Thursday, April 24, 2014

THOUGHTS ON THURSDAY

This is where I seek to find what has been going 'right' during the past week and hope your troubles have all been little ones over the last seven days.

Last Thursday the old kitchen cupboards were taken out and new ones installed and I posted photos  so you know what they look like.  It has taken this long for Phil and myself to begin finding places for all the things that go in kitchen cupboards and we have found there is a lot more room in the new cupboards than we first thought so that is a big 'right'.  Reece is due tomorrow to do the grouting around the tiles so then I will be able to arrange things on the benches as well which will finish that part of the work.

Unfortunately I do not like the new sink and miss having a draining section on both sides instead of just the one.  The family were telling me on Sunday night that it was quite normal and in some cases there is just a sink with the draining part actually cut into the bench top.  The worse part though is, because there is now a section between me and the sink, as the cupboards are deeper, that now when I do the dishes it is playing havoc with my back.  One of the worst things I can do is to lean slightly forward (similar to taking items out of the shopping trolley at the check-out ... which Phil now does) and this I am having to do when washing up.  Fortunately, there being just the two of us there are never a great number of dishes and Phil keeps offering to wash-up but so far I've managed.  He has enough to do without me adding to his current chores.

A huge 'RIGHT' was going to Kelmscott on Sunday afternoon for a BBQ tea.

We gave Caitlyn a pretty "the Princess" mug and easter egg; to Immy we gave a Barbie mug with easter egg and to AJ a lovely soft cuddly rabbit as she can't eat chocolate because of her food allergies.  I was told no eggs for the adults and yet Phil and I both received a lovely dark chocolate rabbit each plus a couple of small eggs which we have since demolished with promises to be good from now on.  We had a really great few hours and kakka's hubby had cooked up some savoury chicken pieces, as well as the sausages, and they were delicious.  Must get that recipe from him as I am sure we could cook them on the griller for a main meal. 
I always enjoy watching the two 'littlies' racing around hunting for easter eggs in the garden.  They get so excited when they find one and of course Caitlyn helps AJ who is not two until next Saturday.

I rang the insurance company last week about new floor coverings and they said our Client Manager (don't you just love these modern terms?) would contact us.  We still had not heard so yesterday I rang them again and this time the lady I spoke to put me through to a gentleman who I imagine was our 'client manager'.   He said he'd have someone contact me and sure enough, I later had a call from the building firm who had got the go ahead to do the repairs who said someone from Allen's Carpet Court would be in touch.   I've heard of Carpet Court so perhaps it is a franchise and this one belongs to someone called Allen?  With the long weekend for Anzac Day coming up I don't expect anything to happen before next week.  Maybe we'll get a call today but who knows?  I am hoping they will be able to replace the kitchen vinyl and hall carpet without it costing us anything as I've already paid $500 for the new sink and the tiling and another $115 for the new stainless steel taps I asked for to replace the old ones.  When all that is done I will be able to add another 'right' to my weekly list.

I had my second x-ray yesterday but doubt I'll hear anything before next week because of Friday being a public holiday.   The lady took a second x-ray and I am not sure if that was a good or bad sign but fingers are crossed for a good result.

I still can't give a 'right' tick about the weather as still NO rain whatsoever but fortunately the days have cooled down to the mid-20s with much cooler nights, and we can go outside without being cooked by the sun.  We've even had our airconditioning set on hot instead of cold a couple of times which would be the first time for about six months or more plus an extra blanket on our beds.  Hopefully next Thursday that may be a plus instead of a minus.  Once again, fingers crossed for rain.  Watering the garden is becoming such a chore after six months and it would be great to be able to put the hoses away for a few months.

P.S.  I just borrowed the two picture as I think blogs look more effective with more than just words.  Talking of words, I apologise for always writing so much.  I just get carried away!!


16 comments:

  1. You never write too much, and I am happy to read just as much as you give us.
    I am glad your kitchen is moving, albeit slowly. And more space is always good.
    And your afternoon with the family sounds like just the tonic you need.
    Our paver was coming last Tuesday. He rang up and said Thursday. He rang last night and said next week. Sigh.

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    1. Thanks so much EC, that is so reassuring.
      Now the grouting is done it looks great but they've lost the covers of the two 3-in plug thingies. They say they'll try to replace them or do something as they look wrong and sort of naked now.
      I am so sorry to see you are having more problems with the paving. As Phil always says .. when dealing with tradesmen never expect too much....and he is so right. Yet, I guess we should be happy with what they've done for us this time.

