All these things that I have done
So, an update. It's been a while since I did a proper one of those. Not sure why - have been rather quiet/shy online lately for no particularly good reason.
Had a meeting with the architect this lunchtime to check some stuff about the boiler, which will have to be moved as part of the building work, annoyingly. Aparently, we can have it downstairs even if the bathroom is upstairs which sounds weird to me, but far be it from me to contradict the architect (actually, even if this turns out to be untrue, there is somewhere sensible we can put it so I'm not worried). We have now sent off our paperwork for buildings regs and I have to start asking around for quotes from builders. This is rather scary as then the cost of the project will actually start to become real. Yikes!
Ended up having a very quiet weekend as ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
white_hart and topicaltim were in no state to come over for Sunday lunch. It was quite nice, actually, though. Alex and I played a co-op career in GHIII, me on medium rhythm (relaxing :)) and him on easy bass (first time) so that when Rock Band comes out we'll be in practice. Actually, I wonder if I could pick up a copy while I'm in the states - will it work on a UK PS2 if I do that? Mind you, strikes me as something that it would be tricky to get onto the flight home :)
We can has planning permission!
After remembering while discussing it with people last night that one could check planning permission applications online, I went to look for ours today and found this - it's been approved!
And, just as Ruth suggested, they have been working right up to today - it was approved on Friday and printed today according to that.
I just love watching Relocation, Relocation. I love looking at what other people do with their houses. I love this house, particularly this living room; I really need to get on with doing the work I want to do here. I ought to at least get our bedroom finished - it's really close, after all.
We had a builder round this evening to talk about the whole extension thing and give some very rough ball park figures. He's a friend of a friend apparently and actually lives on our road, both of which are great recommendations and actually, we really hit it off. It made me feel much more hopeful about the project as a whole - I think we could manage it, although we'd be pushing things. It'd be worth it though.
Right. This time, I've got to try not to forget to take the milk bottles for Brownies! In fact, I have a veritable car load of stuff to go home this evening, as my internet wine has arrived at last - hoorah! I think that currently leaves me expecting only one parcel, so I shall have to order some more treats :)
Visit from the architect was interesting, but unfortunately (look, Mum!) the cost estimate is much more than I was expecting. As my original guess was more or less plucked out of the air and it seems comparable to what others have paid, I guess it's not particularly overblown, either so we may need a rethink, although I think I'll try and get a second opinion too.
Squee! Emailed an architect and got an actual response and now have arranged a meeting for Monday after we get home from Norfolk. The extension project may be on it's way!
Planning and prioritizing
Well, I got in touch with a couple of architects today to set the ball rolling on our possible extension (yes, Mum, you can start squeeing now :) ), which is very exciting. And I contacted 2 people about floorboard restoration yesterday.
( what floorboards? )
But I digress. Anyway. The point is that the New Year seems to have put me into a kind of spring cleaning mode and things which I've been meaning to do for quite a bit have started to get done again. Unfortunatly, I let my list kind of pile up in December so there's quite a bit of stuff that I've either started or definitely committed to do which needs to get done:
- Opal for Scrapbook - this was camomiletea's treat for halloween so I really ought to pull my finger out!
- Brownie planning for this term (arranged for next Weds)
- Bills for Jan (really must do this tonight!)
- Cancel Sky subscription (this really ought to be easy!)
- Review finances re. extension project. Start making plans to move/re mortgage (to get good rate again).
- 2 more gifts for sekrit bunneh (should be easy - just have to remember to take posting time into account)
- Read chap 5 of course book. Decide which essay to do for second OU assignment.
- Do Brownies accounts for last term. Pay last terms rent. Call parents of Brownies we have places for now.
- Shop for Xmas coat with Alex
- Collect or arrange for visitor to bring chest of drawers for bedroom from Norfolk
I've been thinking about making one of those coloured timetable thingies assigning each of my evenings to one of my different project (Brownies, Support, house, etc) but actually, that's just a way for me to procrastinate and I wouldn't stick to it anyway - I wouldn't manage anything rigid. I do need to spread my energy better though - I tend to get all involved in one area and let the others tread water. Perhaps just try to make sure each area with pending tasks gets one evening in my week where I spend a little time on it.
Day 2
So, as my brief post from yesterday indicated I plan to make a post per day to my LJ this year. It will be interesting to see how that survives contact with (for example) Glastonbury but it's worth a shot. I reserve the right to do 2 word posts on slow days though :)
Looking back at last year's resolutions, I'm not doing too badly there. The routine thing started well but didn't really stick but up until the last month I would have said I'd got a lot better at making sure things didn't slip through the net. Still worth working on that one. All the others have actually been pretty much achieved, which is a nice thought.
This year is going to be the big party so of course I want to organise that and see it go sucessfully. I want to pass my OU course and choose my next one. I want to find out how feasible it would be to start a Guide company and, if possible, get it going. I want to keep more on top of the housework and keep the house looking nice all year round. I want to make better use of the time between getting home from work and when we eat (which has expanded this year as Alex gets home much later than me). I want to start playing my violin again (possibly in the early evening time) and to pass on my cello to someone who will actually get use out of it as, much as I love it, I just don't play it. I want to commission the extension from an architect
I also want to do something about my weight but I'm hesitant about making that an actual resolution because I currently feel rather powerless about the whole thing. I haven't found any strategies in the whole of my period of trying to lose weight (about 5 years now) which I've been able to maintain in the long term. Still, I do plan to go back to my doctor this year and see if she can make any suggestions for what I could do. I also plan to go to the gym after work for a workout once a week. That will need to be straight after work as my gym membership only allows entry until 5:30 and I find lunchtimes are not long enough for me to do a proper workout on the machines. I should be able to find at least one evening per week though. I also plan to cycle to work as much as possible - Fridays are out because of Brownies but other than that only heavy rain or the combination of a strong wind with a very heavy cold (as then I can't breathe enough) are allowed to deter me. Fingers crossed, I guess!
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