It's been an on-going saga, this house business. I'm thinking of giving the house a name, on a plaque outside the front door. Its name will be "Forth Bridge".
In the last 3 years, forgetting about all the years gone by, this house has had new central heating, a new kitchen, new French doors in the sitting room, new porch doors, new back door, a new roof on its garage and now - the Piéce de Résistance - its being electrically rewired. Oh boy!
The electricians started a week ago. Well, I say Electricians, it's really an electrician and a half, Gary and his apprentice son, Luke. They know their stuff. They are polite, professional, they get on with the job, it's going well but it's MESSY.
Every room has been turned upside down. Every room is cleaned every evening when they're done. Every room is STILL covered in a fine film of dust. Laura and I are having new carpets in our bedrooms, when it's all finished, so we're living with bare floorboards and the odd rug. Nik, Laura's mum's, room is full of Laura's bedroom furniture and toys. My room is full of Laura's books and all the spare bedding.
While work is in progress I've taken time off work. I would have much preferred not to be here while they are but the 15 year old dog just can't take it without me. She's a bit senile and very deaf. Loud noises she can hear - and she jumps as high as her arthritic old legs will allow, in a state of mild shock. Doors are being left open and Jet, who used to lie on the front drive for hours in the sun, now takes herself on a wander if not carefully watched. So I'm here for the duration.
Hopefully, they will finish on Thursday. It's not the end of it, oh, no. The kitchen is going to be done, separately, in a couple of months. That will mean a whole shedload of retiling and another load of mess but at least it will be confined to the kitchen and we can always eat take-aways. Before that, though, there are 2 rooms and a hallway to re-paper and 3 bedrooms to paint. I like painting but I'm dreading the wallpapering. I have THIS BACK that tends to go "boing" if I'm doing things like twisting around on step-ladders. Maybe I'll employ a decorator if I've any money left.
So, with luck, it'll all be done and looking smart by September. I can't wait. The only trouble is, by then we'll probably be starting again somewhere else. Those windows have been in over 20 years - with a 15 year guarantee.
Oh, bugger.
In the last 3 years, forgetting about all the years gone by, this house has had new central heating, a new kitchen, new French doors in the sitting room, new porch doors, new back door, a new roof on its garage and now - the Piéce de Résistance - its being electrically rewired. Oh boy!
The electricians started a week ago. Well, I say Electricians, it's really an electrician and a half, Gary and his apprentice son, Luke. They know their stuff. They are polite, professional, they get on with the job, it's going well but it's MESSY.
Every room has been turned upside down. Every room is cleaned every evening when they're done. Every room is STILL covered in a fine film of dust. Laura and I are having new carpets in our bedrooms, when it's all finished, so we're living with bare floorboards and the odd rug. Nik, Laura's mum's, room is full of Laura's bedroom furniture and toys. My room is full of Laura's books and all the spare bedding.
While work is in progress I've taken time off work. I would have much preferred not to be here while they are but the 15 year old dog just can't take it without me. She's a bit senile and very deaf. Loud noises she can hear - and she jumps as high as her arthritic old legs will allow, in a state of mild shock. Doors are being left open and Jet, who used to lie on the front drive for hours in the sun, now takes herself on a wander if not carefully watched. So I'm here for the duration.
Hopefully, they will finish on Thursday. It's not the end of it, oh, no. The kitchen is going to be done, separately, in a couple of months. That will mean a whole shedload of retiling and another load of mess but at least it will be confined to the kitchen and we can always eat take-aways. Before that, though, there are 2 rooms and a hallway to re-paper and 3 bedrooms to paint. I like painting but I'm dreading the wallpapering. I have THIS BACK that tends to go "boing" if I'm doing things like twisting around on step-ladders. Maybe I'll employ a decorator if I've any money left.
So, with luck, it'll all be done and looking smart by September. I can't wait. The only trouble is, by then we'll probably be starting again somewhere else. Those windows have been in over 20 years - with a 15 year guarantee.
Oh, bugger.
