Le Weekend

I was all set to go to the CF to wait for the kitchen to be delivered on Friday morning when I got a text which said that I was a ‘pm’ delivery.   This didn’t please me because a pm delivery could mean that I wouldn’t be able to go to the hospital with Phil but there was nothing I could do. As I was ready to leave home, I decided instead to go to the gym but when I got there I was anxious about the kitchen delivery so I just had a swim and a steam.     After the gym, it was Asda as usual then back home to clean out the cupboards.  I had just to enough to throw a Jalfrezi curry in together in the slow cooker and was just going out of the door to exchange cars with Phil when the kitchen couriers called to say they would be delivering at the flat between 12pm and 12.15pm.  I went straight there.

Sure enough, the delivery arrived at just after twelve but unfortunately it arrived on a pallet and the delivery man said he wasn’t insured to take the boxes up the stairs.  This was a bummer and I had to separate the boxes so I could get them upstairs.  I struggled with the big base units because they were really heavy and in the end the delivery driver carried them up for me. He had no choice really because the hall in the CF flat is small and the boxes meant that the front door wouldn’t close.  Nightmare but we got it all up all bar the integrated oven which I could only get to half way up the stairs. I signed the sheet for the driver, checked it after he’d left and then went home.   I should have stayed and painted but I only had 2 hours and I just wasn’t in the mood.

Phil’s zapping on Friday went well.  We arrived about 20 minutes early for his 4.30 appointment; we got a parking space and were very surprised to find the Luke unit virtually empty when we walked in.  A big change from the day before when the waiting room was choc-a-block with some very unhappy people, moaning about the delays.   Phil was lucky and got into be zapped as soon as we arrived.  Whilst he was being treated I got talking a guy who also was being treated for PC.  He was in his 4^th week of treatment and was experiencing some side effects in the toilet department.  Of course I wanted to ask him about these problems but even I can’t ask toilet questions with someone I have only just met.  I also got talking to the receptionist who can be a little on the grumpy side.  I have a feeling that by the end of Phil’s treatment I shall be friends with all of the staff and patients.

Saturday was a busy day with an early start.  We were in B&Q’s at quarter past seven buying plywood for the kitchen floor and then at the flat at 8am.  I phoned Sue when we got there because once again she’d offered to help.  She says its good occupational therapy for her and plus she likes to keep busy but I’m not so sure.  She works just as hard as me and we hardly stop for breaks.  And Saturday was no exception; Phil grouted the kitchen floor, cut the plywood to size and built up all of the kitchen base units.  Sue & glossed the hall rail, the skirting boards and finished off the doors.   We went for lunch at the Tawny Owl, we had planned on going to The Beacon in Bletchley but then Phil found a £5 off voucher at the Tawny so we went there.  Amazingly the sun came out and we were able to eat our lunch outside.

After lunch it was back to the CF for another couple of hours although it wasn’t as intensive as the morning.  Harriet came round to see how works were progressing and we packed up for the day at 4pm.  The plan was to go round and finish up at the OB flat but we both had enough so it was straight back home for a shower and some serious slobbing.  I was back to work on Sunday though and we started at the OB flat.  Phil screwed the aluminium in the kitchen doorway and I got stuck into chopping down the bushes in the front driveway.  Really this is the council’s job but once I started, I couldn’t stop and ended up filling 2 green wheelie bins. 

It was too early to start making a noise with the doors so we went round to the CF.  Phil put together the corner units and scraped the walls; I did a couple of trips to the dump and went to B&Q in Bletchley to buy some more paints.  We finished up at 11am and then went back to the OB flat to plain the doors.  This didn’t take as long as I expected and after all the doors were rehung we packed the car with tools at midday and went to the Ship Ashore for lunch.  I don’t know why we had lunch out because I had a stack of food in the fridge but never mind I guess it saved me cooking.

We had a lovely afternoon yesterday; Phil watched the Grand Prix and I sunbathed in the garden.  I read all of the Sunday papers and just chilled which made a nice change.  Actually it was a little too hot for me and I had to keep going inside.  Phil enjoyed himself too and I was glad at least he had half a day of relaxation.  Mind you, not that it’s so important now as he was told on Friday he was given notice at his contract and will be finishing work this Friday.  Phil would have liked to carry on working to get some more cash but actually I am pleased in a way that he is finished.  We don’t know how he is going to be feeling a couple of weeks into treatment and at least if he’s at home he can rest.  Right now I need to post and get going.  I have been up since before 5am and I am running behind schedule.

