Well Deserved Break

It has been a very busy week here, my phone has been ringing off the hook, my other half A.K.A Admin, has been inundated with messages. Business is good, and this is what most self-employed people dream of, a busy period that doesn’t seem to end. My calendar is filling up fast, a good joinery friend who I sub contract for called, I couldn’t even spare time for him, he is having the same “issue/non-issue” so much work coming in he is having to turn it away.

Its also nice hearing of pervious customers, wanting more improvements to their homes, it is lovely to hear from new customers also, being recommended and learning all that advertising other half/Admin is paying off.

Other half/Admin has also had a busy week, not only with running our home, keeping our kids in one piece and volunteering, she has been preparing all my accounts for the end of year, it was refreshing to hear that my turn over has tripled! Not bad to say this is only our second financial year. I remember last year well, our profit less than £10,000, and then I was told by other sole traders and business owners, that this figure was great for our first year?! #Pardon? #IsthisaJOKE Apparently not, a staggering 80% of start-ups crash and burn in the first 18 months, that’s a scary figure.

I knew the 7 day weeks, usually 13 hours a day was worth it. I am looking into JH Joinery’s future and seeing an apprentice, maybe at the start of next year. Finally having the van sign written, that could even be this year. #Maybe. A second van? With a second joiner? Who knows. I can’t let the fact we’ve had a brilliant year go to my head, Admin keeps me on a level.

But now it is time for a well deserved break, a holiday. We are finally going away as a family, me having passed up on the last 2 trips away to work.

Scotland, with my two boys and the other half, even the pooch. Yes that is a dinosaur costume and no it wasn't my idea, I was just as sad as him.

I have been really looking forward to this, sitting back and relaxing in the afternoon, going for a walk on the beach and taking the boys swimming.

Pictures to follow…

Beast From the East

My first blog entry, seems as I'm stuck inside waiting for the Boiler Engineer #NotAllHErosWearCapes thanks to the weather! So thanks to a bit of training from the other half, I'm now doing something techie, so bare with me.

I had an emergency call out, most joiners don't get these, it's my first, and there's no way I could leave someone in this weather with a door that wouldn't close.

So I load up the van, it is bitterly cold, despite my 4 layers and 2 hats, off I go in my Transit van, heater on full, through the snow, doing a bit of sliding but I kept it under control, I did well considering I have only been driving a year., but think its more down to the fact its a #Transit

I arrive and fix the door within 5 seconds. I feel better knowing that's one less person with an issue in this weather. #Joiner Because Hero isn't an official job title

Set off home to get my feet warm and chill in front of the fire with the other half and kids, eating that nice hot tea the little chef has been planning.

What do I walk into?

My other half running around with towels and a bucket, catching water that proceeded to pour from the ceiling, its tripped the electrics. The Lads Screaming "Daddy it's raining inside!" as their mum tries to keep them from jumping in the ever growing puddle in our living room.

Has a pipe bust?

NO, oh no, due to it being -9 the pipe froze outside. While I was gone the oh so beautiful and talented other half started to defrost it, while doing so she turned on the taps in the bathroom sink, did she turn them off again? Well you can guess the answer.

So when the pipe was unfrozen, our sink filled up pretty quickly, and the made its way down stairs to out light and then congregated on the floor.

Thankfully it's all fixed now, but soon after the boiler stopped working. #BeastFromTheEast

For anyone having the same issues, it may be the condensate pipe freezing.

It's been a tough few days here,

but thanks to our boys who keep me laughing,

the other half who keeps me sane and well fed,

and a few 1.5kw heaters that keep my toes warm, it could have been worse.