Prosperous soul embraces creativity & mortgage neutrality

beanielou

Do the decluttering.
You will feel so much better 
Good also to get some input from someone else.

savingholmes

Thanks @beanielou for the encouragement. I asked her to do the bathrooms and then we tackled the spare room together. We cleared a lot of stuff out. There's more to do but it feels doable. I have found a new place for xmas decs in the wardrobe in that room and have emptied some boxes and crates. I have filled a bin bag and have 2 or 3 bags of stuff to give away to charity or my sister. Progress. I still need to make sure they leave the house - preferably this week.

My cleaner suggested getting some vinyl for the floor of the room I was decluttering instead of the carpet if I want to use the room for art. It hadn't occurred to me but it sounds a good call, so I will measure it up and at least get a price. I can then decide if I want to proceed or not. It's not a huge room but I think if it needs a plywood layer under the vinyl - then that would add expense. The carpet in there needs replacement anyway. I reckon it's 20 years old and has picked up some stains over the years. It was on my (very long) list to do at some point - but for art - vinyl would be much more practical.

I'm thinking that my glasses replacement is non-essential as I'm not having headaches and the prescription only changed 0.25. I am going to be mindful of it but I'm not going to spend out the kind of £ I was quoted. I will try and ringfence some £ moving forwards for glasses replacement. I should be able to reclaim the eye test cost from work. 

I looked out at one of my trees in the back garden - it's beautiful but it is now way taller than the house which is worrying. I wonder if I should get it cut down this winter. It's tall enough to reach other houses if it fell. It looks solid though. I may take some photos and show a tree surgeon friend and ask his opinion. I prefer my trees fruit tree height. They feel safer. It does help with privacy though.

MovingForwards

If the carpet is fairly flattened slip the vinyl over it to keep costs down and adds an extra layer of warmth.

Good call on the glasses and taking advice about the tree.

badmemory

Provided you can open the door with the vinyl on top of the carpet I think that's a good idea from MF, especially for these expensive times.

As for your tree, would it look OK with the top taken off, some trees you can & some look dreadful.  But the last thing you need is it coming down near peoples houses.  A few years back someone's tree did come down & they were so lucky.  It almost took 3 porches down with it.  By almost I mean that the trunk was so close to their doors that 2 of them couldn't get out of them.  We were all actually laughing about it (probably from relief) but it could have been a much different story.

EssexHebridean

Definitely best to get advice from an expert on the tree thing I reckon - you absolutely don't want to risk it becoming a problem, but equally, if it isn't a problem, then spending the money on getting it lopped or removed might not need to be a priority any time soon. (and you might be able to reassure yourself that it's not something you need to feel worried about) Handy having a tree surgeon as a friend too! 

jwil

You are making loads of progress with everything.

Lundy sounds great.  It's not far from me, we should do a joint trip sometime

savingholmes

Thanks @MovingForwards @jwil @EssexHebridean @badmemory

That sounds a good call having the vinyl on top. As you say it would add insulation and cushioning and save costs. In which case - even with fitting, I could get it done for less than £200 which makes it more affordable.

The tree would look awful topped - and isn't good for it so I think it either stays or goes. I'll ask advice. It's healthy for now but it's the height that scares me.

I made some more art yesterday in bright blues, turquoise, yellow, red, shimmery teal and white. I am very happy with them. My cleaner has again been encouraging me to list my art for sale... Still need to do. I've also carried on with my writing. I also went to both balance classes this week. It was hard!!

Other than the decluttering with the cleaner I haven't done any of the 'jobs' I 'should' do. Instead I have had a proper rest and relax which has been lovely. I saw my counsellor yesterday and told her about the weird dreams I'd been having. The latest featured someone in my life that's currently blanking me and I sprayed her with water, then put ketchup and custard in her hair and she still didn't react - in my dream I was shocked that she didn't respond - but I woke up laughing at myself for being shocked!!! Today's dream was about me being told off for laughing at Ex for bumping his car twice - and then my own car (which was my parents from 30 years ago) - slipping and sliding on the grass and nearly crashing too... Dream interpretation anyone? Other than karma that is

I washed my electric blanket the other day and hung it on the line and it still works fine so relieved about that. I have one load of washing in. Due to pick DD up around 2. I hope to have another load of washing on by then and some things drying on the line. While my energy use is reducing it's still high from an affordability perspective. I've had the heating on for the odd hour this week - particularly while waiting for my elec blanket to dry. I need to remind DD to read my water meter (I can't - I tried previously - it's too far away for my varifocal eyesight!)

Tomorrow, I'm taking DD to a city for a joint birthday treat. Hoping it's fun!! I'm giving her some spending £ and also hope to go to a free art museum/gallery. I've budgeted for it. We're potentially going to see sis and BIL on the way home too as she's had a big birthday. May nip to a Swedish place too for some boxes. I'm still planning what to do on my actual birthday. I am considering going to Kew. I've never been and it's on my bucket list and given it's not that expensive and relatively close to the HP place (compared to where I live) it could work well for a follow on visit the next day. I'm debating whether to go on my own or meet up with a sister - but might enjoy it more alone - as I can go at my own pace and stay as long or as short as I like. I am then debating whether to add another overnight stay somewhere or go home after - and again whether to pop in and see wider family on the way home. I don't want to exhaust myself - but it's my first birthday post divorce and post DS moving out so different regardless.

skint_spice

Have a lovely day, it sounds fun!

Tahlullah.H

Kew sounds wonderful.  It is on my wish list as well.  Hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying making art and writing!  These things give you joy, so should be embraced at every opportunity.

savingholmes

Thanks @Tahlullah.H and @skint_spice

I put two loads of washing out - but didn't notice until it was too late that it had started raining. Will have to leave it out. The line has also sagged. Put too much weight on it. I think it needs a prop in the middle!

In better news I've made 1 large and 3 small pieces of pouring art today and am really pleased with them so far. That might help me release some to sell!

Looking forward to tomorrow but hoping for better weather.