Its Friday & all is fine

It was perfectly normal for Phil to feel anxious before his first radiotherapy session but there was no need for worry, he was fine.  We had a bit of a panic when we set off from home and discovered that the M1 was at a standstill in both directions but we’d left plenty of time so we went the back way.  I was going to drop Phil off at the radiotherapy building but as we had time, we decided to try car park 5 just in case there were any spaces and we were in luck and got a parking space straight away.

We did think the unit was running late but we got seen by Debra, the senior radiologist almost straight away which was good because Phil had a full bladder and was desperate to empty it.  Obviously I couldn’t go in the room with him so I sat in the waiting room, but I didn’t have to wait long, he was out in about 15 minutes, already zapped.  He was smiling which I took as a good sign and on the way to the car, he said he really liked the radiotherapy team and felt that they knew what they were doing.  I was relieved and I guess so was he.  The radiology team have slightly changed all of his appointments for the next 8 weeks but it actually suits us better; his appointments are in between 3.50 and 5.50pm.  Yesterday’s zapping also went smoothly, so 2 down and only 35 to go!

Now for some more cheerful news; Adam from Prestige called yesterday to say after 2 viewings that have found a tenant that wants to move into the OB flat which is excellent.  It was only Tuesday that we gave the instruction; we saw that it was on the rightmove website yesterday which generated in viewings and hey presto we are let.  On Saturday afternoon, we will go in plane the doors and rehang them so they can shut, stick fablon around the boxing in the toilet, have a clean-up and then our work there will be finished. Thank god!

I’m afraid I have to make this blog short today, as in a minute I need to fly over to Caldecotte to wait on the kitchen delivery from Wickes.  It took many phone calls yesterday to find out what my window was and to be honest I am not sure it will come when they say it will.  But I have no choice but to wait until it does.  I have my packed sandwiches and some milk for tea, the radio will keep me company and there is a stack of stuff to whilst I wait.  As always, never a dull moment or a lazy one for that matter. Have a good weekend everyone.

Flats, films and the start of radiotherapy

It’s been hard work but I am happy to report that we are bang on schedule with both of the flats.  I hesitate to say that we are actually ahead of schedule because that would be tempting fate but suffice to say that I have been able to bring the delivery of the kitchen forward by two weeks.  It should be delivered on Friday, fingers crossed.  I haven’t worked alone of course. Sue very kindly gave up a whole day and came and worked with me on Monday.   We started at 9am and pretty much worked continuously, only stopping here and there for a few cups of black coffee. Tea would have been preferable but silly me forget to get a new carton of milk.  Turns out, that Sue is a bit of a whiz with gloss and painted all of the door frames and the whole of the handrail. I got a second coat of emulsion done in the bathroom and also in the airing cupboard.  I also got a second coat on the kitchen walls and between the two of us, we got 2 coats of black painted on the white mirror.  It looks so much better painted black.

Chris Waugh popped by to have a look round the CF and was quite surprised by our progress.   He approved of the work and the kitchen design and remarked on the size of the bedroom.   Normally he is quite negative about our properties but no, on Monday afternoon, it was all positive.  Chris lives at Walton Park which is just around the corner from Caldecotte.  I hadn’t thought about the close proximity to Harriet when she moves in.  Not sure if this will be a good thing or a bad thing.  I suppose only time will tell. Sue & I made good progress and we finished work at half four.  We work well together and once again, it was nice to have some company.  I hadn’t realised it was a month since Alan passed away so I was pleased that I was able to give Sue a distraction. It’s good to have friends and in this life you’ve got to help each other.

Tuesday wasn’t as busy but as usual I wasn’t idle.  What’s idle?  I went to the OB flat first thing to hoover up.  Phil had left it in a bit of a mess after working there on Sunday but it didn’t take long to clear the floors and tidy up the tools.  From Oldbrook, I drove over to the CF to do some more tidying.  Again, it didn’t take long; I put out the rubbish, tidied paints and tools and had a good hoover round.   After Caldecotte I went to the gym.  I didn’t do much; some rowing and a 3k run followed by a shower and change.  I can never visit the gym without a trip to Asda for some supplies then it was back home to answer emails, sort paperwork and make some phone calls.  After lunch I went back to the OB to clear out the guttering.  They were absolutely full of mud, sludge, leaves and god knows what else.  Obviously they haven’t been cleared for some time.  A dirty horrible job and I was glad when I was finished.  Last job was to mop the floors in readiness for a viewing with Adam.

