Project Mortgage Neutral Begins

Downshifterella

Great work on the gardening! And a day in the sun/outside followed by takeaway sounds just perfect!

ajmoney

Yesterday was such a frustrating day which highlighted that I can't do everything by myself.
I woke up to my backup house alarm beeping, it seems I needed to reset it after the power was off for my smart meter fitting. The manual made no sense to me whatsoever so I primed Mr AJM to help me although it seems setting the alarm may have done it as it doesn't seem to be beeping anymore.
Next part of the day was good. Junior parkrun was very inspiring watching the children having fun being active. 2 tip runs to clear the rubbish from Friday's gardening day, I need to get some plastic sheeting to put down in my car when I am moving wet binbags, finished by potting the remaining plants so my patio has some colour. I ironed and cleaned and tidied the house and it was at this point I lost it. My kitchen tap had been dripping during the day but then it started to fail and I couldn't stop the water. Eventually I managed to get it to a slow trickle but couldn't turn the stop !!!!. I looked at some videos for how to check but this overwhelmed me so once again asked Mr AJM for his help. He has freed the stop !!!! but because I don't know how turning the water off will affect the boiler I have left the water on. I ended up coming across to the west last night so I didn't need to worry about using the tap. I have someone coming to service my gas fire on Friday so am going to get in touch and see if he can help with the too, while I am at it I might get the boiler serviced so everything gets done at the same time.
I know things go wrong with houses but while I don't have workmen I can call or a network of people to help me I am finding it very tough.
Today I should be doing a loch swim so I am looking forward to that.

Moneywhizz

Sorry to read that you had such a frustrating day. I have read some of your diary recently and think you are coping admirably on your own. There are always going to be things that crop up that are outwith your ability to fix them but this could be true for everyone, not just a single woman. Having someone sharing the responsibility somehow takes the pressure and stress out of some of these situations. I lived on my own for a number of years and found it difficult at times but always seemed to muddle through. I think compiling a list of different kinds of workmen with their contact details might be a good thing for you to do. Also you might want to consider having insurance cover for certain things in your home, which although an additional expense might bring you peace of mind. You are in a period of adapting to single life and it does take some time but you will eventually be able to have back up in place for when things go wrong. It is a bonus that you are on such good terms with your ex OH and can call on him in an emergency. I hope you are having a better day and are enjoying your time away.

ajmoney

Moneywhizz thank you so much for your reply and for reading my diary. I agree, once I have a list of workmen I can call on it will be easier.

Yesterday's swim was incredible and possibly one of the best things I have ever done. Very chilled out chatting with some of the other swimmers and at 20 degree water temperature it was very comfortable even if it did start raining, let's face it...I couldn't get any wetter. It was swimming around one of the islands in Loch Lomond, I have decided I would like to try and swim around them all although some will take a little training for.

I had just finished a relaxed pool swim, I really am a water baby and it is very good for the soul.

ajmoney

I have started looking for more roofing quotes for the guttering as I was getting sick of always being told "next week". I understand it is all dependant on the weather but he was only ever telling me this when I got in touch to find out when he was coming and I have to admit I had gut feelings that he was the wrong person. I also told the guy I was going to use that I was going to see if anyone else had any avalability and he didn't try to encourage me to stay with him. I have someone coming round tomorrow to give me a quote so I shall see how we go. Tomorrow I am also getting my fire serviced and a new garage door fitted.
The weather looks fairly rubbish for the next few days which I am not looking forward to but I am sure I will find something to do.

Watty1

Getting a list of people to call on is such a great plan. Does 'next door' have a covering in your area. Its like a social networking site for people locally. Ours can be quite entertaining at times when people moan about the local pub or whaever - but - it can be a good source of finding someone locally to do 'odd jobs'. I've found a couple of hopeless folk via there - but - also a couple of good ones too! Just an idea
Hope you find something fun to do in the next few days

ajmoney

Watty1 wrote: »

Getting a list of people to call on is such a great plan. Does 'next door' have a covering in your area. Its like a social networking site for people locally. Ours can be quite entertaining at times when people moan about the local pub or whaever - but - it can be a good source of finding someone locally to do 'odd jobs'. I've found a couple of hopeless folk via there - but - also a couple of good ones too! Just an idea
Hope you find something fun to do in the next few days

Checkatrade seems to be working OK for me at the moment but I will look into social networking sites.
Spendy but I have booked the hairdressers for Saturday afternoon, weather is meant to be bad and I don't often do things just for me.

So the beeping that I thought was the house alarm seems to actually be one of my smoke alarms. When I tried before I didn't seem to be able to get into it so need to give the fire brigade a call tomorrow.

ajmoney

Looked at the smoke alarm without the "oh my God I can't do this" approach and realised it said on the cover how to open it so I have replaced the battery and my house is nice and quiet

Watty1

ajmoney wrote: »

Looked at the smoke alarm without the "oh my God I can't do this" approach and realised it said on the cover how to open it so I have replaced the battery and my house is nice and quiet

Yay ! Go you. :T

ajmoney

Watty1 wrote: »

Yay ! Go you. :T

Think it might be a duff battery. Smoke alarm in the hall went off this morning while the engineer serviced my fire but the one in the same room where I changed the battery didn't go off. Will buy some batteries this afternoon.