THANK GOD FOR QUICHE!

...from the perspective of keeping me from going quietly insane, I mean. I've made loads. I would have made less if the electricity supply to the shed hadn't been cut off sometime over the last few days, resulting in my carefully prepared stocks for Centurion all being ruined in the defrosted freezer.
Really angry about it actually. I spent a lot of money and time getting those quiche made and they've all ended up in the bin.

On the house front...

Yet another day of nothing. No news. Not a thing.

I rang the solicitors myself to find out if there was any update, but there was nothing really, although by the same token, there was no readin to suggest a problem either and when I asked about completion by next week, my question wasn't greeted with guffaws of chortling laughter.

So, patience is a virtue apparently!

Hmmm

THE WAITING GAME

Is there anything more frustrating when you're trying to move house than waiting, waiting, waiting for other people to get stuff done?

And why, when they are being paid exorbitant fees, is it still necessary for their clients to have to jump up and down, call them every day and do half of the ringing around for them?

I suppose it makes little difference to us when we actually complete, but the target date is ridiculously close now and, with a Bank Holiday coming up, I honestly can't see us moving next week as we had hoped.

MANAGED TO EAT...

... some of my dinner. Roast beef it was. Usually my absolute favourite, but today it didn't go down that well, even though everything about it was yummy.

I don't know what will happen during the next few weeks, but I am horribly worried that it will involve the considerable involvement of the mental health service. Combine this with the worry about the house move and you can imagine the escalation in stress levels over the past weeks.

DESPITE HAVING...

... a really lovely morning in Newcastle and meeting up with James and Claire, we have had an incredibly stressful exchange of texts with Christina, who seems to be very unwell at the moment. I am now feeling physically stressed, sick with worry and anxiety.

I've just cooked a Sunday dinner, and don't honesty know how I'm going to eat it.

NOTHING TO DO TODAY!

And it's absolutely doing my head in.

Thank goodness Helen and Hannah (plus beagles!) are coming this evening. At least that will break up the monotony and it'll be great to have a bit of a catch up, especially as Hannah became a first time home owner yesterday!! Can't wait to hear her plans.

But the rest of the day is dragging infuriatingly slowly because I can't actually DO anything, because we still have no idea about when anything's going to be happening. Grrrrrr!!!!

LIMBO!

Not as in dancing, just as in!!!

Some small progress has been made today, in that we've reached agreement about all the additional items we want from our sellers. Plus we've had an assurance from Rosemary and Phil that they want to move as quickly and as much as we do. Our solicitor still sees no reason why we shouldn't complete on schedule, but I would think its touch and go, to be honest.

Lots of tedious paperwork today. We've started the post redirection process and Charles has sent off his passport renewal (plus photo taken this morning)  so that he's got it ready for Madrid in May.

Another load of junk is on its way to the tip with Charles before he does his radio show for the next four hours and the girls and I are planning on a quiet, relaxed afternoon of reading and snoozing. Bliss!

MISSED THE BLOG TODAY!

Not sure why really. I haven't had a particularly busy day - just SAKs this morning and then a bit of housework and baking this afternoon..

No significant house news to report sadly.

James and Claire came up for dinner and to show us their holiday photos from their break in New York. Felt very envious!

Hope we'll get some positive news tomorrow!

DIDNT HAVE A GOOD NIGHT!

Too much on my mind, combined with a very needy Lily who had me up every couple of hours, so the odd times when I was asleep, she managed to wreck.

Never mind, she's catching up on her shut eye now - bless her!

I've been into Morpeth to do the shopping,  made batches of chilli and bolognese and a pretty hideous-looking, but delicious-tasting mint aero cheesecake, have had the girls out twice and now intend to curl up with my Kindle (and the girls) for a while.

Can't wait to see James and Claire tomorrow xxxx

I WAS GOING TO SAY...

... that there are some days when you just wish you'd stayed in bed, or could start over again.

Today would have been one of those days.

But I haven't said it, because 150 people lost their lives today and that puts everything else into perspective.

I've had a day I could have done without, but at least, God willing, I'll have a new day tomorrow.

BACK FROM...

... a frustrating meeting with the Mental Health team at Hawkhill.

It appears that nothing can be done at present about an increasingly worrying situation and that things have to reach rock bottom before anyone can intervene.

