Project Mortgage Neutral Begins

ajmoney

Asbestos survey currently underway in my hallway so we know what the situation is for the ventilation system to be installed. I have always been pretty sure there will be asbestos in the other ceilings as they are artex and now unsure whether I should get everything checked or not. I guess it depends what approach a plasterer will want to take. I will deal with this first and then see what happens.

ajmoney

The saga of my house throwing up new things continues as the asbestos survey has come back to say it has been found in my hallway. I am unsure what to do now as, if I want the ventilation system to be fitted it will need to be dealt with and I think it is likely it is in all the ceilings. I am going to let the ventilation company know and then see what happens. Safe to say, it is another delay to me getting anything done to the interior of the house!

ajmoney

I am trying not to bury my head in the sand with anything so have checked through my emails to see if there is anything that has to be done ASAP. My gas and electricity needed renewing for next month so I have done that. I have gone for a fixed tariff rather than variable as everything seems to be changing at the moment and have chosen to stay with the same company rather than switch which came in at about £1 more expensive. After having problems with the smart meters this year and only just getting them sorted I have gone for ease, especially as it is hard to find time in the week sometimes to get them to come and do appointments.

Next job is to organise a boiler service, I have no idea when I have available for this but will see what can be done. Then I need to come up with a house plan...

ajmoney

Boiler service booked.

I have come up with a few ideas for the next course of action re the asbestos survey. I have emailed the company this evening to find out what the next steps would normally be to help formulate a plan.

I am going away for a few days tomorrow so will try to put this to the back of my mind until I get back.

ajmoney

House works are still in the back of my mind, hopefully I might have a better idea of where moisture is coming from soon as a friend is going to have a really good look everywhere.

Meanwhile I am focusing on what I CAN control...the garden or rather the weeding. I am trying to spend at least 15 minutes out there a day and it is really starting to show. I have been focusing on the patio and gravel areas and I hope that by the end of the weekend I will be on top of it. I had left it to concentrate on weeding the beds earlier in the year but seeing the network of roots under the gravel, I think it might have been a mistake. Nevermind, lesson learned and I will try and remember to regularly rake it to try and loosen anything that is still there. Next week I have a bit more time so am hoping to dig over the beds with weeds in, put fresh compost down and replant my pots. A week or two of letting the worms do their job on the beds, I will put loads of bulbs in and some bedding plants. It won't be cheap but it will look good and I can focus on other areas of the garden then.

ajmoney

One thing I would like to get on top of is food in the evening. I have lost the love for preparing food even if I have stuff in and end up putting a lot of stuff in the freezer and eventually eat it up. I used to love cooking, I don't know if I have had the same enjoyment since I have lived alone. I am going to use the extra time I have next week to make the effort to cook from scratch, even if I make sure all meals are quick ones and build from there. I am also going to try and have the slow cooker going so if there are times when I can't be bothered, I can take something out of the freezer which will be healthier than some of the options I have been going with. I don't think I am eating enough in the evening and am not sleeping well and wonder if this is linked.

Watty1

I lost the love of preparing food and eating too.    It is fine when the VNM is with me but on my own I really did fall into the trap of expensive and not great convenience options.

Yesterday I had a large delivery of food which went into the freezer as a lot was on special offer, but, it was bought with a plan.      That plan is to start using my slow cooker too.  Today I'm making a lamb curry. It should make 4 to 6 portions so I can freeze some (rather than eat the same thing for 4 nights). If I can do this for a few days then I will get some meals into the freezer.

I'm also going to talk with a neighbour about asking her to drop off eggs each week. That way I can make egg related dishes like a Spanish style omelette with veggies and potatoes in which is fast than most 'convenience' foods, cheaper and healthier

Good luck with the plans!.

ajmoney

Do you have a nice Spanish omelette recipe @Watty1

ajmoney

Friend has been having a look today. He doesn't see any problem from below the house and suggests getting the roof and flashing checked as there may be a damp spot in the loft. I hav a couple of people to call on, one is a neighbour and while I no longer want to ask anyone I know he might be able to give me some advice and pop round a time that is a little more convenient. He has shown me a pretty minging photo from up there where some thing, maybe wasp or spider related has at some point made it its home

ajmoney

I have a week working from home, I thought I would get so much done but I am so busy trying to do everything that I don't appear to be completing anything. I am going to try a more targeted approach after lunch as I would really like to take Friday off