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I can remember shedding a few tears (of frustration) when house projects were going on and on (that was a couple of years ago now and I was FURIOUS) I know you must feel as if it is never-ending and also that things will never be clean again, but they will......and all the setbacks that are happening are not helping.
Try to hang on to what I told you: every day is another day nearer it being finished.
Do I wipe down stuff, or don't I?
I can taste the dust in my mouth again today, and even the keyboard is dusty.
Tomorrow they want to sand the plaster down...
There's just no point, is there?
If I had the money, I'd be in a travelodge.
I hope you are still taking pictures xxx
Why on earth they havent got the plastering right 1st time is beyond me, try to do just one tiny part of the house where you want to be for tonight, it is near impossible to do any cleaning at all till they have gone for good.
I am really sorry its so hard for you, if we wernt so far away you would have been really welcome to stay here xxx
I just feel I'm being such a big baby! I thought I'd left crying and panic attacks behind - and it doesn't seem to take much to set them off.
We're going to go to the scout hut for tea. Nice kitchen and a cooker there now!!
Ok. Plumber who should have been here Friday just been to say the problem with the hot water tank is nothing to do with the works.
Phoned housing association and they'll send a plumber tomorrow.
I'm so, so grateful we had that holiday in the sun. So little goes smoothly really (usually works out in the end...), but I'm so glad that holiday did....
Sitting here shivering. No point putting a heater on as the workmen leave doors open!
Wow Sparkling, have just been catching up with all your posts, and what's been going on your end. How awful for you and the children. Not at all surprised that you've been crying, I'd be weeping buckets too. Hope the youngest's asthma is ok. All of that and then the hoover!! Am thinking of you all. Take care. xx
Chin up, sparkling, we are all thinking of you and hope it helps to know that we are here 
Hi sparklinglime, do hope you are all ok tonight, panic attacks are so horrible arent they, mine are back with a vengence so really do understand, it doesnt take much to set them off does it.
Hope you manage to get some rest, tomorrow is a day nearer to them being gone for good, keep that in mind xxx
Went out for a drive through and went to Homebase to get some colour brochures. Looked at the Polycell stuff for the ceiling, and I think it will be needed at least in the living room. Really, we're not going to notice cracks anywhere else, are we? £33 a tub, but I'm sure it will d the living room and perhaps my bedroom maybe.
The offer on the paint will last into next week, I've been assured, although they have no finish date.
I didn't clean last night. I did buy a pack of 8 kitchen towels though, as chucking what ever you're wiping with is the only way to beat the dust, I think.
Also, someone told me its bank holiday next Monday and not the week after. I've suddenly lost the weekend to finish my essay, as it needs to be posted and is due on in Wednesday. Don't quite like to leave it until the day before. Mind you, proof of posting...
Youngest isn't feeling too good. Daughter full of cold.
Workmen in flourescent jackets everywhere.
Hi sparklinglime, sorry your youngest isnt well and daughter has a cold.
Glad the paint offer will still be on for you, the smooth over is a bit pricey but it is good xxx
Yes it is the bank holiday, that has come around quickly, half term here from Fri, only a week so its not too bad.
What are the workmen doing today at yours? xxx
I'm not sure what they'll be doing. Yesterday they just seemed to go in and out a lot without doing anything that I can see.
I think they're going to tile, but the supervisor was making a lot of 'not good enough' noises yesterday.
Have to say, the plasterwork is of a really poor standard, and it will be right if its rejected. Just part of me wants to scream out that I don't care! But I would after a bit...
I'd quite like to have the sockets back in the kitchen. Being without the cooker isn't good. They didn't take the manky one away yesterday, and looked at me 'funny' when I said it was dirty!
Yes it is better to get it as decent as possible before they go. Hope you see some progress today
sparklinglime, can I ask who the contractor is that is doing the work?
How long have you now been without a cooker?
Have the ha turned up to sort the hot water?
Do hope you are ok, I am thinking of you and sending you lots of positive hugs xxx
Hot water not done yet.
Contractors have been in and knocked a strip of plaster off by the cooker, saying it wasn't good enough... I actually thought that was one of the only parts that looked half reasonable 
Been without a cooker since the Wednesday they started. I can run an extension lead to the washer, so I can at least sort out clothes.
