The new Rectory is a joy to live in, not least because my study is a converted garage, next to the house. It gives me a quiet space away from pets, TV and the RW when she's in full flow, although I sometimes let the pets share it with me!
The only problem is that it doesn't have a working phone socket in it. This is pretty essential, as I need a socket to plug my modem in, out of the house, and enabling an internet connection to the big computer in the study.
Now... on to BT to ask how much it would cost to have an extension socket installed in my study. Answer - £200. Aye!
Showing posts with label New Rectory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Rectory. Show all posts
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Settling In - and Dealing with Duties!
At last the new Rectory is looking and feeling like a home, and the dogs have settled. There are still multiple tasks to be done, and the old Rectory needs cleared and gutted, but we'll get around to that after a few more days breathing space. When all is done,though, and we sit down, there comes the realisation of how stressed and "on edge" both the RW and I have been over the past four weeks.
Waiting for plumbers and joiners and heating engineers and being up to our armpits in water had kind of taken over our lives, and it's only today that I suddenly realise that Lent begins tomorrow, and there is a myriad of parish tasks that have been left undone through all the stramash of the last 30 days. It will take some time for catch up to take place, but the detailed Confession in the Eucharist tomorrow will be extremely meaningful for me! Oh! The things I have left undone and there being no health in me!
Some Vestry members have come up with ideas of what they want to use Lent Group time for, and since I'm dreadfully disorganised, I'm grateful for the suggestion. We hope to explore further all the points, suggestions and ideas, (vision), that came out of our Parish Day in December, and I'll try to root some of that stuff in scripture and prayer too.
Meanwhile, I'll get on with burning some palm crosses!
Waiting for plumbers and joiners and heating engineers and being up to our armpits in water had kind of taken over our lives, and it's only today that I suddenly realise that Lent begins tomorrow, and there is a myriad of parish tasks that have been left undone through all the stramash of the last 30 days. It will take some time for catch up to take place, but the detailed Confession in the Eucharist tomorrow will be extremely meaningful for me! Oh! The things I have left undone and there being no health in me!
Some Vestry members have come up with ideas of what they want to use Lent Group time for, and since I'm dreadfully disorganised, I'm grateful for the suggestion. We hope to explore further all the points, suggestions and ideas, (vision), that came out of our Parish Day in December, and I'll try to root some of that stuff in scripture and prayer too.
Meanwhile, I'll get on with burning some palm crosses!
Sunday, 14 February 2010
We're In!
The removal on Friday was as stressful as the run-up, but we survived! The day began wonderfully well, with the van we had hired from Mitchell's. It was loaded up with the first batch of "heavy stuff" when the gearbox decided to go on the van. No reverse, no going forward, and the Macaulay household effects, like my bed, and my TV locked in a van at the bottom of a hill. Cue the man from Sky to arrive to connect up the telly.
Two hours and much drama later, we were going again, but half the "muscle" had gone. Well, we thought we would be finished with the heavy stuff before lunch, and two poor souls soldiered on unaided!
M provided the tea, coffee and bacon rolls and by 5pm I could sit down. In the midst of only mild chaos I sat!
The dogs are rather unsettled and don't seem to like the back garden much. Tough! Get used to it guys! The cat is still "on holiday" but will no doubt be reintroduced once all the unpacking and hassle is over. Another few days and we'll get there!
Can't believe it's Ash Wednesday this week! I have much to repent of!
Two hours and much drama later, we were going again, but half the "muscle" had gone. Well, we thought we would be finished with the heavy stuff before lunch, and two poor souls soldiered on unaided!
M provided the tea, coffee and bacon rolls and by 5pm I could sit down. In the midst of only mild chaos I sat!
The dogs are rather unsettled and don't seem to like the back garden much. Tough! Get used to it guys! The cat is still "on holiday" but will no doubt be reintroduced once all the unpacking and hassle is over. Another few days and we'll get there!
Can't believe it's Ash Wednesday this week! I have much to repent of!
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Movin' Day Tomorrow!
