Plans

A few steps forward, ish, this week.

The two new kitchen wall units arrived. The hanging rail for them (not from the kitchen company), did not.   We had loads of drawer fronts arrive, and DH has been busy fitting them. It's not been without its challenges. If it could go wrong, it has!

One of the fronts wasn't in the order, not even on the delivery note.  The company sorted it out easily enough, but it will be another week or so before it is delivered.    We'll probably be ready by the time it arrives.

I also realised I'd missed a pair of drawer fronts off, and I'd also missed off a replacement for a chipped drawer.   I also realised, too late,  that I'd assumed we could cut down an existing door for one part, but I'd completely ignored the fact that the unit concerned  is a gloss finish whereas everything else is matt.  So that's a couple more bits that I need to get.  I'm sure there will be other bits, so I thought I'd wait and see before placing another order.

Separately,  the bits for the under sink plinth drawer arrived and DH fitted it.  It works really well, and I'd thoroughly recommend drawerboxes.co.uk.   

We've also been working on plans for an extension.  We actually engaged an architect some months ago, but things didn't go to plan (pun intended) as the poor chap was ill for a while. We only got the outline plans a week or so ago, we are nowhere near submitting for approval.  The builder is coming this week to give us his views on what we are trying to do.

We've agreed (between ourselves) on the overall size of the extension, and the changes that will be necessary to accommodate it.     We're also in agreement that there are 3 places to put the lift, and we're sort of in agreement about the most likely place.  We've agreed on some internal wall removals both upstairs and in the downstairs utility room area.

We haven't yet worked out how we will do the downstairs bathroom layout (which is a practical thing rather than a fundamental disagreement),  we haven't agreed on the items that are going in the downstairs bathroom,  and we haven't talked at all about the utility layout.  We haven't agreed about windows, or door placement.    I'm anticipating a lot of agreements,  some mild differences of opinion,  and quite a few arguments.   

We've been together 40 years, and we still argue about most things. 

 

 

 

 

 

Visits

Mum came to stay for a week.   DB and I had bought her an ultralight carbon fibre rollator for her birthday present, and it was fantastic.  Bright red,  superbly styled, turns on a sixpence, and really is the lightest rollator in the world.  It's by ByAcre, a Danish company,  and it is... amazing.  She loves it!

The week passed quickly, in a good way.   We try and make these visits feel like "normal", so we spend a lot of time just doing normal stuff, as if Mum has popped in from across town.   We drink a lot of team chat a lot,   do a bit of shopping,  watch a bit of TV, and go out occasionally.

This time we caught up with a couple of uncles and an aunt-in-law while Mum was here, and that was very enjoyable. We're very grateful that Uncle C and Auntie P came over, it's a bit of a trek for them.   Separately, our lovely cousin and his equally lovely wfire popped in to say hello.

 Mum is struggling with the stairs, so we are looking at accelerating our plans for installing a lift.  There will be a time when she won't be able to come and stay any more, so we want to make the intervening time as visitable as possible.

We  played lots of Scrabble.  The RNIB version, with large tiles which sit securely on the board, is fantastic.  We all have sets now.     Mum plays most days with one of the other residents at her Home, and it's really made a difference to her.     I'm so happy that I suggested a game when she was last here.

DB and I are off to see Mum again this week, and we're staying at a local place (like an Air B&B, but direct).   We have two places that we favour, one near where Mum lives now and one near where she used to live (when Dad was still alive).     This particular place,  we have stayed at many times over the last few years, the hosts are wonderful.    There is a downstairs bedroom and bathroom, so Mum can come to stay overnight as well, and we're hoping she'll do that this time.  It extends the time we get to see her, and again we can do "normal" things together.