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It wont be the same people on call and the ones that are usually choose to be, at least thats what happens here, just thinking you should maybe call them to cover your back as it were, they will no doubt ask why you didnt when they do look into your complaint xxx
Please try to keep going, I know its hard, how are your aches and pains today xxx
I'm calmer today. Got the oldest to track down the slow cooker, so curry for tea.
Also, a very dear friend suggested toasting waffles for the youngest who is mega fussy! So oldest walked down to Asda to get a box!
I'll be ok. Just yesterday I was so upset...
My friend who moved away, her husband happens to be ceo with a housing association. He's putting a letter together with a claim. He's assured us we can't get evicted...
Half the problem with me is I'm fine and then I crash!
Terrible really.
Hope the waffles work for youngest Sparkling. No one could blame you for crashing, especially with the major upheaval that is going on at yours right now. I'd be ranting, and kicking some a**** by now. Keep your chin up. xxx
I`m with you on that one hazeleyes, I am very placid but we all have limits and sparklinglime you must have the patience of a saint xxx
Realy pleased that your friends husband is helping you, what made you think you could be evicted, this is their doing not anything you have caused
Slow cookers are great arent they, I use mine a lot especially in winter, my halogen oven is also really good, I would reccomend them too.
Hope you have a peaceful evening, thinking of you xxx
It's the home straight now, sparkling lime. It has really taken it out of you and let us fervently hope that this coming week will see a big improvement 
Well done on the letters/emails
It is the home straight. I was stupid enough to believe what I was told with things taking a week rather than three, which is why I packed the slow cooker away. You sort of think it will be ok tomorrow...
Anyhow, we had to clear shelves and take them down, which is why it was in the garage.
I have been trying to persuade the boys that they don't want one bright red wall and three deep blue, and that a lighter blue would be better... I think I've lost that one though! We will be getting paint this morning, so they can make a start.
Blimey sparkling lime that sounds very bright!!!! Good luck with the paint-buying, let us know.
C has been asking for the past year to have red walls too!! At the moment, he has dark blue, and light blue. In need of a touch up, but not desperately.
Hope you get some good offers on the paint Sparkling. When I paint, I cut up an onion, and leave it around the room. Someone once told me it takes the smell of paint away (don't know if it works though) although I guess it did help a bit. Of course, the paint is made different nowadays isn't it?
Ooh I have never heard that before, what a good idea!
Desperately trying to remember where I've written down the pin number for the credit card! 
Hi sparklinglime, hope the paint buying goes well, red in the bedroom gosh thats brave xxx
Hope you have a good day xxx
A friend of youngest's is going to call. It's the friend I was speaking to yesterday. Her husband is coming up to see his parents - his Mum isn't too good, and so their son is going to come and play with youngest.
Youngest is so excited.
I'll have to see what time Homebase closes. I can see the painting isn't going to get done in a hurry as I hoped! Also, I'm not sure if my debit card is blocked as I decided to pay a few bills and sort car insurance on Saturday. So I might go to the hole in the wall in town. Can't face being embarrased at a till!
That's nice Sparkling, that your youngest will have someone to occupy him today. Hope they all have fun. Who is going to Homebase with you? Not sure what time they close on Bank Holidays. Once the painting gets started, they'll get into it (I'm sure)
Hi sparklinglime, how did the paint shopping go and how are you feeling tonight xxx
We didn't get there, as youngest's friend was here.
Had some fabulous ammunition to use tomorrow the the contractors...
Oh do tell xxxx
This chap is a CEO of a housing association down south Wales way.
The contractors have submitted a bid to do work for his area, and he will be interviewing them next month. I can tell them that a 'good friend has called (they are good friends...) was shocked to see the standard of work and asked who the contractors were - seems he'll be inteviewing you next month...'
He'll also be telling them that he has seen a property of unacceptable standards where they have done the work.
He left with a grin, and he will do it.
I just needs the guts to now.
GO FOR IT, sparkling!!!
Oh yes definitely do it xxx
Wish you could take pics of their faces when you tell them that xxx
Didn't see anyone until after 3pm. Despite keeping an eye out for the supervisor, he seemed to manage to avoid me. I happened to bump into him as I was taking tent poles to my son (he was camping last night to celebrate end of the first year. They're starting second year tomorrow - off on Wednesdays).
