Ahhh beautiful Nigel, that’s what I like to see. I wasn’t allowed in the kitchen at all when my husband cooked, he knew I’d start adding this that and tidy so he shooed me away every time.
I only have two bags of coal left but loads of logs but I prefer coal, it’s lasts for up to 8 hours and saves me watching the logs. It’s the lazy way. I noticed there was a bit of soot from my chimney that was on the hearth, I’ve never had that before, I was told there was wind, hailstones etc when I was away. The chimney sweep said we didn’t need it swept the last time we had it done so it’s been a few years now but I only burn smokeless coal and proper seasoned wood. I will keep an eye on it, don’t want to waste money if I’m moving and it may not need it.
Kitchen looks really nice Nigel xxx
I was the same when i was cooking maria had to stay out of kitchen. Because she got involved.i did not not like that i was cooking stay away xxx
Nigel that’s a good idea about the insurance, I might try and speak to a human and see what’s available. It’s a big expensive to pay out for the year. I’m looking at what the Home Report is going to cost and that’s went up a lot since I last sold a house, Estate Agent wants a marketing fee up front as well. It’s all money money just now.
I always wondered what to do for the best about heating and I’m sure Martin Lewis said keeping it on all the time was better. Our heating was never off as my husband stayed up most of the night because all he needed was a few hours sleep. He was very cold since his thyroid and lymph nodes were removed. I think I just worried at the beginning as I never paid the heating bills. Was trying to find out what was best,
Stopping the winter fuel payment didn’t help either. Once I get a nice fuel balance I will relax a bit more. I will keep adding more in the summer to cover winter costs.
We used to keep our boiler on in Turkey all the time, everyone kept telling us that’s an expensive thing to do but we didn’t think so, we had hot water all the time whereas they had to heat the whole tank up. I think you are right, keep it low at night but on all the time.
Well done on your sales, I turned mine onto holiday mode when I was away, I will have to switch it back. I have a nice little nest egg on Vinted now. Xxx
I am going to have a kip chat later xx
Debsie,
I sent a rather large reply this morning to you but for some reason it thought I was trying to edit it and it wouldn’t let me close or discard but it decided to discard it. They probably thought, oh she is back, let’s shut her up 
Well done for driving again, when that self drive vehicle comes on the scene I will be first in the queue. My friend has one of those park assisted cars, she showed me it parking her car. I’m all for that. She has had two hip replacements and is only 40. Rheumatoid arthritis has hit her bad but she gets a mobility car which helps her and this was one one the things that was in her car. It was a Kia Sportage. I’m not too bad at parking as long as there are not too many cars near me 
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I’m lucky with parking at my house, I have a massive drive but it’s shared with next door so I tend to park on the chips in front of the house, it’s a massive area so suits me fine. It lets the young couple get out the drive with having to keep taking their other car to get out.
I’m still thinking over what to do with my car, once I move and get it valeted I will decide. I honestly don’t need a car this size, yes it will be great if I move, but if it’s just local driving I do then it’s a small car or even no car. I need someone to come to the house to clean it for me but they probably don’t have anyone here that would do it.
I’d better try and send this in case they think I’m taking too long or gibbering on too much, not like me at all 
Good sleep! Feel great this am. Making my list for the day and for the weekend. I feel the weight of the world is off my shoulders now that the taxes are done.
Got the investment portfolio in the mail yesterday and it is in my name now. Done.
House, car, both investment banks. Now for the checking accounts and the hunting land and I will be done with the paperwork. Not bad, only 30 weeks to get to this point and I can subtract the first 6 weeks when I couldn’t find my own rear end with a flashlight and a search warrant.
It is just beautiful out today. Will be shopping the dollar stores for Easter goodies for the little ones. I hope to see them at some point, but it could be a while so no candy that melts. I have 4 glass bowls that need to go and I was thinking of doing them up as Easter baskets for the kids, then the moms can either use the bowls or toss them.
It’s an idea. I have no plans for Easter. Will be alone and have no issue with that. My darling husband was a regular Grinch at holidays. If we had any celebration here, he would grumble for days ahead and the whole day and then days after.
My husband was an excellent cook. His best friend was a Chef who taught him some of the recipes. So good! But, he used the biggest pots, bowls, all the serving utensil, knives, chopping boards, strainers, platters, etc. I was in charge of cleaning - he would call me his 3rd mate. It’s a boat thing I do not understand, but I think it means I was the bottom of the totem pole. Let me say this - if you are married to a ship captain, you will get ordered around. They can’t help it and they are used to everyone jumping when they speak. Then, me. Haha!
Lizzy, welcome back home. Don’t be daft, let people help you pack. So what if it isn’t organized as you would like, you will unpack it all anyway. Hint: write the contents of each box on every side so when they are stacked up you will know what is in them. Time to get the old house on the market! So exciting!