I managed to track down Adam who used to work for Morgans but moved to Prestige Estates just before Christmas.  We’ve known Adam for about 12 years and he disappeared from Morgans all of a sudden.  We’d been wondering where he went and it was only when we met up with Aaron who also used to work for Morgans that we learnt where Adam had gone.   Phil has decided he wants to put the OB flat with Adam at Prestige and we met up with him late yesterday afternoon.  It was good to see him again and catch up with all the news and gossip.  We chatted for well over an hour and at the end we signed a contract and handed over the keys.  We are marketing the flat at £675 pcm which I don’t think is a bad price considering the beds are small and except from the white goods, it is unfurnished.  Adam thinks £675 is achievable so let’s just wait and see.  Phil & I still have to plane the doors because since he fitted the aluminium strips they don’t close but that’s pretty much about it.

After seeing Adam, Phil & I went to the cinema to see the film Senna.  I knew that Phil was getting anxious about his radiotherapy so I thought it might provide a distraction.  Plus we have got into the habit of getting in our pyjamas at tea time and going to bed early so I thought it would be good to beak the routine for a change.  I thought the film was very good; funnily enough I didn’t think it would be my bag but Senna struck me as a lovely man and his passion for racing and his compassion for people really came out. The one thing that struck me though, was that Formula 1 hasn’t changed much over the years, it’s still about money and politics although granted, the safety has improved.  Phil was a bit disappointed with the film, he thought the film didn’t focus enough on the actual racing and the movie producers missed an opportunity.

Today is the day when Phil starts his radiotherapy.  It was a very anxious boy that went off to work this morning with his fruit and sandwiches.  I think it is the fear of the unknown rather than the treatment and I think it will be much easier after today.  When Phil gets zapped he needs to have a full bladder and an empty bowel, so as from today, we are changing our eating habits.  Phil will have a sandwich for lunch at work and then we will have our main meal in the evening after his radiotherapy.  I think this will work out okay; we can but give it a go.  Our first appointment today is at 4pm.   I have got bottles of water chilling in the fridge which he can drink on the way to the hospital and money ready for the parking meter.  I am just glad his first zapping has happened to fall on a Wednesday because this is Phil’s night out with the boys and at least afterwards he can have a few beers and chill out with his friends. I will let you know how we get on.

Time waits for no man

It probably wasn’t the brightest idea to travel down to Maidenhead in Royal Ascot week to see our accountant, especially given that it was also a Friday.  But actually, the M1 and M25 were relatively clear which was lucky.  In fact, we arrived in record time and went to the garage to put air in one my tyres and grab a newspaper and a coffee.   We arrived at Rashmi’s offices in Money Row Green (very aptly named) spot on the dot for our 10amm appointment.   It was a little chaotic as they were redoing the electrics but Rashmi’s office seemed untouched and this is where we had our meeting.

When I say meeting, we spoke about accounts for half an hour and then about holidays for nearly an hour over coffee.  Rashmi likes his holidays just as much as we do and has recently returned from a week in Canada.  He’s got a wedding in Spain coming up and then a cruise booked up for later in the year.  Rashmi had already filed our return so the accounts for this year end where pretty much straight forward.  No doubt when he delves in after we leave, he will find something that we’ve done wrong, he usually does but he always manages to sort us out.  Thank goodness for good accountants especially when they save us money and keep the Inland Revenue away from our door!

It was half eleven when we said our goodbyes, a bit too early for lunch and so we decided to see if we could check-in at our hotel.   Originally I’d booked in at The Thames Rivieria in Maidenhead but after checking out TripAdvisor reviews on Friday morning, I decided to cancel and book us in at Fredrick’s Hotel Restaurant & Spa.  I was glad I did but more about that in a minute.  The room was ready so we were able to check right in which was a real bonus.   We had talked about a walk along the Thames or a visit to Windsor castle but by this time the rain was chucking it down.  The lunch seemed expensive at Fredricks; we did think about lunch at the Riverside but decided against it in the end because we’ve been before so in the end we ended up at The Hinds Head in Bray.

This turned out to be an expensive mistake.   The food was okay but you had to pay for side dishes, which I thought was out of order plus the service was slow.  Phil had the 3 course set menu and I had steak and chips.  Okay, the steak was beautifully cooked and the triple cooked chips were okay but at 27 quid it was certainly overpriced. We’d quite forgotten how expensive this part of the world is.  After lunch, we headed back to our hotel deciding just to chill out.  It was still raining hard so we didn’t really have any other option.   Phil did some work on his laptop but after a while I was bored so I managed to persuade him to come down to the spa with me.  We put on our complimentary robes and slippers, Phil’s robe was fine but both my robe and slippers were about 10 sizes too big.

