Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

EatingTheElephant wrote: »

During our dog walk yesterday I noticed the snowdrops were out too, well done with your training progress. I agree dogs are hard work, I am exhausted from training our pupster this week!

There seem to be lots of snowdrops about this Spring ETE - the wet weather must be good for them.

beanielou wrote: »

How lovely to make doggy friends

doingitanyway wrote: »

They say getting a dog is a great way of meeting new people. Seems like it is true for you. A good way to settle in to a new area

I have met a lot more of our neighbours since I got him. Particularly now I'm back walking him on the lanes.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

brizzledfw wrote: »

Great to catch up on your news. Enjoy the week and hope the mud gets less!!

Thanks Brizzle. I don't know if I dare say it but the mud does seems to be lessening.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

We have barn doors :j The guys turned up unexpectedly this morning to fit them. So Phase 2 - Barn Raise, is completish. The renovation has left us with some further work to do but we now have dry, secure storage for garage and attic stuff. This means we can start to clear the annex for letting whilst continuing with the barn work.

So, next up:

Barn Raise

• get quote for electrical work. We have a family member who has said they'd be interested in doing this so we need to get him down to have a look
• get quote for laying surface water drainage. We hadn't anticipated this as the barn didn't have any specific drainage originally. However, during the work it became apparent that the ground was water logged and we would have to do something. Our builder has recommended someone and they should also be able to help with repairing our drive too...
• get quote for re-graveling drive. The drive wasn't brilliant to start with but it wasn't worth doing anything until the building work had finished. It really, really needs doing now
• Mr F has sealed some of the concrete floor already and has the stuff needed to seal the rest. He wants to lay garage tiles down over the top and I'm pleased we went to the trouble of lifting the ones from the old garage and bringing them with us. More will be needed, however, as we've a bigger floor space to cover.

...not much then

Annex

• we'll need to move the garage stuff out which is a straightforward transfer
• the attic stuff will need to be sorted first. We did a lot of sorting before we moved but just ran out of time in the end. Some stuff can be thrown, some will got to charity but I'm hoping there are a few items to Bay. I'm going to aim to list an item a day
• then there'll be a lot of cleaning to do and perhaps some decorating
• and we'll need to cosy it up a bit. We'd negotiated with the previous owner that the annex would stay fully furnished but it's a bit spartan and doesn't feel very welcoming.

...not much there either then.

House

So all the above and we'll still need to continue to furnish and maintain the house.

But hey, I do know how to move mountains now

I'm having a catch up on paperwork day today. It starts to multiply if you take your eyes off it :rotfl: And I need to do some budget planning. The good news is that it looks as though we're going to come in on budget with the barn renovation. Very surprised at that and very happy.

Hope your week is off to a good start.

Fortune x

rtandon27

Fortune_Smiles wrote: »

...But hey, I do know how to move mountains now ...

Indeed!:D:D:D

beanielou

Wow is all.

PurpleFairy26

Got a few bits on your to do list then :rotfl:

Fortune_Smiles

PurpleFairy26 wrote: »

Got a few bits on your to do list then :rotfl:

beanielou wrote: »

Wow is all.

rtandon27 wrote: »

Indeed!:D:D:D

Starting to lift stones already :rotfl:

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

It's chilly here in the Shire. Had a lovely walk with FDawg this morning. It was dry and crisp and a few snowflakes fluttered down around us. I heard a Woodpecker drumming - another sign that Spring is on it's way. Although you wouldn't think it - it's snowing properly now. Only small flakes though and it doesn't seem to be settling I have the heating on but it still feels cold in the house today.

I have discovered another flower in the garden - Lungwort.

More paperwork needed my attention this morning. Bills mainly And I have put my hand up to chair a sub group for one of my writing groups :eek:

Came in a little under budget on the grocery shop today and a further item listed on the Bay. Small stones

I have the local writers' group meeting tonight. That'll just be parking and a glass of wine cost. Better decide what I'm going to take to read

Wrap up warm peeps

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

... how the months are rushing by. We've been in our new home for seven months now How did that happen :rotfl: I don't want to wish my life away but good riddance January. It's cold and blowy here today but it's not raining :T:T:T And that's a huge bonus.

Builder is coming tomorrow to de-snag the barn. He's bringing a friend who does groundwork to give us a quote on the drainage and drive repair.

In the meantime, Mr F has ordered the tiles he needs to finish the flooring. Twice as many as we were expecting. It's surprising how much bigger the barn is compared to our old garage. Anyhow, we have to finish the floor before we can properly empty the annex so it had to be done. They'll be arriving tomorrow so Mr F is going to spend the weekend putting them down and moving things in. Good job there's no rugby on

We're having fajitas made from leftover lentil chilli tonight. I needed to do something quick and easy as I'm off to Book Club later. Just parking costs (if I can't find free) and a glass of wine involved. I have a little cash from my personal spends in my purse so that should cover it.

FDawg is doing splendidly. He has made lots of new friends during our lane walks and even had an off-lead, group walk yesterday :T I found out that during his 'lost' 5 hours he'd wandered round to a neighbours and made friends with their Little Greyhound. Little Greyhound is now his best bud. We bumped into him the other day and FDawg tried to bring him home :eek: There is also a sweet Little Black Lab who has been round for a play date - she luuuuurves FDawg He likes her but is playing hard to get :rotfl: I am so pleased he's overcoming his fear aggression where other dogs are concerned.

Right, fajitas are ready.

See you later.

Fortune x

therocket_2

Morning Fortune Smile! Just checking in - have loved reading your diary so far, the adventures of FDawg being my favourite! He sounds like a handful but one that seems to bring plenty of joy!

Looking forward to reading how you get on!

Rocket