Living the Good Life - mortgage free and living in line with our values

themadvix

Morning all,

Still cold and invaded here. And increasingly grumpy - pretty sure the plumber was listening to the Joe Rogan podcast this morning.... hateful, hateful man (JR not the plumber). The irony of listening to this while installing heat pumps isn't lost on me... but it feels like poison is being inserted into his brain. Pity - he seems nice otherwise. (I may be wrong, but I know what it sounds like from a Youtuber we follow who has ripped JR to shreds for his climate denial lies). And I'm pretty sure there's a bit of racism going on with one of the guys downstairs (I'm hoping the sparky is still a decent human being).😭😭 What happened to young people being progressive and liberal... oh wait, the women still are... 😭😭

Anyway, moving on... I've done a bit of Cambridge work, but I haven't got anything from any clients and frankly, I'm abandoning too much work-effort. When it's warm and my house is no longer invaded, I will get focused and crack on with the Cambridge reports, but until then, I'm in survival mode (like the cats - they are so resigned to it, they knew where they needed to be this morning before the guys arrives and without bribes). I enjoyed my fish and chips and binge-watched 3 Bake-offs last night, so am all caught up and ready for the final.

I am going to go for a walk shortly - to the post box and Coop (ETA: and the allotment)

MS things:
* Have verified myself with Prolific - only because the company they use was one I used for a bank account setup, so they must be (yeah right) fairly trustworthy. Have done a few surveys there this morning.
* Had a rant by email at UK Insurance Group. I wanted to delete my account as I no longer have insurances with them - they wanted me to upload *two* forms of ID. They aren't entitled to any, although it might be considered accpetable that they have one form, given the data they hold on me. I found the email address of the Data Officer and cited the ICO website at them - which says requests for ID need to be proportionate. I sent them one form, and they *will* do as I request, or I'll be escalating to the ICO. (Totally not MS-related, but definitely life admin.)
* 1P surveys
* Clicks and HW done
* Dinner will be the squash, white bean and leek tagine (good point, I need to pick some leeks)

Gratitudes:
* Mr MV will try to get home at a decent time later (am hoping mid-late afternoon)
* The sun is out - both for solar energy and solar gain - it is freezing in here (doors open and no heating - and I'm not sitting where the oil-filled rad is at the moment)
* The golden leaves on the trees are looking gorgeous

Have a good day all!

greenbee

Not long to go TMV! And it WILL be worth it.

Plumber finally answered his phone. He's moving today ... so won't be able to escape me after that as he'll be living at the end of my road So fingers crossed I can sort dates out tomorrow/early next week and get everyone else booked. 

themadvix

Thanks Greenbee! Yes, I have to focus on the end goal, which is getting nearer. The sparky has told me he’s pretty much finished; the plumber has started leak testing - inside looks good, outside there’s a big leak to sort. Two of the guys have gone for lunch, I think the other is having his in the loft?? The cats are well and truly fed up - I’m currently sitting blocking access to the door as B&W cat is determined to escape (he can open doors). I do know how they feel!

EssexHebridean

Oh Vix that has turned into a protracted exercise hasn't it - as you say though, worth it once it's all sorted and you're cosy! As for leaks - of the watery sort - better by miles for those to be outside, than in! 

themadvix

We knew it would be 4-5 days in fairness EH. I just underestimated how much I would hate having people in my space for that long. As we do pretty much all diy ourselves, the only time we’ve had more than one tradesman in at a time was when we had the boiler replaced, which was just one day (and we knew one of the guys socially). I think it’s the combination of having three guys, them being all over the house and no heating that is making it so unbearable - reckon it’s a me problem more than a them problem really. Definitely first-world/introvert problems!

EssexHebridean

It's vile having major works done - particularly the sort that leads to lots of dust and disruption. It's the reason why we chose to throw an extra £50k at our house purchase - to ensure that all the "major" stuff was done! I absolutely get where you're coming from about the thing of feeling invaded, too! 

I'd also say that even if it IS a "you" problem, or a first-world problem, it doesn't make it any the less valid as a thing to be unsettled and unbalanced by - be kind to yourself! 

themadvix

Thanks EH. I am being understanding - hence I've pretty much abandoned work. If I had 'proper' (i.e. self-employed) work I'd be happy to get on with it and it would provide a welcome distraction but doing the Cambridge stuff is harder to concentrate on at the best of times. So I'm sitting on the sofa, with cats around, radiator on and doing surveys (over £30 cleared on Prolific now). The worst bit is not being able to go for a wee without likely being overheard! With three of them here, even with two loos, the likelihood has been that someone has been near the loos most of the time. (Maybe I'm just weird, but I do prefer not being overheard having a wee by complete strangers in my house!) Just overheard the plumber on the phone saying another hour/hour-and-a half, so at least the end is in sight.

Cheery_Daff

Urgh, I do feel for you! It is indeed vile having people doing work in the house. We had builders in for about 4 months a few years ago - I think we're both still pretty traumatised by the whole thing now 😬 Hopefully yours will be over and done with very soon!

themadvix

We are two workmen down, one to go and the radiators are gently warming! And the pump is ever so quiet - which had been a minor concern of mine.

themadvix

Cheery_Daff said:

Urgh, I do feel for you! It is indeed vile having people doing work in the house. We had builders in for about 4 months a few years ago - I think we're both still pretty traumatised by the whole thing now 😬 Hopefully yours will be over and done with very soon!

I remember Cheery. I don't blame you for being traumatised - I think I will be very cautious about having people in again for a long time. I am very lucky that Mr MV is more than capable of doing the vast majority of things, even if it means they take longer/I'm required to be the tradesman's mate.