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

LadyWithAPlan

The puppy and the beans sound great  

Baileys_Babe

@greenbee give me a shout if you need me to source the pet towels 

greenbee

Thanks @Baileys_Babe - if I ever get into town I should be Ok.

Today - five trees out, drains (hopefully) fixed, and SO MUCH dust from the electricians (but they are almost done). 

greenbee

Electricians are having a late start today, so I’m having a bit of a slower start. I have friends staying tonight so need to get on and get myself organised (spare room and ensuite are clean and the bed is made, but I need to check towels). Extra furniture is out as I sorted out the back bedroom last night (need to put up the blind and curtains and make the beds). Cleaner came yesterday so dust levels are reducing. I also put things back in the bathroom so that doesn’t look so bleak (just a bit odd as the new lights (bulb holders) are in but the old LEDs are still there until the plasterer comes to fill the holes in. 

We’ve used 500m of data cable, but this should be future proof - we’ve run some through to the garage in case I end up converting it to an office. We’ve got cables waiting in the attic to go into the garden room and kitchen, and also ready to go into the sitting room and studio as small jobs when I can clear the space to make the holes. Today we’re installing a 16 port switch and moving the main BT socket so fingers crossed it all works!

I heard from friends at book club last night that the carpet fitter is very busy, so I need to call him and at least get a date (also the decorator). Then nag the plumber and book the plasterer. 

The garden feels very odd (and slightly exposed) without the trees, but I need to get on and get the fence fixed and start planting some small ornamental trees so that they can get going, as they take time!

badmemory

Do your own research on the height those ornamental trees can grow to.  I took my local garden centres word for the fact that the fir I bought would grow to a max of 5 feet.  It did only grow to just under 5 feet.  Then next door demolished their hedge.  Next thing I know my fir is 10 feet & still growing.  Well it isn't now as I had it removed.

greenbee

Bills paid for the electrician and tree surgeon. Still waiting on the one for the drains. But it does feel like progress even though most of it isn't visible. Although swapping the brushed chrome sockets and switches for white ones definitely changes things as they're less obvious. They're also straight... 

Four lampshades put up - two I bought for lamps but didn't work out are now on the landing pendants, and the glass lampshades that were on the landing are now in the bathroom - not quite right, but better than bare bulbs. And all small steps on the way to things being done. 

I had intended to plant the winter flowering cherry this afternoon, but it was too miserable outside, so it's still in the garage. 

greenbee

Need to get on with work/dog walk/shower/makeup etc but so far I have changed my address on an endowment policy where the statement was sent to my old address (so must have missed it last year!). As the phone and email details were also out of date, I'm glad that's done. I've also changed my address (from my mum's, so not so bad) on a subscription, and spoken to the carpet fitter who is coming round to measure up tomorrow and drop off some samples. And messaged the electricians to ask when would suit them to come in and do two very small jobs that we need to finish off this batch of work but involved two rooms that weren't expected to need mess making in them so have had to be delayed so I can clear them. 

Electrician and tree surgeon have been paid, so I'm feeling a bit poorer today. No bill for the drains yet. I think it's fixed the problem, but need to keep an eye (or nose!) on it. The tank shouldn't smell, but if it keeps being a problem we may need to add another vent elsewhere. 

rtandon27

GB - your energy is amazing!  I've no clue how your keep the momentum rolling! I'm well in awe.

greenbee

My energy is non-existent... I just want the house to be finished. Or close enough to finished that it doesn't annoy me. I have a reasonable amount of money put aside, so will keep going until I need to save up. Small bits are being cashflowed. I'm also of the opinion that things will only get more expensive so I might as well get it over with - and then start focussing on paying down the mortgage/topping up my investments.

My finances have been seriously neglected - I haven't really paid proper attention to my investments since my last house move so am probably paying far too much in fees and in the wrong funds. 

Someone suggested at the weekend that I sit down and work out how much money I need my PBs to cough up so I can quit work. More to the point would be working out how much money I need to invest in order to retire a. at state retirement age b. at whatever age my various pensions will pay out and b. sooner. And then plan how to get there. 

redofromstart

That makes a lot of sense to me (the financial planning bit).