Monday, September 29, 2008

It’s knee good

My right knee is giving me quite a bit of grief. It’s pretty swollen, aches constantly like a really bad toothache and the muscles are extremely painful.

Normally my aches and pains usually settle down but as this has been going on for four weeks, I thought it best to go and get it checked out.

Which is what I did this afternoon. The good news is I haven’t damaged the ligaments, the bad news is the doctor doesn’t know what the problem is so is referring me as an urgent case to see a knee specialist.

He’s prescribed me some painkillers and said I should get an appointment to see the specialist within the next four weeks. Non-urgent cases have to wait at least six months so it’s not as bad as it could have been.

The doctor did ask if I could think of anything that could have caused the problem. I said we have been fitting a new kitchen. He replied that we were brave to attempt such a project and hoped it was worth it. Not having to do wash the dishes – you bet it was worth it ! ! ! !

Marie

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Exorcism

I’m afraid the phantom doorbell is no more.

We usually take no notice of it when it rings and it can be quite a party piece when we have guests.

However it’s been misbehaving. Instead of ringing once, it’s started to ring every three minutes, and this is even when there are no cars around to set it off.

After an hour of the Westminster chimes it does start to get on your nerves a little. It’ll then have a break and start up again a couple of hours later.

We decided enough was enough so sadly took the decision to have it exorcised – or rather take the batteries out and buy a new one.

This afternoon while we were in B&Q we bought a replacement. We are slightly worried though in case the exorcism hasn’t worked and the phantom doorbell ghost takes up residents again.

Having the Westminster chimes go off is fine, having to put with ‘twinkle, twinkle little star’, ‘it’s a small world’ or worse an electric dog barking that sounds more like someone sawing wood – no way ! ! !

Marie

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Back to normal

Things in the BOGOF household are slowly getting back to normal following the new kitchen and the frantic finishing off before our party at the weekend. And yes we are still suffering the aches and pains…

Monday (8th) was spent, with my mam who had very kindly offered her help, giving the new kitchen a good clean. We had the huge task of bringing everything that we’d put in storage from the old kitchen, into the new kitchen. I still can’t find anything ! ! ! Once that was done we then tackled cleaning the downstairs.

Tuesday (9th). My 40th birthday - which was spent doing housework, then having a long soak in the bath to ease the aches and pains. Is it really all down hill when you reach 40…

The birthday bunny was extremely generous. I got loads of books and DVD’s. Can’t wait to try the sing-a-long triple DVD box set of ‘The Young One’s, Summer Holiday and It’s a Wonderful life’. My main present from the birthday bunny was a clarinet. I used to play it at school and really enjoyed it so thought now was a good time to rekindle my youth ! ! !

Wednesday and Thursday (10th/11th) was spent catching up on things which had been put to one side while we were fitting the kitchen. Even got to try my clarinet. I’m a bit rusty but managed never the less to get a note or two out of it…

Friday (12th). Instead of going to the childminders*, the childminder came to ours. John took a half day off work so we could all get the house ready for tomorrows party.

Saturday (13th). My 40th birthday party. It was a lovely day and thanks to everyone for coming, especially those who had to travel long distances to get there. I was really touched by my present/s so thank you again.

Sunday (14th). We held yet another party. This time it was a Turkey and Tinsel lunch time party. It was all Jan’s fault. She mentioned a while ago that we never get to go out for a Christmas meal so we decided to hold a turkey and tinsel party.

There was a turkey and all the trimmings, Christmas pudding, mince pies, crackers, Christmas music – and even presents.

I wonder what theme our party will have next year. We are threatening to hold a Eurovision party ! ! !

Marie

*my mams

Sunday, September 07, 2008

New kitchen – day 16

Day 16. 9.30am. The Housemates are still in bed… As this is the final day of the kitchen fitting they decided to have a bit of a lie in.

11.30am. The Housemates having been to B&Q for some bits and pieces set to work on finishing off the pelmet.

12.30pm. The Housemates make a start on the putting together the remainder of the drawers. They stop to have lunch and watch the start of the Grand Prix.

2.15pm. Having fitted the drawers, the Housemates then start building the dresser unit.

