LACY TO HOSPITAL

Today I am taking Lacy to hospital for a procedure.  She won't be able to drive afterwards, so Mum to the rescue.  And NO, it's not anything to do with girly issues.

We have a history of bowel issues, and she's getting checked out as a precaution.

A week ago I ordered an all-in-one Oodie, to wear back from the pool on cold evenings.

It arrived on Monday, and was WAY too big for me.

ABOVE:  So, Stew scored it.  It fits him perfectly, whereas it swam on me.  I ordered two more for me in a smaller size. 

And yes!  They arrived yesterday.  I didn't get a chance to try them on until late last night... thankfully they fit just fine. I always worry when ordering clothes online, that they won't fit.

The builders/plumber etc are due back here this morning, so hopefully I see more progress once I get home from the hospital. 

ABOVE:  This corner will have the new cupboard in it.

It used to be where the shower was.

ABOVE:  The new shower tray is in place.  It will have a sliding door from the right side to the left, and the new vanity will go to the left of the shower. Where that pipe is in the floor.

ABOVE:  I'm not sure what is going in this corner yet.  Maybe a seat?  More towel rails?  A plant?  Dunno. 

All I know is, this is kinda fun, and kinda stressful.

ABOVE: Family help us in various ways, and this is how Bex is helping me right now.  She's knitting me leg warmers.  She's done one and is on to the 2nd one now.  So nice and warm. Thank You so much Bex, I love you.

And now I better get a move on.  The builders are due here soon, and then I have to pick up Lacy and head up to the hospital.

Catch you later.

BATHROOM RENO BEGINS

 

We did not imagine our bathroom renovation would happen so quickly!  Most tradies are flat out busy.  So we are thrilled to bits that the company doing out reno is able to start TODAY.

I will try to get some photos as things progress today, without getting in their way of course.

As it's a small room, photos are also tricky to get accurately.  But I will try.

For the next few days Stew and I will be using the laundry tub for our 'bathroom'... brushing teeth etc.  Sponge baths.  Also, using the pool showers. 

Luckily, our toilet is a separate room.

We feel like this reno will be done in no time.  I still have not bought the paint, as I want to ask the reno guys what sort I should get, and how much.

I'm going to pop out once the men arrive to buy a new wall cabinet (with mirrors) for the bathroom.  Maybe some new towel rails too.

Too much going on. 

Sofa bed ... they are struggling to get it into the house. Doors are too small. 

It looks like we will have to take the front bedroom windows out to get the sofa bed in. Faaaaaaaark.

For now, it's sitting in our lounge.

ABOVE: The day started well....

floor protected, furniture protected.

ABOVE: Lacy carrying in the new wall cabinet we just bought.

ABOVE:  Trying to get the sofa bed in the house...

ABOVE:  They took the ranch sliding door off, and got it into the lounge.  But they couldn't get it to fit through the internal door.

ABOVE: So for now, it sits in the lounge.

ABOVE:  Bathroom progress.

ABOVE:  more...

ABOVE:  and yet more.

That's all for now.

ABOVE:  more... taken with the 'Panorama' setting.  Can get the whole room in one photo... albeit with curvy walls/ceiling.

Lacy and I just went down to the pool complex for piddles... cos we ain't got any running water right now.

WHAT FUN. 😖😒

ABOVE:  OMG.  Perfect, friggin perfect.  LOVE IT.

2.43 pm.  The front bedroom's window will have to come out, so the sofa bed can be put in there.

Steve is going to do that this weekend.

I have already secured permission to take the window out, then put it back in.

Dot the i's, cross the t's.

I am feeling really frazzled.  If it's not one thing, it's another.

I will probably join Stew at the pub for a stiff drink this evening.  

DOGSTARS:  No not awesome.  Just replacing the shower and vanity, and adding a cupboard.  I hope it looks nice once it's finished.  BUT it won't be all marble and glistening flashness.  Just a  modest bathroom.

ABOVE:  8.14 pm:   Home from the pub.  It's been a very up 'n' down day.  But going to the pub was an excellent idea.   I had a couple of bottles of wine (baby bottles),and I was determined to be HAPPY.  So I was.

I reverted back to pre-covid times, and gave everyone a hug.  I am a hugger, but because of Covid, had stopped giving hugs.  Tonight I didn't hold back, and everyone got a hug at the pub.

It felt GOOD.

Home now, slightly pissed, but HAPPY.  Everything will work out.

LIKE THIS ONE

 

MID WEEK, HUMP DAY.

And today is going to be a bit slower than yesterday.  Probably a good thing.

I was sent the Profile Photo of Stew and I, taken for our Village Profiles on Sunday.   I think it came out lovely.  So very happy it included Coco.

ABOVE: So very typical of Coco, camera shy.

Moving on... I did this the other day:

ABOVE:  I put up the temporary metal mesh fencing. Now I can have the dining room ranch slider open, (on a nice day), and not have to worry about Coco escaping.

I think it's a good solution, as opposed to installing a sliding screen door.

