Welcome to my blog

I hope you enjoy reading my posts, and please leave me a comment. I always enjoy reading them, and will try to visit you in return.

For security reasons for me and for you, I would appreciate it if you would leave your name on your comments.

You are welcome to copy any of my designs, as long as you do not take credit for them yourself. I am very happy for you to sell them. If I have used anyone else's design, I always try to give credit where it is due. If I have missed anything, please let me know and I will put things right.


This is intended to be mainly about my crafting stories, as a personal record of what I do. However, I interpret crafting quite widely, not just paper crafting but other things too. I have a butterfly mind and like to change from one thing to another depending on what I feel like on a given day - knitting, crochet, cross-stitch, cards, baking and several others, including my favourite right now, parchment, both traditional skills and Groovi, very relaxing and calming to do.

I have decided to put some structure into my blog so that each day will have something of a theme.
Monday- for Mindfulness; Tuesday - Tidy Up Day; Wednesday - What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday; Thursday - Technique and Tips; Friday - Finish Off Day; Saturday - Start Something New; Sunday - Anything Goes
These themes are not hard and fast and will be changed if I feel the need.

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

WOYWW 214 - What have I started?

This is my view from the desk at which I am currently sitting.  Yet another pallet of tiles has just arrived, all ready to go up the mini conveyor to the roof.  I have lost track of how many tiles have had to be taken up there and laid in place.  I am on skip no 2 so far, full of rotten and disintegrating roof felt and rotten shaling tiles, which have only just about kept the water out for the last couple of years. 

Just look at this shot. I keep getting very long suffering looks from the two dogs, just wishing it was all over and we can get back to some form of normality.  What a dirty look!  Flash is an expert in delivering these long suffering looks of disgust.  "Mum, make it stop".

I am glad the caravan is safely off the premises, as I do not think I could get it out of our road at the moment.  The Gas Board have taken over, digging up both sides of the road at the same time - clever, that, don't you think?

As I write this, on Tuesday, as usual, so that I can get it done in time, I am wondering what hornets' nest I have stirred up.  Over many years, we have had problems with our main sewer (sorry if you are just having your breakfast) which is old and runs through our front gardens instead of along the roadway as most do.  As Geoff is no longer here to rod the drains clear, I decided to ask the question of Severn Trent.  Now they have just rung up to say that a team is coming out today to assess the situation and decide who owns what, and to perhaps find out why the sewer keep blocking.  I just hope it does not involve digging up everyone's drives.  If it does, I shall move house to get away from irate neighbours who have just had block paving laid.  After two weeks of tiles flying down the chute, lathes and tiles being nailed into place, and AA man blocking the road and making a row on Sunday (right in the middle of the tennis)  I don't think I am the most popular person in the road right now.

Oh yes, the AA man was here to change the wheel on the Disco after a neighbour pointed out that I had a very flat tyre.  Oh joy!!  Still, I was lucky there in that the tyre was repairable and not too expensive. Just a pity that the AA man did not realise that the Disco has transmission braking (it acts on the prop shaft and not the wheel), until I shouted at him that it was moving down our drive towards the scaffolding as he was jacking it up.  After it had then been put into gear and two hefty wheel blocks put in front of the wheels, things went a little better.

I am off now to make another drink for the hard workers, then the plan is to vac and shampoo the hall carpet, before actually going upstairs and starting to clear my craft room, for the remedial work to be done in there, and then I might (yes, really, I might) get some crafting done.  I am suffering from withdrawal symptoms.  Watch this space!  In the meantime, our beloved Julia is waiting to see you over at Stamping Ground, where she will have a whole host of wonderful desks for you to study and drool over.  I apologise to those, I still have not got round to answering.  I have read all your lovely messages, and if technology and roofs allow, I will get there in the end.

PS I knew it was foolish to make plans.  Halfway through shampooing the hall carpet, the machine conked out and refused to let go of any of the water and solution.  Despite the usual cleaning and de-hairing it, nothing seemed to work, so the job is half done at the moment.  I did finally get an email from Bissell with instructions on a possible fix, so, do I feel strong enough tonight?  Not sure, it might be for the morning when  it is cooler. 

PPS The fix did not work and the smell is telling me that something more radical and technical is required - a trip to the carpet cleaner doctor, I feel.

37 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Trying to catch up as I see the bumblebees are now gone and the roof is nearly finished, but the sewer is one giant mess that some company (?) may or may not be responsible for. WHEW. Glad I am caught up again (grin).

Happy WOYWW from #2.

voodoo vixen said...

Oh dear Maggie, sorry about the mess, the noise and the carpet shampooer not playing nice! I think you did the right thing, obviously all the neighbours have left Geoff to do the dirty job for years, but now it is different, unless someone else takes over the rodding? LOL Hope your week gets better! Annette #7

Spyder said...

Flash looks really fed up! Hope your home is back to 'normal' soon! Have a great crafty Week! HaPpY wOyWw!?
((Lyn)) #11

Krisha said...