Today has been a whirlwind of activity as the RW took a "day off" to move "stuff"! The place looks as if a bomb has hit it, and tomorrow we'll have two houses that'll look as if they've been hit by bombs! Ah the joys!
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Weary
I'm weary! Weary of letting in tradesmen, fixing things, paying things, moving things, getting ready for the big house move on Friday... and today, about an hour ago, as I sat down in the big mess, as carpet-fitters and joiners put the finishing touches to things, I decided I was weary! It's all under control, you know, although it seems as if it's all hopelessly out of control!
What do I need to do today? Probably nothing really. A bit more packing, but tomorrow is going to be the busy bit, and the RW has taken a day off to partner me before the muscle arrives on Friday morning! Because nobody is moving in to the old Rectory in the foreseeable future, things we don't want or need can be left here, and sorted in the coming days and weeks. That's a blessing! We take what we'll be living with and dispose of the unwanted at leisure..... and we might even have the luxury of changing our minds about disposing of the "unwanted", as we realise we needed it all along.
It's a strange situation, because this is the first home that the RW and I will be setting up together. It's a new beginning, and new beginnings are good and exciting. I have allowed myself to become incredibly stressed by it all, but in fairness, it has been a stressful time! There is a hidden stress too. It's about deciding what belongs to "us" rather than what belongs to a past we need to let go of. Memories are rekindled as we choose what belongs to both of us and which will be prominent in our new home, and other things which are too precious to let go, but speak of another time in our lives when we were not together. Simple things, like an ornament or picture. Hell, we're going to have one enormous jumble sale!
Anyone fancy a Rood Screen which is being stored in the garage?
What do I need to do today? Probably nothing really. A bit more packing, but tomorrow is going to be the busy bit, and the RW has taken a day off to partner me before the muscle arrives on Friday morning! Because nobody is moving in to the old Rectory in the foreseeable future, things we don't want or need can be left here, and sorted in the coming days and weeks. That's a blessing! We take what we'll be living with and dispose of the unwanted at leisure..... and we might even have the luxury of changing our minds about disposing of the "unwanted", as we realise we needed it all along.
It's a strange situation, because this is the first home that the RW and I will be setting up together. It's a new beginning, and new beginnings are good and exciting. I have allowed myself to become incredibly stressed by it all, but in fairness, it has been a stressful time! There is a hidden stress too. It's about deciding what belongs to "us" rather than what belongs to a past we need to let go of. Memories are rekindled as we choose what belongs to both of us and which will be prominent in our new home, and other things which are too precious to let go, but speak of another time in our lives when we were not together. Simple things, like an ornament or picture. Hell, we're going to have one enormous jumble sale!
Anyone fancy a Rood Screen which is being stored in the garage?
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Books
Things are beginning to hot up as we prepare to move on Friday. As we are doing the removal ourselves, with some muscle going free, it was decided that I moved my own study myself, books and all, before Friday happened. Tonight, I'm one tired bunny! Physically tired because I have lifted and moved about half of my study, but kinda tired emotionally too.
Going through bookshelves brings back memories of times past. The temptation to sit down and read your "letter" in the Parish Mag of 1998 or whatever has to be avoided, but when I put humpty dumpty together again in the new house, I'm going to savour stuff that has been lying in files for years.
Books themselves bring back memories.... memories of what was going on when you first read them, and finding that what was exciting at the time is now old hat, but to be cherished none-the-less. Some stuff, not books, will find their way into back bags, stuff that should have been binned long ago. But what about your University essays? Did I really think that, say that, write that?
What to do with parish mags that go back to the eighties? Letters of support in hard times that I've kept lovingly? Files of plans that never came to fruition? Projects and conclusions that are very dear to me?
I'm just moving it all just now. When I come to decide what will be on my shelves and in my filing cabinets as I sort out my new office, it will be different. I'll have time to sit and reflect. What to keep and what will go.
