Monday, 18 January 2010
Week Two
Saturday, 16th January
Another great weekend. Sam and Elma helped Matt with the wallpaper stripping and finished the dining room. I wasn't sorry to see the terrible 70s yellow wallpaper disappear. The room looks much bigger now.
Sparky
Jonathan, one of the possible electricians, came round to see the house. He'd only given us a quote based on our spec so I wanted him to see the house and to meet him as well as our decision will be partly based on prices and personality. I was impressed.
Plumber
Paul, one of the possible plumbers, also popped by to measure up for radiators. We've decided to replace all radiators apart from the huge one in the front bay so although this will add to the expense, at least we know there won;t be a prblem in a few months time.
Plasterer
We also had a visit from Jamie, a plasterer recommended by Ken the electrician. He'd called me about three times and insisisted on coming round to the house. I have to say, first impressions were not good. Like Ken, he was full of talk and reckons it will cost around £900 per room to completely go back to the brick work and replaster. Not a chance. Why is it plasterers are always so dodgy?
David was as good as gold. He had lots of fuss courtesy of Auntie Elma and Auntie Sam and tried his hand at clearing up with the dustpan and brush. Yet again he managed to sleep for over two hours despite the noise from the room next door.
Sunday, 17th January
It was just the two of us on Sunday and Matt managed to finish the dining room and half finish the front bedroom. Luckily the wallpaper has been relatively easy to take off so progress is quick. It was impossible for me to do anything as David needs full time supervision and I suppose I am less than two weeks away from giving birth.
Plumber
Adam, another possible plumber, came round to measure for radiators. I like both him and Paul so it will probably come down to cost. Adam does have the edge as he has recently worked on Jonathan the electrician's house so I'm classing that as a recommendation. Hopefully we will be in a position to make a decision on Monday.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Crazy January
I went to see the doctor yesterday. Baby number two looks set for an early arrival. It's already three fifths engaged and as David only took four hours to make his appearance the doctor warned me to be prepared. I was so excited at the news. I can't quite believe it's almost time.
I'm nervous about the logistics of getting to the birthing unit and sorting out someone to look after David. Thanks goodness I have some good friends close by but even so, I'm a bit worried. The weather is not making things easier and I'm project managing a house renovation. January is one crazy month already.
We went to the house this morning to meet a lady plumber - our third quotation. We've decided to replace all the radiators, apart from the huge one in the bay, which is going to increase the cost but we have a golden opportunity to go right back to basics. Hopefully we will make a decision on the sparky and the plumber by the weekend. The sooner the major work starts, the better.
I'm nervous about the logistics of getting to the birthing unit and sorting out someone to look after David. Thanks goodness I have some good friends close by but even so, I'm a bit worried. The weather is not making things easier and I'm project managing a house renovation. January is one crazy month already.
We went to the house this morning to meet a lady plumber - our third quotation. We've decided to replace all the radiators, apart from the huge one in the bay, which is going to increase the cost but we have a golden opportunity to go right back to basics. Hopefully we will make a decision on the sparky and the plumber by the weekend. The sooner the major work starts, the better.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Week One
Saturday, 9th January 2010
It was all systems go on Saturday. We arrived at the house at around 9am and Matt immediately started moving furniture. Kate, Heath and the kids arrived at around 11am and within 10 minutes Heath was tearing down the partition in the back room with his chain saw. I later found out both he and Matt had ripped down the partition minus goggles or any other type of safety equipment. Not good, but oh so typical and I'm glad I found out afterwards.
I stocked up on food and drink supplies; tea, biscuits, bread, cheese, ham, crisps and went back several times for buckets, sponges, wallpaper scrapers, face masks and other bits. Luckily the high street has everything we need, including a very cheap hardware store.
Guy arrived at around 11.30 and got stuck in to removing carpets, including the rather grim one in the toilet. I reminded him that two very old people had been living in the house and that only means one thing as far as carpets and toilets are concerned.
Ben and Libby were great babysitters. We left the thre of them in the front room with lots of toys and they amused themselves all day. David managed to sleep for over two hours despite the noise and chaos happening in the house.
Progress made
Back bedroom: carpet removed, partition removed, built in wardrobe removed, wallpaper stripped. We discovered the doors have been covered with plywood and underneath the original 30s oak door panels remain. Not a bad discovery.
Bathroom: carpet removed
Toilet: carpet removed
Front bedroom: carpet removed
Small bedroom: carpet removed
Hallway: carpet removed and stairs David proofed
Kitchen: false ceiling removed, space made for washing machine
It was all systems go on Saturday. We arrived at the house at around 9am and Matt immediately started moving furniture. Kate, Heath and the kids arrived at around 11am and within 10 minutes Heath was tearing down the partition in the back room with his chain saw. I later found out both he and Matt had ripped down the partition minus goggles or any other type of safety equipment. Not good, but oh so typical and I'm glad I found out afterwards.
