Operation Renovation - The Christmas Countdown (part 2)

[HelgatheHairy]

Our new home

Pics of boots needed too Control

Only thing I haven't managed to do is paint nails but dp is on afters this week so will do tomorrow night. I made chocolate concrete instead

Sorry lucysmam, pic duly put up

I need to touch up my nails, but we're just about to go watch a DVD so will do it then.

My interview is on Thursday!! Like 3 days time.

I have a lecture from 9-11 (which I can't skip as it's the last of the course and the lecturer was the one who kindly gave me an extension because of DD2's pox). Then the interview is at 3:30 on the other side of town. But not really enough time to go back home & get ready. I have no idea how I'm going to do this without being either harassed or bedraggled looking.

and we won't even talk about the assignment due on Thursday afternoon

65 days to go

Good morning all

vvv eek!! I thought you said possibly in two weeks!? Could you take some make up wipes and your make up so you can freshen that up? deodorant, perfume and hairbrush too!

I've just watched Atlantis on the iPlayer, really ought to get off my bum and do something before I need to venture back out in the rain for dd2 from nursery

I've just realised there are slightly grotty showers on campus, so I might just bring my stuff in a bag and change after my lecture. Or at least have a fresh top to change into. Buses always make me sticky, especially the early one.

Of course this is all based on me actually finding something to wear - I suspect suit buying will have to happen on Wednesday (I've put a pleading post up looking for advice!)

vvv OMG that has come round so quickly! Is Thursday's assignment the last one that is outstanding now? Good news on the showers, even if they are grotty maybe you can freshen up a little. Yy to taking some fresh wipes and makeup, and maybe a change of top. Could you maybe order something from Amazon and pay for next day delivery?

Sorted out my clothes last night, but not quite sure what happened this morning. I forgot my earrings and necklace, made coffee instead of hot lemon water and feel like my hair's been dragged through a hedge backwards. Going out tonight to a pub, and once again it's a bleedin fasting day so will be on the diet tonic water again. Going to try and squeeze in a shred before going out masochist that I am as my weight hasn't shifted in three weeks. I took my measurements for the first time yesterday, so will have to start going by those as well as my weight I think.

erm....I am not having a good afternoon....I've managed to damage one of my boots & pull a load of the stitching under the right arm on my coat by tripping over I'm hoping I can fix my boot with the leather glue I've just ordered off amazon but not sure I can fix my coat without having to unpick more of it to get to the bit I've pulled out iyswim &it's really not worth that much effort.

vvv did you find something to wear for your interview?

lucysmam are you ok? It sounds like a nasty tumble to do that.

I am sooo hungry today :( but won't be able to eat til gone nine grrr

Thankfully I'm fine Control, I tripped up the back step after putting out the recycling in the rain -hence the coat and boots- will have a bruised knee tomorrow probably but don't seem to have any other injuries

Evening routine done already here....it was shaping up to be one of those afternoons (dd2 spilled beans all over the big chair fetching her plate back to the kitchen) so I gave up!

Going to attempt some sort of nail art tonight maybe for something to do. Or I might just get the laptop out, that way I can't do any more damage

Oh dear lucysmam, that sounds like something I would do!
tries in vain to block out the time I tripped up the stairs, almost kicked a very senior politician in the face and ended up in hospital with a suspected broken elbow

Making a little progress on outfit. I have a grey tweedy skirt that could go with a black top & black jacket. It would survive the day without looking too crumpled too. Just need to see if I have a decent black top & jacket. I have a nice red handbag & red scarf to brighten it up. My other alternative is a jersey type black and cream skirt - it's lighter weight so might be better for the weather but maybe not formal enough and could get too crumpled.

I'd prefer a proper matching suit but I always find them so hard to buy so the less I have to buy tomorrow the better.