The spa was lovely, small but beautifully presented.   We tried out the infinity pool, had a go on the massage seat, sweated in the steam bath and soaked our feet.  Phil was the only bloke but that didn’t seem to bother him.  I was just glad I didn’t have to go by myself as it wouldn’t have been the same.  It was a nice way to kill a couple of hours.  Friday evening was red wine and biscuits and pate which I’d brought from home.  The hotel were charging £23.50 per had for a full English so we decided against it and headed for the garage after checking out.   In retrospect it was an expensive day and night away but it did at least keep us both away from work.

We got back to MK at quarter to ten, just in time unpack, and dig out some tools before heading straight to the CF.  Snake the plumber had promised he would go in on Friday with the key and re-plumb the pipes, move the waste and get the kitchen up to first fix.  He was true to his word and when we got there we saw that he’d even taken down the sink and the worktop for us which saved us a job. It took us a good hour to get up the remainder of the sticky lino and prepare the floor for tiling.   We were just about to start the tiling when we realised we didn’t have any spacers so we popped in to B&Q in Bletchley then went to The Tawny Owl at Walnut Tree for lunch even though it was a little early.  Afterwards it was back to lay the floor. 

Phil had got the Tiles from Wickes; they were on special offer and the last of the batch. The staff had to hunt around in the back and eventually he came away with 40 tiles which he got for 60 quid.   It was touch and go whether we would have enough but we did just about.  Phil didn’t have enough to go under all the units but we will try and fill in with hardboard.  We finished at 4pm, loaded the kitchen sink and worktops in the Land Rover and dumped these at the Bleak Hall tip before heading home.  Phil headed straight for the shower but I had to zip my car off to the camp site at Gulliver’s because J&M needed it for the evening.  I got back home just in time to answer the door to Fraser who wanted his money for doing the taps and bath waste at the OB flat; then it was shower, telly and we were both in bed before half eight.

Phil is anxious to get the OB flat on the market so he got changed into his work gear and was round there at half six yesterday morning.  He managed to get the bath panel back on and glue the aluminium bits that we had made.  He fitted some carpet in the airing cupboard and was home by 9am.  I too was up early and had my beef and red wine casserole all prepared and cooking in the slower cooker at half seven.  Phil had his shower, dropped me off at the campsite to get my car and then he went to Melton to see his mum and dad, picking up G along the way.

I had intended to go to DW for a swim and a steam but I got way laid with J&M, I also needed petrol and when I got to the gym, the pool was full of kids.  So I just showered and changed, popped into Asda, went home and just had enough time to do some jobs before J&M arrived on their bikes for lunch.  Thankfully the weather was sunny yesterday which was good because step-dad wanted to tidy up our front garden.  This was fine by me, I have many skills, but gardening is not one of them.  We had lunch at 2 and very nice it was too, I shall definitely try this recipe again.  The remainder of the afternoon went quickly; I loaded the dishwasher, took Marie to Lidl’s so she could get some shopping and we hadn’t long got back when Phil returned.  He didn’t stay long, just in time to say hello and then he went back to the OB to finish off some bits.  Poor Phil, he was awake early again this morning and even after having a day off on Friday, he is returning to work absolutely knackered.  I am a little worried for him and I think he’s overdoing things.  He was complaining over the weekend about swollen glands.  I told him to take extra aspirin but its not good starting his radiotherapy with an already weakened immune system.  I think I am going to limit him to only working one day at the weekends, at the end of the day, his health is more important than work.

Friends & Family

Tempting as it was on Monday morning to dive back under the duvet, I didn’t.  Nope, instead I stripped the bed and bunged the sheets in the washing machine.   Good girl.   Harriet dropped me off at Gulliver’s on her way to work and I collected my car from J&M.  I had all kinds of things I had to do, so many tasks but it was all too much in my hung-over state, so after getting my car, I drove straight back home and got on with the cooking.  I did veggie chilli for the freezer and chicken chilli-men for our lunch. I should have gone to the CF to paint but I just wasn’t up to the job.  I did go to B&Q to buy paint for the kitchen and more white emulsion but that was as far as I ventured on Monday.  In the afternoon I made some phone calls, answered emails and caught up with the ironing.  After work Phil picked up J&M from their campsite and step-dad helped Phil get the washing machine down the stairs.  We were going to dump the fridge/freezer because we thought the freezer seal was broken but the men managed to fix so it so we are keeping it.  Monday evening was quiet and Phil & I were both in bed before 8pm.

Thankfully Tuesday was more productive.  It didn’t start great mind you.  Ampthill Glass phoned on Monday to say that they would fit the new doors at the OB flat and could I be there to let them in at 8.30.  Of course I could and I was there at 8.15am just in case they were early.  It was a glorious day and whilst I was waiting, I decided to paint the front fence which was bare from where the tree was removed.  I had a call at 8.45am from Ampthill Glass to say they were running late and would be with me at 9.30am.  Whilst I was waiting I painting the fence panels in the upstairs flat garden and had just finished when the fitters finally turned up at 10am.  Normally this wouldn’t have been a big problem but I was meant to be picking up Sue at 9am as she was helping me in the flat.  I hate messing people about and it was almost half ten by the time I got to Sue’s flat.

