Surviving our building works and kitchen renovation

We are very close to the end of our orangery extension project, and we are really pleased with it. The building work is finished, we have a beautiful tiled floor, the walls are nearly all painted, and all that is left is the installation of the kitchen which is progressing really well.

I'm so grateful that we've been able to have this work done, and I'm really looking forward to enjoying it properly once all the work is done. The other night it was pouring with rain, and it felt so cosy to stand under the lantern roof and listen to it, even if we were surrounded by cardboard boxes and dust!

I must admit that I've not found the works easy. It will have taken nearly four months by the time it's finished, and that is with someone working every single day. We used a company to design and build the orangery, and worked mainly with their contacts for the different trades. So our project manager made sure that as soon as one part was finished the next person could start which has been brilliant, and people have also been popping in and out constantly to work on different things as the need arose.

We left them to work on the house while we were on holiday over half term which did work very well as they were able to get the floor laid without us bothering them. I think we would have had to move out otherwise, as we wouldn't have been able to use most of the ground floor.

Otherwise I've had to make sure that someone is around during the day in case they need anything, and as my husband works away quite a lot that's usually me. It has been a bit of a disruption to my usual routine - I've hardly been going out running which I miss, so that's something to get back into in the New Year!

I also feel on edge all the time when there are people in the house and I struggle to relax. It's not so much the noise or the dust, it's just knowing that there is always someone there. Should I be offering a drink? Do they need me for anything?

I'm also completely worn out with decision fatigue - from big decisions like which kitchen cabinets or floor tiles to choose down to the tiny ones like which saucepans to buy for the new induction hob. We've had lists to work through of things which need to be decided and chosen, and although it's exciting I find it all really tiring to think about!

I never like to give Christmas as a deadline for anything. But fingers crossed, this Christmas I will have a lovely clean and shiny space, and I can cook some delicious Christmas treats in an oven that isn't on its last legs!