But... I managed to fit in a morning routine today & I have my bottle of water with me at uni, so that's going ok

(I forget who asked, but: Thursday assignment isn't the last. Another one due Friday that I haven't started yet thanks to the pox interruption of studies and then dissertation in the middle of November)

Glad you're ok lucysmam, hope your afternoon didn't get any worse.

Vvv I like the sound of the first outfit you have planned. I'd worry about the creasing otherwise. Hope you can get the remaining bits easy enough. Good luck with your assignments. Just the mention of the word dissertation brings me out in a cold sweat. I had to fo an emergency house move in the middle of mine, and the box containing all the evidence I had gathered got lost in the move. Stressed didn't even begin to cover it!

Dress, tights, boots, nail varnish, hair, earrings and teeth done today. My lady garden is having a full defuzz at lunchtime. Only prob is AF is due today and I left my pads at home gttt

morning

vvv your outfit sounds good to me (I sometimes wish I needed to dress smart every day!), the less likely to crease and crumple the better.

Control are you having a bikini wax? Does it hurt much?

I'm on my way back home for the woman from the council coming (God help LL's agent if he tries to pull any shit today....I will toast the man!) Got black skinnies and cream holey knit on. Just need to brush out my hat hair and double check make up. Shame it's not wine o'clock or the weekend....feel like I need a glass already

64 days to go

Light hand holding required - I'm taking DD to get her first round of vaccinations. I expect her to cry, am just worried bout me crying!

Aw helga, it was me who cried when my two had theirs They were fine. Just be sure to accept any offer of calpol just in case she gets grotty later on

I've just had to ring school and cancel an activity I'm meant to be doing with dd1 this afternoon ...MIL needs to go to the Dr so I have no-one to have the small one. Am hoping dd1 won't be tooooooo gutted because her class are off to see the Croods at the cinema this morning. Feel very guilty but there is literally no one else I can ask & dp is looking ill so may be ringing in sick

aww helga I think crying is perfectly acceptable if not mandatory for you both. Good luck, I hope it goes smoothly.

lucysmam what a nightmare! Can you plan a special Croods outing just for your family to make up for it? Yes, I'm having a full bikini wax, my salon lady is utterly fabulous and hurts far less than the lady I had first. I find it hurts a lot less than plucking my eyebrows which I now don't do after my initial attempt a few weeks ago and you only feel the pain as the hair comes out, it goes away straight afterwards. I get the lot off, front and back, and would never go back to shaving in a million years.

Well the lady from the council has just left.....shed loads of work to be done on the place. LL's arsehole agent called us liars the whole time he was here & denied ever being asked to do anything to the place....the woman from the council said after he'd left not to worry about anything he says - she's caught him out plenty of times before.

The upshot is that we will need temp accommodation more than likely because the whole bathroom has to come out and be done from scratch. LL's agent will more than likely advise LL to sell though we think. which gives us a grand total of two months to save to move, and sort xmas at the same time

Dp is filling out a new council form now so that we are on their list before we get served notice.

Not sure whether it's a good day or not tbh!! I didn't expect it to be that bad we'd have to move, or that it'd be such a rush job either. I'd like some sand to bury my head in please

Crikey lucysmam that's a bit of a shock to the system! Even if the LL Agent recommends the LL sells though, the market is still pretty slow. Could he hold fire on giving you notice until he has accepted an offer on the house (if he does put it on the market)? That should buy you a bit of extra time, at least until after Christmas. Houses sell better if they look lived in and homely rather than empty - fact! If he decides to get the work done instead and the council have to decant you, do you have family that you can go to at least for Christmas Day/Boxing Day? Would the work take that long, even, or might you be back in in a few weeks?

I have no idea Control, have just been wandering in town with dd2 to think things over. My dad would be incredibly reluctant to have us....dp's mum doesn't have the space. to afford xmas and moving is going to be a struggle. Just saving to move is hard enough. Only logical way is not pay rent & use that to move along with overtime money & do the best for christmas we can out of what's left. (my dad could afford to help us, but won't)

It'll take two weeks to officially serve the notice telling them to do the work....then they have four weeks to make a start....they draaaaaaag things out = upside down xmas if we do end up staying

not sure which is the better option. tonight & try to come up with a solution

Wow lucysmam that's a horrible situation to be in, really feel for you.

