Lone Pine Lodge

Just after I retired I contacted an organisation called Care and Repair to ask for their help in finding a reliable builder to do the work that needs doing. Although I haven't been working for a couple of years I had to wait until I had officially passed retirement age(60)for them to help me. There was a waiting list as they don't just supply names, they come to the house to see what needs to be done then send out for tenders from 3 builders on their list and when they come back I chose which one I want to do the job10 days ago my turn came and a nice lady came to see me, we had a nice chat about security fire safety and what was needed in this house. We also had a chat about finances and grants for the job. It turns out I have just a little too much in savings to be able to claim much. When she got back to the office she arranged for the police and fire officers to call to sort out my safety needs and for their own surveyor, an other nice lady, to come and do a detailed study of the house and it's needs.

So Monday morning I went out to lower my savings a little by buying a few things for the house. I needed a new washing machine ever since Mam bought the one I have now because it has never worked properly. Half way through the cool wash it just stops and has done that from the first moment it was used. If you move the dial on manually one notch it starts up again so it is usable
but a pain in the butt. I did not know this until I moved home to look after Mam, a year after it had been bought so I couldn't do any thing about it then and it was too new to replace(Mam's words). So I went out to buy one, While I was there I was strolling round looking at the TV's, come March we go digital and I will have to either buy a set top box for the upstairs TV or buy a new one, so I bought a new one now. It looked so small in the shop but in my bedroom it feels as if I am laying on a comfortable couch in a small cinema. I think I may be moving it down stairs. Any way It was sale time in Curry's(where I bought the electric goods) and I spent about £300 less than I expected. And since Hobycraft was next door I went in and went mad in the knitting section. Do you remember this entry http://linda-joyce.livejournal.com/361137.html I have finally found the wool to make it. It was a self stripping wool and I thought it would save a lot of yarn compared to buy lots of colours and changing at random intervals. It wasn't until I got it home that I noticed the small letters under the makers name Sidar Crofters DK. They said Fair Isle effect. So I decided to do the pattern in stocking stitch instead of garter stitch.
Click on the picture below to get full size.



I had to get back by lunch time because the police were calling in the afternoon. A nice WPC had a look round and said the only extras I could have if I wanted was a chin on the front door with a peep hole and a proximity light on the back, both of which the will do for free. They will be back Monday to do both.
Tuesday the washing machine and TV were delivered and the Washing machine was taken back as my cooker has to be moved for the men that came with it to install it. As my cooker is gas and they only have electricity and water qualifications they couldn't do it. I'm going to have to get Tim back(the person who put in my new boiler) and just have the machine delivered and stored in the pantry 'til Tim can come and put it in.
Wednesday was cousin A's 6 hour day off, you've heard about that already
Thursday was cousin A again, this time I was helping her edit her airing cupboard, she is a worse hoarder that I am and I thought I was the worlds worst. She had sheets in there that were so old and so well washed they had become thin enough to read a newspaper through. She was very reluctant to get rid off them until I mentioned that the animal sanctuary we got Netty from would fall on them with cries of joy as bedding for the dogs and cats. I now have a bag of bedding in my boot to deliver when I have a minute.
Friday the surveyor from Care and Repair came, she is hoping that they can persuade the Council that the house needs gutting, as I don't have too much savings for a grant that big, as that won't be much more disruptive than just repairing the damp walls but nothing is likely to happen until next winter. Pray for a winter without snow for me please. As it is I will have to move out while everything is done even if it is only the basics. Thank goodness Beth and Jill have a spare bedroom.I have the weekend to myself and Monday the Police call again to put the chain and peep hole in. Life has been Busy