ABOVE: And that is where our Pig Weather Vane is going.  It won't get wind from every direction, but at least it will be up.  And not in anyone's 'face'.  

The things we didn't quite grasp about Village Life. 😤😡😠  Rapidly learning.  

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.  Sometimes it can take a long time to see Karma bite ... but it does happen eventually. 

I might have mentioned this already, but vacuuming the carpet in this new house has been a nightmare.  The fluff and bits 'n' bobs just stick to the damn carpet.  So late yesterday I went out and bought a whizz bang 'super charged' spinning brush head for the vacuum.

And it works.  Just as well, as it was damn expensive.  Now I'm not having to stop, take the head off, and suck up shit with the hose end. Winning.

Pretty much the only 'job' on my list today is to empty the bathroom vanity and cabinet, in readiness for tomorrow's strip out.

We will be using the pool showers until our new bathroom is up and running. A bit inconvenient, but at least we have that option.

This afternoon I am attending my first 'Resident's Meeting' here.  I have been advised to attend by a few people.  I hope it goes well.

😖 I will not be publishing any more comments re:  Karma bla bla bla.  Or the shed issue, until a happy resolution is reached.

Lacy called in this morning, she helped me with a couple of jobs that involved a ladder up into the attic.  Not something I  like to do... I'm not too good on ladders!

I am about to head out and get our sofa bed paid for, then have it delivered. It arrived into Hamilton yesterday.  Whoop whoop, another big TICK.  I can't even remember what colour we ordered!

Right, that little job is done.  The sofa bed is arriving tomorrow sometime.  I've just got to get the two La-Z-Boy chairs out of the spare bedroom, so the sofa bed can go in there.

I've made a space in the garage for the chairs, so all good there.  

I might just finish getting everything out of the bathroom now.

3.25 pm:  Just in from the Residents Meeting.  It was nice to meet more of the people living here.  Everyone was lovely.  I sat with a nice group of ladies afterwards and had some nice conversations.

I learnt that there's a bus 'trip' up to the hospital in a couple of weeks, to show residents how to get there using public transport.  So you don't have to take your car, and get all bent and twisted trying to find a carpark.  Just take the bus.  I for one am doing that trip when it comes up.

I took two hot pods in a bag with me, so thankful, otherwise I would have been cold.  I'm really hating the cold this winter.

Now that I'm home, I will just take a bit of time to relax.  I think tomorrow is going to be a bit busy again.

9.52 pm:  I've had an awesome, quiet afternoon and evening.  It's so good being lazy for a change!

Catch ya tomorrow.

GAS REMOVAL QUOTE

 It is going to be a BUSY morning!

We have the electrician coming back to continue installing lights/range hood etc.

Then we also have a new plumber coming to give us a quote on getting the gas heater off the wall, and replacing the gas hot water cylinder with an electric one.

Also sometime this morning, the Village Manager is coming back to suss out yet another option for our shed issue.  This option sounds way better ... so fingers crossed it can be done.... but I really don't think it will work.  Too much is involved.

I have to be up and 'presentable' before 7.45 am.  That will be a mission, cos I'm not even out of bed by then, of late. 😖😅  

OH!  I just remembered something else... all the bathroom stuff is being delivered today as well.  I shall have a shower and vanity sitting in me lounge for a little while.  lol What's new?

Plumber has been and gone, now awaiting his quote.

Electrician is here installing the new rangehood etc.

Talking of the rangehood, I MUST show you why we are replacing the old one!

ABOVE:  See?  I couldn't bear to even look at it!  Completely disgusting.

ABOVE:  Mitre 10 just dropped off all the bathroom stuff.  And we get to look at it for a few days, until they can install on Thursday. It won't be finished on Thursday, but a lot will be done.

And it's now 9 am... things are ticking along rather fast! 

ABOVE:  The one light I've been dying to see up...

ABOVE: Done, and I love it.

ABOVE: The new rangehood is in place, and so is the kitchen blind.  

It is now almost lunchtime, so I shall pop out and do a couple of jobs (buy paint etc for the bathroom), then come home and enjoy looking at the pretty light.

I have not seen the manager this morning, so he might have already been and I didn't notice him.

KJ: there is no way in hell that woman next door will change her mind!  

4 pm, and the Village Manager arrived.  We had another chat and I suggested ANOTHER option not yet thought of.  And it might be the best one yet.  He's off to talk to someone else, then he'll get back to me.  

The mental exhaustion over this bloody issue!  I think there's been quite a few people kept awake over it.  It is slowly coming to a conclusion I hope.

8.42 pm:  It feels MEH seeing boxes all over the lounge AGAIN.  I hope they get out of here sooner rather than later.  I just want this house to start feeling 'normal', not a mess of boxes and stuff going on all the time.  It's been a month of upheaval already.

On top of everything involved with moving here over the past 9 months.  😖

I'm TIRED. Physically and mentally.

WILL THEY WORK?

 

Surprise, surprise, I don't have very much on the agenda today.

Lacy is coming over so we can go on a walk sometime this morning.  I might take a few photos of areas you ain't seen yet.