"All your stuff is in the van ready, but its been called away to Conway (30 miles away). I'm afraid I - very politely - came if him a lecture, and told him that I don't want to know where the stuff is until its in the house being fitted. Also reminded him that he'd been promising hot water and to connect the cooker since Thursday.
Told me he could only ask the contractors, and they didn't have to listen to him! So, I questioned his role, told him that my friend - who just happens to be CEO of blah-de-blah (a very Welsh name that even I struggle with) in Dyfed and he was now looking forward to interviewing the firm next month.
No satisfactory reaction, but from what I gather from talking to another resident on the estate (the one who collapsed on my doorstep in shock), that this supervisor has had a few tenants running after him...
I was in this woman's house for a while (I know her quite well), and she is so stressed. She was telling me how her neighbour has had a new kitchen even though he only had the last one two years ago... Every one keeps telling me how they or a neighbour or there's has had a kitchen even though they've had a kitchen in the last couple of years! Anyway, her neighbour said he'd phone them up and get a new kitchen for me - I told him that perhaps two weeks ago I'd have said yes please (they do look fantastic, and the floor gets tiled right through - kitchen/diner - and then they PAINT! I have a dream of putting a nice kitchen in myself at somepoint in the future though ( )
This woman's grandson - my youngest's friend - is going through Chemo now, as they've found two tumours and lymphona(?). It was lovely to see him and his Mum. His hair had started to fall out the day before...
This poor woman is having to deal with the worry of her grandson and the stress of the house. She will give them what for though! Her house is beautifully decorated. She's quite upset about it all.
The staff at the housing association were all off yesterday. Apparently they have to use all their holidays up. So the email I sent yesterday morning will be pretty ineffective.
Speaking to this woman and her neighbour yesterday, I told her about my thoughts on having a residence committee for the estate. Someone like her neighbour would make a great Chairman. Mouthy, but in an intelligent way (if you get my drift). I'm more than happy to set it all up, and the housing association does have a communtiy officer who would help (as I've thought about it before, but haven't had the time to do anything).
I still haven't sorted paint, but have run out of money, so it should wait - and then I look at my sons room, and need to get that done so the beds can all be moved back and youngest can move back in (still in the living room).
Anyway, in theory, something might be done today...
Residents' committee sounds a good idea
Of course I am not happy that other people have problems as well but I am relieved to hear that you are not the only ones.
Sounds like you want to make the boys' room the next priority. Hopefully they will all get back to the offices as well today and you can get things moving for the cooker re-connection
Workmen arrived. Different electricians (again) and stunned there's been no hot water for two weeks. Straight upstairs to see what the problem is.
He's even going to see if he can some information about the walk-in shower. Also puzzled look when I told him we'd got fed up of clearing work tops and caging animals for a week without anyone doing anything.
Not building my hopes up.
Children ranting and stomping, as they need to get to sockets, so 15 year old had to leave youtube! Warned workmen that he does have mild autism, as I can see he's going to kick off when the power is switched off for most of the day.
Can't go out as I have to wait in for a delivery and it has to be signed for.
I'll go and have a hunt in the garage for the ruddy credit card and hopefully a book with my pin number for the thing noted down. That's if I remember the cryptic code to needed to relate it to the credit card. As you can see, it is very rarely used... Worth it for the paint.
Have printed off crisis loan form. Figure it is an upheaval. Friend is going to help me complete it.
Not counting on it...
No call yet from the housing association, and no answer at their offices...
Fingers crossed for all that is going on for you, just think one day this will all be a distant memory. It sounds absurd and downright illegal surely to leave you like this with a family and home to run. You definitely deserve some sort of compensation.
sparklinglime, I`m so sorry they are still treating you so badly, who does the guy work for who said the contractors dont have to listen to him? He wants sacking for a start.
How is your son doing, it must be hard for him to have all of this going on and seeming to not end xxx
Thinking of you and sending you a big hug xxx
Hoping my end that you soon have hot water, and the cooker re-connected. Thinking of you all. xx
My fifteen year old has dug out the crispy chickens and the oven chips and is putting them into baking trays, and is about to put them in
THE OVEN
He hasn't had a good day, but I have had him focused on tea all day.
I am exhausted.
The supervisor is coming back tomorrow as there are chunks of plaster missing around sockets etc. Some lights aren't working still, but I have had a new strip light, which is lovely.
Yet more dust everywhere, so yet more cleaning. I really am struggling to walk at the moment.
