Alice decided that she would fit herself into the sheep pen. She had to curl her toes under to fit in, but she managed it and closed the gate behind too!!!!
We weren't quite sure why all her toys were being tipped out of the toy box. It soon dawned on us though as she was making room for herself.
Regarding the subsidence issue. We had the insurance bloke here last Monday. We are still waiting for his report to come through to us. He said the movement at the back is likely to be due to clay soil shrinkage and most likely cause of that are the trees. So agreeing with our structural engineer. Anyway, we have noticed quite a few cracks around the front of the house too now. He said they were all due to thermal movement at this time of year. However, Stuart and I are not convinced. The temperature hadn't started to change when all this started. So we're going to get our structural engineer out to have a look at the front of the house too and get his opinion on that.This photograph is the outside of the house. The is where the extension "joins" the original house. The grey stuff running down the middle of the gap is some kind of foam, which you can just pull away. It isn't doing anything structural and if you were to take it away you would see the full extent of the gap behind it. The extension isn't attached in any way to the original house.
We are now just waiting for this report to go to our insurer and for them to decide whether they are going to accept the claim for subsidence. Once they do that, we can get on to our structural engineer and start the site tests. Then we'll know if it is the trees and also which tree is causing the problem. I think I'm going to have many head-aches over this over the next year or so.
The insurers are being a pain too. When I phoned them yesterday to find out where this report is, I was told to send in the report from our structural engineer. I told her I asked if we needed to send it in three weeks ago when I contacted them originally and I was told no. Their right arm does not know what their left arm is doing at all!!! Anyway, we are just waiting at the moment.
17 comments:
Wow - those photos are serious looking. Thats now on my list. I hope it all gets sorted soon, and you dont have too much red tape to go through.
Alice looks so cute standing in the pen and the toy box. Tom does that too but theres usually half the toys in it when he gets in - then they get chucked out!
We keep noticing cracks all over the house now. Just getting fed up waiting for people to get back to us.
I think there were a few toys still in the box when she got in. The rest were all over the floor. Of course I was the one who put them away again though!!!
I remember my kids playing with things like that when they were small and making the animals or people talk to each other - it is sooo cute to watch! Nothing better than seeing them sit on the floor away in their fantasy world.
Boy that gap looks huge Pauline - that is really awful. I really hope it all gets sorted out without too many headaches....dont you just hate when companies dont really know what is happening and one person tells you one thing and another something else.....well I will pray for this :-)
Just love the expression on Alice's face in those pics - she really is becoming much more expressive. Isn't it great to see kid's imagination develop - I mean for you that box was for storage or whatever, for Alice it's . . . . whatever she wants it to be at the time.
Laura, it is very annoying indeed that they have not got a clue what is happening. Apparently the original girl I spoke to is new and so I've got the name of someone experienced, because dealing with a subsidence claim is very complicated!!! Great.
I love sitting watching her play and just listening to her and her wee imagination really take off. Her sense of humour is really taking off as well. Every now and again she'll say something and Stuart and I'll look at each other like "what is she going on about?" Then we'll both realise it was a joke and say "are you joking?", she smiles, laughs and says "yeah".
Any thoughts on Christmas toys? Last year I took him into the toy shop and bought the things he was most interested in but he was young enough to do that with. If I did that now I think there would be a tantrum when I take the toys off him! Im thinking maybe something for the garden, a swing and slide set maybe. He had a nursery swing but he was too big for it, his feet were trailing the ground so I gave it away.
Sorry if Ive offended any of you mentioning Christmas in September but I love it! Cant wait!
I love it too Lisa -its only 3 months away!! I already have got the big presents in for my kids. (A wii for the two big ones and PS2 for Leah with singing star) haha I think I really bought them all for me but am using the kids as an excuse!! I got a bargin on the wii. It was going for £140 a few months ago so I just went for it and the playstation I got a few weeks ago for £60 so I am all set for christmas!! haha
Im so glad someone else is on the countdown to Christmas too!! The thing I am looking forward to the most this year is all the Christmas church services and the carol singing - I love all the old traditional carols, I could sing them all day!
Connor wants a PS3 but they start at £250 so we'll have to see. Well done for getting a couple of bargains!
For Tom A big box Lisa!
After all you will have enough of them! (Should have put that on the last one, but hit enter too soon!LOL - you've taught me well Laura! Ha ha ha)
Oh Lisa don't worry about that. I have Alice's list worked out too. A few books, a few puzzles, some fuzzy felt, a pram, an umbrella (she loves playing with her sunshade from her pram). I'll send you the list and then you can see where we're getting the things from too.
I love Christmas too, it's going to be very mixed this year. On the one hand I love it and love seeing Alice's face when she opens her presents, but then it's just going to be so sad this year!!!
Pauline you will have Alice to concentrate on and she will hopefully keep you occupied and you wont have too much time to feel sad. Of course you will be hurting but try to focus on the precious gift you have in Alice (and Stuart too) and concentrate on playing with her and enjoying the wonder of Christmas through a young childs eyes.
Pauline you might be surprised. I mean sometimes the things we expect to be tough, sad or whatever actually turn out to ok. (Maybe that's coz we're prepared to be upset, or coz more people are specifically praying for us?)
Personally I think it's the unexpected triggers that are far harder to cope with! A song, an expression, a memory, anything which you are not prepared for.
And this is not to sound harsh, but honestly there is no point in worrying about tomorrow, for each day had enough trouble of its own.
Don't borrow tomorrow's sorrow.
(Oh I just made that wee saying up, and it sounds good, must remember that for myself - I think I'll patent that!)
Rhoda you are a clever girl! Must remember that saying, its good!
Yes, I think Toms present could be a cardboard box! Its amazing the hours of fun he has gotten out of these boxes. Not much fun for us though, we have been re-stacking them at least 10 times a day!
Ronnie started packing while I was at work yesterday, he has packed all the books from the bookcase, all my cook books and most of my baking tins. Hmm I just realised its all my stuff he's packed! Is he trying to tell me something lol!!
Thanks Rhoda. I know, but I just am how I am and I don't put any expectations on myself. It will be difficult and I know that, but I can try to celebrate Jesus' birth too. That is a very good saying, you should patent it or something!!!
Alice's best birthday present was the box her trike came in. That is now Fraser bear's bed.
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