When we got to the CF flat I painted the kitchen ceiling and Sue got stuck into cleaning out the fridge/freezer.  This was no easy job because we had a leaking kitchen sink, no hot water because the emersion heater is bust and hardly any cleaning stuff.  It was a dirty job but Sue persevered and 3 hours later it was looking like new.   It certainly has saved us a couple of hundred quid which is great.   I wasn’t looking forward to finishing off the landing but Sue held the ladder and loaded up the roller for me and it’s now pretty much done.  There are just a couple of awkward bits that I have absolutely no idea how to get to.
 

The fitters called me from the OB flat to say that they would be finished at 2.15pm so I left Sue at the CF and went over to see the new doors.  I didn’t need to pay them because we will pay on invoice but I did need to get hold of a front door key.  When I got to Oldbrook, the new doors had been fitted and looked fabulous but the boys hadn’t even started on the window boards.  It was pointless hanging around so I thanked the fitters, put a new front door key on my key ring and headed back to Caldecotte.

Sue thought I would be heading for home at lunchtime because of Phil but I had decided to take a sandwich and work through, which actually worked out for the best in the end.   When I got back to the flat, Sue made us a cup of tea and we started with the plum in the kitchen.  The paint went on like a dream but it was darker on the walls than it looked in the tin.  Maybe because it was covering red walls, I’m not 100% convinced about the plum but I am sure it will look fine with the white gloss units.  I hope so.  While we were drinking our tea, Rona from the Ampthill Glass office phoned to say could Champ come round to measure up for new windows and doors because he was already in MK and sure enough he turned up about 10 minutes later.  Whilst I was talking to him, Sue took over the cutting in in the kitchen and actually she made a far better job of it than me.  I don’t think it was Sue’s intention to work all day without a break but she ended up staying with me until the end, bless her.  We tidied up, put away paints and went our separate ways at 4pm. It was indeed a productive day and I was glad of the company.

After work I dashed home, had a quick shower then went to spend an hour with J&M.  The sun was still shining and it was a pleasant way to while away time, sitting outside their campervan with a glass of wine after such a busy day.  Wednesday wasn’t so busy thank goodness and I decided to take myself off to the gym.  Although I don’t really need to exercise whilst I am painting and decorating, a bit of cardio doesn’t hurt; it’s good to break into a sweat and get the heart pumping, even if it is only once a week. After the gym, I popped into Asda then went to pick up my stainless steel bits.  Phil came home for lunch and then J&M came round on their bikes.  They’d very kindly offered to help with our back garden.  I was a little worried about the weather because the forecast was rain but we all worked for 4 hours solidly and it is now looking much better.  Phil came home from work and we sat in the garden with drinks and then I did some supper.  Amazingly it didn’t rain at all which was just as well, because Phil walked to the pub at 7pm and J&M left on their bikes just before 8pm. 

Yesterday was a slow start; I popped to the shop to pick up a paper and dropped it off at the campsite then went back to make sure Harriet was up for work, then home for some breakfast and then off to meet Glen from Stony Stratford Aerials.  He quoted me for a digital aerial and two connections in both the OB flat and CF.  Digital aerials and fitting them doesn’t come cheap but they are essential.   Most unusually Glen said he could fit the aerials in OB there and then.  I said fine, handed him the spare key then headed to Caldecotte.  First job was hovering, and then I painted the hallway, followed by the bathroom and got a first coat in the airing cupboard. 

Snake our best plumber came to the flat around half eleven.  He looked at Phil’s kitchen plans and sighed and then sighed some more.   Snake said he could cope with the stop cock but the waste pipe combined with the integrated electric oven and the washing machine together with moving the kitchen sink was going to be tricky.  We certainly don’t make life easy for ourselves.  But anyway, Snake said he could make good as long as we got oversize worktops; this means that we will have to lose a little bit of kitchen space because the units have to come out a little but it will all be fine.  At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Snake couldn’t get the kitchen sink out yesterday but I gave him the keys and he promised faithfully that he would come back and re-pipe and fit to first fix by end of play today.  This will enable us to lay the marble floor on Saturday.  I thought the OB flat was a challenge but boy oh boy, the CF is proving much more of a challenge. I just think, thank god, we didn’t do the loft conversion at the same time.

