Mortgage free and finally in a forever home

TallGirl

It's was actually £100 on the premium bonds Dg got it wrong. Been lovely being at the house so long really settling in. Friday we had kebab and chips only £13 delivered couldn't do that in London for that price. Saturday it rained so didn't get to golf but shopping done then builder and my friend came over. Lots of ideas for outdoor rails and steps up the steep slope plus making garage watertight. He can fit Howdens kitchens I've heard a lot of good about them only problem is they haven't for long opening hours but they will come out and measure up which is fab.

Today was loft being boarded out but dg hadn't told carpenter we're having spots fitted in the bedrooms. Luckily he knows and electrician who can do this work and then boards can go down next weekend. We need garage empty so work can start on that as it's quite damp. Annoying but they were good about it. Boards now sat in dinning room but it's fine.

Also managed 9 holes of golf played quite well and dg was good too it was her first time on our home course so to speak. Nice chat with ladies afterwards slowly introducing dg. She's quite nervous meeting them all but it was all good. Hopefully playing in Saturday afternoon in a fun competition. Sofas also arrive so let's hope it's done before 1pm when the game starts.

Cooking roast chicken enough for lunches too plus early night as dg goes back tomorrow at 5am I'll be travelling up tomorrow evening after dentist, haircut and hopefully fitting a gym session in.

Not too much spending this weekend but paid for loft boards £400.

TallGirl

I can work from home tomorrow woohoo unfortunately I had already left the building so had to turn around and come back to collect my laptop. Will be nice tomorrow morning though also saves £7.40 in fares.

Banked my exDH PPI cheque not sure what I will spend it on probably house. I won't be completing the CILEX modules as they need to be in by 9th March and I might just about get one done but not the other and what if I don't then it's a waste. Hard with all the stuff going on with the house,

Got the quote for the electric almost £7K also got the other electrician to quote he is coming when we are back from Dubai. We have also found someone to do the electrics in the garage so builder friend can get one with making it watertight and turn it into a room. It will be £5K plus electrics and plastering but dg is paying so that's fine.

Thinking of moving bootcamp to Winter but that will clash with dg who wants to go to the states for thanksgiving.

Tahlullah.H

Hi TG. Everything looks good in your world and am happy that the Hot Tub is working out. I wouldn't worry about the CILEX, you have quite a lot on at the moment and some things have to take priority. Glad work are now being reasonable and letting you work from home.

TallGirl

Thanks Tahlullah I really hope you find a job you'll like soon.

Work has now agreed I can work from home on a Monday until I pass probation at least which is fab news apart from the once a month I travel to Leeds we will have to come up Monday night and there is a course on a Monday I need to attend. Had a fab night out with the team yesterday dinner excellent and the show was just amazing. It was called Come from Away and based around a small town where all the grounded planes ended up, tickets was £18 I can not recommend it enough musical but serious with a story.

Sunday night made a right mess I had the spare car keys and my set of keys with the front door keys but dg shut the door with the other car keys and front door key. That meant we couldn't open the door again and we didn't have keys to the back doors. Lucky we had the car keys and were all packed up ready to so I could call a locksmith Monday and get DGs uncle to lock up. Cost us £90 could have been worse.

In other news sofas arrived, we got to play golf which was fun but played badly. Got quote for garage electrics £1300 and garage work can start next week so all good there. Managed to empty the lot out ready to go in the boarded loft. Taken to lots to tip and charity shop but still 8 boxes to charity of DGs mums stuff. Taking some to auction when we get back from Dubai and that should be it rest will fit in loft.

Loft isn't quite done and fan in bathroom has stopped working but electrician will fix that when he does loft lights. All on track I think moving at a fast pace I must say.

Working from home tomorrow then week in Dubai followed by a Friday off then working from home so I won't be in the office for two weeks now that is ace. Saves travel cost too.

Anyway off to pay the builder and look for flights for my mum for Easter.

TallGirl

£16.80 refund from TFL for going back on the tube without tapping in (I went back to the office to get laptop so legit wasn't trying to cheat).

Still need to pack but working and got an interesting call later this afternoon from some people working on another project I would like to be involved with. The more people I get to know the better my chances are really.

Plastering should be finished today then garage will start next week so that will be nice to see the progress when we get back home.

Still waiting for window quote but no rush as were away also got electrician to quote when we are back for the big job. Will then have two quotes which will be good.

I think that's it spent £4K of the renovation budget so far but as dg is paying for the garage work it's actually only £2k although I am lending her the money.

Moneyfordreams

Hope you have a lovely holiday. My sister lives in Dubai, but I've not yet made a visit

Tahlullah.H

Hope you have had a nice trip to Dubai.

TallGirl

Hello I'm back sorry for the long absence and a new look forum which isn't great on my phone,

Dubai was great but very very expensive so spent a lot but also didn't drink that much due to the cost at £10 a beer or glass of wine or £5 for soft drinks. Did enjoy the Ladies Nights those three free drinks (proper nice wine) and cheap food. Portions were huge so could cover two meals and fridge in room helped. Bought two day hop on hop off bus tickets which cover loads of entries and was really good. 

Working from home Mondays is brilliant love it so much better being longer at the house. Real progress now have new windows and a proper door in the garage and flooring and insulation no more damp. We have masses of spot lights upstairs the office is nice and bright no need for desk lamps now. Bathroom lights have been replaced with LED and the fan modernised so it looks much nicer and more importantly works which the old one didn't. 

Loft sadly not complete so still boxes everywhere but next weekend it should be done. Got quote from electrician who is cheaper than the previous quote we had so that is really good. He can start immediately which is great and we will get a proper modern set up for internet and TV etc. 

Kitchen planner coming on Monday and DGs uncle will start painting so moving along. I'm waiting for the window fitter to pop in at 10am so need to get a shower and stop updating here really.

Have fun might pop in later as I'm sure I've forgotten loads. I'm on top of the house renovations budget at least. 

TallGirl

Time for an update even though I should be working I did have a long day yesterday travelling back from Scarborough. 
Diet is going OK but hard yesterday as on the road all day so did slip up but didnt over eat at least. Scales says 84.1 I think that is the most I have ever been. Managed 3 x exercise last week and already done pump Monday and going out for a run later and hopefully Friday so back on track then for x 3. 
Money all over the place we are up to £13K on the house now but budget with accepted quotes are up to £25K but the big item of the kitchen still to come off. We chose the Chelmsford Pebble with white quartz like this one: 

I like you can post pictures now. 
Garden steps are being done and plastering all done in garage ready to paint and lay floors. Electrics almost done and we are getting a new safe plug for the hot tub and also some uplights in one of the big planters by the hot tub. I want to screen the fence with the bamboo stuff that comes in a roll. DGs uncle is painting the newly plastered ceilings and the bathrooms ceiling plus cloakroom. New bright spots in the bathroom and shower room has made a difference and a new extractor fan was very much needed. Looks better too. Cloakroom was ok but dark mushroom colour now it will be light cream just needs a big mirrored cabinet to finish it off. 1st room done then!!!
Bedrooms are losing their dado rails they were horrible anyway and will be painted all white. They are a very dark colour now both of them so should see a big difference. Need new carpets in them too but still a while off but progress there too. 
Got my pension forecast will need to do a proper update on that but it has increased £22K which is nice just due to the markets. 
Was playing golf Sunday but cancelled due to weather which is a blessing as we can finally put stuff in the loft now as it will be done tonight. It is mainly DGs inherited stuff but she cannot get rid of it and although I know it will never get used it will be out of the way. 
Take care all keep posting 

VelvetFreak

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