I hate this. We feel so helpless.

SO TODAY...

... just when we think we're on the (new) home straight, we get a list of queries and requests for certificates for the electrics, the conversion etc THAT WE SENT WEEKS AGO!!!

We need a boiler report, but, despite having it done in November, can't find the paperworK. We've paid to have reports done on the gas, the boiler and the electrics for Nins Moor Road and now it looks as if our buyers are expecting us to provide the same for this property at no cost to themselves.
Honestly, if we hadn't spent so much money already I would be tempted to tell them to forget it.

LILY AND ROSE ARE...

... having their hair done today. We've to get them to the groomer in Blyth by 11.30.they absolutely hate it and cling to us like toddlers being parted from their parents, but they'll look lovely she itself over and we can spoil them when we get them home. Just don't want the to be too short yet. It's still pretty nippy out there!!

While they are being coiffed, we are going to do some shopping for things for the house and calling into Centurionwith the rest of their order. Then I think the plan is to call in on the Mother in Law before collecting the girls and heading home.

Busy day then! I like that.

BACK FROM THE MATCH

Certainly a game of two halves!!

We were rubbish for the first 45 minutes, gifting two headers and dreading the goal tally mounting.

But, the second half was a different story. We seemed full of desire and, although we only hit the back of the net once, we certainly had far more chances than Arsenal and deserved at least a draw. Very frustrating result. Biggest worry of course is the lack of goals. Goals win at hes, and we don't seemabout to be scoring too many any time soon.

But, fair dos, the lads were applauded for their second half effort.

Shame we were so poor at the start.

SOLAR ECLIPSE

Even with the cloud cover, we managed glimpses in the breaks. The change in light was eerie and dramatic, but not as extreme as I imagined it would be. Nevertheless, how small and insignificant did it make you feel?

PLODDING ON!

Small steps today really, but it all helps. Today's been mostly about the garden and freshening up the things that we're taking with us - a coat of paint here, a good scrub there, dozens of freshly laundered cushions to go on the few bits of furniture we're actually going to take and then looking for replacement BBQs and garden sets!

The contract for Nuns Moor Road arrived yesterday, so we just need to find someone to witness the signatures and that can go in the post. Things seem to be progressing okay, but you never know until it's all signed and exchanged. I'm longing to get actual dates sorted out so that we can get the removals firm booked and can actually begin serious packing.

James and Claire arrived safely in the Big Apple yesterday. Their room overlooks the theatre that shows the Lion King, so is a block from Broadway and Times Square. Such an amazing location. They're off to the Statue of Liberty today and I think they're doing Brooklyn Bridge if it's not too cold, then off to Madison Square Garden in the evening. I can picture it all!!

HOPING...

... that James and Claire are having a good flight to JFK today. They should be well on the way by now. I'll relax when I hear they've landed safely.

Posted a photo of the Northern Lights on Facebook a while ago and was amazed that my nephew thought it was a wind up. Clearly it's a phenomenon that's totally beyond his experience. He lives in Bradford! I suppose this explains it!

UP AT 6.30...

... beds changed, quiches made, house cleaned, twiddling thumbs!!

MISERABLE WEATHER!

 It's been horrid pretty much all day. I felt really sorry for the girls ( and Charles too I suppose) this morning when, seconds after they left the house for their morning walk, the heavens opened and for about ten minutes their wad the most almighty downpour with some fairly hefty hail thrown in for good measure. Poor things were drenched when they got back. Charles needed a full change of clothes and the girls needed a good towel drying. Credit to them all for not wimping out and heading straight back home when it started though.

Haven't really done much today, apart from some baking for Centurion's next delivery.

No house news, although I ordered a couple of draught excluders that arrived today and I just love them!

HAD A LOVELY EVENING...

...with James and Claire yesterday. (Thank you for the flowers you two, they are gorgeous.) We won't see them now until they get back from their trip to New York. Lucky things! I hope they have an amazing time!

Spending today pretty quietly really, although rumour has it that Newcastle have a match later on. Not sure if I'll watch or avoid!

Might try to get the bit of gardening done that we've been wanting to do for weeks now. It all depends on Charles though as I think it will be much easier with two of us. He's over in Blyth seeing his Mother at the moment, so he doesn't know about this yet.

