sarahlou

I have an old phone (people laugh when I take it out its so old) but I love it and can work it! I've smashed the screen. It isn't one that the big shops would have a repair for, is there anyone independent who might be able to do it?

The British Heart Foundation have always picked up my books once I've got a couple of boxes put by for them.

When this happened to me I asked about the joint insurance policy for the house but it did not cover the leak, I was advised to get the people above to claim on their home insurance to cover it- when I asked them they preferred not to claim and paid for the repainting themselves. I also had a dehumidifier for a week first to make sure it was really dry and the floorboards above had fully dried out.

My top tips would be to send any pets to kennels for the weekend as the noise was too much for our dog! Also it is really important to fill between the boards-it is a faff, so the first couple of rooms I did I didn't bother but it makes the house draughty and freezing in winter! Also I would buy top quality varnish as I have found that they all look the same at first but the more expensive stuff definitely wears better (3 x dogs so I know...) Finally I'd also say you do get a better finish from a professional. If I'm redoing the back hall where it is mostly rugs, I do it myself, but for anywhere on display like my living room, entrance hall etc I now get someone in, as you can really see the difference. (I use Andrew at Redeemed Floors, (www.redeemedfloors.com) who I can highly recommend if you decide not to do it yourself in the end!)