Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

The Full Horror

I did brave the annex for an hour 😆  As I'm clearing things, it's looking much better and I'm thinking "Did I over-react?"  "Was it really that bad?".  Yes it was!  And I'm going to record the full horror so that when Uncle F starts saying he wants to retire to our annex (yes - that is part of his retirement plan 😲) I can look back at all the mess he left and remember why that really is not a good idea for this and many other reasons.  So, today I...

• emptied the very full vacuum and cleaned the very dirty filter
• vacuumed up all the cobwebs and dead flies in the living room which filled the vacuum (it is only a small stick vacuum but still)
• vacuumed under the suite cushions (not too bad) and did the floor and mats (dreadful) and then the vacuum ran out of power and needed emptying again
• removed the tin foil and half an inch of bacon/chop/etc fat from the grill pan
• loaded the dishwasher with the grill pan and other oven tins which were greasy to the touch
• filled a box with things to return to the house, washed them all and put them back in their usual homes 
• collected up all the rubbish which filled a black bag
• put a two foot high pile of paper in the recycling
• put a tea towel, two hand towels, two bath towels and an oven glove in the wash.  The hand and bath towels were so dirty I didn't recognise them as ours - they were a completely different colour to what they should be and there was some brown staining on one which was highly suspicious 😲😲😲  Of these towels I can only remember Uncle F bringing one hand towel in to be washed in nine months 🤮
• felt disgusted so left at that point.

In better news.  The living room ceiling is finished and the walls have had their first coat.  The paint is looking better this time and we may only need two coats.  We'll decide tomorrow.  If only two coats are needed, Young Decorator may be able to start on the landing.  There are four distinct areas which we are treating as 'rooms'.  YD may be able to start on the smallest of these if all goes well.  It would be good to see what the colour looks like.  I'm very tempted to ask him to do more - even the annex.  But need new curtains and blinds to complete the kitchen and dining rooms plus I've asked him to restore the annex window frames as weather allows.  Best to stop and take stock.

The rest of my time today has been spent on paperwork which I'm pretty much up to date with now.

We had baked potatoes (from the veg patch) with mini hotdogs (yellow sticked from M&$), baked beans and cheese for luch.  This evening we'll be having Baked Cod with Goat's Cheese & Thyme (using spinach from the veg patch) maybe with rice to avoid having potatoes again.  I also picked a courgette and a butternut squash whilst in the veg patch.

I may pop in to town tomorrow to get some chores done so you'll get a break from the annex horror stories.  Hope they don't give you nightmares 😱  They're certainly giving me some 😆

Fortune x

savingholmes

Well done for tackling the mess. We are all frustrated for you. Glad you've made a list so don't get lured in by him again.

VintageHistorian

I hope Mr Fortune has also witnessed the mess so that he can remind you if Uncle F starts talking about coming back.

Cornish_mum

Hi Fortune, oh my goodness poor you having to deal with that mess, that’s horrendous. I am shocked.  Hope you have a nicer day in town tomorrow CM

Fortune_Smiles

savingholmes said:

Well done for tackling the mess. We are all frustrated for you. Glad you've made a list so don't get lured in by him again.

Thanks @savingholmes 😘  I certainly won't get lured in again.  He's still making his presence felt though 😡

VintageHistorian said:

I hope Mr Fortune has also witnessed the mess so that he can remind you if Uncle F starts talking about coming back.

Yes @VintageHistorian - Mr F is as cross as I am about it and he doesn't want him back either.

Cornish_mum said:

Hi Fortune, oh my goodness poor you having to deal with that mess, that’s horrendous. I am shocked.  Hope you have a nicer day in town tomorrow CM

We thought he might have learnt to be a better person whilst he was staying with us @Cornish_mum but no - he hasn't changed his spots 🐆.  We've done the right thing by him but we won't be doing any more.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Christmas at last!

