Covid-19 - Working With The Family Diary - 23rd March 2020

Monday 23^rd March 2020.

Today is the first day we are all working from home. I had three days last week to get used to Simon being at home. God he was a grumpy bastard, now I’ve got a 10 year old and moody 14 year old to “home school” as well. 

The morning passed with me being the resident IT desk support worker. Trying to get power point set up on 10 year old’s computer, getting her an email address – of which she is proud of.   Weird kid

By about lunchtime I managed to get 10yo onto MS Office and she was good to go. The teen seemed to think that he’d done all his work in about half an hour.  I need to check on what he’s doing but at some point my own “paid” employ may notice I actually haven’t managed to do any work all morning.

Finally got some work done this afternoon although at present I know I’m not working at full capacity. I’ve ordered a 2^nd computer screen which I’m sure will help make life easier.

8.30 tonight the country was addressed by the Prime Minister.  I always wondered what it felt like, all sitting in the front room listening to an important announcement by your leader, like the images of families around the wireless when the start of WWII was announced.

We are now officially on lock-down. Only going out for essentials, food and medical needs.  On reflection, personally for me this is a time to be able to press re-set.  It will certainly help cut down on my latte consumption. I may be the only person who comes out of this mess financially better off.

Let Battle Commence

We live in an average 3 bedroom house.  Our third bedroom is a box room without enough room to really fit a full size single bed.  The 5yo is still in a toddler bed but it wont last much longer. 

Earlier this year we looked at moving but we wouldn't be able to get anything better than we already have within our budget. Add on conveyancing costs, solicitors and estate agent fees and it's a small fortune.  So we thought we'd look at having a loft conversion. 

We had a couple of builders round to quote. We were recommended another builder who came to see us. I'll call him G. We both immediately got a "good feeling" from him. He was pleasant, sociable and professional. He chatted with us for a long time about what we actually wanted; ie more space. After a while it was decided that rather than losing our loft, we could possibly extend both downstairs and upstairs leaving us with our loft and the ability to store amazing amounts of stuff I swear I will "car boot" one day.  Surprisingly there wasn't much difference in the cost of a loft extension and a two storey extension and both were cheaper options than moving.

So we had plans drawn up and have to apply for planning permission.  G recommended we speak with our neighbours as a courtesy to let them know what we are planning.  We are on nodding terms with one side, the other; not so much.  I'll have a chat in the front garden but she doesn't get on with Mr.M.  He's not as happy as I am to "keep the peace" and not moan about things. They have clashed over the past ten years we've been there. 

Our conversation went like this:

"Oh I'm glad I caught you.  I just wanted to let you know we are planning on having an extension at the back of the house"
"oh yes"
"It's a two storey extension"
"OH"
"There wont be any side windows so we wont be overlooking you or anything. I thought I'd let you know as you'll be getting a letter from the council"
"Well, obviously I'll object. I'll lose light"
"Ah, OK. Well you'll be able to see the plans"
"I'll get my son in law to look at them, he's a surveyor"
"Well I just wanted to let you know"

And I shuffle off with the kids into the house.

Last week the local council sent out the letters to the neighbours. They received them on Saturday and by Sunday she'd filed her objection on line. It's obvious her surveyor son in law has written the letter, it's far too professional. However they are objecting on 9 points! 

The council has until 26th August to decided yes or no.  I'm on tenterhooks already and will probably keep checking the planning portal at least 100 times a day.