buildinggracelands: 23rd March : it's all happening now...

Two things happened on site today. Greg put some interesting lining into the garden boxes which will aid drainage. The carpet payer worked from 6.30 until 6pm. He found some difficulty in getting the glue to "go off" on the stairs.

The people from Howards rang to say that they can't come until next Friday to do the wine racks and my desk. They are no longer my favourite shop! However, they just join the list of others who have "postponed" promised arrivals! It is interesting that these "postponers" always manage to blame another person in the network. This is all fine with us because we are flexible and determined that the experience will not be one of the most stressful in our lifetimes, (thanks Emma for that list of the five most stressful things in one's life,) but I still can't understand why anyone would choose a career co-ordinating tradesmen. Surely being a musician would be easier, Bernard!

It is becoming evident that we won't be moving into a finished abode. We are planning only partial residence for at least another week, maybe two. However, at least it is all happening. I have taken a break from last minute stashing junk into boxes to write this. Tomorrow the carriers arrive.

Jerry and Chris saved the day tonight. Big day at the surgery and we desperately planned to pick up some Maccas (sic) on the way home at 7.30 in the interests of timesaving, (more time to pack and for Lester to do his paperwork.) Anyway, we pulled into the carpark, looked at each other and decided not to. Thought we'd head off for Stocko and try the hamburger joint in the main street. They were closed. The Washtub was hosting trivia night and was crowded (30 people). We decided to cook an egg and bacon at home after we had called into the Priettos to pick up more packing paper. Turning into King St we realsied that all the frying pans were packed. Maybe there was a tin of baked beans in the pantry? We were greeted by Jerry and Chris with a shot of Czech liquer and a take home pack of "leftovers"; the most delicious schnitzeled meat!!! What terrific friends! They must be mind-readers.

Steve is still negotiating progress on dragon trees. In fact, he is becoming a dragon tree expert. He has inspected every one between here and the central coast. We have decided to name one of the trees "Steve". Any suggestions for a name for the other one??? We have decided on two which are reasonably grown but currently a "bit ugly" becasue their mops have been clipped. However, in the fullness of time - could be a couple of years, they will grow into acclimatised, robust, branchy shaders. Cross fingers.

The photos today are of the almost finished floor area. I have included details of the stairs which always seemed to defy beautification. The carpet is very light, as planned. We think we might encourage a no-shoes- inside policy. Nice idea but I can't see it working.

Greg has purchased a Super Ladder. It has a big platform and a handle for the incumbent vertigo sufferers. It is incredibly light and fits neatly into its own ladder cupboard. Patty and a few other readers have express delight that we are having a bookshelf which requires a ladder. Unfortunately it is not an attached timber one on rollers. We have gone practical, as the ladder will be necessary in many other areas apart from the library.

I feel apprehensive about filling this space with furniture. I think we have far too many lounges but Lester disagrees and insists we take them all. So we will just have to see how it goes. We decided to keep our old floral chairs because we have loved them so much over the years, however, when I dropped the cushions into the scheme tonight I can see that they don't really fit. We shall see.