A tale of excessive possessions, house gawkers, umbilical cord clamps, Estate Agent fury, poorly timed mini breaks, tech obsessed husbands and much crying that should come with a trigger warning.
Lisa, you genuinely had me at it this morning - I’m easily convinced we’re in 2026 apparently 🤷🏻♀️ I’m just at that age where I’m happy to take someone else’s word for it, as long as I don’t have to get up and check 🧡
You had me looking at my diary and for an instant thinking it was 2026! I think you’re entitled to a mushy brain. Great post which brought back memories of my downsizing move last year xx
Ha me too, had to leave the post and check my calendar, by the time I came back you had updated it 😂 glad you are all moved in now. We are at the very beginning of a similar journey. House up for sale, we have a buyer but can’t find somewhere to downsize too 😊
The easy option for me was my entire house load was driven away by bogus removal men, so never saw any of my house contents again! Having gotten over the shock, it’s been quite liberating to start afresh.
2hrs for a viewing!!! I viewed many before buying recently 10-20mins max then either booking immediately for husband to visit or saying not for us before leaving. Husband always worked on 15mins per viewing although he did do one that took 30mins due to the vendor talking too much.
Agree, agents are mostly embarrassingly appalling.
Loved this, pleased you’re in, and hope you have many happy times in your house!! Btw - I went looking for my husband during a move and he was sorting the garage which ‘usefully’ was the first “room” done 😡😂
Having moved house every 2 years as a kid I’ve had to resist the need to move house continually as an adult (where I, not mum, would have to pack and unpack). This made me cackle!
Congratulations for getting through all of this. Looking forward to seeing all your ideas for your new home come to fruition and I especially enjoy your writing. Something I always look forward to reading.
Hilarious but so recognizable, we once moved house on 21st December, all of our furniture was in storage, this was a long time ago when the gas man had to come and read the meter, he came, condemned the gas piping ( it was lead, and the old gas light connections had been cut off and crimped shut it was a wonder it didn't blow up) cue weeping, elicit pity , said ok but we had to sort it after Christmas, no curtains no turkey, tree went up, off to Bradford market, home with curtains and turkey.
Another time Removals men once told me " you have too much stuff madam" as they loaded a bin bag full of rubbish on.
So disillusioned with estate agents the last house we sold, during pandemic, was with purple bricks, husband still hasn't paid me the commission
Honest, funny and slightly mad which is why we follow you ❤️
Also hard relate on a number of fronts as moved from a house to a temporary flat to a bigger house a few years ago and still traumatised 😬 Some of the many highlights were booking a van about 5cm bigger than all our possessions in storage and watching the removal men try to jenga it all in, begging the storage facility to stay open after hours because said process took twice as long as it should have done, and not taking enough time off work to get everything done and then promptly getting a stress induced kidney infection which put me on my arse for two weeks. All with two children under 5yrs and - as discussed - zero input from the husband as that is the only way to fly. Altogether now - never again!
Omg this sounds terrible. I said to the removal men how do people do this if they have to complete in a chain and he said they’re just more organized than you 😂
Oh Lisa, I’m exhausted reading this you must be shattered. It all worked out, entirely due only to you! Thank goodness you had your Ibiza break at least. I am on a Swedish Death cleaning mission at the moment so I don’t inflict my ‘stuff’ onto the nearest and dearest. Who have already informed me they will get house clearers in and watch it all go in a skip with no care or concern! 😂
We’re only halfway through our “downsizing dream” having entered Level 5 The Legal Part 🤣. I can’t tell you how many conversations about the whole process have been started here due to your honest updates. You’ve singly handedly got the Thirty Years of Family Life movers on their way so thank you. I already cleared out the baby teeth and umbilical clamps. My bad 😝
Hahah! I can’t even remember what it was but I feel it was something from the back of the work cupboard. Joe barely drinks so he has no care for quality 😑😂😂
I’m late reading this Lisa, but huge congratulations on finally getting into the new house despite all the hassle and tears. I’m incredibly envious as my husband and I visited York to see the Richard Hawley gig when you were away and fell madly in love with the city. Every time I caught a glimpse of the Minster my breath would catch in my throat. So I understand how precious your new location is to you. Thanks also for all your recommendations, we ate and drank very well! We also decided that if we win some money somehow, then we’d love to live in the St Mary’s area….. if only….😍
Ah did you! I hope you enjoyed! My friend Kate stayed at my house whilst we were gone to see that too. So glad the guide was helpful and st Mary’s is so beautiful isn’t it! Glad you had a lovely time xx
Lisa - I love the post as always, but it’s sent me into a complete spin about what year it actually is?! 😂😂
This shows you quite how mush my brain has become 😂 thanks Jess I’ve changed it 😂😂😂
Lisa, you genuinely had me at it this morning - I’m easily convinced we’re in 2026 apparently 🤷🏻♀️ I’m just at that age where I’m happy to take someone else’s word for it, as long as I don’t have to get up and check 🧡
You had me looking at my diary and for an instant thinking it was 2026! I think you’re entitled to a mushy brain. Great post which brought back memories of my downsizing move last year xx
Oh haha omg you are right 😂😂😂
Ha me too, had to leave the post and check my calendar, by the time I came back you had updated it 😂 glad you are all moved in now. We are at the very beginning of a similar journey. House up for sale, we have a buyer but can’t find somewhere to downsize too 😊
Oh good luck!
