Get a grip woman!

beanielou

A vote for the same colour for the two doors.

Suffolk_lass

Thanks @beanielou. I'm going to go for white I think, as the half-glazed door offers the only light.

It sort of depends on the EA (no contact in a week, no word from the photographer) but still the dilemma of how much we can do before they come.

On Wednesday I asked DH to pop a coat of white gloss on the boxing-in on one wall of the bathroom. He managed to tip over the (new 1L) tin of white gloss paint. Although he thinks he cleaned it all with my slippers as the only casualty, I noticed he didn't get it all off the toilet. He used a whole roll of super-duper kitchen paper, some industrial wipes (bl00dy brilliant, from Screw-fix) and several mopping up dishcloths, and all the toilet paper that was in there (two spare rolls. I did leave him to it as two would not fit in there. The white floor looks brilliant with white seams between the stick-on tiles, to be fair.

We have been together for over thirty years, so far. The first time he did this was with a tin of radiator enamel almost exactly 31 years ago. I remember that occasion because I was too pregnant to squat in front of the large radiator for long enough, and it was the last (we thought) thing to do in the newly decorated nursery. Some of the cork floor lost its seal that night when he cleaned up. Yes, you would think that having done it once, wouldn't you?!! There might just be enough to paint two small radiators, but the job I bought it for (at DS's house) will need more now. I have been happier!

Suffolk_lass

We succumbed to a Chinese takeaway last night. We will have the rest this evening. I already know tomorrow will be stressful as I have three joints of meat to roast (4k each) and the first must be ready for 12.30, the other two for 13.00. Oh and my share of potatoes, carrots and 2 small chickens. I have made the crumble rubble for my donated dessert, and I will get the gravy done and in the slow cooker, so meat juices can be added after the vegetarians have been served. I buy the bisto ordinary granules that are onion-based and suitable for vegetarians. Then 2 pints of custard and that will be my lot!

This is what happens when someone else stresses over cooking one joint and I end up saying it is easier for me to do it myself! The fourth joint (4.2k) is being cooked elsewhere in the Village. I have usually cooked two as I live closest, but it is three this year. I might do one overnight (Pork shoulder), leaving one shoulder and a beef joint for tomorrow morning

Assuming everyone is there, we will be able to give over £500 to the Charity (our Church fabric fund) and although not a regular attendee, I am a supporter because of its pastoral role in the community.

In other news, the radiators have been painted with the gloss paint - I hope they are OK. They feel ever so slightly tacky this morning. I should turn them off I think, so it dries better. DH painted the wall next to the toilet in the main bathroom so both look bright and fresh now. I think we need a critical eye now to start decluttering big-time. I spoke to the selling EA and I understand they are waiting for us to say go for the Professional photographer to come round. So definitely need the decluttering to storage to commence.

In the meantime we are going to second-view the house we want. On Tuesday. DH has his last-of-the-detached-retina procedures on Monday. Removing the silicon oil, now the retina has stuck back down so the blurriness should reduce. I'm meeting my cousin for coffee at his local garden centre as I don't know how long he will be. Yesterday the dog and I sat in the car at a local football ground car park while he went in to give blood. We expect it to take about an hour. I was just getting really cold after 40 minutes when he reappeared, only to confirm that they didn't take his blood because of his hospital appointment on Monday. Online it asks if you have had a medical appointment in the last 7 days. I'm not sure how his future treatment would have contaminated blood taken yesterday! What a waste of time and diesel!!

beanielou

That would wind me up.
I hate wasting time & fuel.

Suffolk_lass

And me @beanielou! I do so hate waste.

Well the lunch prep is progressing. I have my beef in the hot oven and ooh, pips... now in the simmer oven for 2-3 hours. The pork went in the simmer oven at 22.00 last night, and out at 06.00 this morning, now in the warming oven under the simmer one. Chickens are in the small oven in the summer kitchen, both stuffed in a large cast iron casserole with a lid to stay moist.

Before I cook my bits I need to get things switched on in the hall. Hostess trolleys to warm plates, the dishwasher, the hot water, the heating and the urn (which has vinegar in, currently). And take over the things the kitchen, carvers and dessert tables need (jugs for gravy, carving boards, sharpening steel, spoons and slices).

