Post 199

I can't believe I've been able to yatter on for 199 posts since January last year! 

The past week has been virtually child free (DD2 forgot that their work shifts clashed on two days so the grands had two sleepovers) but very productive. Following a visit to the nearest Scrapstore last Monday we came home with a car laden with goodies including some paint .... I've been nagging encouraging the OH to do some decorating for ages so what better time.  The whole of the downstairs needs a freshen up so we started with the kitchen .... there's not much money in the kitty at the mo so thriftiness was the word of the day.  I wanted to get rid of the tiles that we put up 15 years ago when the extension was built and you should have seen his face!  Thought we were heading for argument number one just 10 minutes into the work but I left the room, shut my gob and let him get on with it.  We spent just £52 in B & Q on some white emulsion for the ceiling, plain white tiles for the cooker & sink splashbacks (just £6 in the bargain corner), plaster, paintbrushes, a new roller and some more odd bits and I remembered I had a lovely Laura Ashley swag curtain in my stash from the car boot last year which was just £3.  The dresser top has had a coat of LA Linen eggshell, everything has been cleaned and I've had a good de-cluttering and we are feeling rather pleased with ourselves.

These two soppy dates looked on in bewilderment with that 'can we come in yet' look on their faces

and even Zachary Binks had to get in on the act .... once I'd cleared the bottom of the larder cupboard in he got!

I'm just psyching myself up for the return of the children tomorrow and crossing everything for good weather and no more downpours like last week.

At some point during the coming week I will write post 200 and announce the giveaway so keep your eyes peeled x

Sixty Minute Makeover Eat Your Heart Out and The Blogiversary Winner Is ......

Wow what a week it has been.  One of my daughters moves house on Wednesday and she was lucky enough to be given the key so that we could get in and do some decorating .... this time last week when I first saw the house it was like walking into a time-warp .... all 80s terracotta and brown everywhere making it look so dark, full of dust (it hasn't been lived in for around 8 years) and with filthy carpets in every room except the living room.

We rounded up family and friends and between us during the past week we have stripped walls, sanded, cleaned, painted and I finished the wallpaper hanging this morning in Ellie's bedroom.  Another friend has laid new carpets today and the children's bedrooms are all ready for them.  How on earth that TV programme claims to do a makeover in 60 minutes is beyond me!!! There is no way and if it was looked at closely it must look a right minging mess.

The house now looks totally different, although it is mostly magnolia and white paint it is clean and fresh and ready to become their home, hopefully for quite a few years to come.  Princess Ellie Cakes is sleeping over with us till the move so I asked her to do the for my 1st Blogiversary Giveaway. 

I have had a lovely time reading all of your comments and seeing the diverse tastes in music we all have or had at one time .... music opens up the old memory cells and I hope you will all agree it has been fun!

I am now pleased to announce that the winner is

Jak over at Winter Tells

Well done Jak and if you would like to e-mail me on debra.brown11@virginmedia.com with your name and address I will pack up your parcel and post it off this week.

Thanks to all of you for entering xx