How can I make myself interested in my house again ?

[IllegallyBrunette]

Because since the swap fell through I have even less interest than before, and can't even be bothered to keep on top of the housework nevermind finnish the decorating.

My mum keeps asking me if i've rung my dad to see when he is coming to fit my shower and the answer is no I haven't because he will moan as he doesn't really want to do it, and the mood I am in, I will end up telling him to forget it.

Mum then suggest we start decorating the living room after the holidays, and asked me if I know what I want to do with it. Yep I do know, nothing.

Hmmm, you can try imagining you are me: going to be chucked out of your place when your landlords get back and you have NO idea where you're going to hang your hat, but you look in the local paper at caravans for rent!

Hmmm, you can try imagining you are me: going to be chucked out of your place when your landlords get back and you have NO idea where you're going to hang your hat, but you look in the local paper at caravans for rent!

Believe me Expat, I know how ungrateful and selfish I sound, but that still doesn't make me love this house any more.

Even if you thought you might lose it and you didn't know where you were going to go, though, IB?

K, if not, then, how about buying some home magazines - just a couple - for inspiration?

No you are right.

If i thought I was going to lose it then I would want to keep it I suppose.

It just always seems like such a big job to a) keep on top of it, and b)repair all of the shitty work that the previous tennants did.

I will try and get a couple of home magazines, thanks for that idea.

I need to pick a room/job and stick with it until it is done, but there are so many I am not sure which to do first.

i think getting family involved will help, because then you have to do it because they committed their time and show up and all that stuff.

Oh my mum has said she will help so that is good, I just can't decide what to do first.

I know I need my dad to fit the shower before I have the stair/landing carpet fitted because othewise he will have to have the carpet up again. Getting him to comitt to doing the shower though is like pulling teeth, which is annoying as the shower was his suggestion.

I would do first that which is aggravating you the most. That'll be inspiring!

Pick a room that is most easily achieveable -ie. get the shower fitted then set about the bathroom first, fresh paint colour and matching accessories/towels(not necessarily pricey ones) perhaps.

ikwym.....this place is still decorated like the old folks home it was when we moved in nearly three years ago and it's full of clutter and I just can;t get motivated to sort it. The more time I spend here, the more it saps my energy. DH is away all week so doesn't feel it as badly as me.

I know that if I got my finger out and decorated the rooms that need it badly the whole place would feel much brighter and happier and I'm sure you'll feel the same when you get yours sorted. Were you doing a house swap through the council, or privately?

expat at your situation. I hope you get something sorted soon. Why are the landlords ending your lease?

Hire a skip, perhaps.

Chucking stuff out always makes me feel happy.

Well, they're coming back to Scotland, Daisy. They're living in Africa now, working with VSO.

All private tenancies are unstable, though. That's how they go.

Right have just rung my dad and got him to agree to do the shower the week we are on holiday

Thats not until Sept though so I could be getting on with something else really.

On my immeidate list is ...

Decorate living room
Decorate dinning room
Decorate hall, stairs and landing

Would prefer to have all of those done before xmas if at all possible.

After xmas list is ..

Decorate dd2's room
Paint kitchen

Can anyone reccomend a good Home magazine, one with lots of pictures and ideas ??

good news IB. This has given me a bit of oomph to get this place sorted. Only prob is at 28 weeks pregnant with a part-time DH I can't bloody do it myself, and we can't afford to get someone in to do it, never mind the clutter everywhere that needs sorting before we can get started.

I hope you get something soon expat, although I can't imagine there is a huge choice in rural locations.