Prosperous & Creative Soul & MFW Year 3

beanielou

Happy new sofa day. 

savingholmes

Thanks Beanie.  It didn't arrive but they have promised it will tomorrow via a different courier.  I will have to pay on delivery but they will refund me.

I finished work slightly early today. This week has gone fast.

I went to life drawing again nude models with Halloween props / cosplay. It was certainly electrifying! I felt so out of my comfort zone but very alive. I genuinely forget everything else while there. Plus there's a good group of regulars so I'm socialising with other artists which is good.

I picked up my folate prescription.  Need to take it trying to also get in the habit of taking vit d. I found a bottle this week as part of my decluttering. 

I've had some more cashback. Another £36 or so. Very happy with that, especially now I know I can use it at a lot of my regular shops by buying giftcards

KajiKita

You are sounding happier and like you are getting back into your ‘groove’ again 😊 Good to hear 😊

KK

mark55man

agree with KK -

I have to say though I had enough of naked people paintings on my weekend Paris - honestly any excuse to put someone (usually female) in with no clothes on.  There was one impressionist piece where two banker/lawyer types were having a picnic in full coat and tails with a completely random undressed young woman.  Not something I've seen in real life.  oh dear - I'm sounding prudish now, which I'm not really

savingholmes

Thanks Mark and KK

Mark - I have always hated nude pictures in galleries but might view them differently now. The models seem to really enjoy it and spoke of it giving them a high when we chatted in the breaks. So far 3 of the 4 group sessions I have been to featured men. They are all body confident regardless of size which is refreshing. 

KK I  feel relieved that if my current struggles are due to a vitamin deficiency there is a fix. And given that one of the symptoms it lists that I have been worrying about for a few years (but never told a GP) includes pins and needles I am glad it wasn't a worse cause. I feel dizzy really easily at the moment and if I lean forward that I could topple over. I keep having to brace myself which isn't great.

I am making slow but steady progress on the house. More things have homes. This weekend I want to finish planting my bulbs. I also want to use the asbestos test kits on the floor and get something ordered. I may even go ahead with the drive. My monthly interest will suffer then though but I will have something to show for it. I am planning to put decent engineered wood at the front and in the hall and then a vinyl layer over my existing laminate in the rear. That way I can keep the floor paint free for when I come to sell and put an insulating layer in too.

It would be good if I could get a joiner in to resolve missing skirting, frame and fit a door etc too. Need the floor done first though.

I am also planning to buy a kitchen wall cupboard so I can get my crockery off my counter and have more space.

I have 9 visitors due in December to see DS here with his partner and the latter has never seen my house. DS and his partner are due to stay over. I am looking forward to it.

beanielou

If only you were nearer. I could give you kitchen cupboards! 

How lovely to see your DS & their partner. 

LadyWithAPlan

sounds like all is moving forward nicely ! Great CB and your pension is really building.  

jwil

That all sounds very positive and lots to look forward to.

WelshmansDaughter

I would consider life modelling if it paid well enough 😂😂😂

savingholmes

Thanks Jwil, WD, LWAP and Beanie

WD £40 for 2 hours near me!

DD is going to come and help tidy/declutter today. Sorely needed. I'll pay her and will take whatever help I can get.

I got an updated quote for the drive and added work down the sides of my house and to the rear. It will be £11k but I can use my 0% CC so keep my savings income for now (stooze). That will include taking out all steps. Fitting an acro drain by my patio door. Removing all concrete to the side and rear and taking the levels back down below my damp proof course. (The previous occupants were idiots!!).

Adding brick paver edging to new tarmac. Putting in new raised beds plus some extra concrete posts to help retain the retaining wall. It's bending out in places. I'd had a previous quote for £17k for less work. I'll then have space for 3-4 cars at the front while keeping a 1m wide L shape to one side for greenery. It comes with a 10 year guarantee.

He'll remove the raised bed next to the kitchen wall to make the path wide enough for a powered wheelchair for visitors. He'll replant the displaced plants. He'll secure my fence panels with extra wood supports. He has several teams and can do it quite quickly. He's on that check website for traders and comes well recommended.  He does want deposits but is happy to have that in phases and only once work has begun.

I also looked at water resistant laminate flooring for the lounge and hall to start. I've found a possible option for around £1.1k. He's coming to properly measure on Tuesday and can then advise about the rear too. I think even if I do the rear unless it is just a vinyl overlay I'd do it in stages so there are less issues with furniture removals.

I'm hoping to get both lots of work done before mid December.  I still need to do and send off the floor asbestos tests. In theory they have a speedy turnaround though.

I still need to look into a joiner for other woodwork.