Negative space

I know this isn't what was meant by Negative space. But there are various 'negative spaces' in our house that need desperate attention. I've been trying to strip the stairs wallpaper for ages- but it's not giving up without a fight. It's had years of paint over the top of  the paper and the top layer does not want to come off. So I have spells where I try to make an impression and then as it's not my favourite diy job- I give up again. For me it's a negative space- because every time I go up the stairs it screams 'failure'!!!! It needs brightening up and a nice new carpet. Anyway- this week Guy has finally decided he would paint it- and he's realising that the stripping the paper is actually hard work- but because he's decided it's getting done he's achieved more than I have in ages!!!!!!! We've even been out to pick paint colours. Unfortunately we don't agree on colours. I liked some - but he was looking at the other end of the spectrum. Unfortunately I have to agree with him that it needs a very pale colour as terraced houses don't let a lot of light in - in a confined space. I fancy a 'coffee' range- what we've bought testers for is basically magnolia with another name! Once it's painted we can look for a nice new carpet and it will finally be somewhere that won't make me cringe!

I have also been trying to get somewhere painting the outside masonry. Most of the houses have been painted cream. Ours has always been the original pebbledash. I did paint the garage and the front of the house- as that is only below the faschia boards. But that also is a nightmare job- as the paintbrushes don't go into the little pebbles easily. I started the job- but it's taking forever and I'm wishing I hadn't started. Every little patch takes me ages- so I am trying to aim for about 30 mins a day. We are going to have to get someone in to paint the top half and it would probably make more sense to get them to do the lot.

 

Ground level- the garden is also under 'planning stage'. I wanted a pebble border done over the summer - but it didn't get past the planning stage. But last weekend Guy dug out the flower beds- which should make it easier to start this!!!!!!! It's made the fence panel that was never painted due to shrubs, glaringy needing some treatment!!!!!!

Leaves

I've decided to jump back into the challenge from today again and not stress about the photos I've missed. I take plenty of photos- so still feel like I've taken one every day- just fallen off the wagon posting them here!!!!! There are a few things flitting around my brain that are obviously using up more room than they should be. Nothing major - but obviously whirring around in there! These leaves are the only 'live' thing in the hanging baskets now. Think I need to buy some winter pansies- or wait for Costco to bring their winter baskets in- instant colour with minimal effort!

Anyway- thanks to Lynn and Borqna for prompting me to get back into it!

Last night we had a lovely evening celebrating my parents golden wedding anniversary with them. My niece wrote a wonderful status update on her facebook page. She said "Forget famous people and sports stars- my nan and grandad are my role models". My parents are the loveliest people you could meet- obviously I am biased there. But all of my cousins love 'Aunty Betty and Uncle Maurice' and her best friends daughter asked mum to be be godmother to her baby.

We had a meal at The Plough in Shirley - and the main waitress we had was absolutely fantastic. She was called Holly- and couldn't do enough for everyone. She took this photo stood on the table- and I am in it because she noticed 'me' taking the photos and took my camera! She then had to take a parade of cameras! This was at the end of the evening when everyone was trying to escape and I wanted to take a 'group' photo. Everyone is holding the little cupcake boxes- we decided to go with those rather than a cake- as they weren't going back to my parents. They were all like children at a birthday party opening the little boxes to see what was inside!!

This is my lovely mum and dad. Unfortunately I didn't take a great photo of them all evening. My dad looks rather startled here! Mum's dress was a similar colour to her bridesmaids dresses.

I love this one of my daughter Emma. It's salvaged from an average photo which is why she's not central. But it is virtually impossible to take a good one of her when we are out somewhere as being autistic, unfamiliar surroundings really stress her out. This restaurant put our group in their own little alcove at the back of the restaurant- so there were no other diners near us.

My other daughter is in the white dress with the red top on. She's concerning me at the moment- she had her braces removed recently and seems to have suffered a total image crisis. She is now concerned that she is too ugly to be seen in public. She is worried about her additional year at school and all the issues are twirling round. She usually turns away or hides her head when I want photos. So to get this one where she actually looks like she has 'permitted' a photo is wonderful!

We managed to find a few colour slides of my parents wedding that mum's next door neighbour had taken. So I got colour copies of the 6 we had made for my aunts and uncles to keep and some to put in an album to pass round for everyone to look at. At the time most wedding photography was black and white- so they were all thrilled to have colour copies. My niece thought they all looked like dolls in this photo. You can almost imagine a Barbie doll outfit and shoes!

The Paralympics

 

We left home at 5am and caught the train at 6. We had a bit of time to look around Stratford Shopping centre before heading to the Olympic Park. It was really busy- much busier than it was in late July.

We were in row 74- one from the back!!!!!! It was quite a trek up to the top. But it was an absolutely scorching day- and when we came back down the stairs we realised what a blessing being under the canopy had been. We'd have been fried sitting a little further down.

This was the closest we got to the Olympic flame. I was a bit disappointed that it was behind the large screen- but we were as far as we could be away!!!!!!

Guy and his mum sitting in the stands! We were absolutely enthralled watching all the events- and the blind long jump was just amazing to watch. The blind athlete listened to a guide clapping or calling near the 'pit' and the guide steps aside just before they leap. They asked for silence whilst each jump went on - so that the athlete could hear the guide. Each one of the athletes that won a medal in this event thanked the audience as they collected their medals. It was lovely.

 This was the guided blind 100m event. The guides must be super fit too!!!

 This was the statue that I wanted to see. It was outside the Copperbox

Guy's mum posing by one of the red telephone box displays!

 Infront of the golden barge- and one of the beautiful lilies in bloom. The meadow of wild flowers had long finished- I wish Guy's mum had seen that at it's height as it was beautiful.

The Orbit tower in the sunshine- it really was hot. We wished that we'd got tickets for this aswell as the views would have been much better today.

 

We had originally planned to go with Amy- but because she had a complicated timetable to organise she decided she really couldn't afford to be away from school. Unfortunately the teachers didn't organise anything that day for her- so she could have gone! Guy's mum really enjoyed the day- so we were really pleased that she could come along and use the tickets.

 

Amy has had her brace removed and hopefully she'll allow us to take photos again. Unfortunately the retainer she's supposed to wear 24/7 this week is cutting her gums- so she's going to have to go back and see what they can do.

Twisted

I'm making a back to school resolution to try and keep up with my blogging and photos! I really don't know what's happened over the summer.

We had an absolutely fantastic day at the Paralympics yesterday and think I'll blog it seperately. It was a scorching day and I've got to include this poor mascot for something you wear!!!!! It was sooooo hot- he must have been sweltering! He definately drew the short straw.

 

The perfect quote for yesterday- The Orbit Tower has loads of twisted bits. We went up this tower back in July- but we would have had much better views yesterday. I must admit after the trek to the very top of the Olympic Park (row 74 of 75) I was glad I wasn't doing the additional 400 steps.

 

 

 

A catch up collage.

 

It includes a ribbon bow, slow tortoises, thorugh a window, out shopping. edible (party food), thriving lily, purple toy hamster wheel, my mum's ironing basket!

 

Holly is going to go on long term medication for her arthritis as it has helped a lot over the last couple of weeks. The vet insists that Holly must reduce her exercise- but also needs to cut a kilo!!!! She'd put on a kilo in a very short space of time. My parents are a bit guilty of being indulgent treat givers and Holly makes the most of it. So we need to be a bit stricter with the grandparents and find a fine line for Holly's exercise. Holly LIVES for chasing and catching balls and loves to run- the vet wants her to have a more sedate lifestyle. So have to decide how to make Holly AND the vet happy.