Hi Everyone,
Yer I know three blogs in one day but what can i say practice make perfect and I have a lots of events to make up for.
Yer the new house, well it wasn't the best of starts their was a few times we thought we weren't going to get anywhere, we kept getting beaten on the housing bids. Oops sorry I better back up a bit for those of you don't know.
Claire and I decided four years ago their was no way we would be able to buy a house again with the housing market in the trouble it's in and the country so we decided to apply to the property pool. In Liverpool there is no such thing as council housing as Liverpool City Council sold all of it's housing estates to independent housing companies.
The Council they stuck them all together to join the property pool. People apply and they bid with on properties they would like to live in. You bit with your circumstances the more dia you are the higher rating you get. The top bits get to view the house the top bit get first offer and so forth.
Well we kept getting letters and calls to tell us about potential houses and this was going on and on for months we kept going to see house after house then we got offered two at the same time one which was not even on the property pool and one we really didn't want. The catch is that you are only allowed to turn down three offers then you have to go back to the beginning and fill out all the forms again.
The first one we didn't want it was not in a real good place and it was a small terrace house with no gardens. So we declined. The second was from Cobolt housing what the companies can do is keep back half of the houses and distribute them to whole they want and they wanted us.
A working young mature couple planning a family. They showed us a three bedroom semi with back garden and front drive. The only problem it is in a roguish area. This is Cobolt's master plan move the trouble makers out and move new people in and change the area.
We came to see the house and it was gutted the workmen were in and ripping everything out. We were a bit unsure a first and really didn't like the attitude or language of the housing officer. She talked down to us both in a really pants manor. We went away and had a think weighing up are other options (none and one vote left) so we did a few drive byes at diffrent times and it seemd not to be too bad. So we accepted.
Next thing to go wrong was the handover dateit got put back twice then sigining day the housing officer told us to meet at the house and we waited and waited and she didn't show so we rang her and she said we had to meet at the office and she was sure thats where she said (NOT do you think i'd go there if it was here!). Anyway signed for the house got the keys and drove round to see it.
It was bear, needed a lot of work. So we started to measure up and work out colours for the rooms. We started upstairs and had help from Mum, Amander & Peter. Then we started down starirs and all hell broke loose. We found some rotten skirten board called out the repair team and they discovered that it was rising damp. A specialist came out and decided we had it on every wall they came in and ripped all the plaster off every wall drilled holes in them and filled them then came back and replastered. This took weeks of tooing and frowing and many many phone calls and visits.
The the walls were dry the caprenters, plummers, gas fitters, electricians could all come back in. Then eventually we could start decorating again yes everything we had started downstairs had to be redone. But luck was on our side and Dad was at hand.
Dad is a time served painter and decorator and offered to help even though he had offered before but got a cob on as we were helping in every spare moment. So we left him too it. He has done a wounderful job on the down stairs and mum and dad even bought us a carpet for our living room which I fitted.
It was a month and a half over due but we finaly moved in on the first of November. We are settling in slowly and still have a room full of boxes to unpack but at least we have the important items unpacked and setup (Xbox 360, PS3, Wi-Fi, Sky+HD). Although the Wi-Fi took a month to get live as there were issues, it was only suppose to take ten days.
We have had Claires mum and new dad come and stay for a long weekend and Justin came for a lads night in of beer and Xbox and crashed in the spair room. So we are starting to get settled in and the house is starting to feel like home. As the saying goes your home is what you make it.
TTFN Ray
Monday, 13 December 2010
My Family - Part One
Family are strange, we all have them & they all act differently, we love them even when we hate them. We fall out we fall in but we always forgive and are always their for each other when needed.
Their is Mum - Carol, She is kind, caring, sensitive, thoughtful, protective, hard working, she is fabulous but she is also outrageous and fly by the seat of your pants. She is always there when I need her even if we don't speak for a while. Never get her angry she will sit on you or slap your legs and owwww does it hurt either way.
Dad - Tony, If your going to do it wright do it my way, He's always right even when he's wrong, Takes his time to get going but when he does move out of his way and don't offer to help him, you will either come away crying or fuming mad. He is loving and caring. I hope you don't mind the language!