I met up with a friend for a diet coke and cake. It was her birthday last week. She lives about 15 miles away, but we haven't seen each other since about October! We had a good chat though. She's going to help me fill in a crisis loan form tomorrow - she's so good with forms (it is her son who was born with half a heart and had major surgery a couple of years back).
I'm afraid I can't see much more progress here today. New kitchens are going in all around me (we're not having a new kitchen). Might go and find the liason officer and give him a chance to liase.
I managed to find the supervisor for a chat.
Again comments were made about the amount of stuff in the house - he really does manage to make me feel like scum, actually. No one passed information to him after the three visits his colleagues made here about the problems we'd have clearing out.
The won't hire storage as it would cost them, but as I said to him, why should I be out of pocket more than I am?
They have more or less finished upstairs, with only finger guards to remove from behind sockets. Siân and I haven't wasted anytime ripping up the sticky polythene stuff they'd put over the carpets on the stairs.
Thinking of getting rid of the massive leather settee in our living room. Its served its purpose over the last five and a half years (it was second hand). The seats are splitting and the foam keeps coming out, even though I've put covers on them. I could get a smaller three seater then - mother-in-law would come to the auction with me to find one. Also its the most uncomfortable settee ever.
Suddenly I hate the things I have as they're so big. Far too big for what is a small house.
Still have a Z-bed and a camp bed for any visitors, and we're going to recover the bed settee...
Would quite like to get the house lovely (wouldn't we all!).
Hi sparklinglime, I hate that they are making you feel like that!!!!!!!!! No one has the right to make you feel that way in your own home, please complain about the way you have been treated and more so the way they have made you feel. I`m sure its the last thing you feel like doing right now but Louise is great at letter writing
Why are you not getting a new kitchen?
I cant believe you have been left with no cooker for a week.
Your HA and the contractor have a lot to answer for in my opinion, have you spoken to anyone else thats having the work done to see how they are finding things and the attitude of the workmen/site manager?
Is yours the 1st phase of work to be done or have they been doing this for a while in other houses?
I do hope they have now left you in peace for the evening xxxx
Yes, definitely complain. Victor Meldrew is at your service!
It is dreadful with no cooker for a week, and the lack of hot water. If they thought you had a lot of stuff they should have told you that before and helped you organise it.
Thinking of you
Hi sparklinglime
Just read your post. Sounds like you've been having an awful time - sorry to hear that.Hope you're ok.xx
Thank you all.
I was cleaning the upstairs yesterday, as they reckon there's not much to do there now (other than the bathroom).
I can hardly move today! Thought exercise was meant to be good for you.
At least its making me go out, even if it is avoidance! Went to get the fifteen year old from youth club, just in time to see them sending out a search party. He said it was such a nice evening he'd gone for a walk. He wasn't upset, so I guess it was just a walk.
Was talking with the youth club leaders then for ages, and then 15 year old's friend's mum (I do Cubs with her).
I'll do a letter when I get the essay done. I need to post this to be in by Wednesday. I'd been quite chilled thinking I had the weekend, until someone pointed out that it was bank holiday monday. 
I have a headache today. I'm being rebelious, as usually by now the cat and the dog are shut away and the key is in the door. Not done that yet! But I suppose I should...
I'm so lucky to have this house though. It will be great when its done (my mantra!). Do miss hot water and a cooker though.
sparkling sparkling, remember people can only make us feel how we let them. Next time your housing supervisor makes any negative comments and you feel rubbish, try and turn it around, how dare they? Fight back, it is rude and inexcusable.
I bet you have been very understanding, compromising and polite during all these interactions with them, toughen that shell girl and demand courtesy and respect. 
I have just been doing an article about help with fuel and water bills and during research I found that a lot of utility businesses are offering some sort of grant to people who are struggling. Go to you water or fuel supplier and see if they have any sort of trust fund.
Enjoy throwing out that sofa! And downsizing everything, you will feel so refreshed, new beginnings!
Has your headache cleared up a bit now?
Thank you Anna. I did actually tell him that after three visits they more than knew.
I also told him that the company needs to look up the definition of 'liason' in the dictionary... It's just inside I feel bad, as I know our house is so very full...
I will look into the water again. I did last year, but the only help there is is if you have a meter.