Oh No, Maggie! How horrid of a day you have had, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and things WILL get better!
Krisha #5

Unknown said...

Wow your life is all kinds of crazy at the moment. I agree, your pooch definitely looks annoyed. That expression is quite comical, and priceless.
Isn't that the way though, when it rains, it pours, your car, your roof, your shampooer. Sounds like my house. I swear that I have a "Murphy's Law" cloud hanging over my house. I hope things get back to normal for you very very soon. So Flash can start giving you looks of love and contentment. (That picture just cracks me up)
May this week be a damn site better than the last. (((HUGS)))
Kim
WOYWW #6(as long as my # doesn't change like last week)

Create With Joy said...

Oh, I know you (and your sweet doggie) will be glad when life is back to normal again!

Have a Happy WOYWW!

Create With Joy #4
http://create-with-joy.com

Monica said...

you must not be sleeping or have a magic posting button to WOYWW. it has got to be around 4 am in UK. Hope the roof is soon finished and all the digging is completed.
Monica #20

Silvia said...

Bless you! Putting up with all the shinannigans. But it will be worth it in the end. That what everyone kept telling me when we had the Loft Conversion done...and it is.
Happy WOYWW
Silvia#32

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

ah Maggie, your lot with machines must take a turn for the better soon, just read the post blow too.. you are sooo busy with everything, every day, that is for sure! not time for grass to grown under your feet..

I really pray for solution to the sewer and shampooing and swift conclusion to the re-roofing so doggy smiles once more return and crafty matters attended to!! every blessing and hugs dear friend, WOYWW Shaz in Oz.x #35
PS fab about Wimbledon wasn't it?

Helen said...

oh my, what a week you've had.... still the tennis was good! Hope your neighbours are still talking to you by the time we share desks again next week.... much love, Helen 17

Claire said...

animals really don't like workmen disrupting the peace of home, do they?? hope the roof is soon finished and normal service is resumed!
happy WOYWW and have a great week :)
no. 31

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Oh Maggie...it's like the Universe is determined to test out your resolve at the moment with all that's going on. But you are facing it all head on and winning....I'm proud of you, girl!
Hugs, LLJ 45 xx

fairy thoughts said...

Oh dear what a week you are having, you probably need to do some crafting to take your mind if it all. On the up side andy won the tennis
Janet @40

Di said...

Oh Maggie, what a lot is going on right now for you. But, on the bright side, with luck, you ought to be having good weather and not pouring rain for the roof work. The sewerage problems are not yours - if the water people choose to rectify it then you're not to blame at all. It just all seems to be happening together :(

As for the carpet cleaner, that seems like the last straw I know :( Wish I could wave a magic wand and make it all be sorted out for you!

Hugs, Di xx

Belinda Basson said...

Good luck is all I can say! #62

Julie Lee said...

You should write a mini-series about all this drama - it would be a lot better than much of what is on our screens, but - oh dear - you must have fantastic endurance! And poor Flash that look just tore at my heart strings! Hope you can get some craft done soon! Withdrawal is a painful business! Julie Ann #55

Karen said...

Oh dear, sounds like you're having a time of it. Hope it all calms down soon. Pets have that way of just looking at us and I'm sure our cat swears at me sometimes! LOL! Happy WOYWW! Hope it all gets better soon. ♥ Karen ♥ 70 x

Unknown said...

LOL, and I thought I was having a hard time.

Good luck with the sewer inspection and the carpet clean and I thought Bissels were meant to be good?

Love your dogs face:)

Lynda #82

glitterandglue said...

Oh Maggie,
What a todo! I do trust you can keep a sense of humour through it all - your post suggests you are doing. It's the only way to cope, isn't it?
Trust your neighbours forgive you!!
Hope your week gradually improves as everything gets sorted out.
Margaret #66

Julia Dunnit said...

Ah Maggie, you are amazing! I don't think you'll need to move - just deny anything!! As for making and writing of a plan..sods law huh - sorry about the carpet cleaner..but look at it this way - you can have a bit of time off now. Find a quiet public park to sit in instead of enduring the roofing sounds!

sandra de said...

What a week you have had and I hope it all sorts out with time. Love the dog pic.
Sandra de @84

Jackie said...

There's a lot happening at the moment!!!!
Good luck and Hope the doggys get to get out soon
Jackie 15

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh! Poor Flash or rather poor you! That look must make you feel quite guilty! Hope all the noise and mess is soon over, your patience certainly is being tested! Crafting will happen some time soon! Chris 97

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Marg, at least you can reflect you've had good weather for getting the roof done! Ours got started in blazing sunshine, and finished in the rain. Just keep repeating the decorators/diy-ers mantra' It'll look lovely when it's finished', lol. Just e-mail/ding the tech dept when you need him, no problem. Probably a fine plan to box it all, and sort from there- the elephant doesn't look half so big if you can only see which bit you are biting into.
sewer problems we've had in the past, and as I recall, it all comes down to the age of a property, built before a certain year, the sewers are Severn Trents responsibility, no matter where on a property they are. Lots of Love, Shaz xx

Caro said...

