The Week So Far

The secondhand furniture has been delivered, the new curtains and blinds have been installed in the two bigger bedrooms, and all the beds have been moved around so are now in the correct rooms. There's been a bit more clearing out so another trip to the recycling yard is imminent and maybe another donation to a charity shop. 

I've asked my BiL and nephew's FiL for a date for completing the final fixes in the kitchen, and to assemble the two cupboards in the study and fix them to the wall. I've asked very nicely so am hoping that they will also agree to strip the old wallpaper in the living room, hall, and study ... fingers crossed, please. The cupboards and other bits and pieces I need will be ordered from IKEA today and once that's delivered I'll be able to assemble the chest of drawers (for the lodger's room) and get that in place. I'll be able to take photos of the room and then place an advert for a lodger.

I'm still chasing the builder to get the fireplace finished off, the delay being the difficulty in finding a good plasterer who is able to take on the work. Most of them are booked for months ahead. It's a bit frustrating as I'd really like to get it done and dusted, but I'll just have to be patient! Edit: I now have someone coming to quote for the plastering next Wednesday. He's been recommended by the person who fitted out my bathroom so I'm feeling hopeful!

I've managed to do some more bulk cooking which has been portioned out and is in the freezer, and will hopefully do some more at the weekend. Every bit helps though.

It was the April meeting of my Something Snappy u3a group on Monday. We met at one of the local garden centres and enjoyed some lovely sunny weather for our photos. We meet for two hours, going our separate ways for the first hour to take our photos, one photo for each of the ten words on the list I issue, and then meet up in the cafe for the second hour to share our photos and have a good chat. We had a new member joining us this time which is always a bit of an anxious time, but she fitted in well and I was worrying for nothing! It's a lovely group of people and I look forward to this every month.

And finally, the biggie for this week is that I drove my car again today. I've only driven it twice since I moved here thirteen months ago so felt really out of practice and my confidence was low. Niall came with me just in case, but I didn't need him to take over at all and I managed a 10 mile round trip to Westbury and back without any incidents! Next time I'll take the car out on my own to see how that goes. This is so important as it's another huge step in regaining my independence so the plan is that I will aim to drive once or twice every week from now on. 

We're off on a coach trip to Brixham on Saturday. It's the Brixham Pirate Festival so that should be fun even though the forecast is for rain!