Tiling and other jobs at home

I have only just got around to tell you about these jobs that we have been doing at home. We had a visit from Warmzone, who confirmed that we were entitled to some free insulation in the loft. The guy went to have a look up there and found that all the rubble from when the roof was replaced (before Alli bought the house) was still up there. He asked us to get it removed which I agreed we would.

However, after having quotes for the job from several different waste removal firms and handy men, we decided that we couldn't afford to have it done. I thought it was a shame to pass on the free insulation, which we desperately needed, so I was going to have a go myself.

I spent the whole day up there and it was the worst job I have ever done in my life. Despite of being donned in goggles, mask and disposable overalls, I was still covered in sot and was blowing it out of my nose for days after. The worst was not being able to see a thing. I gave up with the glasses virtually straight away and the goggles got covered in black sot, which Alli kept wiping away regularly but for no avail. Just after only a few seconds they were black again. I had to just try to remove the rubble by just feeling for it. We estimate that it was approximately 60black bags that we removed and they all had to come down through a very small hatch and through the rest of the house.

It was all worth it in the end. Warmzone put in 3 and a half huge rolls of insulation and now the house is really warm, especially upstairs.

***

Alli used to have some tile-look wallpaper in the bathroom instead of tiles. Over the years the seams had gaped open with the damp and it looked generally tired and messy. We were both getting very fed up with having to constantly keep wiping it down to stop the water damaging the wall and avoid it going mouldy.

We went to look at tiles in the Tile Clearance Centre on City road and found exactly what we had been wanting. Large, sturdy tiles with a vague pattern, that isn't at all loud or over-powering. I was convinced that we could do the tiling ourselves if we had the right equipment. The young lad in the shop was very, very nice and helpful. He told us the difference between what we need and what we didn't need and also what we might want and why. Armed with tiles, adhesive, grout and tools, we went home very excited.

Looking back now, I can easily say that the hardest part of the whole project was removing the old wallpaper. I had totally underestimated the time and effort that that took. It was an horrendous task. The tiling was quite easy by comparison.
Alli counted that we put up a total of 55 of those very large tiles. Then we painted the walls and replaced the flooring. Now the bathroom is the nicest room in our house and we did it all ourselves, which feels fantastic. Come for a visit and judge for yourself.

Hectic Time

Wow, it was very nice to meet the girls and the grand kids, even though it was just a couple of hours. It was a very hectic experience, which we don't care to repeat for a very long time. Ten hours it took travelling on the Monday and even worse on the way back on Wednesday, due to the hold-ups on the M6. We were absolutely shattered and it didn't help that I got bogged down with yet another flu.

We stayed at Kari's on Monday night and met his lovely little girls (half sisters), Missan and Skrollan, who are half Persian and half Norveigan Forest Cat. They were dead cute and I wanted to take them home but my brother threatened to ring the police if they went missing. Spoilsport, isn't he?

We didn't sleep well so we were quite tired the next day so we didn't leave until quite late. We then had yet another trip on the train and then a bus journey, but it was well worth it. We visited Sanna and the kids and Tessa came too. We had a lovely little tea party and a nice chat but I was conscious of the time since I had promised my mother that we would meet her at 3.

We eventually made it at ten past 6. Had a little dinner and then went to a hotel near the station.

We had a few drinks in the reception before going up to our modern room. What a bliss to sink in to the huge, crisp bed. The breakfast on Wednesday was out of this world. A buffet style where we could chose from different cereals, fresh fruit, yogurts, meat, boiled eggs, lots of different breads and unlimited drinks of coffee, juice, milk, chocolate and several different kinds of ordinary and herbal teas. It really set us up nicely for the mammoth journey back. We both decided that after paying £150 for one night, that we would go camping next time we visit.

Happy Birthday Vidar

Yes, my youngest grandson, Vidar is two already. It only feels like a few months ago when he was born, yet a lot has happened since then. Can't wait to see him, and his brother and sister on Tuesday.

I finally received my deposit back from the house, so now I can put it all behind me and look to the future. It won't be long before I need to start making Alli's wedding dress. I'm really excited but also very nervous of making mistakes with it. obviously not the wedding or the marriage and not even sewing the dress but cutting the dress material is a different matter. What if I cut it too small? it doesn't bear to think about.

We are having some new loft insulation fitted next month but prior to that we need to have the loft cleared of old insulation and other rubble. Yesterday I got some quotes in for someone to do that and we were both astonished about the amount. £130 plus removal fees. As our budget for that was set at £50, looks like we are having to get it done ourselves. Not looking forward to that idea :(.

The next job will be the bathroom which requires tiling and imulsioning. We are having the walls a light lilac colour and are just about to go get some tiles and other accessories. See you later.

Bye for now.

Freedom at last

I have finally handed back the keys to the house. No more rent and double bills and especially no more running up there to do chores. Wonderful!

Lets hope that this is now the end of the troubles and I can begin my recovery and get back to work. I had to have another four weeks off but I'm hoping that I can use that time to get fitter and back to normal.

Alli has been helping me with the fitness thing and I am entitled to get free counselling through work so I am going to try that.

Today we had a game of table tennis but it didn't go too well at first. I have never played it before so Alli got a bit impatient with me. Well she did say I improved a bit during the session so maybe I'll get there one day. Watch this space, lol.

One step closer to handing back the keys

I think most of you know that I have been gradually trying to empty my old house ready for handing back the keys on Thursday. That's the main reason that I bought Bianca (my little van) so that I can get it done in my time and not stress myself out by trying to do too much in one go, like i did when I moved in there.

It has still been very hard going but,yes, I have finally emptied and cleaned the upstairs and there is hopefully no need to go back up there ever again. All the rest of my stuff are bagged up in the lounge. I'm planning to leave them in Bianca and put away a few bagfulls at the time.

We still need to bring the olive trees and the blueberry plants back but did bring the garden furniture with me today. I have sold my washer and TV but the kitchen table and the mower still needs selling. Will be putting them on Ebay later.

Can't wait to get it all done so that life can get back to normal again. There are jobs that we want to do at our house but feel that we can't 'cos of the pressure of getting this house empty.

NEW YEAR AND NEW BLOG

Happy New Year to all of you who have found your way to my new blog.


I wont be going in to the reasons as to why I have started a new blog but it just felt like it was the right thing to do at this time. Another chapter in my life has closed and a new one started so why not start the new year with a new blog.

Okay, folks; I shall start the year by talking about the end of last year. Can't stop harping on the fact that I have had a wonderful five months since last summer. I think you all know that it is down to meeting my lovely fiancee. She has made me very happy and we had the best christmas together since childhood.

I see you wondering; well what did you do that was so spectacular? The funny thing is that we didn't really do much or go anywhere. We didn't spend a fortune on presents or food and drink. We had a few good friends and family around and spent some time having a good laugh. That is what Christmas is about isn't it?

Last night was New Year's Eve and we just watched the box, whilst having a few nibbles and a very moderate amount of drink. It is one of the quietist and most peaceful new year eve's I have ever had and i loved it.

2009 for me starts with a mission. It is now time to lose the weight that has crept on during the last 18 months and I know Alli will help me wtih that.

It would be nice to hear from you...to hear how your festive celebrations went...what your plans are for 2009, etc.