After freezing my buns off at the markets on Friday and Saturday, I've decided to use the lovely sheepskin off the footstool, for my market seat.  That should help keep me warm.  Don't know why I haven't thought of it sooner.

ABOVE:  I bought some of these things from The Chemist Warehouse yesterday.   I am going to put one on my lower leg and see if it does warm up and help keep my leg warm?  It would be awesome if it does work.  I will try anything to help keep me warmer!

And that's about all I have for now... catch ya later.

ANON:  You are not being a 'downer', just a concerned person.  Thank You.

But.. in this instance you are incorrect.  These pads can be used ON THE BODY, just not directly on your skin.  I read the instructions very carefully.

Lacy arrived bright and early (for me), and we did our first full walk around my new village.

Not a big or fast walk, but it's a start.  We can add distance once I've got my fitness up a bit.

ABOVE: Stew and I now live 90 seconds from this ... and we can add river walks to our day anytime we want.

ABOVE:  On our walk this morning... posing by our river.  Lacy has a lovely new drink bottle.  Lilac and purple.  

She's now gone home, and I'm rapidly cooling down, so will get off me arse and do some jobs.

VERY EXCITED to say the bathroom renovation starts this THURSDAY.  Whoop whoop.

The shower and vanity and related tapware arrives tomorrow. 

I shall have to buy some wet area paint for the walls.  And towel rails.  I'm trying to decide if I paint the walls pure white, or a pale blue?  

Well the Body Warmers work, but not as good as I hoped they would.  I think I simply have cold legs 'n' feet.  Probably a lot to do with being diabetic.  Grrrr.

I went to the mall to find a kitchen clock.  Found one that will do.

ABOVE:  It's nice enough.  I saw one I really loved, but it was too big for where we wanted a clock.  

Home now, and contemplating doing nothing for a while.

It's quite a windy day, and inside I can hear it... through the old gas heater on the wall.  It will be neat when that monstrosity is removed.

Happy to say I've had an enjoyable afternoon, just pottering around the house and yard.  Got a few things tweaked, and worked out a few other things.

It is slowly all coming together. We just have to get over the bathroom overhaul, and the gas disconnections.

I am done for the day.  It is only 7.24 pm, and I'm looking forward to bed!  Crazy.

Catch ya tomorrow.

PLANTS

I wanted to mention this, because I had alluded to a problem earlier.

We are really annoyed and pissed off with what's happening with our shed.  It has to be reduced in height to appease one neighbour.  A husband and wife.

Management here are doing it ... and shouldering the costs, as this fiasco was caused in part by us, and in part by them. 

I felt like moving here was a major mistake, and the happiness I was starting to feel about our new little home was gone.

But, as Stew has said to me, let's NOT let 'them' ruin the enjoyment we shall get from living here.  Lets NOT let them know in any way how much they have upset us.

We shall just totally ignore them, and get on with settling in here, and getting to know all the other lovely people who live here.

Now, the only thing I have to work out is where to put our Pig Weather Vane!  It can't be on the roof, or in anyone's 'face'.  So that's something I'd like to work on today.

We are also going out to find some new garden plants.

When we moved in, there were two areas in the garden that had been freshly planted with hedge plants.   I asked for them to be removed, and they did it immediately.   I am going to replace them with pretty shrubs of our choosing.

Later on this afternoon we have a lady coming to talk to us about our 'lives', for our Village Profiles.  I don't think telling her I'm a CRABBY TART will cut it somehow.  😂😉😏

Catch ya later.

'Smile and be NICE'???

ABOVE:  I'd much rather give them that face! 

btw:  I'm rather impressed with my "ugly" face!  lol

Stew just did the weekend shopping.  Next will be going out to nursery's to find some plants.

Before anyone else makes any helpful suggestions re: the shed, just know that most options were offered to the 'complainers', but short of removing the shed entirely, the only option was the one they agreed to.

Which was butchering our shed, and planting trees to shield it from their view, even though once it is butchered, it will not be in their sight much at all. 

We were kept informed for the most part in what was going on behind closed doors.  But we will still be asking to see the 'Rules and Regulations' that were enacted, as we have not been shown anything in writing to back up what is happening to our shed.  Which is basically being done against our wishes.

Just now, Stew's out the front, getting plants out of the car, and THEY drive past.  And that fucking bitch waved at Stew.  He waved back.  I wouldn't have.

ABOVE: And we have 8 new plants in the gardens, and they should look lovely in a couple of  years time.

Had a lovely yak with L and D, the neighbours whose home joins onto ours.  Lovely people, so nice to have them next door.

We are now going out for a kebab, then home in time for the meeting with the lady who is doing our village profiles.  I might even smile for that photo, cos the one above is not quite 'friendly'.  lol

5.35 pm:  And the meeting with the delightful 'J' went very well.  And she got a really lovely photo of Stew, Coco and I for our profiles.

Now... time to just relax, enjoy the evening, keep warm and look forward to BED.

Funny how when a kid, the last thing ya want to do is go to bed... and now? I start looking forward to it by mid afternoon!