Friday 14 September 2007

Yes, I'm still here!






Well, it’s finally happening. Our long awaited extension is under way and our feet haven’t touched the ground.

The floods in July caused chaos in our surrounding area and postponed our build as those suffering from the effects of the flood water were, quite rightly, prioritized for help. However, soon, it was our turn and our builders have not let us down. They have worked like Trojans and we are now above ground level and waiting for the brick layers to come to get us up to first lift: a builder term, I have recently learnt and am bandying around like a seasoned professional! To the rest of us, that’s up to bottom of first floor level for the joists and scaffolding to be fitted.

Our supplies of tea and sugar are vastly depleted; there are crumbs in the bottom of the biscuit barrel; our home looks like a bomb site and I am in my element (for the moment!). Today (Friday) we are having the kitchen lights taken out of the ceiling so that it can be pulled down next week. We are already in semi-gloom as the window has been taken out and a shroud of blue tarpaulin is flapping in the breeze. My beloved Rayburn is lying cold and silent, decommissioned until further notice. The Rayburn really is the heart of our home but the buzz and excitement is, surprisingly, filling the gap that appeared when it was turned off.

Next week, all of our hot water will be gone and the electrics in the kitchen will be disconnected as the roof is taken off in preparation for the new floor above. We will be using the camping stove for tea and coffee and to boil water for washing mugs, spoons and cereal bowls in a bowl in the bath. Oh joy!

My mum and dad only live 10 minutes away and have been feeding us for the last 2 weeks. We go for showers, food and clothes to be washed, and they have been absolutely golden to us. Without their calm and organized back-up, things would be so different and they are helping to keep this an enjoyable experience, rather than the nightmare it could so easily be.

We have had family traumas in J’s family during the last couple of weeks and this has threatened to bring us down. I won’t go into it too much right now – it is raw and hurtful for J, but one of his brothers is seriously ill and the effects are still rippling through the family. We have a long journey ahead but J is throwing himself into our build, although I see the pain in his eyes when he thinks I’m not looking.

I’m keeping this short but posting pictures of our wonderful chaos so that you can get a glimpse of the reason for my brief dipping in and out of the site at the moment. I think of you all lots and miss the rapport but my time on the computer is strictly limited now to keeping the spread sheet of costs up-to-date and pouring over delivery notes and cross referencing invoices. Please keep my desk free at skool and I’ll keep my coat on the peg as it doesn’t go with my overalls at the moment. I hope you are all keeping well and I would love to attend the get-together with the Welsh/Shropshire lot – thanks to Angel for keeping me in the loop. Much love.x

15 comments:

Milkmaid said...

Having the builders in is never easy is it?, some how you think it wont be too bad, but it always is, the end result will be fab and your rayburn will be soon warming the new heart of your home, just keep telling yourself that and buying very cheap biscuits for the builders
How come just builders take sugar in tea

Maggie Christie said...

Golly! How envious am I, our extension is still a twinkle in my eye. I'm not envious of all the choas, though! Hope J's okay too. xxPM

Rob Clack said...

Oh boy, builders! Isn't it amazing how their dust penetrates every nook and cranny of the rest of the house, however you try to seal it out?

Always found them a cheerful, chirpy breed without a useful watch or diary between them. How long the job will take, when they'll be there, none of it is remotely reliable, but your vision of the end result is what keeps you sane.

And in the end, it's worth it. You look back and say "God, that was awful, but isn't it great now it's done?!"

Withy Brook said...

jQuite agree with Rob it was just like that when we did our works some years ago.
Just commenting though to wish J well and to assure you that he will be in my thoughts.

Tattieweasle said...

My lot are outside - hastily tying blue tarpaulins to the house to protect the new lime render from the immenent rain. Off to replenish tea, coffee, milk, biscuits (I get through at least 2 packs a day!) the radio is blaring luckily NOT Radio One. Exhausting and I am lucky enough to have all mod cons for the moment! Good luck and keep well....

Anonymous said...

Very brave! The photo's are great. It's going to be fantastic once it's done and all the hard work will be well worth it.

I'm hoping for a new kitchen soon and am dreading the mess and inconvenience. But I guess you have to take the rough with the smooth!

Crystal xx

Milla said...

photos haven't yet downloaded for me but this has been my life since May. Well since April 2006 really when we moved into too small a house and began the Wait For The Extension. The building work has finished which means the end of the dust invasion, but also the end of the energy provided by several strapping chaps turning up and Doing Things. Yes, and drinking tea. I asked them about the sugar, energy they said! Makes sense now. the only one who didn't was the only one with beautiful teeth ...

annakarenin said...

oh the joys of building work but it will be great when it is done.

I'd obviously missed your other posts haven't read much over the hols. Great relief that Jimmy got back safe and sound but so sorry to hear that he is going through a sad time now, as from reading your blogs I know what a lovely man he is.

But you have had the joy of meeeting Grouse, lucky you, she also I feel is a really lovely person.

toady said...

Poor Woozle - what a pickle but just keep in mind how lovely it will be when it's finished. How are the three muskateers coping with it? I bet they're into everything. Good to hear from you and we've cordoned off your desk so nobody else can use it although when I checked it the other day it was full of empty Pimms bottles. Can't imagine where they came from!
Toady

LITTLE BROWN DOG said...

Great to see you back, Woozle! Envious of your extension plans (tho' not envious of the accompanying mud and dust...), although I'm sorry to hear of your family illness.
Looking forward to seeing the new kitchen take shape and drooling over your lovely new fixtures and fittings.

LBD xx

snailbeachshepherdess said...

Lovely to see you calling in...just think in a few months time it will just be memories..and you will be able to laugh about it all for years...and wonder how the hell you did it! Just hope it all gets done before Christmas! we finished on 24 December if I remember right!!

CAMILLA said...

My goodness Woozle, there has been much work, did not realise quite how much though. It will be gorgeous when all work is finished, will it be completed before Christmas.?

Look forward to the pics when work is completed Woozle.

Camilla.x

Faith said...

Oh it will be great when it's done and lucky you have the parents there for food and baths! I'm always interested in seeing photos of this kind of thing.

Exmoorjane said...

How exciting! yes,yes, the mess and all but oh, when it's done! How fabulous will it be!
I have all this to look forward to....shall start stockpiling biscuits now. Funnily enough, I have yet to find an electrician who took sugar in his tea while the builders and plumbers always do....why? OK, it's just a straw poll but has been ever thus since my childhood.
jxxx

@themill said...

Hope you get finished before the real dead of winter. Great to see you aorund again, albeit briefly!