"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it."

greenbee

Sometimes it's easier to do things when there are two of you! 

Lovely (freezing) walk this morning after breakfast. Lots of laundry being done given that the sun is shining and generating electricity (also have electric airer on and electric radiators as I'm trying not to export too much). I'll probably have to put the dog towels and blankets in the TD shortly, but that also helps get the last of the dog hair out!

Cats are having some kind of 'we don't like our food' protest. I suspect they're just not hungry. Fatty has taken to using the indoor loo as apparently outside is too cold first thing! I'm not entirely thrilled about this, but that's what it's there for. 

Half a garden waste bin done. Was going to shift logs, but the wheelbarrow is full of compost and I need more perlite and vermiculite before I can empty it (although I guess I could tip it into a bucket). Anyway, slowly getting through the list and getting the house back to being useable. 

Just had lunch, after shoving another small load of laundry in. I'm going to check the solar and make a decision on whether to start the TD up soon as there's probably only about another 1.5 hours of decent generation and I suspect the washing isn't getting that dry outside! I also have dust sheets on the line to bring in.

There's still a LOT to do in the garden (greenhouse still has tomato plants growing), but it's not as stress-inducing as it was. 

greenbee

Dog washing is dry. People washing is up to date and on the electric airer (which is about to be turned off as the sun is going in). 

Both garden waste bins are in, and I've got more kindling. 

Bits for sorting out the fleece curtains have arrived, so I might clean myself up, light the fire, and settle in to do some sewing on of plastic curtain rings in front of the fire with a rubbish film. 

greenbee

As usual, I realised when I got the sewing stuff out that I already had half the bits I needed and had ordered... However, I removed the old curtain rings from both curtains, replaced them on one, and used shower curtain hooks to attach it to the pole in front of the door between the kitchen and utility (there is already an interlined curtain here, but the door is badly fitting and has a cat flap in it). I then put a hook up to attach some curtain wire to, cut the curtain wire tight, replaced the hook in the end of it, and checked I could attach it to the blind bracket - I then threaded it through the hem of the fleece and got that one up (watched by two disapproving cats). So both fleeces are up and I have masses of curtain rings I don't need...

Next job it to sort out a tie back hook and tie back for the door curtains in the kitchen. I also want to get new curtains for the front door as the repurposed ones I previously had there don't go with the new look... I have some offcuts of the fabric that the landing curtains are made from and I'm hoping I can source more and get curtains and a blind made in that. Or in something similar/complimentary. 

I also need to think about winter blinds for the garden room - the summer ones don't go over the doors as they have fly screens on them in summer which is enough from a light-filtering perspective. But in winter it would be nice to have all the windows covered, and maybe with something a bit thicker/cosier/more insulating. Probably something to decide once the decorating has been done... 

Anyway, good progress on the list, so I'm happy with how much has been done this weekend. Still lots to do, but it feels as if I'm making progress. 

greenbee

I've finally found the source of the leak in the front bedroom window. It's the stupid trickle vent. I hate trickle vents - the windows can be opened to let in air, the trickle vents just let in draughts and noise, even when closed. Messaged the builder who thinks it'll have to be sealed up. I'm tempted to ask him to do the lot...

Sun_Addict

Well done getting so much done. It's a good feeling when you're on a roll. I think I'd be tempted to get all the trickle vents sealed up too. I must admit I had to google them as I wasn't sure what they were. It sounds like they're meant to be a good thing but obviously not in your case. 

badmemory

I got a quote for a couple of new windows & I was told that although they say trickle vents you can actually sign to say you don't want them.  It is also cheaper to have them without.  Having sat in a friends house with them & knowing how windy it is here then I will not be having them.

greenbee

Sadly this house had trickle vents when I moved in. No new windows I get will have them. And I will find out what needs to be done to block these ones up effectively. 

greenbee

Wind is howling around the house, so it feels a bit bleak despite having the fire lit. 

Septic tank pump is replaced - he'll check it in a week or so. Builder is paid. I need to chase the plumber for a bill and to make an appointment to service the boiler and hot water tank. 

Just had to switch the upstairs heating on manually - occasionally the hot water/heating claims to be on (from the app/thermostat) but isn't. The control system isn't great, but it's the only one that works with the complex system that's set up here. It does at least work for the electric components - and I'll keep it for those when the boiler is replaced with a heat pump... something I need to start planning for now as the heating and the plumber are both annoying me... 

redofromstart

I specified no trickle vents on my new windows too

greenbee

Carpet being fitted today, so front door open and all the nice warm air heading out of it... but the gripper is down, underlay coming in, and as it's the old carpet going back in, hopefully it'll be pretty quick and easy. 

Terrible night's sleep last night - awake at 2.30am and wondering whether the cat was just snoring differently or wheezing, so read for a bit and was rudely awaken at 5.30am by cat retching... thankfully no puking but she wanted to go out (so did Stinky). Fatty and I returned to bed, but Stinky then decided to bark just after 6am - apparently just because he was bored. 

Up at 7.30 when I woke up again and realised I needed to be up and dressed before the carpet fitters arrived at 8.30. So washed, dressed, opened all the curtains, fed the noisy shouty cat and the dog who was standing under my feet. Put the recycling out, and then took the bin out (didn't do it yesterday as it was so windy), and washed up all the pet food bowls.

I've now had coffee and really need to do some work, but it's difficult with the cold and the banging and crashing coming from upstairs. However, I should be able to get the house back to normal over the next few days which will be nice.