Thursday 15 July 2021

Life at Lavender Lodge

 


Hello ... remember me 😃

Sorry I've been away sooooo long, it's been a tough couple of weeks.   We officially moved into our new homes on the 3rd July, which seems like a lifetime ago.  With my ongoing back pain and now blood pressure problems I have been doing everything   s o   s l o w l y   it's been unbearably hard for someone that is used to cracking on and just getting things done.

Hopefully I will be able to get back to regular blogging once we have gotten this weekend out of the way.  We are completely emptying the flat over the next few days, I say we but it's mostly Alan doing the lifting and shifting with me sat like pained-face royalty issuing instructions.  

There's only bits left but bits nevertheless and they do need bringing here ... especially my boxes of tinned and packeted foods.  All but the large bookshelves we have now sold on Facebook Marketplace, with the little sofa being picked up just last night.  We have a cleaning company coming in next week for an end-of-tenancy clean and then I will hand the keys over early and hopefully get my deposit back.  I have plans for the money 😉


My kitchen is almost complete, I am just awaiting delivery of an upright piece, a small section of worktop and my oven ... but excitingly with my new hob came a free gift, I say free in the loosest sense of the word as the little multi-functional hob cost an arm and a leg as far as I'm concerned.  But I'm getting used to it and it cooks food as it should, if I press all the right buttons in all the right order!!

And with it being an induction hob only certain pans will actually work on it.  I was thinking about streamlining my pan collection anyway ... now I have no choice  😄



I'm taking full advantage of any useful spaces that I have in this tiny annexe that I now call home, so the shelf under the combi-boiler has been requisitioned as my tool and bits and pieces cabinet.


And Ginger has claimed the off-cut of sleeper to have as his evening vantage point.  As you can see in the top photo all the animals have settled in extremely well, having their own outdoor space once again and the day-long access to both Mum and Dad's homes has made them very happy and relaxed indeed.  

Happy animals = happy us.

Oh, and as you will have noticed from the new header the name of my new abode is - Lavender Lodge.  Which ties me neatly back to my roots and my beloved little shop in Ulverston where I sold lavender plants and goodies of all descriptions.

Back soon.


Sue xx




62 comments:

  1. Not much room for you on that sofa Sue! Hope you both will be happy in your new homes now that everything is nearly finished.

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    1. Thank you, yes they do love my new sofa 😄 🐕🐕🐱

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  2. Roll on flat handover then you can truly settle in.

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    1. Yes, it will be good to hand the keys back, but it's been handy having our own parking spot in town, and room to park the truck while our off-street parking is finished here at our new place.

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  3. What a perfect name for your lovely new home! I do hope your back improves soon, it's a complete pain when you want to crack on with 'stuff' and can't!!!

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    1. It took me a while to think of a name, but once I hit on Lavender Lodge it just seemed so right ❤️

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  4. I'm still working out my induction hob too, especially if a pan gets lifted off and put back then things start flashing for no reason (or I should say no reason I can figure out)
    If your animals were watching TV one of them obviously found it very boring!

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    1. We were watching Come Dine with Me, I don't know why Mavis and Ginger found it so fascinating, there were no animals on screen. Suky was snoring away and not even slightly interested for once.

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  5. Congratulations! Glad you are getting settled - so many complications but teamwork pulled you through!

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    1. Yes, it's been a long slow renovation and moving process, but by the end of next week we should have all our belongings here instead of things being in the flat, storage facility and here. It will make life a lot easier. 🙂

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  6. I love the new name and the header picture. So glad you are settling in. Just a pity about the ongoing back problem. Good to have Alan to shout orders to though. Looks like the animals are also settling in nicely. Looking forward to seeing more as you get everything finished the way you want.

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    1. Thanks, yes we are all settled in nicely and developing routines. The weather has been so nice the dogs have eating outside for every meal 😃

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  7. Marvelous! I am sorry to hear your back and now blood pressure issues are still a problem. I hope there is some resolution soon. You have a very nice little home.

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    1. Thanks, hopefully my health issues will sort themselves out soon. I love my little home ❤️🏡

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  8. I love the name of your lovely home! I also noticed the dogs have nice, new lavender collars! Ginger looks happy in his new yard and I'm sure he has enjoyed investigating the new home and yard. Sorry to hear about your blood pressure in addition to your back. I wonder if your back hurting you for so long eventually ran your blood pressure up. Take care of yourself and enjoy settling into Lavender Lodge!