I stocked up on food and drink supplies; tea, biscuits, bread, cheese, ham, crisps and went back several times for buckets, sponges, wallpaper scrapers, face masks and other bits. Luckily the high street has everything we need, including a very cheap hardware store.
Guy arrived at around 11.30 and got stuck in to removing carpets, including the rather grim one in the toilet. I reminded him that two very old people had been living in the house and that only means one thing as far as carpets and toilets are concerned.
Ben and Libby were great babysitters. We left the thre of them in the front room with lots of toys and they amused themselves all day. David managed to sleep for over two hours despite the noise and chaos happening in the house.
Progress made
Back bedroom: carpet removed, partition removed, built in wardrobe removed, wallpaper stripped. We discovered the doors have been covered with plywood and underneath the original 30s oak door panels remain. Not a bad discovery.
Bathroom: carpet removed
Toilet: carpet removed
Front bedroom: carpet removed
Small bedroom: carpet removed
Hallway: carpet removed and stairs David proofed
Kitchen: false ceiling removed, space made for washing machine
Monday, 11 January 2010
We're in
It's been a busy few days in the Fearn household. The completion went through at 1pm on Friday and we picked the keys at the house at 3pm. It was lovely to take the keys from Jonie and Hilary - it's been an emotional time for them. Jonie has lived in the house for 50 years afterall.
After a few hugs we said our goodbyes and shut the door to our house. It felt so good. It's perfect despite the amount of work that needs to be done. We hugged each other in amazement and then wandered round in a bit of a daze. It looked so much bigger without all the furniture. David ran around exploring every room and we all felt completely at home.
Twenty minutes later and an electrician arrived to give us a quote. By the time he left it was dark so we decided to head back to the flat. We were mentally exhausted but at least we were finally houseowners once more.
After a few hugs we said our goodbyes and shut the door to our house. It felt so good. It's perfect despite the amount of work that needs to be done. We hugged each other in amazement and then wandered round in a bit of a daze. It looked so much bigger without all the furniture. David ran around exploring every room and we all felt completely at home.
Twenty minutes later and an electrician arrived to give us a quote. By the time he left it was dark so we decided to head back to the flat. We were mentally exhausted but at least we were finally houseowners once more.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Tomorrow is "C" day
It's all happening tomorrow and I am so excited. We are finally going to be home owners again. Forget the hassle of rewiring and new plumbing systems for a while. I just want to relish in the thought of owning our own family home. We have so many plans and thoughts in our heads.
Matt is reading up on boilers and plumbing systems and I'm learning about unvented systems verses vented systems and cold water tanks. Worryingly, I'm really enjoying it. We're meeting a third electrician tomorrow aftgernoon and a lady plumber, or should I say, gas engineer, is taking a look at the place on Tuesday afternoon. We should hopefully be in a good position to make a decision nesxt week so the work can start.
January is going to be an unforgettable month - a new nephew, a new house and a new baby unless the little one decides to stay nice and cosy until February. Matt is secretly hoping the baby arrives on his birthday. We shall see.
Matt is reading up on boilers and plumbing systems and I'm learning about unvented systems verses vented systems and cold water tanks. Worryingly, I'm really enjoying it. We're meeting a third electrician tomorrow aftgernoon and a lady plumber, or should I say, gas engineer, is taking a look at the place on Tuesday afternoon. We should hopefully be in a good position to make a decision nesxt week so the work can start.
January is going to be an unforgettable month - a new nephew, a new house and a new baby unless the little one decides to stay nice and cosy until February. Matt is secretly hoping the baby arrives on his birthday. We shall see.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Skint
All the cash is with the solicitors so now we have absolutely no money to our name, well, virtually none. We're due to complete on Friday and I still can't get my head round it. Probably due to the fact that baby number two is just weeks away.
Lindsey had her baby this morning after quite a difficult birth - Alexander James. I was convinced she was going to have a girl. My five year old niece, Libby, cried when she heard the news, "Everyone is having boys and I want a girl". No pressure on me then. Craig called this evening - another baby on the way. Everyone's at it. Six of my friends are pregnant at the moment. Babies, houses, houses, babies. This is my life now.
Lindsey had her baby this morning after quite a difficult birth - Alexander James. I was convinced she was going to have a girl. My five year old niece, Libby, cried when she heard the news, "Everyone is having boys and I want a girl". No pressure on me then. Craig called this evening - another baby on the way. Everyone's at it. Six of my friends are pregnant at the moment. Babies, houses, houses, babies. This is my life now.
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