Ok. There’s no snow. But I’m trying to dash as best as I can but we have so much to do. We are in the middle of ripping up the orange living room carpet – yes, the one I’ve been complaining about for nearly 4 years! It has been down some 40 years, we think. Before carpet gripper was invented (tongue-in-cheek). It’s actually nailed down into the floorboards. This did not come as any major surprise to us.
On moving in we were both ‘wtf’ about many things but we came to accept some of the foibles of the builders (a near neighbour explained that the builders were still ‘learning’ as they built these houses some 50 years ago…) and the eccentricities of some of the electrical work such as the most unconventional wiring colours that worked despite defying standard electrical codes anywhere in the world. However, the exposed live wire behind a kitchen unit we pulled out to make room for a dishwasher was still something of a surprise. Luckily, not a shock.
So why shouldn’t a carpet be nailed down? It’s as practical as the mattress protector that was hung like a curtain behind the front door as a draught excluder. I kid you not. In fact, waterproof mattress protectors had been utilised in so many ways not obvious to the ordinary person. Quite creative, actually. Luckily, their availability saved buying dropcloths so not complaining.
The carpet has a thick felted underlay, a bit like horsehair and looks as old as dirt (the underlay). We have a big skip bag on the drive so as each section gets pulled up (we’re slicing through it in sections with a Stanley knife) it get chucked out. It feels tremendously cleansing and cathartic. It’s a detox-your-dining-room kind of exercise. We had already put the tree up because we had visitors with a little one earlier this month and wanted to have some Christmas spirit. In fact, we also had a proper Christmas dinner with crackers and and champagne. All for the fun of it. But now, it’s down to work and I want the room properly straight for Christmas! The robot tree decoration is this year’s acquisition. He was 30% off in Paperchase but I would have probably bought him anyway; I’m a big fan of robots.
We’re putting laminate flooring down, and, my goodness, it looks good even though only half the room is done. And we have yet to put the edging on which will finish it off b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-l-y! We also have a Mexican pine TV stand with inlaid iron work in the doors. It was the true baked bean colour that Heinz has perfected so well. Great for beans but not TV stands. I sanded it down and gave it a black wax staining. It looks great. Toot, toot. Not down to me though, the wax did the job, really.
It’s hard going. We have to move the furniture from one half of the room to the other, lay the floor, then will have to move it back with the other half and finish it. And clean in between. And, for some real crime scene drama, Mr T just sliced into his thumb with the Stanley knife. Plasters didn’t absorb all the bleeding… we ended up wrapping it in kitchen roll and sticking it down with duct tape. I promise you, I’d take him to ER in a heartbeat but he insists he’s fine so until his finger drops off, he’s soldiering on.
We are both in our swampy gear and look as though we’ve been up and down the inside of an industrial chimney. My hair hasn’t been brushed since I got up and neither of us has had a wash or brushed our teeth yet. Seriously swampy and probably smelly, too. I can’t wait for a a tooth scrubbing, a hot shower and hairwash, then clean pyjamas and bed with a mug of Ovaltine. Please don’t call round until I’m presentable!
Amid all this mayhem and mess, the postie rang the doorbell with parcels. I was over the moon to receive an order for some wool from Pink Milk on Etsy. It’s the second order I’ve placed with Pink Milk (Heather) and both times she has got it in the post super quick. Even in this frantic run up to Christmas, when I’m sure she’s up to her eyeballs in everything like all of us, she got the order posted out to me unbelievably fast. See the pink floral wrapping? That’s the bag it came in- it’s really pretty and so nice to receive after the plain brown Amazon packaging. I opened it and literally gasped at the loveliness of the colours, even better in real life than the pictures on the website. The balls are squidgy and soft with a gorgeous texture – they’re 50% baby alpaca and 50% merino. If you have a wooly G spot, this wool will have you in raptures. You want to see for yourself? Here’s the link – Am giving her a shout out for her brilliant customer service and going beyond the necessary. Thank You Heather!
Etsy Pink Milk
So, six sleeps to Christmas Day. All the pressies have been bought and wrapped. Most of the food and drink is stuffed in the pantry, fridge and freezer. Tablecloth, runner and festive placemats are at the ready (bought some gold beady ones for a steal in last year’s sales, thank you Mr Dunnes). Cards delivered. Cleared washing and got things all over the house freshened up. Am pretty much set. So long as the room gets sorted out in time.
Anyway, I think I’m needed to help with the flooring, or maybe his finger really has dropped off, so will probably have one last post before Christmas. Until then, don’t wear yourselves out!
****Update: one section of orange carpet to go!!! Then to lay the laminate down on that section, go round with the edging and tidy up!!!!!!!! Coming Home For Christmas!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!****
***Update 2: The mitre saw died. Bah. So best laid floorplans and all that… a dash to B & Qto get a new one and a stand as well. Ouch. But, it will be finished today. And the new curtain pole and curtains can go up!***