Sis - Amander (Rugrat), She is weird we love to hate each other I know your reading this and saying what brother and sister doesn't. But I'm sure she has a split personality one second she is fine next she flying of the handle, she has no person skills and can wind someone up who she has never met within five minutes of being around her. We go through patches of where one or both aren't talking to the other it's like that atm I'm not talking to her.
Gramps - Jim (Pops) **Mums Dad**, He is wonderful I have so much life experience from him. I get upset as I can't see him as much as I want too and every time I go see him he changes so much. I am thankful that I still have him he is so sweet and kind. He likes his war movies and historical programs but lately he's even been getting into X-Factor
Nan - Doh (Doreen) **Mums Mum**, passed away a while ago now but she is still with us all as she was an angel while she was on earth now she is defiantly in heaven she will be running the place. She touched everyone in a special way and she is left in every one's thoughts.
I never really new my Dads Mum and Dad. Grandad left the family home before I arrived and never go to see me and my Nana died when I was three and can only remember her from the few photos we have as the rest of Dad's family stole all the albums of photos from the house and they won't let anyone else see them.
Pops remarried a few years ago to Syl. She is nice and warm and open, she is small but has a big heart and god help anyone upset her she has a tongue like a razor and it will cut through you. Just be nice and respectful that's all.
The marriage of Pops and Syl split the family up they only ones who still talk to them are me and rugrat this is one of the reasons why it is so hard to see him. But families surprise you my mum is going to offer the hand of friendship out and invite them to Christmas lunch this year I hope they come it will be a start and all good things need to start some where.
Rugrat is going out with Peter, he is ok, he thought I didn't like him cause me and dad pulled the farther and brother act on him the first time he got left alone with us and how we would kill him if he upset her. I don't know how they have stayed together so long, he takes everything she throws at him (actually). I remember she dumped him once over something stupid and we had a long chat then she called him and made up. He comes and plays on the Xbox & PS3 with me and others and we get on really well which winds Rugrat up something rotten so it works for me.
I have the wonderful magnificent, Claire - she is so bubbly, cute and lovable. She is kind and sensitive and a pillar of strength. I really upset her the other month first time ever, I felt so bad, Apologised and made up with her. She lets me do anything I want, we work together to keep the house nice. I wish she would hurry up and pass her driving test her work shifts are killing me taking her in and picking her up at wired times of the day and night.
TTFN Ray
Their is Mum - Carol, She is kind, caring, sensitive, thoughtful, protective, hard working, she is fabulous but she is also outrageous and fly by the seat of your pants. She is always there when I need her even if we don't speak for a while. Never get her angry she will sit on you or slap your legs and owwww does it hurt either way.
Dad - Tony, If your going to do it wright do it my way, He's always right even when he's wrong, Takes his time to get going but when he does move out of his way and don't offer to help him, you will either come away crying or fuming mad. He is loving and caring. I hope you don't mind the language!
Sis - Amander (Rugrat), She is weird we love to hate each other I know your reading this and saying what brother and sister doesn't. But I'm sure she has a split personality one second she is fine next she flying of the handle, she has no person skills and can wind someone up who she has never met within five minutes of being around her. We go through patches of where one or both aren't talking to the other it's like that atm I'm not talking to her.
Gramps - Jim (Pops) **Mums Dad**, He is wonderful I have so much life experience from him. I get upset as I can't see him as much as I want too and every time I go see him he changes so much. I am thankful that I still have him he is so sweet and kind. He likes his war movies and historical programs but lately he's even been getting into X-Factor
Nan - Doh (Doreen) **Mums Mum**, passed away a while ago now but she is still with us all as she was an angel while she was on earth now she is defiantly in heaven she will be running the place. She touched everyone in a special way and she is left in every one's thoughts.
I never really new my Dads Mum and Dad. Grandad left the family home before I arrived and never go to see me and my Nana died when I was three and can only remember her from the few photos we have as the rest of Dad's family stole all the albums of photos from the house and they won't let anyone else see them.
Pops remarried a few years ago to Syl. She is nice and warm and open, she is small but has a big heart and god help anyone upset her she has a tongue like a razor and it will cut through you. Just be nice and respectful that's all.