We've been really good with the electric, and our payment is going down £12 a month.
I don't feel too good actually, and think that what ever the youngest had yesterday I must have today. He's gone off to school feeling ok this morning.
The tiling has been done today, and I have been told the cooker will be connected tomorrow, as will the rest of the sockets.
Plumber has been to look at the hot water cylinder, and has decided that it actually hasn't be wired. Just after the electrician had said it had been.
Four men have managed to sort it out, and have just left the building. It will be lovely having some hot water tomorrow morning.
The liaison officer from their office came this morning, and she's put all in motion for the cooker being connected tomorrow.
She reckons she's not in a postion to help with decorating or the costs of having to buy take away meals, and agreed the cooker that was brought here was totally inadequate.
Picked my neighbour up from the station, and I've told here I won't be attending anymore tenant committee meetings as clearly, they don't seem to want to consider that tenant at all. Its a shame though, as I have enjoyed going to them, had felt I was being listened to, and felt I was getting on well with the staff.
All of that feeling has been shattered.
I've been wiping up white dust today after the tiler. Looks nice though.
Sponsored silence in Cubs and then Scouts tonight, so should be able to to more of the essay. Hope to finish it tomorrow and post on Saturday.
Off to the Scout hut now.
What fantastic timing, to have a sponsored silence tonight!!!
Great if you can get the cooker sorted and hot water and I am glad that you can at last begin to see what it will be like when it is finished
Did a bit of the essay.
I bought chocolate and marshmallows, so daugher melted the choc to the Cubs could dip the marshmallows in the chocolate.
I made pancakes for the Scouts - who were awful, actually!
The man who can turned up this evening just after we'd given up on him. CRB sorted, so now I can start my training to be a trainer by training him...
I can honestly not move without being in agony. I think I now know what the 'don't over do things' mean. I really didn't think there was a limit.
Eldest knows a handy man. I've asked if he can call, as I want to get on with the painting. Well, the ceilings anway. The children can sort their rooms out over the weekend so that the furniture can be moved back.
The worse is over.
At least until the bathroom gets done.
The dust though, is unbelievable. It just settles, no matter how much you've dettoxed and wiped with kitchen towels, it still comes back.
My fingers are so crossed that the cooker gets connected tomorrow.
Mine too!
The dust WILL go in the end, because it is finite. A good blast through with the dorrs open on a windy day will help.
Hope you are in less pain today.
Hi Sparkling. Fingers crossed here too for the cooker. The dust does take forever, no matter how many times you do it, but it will eventually get sorted. Hope you're feeling better today, not worth me saying take it easy, as I know you have so much to do, but do try and not overdo things, pace yourself, and listen to what your body is telling you!! That is a definate order hehe. xxx
Hi sparklinglime, sorry you are in so much pain, do hope it eases a little today.
It is Fri so they will leave you in peace for the weekend, the dust does go in the end, we found that the yellow CIF worked best, no idea why but it appeared to.
Thinking of you xxx
Tiles grouted.
Electric bits will be done tomorrow. At least we can have a lie-in on Sunday!
Have told this lot we can buy paint this weekend.
Tons of notes done of essay, so I'll start to type now the workmen have left the building and post it in the morning.
40% needed to pass. I've passed the course work bit.
Remind me not to carry on please, come August when I feel the need...
Just going to dettox and kitchen towel the kitchen and my desk, computer and monitor before I start...
Delighted things seem to be going ok your end. At least the tiles have been done, 
Did I mention grout?
Thank heavens you are seeing some progress. Good luck with the essay. Has the neighbour been behaving herself?
Hi sparklinglime, so happy that today has been a better day for you Hope each day gets a little easier from now on xxx
Neighbour is being good. Popped in with her mail from when she was away, and I was able to leave straight away. Her kitchen is gorgeous! Floor tiles and painted. I'm so pleased for her that's it's lovely.
I've forced my daughter to clean the bathroom - and I've told her it had better be gleaming when I go upstairs tonight. After all, she's the only one who does have time.
I feel I can breath today - despite the dust.
I know it's not over, but I feel we can move forward.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Y>>>E>>>A>>H!! (does little lap of honour round living room)
Thank you.
xx
Hi Sparklinglime
Glad things are progressing for you. Sounds like it has been one mighty long haul. Roll on when it is all over hey!
