Moving forward and upwards

MovingForwards

Ok, I'm back! Two trips were done to get more things moved over.

Today has been spent painting my bedroom white and working out the best furniture layout. The chimney breast is in the room, so it's an odd layout, but I'm sure I can make it work for me.
- it was never going to be an easy room to arrange, but it's a room to sleep in.

I've decided bedroom 2 will be a dressing room / office. But no further information on that yet.

The kitchen I've managed to clean the lower half and have the upper half to do tomorrow. I think the cobwebs were as old as the flat on the wall behind one of the cupboards!
- The floor and wall tiles are like flat pebbles, but the floor needs more grouting to try and make walking on it in socks pleasant. Need to buy grout!
- I have a pantry. Originally I had planned to put my upright freezer in it and use the shelves above for tins etc, but that idea won't work as it's the older style electric mains box with the new type fuse box making it too much of a squeeze. The freezer will go in B2 for now whilst I think about its permanent location.
- I need to buy a fridge. That will go in the allocated gap in the kitchen.
- my remodeling idea for the kitchen would involve getting the gas mains / meter moved!

The interior doors appear to be the original ones, aside from the handles. One panel with two long panels under it and many years of paint. I may have them dip stripped in the future, just to paint them white again. I've wanted these doors for years!

Tomorrow's plan is packing personal things such as vases, ornaments etc ready for my trip. Then when home a coat of white in B2 and first coat in the kitchen and hallway.
- The 'porch' (doorway area inside) is magnolia.
- The hallway is white over anaglypta type paper, with the picture rail.

I've not decided what my colours will be, I'm swaying between vibrant and pastels, but would rather have a white canvas to begin with.

TLC is needed, as it's an old property. I've got years to do it all and love my home 🥰 only a few more days until I never have to leave.

Chrystal

MF I am absolutely thrilled for you and wish you a long happy time in your new home.  (((hugs))) XX

MovingForwards

Thank you @Chrystal

savingwannabe

You have brilliant ideas I can't believe how much you have done in one day. You must be so tired but how exciting for you too. Hurrah here's to the new home and a happy happy future.

MovingForwards

@savingwannabe thank you! I'm tired, in loads of pain and flopped on the sofa, but have to keep going as it will be awkward when I've my furniture in.

I'm already planning to scale down / replace some of what I own. My sofas 'chunky' (think it's Argooose fake leather), whereas the Ekenaset sofa, with matching chair, will take up a lot less space due to the narrow arm rests / back.

I can see myself keeping my 1KE@ things, when it's open placing an order for sofa / chair / small table / bed / wardrobe as they more functional / suitable size and shape, then contacting my usual go-to charity to take my current stuff back due to being oversized for my needs! 

It's not a concern and I will get everything sorted out 😁

MovingForwards

This morning I feel as happy as the birds do outside! Looks like it's another glorious day 😁

I need to do some serious packing this morning and I'm basically grabbing everything possible to bag / box up, leaving a few things out to last the next couple of days.

Turns out I haven't told you anything about my garden since I completed! South facing 🤗

I thought there was only a lawn, however there is a walled patio area too. I'm calling it my secret garden 🥰 as it's a mix of old and new and also because somehow I never saw it when viewing 🙈
-- old because of the stone wall showing the boundary from the next building along, with a low-rise brick wall for the other three sections; divides me from eitherside neighbours and my lawn, the ground is slabbed.
-- Behind the old stone wall is a row of trees, which makes it secluded.
-- fixed to the bricks is a wooden low-rise 'fence', but like what's in rural areas not normal gardens, a couple of rows of wood, with decent gaps between them and upright wood as the support again with decent gaps so it almost disappears.
This is going to be my relaxing outside area, just need to pick out the appropriate table / chairs.

I've a monster tree in the lawn area, which I'm currently waiting a quote for removal, then a couple of others in the secret garden, which can get chopped down by my OH. 
- I will have a firepit / BBQ area
- there's space around / inside for a herb garden
-the secret garden will still be secret / private when trees are removed.

The lawn area is mainly my food growing area, just things like potato, onion, leeks, carrots, some fruit bushes etc. But with a couple of cherry blossoms, tulips and a few other pretty flowers.

Its going to be so nice when it's done, but will take a while to do. I can't start it until finished freshening up inside, moved in and organised everything. Whilst I'm not expecting a fully functional garden this year, I will be ready for the New Year; I could be celebrating the start of 2021 in my secret garden, open fire and looking out to the water 🥰

(As for my body, can I have a new one please!)

Speak to you later!

MovingForwards

Transferred most of the addresses to my home, some I'm having to email / call, but will do that throughout the week.

I've got my new savings pots underway:
- Emergency fund pot *
- Communal repairs pot *
- Home (interior, garden, furniture) pot **
- Car and home insurance pot **
- Spare pot *

* Savings accounts (quick access)
** Current accounts

Plus I've my two pension pots which are cash / S&S as it's long-term planning.

I'm transferring bits of money into them and they are slowly building back up.
- Each payday a minimum of £50 will go into each pot
- £25 into the spare pot

My broker emailed last night as he double checked my file against the plans I had for remortgaging early. He feels I should wait until 2023 due to the ERCs.
- At the moment I'm not really planning that far ahead, merely going with the flow as I've loads to keep me occupied!

My posts are going to be split; one will be what I'm up to / doing at home, a separate one will be the not so exciting savings and joys of being a new homeowner.

I don't expect you to read everything or comment, as these will be coming thick and fast for a few weeks, just until everything settles and you've visualised enough. Hopefully I can then trim them down and they can happily meet in one post again 🤗

Skint_yet_Again

Sounds like a lovely garden MF. Make sure you check with the local council that there is no Tree Preservation Order before you remove the tree.  

MovingForwards

@Skint_yet_Again it's not the kind of tree that would have a TPO on it, sadly not an oak, monkey or anything else as delightful just a common conifer!

Edit - Just checked the council site, no TPO.

Chrystal

Your garden sounds lovely and will bring you years of delight, not only using it but being able to plan and then see that come to fuition.  (((hugs)))