Time flies...

[rwrylsin]

I wasn't planning to watch any more movies in the cinema after struggling with a sore back for much of the last one, and certainly not in 3D, but yesterday David & I toddled into the city to see John Carter (of Mars) and catch up with a bunch of friends we don't see enough of.
As it turned out, the seats there were much more comfortable and I had no problem sitting through the whole movie. Movie itself also exceeded expectations. Admittedly my expectations weren't very high, but it turned out to be a perfectly enjoyable space-adventure and a very competent adaption of the source materials. That sounds like faint praise, but anything more than that from Hollywood comes as a bit of a shock these days. Really didn't need the 3D.


As mentioned previously, we have a painter in doing at least some of the painting that needs doing.
This includes all the downstairs window frames, which we never did get around to after having the new windows installed about 2 years ago. Also most of the walls, and few ceilings that really needed it.
Skirting boards and doors need doing as well, but for the most part they will have to wait. Next priority is the exterior timbers before winter arrives.

Most of the wall colour changes are fairly subtle, not sure anyone else would really notice. Previously the whole house was done in one colour (walls, doors, frames and trim all the same). Which I found fairly dull, but there was also the problem that, to my eye at least, this particular neutral shade had a sickly greenish tinge to it when in shadow. And most of our downstairs spends most of the day in shadow. It works ok upstairs where there's more light, but downstairs was a bit depressing.

So the hallway is now a nearly white, our bedroom and the lounge are in a warmer neutral shade, and the nursery has a brighter warm neutral. Still the laundry to go, and some more touching up in the kitchen.
Our bedroom isn't quite done yet, we've got some wallpaper on order to go on one wall. Will post pics once everything is done. House is currently in complete chaos.
We spent about a week sleeping upstairs in the guest room to avoid the fumes, and have just moved back down to our room. Pleased to find that the guest room really is quite comfortable.


The cats continue to be adorable. Tradies don't know how to close doors, so I've mostly been putting on their collars and letting them roam for the day while the painter is in and out. They like this a lot, but return to base at regular intervals to say hello and check I'm still there. By mid-afternoon they're usually ready to come home and nap for the rest of the day, and look for lots of cuddles.

With the cooler weather Ella has finally stopped shedding in quite such an extreme way, but strangely Abby has taken over the role of leaving drifts of fur around me. Both cats have worked out that if they have loose fur they want removed, the easiest way is to come and get me to give them a good scritching.

We had a week or so where Ella was managing to escape from the cat run, but wouldn't show us how she did it. All we knew was that it was some way in which Abby couldn't follow her - which upset Abby a fair bit and she would come meowing to tell us that Ella had got out. Took us a while to realise that was what she was saying.
That's fixed now, seems Ella worked out she could force her way out between the fence and the netting if she pushed hard enough. Abby has never liked pushing her head against things (she opens the cat-door with a paw). The net is now more firmly attached to the fence.


My bladder is now apparently the size of a small legume. On the upside, for the first time in my life I have learned to go to switch off and go to sleep fairly easily.
Up in the night for a bathroom run? Back to bed, and straight to sleep.
Up early to greet the painter? Lie down for a post-breakfast doze and sleep for an hour or more.
Need to rest before tackling a primary school fencing class? Again, just close my eyes and get a good hour of sleep.

Can be a problem when I'm planning to enjoy some sunny outdoor time after a 5 minute rest, but only surface an hour and a half later when the sun is gone.
Guess I'm all prepared for living in a baby timezone. So very glad I'm not working full-time now.


I'm gradually getting things done on my To Do list. One thing not done yet is the new tyres.
Decided to get them through the local Kmart Tyre&Auto Service. I avoid them for any real work (unsatisfactory previous performance, I can hold a grudge if I try), but figured they couldn't get tyres too far wrong. I drive a Renault, there are only very limited tyre options the right size, none of them cheap, the KTAS price was comparable and the fitting free, should be fine. It's close, and I can pass time in the shopping centre while I wait.

Rocked up for my appointment, oops, don't seem to have tyres that size in stock, will have to order them. Seriously? You knew I was coming, what I needed, but didn't bother to check you had them in stock?
Went back last week, oops, order mix up. Shows as ordered on their system, but not on the suppliers system. Honestly, how hard is it to check your bookings for the next day, check your stock, and do something when you realise the tyres haven't arrived? Like maybe call the person so they don't waste time coming in?
Have been promised a $50 fuel voucher as an apology.
In theory my order for weird tyres is binding, but if they aren't there this week we shall be testing that.

So as not to waste the day, went and got the car cleaned inside & out. Was going to do that after the tyres so that KTAS couldn't get it dirty again, but at this rate I'm going to run out of time. Now that the interior is clean, we'll be getting the baby seat fitted tomorrow.