Some homely touches

The one positive of this second lockdown is that I don't mind working on the house (so much), as there's nothing else we could otherwise be doing!

Even so, this weekend has been pretty full on. Jon left at 6.30am on Saturday to get to Travis Perkins early for their wood delivery. Apparently a lot of stock is running low already (the lockdown plaster shortage all over again)!

As the weather wasn't looking great for the next few weeks, we wanted to use the short break in the rain to fit the final 3 velux windows. It had previously taken Jon the whole day just to do one, so this was always going to be quite a challenge and it was dark by the time we got to the final one.

We had to precariously dangle a light out on the roof so Jon could see what he was doing when replacing the newly cut tiles. It felt quite surreal hanging out the hole at the top of our house, while fireworks went off all round the city. Not a bad view from up there.

Today was slightly less intense thank goodness. We did a massive clear up, and Jon cut the holes out of our bathroom cabinet to fit the tap and waste pipes. We ordered this cabinet back in March before the lockdown, but it only arrived a few weeks ago!

This is actually the only piece of furniture I own (well joint own I suppose!) Having only ever rented furnished flats previously and spending varying amounts of time living abroad, I hadn't needed or wanted anything until now.

I had dreams of us starting afresh, creating the perfect Instagram house and buying carefully selected pieces that suited the colour and style of the room. Unfortunately, that's not going to be the case. Having spent a fair whack on getting the house just to this state, we have very little leftover for furnishing it.

Jon, having owned a place before, comes with a lovely table and a couple of beds, but also some terrible bedside tables and a huge chest of drawers, which I had secretly been hoping to offer up on Gumtree, or at least banish to the attic room. But it looks as though they will need to join us in the house, at least until it's financially feasible to replace them.

Meanwhile...back at the house...today I was prepping the walls and ceiling in the lounge ready for a mist coat. More horrible sanding.

Jon has found one task in the house he really enjoys - joinery. Now the plaster in the lounge has dried he has started fitting out the cupboard and shelves. It's just as well he likes it, as he has also taken on my once scoffed-at wish of having fitted wardrobes in our bedroom. Very excited about this, although he has only just started carcassing (his word not mine, basically it's framing it out) and already we are arguing about who has what space!

Last weekend we hung all the radiators to make sure they're in the correct position and Jon will be connecting and testing them this week before the boiler man arrives. Fingers crossed all the plumbing is ok and there's no leaks!

So quite a lot done!

And of course a quick Maisie update. She is now a mini cat and has almost grown into her ears!