Pre-Christmas Rush

[Flyfisher]

I gave up expecting our new kitchen to be ready for Christmas a while ago. The granite worktops were not going to be ready in time, the gas supply to the boiler won't be ready and the boiler stove wasn't being delivered until 'sometime in January'. As if that wasn't enough, our only working open fireplace cannot be used at present because the chimney stack that was external to the house leaks smoke when the fire is alight - not previously a big problem but now that it is enclosed by the new kitchen extension . . . .

Then, yesterday, the stove people rang to say the boiler stove is ready for delivery and today the granite people turned up to measure up and will be able to install in 2-3 weeks. So, suddenly, my relaxed schedule has turned in to a bit of a panic because there's now a real possibility of cooking our own Christmas dinner in a passably warm house. Luxury!

If only the lime screed in the fireplace had set the first time, I wouldn't now be in such a rush!

Is anyone else rushing to get certain things finished in time for Christmas?

 

[skier-hughes]

Yes me, that's the lime plastering saga, so utility, wetroom and pantry are finished, thus workroom becomes dining room again and we can accommodate the 12/4 guests who are coming for Xmas dinner.............

 

[mattice]

The pressure… two sets of French doors to install... DIY or get a man in…. it can't be that difficult can it? The pressure will be on if I rip the old ones out and can't get the new ones to fit! Chilly (and probably lonely) xmas :lol:

Good luck with the warm kitchen screed!

 

[tobydog]

No rush from a building standpoint but from a general condition standpoint we are soon to feel like paupers. Our youngest (23 and at university) has a girlfriend who comes from Texas. Parents have the big all American modern house in Houston with all the immaculate trimmings. We are living in a 2/3 bed thatched cottage which is still looking rather scruffy around the edges with holes in walls where buidling / drying out work has commenced. The problem is that the parents are visiting over Christmas / New Year and I'm convinced we'll remind them of early settlers!! I'm sure they will think it's very quant but I'm off on Friday to restock on F&B and get a carpet cleaner. I think some subdued lighting in the old parts will be required. They love small dogs and we have a wire haired dacshund puppy so he should distract them as well.

 

[angrybird]

I'm hoping to be moved in to our project for christmas!! i'm so excited! I want the biggest christmas tree in the forest ! Goodness knows what we will be eating as I still haven't mastered the art of the Aga :? everything so far has come out cremated ! i'm still trying to convince Mr AB that carbon is good for digestion :lol:
My Mother is coming to stay, she is so houseproud! so i'm going to wrap her some sparkly Marigolds and a feather duster as a surprise gift from Father Christmas :lol:

"up there for thinking ....down there for dancing" :wink:

 

[Flyfisher]

Goodness knows what we will be eating as I still haven't mastered the art of the Aga :? everything so far has come out cremated !

My lovely dear-departed Mother-in-law was a wonderful cook but would occasionally forget about something in the Rayburn, which was then duly carbonised as you describe. It was not uncommon to visit and find the recent 'trophies' nailed to the kitchen ceiling beams by an exasperated FiL. :lol:

 

[PeterI]

I want the biggest christmas tree in the forest !

There's a feeling I know. Since I used to be in a basement flat with relatively low ceiling heights and now have 10 foot high ceilings with loads of room I'm thinking of getting an eight foot high tree this year. I suspect I may regret this when it comes time to decorate!

The builders are (hopefully) back to do some work on the chimney stack and clean up the repointing they did so I'm hoping the scaffolding will be down for Christmas.

Our pre-Christmas rush happened last week as I put a spare bed frame up and ordered a mattress.

 

[Penners]

I'm in the process of installing a new downstairs bathroom. I ripped out the old one months ago, but various spinal problems have prevented me from making progress on the new installation until recently.

My 98-year-old father is coming to stay for Christmas, and he's a bit dodgy on the stairs, so I'm rushing to get the downstairs facilities ready in time for his visit.

Needless to say, "rushing" doesn't mean foregoing my posting time on PPUK!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I hope that the new bathroom, tailor made to suit your venerable Papa, will equally serve you well as you approach your more senior years!

Glad your back is better! xx

 

[LadyArowana]

Nothing as exciting as installing new toilets happening here, but I am sewing elephants for the Christmas tree :lol:

 

[Penners]

I am sewing elephants for the Christmas tree

 

[Zebra]

Oh gosh no, no rush for Christmas. I'm very little further forward than I was last Christmas, what with the new job and the broken neck and all. But my mother does want her garage back, which means that I must lay the two pallets of reclaimed tongue-and-grooved oak which are currently stored there.
I feel for you tobydog, having to impress prospective relatives, so to speak, whilst living in a house which requires a certain perspective to admire its qualities. The friend who stayed with me here last Christmas hasn't been in touch since........

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol:

I refuse to rush for anyone and that includes Christmas.

I have a lovely leisurely Christmas present from my darling husband this year, at the moment it looks like a gigantic bomb crater with a mini digger perched above precariously, but in 2 years it will be the Chinese Lake, and mandarin ducks will sunbathe on the pagoda whilst I sip oolong tea and plant lilies and jasmine.

Good luck with all your projects!

 

[Penners]

Hang on! I thought the plan was for an enormous water storage sump.

Are you planning to join the ducks in the lake?

 

[JoceAndChris]

Yes! ( the water project continues to meander, and I get distracted by pretty things)

 

[Penners]

Ah yes, I know the problem.

There was this blonde in Tesco's yesterday...