The RW made a telling comment tonight. Stuff you keep, she said, is stuff that other folk need to clear out once you've gone. She's right,I think. However, it would be nice for someone to discover some gems in what I leave behind. Maybe I'm delusional? Who wants to hear what I said to my last parish in my last letter? They didn't take any heed of it anyway!
Going through bookshelves brings back memories of times past. The temptation to sit down and read your "letter" in the Parish Mag of 1998 or whatever has to be avoided, but when I put humpty dumpty together again in the new house, I'm going to savour stuff that has been lying in files for years.
Books themselves bring back memories.... memories of what was going on when you first read them, and finding that what was exciting at the time is now old hat, but to be cherished none-the-less. Some stuff, not books, will find their way into back bags, stuff that should have been binned long ago. But what about your University essays? Did I really think that, say that, write that?
What to do with parish mags that go back to the eighties? Letters of support in hard times that I've kept lovingly? Files of plans that never came to fruition? Projects and conclusions that are very dear to me?
I'm just moving it all just now. When I come to decide what will be on my shelves and in my filing cabinets as I sort out my new office, it will be different. I'll have time to sit and reflect. What to keep and what will go.
The RW made a telling comment tonight. Stuff you keep, she said, is stuff that other folk need to clear out once you've gone. She's right,I think. However, it would be nice for someone to discover some gems in what I leave behind. Maybe I'm delusional? Who wants to hear what I said to my last parish in my last letter? They didn't take any heed of it anyway!
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Alleluia!
My visit to the new rectory today brought joy to my heart. The plumber had been back and sorted the new leaks, plumbed stuff in and sorted the showers. The joiner is finished. The boiler is now working and the house is "toastie", drying out. Tam, the decorator is being his brilliant best, what a man!! And apart from new carpets in the hall and stairway, we could possibly move in next Friday!
God is good!
God is good!
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Update
I went into the new rectory today to admire and bask in the progress. The newly decorated sitting room/dining room has a massive damp patch. Another burst I'm afraid, and the plumber is still sick! Today I'm joining him!
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
On the Way Up!
The new rectory saga has at last turned a corner and we are beginning to put Humpty Dumpty together again! Rejoice! And pray for the poor plumber who has taken to his bed, ill. The stress of 30 burst pipes at Helenslee Cres was obviously too much!
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Today
Checklist:
Parish Coffee Morning
Antivirus to be installed in two computers
Got to visit new rectory, clean up, try to warm up
Sheets for tomorrow to print and fold
Sermon to write - ha!
Dad to visit
Partick Thistle Nil at Inverness: Big worry!
This time next week, I hope, we can combine all of this and have everything in the new rectory! The Care Home can drop dad off, and everyone can help with the redecorating, apart from moi, who will be busy in the office!
Parish Coffee Morning
Antivirus to be installed in two computers
Got to visit new rectory, clean up, try to warm up
Sheets for tomorrow to print and fold
Sermon to write - ha!
Dad to visit
Partick Thistle Nil at Inverness: Big worry!
This time next week, I hope, we can combine all of this and have everything in the new rectory! The Care Home can drop dad off, and everyone can help with the redecorating, apart from moi, who will be busy in the office!
Monday, 25 January 2010
New Rectory (Cont)
Another day of high drama with a few more leaks found, and Mr Nobody putting a foot through the living room ceiling! However, the joiner is getting on with repairs and the glazier made all the windows good this afternoon.
I'm being positive, simply because now we are going to some nice people asking them for "goodwill" money! I mean we ARE a church committed to the community! They will be asked nicely by my little regiment of women who are extremely persuasive at times!
Meanwhile the money clock keeps ticking away and I dread the final invoices. I guess we could run a wee sweep to guess the date the new home becomes habitable!
I'm being positive, simply because now we are going to some nice people asking them for "goodwill" money! I mean we ARE a church committed to the community! They will be asked nicely by my little regiment of women who are extremely persuasive at times!
Meanwhile the money clock keeps ticking away and I dread the final invoices. I guess we could run a wee sweep to guess the date the new home becomes habitable!
