La Dolce Vita - 2025

helensbiggestfan

Good morning my lovely friends.  

Well my Valentine weekend was fab-u-lous.  No man in my life of course but I have my sons and my gorgeous grandsons so that will do me. 😁  (However, never say never😂🤣). Although my husband would be a hard act to follow I remain open minded.......one never knows what lies in store for us.  Anyway I  had a nice day to myself and then had a sleepover at my sons house at the weekend.  

It's been bitterly cold here but finally seems to be warming up now.  Apparently it will be a balmy 14C tomorrow.  Hope so, my poor old bones could do with some warmth.  

Problems with car, she's being a diva again lol.  So I decided to do my grocery shop online.  Alas more expensive than Aldi or Lidl but can't be helped. Mechanic coming today.  🤞

I was hoping for a Frugal February but due to unforeseen expenses it doesn't seem to be working out as I hoped so I'm just going to have to go for Miserly March. Lol.   Never mind I do at least have the money to cover life's little financial hiccups.  I can pay my bills, heat my home and put decent food on the table. There are a lot of people who can't do that right now and who are struggling. I may not be rich but I'm wealthy in the things that really matter.  

No news on the house  front.....hoping it's no news is good news.  🤞.  Found some tulips in the garage that I had forgotten to plant out.  Not sure if I've left it too late but I shoved them in a couple of planters to take with me.  

Hope you are all well and having fun. 

helensbiggestfan

Hello my lovely friends.  

Just taking a break from blitzing the kitchen.  I have no idea how it gets so messy.. 😱😂

Quick update re house purchase - contracts now signed, hopefully exchange should be within the next week or so.  I took advantage of the warm weather on Sunday and sorted out the garage, boxing up everything that was loose on the shelves ready for the move.  

Miserly March is going quite well.  The finances aren't looking too bad, even the the dreaded grocery bill hasn't been quite so horrific. I did book a course of chiropractic treatments  but I consider that an investment because you get a discount if you "buy in bulk". Had to have a new battery for my car £110, but then again she sailed through the MOT without costing me anything so I won't begrudge her a new battery if it gives her a new lease of life.

Just wish a new battery would work for me. 😂🤣

"My Little Man" did the honours and he has now started the summer lawn mowing programme.  I could probably save myself some money and do it myself but it's not an easy garden, the back lawn is on a slope and I find it a bit of a struggle now.  

I think I shall probably be using his services quite a bit when I move.  He doesn't charge the earth and is always very helpful and obliging.  As my husband used to say "why have a dog and bark yourself".  

Other than that nothing much happening.  The occasional lunch with friends and/or family and just generally pottering about, packing a few boxes here and there although there's a lot I can't do yet. It's just a waiting game.   I feel like I'm living in limbo at the moment,  not really able to start anything.  

The lull before the storm.......😉

helensbiggestfan

Legal completion set for Monday 24th March. 🤞🤞🤞. 

Let the games begin.........

Humdinger1

Ooh fantastic news @helensbiggestfan! Standing by to form part of your guard of honour!! Love Humdinger xx 

Duchess2

Brilliant @helensbiggestfan. You’ll be in and mostly sorted for the summer. Great timing

sheilavw

Great news Helen, hope it goes smoothly x

helensbiggestfan

Good morning my lovely friends.  

Went for a "pre-exchange" viewing yesterday for "my" house.  Noticed the upstairs carpets were looking a bit grubby and there was a definite whiff of dog so I've decided to get the carpets professionally cleaned before I move in. Much easier when the house is empty.  Downstairs it's all laminate flooring. I already have plenty of rugs so no expense needed there.  

The decorating is fine for now.  Mainly greige neutrals. Not overly keen on the colours in the lounge, two grey walls and two wallpapered walls which make the room look a bit unbalanced, so that will the first room to tackle, probably sometime in late summer early autumn so I can make it cosy and inviting for winter.  There's no fireplace so I need to think how best to add one. Call me old fashioned but I do like a fireplace.  I would really love to install a log burner. I'll get some quotes  but I think that might be a bit too rich for my budget just now. I might have to get creative and make something out of nothing for a quick fix.  Not me personally😂. I'll design it and my go to handy man can make it happen.  

Whilst chatting to the vendors they mentioned they were getting the scrap people in to get rid of some items they no longer needed/or wanted. They mentioned a garden wrought iron table and chair set. I admired it and the guy asked if I would like it, so I said "yes please". It needs a fresh coat of paint but otherwise it's perfect. It will save me a fair bit of money so I will forgive the grubby carpets.  😂 

I already have of an outdoor wicker sofa and chairs patio set so that's my garden kitted out furniture wise.   I Noticed there are already some hardwired outdoor lights so just need a few solar lights and some easy bedding plants and that's me set for a summer in the garden.  Then I can add extra trees, shrubs and permanent planting at my leisure,  It wont break the bank, especially as I can raid my sons garden for cuttings.  

Eventually I will probably get rid of the lawn and go for something more Japanese style, simple and easy to maintain as I get older.  My husband created a beautiful Japanese style garden in our old house so I shall aim for something similar.  But that won't be for a couple of years yet.  

It's all very exciting. 

Looking forward to a couple of shopping trips for furniture and accessories.😉  

OpalGirl

It's very exciting that it is so close now.

Debsnewbudget

So exciting to be making these plans for your new home.
I am very pleased for you x

helensbiggestfan

quick quick update.  Legally completed today......after much ado about nothing and a few last minute hiccups.  💃. 

Alls well that ends well.