The house isn't falling apart of course, but it's not in its best shape. Several rooms need redecorating and updating, especially the kitchen. As soon as my children told me I need a new kitchen - that is, the next day - I went off to the kitchen company that my daughter used some years ago and is still pleased with and talked to Jonathan. He came along, having made notes, to measure up. We talked again and a week later I went to discuss his preliminary plans. After a couple of hours, he had amended his drawings somewhat, I'd listened to him and he'd listened to me.
Since then, Al and family have helped me move furniture, including the dresser out of the kitchen. Last night, I texted the joiner and the decorator and we're making some progress. By Monday, I'll have spoken to the flooring company. I hope to have tracked down the local kitchen fitter too. Then I need to go back to the wallpaper company that I visited when I still thought I'd do some wallpapering myself. It's not going to happen, which is a pity as I love wallpapering and do it perfectly. The decorator has looked round and will send me a quote.
I'll probably use all my cash savings this year, but I'm relaxed about that. My income is adequate and I've got more savings tied up. I've never overspent in my life.
When I had my first Saturday job, my wages were less than £1 a day. But this was 55 years ago and I was still at school and it wasn't unreasonable. My wages went up by inflation plus an age-related increase every year, I had 2 paid weeks (single days, of course) a year plus all public holidays (the holiday was usually on a Monday but the library closed for the weekend). I was very lucky, as I loved the job too. Working with books, what could be better?
Anyway, it was just after my father died unexpectedly and, until the estate was sorted out, my mum was very short of money. So, when I got my monthly pay cheque, the first thing I did was buy a treat. It was usually food because, in the circumstances, that was more of a help than anything else. No one suggested it, least of all my mother, who wouldn't have accepted money either. I usually bought steak or grapes or something useful and normally unaffordable. With the rest, I had a rule (I was an odd child). Obviously, there were some unavoidable everyday expenses (though my mother kept me of course, I was a schoolchild and she paid for what I needed) but, if I wanted to buy clothes, for instance, then I wouldn't spend more than half my money. If a dress cost £4 then I had to have £8. In practice, I had to save up for three months for this, by which time I didn't want the dress any more. So I bought books instead.
This was just my instinct, which I didn't tell anyone about, but it was surprisingly sensible, from a young woman who was quite immature and also in a state of shock. 1970 started dreadfully and just kept getting worse. I suppose I was keeping myself together by self-control. Anyway, it's stood me in good stead, because I knew from the start that I had to take responsibility for myself. I was also a peculiar child and, now, I wish I'd been a bit more relaxed about life. Poor kid.