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    1. Well spotted, they have usually have red collars, but I thought it was time for a change 🐕🐕

      Yes the Dr said the ongoing continual pain has had a part in raising my blood pressure 😞

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  9. It's all looking great...though there is not a lot of space for you on the comfy sofa (or maybe not so comfy for your back?) I have squeezed some shelves under my boiler, too. It's surprising how much will go in there. I'm trying to empty the under stairs cupboard so I can have a downstairs loo fitted there...a way to go yet. Maybe I can empty one section of my wardrobe and put the vacuum cleaner and sack of dogfood in there? Or put the vacuum in the boiler cpd, and my walking boots in the wardrobe?

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    1. Oh don't worry there's lot's of space for me on the sofa, it's bigger than it looks :-) I know exactly what you mean about juggling where things can go ... and then trying to make it logical !!

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  10. Lavender lodge sounds lovely. I hope your back recovers soon, I know how you feel, when you e been an active person then suddenly laid up. Looking forward to a house tour. X

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    1. House tour coming up when it looks more like an organised space ... you'd be shocked at the moment ;-)

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  11. What a lovely name - it goes so well with the colour scheme. SO sorry your back is still horrible and that raised blood pressure is a problem too. Moving is a stressful experience anyway and you really did take the scenic routs.
    It will be wonderful when all is done and dusted and you are completely settled.
    I didn't notice the collars until it was mentioned but don't they look smart.
    xx

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    1. The dogs both LOVE their collars for some reason, it's almost as though they are proud when they get them put on ... new ones especially.

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  12. Lavender Lodge...love it! It made me just now take a deep breath and relax.
    I see an unused pet bed, guess that's your new seat. ;)

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    1. Haha ... it was supposed to be for Suky to sleep in at night in my bedroom, but she's been going to her Dad's to cuddle in to Mavis instead. I daren't take it away as it's usually in use at least a couple of times a day by one of the three furries.

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  13. It's all coming together perfectly, isn't it? So exciting to watch it all unfold!

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  14. I do love the new name and how appropriate with the new sofa. Sorry that your back is still playing up and I hope that the BP issues settle down once you are settled - between the back pain and the stress of moving it's probably not surprising. Take care.

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    1. There have been lots of little lavender touches added to my new place since I moved in, as a choice of colour for me it's always green first and then lavender a close second.

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  15. Happy pets make a very happy home. The photo shows 3 pets nicely settled in on the sofa. Lavender Lodge is a wonderful name for your new home. Settling in along with some R&R will be important as I do hope you begin to feel better soon.

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    1. I'm currently alternating rest and activity on a thirty minute cycle ... no wonder things are taking me so long!!

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  16. Love the new header photo and name for your home "Lavender Lodge" it's just perfect:) Lovely to see all the fur babies have settled in. Hopefully you can be up and running again soon Sue. We downsized 2 years ago but had to increase our tiny home as it was too tiny haha. We named our new home "Lavender Cottage" Although I refer to our family living in the Manor and we live in the Lodge (To The Manor Born) we bought a large block with 2 separate homes. Now why didn't I think of Lavender Lodge instead of boring Lavender Cottage:(

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    1. Lavender Cottage is a beautiful name, I only called my place Lavender Lodge as a lodge is traditionally an annexe or a gateway home to a main house ... and of course the double L is a reminder of Wales.

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  17. Love the name! And, even if you can't do much, at least you're in! Must feel good. Best wishes. Ann M

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    1. Yes, it's such a relief that the flat is about to be handed back to it's owner and we are finally in. Thank you for the good wishes. xx

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  18. Thank you for making the time to let us know how you are. I've been wondering how the move has gone.

    Dare I say if all three four-paws are going to sit on your sofa like that you will need a bigger piece of furniture (ducking, running away very fast!!) 😹 😹 😹

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    1. No need to duck and run, there is plenty of room for two adults and three fur babies on this sofa, it's a good sized three seater and luckily our kids are all small so it should last us a good few years ;-)

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  19. Hello Sue, nice to hear from you. Lovely to see that you're almost there with your new homes. Jean

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    1. it's coming on in leaps and bounds now ... well very low leaps and bounds on my part ;-)

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  20. I did get a chuckle out of the animal line-up in the first photo. Obviously, they have no problem relaxing. Stress-free for them.

    Great name for your place given your history. Now if your body would give you a break and ease up on the ailments. Not nice. Hope the weekend isn't too stressful...for you...or Alan. :) Take care.