Glen from SS Aerials phoned to say that he was coming over to fit the aerials in the CF flat but I had no cash so I had to phone Phil and ask him to get some cash out of the machine.  It’s insane but we are shelling money out like crazy at the moment, it’s never ending, just like a dripping tap. Phil didn’t seem to mind much about bringing me cash and suggested he come over and bring lunch.  He arrived with fish and chips and a meat pie complete with mushy peas, unfortunately just at the same time as Greg arrived.

Phil quickly ate his lunch, gave me the money for the aerials then had to go straight back to work.  When he went I spent 2 and a half hours chiselling off the 3 layers of floor tiles in the kitchen.  Phil had already started and I hadn’t realised just what a difficult, dirty and sticky job it was.  It took me nearly an hour to get the knack of it and a further 2 hours of sweat; I nearly had all the tiles off. But by 4pm I had enough, my knuckles were bleeding and I couldn’t physically bring myself to do anymore. I cleaned up, changed and headed out the door only to realise that I had quite forgotten to get Phil’s keys so I could only lock the door with the Yale key.  J&M called on the mobile at the same moment to talk but I just had to phone off to phone Phil. Phil said it was okay to leave the door on the Yale lock but I can’t say I was happy as it is so obvious from the outside that the flat is unoccupied.

I was driving on the A5 homewards in desperation of a hot shower when my mobile went off again.  I pulled over and it was Frazier, Harriet’s friend the plumber who said he would fix the bath waste at the OB flat and fit new taps. I back tracked and came off the A5 at the city centre and met him at half four.  A nice young man and he wanted to fit it there and then and for me to wait. But I needed cleaning and white wine so I gave him the front door key and Phil’s business card and left him to it.  I’d already had a 9 hour day nonstop without a break and to be honest I was done in.

Today thank goodness, is a day of rest, well sort of.  Phil is taking a day off work and we’re driving off to Holyport to see our accountant Rashmi.  We’ve had to get up at 5am to finalise the accounts and to be honest I’m not sure if they are ready to be presented.  But who really cares, I need to chill and so does Phil.  It won’t be the end of the world if the flats aren’t finished tomorrow.  Life is too short and we need to relax and be happy. Which is why, that for tonight, I have booked us into a 4 star hotel and after seeing Rashmi,, me and Phil are going to have a lovely lunch somewhere on the Thames.  The forecast is rain but that’s no matter; we are so knackered.  We will probably curl up on our king size with our laptops and read and research.  Yes I know, not the most exciting plans but with Phil’s radiotherapy looming ahead next week, I think it might be just what the doctor ordered.

Rain Stop Play

It really has been rain, stop, play this last week with all the intermittent showers.  I felt sorry for J&M camping at Gulliver’s in their campervan so I lent them my Chevrolet.  They went to Blenheim on Thursday but other than that, I don’t think they have ventured very far.  It was a little bit of a pain having to drop Phil at work then pick him up for lunch, take him back and then collect him but it was manageable for a couple of days.  I worked all day in the flat on Thursday.  I got the lounge and the bedroom finished.  The blue walls took 3 coats, they could have really done with another one but I really couldn’t be bothered, it would have been just too boring. 

Friday was a day off for me.  I went to the gym for a run, got supplies from Asda then it was back home to reply to emails and tend to boring household chores.   After Phil went back to work after lunch J&M popped over.   I drove them over to see the OB flat then we went on to see the CF.  They were impressed with the OB flat but obviously the CF has a long way to go.  Marie wanted to get quiche and lollies from Lidl’s so we went there on the way back then it was back to ours for coffee and cake.  Phil came back from work early and step-dad helped him put up the garden wicker table in the conservatory.   J&M left at teatime and we had an early night.

I was hoping for a lie in on Saturday morning but there was no chance, Phil was awake at 5am and raring to go, so we were dressed and buying stuff in B&Q just after 7am, then it was off straight round to the flat to start work.  Luckily, we had quiet jobs to do as we certainly didn’t want to upset the neighbours.  Phil put up wallpaper on the fireplace wall and I got started on the hall, stairs and landing, the worst job ever.  Especially in the CF, the stairwell is very tall.  We stopped at half eleven and then went to Home Base to buy light fittings.  Phil really liked the light fittings we got for the OB flat as they were so easy to fit so we’ve gone for the same again. 

