Cherry takes the reins

Onebrokelady

Glad to see aunties visit went well, I always found it stressful if any relatives came to stay, luckily it didn't happen very often and neither of my sisters are speaking to me so they won't be visiting any time soon 😀

Cherryfudge

Honeysucklelou2 said:

Sounds a very productive 4 days. Will you get chance to go back before completion?

We intend to go back from Monday to Wednesday next week, and possibly an overnight visit after that for last-minute bits.Sun_Addict said:

You’ve certainly been busy. It sounds like auntie enjoyed her stay with you, even if she was rather challenging 😆

Most of the stay was fine, it's just the last morning that we knew would be difficult because she always leaves early so she can do whatever she has planned in the afternoon, and I'm absolutely terrible at mornings, even without a house to clear! There was no way it was going to be straightforward but I was packed before either of the others and had only neglected to choose which piece of knitting to take for the car journey. I ran into a problem because I needed a particular size of needle that was in use on the other jumper!

Onebrokelady said:

Glad to see aunties visit went well, I always found it stressful if any relatives came to stay, luckily it didn't happen very often and neither of my sisters are speaking to me so they won't be visiting any time soon 😀

It's certainly nice to have the place to ourselves, especially as it's clean and tidy! I'm from a small family so nearly all my relatives are my own children, all of whom have returned at some point, usually with partners. A great way to get to know them all, but they were all tactful enough to allow us our own space and entertained themselves which made it all so much easier.

Cherryfudge

I went to bed stupidly early this morning, it must have been gone half past two. So daft when I'd been doing relatively well. At least I slept in this morning to compensate.

I've been doing laundry again and actually keeping up with the ironing. That's quite a satisfying feeling. I've also potted on the three pepper plants DS1 gave me, and some basil so the neglected garden is a little less neglected.

I haven't spent anything today but I've read quite a bit (hence late night) and had a good look at a cushion cover my Grandmother embroidered. The seams aren't finished properly and need some sort of remake, but the embroidery is all in good condition except the magenta thread which has more or less disintegrated so I'll treat myself to some more and put it back together one of these days. At this time of year an old fashioned embroidered cushion would be perfect on the settee.

Things I'm thankful for tonight: a straightforward shift and good news from a medical situation we had to deal with yesterday. Mild evening air from an open window as I type. Another piece of embroidery, this time an easy one!

Cherryfudge

No spending to report over this weekend and I've belatedly opened my payslip, which is looking healthy due to over time. I've also sent off my June claim: looking at the extra hours I did, dotted about the month in small amounts with four sleep-ins for good measure.

It's been mostly work over the weekend but my biggest bunch of days off is just coming up.

We're off to sort yet more stuff at the old house tomorrow but first need to drop some paperwork off at the solicitor's. We got this far with the previous buyer but not much further so I don't really know how the timeline goes from here, we're just making the most of this opportunity.

Things I'm thankful for tonight: all sorts of things really: good news within the family, Dh's help with the house, a thunderstorm this afternoon to clear the air, a helpful service from church this morning.

Sun_Addict

A healthy payslip is always good news 😄

Cherryfudge

We have arrived safely back after a couple of nights at the old house, with a feeling that I made good progress (but that I'll never get done all the things I want to!)

We don't have much Internet access there so DH opened his emails soon after we got home and there's one from the buyer to say their solicitors are making good progress. It looks as though we may be signing the contract in the next few weeks! Of course I have slightly mixed feelings: the house has been part of things all my life and I know there will be oddments I won't unearth, but most of the work is done and I'm interested to see what I do with my life when a considerable percentage of it isn't either about being at the house or feeling oppressed by a planned visit. Of course I will eventually get my share of the money, too, and while we are considering buying to let, nothing's certain. I don't have much pension so some ongoing income would be a good idea, but I'm averse to putting all my eggs in one basket and my inheritance won't stretch enormously far.

