SKI-er or Sk-ater. We know how to enjoy ourselves

[Deleted User]

oops yes ds. I will wait. They all have to `grow up` at some stage and that includes managing their finances

margaretclare

A load has been taken off our minds recently, now we can start looking forward again with some optimism.

DH went for his physio appointment the week before last, everything fine, no need to go again. He saw his consultant earlier this week, the one who did his spinal surgery on 10th May - everything fine, no problems, wound healed up all clean and healthy, no further back pain. Clean bill of health. The consultant said, though, that it has been extremely risky and he wouldn't necessarily do that again after what he found when going into DH's spine - huge risk that it would result in no sensation from that point downwards and he'd end up in a wheelchair. Thankfully, that didn't happen.

We are going on a 4-night break at the Novotel, Amiens, first week in September, has been booked and paid months ago but we couldn't go when we planned because 'need urgent surgery, can't possibly go on holiday!' Fortunately we were able to change the date and didn't lose the money. Crossing by DFDS also booked and paid for, so all we need is money for fuel and meals, entrance fees and any other minor costs.

We've just got our small airport in full operation from April. EasyJet now has a lot of holiday flights going to Faro, Alicante, Ibiza, Barcelona, you name it, as well as to Ireland linking up with flights to the USA. It's literally half a mile from our front door! I'd love to fly off somewhere but there's something else that needs doing at home, and it has to take priority. We have a brick-built garden wall at the back which is in danger of collapse. Because of the way it is built, what else it's attached to, it's probably going to cost £1 - 2K or maybe a bit more depending. The man who did our new shower enclosure and upgraded the bathroom in 2008 is an all-rounder and he can do it, probably early September or so, which is when I get another annuity payment. I'd rather get that done than another week's holiday. Maybe we'll jet off to Faro in the early spring when the orange-blossom is out!

pollypenny

Enjoy it, MC. good that your DH has had the all-clear.

Our brick garden wall blew down in the horrendous January winds, the night we left for a Manchester airport hotel prior to going to meet baby grandson in thr US.

Thankfully our lovely neighbours didn't tell us. No point, as nothing could be done until we got back.

seven-day-weekend

Good news, MC.

We have been SKI-ing with a vengeance! All part of reclaiming our house, following our return from Spain and 'the kids' moving out.

The biggest thing is a major refurb of our loft room. Although converted years ago (already done when we bought the house in 1976), it has never been done well and never insulated. So it has been stripped back to the rafters and brick, insulated and re-plastered, and now has a lovely sloping ceiling ,(fully insulated between the ceiling and the roof), sloping walls down to about a metre, exposed purlins and a nice new laminate floor. There is a good space behind the stairs which is just right for my study and the rest of the room has been painted white and is now our 'relaxing' room, with top quality TV and hi-fi (which we already had) and the addition of a new blu-ray player. We have moved the sofa bed up there too......

....which meant that the second bedroom had no bed in it. So we have bought a nice oak bed for that and a new wardrobe.

Our original TV unit has gone up into the loft as it matches the other furniture and so we have a new TV unit for the downstairs sitting room.

My husband has treated himself to a brand-new laptop, which sits in a nice little alcove in the study end of the loft, on a lecturn from our old church (recycled, very green and MSE!).

We now just need a carpet for landing and both sets of stairs.

We have also spent money on the garden.

Next year we are having a new window for the main bedroom and a new front door (hinges broken on one and lock on the other). Also a refurb of our lean-to utility room.

So.....some good SKI-ing going on there!

pollypenny

Sounds good, SDW!

seven-day-weekend

SKI-ing from tomorrow with some friends in Wales (the guy is my husband's best friend and they have been best friends for over fifty years :eek:), two of their children and their spouses, and a guy we all know from the pub and all like. REALLY looking forward to it.

My husband has bought a new two-man kayak specially - but sold his single one on e-bay for as much as he paid for it.:money:

It's the first holiday we have had since June 2011. The petsitting takes up so much of our time! When we return from Wales we have two weeks' petsitting for a regular client - nice old lab, nice cat and nice farmhouse - so will more than recoup the holiday money.:rotfl:

Meanwhile, I will enjoy Wales and old (and new) friends!

seven-day-weekend

Good news about the great-grandchildren MC, but a shame you had to find out that way.

I hope your daughter finds it in her heart to reconcile with you. Life's too short for that kind of behaviour.

But praise the Lord for your wonderful husband and I hope you have many happy years ahead .

xx

NAR

margaretclare wrote: »

I think I made a mistake with the estimate for our building work - it's £2,225, not £20K!

I wondered as that's quite a difference! :rotfl:
More money left for enjoying yourselves.

Savvy_Sue

I wondered too, but having just spent over £2000 re-building a small section of garden wall and knowing that we have oodles more of it to do, I was prepared to believe the higher figure!

Fortunately we can do it in sections: we did the bit which was actually falling down, hopefully next year we can do a longer stretch which is nowhere near as bad, and then there's metres of stone wall, some of it with very little mortar visible.

Ho hum.

pollypenny

Oh, dear, MC. I'm not sure that 'thanks' is an appropriate response to your post.

Keep your chin up. It's true, it's your daughter's loss.