The vegan roulade is rolled, cut and in the dish, ready to cook later this morning. I had a panic because the roll it yourself puff pastry says vegetarian, but the ready rolled sheet says vegan. A quick comparison with my friend and the are both the same ingredients (we concluded that the vegetarian one is certified). My greengage and apple crumble is in the dish, ready to go in the oven with the roulade.

Just having a cup of coffee (2nd one) before getting dressed as DH is peeling the stalks of the broccoli as he separates the florets. He bashed all my share of the spuds (only 2.5k each; five of us) and carrots (1k each, again, five of us) - twinkle, twinkle, he really is.

I need to make custard (later, when the spuds are in) and gravy (ditto).

Bit of a brain dump (sorry) to make sure I do things in the right order. Bit of a military op here this morning!

In MSE news, lunch today won't be. Coming out of the treats and entertainment pot at £15 each. Oh, and I got the next £67 government energy instalment (most welcome) and the solar panels are going to be installed on 16th March. I need to have moved the moho to the farm by then and remember to secure the tile that needs re-fixing on the cartlodge roof.

EssexHebridean

Good lord SL you are amazing with all your cooking for the masses! Sooner you than me! 

Suffolk_lass

EssexHebridean said:

Good lord SL you are amazing with all your cooking for the masses! Sooner you than me! 

Not really. It really knocked us for six and we were both pretty tired the last two days.

I took DH for his eye op which turned out to be pre-op. Now awaiting the call from the hospital for the next appointment. Just as well as I could not meet my cousin as his partner has tested positive for Covid. I know DH is very frustrated at not being able to focus because the oil is still in there. 

Yesterday we second viewed the house we like and found a bit more work that needs doing there but lots of simple things we would change too. The selling agent has actually rung us this morning and I explained we really like it, are not in a position to make an offer, have not sold, are informally on the market and decluttering and sorting stuff out ready for photos in order to sell. He will keep us in the picture if there is serious interest or an offer.

I have some leftovers from the lunch to process today. More when I can. Have a good day all!

1220Lifeboat

get a bike licence and ride the other Harley. You can then have more holidays riding together. cheaper and great fun. All your debts are low or no interest so I would enjoy life while you can you never know what is round the corner. 
Live life now as long as you can afford your payment then enjoy tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Suffolk_lass

I have been a bit quiet.

A number of substantial things are underway here.

The biggest by far is a massive tidy up in preparation for some photos; only for the photographer to be unavailable on the day. The EA asked if I could take some, so I did. Every room and a few external shots, all saved in a g-drive and shared. There was a hint of a suggestion that someone might be interested in viewing (a whole other level of tidying needed) but no word  I think the bottom may just have crashed to the floor (like the bottle of milk DH dropped this morning 🤐).

We second-viewed the house we like. Nothing put us off. A list of things we would need to do is being compiled. The selling agent phoned next day and I said we are looking to sell before any offer and that this process is underway. They will keep us appraised if there is serious interest or an offer.

We committed to the solar panels being installed, on 16th March, but the promised invoice for 25% has not yet appeared.

I have to pay the balance for the cottage on Mull, for our post Easter trip, tomorrow. I also have to pay the house insurance premium (not yet received). That won't be good!

DH received a call on Thursday at 4pm saying the eye clinic had a cancellation the next morning at 7.45 - so his eye was done. Now has suture causing weeping and uncomfortable irritation constantly. There is an air bubbe and more drops too.

I made a (Mary Berry traybake) marmalade cake (two) in loaf tins, plus three loaves of bread and soup. All from stores. We have roast chicken today, and roadkill toad tomorrow. All from stores. I do need about 10 things though so will collect my prescriptions (2) and visit the SM this morning. I hope to follow my list.

My chilli seeds have now germinated after bringing them indoors. Even with the heated propagator it was too cold outside in the greenhouse. About half the tomatoes had germinated so far (I didn't check again yesterday) - they remain in the greenhouse

rtandon27

Sending supportive virtual hugs SL - you have so much on atm!

Speeding healing wishes fir Mr. SL xxx