The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Well the builder came and we have working doors.  Rooms feel like real rooms now.  Slowly getting there.

Backpay and small rise was in my pay packet today.  Overall there was just over £100 extra after deductions.  I guess that pays for some of the radiator.  

Cold but need to get up off sofa and go collect DD2

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The builder has been today and fitted coving and a new handrail to the stairs.  Coving is great but the handrail is not.  It is completely different to the existing one and at a different height.  It is not flush with the wall and it looks like some of the screw are coming out of the wall, almost as if no raw plugs or the wrong raw plugs were used.  It's a shame as up until now the work has all been good quality even if so very slow.  I have found out where the rail is from as I cant live with mismatch rails and I will ask brother to fit.  The new rail needs trimming both ends too as sticks out and is very rough like its not finished.  I have voiced my concerns and he will be looking at it next week.  Not in until thurs now so will move DD1 into her room until then, once brother puts up curtain rail for her (tomorrow hopefully).

Really busy at work today - not sure if children are  acting up as nearly end of term or because of snow but it was challenging today.  Anyway only a week to go.  Glad its the weekend and hopefully get some decorating and tidying done

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Well not so productive as I had hoped but done a few bits towards the room.  That was in between delivering and collecting DD1 to / from work.  DD2 was also dropped off at party and sleepover (I get the bed and bedroom to myself for the first time in a month - yay).  As a treat I decided to take the older 2 out for dinner.  We very rarely go out to eat anywhere other than maccy d's so this was a big treat.  I had vouchers for Prezzo from my tesco points so went into town and enjoyed ourselves.  I would love to be able to do this a little more often with all 3 of them.  Anyway I am going to have a little browse of the internet and then go up to bed

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Solar panel man has been and gone.  All set to accept his quote and get the appointment in the diary.  We are looking at Mid May ish for installation but needs to be confirmed. The sooner the better I reckon.  I asked if they would be willing to install a cowl to the chimney whilst up there and he said probably not, but the scaffolding will be up for 5 (I'm sure he said weeks but might be days) so we can use it to get up there if we like.  That will be another job ticked off the list - slowly getting through them

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Builders were supposed to be here today but he emailed last night to say they will be here tomorrow instead.  He is also going to chase the window up so that's obviously not arrived as yet.  Carpet man came and measured yesterday and happy to install when ready, even if at different times.  Ordered the ikea things the other day but this morning woke to an email saying order was cancelled.  Turns out 1 item was discontinues but rest of order was cancelled in error.  After 40 min on the phone and a call back all has been resolved and the discontinued item (one of their best sellers so makes no sense) is being shipped from a store that still has plenty left.

One more day of work and then 2 weeks holiday.   Lots to do but sure we will finish on time.  Then its time to focus on the house completely and get ready for uncle visiting.  Somehow need to clean around all of the boxes and bits everywhere.  Tonight DD1 and I have a meeting online re her NCS holiday and week volunteering.  I not keen on online calls but needs must.

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Plumber / electrician is here banging and crashing away.  One radiator fitted, another not needed but valve / thermostat instead as that is what was wrong.  Not seen the 3rd radiator as yet as it is still in the process of being installed, but happy he is here and getting it sorted.  No sign of the extra smoke alarm as yet but he has to do that for the building regulations man so sure he will sort at some point.  Just to make aware we do have smoke alarms, but because adding an extra room they said we need another.

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Ok DD1's radiator that needed making smaller but staying put was actually moved.  She is not keen on plans changing, but I think it will work out better in the end.  The smoke alarms were not quoted for but I had passed the email from the building regs guy to my builder right at the beginning of the process.  Turns out I will need a whole fire alarm system which will cost several hundred that was not accounted for.  I need a heat alarm in kitchen and then interlinked alarms in hall and landing.  As it would appear he hadn't looked at the email correctly he hadn't provided the electrician with the right bits.  Thankfully the electrician queried it with me and then the builder who is now working to get the right bits.

On return from my school run there was water coming out of the overflow too so plumber rushed back and sorted it.  It was a quick fix and just the pressure from having him empty the central heating.  

So today will be a day of painting hopefully.  The room has been cleared and wiped down ready.  Holes have been filled and I think we are now ready.  Hoping my Dad might pop round to help as i am fairly inexperienced in decorating and although I'm sure its not too difficult, I sure there are some top tips that he could help with. 

slm6002

Managed quite a bit of painting yesterday with the help of DS.  It's a daddy day today so no painting as yet.  I do the edges and he uses the roller to fill in.  Seems to be working well so far.  All a learning curve really but hoping it will look ok after a few more coats.

My brother came round to look at the wardrobe that he will be building in DD1's bedroom.  After a lot of thinking (steam coming from ears type thing) he knows what he is doing and is off to get the materials tomorrow.  He will then be back tue am before he does his late shift, to start building.  It will require plastering so will need more waiting time but after that we will be ready for the carpet.

I never got to the supermarket so it will be pasta bake for dinner maybe, if I can get to the cupboard for the bits.  Brother was here a lot longer so will need to go to shops tomorrow after delivery of furniture.  I have a feeling the next few weeks off is going to fly by.  Anyway happy we are finally getting there

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I am exhausted.  I have painted and painted (still some more to go but getting there), I have cleared the pile in the living room ready for Uncles arrival tomorrow.  The pile removed was the entire collection of the girls bedroom that has been staring at me since late feb.  I built all of the storage units that will become bed bases and one is now in the room as a bed, whilst the others are in my room as bookcases with boxes in them.  I have a slot at the tip tomorrow morning at 9.30 so another early start to take all of the bags from sorting. 

Still no answer from the builder re the missing window so sent him a second email asking if he did chase it up and if so do we have any ideas on timings?  No answer as yet.

My hoover has given up though.  Not sure if it has just over heated or needed cleaning.  Anyway i have turned it off and rinses the filter bits in the hope it works tomorrow before uncles arrival.  Still so many rooms needing cleaning before he arrives.

So tired and am really hoping for a rest one morning.  It's not helped by the nightmares re XH and then waking up really early before any alarms.  Just need a few good nights sleep. 

slm6002

Thankfully the hoover came back to life after unclogging it again.  I hate this fancy hoover as it always needs cleaning or unclogging or de-hairing.  My cheap and cheerful vacuums I've always bought up until now have never had this issue.  Anyway it came back to life and no money required

Been cleaning all day again and am finally done.  If anyone wants to visit you need to do it in the next 12 hours as I'm sure it wont stay like this for that long.  Uncle will be arriving in just over an hour if his timings are correct.  Dinner is sorted and have a rough meal plan for the next few days.  Tomorrow my brother is coming over to finish the wardrobe in DD1's room.  I expect I will be painting.  For now I am sitting still on the sofa catching up on things and checking bank balances.

Ooh and next week after the children's dentist appointments, we were able to get a free skating session with free lunch.  This is because they are on free school meals.  I thought it would be a nice treat and with the cost of petrol, as we would be in that town anyway we may as well make the most of it.  Decided not to do the outdoor cooking this time as we have so much else going on.  We do have a free swim with lunch too but that is here in the town so wont take too much of the day up.

Right time to do not a lot