Oh, and Happy Mothers Day to MY little Mum! Hope she has a fab day!

SO...

... we have a load of stuff to do this morning. More rubbish to dispose of at the tip, 4 boxes of books to take to charity shops, shopping to do...

... and Charles is sitting watching a film totally oblivious to everything that's going on around him!

I'm so not impressed.

WIDE AWAKE AGAIN,

I go to sleep fine. No problem at all. But I only manage to sleep until around 2.00 and then I'm wide awake for the next couple of hours.
This time, having wrestled with the logistics of moving day yet again, I've finally given up and made a cup of tea in the hope that it might induce a more soporific state.
However, I suspect this may well be the night-time pattern for the next few weeks, until we can, hopefully, get moved.

JUST NOTICED...

.. it's Friday 13th.

Am I supersticious?

No!!

So why am I suddenly filled with a sense of fear and doom?

AT THAT STAGE...

...when things seem to be moving frustratingly slowly on one hand, but racing along on the other. Just hope and pray that everything eventually gets to the finishing line at the same time.

Had another poor night's sleep. Ended up reading for a couple of hours. I've been recommended a book entitled " I not sick. I don't need help," It's aimed at people who are carers, family or friends of someone who refuses to admit they have a mental health problem and it's main focus is on teaching the carer how best to talk to the 'patient' while bringing about an understanding of the need for support and medication. Clearly, when someone is in denial about being ill, it is impossible to imagine how they would feel about being hospitalised, taking meds and receiving treatment, when they will see no need for it. I'm still reading the early chapters, and it takes a bit of concentration so is maybe not the best bedtime reading, but so far I can see the sense of what is being recommended.

NOTHING MUCH GOING ON TODAY!

Hardly worth commenting really.

So I wont!

WENT TO SLEEP LAST NIGHT...

... Convinced that the move wouldn't be happening. Funnily enough, I had the best sleep I've had for weeks. Obviously, the whole process is taking a toll on my nerves!

Anyway we've just had the guy from Pickfords out to give us a removals quote. Once that comes in we should be able to make a decision about who we will be signing up to.

It's such a gorgeous day. I should be out in the garden sorting out all these planters and tubs, but I really want to wait until Charles is here to help...

...so might just take the girls out instead.

BIT OF A HORRID DAY REALLY!

the morning was okay. Busy, but fine. We did a delivery, met Christina, made some decisions about rugs and garden furniture TV, went food shopping, saw Grandma.

Then we got home and I found an email from Rosemary wanting details of the lease and a written record of the agreement we reached last week. It just started a few alarm bells ringing. We thought all the negotiations were done and dusted and now we feel as though things might not be as firmly agreed as we thought.

Then later on, we got a call from the estate agent wanting to key us know that the people we're buying from want to exchange by 8th April because they're going on holiday, and that seems very soon and has added to the pressure.

We keep telling ourselves it'll all work out, but I'd forgotten how horrible stressful it all is.

THAT'S...

... the shed sorted!

Charles is off to the tip again with a full Freelander load.

Actually, that is a huge relief, because we are now at the stage where we know that pretty much everything is coming with us, apart from the stuff we've earmarked for giving away or for the council to collect, like BBQs, wardrobes, beds etc.

Just need to make a decision about the removals firm we're using and then we can begin the laborious process of actually packing stuff. We've had a few online quotes, but they tend to be from small, local firms, that haven't even been out to look at what we've got to move. They are also just for one day, whereas I'm really wanting the actual move to be split over two days to make it more manageable. One company has been to look, talk and has quoted for the two days, and, at the moment, they are the company I would prefer. But we won't be making that decision until Charles gets back from Birmingham this week, because we've got Pickfords coming out on Tuesday and I'm guessing their quote won't be ready until Wednesday at the earliest.

Next job is to repot the garden plants that are coming with us, but I keep putting that off in the hope that the weather might just warm up a little!! I can see that I'm just going to have to wrap up warm and get on with it though. Maybe I'll do that while Charles is at work this week.

It was lovely having Sophie here, although I didn't see much of her yesterday. She left about an hour ago, happily clutching a sandwich box crammed full of Bakewell tarts!!

SPENDING THE MORNING...

... with my boy! 'Mum and Son Time' we call it.