I didn't spend while we were away but DH got us cakes and bread from the very nice deli in the next village (and I've been nibbling on car journeys, so I'm somewhat overfed). I've had a couple of library books on my Kindle and made pleasing progress with my knitting in my down-time. We managed a couple of local walks too, but not very long ones, just the circular route that gets us out of the house. DH has kindly ferried two car loads of books and ornaments to unsuspecting charity shops and I braved the room where my Dad kept his photography stuff and which was originally full to the rafters and suffering from when the roof leaked! It's the best part empty now but I cleared the top shelves and rescued a lot of photographic equipment for my sister who's inherited the talent. Those are now boxed up in our shed - I really hope she can take them while they are still in the UK!

And I have a proper day off tomorrow! Yippee!

Things I'm thankful for this evening: finding more 'treasures' including a letter that might help us find what became of my Grandfather's medals, and some embroidered table cloths that my Mum made. Safe journeys despite wet weather and a big delay on the motorway. DH's help and support. Being able to 'rescue' a cut glass fruit bowl (one of about seven, but this was one I particularly like) and a china one too. Getting enough sleep and exercise. Day off tomorrow!

VelvetFreak

Hi Cherry, I am glad that the house saga is finally coming to and end for you. I hope you will feel relief and more freedom once it's all finished Have you considered seeing a financial adviser about the inheritance? I'm not sure how it works in your world but over here the first chat/consultation with them is usually free and you can get a few ideas and tips even if you don't go on to ask for formal paid advice.

Cherryfudge

Hi Velvet, we did see a financial advisor a while back but it might be time to do that again. Our original plans were scuppered because the flat wouldn't sell, which is to do with the leasehold rather than the flat itself and we have no power over that. However we have moved the situation up a notch or so as a tenant is signed up to move in at the end of this month. That means an income rather than a lump sum but at least it will stop draining DFiL's estate.

Once the old house is sold it will be a lump sum of course, though I don't yet know what the mortgage and solicitor's fees will be, or how much my sister has to take as travel expenses. I've asked her often enough but she's always said she has a plane ticket still to find! She doesn't seem to accept my suggestion that we are allowed to agree a nominal sum between us as we are the only beneficiaries.

The financial advisor we met with was helpful actually so he might be a good person to go back to.

Cherryfudge

I've just paid off my CC. I got quite a fright when I opened the statement and it was a lot more than expected, but it turns out I'd forgotten two annual insurance payments: the car and the old house. I've gone into the Executors' Account and paid myself back for the house insurance though I will probably be able to reclaim most of it from the insurers once the estate is settled.

I've had a fairly relaxed day off.

Early on I discovered that the leak in the bay window had been more extensive than we'd thought so there's now a musty smell coming from the sofa in the bay. I think most of it is from a big chenille cushion which is supposed to be sponge clean only but I think tomorrow I may risk a delicates wash. Remind me never to buy chenille cushions again, however cosy they are! They come apart at the seams.

There was a lot of laundry due to the wet weather towards the end of last week leading to me putting off doing it, but it's been a good drying day. The ironing can wait till tomorrow. I've run various errands in town and bought groceries so there is some spending to report. I spotted a roast dinner ready meal for two reduced to £2 so that, with new potatoes and roast veg, was a very satisfying dinner and afterwards we walked across town to pick up church keys. It was nice to see the people and have a chat out in their garden.

The sore ribs seem much better this evening, just in time for work tomorrow! They won't be right for a few days at the very least but I can move more easily, and looking at my diary notes for the shifts this weekend, I will need to! Not too busy a weekend as it stands, though you never know what may change over a few days off.

Other jobs done today: I've ordered my prescriptions and booked an optician's appointment. Dh has picked the first of the raspberries, they are delicious.

Spending:
Greetings cards (gifts) £5
Housekeeping £17.65
Gift £1.99
Toiletries £1.00
Medical £1.88
Hobbies (embroidery thread) £1.00

This evening I'm thankful for remembering to pay my CC; the colleague who asked me to swap shifts tomorrow, meaning I don't have to be up early; a small piece of embroidery to get to grips with, home-grown raspberries.

greenbee

Don’t put chenille in the WM - not for the sake of the cushion, but to avoid having to call out someone to fix the machine afterwards! Chenille and washing machines don’t mix well!