4.pm. The Housemates finish attaching the front to the pulley-out unit.

4.45pm. The Housemates fit the final end panel.

5.15pm. Housemate John tries to fit the sink waste pipe to the Belfast sink but it won’t grip. Housemate John say’s ‘oh dear’….

6.pm. Housemate John gets to work on fitting some of the decorative stripping while Housemates Marie finishes off the grouting.

6.45pm. The Housemates bring back into the kitchen the dresser.

7.pm. The Housemates start clearing up the kitchen.

7.45pm. Other than a couple of cosmetic bits and pieces to do, the Housemates have finished the kitchen…

Saturday, September 06, 2008

New kitchen – day 15

Day 15. 9.30am. Housemate John is fitting more plinth while Housemate Marie heads off to get some sandwiches from the Deli, pay the newspapers and get some kitchen sealant from Wicks.

11am. The new fridge and freezer are installed in the kitchen.

11.30am. The Housemates start fitting the dishwasher and extractor fan doors.

2pm. Housemate John begins fitting the cornices, pelmets and end panels while Housemate Marie starts building the drawers.

7.10pm. Having sanded down the wooden work tops, the Housemates give them another oiling.

7.20pm. The Housemates decide to call it a night. Housemate Marie is looking forward to her relaxing bath as she’s a bit stiff and achy while Housemates John goes out to collect a pizza

Friday, September 05, 2008

New kitchen – day 14

Day 14. 9.30am. Housemate John gets back to finishing off laying the flooring while Housemate Marie makes a start on attaching the hinges and drilling handle holes in the doors.

2pm. The Housemates start handing the doors.

5pm. Housemate John starts work on the plinths.

6.45pm. The Housemates call it a night as they have to get food supplies from Morrrisons and their Chinese take-away.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

New kitchen – day 13

Day 13. 9.30am. The Housemates continue where they left off last night by working on fitting the two remaining worktops.

2pm. The Housemates tidy the kitchen floor and give it a good hoover ready to drag in the Belfast sink.

Housemate Marie said there was no way Housemate John was carrying it into the kitchen. She was worried that a) he’ll drop and smash it and b) he’ll give himself a hernia and the kitchen will not be finished ready for a week come Saturday.

3pm. The Housemates start to install the Belfast sink. The both agree that solid wooden worktops are much lighter than a Belfast sink ! ! !

5pm. The Housemates make a start on fitting the flooring.

7.35pm. The Housemates would have liked to have continued with the flooring but they tummies said they would like to be fed…

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

New kitchen – day 12

Day 12. 9.30am. Housemate Marie cleans the floor using the new vacuum cleaner they bought from Argos the night before.

The Housemates start work on the worktops. They both come to the conclusion that solid wood worktops are mighty heavy….

4.50pm. The Housemates finish attaching two of the four worktops to the base units.

7.50pm. The fourth worktop has been cut to size, a hole made for the Belfast sink and had two coats of oil on it. As they are both filthy, they decide to call it a night.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

New kitchen – day 11

Day 11. 9.30am. Housemate Marie sets to work grouting the tiles while Housemate John finishes off the tiling that was left from yesterday.

12pm. Housemate John finishes off the Belfast sink unit.

3.30pm. The Housemates finish grouting the tiles.

4.30pm. The Housemates get started on cutting the workbenches. Housemate John tries out his new toy – an industrial strength router. It makes a lot of noise and sawdust.

6pm. The Housemates call it a night as they need to go to Morrisons for more food supplies. Then it’s off to find a cheep vacuum cleaner to hoover up the sawdust (Housemate Marie said she was not allowing Housemate John to use the house vacuum cleaner) and then out for dinner.

Monday, September 01, 2008

New kitchen – day 10

Day 10. 9.30am. The Housemates are hard at it with the tiling.

7.20pm. The Housemates decided to call it a night. There’s still a little bit of tiling left but they are both knackered and don’t want to upset the neighbours as the electric tile cutter has been on the go since 9am and it is rather noisy…

Housemate Marie is about to go for a lovely relaxing bath while Housemate John goes and gets a pizza.