Keep the carrot, give me a sledgehammer!

Some people use carrots to relieve stress... I have found that a sledgehammer is a far more satisfying method! The lean-to aka utility room and conservatory had to go as a) we want to build an extension and b) we've used all our permitted development allocation for the loft. Having carefully (ish) removed the various glass bits and rotten wood holding the glass in place (I jest not), the remaining brick walls needed to be reduced into a more manageable size for either loading onto a skip or used as hardcore. Enter Stick with a 12lb sledgehammer (I've been working out!). There's something strangely satisfying and therapeutic about reducing a wall to a pile of rubble. The only trouble is, you can't induge over often or you run out of house. Alas, it was over all too briefly; but it was GREAT FUN!!

I'm knackered!

'Tis only 21:43 on a Thursday evening, but I have had to stop before I fall off my scaffold board! This week has comprised of filling, rubbing down, painting and then more filing etc etc. In my spare time I have also demolished the lean-to and filled a skip (more of this on another blog). Suffice to say progress is being made. teh council chap came round for what was hopefuly the final inspection to inform us we needed an electric extract fan in the loft bathroom - why they couldn't have told us that before when we still could have installed it easily heavens knows. When questioned why we needed one, he said to get rid of condensation when showering - I opened the window, but he wasn't to be moved. I even protested that it wasn't on the plans to which he replied you used "* & *" and they often miss things off the plans! Have you ever tried threading a collapsible tube from the outside of a facia board over the top of two layers of insulating board to a hole cut in the ceiling that is not over the bath? It undoes all the good engendered by the sledgehammer...

Sorry...

to all you avid fans of my exploits that they have been a tad more sporadic of late. I haven't even been reading yours (sharp intake of breath and cries of "Shame on you!"). I am on a week's vacation as it is half term and so therefore as I am not sat at a desk infront of a screen all day, the lure of the internet fades. I am however chastened and will remedy matters (probably). I have also caught up with your respective blogs, well Caroline at least as I can't seem to access anyone else's. Don't you just love technology?

Its been a while

Panic! Suddenly realised that it's been over a week since my last blog - I'll be branded with the same brush as DC if I'm not careful.
Got a haircut on Friday and I think he may have gone a bit far. Put it like this, I think I was wearing short tousers at Sunday School the last time my hair was this short.
Update on lofty issues are that the builders have basically gone. We have now to do "a bit" of filling, rubbing down and then decorate. Claire is, as we speak, up a ladder being mysterious with a paintbrush. She really has the bit between her teeth on this, spending most of Saturday up there getting as much dust on her as possible it seemed. She looked like one of those sponge cakes all dusted with icing sugar.
I contented myself with 3 loads of washing, some tidying up and a trip to Homebase hunting for colour swatches.
Sunday found us popping (!) over to Talywain, near Pontypool for a Christening. Friends of Claire are now the proud parent of a bouncing baby boy. Total travelling time about 5 hours, time spent in Talywain 3.5 hours. Naomi chose to wear a short red dress with black boots and it was scarey - only 9 years old and a total stunner. Esther just looks cute and cheeky. Claire as always looked gorgeous.
Nearly made it back for my 8pm oversight meeting, got there at 8.30 to find they had waited for me before starting. Bless.
Got home to do some ironing before collapsing to bed around midnight.
Claire has borrowed the book "Eats, shoots and leaves" about punctuation faux-pas which she is chortling over in bed so I will peruse that when she's finished with it.

Things you'd love to say but...

Following my friend Liz's experience with an "individual" at work - found these comments to be used at your discretion (or otherwise):
1. I can see your point, but I still think you're full of s**t.
2. I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.
3. How about never? Is never good for you?
4. I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
5. I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me.
6. I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.
7. I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...
8. I don't work here. I'm a consultant.
9. It sounds like English, but I can't understand a word you're saying.
10. Ahhh...I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again...
11. I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.
12. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
13. I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don't give a damn.
14. I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
15. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
16. Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
17. The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.
18. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.
19. What am I? Flypaper for freaks!?
20. I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.
21. It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off.
22. Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
23. And your cry-baby whiny-assed opinion would be...?
24. Do I look like a people person?
25. This isn't an office. It's Hell with fluorescent lighting.
26. I started out with nothing & still have most of it left.
27. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.
28. If I throw a stick, will you leave?
29. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.
- (Heard daily at the IRS, Enron, Ford and Firestone)
30. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.
31. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality.
32. A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door.
33. Can I trade this job for what's behind door #1?
34. Too many freaks, not enough circuses.
35. Nice perfume. Must you marinate in it?
36. Chaos, panic, & disorder - my work here is done.
37. How do I set a laser printer to stun?

An Inspector Calls

Big day today. Planning Inspector from the Council is coming round to have a look re our planning application for the rear extension. Just hope all goes ok. The loft is coming on. Minor concerns re the lake that forms on the flat roof when it rains... Doesn't leak which is good, just sits there on the front (by the ridge tiles) when should run down off the back. Plaster board should all be up today and there are three electricians 'doing their thing' so we should have power by tonight along with a swish new fuse board downstairs.