Nigel, question: I want to replace the old cooktop with new. The new may not fit in the cutout of the old one, it may be a bit wider. The counter is tile on 3/4 plywood. Can the installed tile be trimmed without it all breaking?
Digger, we can all see how far you’ve come already. Good on you! It is a slow process, but we all get there.
I am happy today. Relieved, ready for the salon, ready for painting, and will stop at the garden center to order some things to be delivered to try to spruce up the front of the house with some potted, colorful plants. It is so neglected it looks like no one who lives here cares one bit. Well, she didn’t for a while. Now, she does.
Love to all.
Peaches, I’d have to come and have a look! No seriously though, I can’t see any reason why not. I’d use a diamond rotary saw blade in a high speed saw, to gently cut through the tiles and then use a wood saw or a jig saw to cut the plywood. What I have is a very high speed rotary saw with a blade of about 2 inches diameter, where the blade can plunge in and out so that you can start the cut in the middle of a piece. Unless it’s done with a wet blade, it will be VERY dusty, but with water you just get a bit of spray. The saw does have a vacuum cleaner attachment so I use my DIY vacuum to suck up most of the dust (certainly not a household one because the dust will clog everything as it’s a very fine dust). I use an old curtain as a back drop to catch all the water when I’m wet sawing. It can go in the washing machine afterwards. (Well it can now - I don’t think it would have been allowed by she who must be obeyed though!) 
Hope that helps?
Just thinking about it more, a dry blade would be better otherwise the water and the tile dust might damage the grout on your other tiles. The other option would be a diamond bladed fret saw which would also work but would take longer to do. Any competent workman should be able to recommend the best way for your particular situation.
My husband never cooked. He did however often stand behind me often without my knowledge until I knocked into him. It was so annoying. I would be happy for him to still be annoying me. He was good at the clearing up though.
Lizzy I’m not OCD but I do like things to be tidy. My son’s house is such a mess it drives me mad just visiting. I don’t know how they can live like that.
My DIL persuaded me to pop by for a cuppa and say hello to my GD. She is growing up so quick. The rest of my time has been spent in the garden. My husband has a scarifier. I have been using a rake to get the moss out but it’s hard work. I thought I ought to see if the scarifier actually works. It does. The amount of stuff it got out. Although it is supposed to pick up the moss most stayed on the lawn so out came the lawnmower to tidy everything up. My garden waste bin is now completely full. All from today.
I got the hedge trimmer working but I think I will have trouble using it. The hedge is 6ft and I am only 5ft 3” and even on my step I would have to hold it very high. A step ladder is better but the ground is uneven. You need both hands to operate it. The hedge doesn’t need doing yet I will see when the time comes. I can always get someone to help. I’ll hold the ladder.
I am very tired now. Gardening is hard work, but I do enjoy it. Also ended up doing 18000 steps. Tiredness + migraine = sad though. I think I might get into my night things, take a pill and settle down in front of the tv. Weather has been lovely today. I hope I’ll get some dry weather in Warwickshire this weekend.
It’s awful , all of us seem to go through this empty feeling, the best thing to do is keep yourself fully occupied , long walks, exercise, and if you work this helps.
Also talk to lots of friends, as many as you can , this may help, it certainly helped me , I lost my dear wife 5 months ago and I miss her and cry for her every single day .
Sorry for all those struggling…hugs to you.
Brilliant if your having a good or productive day.
I seem to be up, then down. Then a numbness where I have switched off. Possibly to protect myself from to much sadness.
Nigel, in your capacity as our tech advisor, is it possible to post a video?
Love to all xx
I find gardening knackering went out this morning to tidy up and get some weeds out of my lawn was out there two hours in the end . Never gardened before Chris always did it bit of a learning curb for me
Maria, I tried the other day and it wouldn’t let me post a video. So I think the answer is no.
Shame!
Well the kitchen looks like a bomb has hit it, but you can’t do grouting without making a mess! But it’s done - the floor is finished!
5 Months today but keeping busy today has made a big difference.
Barbarap David was the gardener in our house too. There is lots of things growing but I don’t know at this stage if they are weeds or not. I have had to learn so much this last 6 months. He used to spend so much time in the garden and I now see why. The problem is that we have a very large garden, and a great big pond. But it gives me a reason to be outside. You are right, it’s very tiring and it makes you ache in places you didn’t know you had. I must stop trying to keep it to his standard. I will wear myself out and still not achieve it.
Well done Nigel. I think you now deserve a treat. 
What a relaxing day i have .after a busy morning .x x
Debsie that’s same with me Chris kept garden lovely i feel as if i have to keep it the same, doubt i will like you don’t know flowers from weeds.
Thanks Debsie - yes I’ll just clear up then have a glass of … what? Ah yes whisky! Unfortunately only blended not single malt! 
It’s gone as well as I expected, it just needs another couple of wet wipes and a dry wipe after that to get the shine on as it should be, and an edging in the doorway for protection.
I wonder if anyone can spot the error?
A weed is only a plant growing where you don’t want it to grow!