we are getting there at last

Hallelujah or however you spell the word! The painter has returned from the murky depths of his sick bed and is once again wielding the mighty brush. But, true to form, he did say,again-"we need more paint". Does this man have any other words in his vocabulary? Oh yes, I remember he does - usually something about needing more money. So predictable.And another thing - how come WE need more paint, but he never contributes to the cost of said sticky messy stuff?

Enough complaining - there are delightful moments when I am so happy that the environment in which I live is starting to feel more like mine. Mother has been gone from the planet for 7 years and Father in frail care for 4 years, so it is time that I stopped feeling guilty about wanting the place to look like my own. Technically, it is still my Dads home, but he is not likely to sleep in the place again. I have lived in a sort of vacuum for 4 years now, and in dire need of feeling that the place is my soft place to land.So, all of a sudden there are very bold coloured curtains, bamboo blinds and such things making the place feel like home.

Yesterday Daughter Two rang to say that the greatest little boy in the world needed to be collected at day care. When I arrived, the grin and delight on his face at seeing me generated sufficient energy to light up the town. He usually smiles and grabs his bag, but this was something different. I usually get him earlier and I guess he had had enough of pals for the day and just needed to be with family. Whatever the reason, it was a real joy for me.
The greatest attraction at my home for him is the motorbike - little piece of black plastic that keeps him fully entertained for hours. Being almost three years old now, he has decided that he can become more daring on the scooter, or do I mean OFF the bike? I have to be careful not to say things like - you will hurt yourself, and all those awful things that we programme into young people, so I encourage him to try things (at this stage, that means learning to roll the bike before he hits the garage door) and sort of hope for the best. I also heap praise when he does do something daring that has a happy end result. Oh the tightrope we walk.........

the passwords...

It seems that every day I need to create a new password for some or other internet page - I shall be drowning in them soon. I am extremely creative, so I manage to invent new ones easily, but need to find a storage place other than my head! Each time I blog, I have to create a new password.
What is it with the weather here in Cape Town - usually I am delighted if it is a nice weekend, and since I work in the week I really dont care about what happens outdoors. But I am invested in seeing the sun each day in the week now, so that the painters can work. Seems a waste to have sunshine on days that the painters are resting - so if you dont mind, I will be praying for, or ordering, sun on weekdays for the next week or two.
I am delighted with the results thus far - the colour that someone ( I think daughter #2) chose - being Rye Bread is working out well. In the evenings I light candles in the lounge, or switch on a small lamp and the glow on the walls is gorgeous - looks warm and yellow/peach/whatever - depends on the angle - so I am content about indoors. Exterior is another matter. I believe I have chosen colours that are too light, but I shall live with my choices - the olive green for the boundary wall is a little too pastel. I may have preferred bolder shades - but I am now becoming even too boring for me to read.
By tomorrow, the bathroom, loo and kitchen should be done. And perhaps also the passage, so I need to get stuff moved out of the bedrooms so that we can get them done in a few days - the rain should be gone by Thursday.
Here's to sunshine!

they come to test me.

So what is it about handymen - firstly they are never around when you need them - and they usually come at a price, often my patience is the price I pay. The instruction was straightforward - instal the new doorbell so that only a select few will know it is there - the underside of the slightly weatherworn post box was the best bet - it is also the only place available. Not difficult one might assume (note to self - remember ass -u-me). One might assume incorrectly. Product supplied with - wait for it, bells, whistles and trumpets please - double sided tape. Well of course if you are going to install a doorbell, it should be easily removed for whatever crises you can think of, but I sincerely believe that double sided tape is only any good for childrens craft ideas. So, I requested a more permanent fitting like a screw or two. Not a big ask in my book!
Needless to say, I got home, looked for the push button to ring the doorbell to the no-one inside - for the fun of it and da-da... no doorbell. Unless you are speaking of the one lying in the gutter beneath the postbox!
I ask you with tears in my navy blue eyes - who on earth fits anything onto a letter box (wooden) with tape! I am a bookkeeper and I know better.
SO who is volunteering to work for nothing other than my undivided attention and perhaps a cup of Nescafe?

the painting

Well, it seemed like a good idea that I had been mulling over for quite some time - but have you any idea how much energy it takes to get a home painted - even if you are not the one with the brush in your hand??
Oh my hat! Who to employ, considering the house has to be left unattended while I earn money, and the biggest dilemma has been the colours. Many an hour of picking colours and other peoples brains... endless task.