Prosperous & Creative Soul & MFW Year 3

jwil

If you've got sliding patio doors in there and need to replace them, would French doors be an option rather than bifolds?  We've got French doors and it's lovely in Summer with them both open.

beanielou

Another vote for French doors. 

savingholmes

Thanks Beanie, Jwil and GAP

I'm hoping the handyman may be able to rescue the patio door - although some of the glass needs replacing as it is past its best. I could put french doors in if needed - I had those before too. I think my priority is something that opens and locks and unlocks easily - as I genuinely struggle with locks and door handles. On my bedroom 3 / WFH door upstairs - I think the hinge has dropped - but am unsure whether it was like that before or if I'm just too heavy handed.

The only quote I've had for the patio door was extortionate so wouldn't go with them. The angle one... Otherwise that's more money to spend. I'm trying to take a step back and work out what my overall budget should be - as I'm at significant risk of going over by quite a lot compared to what I originally planned. At the same time I hate the disruption of having work done - so if I'm going to do it would just like it over and done with. Forgive me for repeating myself. I'd forgotten the patio door - even though it's on the list - until last night - and then it was a reminder that I'd originally thought I'd spend £2-3K there.

I know it's illogical - but having come from a 'smarter, newer' house and downsized to this - I'm wary of showing my house to friends and relatives in its current state as I couldn't cope with their criticisms of the house - and the perceived rejection of my choice to move. It's not logical though - as I've been very open about the fact that work needs doing here and the financial benefits of moving despite that... I think part of it is I'm still adjusting - a bit like I was with the divorce - and I don't need others comments adding to my own mental load.

I've ordered some lights today ready for the handyman coming next week. One is a new light for the garage - about £20. One I had in my previous lounge and it was £35 instead of the £90 one I was debating. It may be nice for the hall / lounge /utility or the snug/dining area. One is an LED dimmable black flower shape one - for about £54 and one is a £15ish one.  I've ordered 3 lights for outside - 2 for the front to replace existing faulty ones and 1 new one for the side. The outdoor lights were around £70 for 3. I'll see how I like the first - and then possibly buy more for the rear. As far as I know all of them are returnable.

There is a light I'm still in love with - at between £230-330 depending on which size I went for - but I need to go and see it in person if I'm spending that kind of £ and then need to consider whether the drop would be too much. I'm leaning towards putting that in my bedroom - as my original thought of putting it over the dining table isn't going to work if I change the furniture layout so I don't think it's the right solution for that space as I would hate for it to become a hazard.

Blackcats

I understand about feeling reluctant about inviting friends and relatives to your new home.  I think that as you feel more settled you will also feel more confident.  I try, although not always successfully to remind myself that what others think of me or my house is none of my business.  Some people feel that they can judge and share their opinions but really as long as you are happy with your new life their views are probably irrelevant.

savingholmes

I measured the window recesses in the lounge, the three bedrooms and the landing last night. I'm debating the day/night type roller blind for the landing and possibly my WFH space where the blind has black mould! Alternatively I'd consider wooden type/look venetian blinds. In all the rooms they've fitted the blinds too close to the window which is great for blackout but means that when you put them up and down - every single time they catch on the window latches which is driving me bonkers. It is also increasing the damp/black mould/condensation risk as they've left no room for the windows to breathe. In my bedroom - I'm debating an electric blind as again I'm heavy handed on pull cords - and although I had a roman blind at the last place I too often left it down as it was too much effort to do. 

My landing and WFH window area may be 0.5cm too small for the BnQ blind - but if that fit - it would only be £30 each which sounds pretty reasonable. If I had to get it made to measure - it would be more like £80 for venetian style each or £90 for the day/night version. Although it says its 20% off deal is ending tonight - I'd want samples before committing. If I got my bedroom blind in a plainish grey with a motorised mechanism - that would be around £350 - if I did the same in the lounge - that would be around £500 - as I'd potentially need 2 blinds as it is a bay - and although there is a blind that goes straight across at the moment - it looks slightly weird - as they've put it close to the window which accentuates that it is the wrong type of blind for a bay window. If I wanted a single blind - there'd be a join and I'd have to move it to this side of my plant pots but it would probably be closer to the bedroom cost.

Going to take a bit longer to ponder that one.

I'm still debating whether to just go ahead with reflooring the hall and lounge and cancel the rest of the order. That would then free up £ for other things including the patio door but solve one of the areas that is irritating me the most. I'm trying to make myself hang on though until a) I've checked out other options and b) I've spoken to the handyman over the art of the possible in the back L shape.

badmemory

If you are wondering about prioritising work, my thinking would be roof, outside walls, floor, inside walls.  followed by bathroom & kitchen.  After all there is no point in paying to have the inside done & then finding the roof has leaked & ruined it.  No point in having a lovely living room & then tripping when walking across it because the flooring is dodgy.  Thus speaks the person who has an over 30 year old carpet downstairs because she can't face having someone in to deal with it.

savingholmes

Thanks Blackcats and BM. I let my cat out around 9 pm and he hasn't come back yet. Hope he isn't lost or hurt 

savingholmes

Cat just got back 

savingholmes

Some positives

The cat 🐈 has gone back out again. Hopefully it will be safe overnight. I've put it's house outside.

I managed to drain the washing machine and it completed a cycle. I've therefore put stuff around the house to dry.

I've managed to connect to the heating controller and set a schedule.

I've emptied at least 2 more boxes of paintings and stacked them under a narrow table.

I moved the blue painted chair upstairs.

I've sorted some other stuff and given them homes.

I've personalised my kitchen blackboard with my favourite quotes.

I've made some more art using a stencil and the gel plate and it came out well. Creating collage papers. I used a magazine to print on too with mixed results. It's all play.

I am eating more normally this week but still losing weight just more slowly.

My brain is working better. Lots to be thankful for.

KajiKita

Sounds like you and cat are starting ‘to land’ 😊

KK