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    1. Oh they are very chilled pets, they seem to take everything in their stride ... they have had to be living with us over the years, there's always something going on!!

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  21. I'm happy your move is nearly behind you, Sue. I think your health will come back around once everything is complete. You've been working soooo hard! Time to settle down. ~Andrea xoxoxo

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    1. I think I'm slowly on the mend, it's been a rotten three months though, I'll be glad to come out of the other side.

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  22. I love the name Lavender Lodge, so very appropriate. You are doing so well despite your back pain, Sue, I do hope it settles soon. I came out in sympathy with you a week ago when I pulled my back at the allotment but, luckily, anti inflamatories helped and I feel a bit better this weekend.
    The new pans look great! My daughter has one of those fancy induction hobs and I just can't work it out. I must be at a funny age...lol...
    Your furry friends look really settled already which is lovely to see. Have a great weekend x

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    1. Poor you, back pain is never good is it, I'm glad you're on the mend.

      Yep, the hob took me some figuring out, and as soon as it's installed I'll have a new oven to learn too ... bugger!!

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  23. I can picture your home(s) next year when you've had the chance to plant some greenery/flowers/herbs outside, plus all the little things that make a house a home. Although, those lovely animals already do that, settling in and relaxing; they so obviously approve of the new set-up with both Mum and Dad available for cuddles and comfort. (And food!) I wish you many happy years there, enjoying the surrounding area. And thank you for taking us on this journey - so interesting.

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    1. We finally made a start on the front 'garden' at the weekend after the relaying of the slabs and finally got my name plaque put up, so now the postman can find me and Alan doesn't have to hand deliver all my post from his house :-)

      The animals all settled in really quickly and as they already knew the canal-side walks they have been enjoying going oust wiith Dad twice a day and it's helped them realise they haven't come far.

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  24. I have been commenting, Sue, but I seem to be getting blocked somewhere in the system. Can't work out what is wrong....
    I'll try again! I love the name of your home; Lavender Lodge is so appropriate :) and the 'free' pans look great too. Our daughter has an induction hob and I can never work it out, I can't even work her new fangled microwave let alone the oven...lol...
    Everything is looking great, Sue, thank you for sharing x

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    1. No problems, your comments are getting through but I have been unable to use my laptop for a week or so and things have backed up a bit. Comments are all moderated by me as and when I can access the computer and the internet ... which has been a bit hit and miss over the last couple of weeks due to us sharing one dongle between two properties and both needing to work. All problems should be over by Thursday, when we go high tech with a new router, dongle and booster system.

      Fingers crossed ;-)

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    2. Is dongle a technical term? ;)

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    3. No, it's the name for a little WiFi enabled device that works via your mobile phone provider.

      Dictionary definition - Dongle - a small device able to be connected to and used with a computer, especially to allow access to wireless broadband or use of protected software.

      Personally I think it's a daft name ;-)

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  25. Hi Sue I hope your back has recovered? Love the name Lavender Lodge.
    I have enjoyed seeing your progress from your downsize in Wales.

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    1. Truly a downsize, even from the Van and the flat. This is the smallest space I have ever lived in ... and I LOVE it already.

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  26. Love the name of your new home. You have turned your space into something wonderful, and proved that size isn't necessary to have a gorgeous living space.

    God bless

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    1. It's starting to feel like home now, there's just the shed being finished off at the moment and one small job in the kitchen for the electrician to sort out.

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  27. Hope you are OK and settled in and the back getting better.

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    1. I'm slowly on the mend, but it has been frustratingly slow. I still can't stand for long or walk more than a couple of hundred yards. So much for me trying to get my step count up!!

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  28. Hello Sue, how are you doing? Just checking! xx

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  29. Thinking of you today Sue. Hope you are starting to feel better.

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  30. Hope that you are feeling better now and can get back to normal life again soon. Just as well you have a tiny home and don't have to move far for anything.

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  31. Ditto Amanda 😉 Hope you are feeling better.

    You've been so incredibly busy the last few months with selling/moving/renting/buying/refurbishing that it would be no surprise if you needed to collapse quietly and decompress, but I've been thinking of you and hoping all is OK. xx

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  32. Thinking of you, Sue, and hope all is well x

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  33. Hi folks, sorry I've not posted for a while. Things haven't been the way I expected them to be after the move. I'm not the sort to waffle on about health issues and that's pretty much all my life seems to be at the moment.

    I will be back as soon as feel able to write coherently 😃

    Take care everyone. Xx

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