We went for lunch again at The Tawny Owl in Walnut Tree.  It’s certainly not gourmet food but it filled a whole, I had the scampi and Phil had the meat pie.   Service was quick and and we only took an hour out.   Harriet came round to view the CF for the first time.  I really didn't want her to see it until we were further down the line but I couldn't keep her away.  She didn't seem that impressed which wasn't surprising because things are still a mess.  What she has to realise is that things have to get worse before they get better. Our afternoon job was ripping out the kitchen.  Not an easy job and a very dirty, greasy one.  Phil had to chisel off the tiles to get one piece of the worktop out and in the end he chiselled almost all of the tiles off.  I loaded the units in the Land Rover and on the way home we dumped them at the Bleak Hall tip.  Back home we showered put on our jimmy jammies and settled ourselves on the sofa at 5pm to watch the GP qualifying.  I was so tired that after a couple of glasses of vino I was in my bed before 8pm.

Sunday, I am pleased to say was almost a day of leisure and pleasure.  Not quite for Phil because he decided to take himself off to the CF to get the last of the units out of the kitchen and rip up the flooring.  I didn’t go with but stayed home to tidy the house and make some meal preparations.   Phil came back just after 10 and half an hour later, I borrowed his car keys and nipped to Asda and then went on to Caldecotte to pick up Sue.  We went back to our house and the plan was to have a cup of tea and then walk to the Ship Ashore but the rain was relentless so we ended up getting a taxi.

John & Marie got to the pub at half twelve and we ordered lunch.  The weather was so miserable outside and we all went for the roast dinner, 3 roast turkey and the usual roast beef for me and Phil.  After lunch it was back to our house for cheese and biscuits and desserts and wine.  I was very naughty and smoked Sue’s fags all afternoon.  I must stop this silly nonsense and remember to buy her a packet.  It’s nice at the time but I’d forgotten how much worse a wine hangover is, I don’t know why, but somehow smoking makes you feel much worse the next day.  Everyone left at 9pm after the GP; J&M took my car and kindly took Sue home.  They had the sat nav so I hope they got back to their campsite okay.

Phil & I both were feeling much the worse for wear after our indulgence yesterday.  I especially felt for Phil when he set off for work at half six this morning.  I have got sixteen million things on the ‘to do’ list this morning.  Okay, slight exaggeration, but somehow I don’t think I’m getting to get through it all today.  I’ve put the rubbish out for the bin men and am very tempted to go back in to bed with the Sunday papers.  Oh dear, it’s going to be one of those days.  Not a great start to the week, shame on you Clairabella, you are old enough to know better.

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

On Wednesday afternoon we went to Crownhill Crematorium to say goodbye to Alan.  We met up with John & Marie and Kay and Peter who had travelled down from Suffolk for the occasion.  Alan wasn’t religious and so had chosen to have a celebration of life ceremony instead of a traditional service.  And what a lovely ceremony it was, gentle, dignified, laughter and of course some sadness, as we remembered that Alan was no longer with us.  The tributes from Sue and Alan’s family were moving beyond words and I think if Alan could hear, he would have been proud of all of them. 

Alan’s sister Anne said that a few days before he passed, Alan grabbed her hand in the hospice; he thanked her for visiting and said that since his retirement 4 years ago, he had lived his life like a rock star. I thought to myself, WOW what a wonderful thing to be able to say.  It gave me some comfort and I hope it does to Sue in the days and months that follow. Classical music was played at the beginning and during the ceremony but it was the last song as the ceremony came to end that made me smile, it was so typical of Alan. It was a song from the Monty Python Life of Brian film, ‘Always look on the Bright Side of Life’. 

As we walked out of the chapel of rest we were given little memorial cards of Alan.  I thought they were a wonderful momentum, much nicer than the usual order of service paper leaflets that you usually get given.  I am going to keep mine and it will of pride of place on my fridge door.  We carried on celebrating Alan’s life at the Swan Revived Hotel in Newport Pagnell.  Sue has organised a buffet and I think almost everyone from the crematorium came back to the hotel.  There were copies of photographs of Alan, Sue and family and friends taken in all kinds of locations around the world.  Now I thought we were reasonably well travelled, but boy, Sue & Alan have been to all kinds of remote places.

It was nice to see Anne & Jim, friends of Sue & Alan that we met briefly last year, albeit in such sad circumstances.  It was also nice to be introduced and speak to Alan & Sue’s family.  Sue speaks about them all often and it was nice to be able to put faces to names.  Naturally, it was a difficult day for them but they all handled it very well.  And do you know what, saying goodbye to someone is usually very sad but this day didn’t really seem like a goodbye but a true celebration of Alan’s life.

