Prosperous & Creative Soul & MFW Year 3

savingholmes

Thanks Jwil, Beanie, EH, TG, Skint and Mark

I let the cat out again before going to work and it returned thankfully about 20 mins after I got home - eager for lots of treats, cuddles and affection. So yes the cat seems more settled and anchored to here. I was pleased he stayed in last night as I was worrying - especially as I was due to be out today.

I saw my counsellor on the way back from work - and talked through all the many decisions I am currently weighing up in connection with the house. Various people I spoke to at work today - and then my counsellor too - were reassuring on planned spends on the driveway and even the floor. The roof, gutters etc is a given. I'm going to continue weekly counselling for the time being - mostly be phone with say a monthly meet up - as there's still so much going on and a lot to process.

I was thinking about the driveway - and there's a section in the surveyor's report where he questions whether some of the outside levels of paths etc are too high - I need to look at that again and perhaps call or email. I also think he originally suggested putting a new damp proof membrane down and relaying the floor - which at the time I thought was crazy but might be worth a re-read before I make decisions on screeding the floor as it's a 2 birds one stone option. I'd also hate to do something that then gets questioned by the next surveyor if there's an opportunity to put something right. 

Quite a few of you commented on the patio door - I just meant door on to a patio. The gap is so wide that it could have been designed for bi-folds though a few people have cautioned against them, I also worry that traditional French doors may look like a pea on a drum. I want to see if the existing sliding style - huge doors with a square grid type pattern on them - are fixable before investing yet more money on new. Failing that I need to spend time googling my options - and at the moment that one is further down the list - although given the current doors have a weird footprint - almost like a bottom sill - I may need to make that decision alongside any flooring one... Each task grows another. If I end up replacing the door - then I may put down a coir matting inset at the same time. I had one by the front door and it worked really well - and always regretted not having one next to the French doors at the last place. 

My new house number (and road) sign has arrived - navy and silver for £12 from Am**** I love it. Quite a few people who came to quote went to a house on a different street - and this house has no number up at all and the street sign is faded so it can only help. My handyman has an ever growing list of jobs to do. Perhaps it's time for me to buy a drill and drill bits and learn to use it! Given I can't even get the garage door open currently - even if I had them I might not be able to get to them. Yet another item on the list. I had an electronic door at the last place.

I need to try and arrange a food delivery - as while there are social benefits to exploring the local shops I spend a lot more when I go in person!

MovingForwards

Great news about the cat and it seems very happy in this house.

While you can't choose them, the decision about how much life you expose to them.

With all the works you're getting quotes for, remember to ask if warranties are from the company or insurance backed. 

Also, less of the worrying about potential future buyers you've only just moved in and what meets standards and regs probably won't if you sell in 10+ years. It only matters that work meets current requirements, or at the time it was done.

Eating will settle when all the works are done, you're unpacked, organised and have a routine again.

The home sign sounds great.

LadyWithAPlan

Glad the cat is more settled as are you .
i feel for you on your lost of jobs and wanting to get them done straight away - however I can also see you are being v mse as well so well done 

on others viewing your home - over consumption of stuff is actually not attractive - you don’t need a huge home for just you and your views sound amazing - you have room to make art and save hard for your pension - you are doing great ! 
- I really as I start to seriously look for a home don’t want to over buy … hard in london but maths is still maths - what I spend extra on a home could go into my SIpp instead which will give me a better life for decades on the future 

TallGirl

I agree it is your home and you decide how you want it and what was your priority. Why would you need to upsize when you moved? It is just you now the kids have left home. As LaPlan says being able to retire early and enjoy life has to be more enjoyable than working to state pensions. Often people who make comments are jealous or in debt themselves because they try to keep up with the Joneses. 

Driveway prices do very I had some very different quotes. In the end I got someone who could restore mine for a fraction of the price. Sounds like that is not possible to worth checking out if anything else needs doing at the same time as that will be cheaper and double the benefit. 

At least it is Friday hope you have a relaxing weekend ahead. 

Honeysucklelou2

Just caught up on your diary SH. Lovely to read of your settling in ( and the cat). The plants look great in the pots and the colour will be cheering on these Winter days. 

savingholmes

Thanks TG, HSL, LWAP and MF

The views are amazing again today and it seems warmer. I may go for a little walk. 

I've just had a parcel delivered to a name that isn't mine or that of the previous occupants so I have just flagged it as possible fraud to the sending company by email and asked their advice.

I've had my mortgage payment returned to me that I made 2 days after moving. I wasn't expecting that - although they were due to increase my mortgage payment slightly in future months to compensate for a slightly different (closer) mortgage end date. Given the works I'm having done are potentially more extensive that originally envisaged I'm tempted to just use it towards that and reduce pressure on my desired EF. I will have to change my signature back though.

I'm trying to slow down on the driveway - as I'm debating adding to the job - to get all the previous concrete taken out down the side of the house and where it is part concrete rather than slabs at the back. I'm not however ready to make a decision on what to replace the extra part with. There are also issues with drainage in the back garden - with a raised lawn area being like a swamp - I don't want to add to that risk with my choices. I need to re-read the survey report knowing what I know now.

I'm debating what to do on the garage (and internal utility area) - as the current garage door doesn't work for me - but long term I may either convert the garage properly - as it was part converted badly - or I may just change the doors to make it a more usable space for me. The amount that is left is relatively small so I'm unsure how useful it would be if I didn't rejoin the two halves. If I'm keeping it as a storage area with the addition of a workbench type solution - I'd still want to change the doors - and add windows to bring in the view and the light. With it no longer having an integral door it would be too claustrophobic otherwise. If to do anything to the garage or to change the doors they would need to dig anything out - I'd rather consider that upfront rather than risk disturbing a newly replaced drive.

I could do with a BIL and sis visit I think - or give them a video tour. BIL has been pre purchase which may therefore be enough. I need someone knowledgeable to talk through the options with. My Dad may have been useful for that too but he's still on the mend from breaking a bone. The handyman on Monday may also prove a useful sounding board. A friend may come over on Sunday. She's very non-judgmental so that should be okay. I've not invited anyone else yet.

badmemory

What is the problem with your garage.  Is it accessabilty or the door mechanism.  Or are you like most but not all of my neighbours who just don't use it for a car.  I have a roller shutter that I had done years ago when I was having some trouble with my back.  A seriously good investment for me.  Whilst I have noticed one of my neighbours had one installed a few months ago, another neighbour had their garage demolished.  Probably because they drive very large cars which wouldn't go in anyway, well not & be able to get out of it once parked.

savingholmes

Thanks BM - The garage door gets stuck - and doesn't unlock easily. I had an electric roller door at the previous place. The garage has previously been split in two - but wouldn't have fit a car in anyway. I had a chat with family earlier about everything that needs doing. I'm going to do some proper measurements and a plan and send it to my wider family - and then do some more planning. 

I also spent about 3 hours this evening making art which was fun. Just printing on a gel plate but fun.

jwil

Glad you had fun with the art.

LadyWithAPlan

I saw some flats yesterday and also popped into some EA
one was an absolute wide boy - I said 1-2 bed it’s just me 380-450 though I may be able to go a bit higher 
he then spent 20 mins pushing me to £500 plus homes with 3 bed 2 bath … I could always sell as an investment .. great space .  Blah blah 

in the end I very directly said to him that the size of my house does not reflect in any way me or my life - that I had had a Porsche at 22 and now didn’t have a car & I had had enough of big city  trading living to not have to make out to be anything other than I am. Me on my own is cool as it is ! 

It was a literal verbal smack down hopefully it will make him think - if he doesn’t learn that wisdom in life he will be v unhappy