Friday, 22 January 2010
Getting There
Some of the despondency and gloom is lifting over the new rectory. The Diocese has promised a loan to get us up and running, the plumber reckons he's found all the leaks, the boiler is fixable and doesn't need replaced, and the joiner delivered new flooring for the upstairs landing last night!
It's going to be a long haul, but perhaps we are turning the corner now!
It's going to be a long haul, but perhaps we are turning the corner now!
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
New Rectory (cont)
The pain continues! We bought a house in "showhome condition", ready to walk into with so many attractive features, and now it is just a soaking wet shell with tiles ripped off walls to gain access to burst pipes, holes drilled in ceilings to let water through, holes cut into walls, again to access pipes, carpets ruined, two shower units, a combi boiler and possibly a bath needing to be replaced. It was a spa bath that I was looking forward so much to relaxing in. Today it may be totally gubbed.
The extreme cold has caused 15 burst pipes and a central heating system disaster. We are not insured for this, and because the house was a repossession we have no comeback on the sellers.
Today I weep..... Oh! and the plumber can't come back until Monday!
The extreme cold has caused 15 burst pipes and a central heating system disaster. We are not insured for this, and because the house was a repossession we have no comeback on the sellers.
Today I weep..... Oh! and the plumber can't come back until Monday!
Monday, 18 January 2010
Miserable Day!
With high hopes that the plumbing problem would be rectified quickly, it was with a spring in my step as I went down to the new Rectory at lunchtime. Disaster loomed! As we fixed one pipe, another joint elsewhere popped out and in no time the place was swimming with water. Coming through the living room ceiling, from under the sink, behind the bath, behind the bidet in the ensuite, (yes, we have one of those), and eventually the water all had to be turned off and we just had to leave it!
The plumber will come again tomorrow!
At least the electricity is safe, although I'm not in a hurry to put on lights when water is pouring through the fittings! The gas fire is on, although it's a low energy, save-the-planet job, and the heat from it is minimal. To be fair, it does say that it cannot be used as the main heat supply in a room. Very decorative, though!
Just desperate now to get the water on, the central heating going, and see what damage can be fixed quickly!
The plumber will come again tomorrow!
At least the electricity is safe, although I'm not in a hurry to put on lights when water is pouring through the fittings! The gas fire is on, although it's a low energy, save-the-planet job, and the heat from it is minimal. To be fair, it does say that it cannot be used as the main heat supply in a room. Very decorative, though!
Just desperate now to get the water on, the central heating going, and see what damage can be fixed quickly!
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Slight Problem...
Eventually got the keys to the new house yesterday. Managed to get the gas on and the electricity reconnected, then the plumber arrived to put on the water. Floods through the kitchen/dining room ceiling! The whole system was drained, but the really cold weather has still managed to "pop" some pipes. Monday afternoon before we lift upstairs floorboards and find the offending pipes. So, we're marking time!
Meanwhile, Glasgow & Galloway Diocese elect a new bishop today, hopefully, and Partick Thistle Nil travel to Dunfermline. I'm looking for two good results this wet & windy Saturday!
Meanwhile, Glasgow & Galloway Diocese elect a new bishop today, hopefully, and Partick Thistle Nil travel to Dunfermline. I'm looking for two good results this wet & windy Saturday!
Friday, 15 January 2010
New Rectory
The household, RW, cat, dogs et al, are on standby at the moment. The church has bought us a new house to live in, an extra bedroom and a study too, and all going well, we get the keys today. Panic is rising in my throat as I contemplate the days ahead as we clean, decorate, plan what to take and what to put in a skip, and generally get ready fot the day of "The Move".
First up today will be trying to get services, gas, water and electricity into the property, and with plumbers as scarce as hen's teeth, this may prove difficult.
However, we have still to get the keys, so we wait for the phone to ring......
First up today will be trying to get services, gas, water and electricity into the property, and with plumbers as scarce as hen's teeth, this may prove difficult.
However, we have still to get the keys, so we wait for the phone to ring......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)