Yesterday we finally got to enjoy my Christmas present from Mr F.  We went to Portmeirion 😁 Mr F had bought me a voucher for afternoon tea for two  🍰🥂🌞 but due to the pandemic and FDawg's kennel closing we haven't been able to use it until now.  What a fabulous day we chose though.  Clear blue skies, sunshine, quiet and the tide going out as we arrived - it was just perfect 😁  Not cheap as we had a 120 mile round trip, FDawg's overnight kennel bill, a light lunch and a couple of drinks each but worth every penny.  Such a lovely day and really helped to recharge our batteries.  I'm not sure it would be quite so delightful during peak season but I'd highly recommend a visit outside of those times.  I bought a small print from the art gallery there as a momento.  All costs to be met from this month's fun money.

I haven't ventured back into the annex as Young Decorator finished the living room early and I spent the time cleaning up and putting things back in their homes.  Just one set of curtains to re-hang now and its finished.  The curtain pole for this set is too long and extends further one side of the window than the other.  We inherited it from the previous owner but it's been like that the four years we've lived here.  I'm refusing to put it back up until Mr F cuts it down otherwise it will be another four years before anything is done about it 😆  The paint went on better this time although we still needed three coats.  Despite that we came in under budget so all's well.  We have a week's break now whilst YD is on another job and then he'll start on the hall and landing.

We gave FDawg a bath this morning and I've cleaned all his toys and bedding.  Mr F has spent all day cutting the grass, possibly, for the last time this year.  It took him so long because he had to cut the wildflower bits this time.

We had Bacon & Potato Frittata with salad for lunch using potatoes and lettuce from the veg patch.  The courgettes are still giving 😆 so I'm planning a Baked Courgette & Feta Risotto for supper.

So nice having the weekends to ourselves again after all this time.  Mr F and FDawg are planning a trip out in the truck tomorrow and I may laze around on the sofa watching films 🤭

Hope you're all having a relaxing weekend too

Fortune x

savingholmes

Your trip out sounds magical  I prefer such places when it's less crowded

Fortune_Smiles

Re-boot

I did have a lazy day yesterday - did a few chores but mainly sat on the sofa and watched some films I've been wanting to see.  Mr F and FDawg went out on an adventure to a local landmark so I had the place to myself.  Bliss 😁  We had a catch-up and quiz call with the Younger Fortunates and Uncle F in the evening which was lovely.  I didn't even have to cook as Mr F took a packed lunch and I had the same at home for ease and we had leftover Courgette & Feta Risotto for supper.

I'm back up and running this morning though and have walked FDawg and spent an hour and a half in the annex...


The Great Annex Clean Up- Part 2

Still working on the living room:

• de-cobwebbed the walls
• wiped down the woodwork
• wiped down the furniture
• vacuumed the soft furnishings and curtains
• re-hung some pictures

Can't believe that took an hour and a half and I still have to clean the windows, polish the furniture and wash the floor.  Hopefully I'll get that done in the next session so at least one room will be finished.


Mr F cut down the remaining curtain pole for the house living room and put it back up so everything is back to normal in there.  He's away at a work event for a couple of nights from today which will feel a bit odd.  I'm just off to start lunch now as he's leaving straight after - Loaded Naans today.

We had heating oil delivered this morning.  I'd originally ordered through the 0i1 C1ub but a month has passed and I've heard nothing from them.  So I cancelled that order and 'phoned around for quotes.  Managed to get 1000 litres for £100 more than last year rather than £200 more so that was worth the effort.

I'm intended to clean up the house dining room this afternoon - it's between the kitchen and living rooms so has got very dusty during all the decorating.  It's all party, party, party here today 😆

Hope your week's off to a good start.

Fortune x

badmemory

So glad MrF is in agreement re uncle F.  Sometimes other people don't "see" these things & it can make life difficult for the one who does.

savingholmes

Well done on annexe progress and saving on oil. Enjoy the peace while your DH is away.