Dog and cat so happy to be out of the cages! I do think they have more time to do in them yet though.
Anyway, back to dettoxing and kitchen toweling. Have finally got the kettle plugged in, so I can at least have hot water to do scrub my fridge. Dettox doesn't seem to work very well, it needs the hot water too!
Still no hot water though.
Heard from the housing association, and the girl I spoke to had read the letter and is so sorry how things have been. She sounded genuine enough.
So glad we can start to use the contents of the freezer though, as I have run out of money!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Glad you have managed to keep your son busy, bless him it must be so difficult for him to stay calm but he is doing great xxx
Well at least as you say you can use the oven xxx
Why do you not have any hot water yet?
What are you going to do about paint etc, can you not badger the HA for it now as they really are responsible for all of your upset xxx
Please try and rest as much as you can, I know thats almost impossible for you at the moment but it sounds like you have overdone things, you would be telling me the same xxx
Indeed she would tiredmum!
So pleased you now have use of oven. I'm sure you're exhausted, having kept fifteen year old focused on something else for the day. xx
The chap who I need to speak to is off until Monday, as is the girl I get on well with.
The HA and the contractors are, in theory, working together to sort it! They say it needs a thermostat, but the plumber who the HA sent last week replaced it **sigh**
Fifteen year old's face is like a 100w light bulb, having dished tea out. I could weep for him. Goodness knows how his mind works. Poor, poor boy.
HOORAY YOU HAVE AN OVEN!!!!!
If I could, I'd be kissing the floor
...steady on!!!
Well... once its mopped!
OK OK, I get the picture....
I'd need a winch too...
Trying to find paracetamol! I can't stand hahahahahaha!!! Just when I can finally make an ommlette.
Oh sparklinglime, you have managed to make me smile, thank you xxx I`m off to shop now back soon though xxx
Hope you're ok
I have cleaned the sink.
Kettle boiled and pan and saucepan have hot water to soak of the solid plaster and dust 
I had been planning on an early night
I am ok thank you, just one of those days and for not particular reason xxx
You do need to rest you know xxx
Hello sparkling lime,
Another day and let us hope that the hot water will be on soon. It truly is absoiutely disgraceful. keep a note of how many days and we can do another Victor Meldrew in due course.
I've dropped a copy of the letter in the assembly member too.
I feel absolutley shattered today - and I slept ok too! Absolutely run out of money though. And I need fuel to get to Cub camp over the weekend.
Just as well I can't find the credit card, as I would be cross if I used it...
how are you feeling now? No wonder you are shattered!!!!!!!!! xxx
What will you do about money, petrol etc?
How is your son today xxx
I've had £20 wages this morning, so can put that in the car. Just not sure if eldest has got a driving lesson, as he usally has it! His test is on the 8th, and if he's got two hours booked, well he's had it. I still have the money that he needed for the test in an envelope, so I'm hoping next week wil be covered!
That should cover the weekend, as I'm not staying, as they're all sleeping on the floor. There are two leaders, and two young leaders (daughter is one), so hopefully they'll be ok. Its only half an hour away if I need to get there in a hurry. I'll leave late and get back early.
In theory, so long as I get a receipt, I can take one trip out of funds.
It is now three weeks since work started properly.
The supervisor (who I think has been putting stuff on hold after I was assertive asking to come in at 9.15pm on the first day) asked if the house had been signed off as passed. What?? I said.
We still don't have hot water. Still have holes in walls and ceilings, and no doors on the kitchen or the built in kitchen cupboard (where the meter is).
I typed out a 24 point snagging list which I also emailed to the HA.
I have a migraine. Can't imagine why.
I would have had a migraine every day for three weeks if I were you. Let us hope the 24 points will be addressed asap
They're working through it well.
Waiting for the liaison officer to come with the customer satisfaction sheet. I'm looking forward to this.
Thank you.
I've been striking through the snagging list I typed out for them. More or less all done.
Funny how they've managed this on the final day of the maximum period the work was going to take...
The reason I went onto the tenants forum was in the hope that I could perhaps get the staff to see things from the view point of the tenants.
They knew I was homeless with four children, yet it was 8 weeks from when I was told I had the house to when I moved in. They put in a kitchen and painted OVER existing wall paper - oh yes, and took out the beautiful carpets that were here and the light fittings.
I think this debacle shows they don't actually give a monkies. If they did they'd have a rep from the HA association doing site visits.