very small. It has a very spacious downstairs cloakroom which could be a wet room if needed. Plenty of hall space and easy to move around. Nice kitchen diner with patio doors and the same with the separate small Lounge. It's going to be hard to leave our lovely home but it's a financial necessity really as we know we will never pay off the mortgage if we stay. So to be mortgage free will be a massive relief.

Going to be very busy over the next few weeks, if everything goes to plan. A lot of the furniture we are selling to our buyers who a FTB.

It's a new chapter...it will be very strange to start with but hopefully we will be happy there.

cattermole

kittie wrote: »

oh my kitchen is utterly fantastic and not long to finishing. I have just tidied up and sat down. I have been the most amazingly lucky person with the fitter and prior with the stove company.

It is a relatively small space, U shaped with the window at one end and dining area at the other end. The fridge and freezer used to be visible from the living area. Not any more, they are on the other side now and screened with a tall panel. I have loads of best quality drawers, wall units that almost reach to the ceiling (yes I`ll have to use the lightweight safe ladder from the utility for the top anyway) and a curved short low end unit next to the built in ovens. I have gone the whole hog as this is my first, last and best home designed kitchen I have ever had or wanted

Two reasons for getting the ultimate appliances: this make lasts and lasts, the big oven has shots of steam and my sourdough bread is definitely going to love that. The combination microwave was an afterthought when dh died and suddenly I was cooking for one. The new fridge is tall and matches the tall freezer, everything is in brushed non marking stainless steel. The dishwasher is top of the range and even opens to air dry when finished. Second reason is to get value into the house as houses can be inherited, IHT free, up to quite a high value, that combined with me having a superb kitchen to make the most of. Wow, I am so happy with it, even though not yet finished

I am expecting imminent delivery of a smaller tv cabinet and then I`ll really be able to tidy up and will also stop spending. It is going to take weeks to get the house into a nice clean and tidy condition but I am going to enjoy every moment

Anyway it would cost me £000s just to sell and move, so much better for me to improve what I have here

It sounds gorgeous the new kitchen

[Deleted User]

My house is now running smoothly. I did go on about the new kitchen! I just read my post but I was and am so excited. It is working exactly as I had hoped and I am going to start batch cooking this weekend ie making a large pot of something to divide and freeze in single portions, using foil dishes now. The pull out drawers are wonderful, they hold such a lot and I haven`t had to go on my hands and knees looking for things

I did some tweaks last week re electric sockets and plugs. Some sockets are very difficult to reach so I bought remote control sockets to plug in. Some were behind a very heavy chest of drawers in the bedroom and I had to cut a large hole out of the back of the chest, so that in future all I need to do is remove one drawer, if needed. The new sockets are excellent and I like the fact that one switch controls one socket, so a power cut does not mean that I have to sync them. They just switch on and off. I can switch any stand -by lights off at night, so the room is thoroughly dark. I took my old tv down off the top, never watched it. It was incredibly heavy and is being picked up by a charity next week. I bought a new modern tv, could carry it with one hand and it is up there, mostly just in case, in case I want to watch from my warm cosy bed at any time. One socket is connected to a safe electric heater, I may never use it but good to have it ready if it is very cold and that needs its own socket. The other one just runs a few things with very low current and I had to connect a surge protected extension to the socket that was left, there are only two sockets. It is a good extension and safe and all the electrics are off unless I am in there anyway.

The charity shop trolley is still standing half full and has been for three weeks now. I may well be coming to the end of my general downsizing and future proofing. It was aching at times so makes me appreciate how important it is to get this done, while I can

[Deleted User]

I didn`t know which thread to put this post in, widows/changes/skiing/konmarie ? Having a break now so just putting some thoughts down

Up at 6.30 and before even showering, wardrobe door open and I spy something that son in law could really do with,a lumie daybreak lamp, great for winter SAD and was so effective when dh was working but been on a shelf for many years. So down it comes and yes while I am up there! so now I already have another stash to dispose of to the hospice shop

I think this feeling of wanting space and energy flow has come from the psychology of reaching the acceptance stage after my husbands death. I feel as though I am wanting to make my home my own. There are no psychological blockages standing in the way and it has gone well past one in and two out

Wardrobe is hard as I am a non standard shortie with ample hiptitude but I am going konmarie later today and going to hug every piece which stares at me now and I`ll see if I get the vibes. I just did my shoes and have removed 3 pairs and `found` a lovely pair of squishy swede short boots, must have bought them in a sale and put away. Delighted to have found them but this isn`t going to happen again

I would call this downsizing, it isn`t old age prep, nothing to do with old age. I think deep in my psyche, I want to go scandalously colourful so I need room first

lessonlearned

ScAndalously colourful sounds fab.........

Wardrobes - I have had several purges, some clothes I acftually now wish I had kept.......lol. I'm thinking In Particular of two fab-u-lous evening dresses......I won't make that mistake again.

When I do eventually move next year I shall have floor to ceiling fitted wardrobes in every bedroom - ALL TO MYSELF :rotfl:

I shall finally be able to become a fashionista;)

I shall dress in all colours of the rainbow - although maybe not all at once.........