Egypt4u

I've heard it a few times that once you're retired you never have time anymore as you're just so busy. I wanted to retire so I could have time to do everything I wanted to do. Decided to tackle a jobs I wanted done both inside and outside simultaneously (first mistake), figured this time of year would work as it isn't exactly known to be a busy time on the island (second mistake in faulty thinking) and then my poor old brain totally forgot I LIVE on an ISLAND and so commodities only arrive when the BOAT docks (third mistake).

I am still the Queen of my kingdom however as I gaze upon my kitchen:



And stare out into the back yard:







I can just DREAM of what life will be like ONCE the drywall arrives, the cabinets arrive, the sink comes (all items ARE on order waiting for the order to be BIG enough to make it worth while to put on the boat and bring it over here) and all get hooked up.

I can just DREAM of sitting on the deck relaxing in the sun once the wood comes to actually surface it, once the railing guys come to measure the stairs and put in the order for rails and then WAIT 'til I DROP for the order to be big enough to make it worth getting on the truck that gets on the boat that brings the goods to the house that LLL decided to renovate in the WINTER!

And to even think about cutting down a Christmas tree! PFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTT

Oh dear, I'm sure it will be wonderful ..... Eventually

Now that's what I'd call a small DIY job, just the job to tide me over a few Winter months

Grab a ticket, hop a plane and come on over H! Got my sleeves rolled right up to my shoulders and the 'werk' just seems to keep mounting up.

Not quite sure what all I'm going to do about the outside "mountain" and, as for electric & plumbing I'm at a loss......total and complete loss and am being held ransom by electricians and plumbers who operate on their own time and agenda.

Only if its warm LLL we are having snow predicted soon so who knows, maybe a white Christmas. Although I say it myself, I am very practical and have never paid for a tradesman in my life other than once for a Plasterer and for a guy to install a new mains circuit breaker unit. I do all my own electrical, plumbing (gas & water) Building, Civils and Carpentry work. I don't need to do very much nowadays as it is all pretty well up to scratch, so I now limit my input to decorating as required and the odd bit of essential maintenance.

Mostly I've never really done a major renovation like this either but anytime I do do anything electrical or plumbing I do need a tradesman to come in and do it. Am also so leery these days of insurance implications if something isn't done properly (and I have no personal way of knowing if something is right or not) that anything done has to be done by a licenced and bonded tradesperson.

On another note the cabinets have arrived!!! On another note the carpenter just called saying he was ill!

Up one/down one Sighhhhhhhhhhhhh

Keep telling myself "soon, it'll all be over soon."

We have the same laws here regarding certain work having to be carried out by certified people, so i'm OK in that respect.

Wooo Hooo! Got the room mudded today (drying now), the cabinets have arrived and the installation should start early next week!

The outside reno - building of a deck - was actually ok. It is STILL in process but not disrupting everything IN here. This inside reno is AGGGHHHH driving me crazy. Dust everywhere, noise, turning the water and electric off and on AND I'm pushing 2 weeks WITHOUT having a washer or dryer.

Down to the last pair of knickers and pair of socks so am off to the dtrs house tomorrow to do all me laundry. I'll be SO happy once this is all finished up and done.

Don't let your carpenter forget to put in the back door LLL.

That's the way LLL, go and scrounge of the kids for a while that's the least they owe you over the years. Use their electricity, water, consumables and while your at it throw in a few free meals and probably some stuff to take back home with you and leave the ironing for your daughter. Drag it out as much as possible and with all the fiscal savings treat yourself to a little something.

@ Grandad -

@ H - I do intend to scrounge for all I'm worth! Going to stuff myself, watch telly, insist the dtr use light starch on my blouses, turn the heat up 'til it is like the tropics and intend to leave the laundry there 'til she carries it out to the car for me! I'm taking a goodie bag home with me and my tea too

That's the way to do it

She baked a really good ham tonight, potatoes, corn, garlic bread + dessert. Was a very nice evening meal Think I'll got back again tomorrow. Wonder how long I can just keep showing up before they catch on!

Quite a while how about a slight stumble on your way in and when they grab you to stop you falling, say something like "I'm OK, dont you worry about me, it's just the stress of living with all this mess" that may even get you a few nights respite care.

Good idea - might just try that one soon!