Been up since 7.30!! Just about to set off for Gosforth and then we're going to the Fenwicks Warehouse Sale and having coffee and probably doing other stuff around Jesmond and Gosforth as well.

Quite excited!

NOTHING MUCH..

... To comment on today. More shed sorting, although a lot of stuff appears to have found its way into the house, so I kind of feel that this has just made things a bit more complicated.

I've baked though, so I've managed to stay out of the shed again.

Had a very chilled afternoon, just me and the girls while Charles did his radio bit.

We're expecting Sophie, our niece, to arrive this evening. She's here until Sunday, but I think her priority is to visit her Grandma, so I'm sure she'll be it and about quite a bit. Haven't cooked. Charles is picking up Chinese. Bit of a cheat, but it can't be helped!!

STARTED ON...

... the shed this morning. At least Charles did!! I stayed in the warmth of the kitchen and got on with baking quiche for Centurion!! Much more pleasant than being out in the cold wind.

I think we're pretty much over the disappointment of last night's match. If only we could have maintained some composure for a further five minutes. A point against Man Utd would have been very welcome, but it was not to be. And now, of course, the club faces the investigation into 'SpitGate' that could see Cisse out for a number of games. Mind you, based on last nights performance, we may not notice his absence!

HOPEFULLY...

... things are on track for a move around about Easter time. It was good to see Rosemary and Phil this morning and to hear them planning where their furniture is going to go! Let's hope things progress smoothly.

There's a match on tonight. And we're going! I'm a little short on enthusiasm for this one to be frank. Probably a combination of score line dread and  not wanting to be out in the cold for hours! Got to be done though!

Have set up loads of programmes to record while we're out, including a documentary about Being Bipolar, which my Mum rang to tell me about this morning. Not sure it'll make for comfortable viewing, but something we need to watch I think.

ROSEMARY AND PHIL...

... The couple who are buying our house, are due any minute. They want to do the measuring up. Hope they still love the house as much as they did in the summer!!!

THE PECKING ORDER!!

This vp could not have been more clearly demonstrated by Lily than the game she has just payed with her chewy bone this afternoon.

Both girls were given their bones at the same time. Rose immediately fell on hers and began the task of devouring it. It took a while.

Lily exercised considerable restraint as she watched Rose demolish her treat while standing guard over her, as yet untouched, bone.

She was absolutely determined to wait until Rose had finished and this meant she had to be extremely patient - for about half an hour. At one point she must have been really suffering because she picked up her bone and brought it to show me, making a little mewling noise to attract my attention. But still she wouldn't eat it.

Finally, Rose finished hers. Lily immediately ran up to her, with her chew firmly clenched in her teeth and chased poor Rose around the living room. She then proceeded to drop the bone and walked away, but kept looking back to see if Rose would react. When she did, by wandering towards it, Lily saw her off with a bad-tempered growl. She continued to taunt her sister for the best past of twenty minutes, before she eventually settled down to enjoy the bone, happy that she was now able to enjoy something that her sister no longer had!

What a little horror she is!

UP EARLY!

...because Charles is working Monday and Tuesday this week.

Sitting with the girls right now, watching breakfast news and wondering what on earth we're going to do today. We can't do any more sorting out until Charles gets back, it's far too cold to go out into the garden to sort the pots out, I can't go out because I know there are some deliveries due today. I've already cleaned the house, I don't need to do any baking...

... This could be a very long day!

FINISHED!

Yeah! The loft is empty at last!

Sadly though, everything grinds to a halt as Charles is away for the next couple of days and then seems to have made plans for pretty much the rest of the week, leaving us with only one day to concentrate on the remaining clearing out.

IF the weather is okay this week, I'm going to tidy up the pots of plants we'll be taking for the garden and will transplant a couple of my favourites from the beds into tubs. The borders are so rammed full of plants here, that taking one or two out will probably benefit the rest and certainly won't be missed.

That's one of the things I'm so looking forward to... Seeing what's going to appear in our new garden!

JUST ONE MORE...

... Freelander load, and we should have finished clearing the loft!!

What a huge relief that will be. Just the shed to sort after that and then we know that everything that's left needs to be packed to come with us.

Hope we here something back from our surveyor this week. Time's getting on now and we need to be getting organised with removals companies and cleaners...

...Oh! There's so much to do and to think about!!! (Secretly loving it!)