Everything crossed for a good resolution. New year new start in new house maybe?

I've lapsed a bit recently, knackered from life at home with DDs and DH has had the d&v bug too so that to contend with as well has meant my time has disappeared a bit.

Renewed effort required in my house again

Oh, lucy, I do sympathise. I had the same thing as control, having to move in the middle of a bunch of final exams. It was something I hope I never have to repeat ever again!!!

Vvv, fingers crossed, I wish you coolness and a clear head and reasons to smile. What are you studying?

helga, how was it?

petals, welcome back:) what are you wearing tomorrow?

I tell you what I did today. I bought a very very nice 2014 diary and I have big plans with it. I plan to write down chores and princessings every week in advance. It goes in my Christmas tin box. So, I thought I'd do a bit of fly lady mission type of thing. Also write down pampering ta daahs in equal numbers. No more than 2-3 a day.

Oh, I forgot to say. Went into John Lewis the other day and they had free perfume samples. I took one. I have a very distinctive perfume, same one for years and years, but I am going to try this one (don't know what it is, as I put it straight in the tin without looking too much at it, for a surprise).
Also I bought some piggy teabags, in the tin again.

The thought for this week is rekindle neglected friendships. Moving continents meant sometimes I lost friends. I am going to use Christmas cards/emails as props/excuses to get in touch and say something nice, reminisce about forgotten adventures/ times. I have eyed some Christmas cards at the library out of all places. Last year I rebelled against christmas cards. But this year I am not planning a marathon of 100 'wishing you a merry x-mas'. This year I am going to focus on meaningful messages. I am sooo unbelievable rubbish at it!!!
There!

Thanks petals and Dilidali . Yes possibly new year, new start! That makes it sound better than the one person pity party I was throwing myself earlier on when I realised we might not have a proper home for Christmas!!

We have a plan (not a great one but still....a plan).

Dp is going to phone arsehole agent in the morning and find out if work is likely to be done. If not, he's going to explain that we can't pay the rent and move out, there just isn't the cash without him working 15 hour days from now until xmas. He's going to see if we can put a payment plan in place to pay off the advance arrears if you get me? So the LL is still getting some cash, but not all of it. That'll free up £90ish a week to go straight towards moving.

Like I said, not a brilliant plan but it's the best we can come up with between us at the mo.

Anyway, in other news....I bought some nail caviar beads today. There were 12 little jars in the packet so I am going to have a play with six and wrap six for my December box.

Dilidali what are piggy tea bags?

Helga how did dd do? Hope she wasn't too grumpy

I have done everything but straighten my hair tonight, dp is doing the school run in the morning so I can have a more relaxed mooch about and do some bits that need catching up on like two overflowing baskets of washing

Have made a bead candy cane for my Xmas tree tonight....it will be a bloody good Xmas if it kills me. Just a shame childcare or wraparound clubs would wipe out my wage if I went back to work because there is pretty much me and dp to have the girls & that's it iyswim? We could do with a lottery win or something

I forgot...control I rather like your hair colour on the fb pic....I tried to go red a couple of years back but it wouldn't take over the blonde. What brand did you use?

& thankfully dd1 didn't notice I didn't go to the other activity this afternoon! I don't feel too guilty now. (first school 'thing' I've ever missed because no-one could have number 2)

lucysmam wow that was a bit of a shocker. Glad you've thought of a plan. I know I said there's never a good time for building work but this is definately not a good time for your current situation.

DD screamed her lungs out for the vaccinations but, following nurses advice, I breastfed her immediately afterwords and she calmed down. She's spent most of the day since stuck on my boob. Think it's mostly for comfort but that's fine. Her poor little chubby thighs! I managed to hold it together.