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  2. When one of my sons wanted me to repair his word processor --many years ago when he was in university-- I could find nothing electronically or mechanically wrong, then suggested he put a pillow on his chair to elevate his body in relation to the keyboard. The problem, spacer key seemingly spacing on its own but really being unconsciously tapped by his hands resting on it, was solved. Perhaps if you used a mat or thick-soled shoes to elevate your body while washing up, your arms could do the work without stress on your back. Just an experimental thought. Best of luck!

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    1. I appreciate your suggestion Geo. but unfortunately it's not my height (I am about 5'5"..was 5'7" once) but it's the leaning forward to reach the taps etc and the dishes too I guess. I just do it as quickly as I can and then sit down.
      I enjoyed reading about how you solved the problem re your son's keyboard. That's a good tip for anyone having a similar problem.

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  3. No rain yet? Hmm, seems my rain dance wasn't effective, I may have to do another...
    We're having much cooler weather now, I'm wearing a cardigan first thing in the mornings, but I still feel warm for the rest of the day, even sleeping with back door and window open to let the cold air in, thank goodness the porch gate is securely locked.
    Nice to know there is much more room in the new cupboards, those corner cupboards that open all the way make a big difference. New grout tomorrow, new flooring very soon, it will be like a whole new home.

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    1. Seems your rain dance may have had a result as we did have rain this weekend and even this morning a couple of showers. We could of course do with more but it's great to have the cooler weather. I am still in summer clothes though but Phil is in warm clothes already. We leave window in laundry and louvres in back verandah open at night, summer and winter.
      I was amazed at how much room there really is in the new cupboards so that is a bonus and am still getting used to those corner cupboard doors.

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  4. Hari oM
    It's getting there Mimisie!! My right is that I have my old school friend coming to stay at my new home and I have unpacked three more boxes. Any step forward is at least not stagnancy! YAM xx

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    1. Apologies for being tardy in replying to your comment.
      It is good not to stagnate isn't it and so glad for you to have your old school friend come to stay. You will have lots and lots to talk about of that I am sure. xxx

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  5. You need some kind of ergonomic solution to your sink problem. Would it help if you were raised up a bit..just a couple of inches. I have a lovely thick mat I stand on at the sink and it makes quite a difference. I bought if from the chiropractor.

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    1. It's not my height that is the problem Delores, but having to lean forward not only to reach the taps but for some reason to do the dishes as well. If I were taller I'd probably have to stoop more rather than less. I just do dishes as quickly as I can and then sit down. Thanks for your tip though.

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  6. No need to apologize Mimsie, I love reading your posts and yes, from your comment at mine I find it sometimes difficult to get around to everyone. It's lovely getting back here when I can and read what I have missed. I hope your back doesn't have too much problem with t he new sink. You've been getting a lot of things done lately. We need to replace so many things in our house, and plumbing needs to be taken care of with new fixtures. We have one major expense coming up during the summer but after that we'll be checking our budget and seeing what's what.

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    1. I am just so thankful the main work was covered by insurance and it was great to get a new sink and taps too.
      There are lots of jobs that need doing in our old house but slowy does it when on an aged pension. Cost Phil nearly $500 just to have a new down pipe at back of house.
      We do really need to win Lotto but for some reason our numbers don't bring us more than perhaps $15 or $25 prizes so have given up hoping about that. lol

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  7. Never never apologize for writing to much I love knowing how you are where you been, what your doing and what you have done. Thank you for sharing your life with us Mimsie. I am sure the xray is going to turn out to be nothing they take seconds for all kinds of reasons. HUGS B

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    1. Thanks for your cheerful comments Buttons. I am running really late in replying to comments here and also on visiting other blogs so please forgive me.
      Fingers still crossed re x-ray. Nothing heard from doctor as yet.
      One can only hope for the best which I am doing. xx

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  8. You are a delight Mimsie and we wouldn't want it any other way, you write to your hearts content. A new kitchen will take a lot of getting used to and in my experience, the new sink won't be as sturdy as the old one as they don't build them like they used to xxx Rae

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    1. Thanks Rae, that brought a smile to my old face.
      Actually this new sink seems really sturdy which surprised me. I will get there eventually as I usually do. Just more patience needed I guess. xxx

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