Wow, things are really busy in your part of the world aren't they! I hope everything goes smoothly for you. Love the look of disgust on Flash's face... priceless! Thanks for sharing. Happy WOYWW. Caro x (#71)

Tertia said...

Oh my word! And here I thought my life was hectic, I am tired just reading about all the things happening over at your place. Good luck and I hope that is the last thing to conk in in a very long time.
Happy WOYWW!
Tertia #33

Anne said...

Hello Maggie hope that the roof will soon be done and at least your house ca return to 'normal'. Really feel for you. Anne x #50

Elizabeth said...

Oh Maggie, you are certainly being kept busy and your ingenuity is being tested to the limits too ... moving house might just have been the preferred option. I lived for a time in a very nice army quarter in Wembley that was the last on a block where the sewage pipes ran down the back gardens from the topmost house to my back door - horrible! I'm certain we were solely responsible for the entire wage bill for Dynarod over the years :( I hope for Flash's sake, if not your neighbours, that the jobs get done in superfast time and life quietens down - and that your shampooer is salvageable. Elizabeth xx
PS: I'm so in agreement with Annette (Voodoo Vixen) - time your neighbours took some of the responsibility for what is, after all, theirs!

Cazzy said...

Oh no you aren't having much fun at the moment are you.

As for your little dog barking at the neighbour's dog - yes we have that too!
When I let the dogs out Sooty launches himself out of the door with a woof, runs round the side of the house to see if Jasper is next door, then rushes back to see if Hugo and Coco are the other side, they are the main problem. Our dog hating neighbour (well he hates ours) got a sausage dog called Hugo a few years ago, and the dogs, all being boys I thought, are trying to have each other through the neighbour's very flimsy fence. Worse now they have two. We have had to fence off the border, and re-inforce that one end because they were almost through the fence, and I could see cut noses and worse happening if we didn't do something. I have to go out and break it up, and mine usually stop then, Hugo carries on antagonising them though!

Cazzy x #123

Darnell said...

Poor Maggie, as we say over here, if you didn't have rotten luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all!

In spite of the hell that is happening everywhere you turn, I have to tell you that you know how to turn a phrase and your writing is engaging. I also love that you mange to keep a lilt to your words about your troubles so that you never come across as negative or whining!

You're the best!! Sending hugs that you can soon return to normalcy and Flash will stop giving you those dirty looks!! Happy Belated WOYWW! Darnell #24

Dora said...

hello Maggie,
so there is lot of things going on your house, and the dog looks not good...hihi...what a nice picture...hihi.
I hope that you can crafting over in a while...so for your relaxation.
but I don't know how you are doing beside all the work that must be done around you house....
wishing you a good weekend!
greetings

Annie said...

Hi Maggie,
You sound to be in charge there girl. Well done you. Hope all the work that's being done gots finished soon for you and the dog :-)
Hugs,
A x

JoZart Designs said...

Oh, Maggie, wat a tiz you're in and I do wish I could give you a hand. All things change so it will soon be sorted. I'll be thinking of you.
Jo x
ps my pots are stuck onto the lazy Susan for the reason you spotted, so they don't spin off. Mind you I think your tip to put an edge on it would be far better. xxx

Rossella said...

Oh my goodness, Maggie, are yous sure you and that gorgeous dog should not just go and get away, it sounds like mayhem,
Take Care
Rosie x

Dianne said...

Oh man what a happening at your place, I'm kinda glad I live in an apt,:). MY friend is having her street tore up but that and your construction, kudos to you for getting through it. Well I do hope you get a chance to craft, withdrawal is a B%*#%H.Good luck with it all and thanks for your visit. I scrolled down to see all the beautiful work you have made, hope to see some more soon..Have a restful week :):)..

Mrs A. said...

Maggie I do so feel for you with all the problems your encountering. We are about to have the wooden boarding on the Dorma windows replaced and the barge boards on the side gables re clad. This is going to require scaffolding going up round the entire house base. All elf and safety rules nowadays.The cat is going to go mental when his garden is invaded. Your drains should come under your local council for maintenance. We have four houses all linked up through their back gardens and we are the end house at the bottom of the slope so it all comes through our garden. Lived here 30yrs from new and The Doc needs to ring up the council approx every 18mths for them to come out and clear the drains. The problem has always been out on the main road so even though they sometimes have to put the rods down on our property we have never had to foot the bill. Might be worth you investigating if you get no joy from the water board. Hugs mrs a.

MiniOwner said...

Oh my goodnbess, Maggie, not a lot of fun for you at the moment. Ah well good to get it all over in one hit. Happy Wednesday ... better late than never :o)
Sue x (MiniOwner@96)