The marriage of Pops and Syl split the family up they only ones who still talk to them are me and rugrat this is one of the reasons why it is so hard to see him. But families surprise you my mum is going to offer the hand of friendship out and invite them to Christmas lunch this year I hope they come it will be a start and all good things need to start some where.
Rugrat is going out with Peter, he is ok, he thought I didn't like him cause me and dad pulled the farther and brother act on him the first time he got left alone with us and how we would kill him if he upset her. I don't know how they have stayed together so long, he takes everything she throws at him (actually). I remember she dumped him once over something stupid and we had a long chat then she called him and made up. He comes and plays on the Xbox & PS3 with me and others and we get on really well which winds Rugrat up something rotten so it works for me.
I have the wonderful magnificent, Claire - she is so bubbly, cute and lovable. She is kind and sensitive and a pillar of strength. I really upset her the other month first time ever, I felt so bad, Apologised and made up with her. She lets me do anything I want, we work together to keep the house nice. I wish she would hurry up and pass her driving test her work shifts are killing me taking her in and picking her up at wired times of the day and night.
TTFN Ray
The Second Begining!
Hi Everyone,
This is my own personal blog, I'm not new too blogging I have been creating them for work and for UNISON and thought it was about time to have my own. So while I have been moving all my social network services from my work e-mail address to my personal one I though it would be a great time to start.
I have no idea where this is going to take me just like my Facebook (Ray.Burns77) and Twitter (Pittwall77).
You are all more than welcome to help me trawl through my mind (what a scary thought) and adventure on my second journey.
A little about my self:
I was born in Liverpool, Merseyside, UK back in 1977 and I have lived here most of my life but I am well travelled but not as much as I would like. I have lived away from home but have always returned, We don't intend to stay here (by we I mean Claire and I) have plans to move to New Zealand or Canada in the future.
We met five years ago this January coming, I don't know what I would have done without her she has been with me through some of the most difficult and rough times of my life so far and she has been the single thought of hope & joy that has pulled me through. We now live in our new house together & I thank her with all my love everyday. We met at University she was studying Forensic Sceince I was working.
My Education:
It started in Holy Name Infant & Juniors in Fazakerley, Then I left the fold and moved to Cardinal Heenan High School (formally know as Cardinal Heenan Grammar School) in West Derby. Once again I broke the norm and went to Riverside Community College in Aigburth then after looking at lots of Universities chose Liverpool John Moores University.
This year I graduated with BSc with Honours in Computing its been a long road with many diversions but I now have most of the qualifications I set out to obtain the only one left I really want is my PGCE, so I can go back to secondary school & collage and teach people who want to learn. We went for a few drinks on diffrent occasions then under the nights sky with the moon shining bright on a walk along the Albert Docks I asked her if she would make me happy and agree to go out with me. Everyear we try and go abck to the Albert Dock on the same night and then go for a few drinks in our pub Ye Old Crack.
My Work:
I have had many appointments since I was 16 and I have turned many opportunities down in the past as I thought my education was more valuable to me.
I started out In KwikSave as an assistant then moved to floor manager, then I left to pursue my Education. Then I held down a term time job as a WIDGIT it's an I.T. helper for the University Learning Resource Centers helping staff and students at the same time I worked nights in Uncle Sams Restaurant as a kitchen washer, I never did pick up the wages from my last weeks shift their. Over the summer I have worked in various pubs as bar staff as well at the Universities Finance Department in Income & Expenditure apart from a stern office boss this was fun even though I had to wear a shirt and tie everyday.
I'll never get that about this place all back office jobs I have done you have to be dressed smart all out and about dealing with people you can wear your own clothes crazy!
Now after many times of moving around changing job and position from assistant to manager to supervisor I have settled in the assistants role at the Avril Robarts L.R.C. you can't miss it if you every come to Liverpool their is a Giant Yellow Lamb Banana on our door step.