"people can hear me shouting in the street" I relate...😂😂
Yes this is a bit of an issue 😳😂
The easy option for me was my entire house load was driven away by bogus removal men, so never saw any of my house contents again! Having gotten over the shock, it’s been quite liberating to start afresh.
Great writing Lisa 😂
I can imagine after the initial horror that could be very cathartic!
Yes!
What the actual hell. This is unbelievable!!! I’m so sorry that is the worst thing I’ve ever heard!!!!
2hrs for a viewing!!! I viewed many before buying recently 10-20mins max then either booking immediately for husband to visit or saying not for us before leaving. Husband always worked on 15mins per viewing although he did do one that took 30mins due to the vendor talking too much.
Agree, agents are mostly embarrassingly appalling.
Honestly it was terrible. The house was big but still it seemed to take forever!
Loved this, pleased you’re in, and hope you have many happy times in your house!! Btw - I went looking for my husband during a move and he was sorting the garage which ‘usefully’ was the first “room” done 😡😂
The only thing Joe was concerned about was his desktop. Thank you and I am pleased too! Xxx
Having moved house every 2 years as a kid I’ve had to resist the need to move house continually as an adult (where I, not mum, would have to pack and unpack). This made me cackle!
The packing is particularly arduous I found this time 😂
Utterly brilliant
❤️❤️
I need a little lay down in a dark room now 🤣 *decides not to move house after all 🤪
Hahahah
Congratulations for getting through all of this. Looking forward to seeing all your ideas for your new home come to fruition and I especially enjoy your writing. Something I always look forward to reading.
Thanks so much Julia xx
Hilarious but so recognizable, we once moved house on 21st December, all of our furniture was in storage, this was a long time ago when the gas man had to come and read the meter, he came, condemned the gas piping ( it was lead, and the old gas light connections had been cut off and crimped shut it was a wonder it didn't blow up) cue weeping, elicit pity , said ok but we had to sort it after Christmas, no curtains no turkey, tree went up, off to Bradford market, home with curtains and turkey.
Another time Removals men once told me " you have too much stuff madam" as they loaded a bin bag full of rubbish on.
So disillusioned with estate agents the last house we sold, during pandemic, was with purple bricks, husband still hasn't paid me the commission
Omg this is terrible 😂 moving is such a stress!!
Honest, funny and slightly mad which is why we follow you ❤️
Also hard relate on a number of fronts as moved from a house to a temporary flat to a bigger house a few years ago and still traumatised 😬 Some of the many highlights were booking a van about 5cm bigger than all our possessions in storage and watching the removal men try to jenga it all in, begging the storage facility to stay open after hours because said process took twice as long as it should have done, and not taking enough time off work to get everything done and then promptly getting a stress induced kidney infection which put me on my arse for two weeks. All with two children under 5yrs and - as discussed - zero input from the husband as that is the only way to fly. Altogether now - never again!
Omg this sounds terrible. I said to the removal men how do people do this if they have to complete in a chain and he said they’re just more organized than you 😂
Oh Lisa, I’m exhausted reading this you must be shattered. It all worked out, entirely due only to you! Thank goodness you had your Ibiza break at least. I am on a Swedish Death cleaning mission at the moment so I don’t inflict my ‘stuff’ onto the nearest and dearest. Who have already informed me they will get house clearers in and watch it all go in a skip with no care or concern! 😂
Hahah! I can 100pc see the point of the Swedish death thing though. My kids were asking me why I kept all this stuff, they def had no interest
We’re only halfway through our “downsizing dream” having entered Level 5 The Legal Part 🤣. I can’t tell you how many conversations about the whole process have been started here due to your honest updates. You’ve singly handedly got the Thirty Years of Family Life movers on their way so thank you. I already cleared out the baby teeth and umbilical clamps. My bad 😝
Hahaha am glad to have been of help! Good luck Gill 💪🏻
Omg that was a hilarious read! I really enjoy your posts especially about Joe! 😂😂
Thanks Valerie 😂
Please post your address. I’m happy to send you an actual bottle of champagne after the last 6 months of chaos. 😝
Hahah! I can’t even remember what it was but I feel it was something from the back of the work cupboard. Joe barely drinks so he has no care for quality 😑😂😂
I’m late reading this Lisa, but huge congratulations on finally getting into the new house despite all the hassle and tears. I’m incredibly envious as my husband and I visited York to see the Richard Hawley gig when you were away and fell madly in love with the city. Every time I caught a glimpse of the Minster my breath would catch in my throat. So I understand how precious your new location is to you. Thanks also for all your recommendations, we ate and drank very well! We also decided that if we win some money somehow, then we’d love to live in the St Mary’s area….. if only….😍
Ah did you! I hope you enjoyed! My friend Kate stayed at my house whilst we were gone to see that too. So glad the guide was helpful and st Mary’s is so beautiful isn’t it! Glad you had a lovely time xx