Our New Life in Devon

 Had a busy couple of weeks here with OHs friends visiting, then Mark (youngest son) came to stay for a couple of days. He went home and then came back a few days later as his shifts were cancelled due to the weather. I was getting on well with the housework and sorting out the office, ebay stuff etc. when disaster struck. Went to visit my friend on Good Friday with OH and Mark. OH dropped me off and as it had stopped raining they took the dogs for a good long run around the country park, near where my friend lives. Unfortunately, there was a deep muddy puddle there so our older dog had a long drink of it and, strangely, so did the other dog which hasn't happened before. I had to take both to the vet as both have D&V very, very bad. They are still ill now -  although the oldest one isn't being sick anymore - despite a 3 day course of Panacur and dog probiotìc. It's chaotic atm as I've been up until 3am most nights to let them out. Then OH is up at 4am 5am and 6am wi

 Travelled back to see relatives and sort out flowers for the funeral and then again for the actual funeral and wake. The church was full with at least 100 people, some of whom I hadn't seen for years. Didn't even recognise some of them as they were children the last time I saw them! Even ex partners and husbands came to pay their respects. The wake was in a local pub which was full as well. Nieces were very pleased with the  turn out. Sister's favourite colour was red so most people wore something red. I'd managed to buy a red coat for £2 on ebay at the last minute so I'm going to donate that to a charity shop The dogs went to daycare and were very well behaved for the lady. We dropped them off at 10am and picked them up at 4.30           Relaxing at doggy day care  Back at home I've started to try and catch up on sorting my office. I seem to be breeding cardboard boxes 📦 at the moment lol. Did all the filing yesterday and listed 14 items. Also made a to-do li

 We travelled back to daughter's home for the worktops to be fitted which went very well. OH sorted out the extractor vent for her and the electrician finished all the wiring. The plumber connected the tap on Thursday so everything is now working well. The carpenter ended up finishing the kitchen floor as the first guy couldn't cope with it. Apparently he had a stroke and surgery a few months ago and I think it's affected him more than he realises, which is quite sad. He did a great job on her living room floor a few years ago.                  The new kitchen  My sister's funeral isn't until next month but I'm hoping to go back early next week to see family and sort out flowers, arrangements etc. I've booked the dogs into doggy day care for the day of the funeral much to the disgust of OH. He would have been quite happy to leave them in the car or in daughter's home all day. They haven't been to daycare or kennels before but the lady lives opposite

 We travelled back to daughter's home to take delivery of the new kitchen at the beginning of the month. All the units were boxed and ready assembled which is an easy way to fit everything ready for the kitchen fitters, plumber and electrician. Originally we were only staying for 2 days but I had a phone call to say my sister had been admitted to the ICU in hospital with pneumonia, flu and heart problems.  Met with brother-in-law on the way to daughter's home and he was quite upset. Unfortunately she deteriorated over the week and passed away this Saturday. It was really quite a shock as she had been admitted to ICU twice before, over the last few years, and always recovered well despite doctors saying she wouldn't. I was invited by her daughter's to visit her in hospital but I prefer to remember her from the long phone call we had 2 weeks ago, and the happy times when we called in to see her, and when they stayed here in the summer. So altogether it's been quite a

 Not much happening here atm as I'm staying in as much as possible to rest my broken ankle. Although it doesn't hurt to walk on it I'm very conscious of the fact it is broken and I should limit walking. Quite difficult when pain doesn't remind you though. Daughter hasn't had much luck recently as all her downstairs electric went off on Sunday. Managed to get an electrician out to check and next day to rewire the downstairs lighting. He couldn't trace the fault but it all worked fine. Eldest son plastered in the channels he cut, then when it was dry daughter started painting. She loosened the socket the boiler fitter's electrician had installed for power to the boiler and all the lights went out again.  Closer inspection revealed he had put the screw holding the cover plate on through the brown live cable inside the socket! This meant the screw was live so thankfully granddaughter never touched this switch. I told her he needs reporting for this as it's v

 Came home from daughter's home yesterday and it was great to get back to normality! First day we were there 2 men arrived to take the kitchen units that daughter has sold. OH helped to remove them. They loaded it all in their van then came in and said it wasn't what they really wanted! Strange people but they paid daughter first so all ok. Left the worktops and gas hob outside the front door and drove off. Next day she sold the sink unit which made it really difficult to wash up with no taps or hot water. Actually the only water was in the downstairs cloakroom so washing cups in a plastic bowl balanced on a low set of steps. Personally I would have kept the sink unit until the cupboards are delivered which is in 3-4 weeks time. OH started filling in the holes in the walls and then sanding it flat ready to paint which made a lot of dust.  Monday the plumber came to remove the boiler and fit a new one in the utility room. So everything had to come out of Ava's bedroom, floor