Activities:
I have worked as part of UNISON for the past six years and I have worked locally at LJMU as a Steward, H&S Steward, Communications Officer, Regionally I have been on the N.W.H.E.Committee and Nationally I have been the Chair of the H.E.Standing Orders Committee to H.E. Conference. I have put alot into these roles and have had to leave home on many occasions and be away from Claire and this is one of the reasons why I am standing down after the next conference in February. http://sites.google.com/site/unisonljmu/
I also try to play on the Xbox or PS3 as much as possible battling it out on and off line. I can be found on either system as Pittwall. I invite Friends back for a beer and games night and we play online and against each other through the night or until we fall asleep from tiredness or beer that's up to you to decide.
Well that's the second start of my blogging I hope your not asleep and that you will keep coming back and also let me read your blogs.
TTFN Ray
This is my own personal blog, I'm not new too blogging I have been creating them for work and for UNISON and thought it was about time to have my own. So while I have been moving all my social network services from my work e-mail address to my personal one I though it would be a great time to start.
I have no idea where this is going to take me just like my Facebook (Ray.Burns77) and Twitter (Pittwall77).
You are all more than welcome to help me trawl through my mind (what a scary thought) and adventure on my second journey.
A little about my self:
I was born in Liverpool, Merseyside, UK back in 1977 and I have lived here most of my life but I am well travelled but not as much as I would like. I have lived away from home but have always returned, We don't intend to stay here (by we I mean Claire and I) have plans to move to New Zealand or Canada in the future.
We met five years ago this January coming, I don't know what I would have done without her she has been with me through some of the most difficult and rough times of my life so far and she has been the single thought of hope & joy that has pulled me through. We now live in our new house together & I thank her with all my love everyday. We met at University she was studying Forensic Sceince I was working.
My Education:
It started in Holy Name Infant & Juniors in Fazakerley, Then I left the fold and moved to Cardinal Heenan High School (formally know as Cardinal Heenan Grammar School) in West Derby. Once again I broke the norm and went to Riverside Community College in Aigburth then after looking at lots of Universities chose Liverpool John Moores University.
This year I graduated with BSc with Honours in Computing its been a long road with many diversions but I now have most of the qualifications I set out to obtain the only one left I really want is my PGCE, so I can go back to secondary school & collage and teach people who want to learn. We went for a few drinks on diffrent occasions then under the nights sky with the moon shining bright on a walk along the Albert Docks I asked her if she would make me happy and agree to go out with me. Everyear we try and go abck to the Albert Dock on the same night and then go for a few drinks in our pub Ye Old Crack.
My Work:
I have had many appointments since I was 16 and I have turned many opportunities down in the past as I thought my education was more valuable to me.
I started out In KwikSave as an assistant then moved to floor manager, then I left to pursue my Education. Then I held down a term time job as a WIDGIT it's an I.T. helper for the University Learning Resource Centers helping staff and students at the same time I worked nights in Uncle Sams Restaurant as a kitchen washer, I never did pick up the wages from my last weeks shift their. Over the summer I have worked in various pubs as bar staff as well at the Universities Finance Department in Income & Expenditure apart from a stern office boss this was fun even though I had to wear a shirt and tie everyday.
I'll never get that about this place all back office jobs I have done you have to be dressed smart all out and about dealing with people you can wear your own clothes crazy!
Now after many times of moving around changing job and position from assistant to manager to supervisor I have settled in the assistants role at the Avril Robarts L.R.C. you can't miss it if you every come to Liverpool their is a Giant Yellow Lamb Banana on our door step.
Activities:
I have worked as part of UNISON for the past six years and I have worked locally at LJMU as a Steward, H&S Steward, Communications Officer, Regionally I have been on the N.W.H.E.Committee and Nationally I have been the Chair of the H.E.Standing Orders Committee to H.E. Conference. I have put alot into these roles and have had to leave home on many occasions and be away from Claire and this is one of the reasons why I am standing down after the next conference in February. http://sites.google.com/site/unisonljmu/
I also try to play on the Xbox or PS3 as much as possible battling it out on and off line. I can be found on either system as Pittwall. I invite Friends back for a beer and games night and we play online and against each other through the night or until we fall asleep from tiredness or beer that's up to you to decide.
Well that's the second start of my blogging I hope your not asleep and that you will keep coming back and also let me read your blogs.
TTFN Ray
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)