Alan was the same age as Phil, only 55.  Alan’s message of not worrying so much, being happy and always looking at the bright side of life is a good one.  I for one, spend so many of my days worrying and sometimes, worrying about things over which I have no control.  Why?  It’s a cliché I know and one that I have said before but you should live each day like it’s your last because you just never what shit awaits for you around the corner.

http://www.justgiving.com/Carrie-AnneHudson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYw2qsIeQDY&feature=related

A Change of Plan

After much talk and deliberation, I have managed to persuade Phil not to go ahead with the loft conversion at the C-F.  It’s not that his ideas weren’t good, they are great in fact, but it all comes down to money time and money at the end of the day. Phil’s idea of knocking the wall down in the bedroom, putting a false ceiling in the hallway and creating a bespoke built-in wardrobe would work well and would make much better use of the space.  As were his plans for ripping out the wood cladding in the loft space, opening up the space and putting in velux windows and a spiral staircase in the lounge giving independent access to the loft conversion.  But on a rough reckoning the works would cost 5 grand and its money we just don’t have at this moment in time.  It’s not that these plans are cancelled just postponed for r the time being.  It’s not just the money, I don’t think taking on a project of this nature which would be new untested ground for us would make sense when Phil is facing almost 2 months of radiotherapy and we just don’t how he is going to feel.  We’ve got enough stress in our lives so why add to it?

I think also, we’ve decided not to rip out the bathroom but instead make good although this isn’t definite.  The current bathroom is not state of the modern, it’s a magnolia suite but the tiling has recently been done so we are going to replace the window and the door, change the taps and the flooring and I shall do a quick repaint job.  We can accessorise with textiles, towels and new fittings and it will be like new.  We are also going to try and keep the existing carpet.  It’s cream but if I can avoid any major paint spillage, we will hire a carpet cleaner and see how they come out.  If they don’t clean up then we will of course replace.

Phil has given great thought to the kitchen and has decided to change the kitchen sink and move it to underneath the kitchen window.  This will mean that we will need to get in a plumber to redo all the piping which will mean more work but I think it will be worth it in the end.   We went in to Wickes last night for an appointment with Jason the kitchen designer.  He’s a good guy, he knows his stuff and we’ve used him for Jim & Shirley’s kitchen a couple of years ago.  We remembered him and he us.  For the CF we’ve gone for the ‘Houston’ kitchen, a clean lined white gloss from off the shelf.   After nearly 2 hours we came away with a design and an order that we’re happy with.  The whole kitchen which included a built in oven, a hob and an extractor fan and a sink unit with taps and waste, came in at just under £1,400.  The only thing that we didn’t order is the worktops because they don’t cut them to size at Wickes and also I haven’t quite decided what I want tops I want.  The kitchen will be delivered on the 8^th of July so there lots of time to decide but before then we have lots of work to do before installation. 

As ever, I’ve been busy.  I spent most of Monday painting in the CF.  I managed to get one coat on all walls in the bedroom and bathroom.  I reckon I might be able to get away with only 2 coats in the lounge but the bedroom will need 3 if not 4.  I am not going to be able to get there today but I will be putting in a full day tomorrow. 

 

Yesterday my tree surgeon and landscape gardener Will Tricks was at the OB flat chopping down a tree and clearing the front of the block of flats.  I was round there at half seven as I wanted to put out the green bin and rubbish and also check whether all the residents had removed their cars as I’d asked them to do.  They had so that was good; whilst I was waiting for Will to arrive, I finished off the glossing in the bathroom so my painting there is done which is a relief. 

Stepdad John and his partner Marie arrived at MK on Monday afternoon in their campervan.  They are staying at a campsite at the back of Gulliver’s Land which I never knew existed.  After giving Will my instructions I went to see them on site.  It was slightly chilly but we sat outside their van and had a cup of coffee.  J&M were pleased and happy with the site, they said the toilets and shower rooms were very clean, I’m not a camper but apparently this is very important.  It seemed a nice enough site, albeit a little quiet but I understand it gets busier at the weekends.  After coffee we bundled in my car and I took them to Sainsbury’s to get some supplies.  I also took them to the council offices to get some local maps and did a quick rekey of Milton Keynes, pointing out the theatre and other local attractions.  After this it was back to the van for another cuppa then home to get Phil’s lunch.    

Yesterday was not a work day and in the afternoon Rachel came round to highlight and cut my hair.  As usual, she did a great job and I look much better.  After she finished I just had enough time to check out the tree and drive clearing at the OB and pay Will his money.  Then it was off to Wickes to meet Phil for our kitchen planning meeting.  It was good a job we went we did because the sale finished yesterday so we were just in the nick of time to get the discount.  We have one slight concern in that we didn’t know where the stop cock is in the flat and this could be a major problem with our design but we decided to take a gamble and ordered anyway.  Fingers crossed that it all pans out otherwise it will be major pipe work, which will mean more expense and without a shadow of doubt, more stress.