22 Foxhole East

greenbee

I'm dreading the builders starting again and emptying the bank account too foxholes! The saving bit is so much more satisfying, seeing the numbers go up.

However, I remember from when I got my windows done the difference it made. It was less draughty (there are still draughts from the doors, but maybe I'll get them done next year), and bits didn't fall off them when I opened them. And they closed properly. And the house was warmer. They also look nicer.

I was away for work for a week - apart from the cleaner, no one has done what they were supposed to. Garage doors are still half painted, and greenhouse base isn't down. Have had excuses from the landscaper but not the builder... I'm away next week, so if it isn't done by next Friday I'll start making a fuss. To be fair, the garage doors can't be done if it's raining...

My next job (after getting the laundry from my next work trip done) will be to give upstairs a thorough tidy and clean so I can make room to move most of the contents of downstairs up there, including making space to work. Then I need to clear out the garage so that the rest of the stuff can go in there...

f0xh0les

I shan't miss the curtains gently swaying in the breeze from the closed windows then? Jolly good.

It is rotten the way tradesmen disappear when your back is turned. Maybe we could invent some kind of tag for them to wear so you can chart their progress and see that they are actually there, like the footballers do when they play. Much less hassle than cctv.

Yay! to moving furniture about the place. With the shelves in the chimney alcove it is suddenly easier to keep the whole room clean and tidy - well, will see if it continues when DH returns. I still have a pile of empty cardboard boxes and envelopes I don't know if I can chuck or if they are there for a reason. That will free up some more valuable space.

Great that we all have plans!! I am list writing like a pro, and some of it is actually getting done.

Have a great evening all.

f0xh0les

The window frames are out on the top two floors! No glass back in them yet, and for some bizarre reason they think they are going to do it all in one day. I am not so sure.

Rang a house painty man about the exterior woodwork painting, and he told me it was the wrong time of year to do it, and I should ring back in March/April/May. So I am going to listen to him, save up, and do it either if and when the roof needs doing, or, just on their own next spring. So plan shelved but not forgotten.

Which leads me on to the plastering, I will make quote appointments for next week as soon as the windows are done. Then( if they turn up) I am ahead of myself and know what the budget is.

When the windows are paid for I will have a princely total of £400 to my name, until the end of the month payday, but I have worked out I will have so far spent £5500 on electrics, £1800 on new velux and £3800 on windows and scaffold.

So just over £11k in 17 months - and I have overpaid the mortgage.

You know, I am not too shoddy at this scrimping and saving stuff.

Must remember to ask DH to make firm appointment with his bank for remortgage offer.

wishingthemortgaheaway

I've said it before, I'm saying it now and I'll probably say it again in the future.

You are super woman. Go you.

f0xh0les

wishingthemortgaheaway wrote: »

I've said it before, I'm saying it now and I'll probably say it again in the future.

You are super woman. Go you.

Why thank you! Today, with my new windows, I will take it.

DH is insisting on a takeaway as he is so tired and the house is such a mess. He has been gone 20 minutes and the house is totally back to normal. Ho hum, he is paying.

And annoyingly the invoice is made out to Mr and Mrs F0xh0les. Suppose it covers him if I fall under a bus.

f0xh0les

Oh, today cannot be called a NSD. I wrote a cheque:rotfl:

greenbee

Ask them to redo the invoice and tell them you'll pay it when they get it right. Or send them half and tell them they can either get the other half our of Mr Foxholes or send you an invoice for the rest.

It annoys me too. I tell them if they can find Mr Greenbee they can make him pay but I won't pay anything with his name on.

Hope you're all nice and cosy

f0xh0les

DH has been all around the house, whinged about a tiny thing, did a happy dance about no draughts, told me I am amazing and he is in awe of me.

Woo! Awe!

wishingthemortgaheaway

That is so lovely. I like mr Fox already. And I think he knows he is a very lucky man.
Enjoy a glass of something tonight and put your feet up.

f0xh0les

Tumble dryer bunny turned up, changed the heating element that was changed last week as the thermostat had gone, and strongly implied it was my own fault for not running the machine for 15 minutes after it was emptied so it could cool down naturally.

Never heard such nonsense before. Anyway I have a week's worth of DH's clothes from Holland to get through plus all the sheets from the beds. Will see how long it lasts this time.