Dreaming of financial freedom!

ch4rly2002

My brothers came up at the weekend. We'd had the decorators in up to Friday so the house was full of paint fumes so only my eldest brother stayed with us. My other brother and his family came up straight after Alton Towers and stayed at mum's place. They were very happy that Huddersfield beat Man United, especially after the eldest had managed to get a ticket and had ventured out in the miserable rain to watch it. As he's previously been a season ticket holder and is a member of their club, he was able to apply on their website to purchase a season ticket holder's ticket that was going spare, and even better he only had to pay face value. I think it's a marvelous idea. My brothers went to see my dad as well and I think my middle brother was quite shocked at how dad has progressed since his last visit. He doesn't say much about it but his wife told me she thinks he was quite affected by it. I suspect that may be the last time he sees dad so I am glad they could all make it up.

The photographer came to take photos of the house yesterday for the estate agent. All being well, our house should be on Rightmove today or tomorrow. I can't wait to see how the photos turned out after all of our decluttering, redecorating and tidying up. I feel a lot better with the house as it is now so even if it doesn't sell for a while, it was well worth getting the roof and decorating done and decluttering. All the decluttering has been good for the OP pot.

I took Grandma shopping last night and we had a nice time. We went down to ASDA, which was very busy, and took our time wandering round the shop so it didn't feel too stressful. Afterwards we went back and I unpacked the shopping then made us both a cup of tea to go with our tarts (I recommend their mandarin and cream tarts!). The cup of tea was just what we needed after the shopping trip and we had a nice chat. I reassured her again that if we end up moving to Nottingham I will still come up and take her shopping and have a cup of tea and chat with her. I think it's been on her mind so I don't want her to worry about it. I also fit a replacement lightbulb in her bedroom while I was there and she was amazed that I could reach...I think we're getting a little taller with each generation in my family

I'm going to book signing with my mum tonight, so that should be fun. We'll probably have tea at Subways (and I'll use my points to get free sandwiches). I'm really looking forward to it.

themadvix

Sounds like you've been busy Charly! Enjoy the book signing tonight - sounds fun!

ch4rly2002

Thanks Vix. We enjoyed the book signing (It was Katie Kirby from 'Hurrah for Gin' - very funny!)

The house went on Rightmove yesterday and we're really pleased with the photos. We've had a call today requesting a viewing for Saturday. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it will sell straight away, but it seems really positive to have a viewing so quickly. Fingers crossed it doesn't take too long to sell. We're trying not to look at houses to buy until we sell ours so that we don't get disappointed, but we can't help it.What is it about Rightmove that lures us in?!

Jessy103

Good luck with the viewing ch4rly! Finger crossed it goes quickly for you!!! I think its because we're naturally nosey so love looking at other people's houses! Well that's why I do it anyway! Lol x

Moominmamma89

Good luck with the viewing! I also enjoy a good snoop on Rightmove from time to time x

themadvix

I bet the book signing was fun! I don't follow her but do see things on facebook from time to time

While you shouldn't set your heart on something until you've got a firm offer, I think it's important to have an idea of what you can afford and what's out there - so Rightmove snooping is very important!

ch4rly2002

Well, we had a good weekend. Our friends came up from Nottingham on Saturday for a few hours, and it was lovely to see them. We then had our house viewing about half an hour after they left. It was a lovely couple with their teenage daughter. They spent about 20 minutes looking round then had to dash as they had a meal booked shortly afterwards, but they were keen to have another look, this time during the day, so they came yesterday morning. They had a good look round (we let them wander round the house and garden by themselves so they could really take it in and discuss it properly with each other. We had a nice long chat with them afterwards and they seemed to like the house. Whether or not they'll put in an offer, I don't know, but it was good to hear some positive thoughts about the house and I asked that they give some feedback if they don't want to put in an offer so that we know if anything needs changing etc. I'm hoping we hear from them soon with either an offer or some feedback

Moominmamma89

Fingers crossed for you ch4rly x

themadvix

Sounds positive, but even if it isn't meant to be this time, there'll be others. And the fact they stayed so long and wanted to come back means you're obviously doing something right!

ch4rly2002

Well it would seem that all our hard work with the house has paid off (mixed in with a bit of good luck on timing)! The couple that had the second viewing had lots of nice things to say about the house when they looked on Sunday and yesterday they made an offer, which we accepted. I can't believe it, it only took 4 days to sell! I think we were fortunate in that they sold their house on Friday and had been keeping an eye on Rightmove and saw things were selling quickly. The lady is from the village so she knows the area and it's only a couple of streets from where her dad lives. I am a bit in shock at how quickly it's gone, and I am more than a little pleased that we haven't had to show lots of people round.

The next job is to pack, and I am determined not to take anything we don't need / want to the next house, so I will be decluttering and making full use of fleabay

On the flip side, I had to go to Dad's nursing home today and speak to the manager and area manager with my mum as things have been going missing from Dad's room. The issues that are really getting mum down are that they are stealing his Tena pads (not a cheap exercise at £10 per pack, and that's only because she buys in bulk - it's usually £12.50 a pack) and also taking food from his fridge, which again adds up to a lot in the numbers they're taking. Some of the carers have complained to the manager that they're finding Dad's pads on other residents that don't use pads and it's apparently so the night staff don't have to get the residents out of bed and put them on the toilet / change them, which gives them time to have a nap in the nurse's room. The managers were very sympathetic and are going to put some measures in place to try and minimise it but apparently it is an issue in loads of nursing homes. I've brought mum home with me and we're going to get a take away tonight to a) celebrate the house sale and b) cheer her up after today's meeting.