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

greenbee

Soil stack has been repaired. I need to clean the outside properly when it warms up a bit so its easier to see whether the repair has worked. Otherwise it's going to need replacing. 

Electrician is booked for all the non-disruptive work on Feb 8th & 9th (at which point they'll measure up to quote for the solar).

Roofers are booked - just waiting for a date (must chase).

Tree surgeon quote accepted, waiting for a date.

Cats booked for spaying on Jan 31st as one of them has come into season and it's confusing for everyone! I was hoping to wait a bit longer, but they now both weigh enough for the vet to be happy to go ahead. 

Pile of shrubs is being slowly shredded. I need to remember to measure the wheelbarrow wheel and order a new one. 

Once the first round of electrics is done we'll be able to decorate my two work rooms (my office, and the one I used for video/audio recording work).

More stuff listed on FB marketplace, but it seems a bit slow at the moment. However, it's all up there, so I can just keep renewing the listings until I get bored.

Hair appointment has been moved as it means an overnight stay, which I can't realistically do until the cats are a bit bigger and can be left for longer. 

Only real fly in the ointment is that I've had to raise a complaint about the local main dealer with my car's manufacturer about the way they have been dealing with a warranty repair. Ran out of patience today and finally made the call, so I'm waiting to hear back - which apparently should be early next week.

Payrise should kick at the end of this month, but it isn't very big (particularly after tax). However, it's better than no payrise! Work is manic, so sorting the working space first will help. And the rest will be easier to do when the weather is better anyway. Hopefully I can get at least some of the garden up and running so I can do some gardening to relax once the days are lighter or longer. 

greenbee

Scaffolders turned up on Thursday to do a survey - the roofer was as surprised as I was! They'd intended to start putting the scaffolding up on Friday, but as I had four videos to record on Friday afternoon they have rearranged to Monday and Tuesday (its a two day job, and given the wind this weekend, I'm glad they rescheduled). 

Roofing work will be the following week, so i'm hoping to get the last of my current batch of videos done this coming Thursday. I have Friday off to spend with my mum (and look for furniture!).

I have 9 eggs that need using up, so nipped to the little Asda at the petrol station this morning for a few bits and intend at some point this weekend to turn them into frittata for lunches/freezing.

I'd planned to see my mum tomorrow, but 50mph winds might put paid to that. If I do, I'll drop off the plastic film at Tesco for recycling. If not, I have two GP appointments next week, so can drop off on the way home from one of those.

Otherwise today I've been to the dog poo bin to drop off the cat poo (really glamorous) and need to walk to the post box now I have stamps as well as put out the recycling and empty bins/cat litter trays. Mostly it feels like a weekend for lighting the fire (must get more logs in) and finding something undemanding to read. 

redofromstart

Ooh good idea with the frittata, that will work well here too

greenbee

Haven't actually done anything about it. I've taken the DW apart though and soaked all the bits (including removable seals) in soda crystals, scrubbed the gunk off, put them back, and am now running a hot wash with citric acid. I cleaned it fairly thoroughly when I moved in, but now it's cleaner I could see the remaining bits of dirt.

The WM has also had a drum clean cycle run with soda crystals and vinegar; utility room plug hole has been bleached (I wash the cat bowls up there), kitchen plug holes have had bicarb and hot water treatment. Several cat toys have finally been located under the back of a bookcase which currently can't be placed quite flat against the wall. Cats are deliriously happy as apparently these are favourites. Even more fun than brown packing paper. 

One of the biggest successes has been the tunnel - they use it a lot, and it's good when playing games with them. Once they're outdoor cats they won't need quite the same level of entertainment as they can chase squirrels instead. 

greenbee

DW had a tantrum (again) during the cleaning wash, but reset and is fine on 'eco'. So I need to remember that the hot wash is for maintenance only and requires a hard reset.

Scaffolding went up on Monday and yesterday, so last night was quite noisy. But it all appears to still be there.

Vet visit today resulted in one cat being told to put her claws away when playing with her sister. But they were very good both getting into the carrier, in the car (if rather noisy) and at the vet. And don't seem to be that upset now we're home. 

Roofers will be here next week, which will be fun. Electricians the week after. I need to chase the tree surgeon and start thinking about paint colours for my office and recording studio as we can decorate those after the electricians are done. 

Day off on Friday to go shopping with my mum and hopefully find a sideboard and maybe a small sofabed for the studio. 

kazwookie

Sounds like you are doing well, and it is all coming together.

This high wind may blow some of your trees down, ! free fire wood, once seasoned.

greenbee

Getting their Kaz! No trees down, but I have a quote from the tree surgeon. Chased him for a date again today and he said 'maybe next week'. Which isn't going to work as the scaffolding is up and the roofers are due next week... so I've asked the roofers to let me know when the scaffolding will be down so I can let the tree surgeon know. 

Dining room furniture is delayed due to the problems in the Suez Canal apparently, so date has changed from early Feb to mid-March. Not ideal as I was hoping to have family over at the beginning of March but they won't all fit round the current table. 

Annual mortgage statement has arrived, and I've OP'd the equivalent of one-and-a-bit months' payment in 5 months despite most of my cash being diverted to savings for work on the house. It's also slightly more than the capitalised interest over the same period. My fixed rate is up in October, and I currently have 13 years and one month left on the mortgage. I'm not going to pre-empt mortgage rate changes, but I think if they haven't gone back down significantly by then I'll aim to throw a lot of my savings at the mortgage and cashflow any further work on the house. 

redofromstart

Sounds like good progress given the works etc that have needed funding

greenbee

There are plenty left to fund... a lot more electrics, solar, possibly a new hot water tank, flooring, a LOT of paint to cover the grey, and getting the garden sorted.

I'm hoping that FB marketplace picks up soon. I have only sold two things since Christmas (possibly one more if the current enquiry actually results in a sale) and not had many queries. I'm surprised that the winter tyres didn't get more interest. Maybe a week or two of snow would come in handy?

greenbee

Two more marketplace items being picked up today, so hopefully now most people have had payday thins will pick up. (I get paid on the last day of the month, so a bit of cash at this stage of the month is welcome). Next month will be expensive - roofers, electricians, and hopefully the tree surgeon. Plus I think I've found a sideboard that I like which isn't going to be delayed due to the issues in the Red Sea which will allow me to put more stuff out of reach of cats and make it easier when I have to start moving things round as each room has electrics/heating/repairs/decorating done.