Louise, I now have a mental pic of you running around tyour living room ha ha.
Sparklinglime, do hope you are relaxing a little tonight, how are your aches and pains? Please rest as much as you can, impossible I know but please try xxx
It has been a long haul, and so glad that its come to this point.
Waiting for the electrician. No one's said a time, but just incase they're here at 8am.
I've hardly slept.
So focused on painting and really should check various balances first! The credit card is reducing my available credit as fast as I'm paying if off! Terrified to use it incase the letter arrived after I've bought some paint.
I did have £40 that I had for christmas from my in-laws, and had been holding on to that for what, I have no idea! That's been spent on fish n chips (they never have fish, its usually chicken for eldest and sausage for the other two boys. Daughter always has beef cutlet )
Must be brave and check.
Printer wouldn't work last night. I'm guessing which ever extension lead its plugged into isn't plugged in. I've emailed it to myself so I can go to my friends house and print essay off there.
I feel quite liberated with it done. No matter if I'll probably not continue. However, the talk is of my friends business closing again, as the big contractors they've applied for work for haven't even been awarded it. Talk is the lot who've done our estate will get it all. Four years worth of work, and no way would they or friends have anything to do with each other.
If I don't have a job, I might carry on with the young people road - which I'd quite like to do...
Moider, moider, moider....
Hi sparkling lime
Everything up in the air then? One day at a time, and baby steps, you know the drill all too well
Well done with the essay!
Have never heard of beef cutlet.....surely not in batter?
In spicey breadcrumbs! Always what she's chosen from when she was little!! Yuck...!
WOW, I must say that sounds revolting
Smells revolting too
Still no electrician to connect the cooker. I need a snooze!
Have a little rest instead?
I think the urge to go out and buy paint is becoming overwhelming.
And then I get up - or try to get up... 
I just wonder if I did put my feet up for a while if it will ease the ole' joints a bit.
I need to paint the patch of wall where I have the microwave on wall brackets.
I should focus on the ceiling though.
We're all getting anxious about the electricians now (could be my influence ). I feel like making a child or two block the exit from the our part of the estate until they do connect the cooker. I don't mind the other things waiting until next week. Do need the cooker though.
I've been up since 7am waiting for the electricians.
They haven't come.
Have had another panic attack, can't stop crying.
Daft really.
Its not daft at all xxx
I am livid here for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are treating you appaulingly, it isnt right!!!!!!!!!!
Do hope you are all ok, sending you a huge hug xxx
That is ridiculous.
I hope you sent "our" email?
Did you manage some rest last night? you must rest as much as you can in between activities.
sparklinglime, hope you are ok this morning.
I wondered of you could call your HA`s emergency repair service and get them to reconnect your cooker, it is thier responsibility to oversee the contractor who is doing the works for you and its seems there is precious little overseening being done for you, I would call them and demand that they sort your cooker out today xxx
I've sent the letter on Friday.
I've since got a child to post another.
I've put the two together and have sent them as an attachment to the HA.
I've told them that on average a take-away has cost £12 a day. I've told them what I paid in storage boxes (which I started to buy when we were first told about things back in March, so bit by bit) and that I have receipts.
How we have not had full and proper use of the house for at least a four week period.
And what are they going to address all these matters.
Also that a copy was being sent to their EO and to the AM (Welsh Assembly member, as all of this is directive from them and has to be completed by 2012).
A neighbour was sitting in her car, having been there most of the day due to workmen in her home. She's 80 next month. Not even as if I have a chair to invite her in.
It is affecting us all.
I'm not phoning anyone as an emergency tiredmum, as the hours this lot have worked, the do need a weekend.
I'm having 'evil' thoughts this morning though as they were in my neighbour's house all day. If I wasn't likely to burst into tears, I'd call to see if her house is completed. I have a feeling it will be, as she seemed to be at the same point as me, even though a new kitchen and bathroom - including tiling and flooring -had been done in the same period of time.
Not felt this low for a long time really.
I've told them to take the little cooker they brought in away. It's filthy! My oven isn't sparkling, but it is at least me dirt.
I can taste the dust today again. It just isn't healthy for any of us, never mind my son with asthma.
xxx