Coming undone

 

Rotary clothesline ~ 2023

Who doesn't love a good clothesline for hanging those exceptionally large bed linens on? When you make the bed and tuck yourself in that first evening, they smell like heaven and sunshine. Bliss! My rotary clothesline, has seen better days though... 

Reno round-up

Today

Two years on, from the bathroom renovation - was it worth the time, effort and money, spent? Which wasn't a lot of money, but still. Do you wonder, if I fell out of love with that green feature wall yet? Or did finding the right plant, that survived, seem more like a burden, than it was worth? Did I really achieve the sense of the outdoors, coming inside?  Or should I have just left the whole thing alone?

Leaking money

I'm back from La-la land, where people go to be sick. Over a month, taking care of kids and then nursing myself back to health, I'm finally regaining my senses enough to tackle some challenges, head-on. Like how NOT to spend money, where I don't have to.

In the kitchen, I've had an ongoing problem for over 3 months now. Which I've been trying to find an economical solution to...

Something broke!

How much would you expect to pay, to fix a leaking dishwasher drainage hose? In our case, it was going to cost around $300. Gasp, right? It comes down to one company in the region, who only fixes Smeg dishwashers. They have a business to run and need to be profitable, but I won't spend $300 to fix a hose, without exploring alternatives first

Having already spent $120 for them to investigate, and determine the problem, it was educational watching how to dismantle parts of the machine. However, instead of paying them another $180 to finish the job, I was going to find the part myself, and see if I could install it. After all, how hard could it be to replace a piece of plastic?

A requested, ginger-kisses cake

In the interim though, there were two birthday parties to organise, and a bunch of other important stuff, I won't mention to save time. Needless to say, 3 months can pass very quickly. But in all honesty, I was really dragging my tail (intentionally) when I had gaps of spare time available.

In those 3 months, I may have located the part online, organised shipping, watched countless instructional videos, and nursed us all back to some semblance of cognitive health - but I still wouldn't tackle the dishwasher. I was stalling. Everything was ready. Why did I hesitate?

Some business to attend to

FEAR! The machine may have only been 5 months out of warranty, and just over 2 years old, but I still had a dishwasher valued near $2,000. I'll tell you why we even considered paying that much in a different post. Needless to say, I felt like a rookie in the big leagues now, and understandably anxious to make the first move!

The instructional videos I was able to watch, were only for generic brands. So not exactly confidence boosting. What I gleaned from the technician we paid to determine the problem, only showed me how to separate plastic joints, without breaking them. That gave a little more confidence, but I still had no idea what I was going to be facing, underneath. Especially since the part I was replacing, looked slightly different to the ones in the video.

Unfortunately, I couldn't avoid the stainless steel elephant in the room, any longer. Seriously. Christmas was coming! So I dragged out the tools and parts (above) which the instructional video, recommended, and put my head down to work.

The test run

Ironically, the multi-grip and hose clamps, turned out to be of no use, at all. Just a simple screwdriver was needed. Plus a lot of patience. As what I was planning for taking the machine apart, turned into dismantling, underneath the sink too. Thankfully, not the plumbing. Just everything I stored around it, blocking access to the hose clamp.

I'll spare you the details of my rookie, learning curve - but it was laughably easy to replace, in the end. Every step was less complicated, than the instructional video outlined. So I guess, Smeg still designs its machines for simplicity. It was tempting afterwards, to reprimand myself for letting fear control the schedule, almost every step of the way. But I realised there was some logic to it, as well...

Sweet victory

Those three months, gave time to watch a lot of instructional videos, get the best price for parts online, and accomplish a bunch of other stuff in my life, that really needed doing too. In the end, it forced me to be patient. And by association, I gained more confidence. What looked like "fear" calling the shots, was really building momentum into providing the solution. Rookies, just need more time to practice the moves.

Now my Smeg is back in it's little nook. Leak free. Saving just over $150, in those 3 months. Should the part ever fail again, I can confidently replace it myself. So there's potential to save even more money, in the future. It makes sense to spend $300 to replace a part, if you have mobility issues, or a bunch of kids to wrangle. Being realistic, is part of the problem solving process. But if it's doable, look for ways to empower your skill-set and save yourself some money.

Safety first though. Always unplug an electronic device, if you're going to work on it. Especially if it's in contact with water. And bring lots of towels!! Have you had to push yourself past a discomfort zone, recently (or ongoing) as the case may be? Do you still feel like a bit of a rookie?

Unexpected bills, part 2

Somewhere between the car dying, replacing the battery, and having it die again...the oven in the kitchen went kaput! We only had the element replaced eight years ago. Yeah, I'm kidding. Eight years is pretty good, in the world of Whitegoods. Just the timing, could be better.

 Old faithful

In the post written back in 2011, I estimated $180 for the repair bill of our (then) broken oven. Well it came in, after GST (Goods & Sevices Tax) at $190. We got eight years longer, from old faithful. Could the same great, repair company, come to our ovens' rescue again?

Indeed. They replaced the element and a few lugs in the back. It cost $208, this time. A mere $18 hike in eight years. That's cheaper than two coffees and two slices of cake, at a cafe. Also, that's now TWO ovens of ours, they've prevented going into landfill. Makes me want to do a happy dance!

Inside my 12 year old oven ~

 element, around the fan

Speaking to the technician, he said there isn't much, which can go wrong in a BASIC oven. Electrolux parts can fit our oven, even though the brand (Gianni) no longer exists. We got lucky. Apparently, Westinghouse is the Whitegoods company in Australia, with the MOST readily available parts. But if you have an oven that fits Electrolux parts, you're fortunate. As they're well made. Our eight-years, straight run, on an Electrolux element, can testify.

Wow - eight years. That went fast! Guess we've been living here, for almost 12 years, come this Easter.

Made a passionfruit slice, yesterday ~

(Gluten Free)

I can probably expect to write my next, "oven carked it", post, in 2027. Hopefully the car is still around then, and me too! The emergency fund better stay in shape, though. Because just like taxes, death (of Whitegoods) is a given. It's comforting to know however, our stance on purchasing only BASIC Whitegoods, may continue to stand us in good stead.

One small, side note - in case my regular repair company ever goes anywhere, there's also Downs Appliance Repair (DAR) in our region.

A rare, light-bulb moment

Oh yes, one other thing I forgot to mention - our fridge light-bulb, carked it too. At a mere $3 or so, pocket change in comparison. But doesn't it all add up in the end? Bad timing. An extra month's grace would have been great!

In the scheme of things, we're still doing okay. I don't have to choose whether to get the oven fixed, OR, put food on the table. Even though Murphy's Law, applies in this situation, it's still not the end of the world. It's good to keep that in perspective.

I would be ever so grateful though, if no more unexpected repair bills, came to visit for a while.

Stepping up

During my cleaning blitz recently, I had to share something that made a world of difference, to what I could accomplish. I didn't always own one of these. A chair often sufficed. But when you have a lot of jobs that require "height", it's worth getting this simple tool.

In the kitchen

A portable step-ladder has several advantages over a chair - ease of getting up and down, non-slip rubber surface, and a place to stick a bucket, or tools, if you only need to go as high as the second step. Plus, you don't have to wreck your chairs. Especially if they're wooden, like ours

This folding step-ladder lives in one of our utility cupboards (flat) for the most part - which saves on storage space. But easily unfolds again, for use. It's handy for reaching on top of, or inside, wall cabinets. I like to be able to see right inside, to clean the back corners.

Near the ceiling

With a step-ladder, I can also see right over the ceiling fans as well. Which is handy for reaching that built-up grime, you wouldn't normally see from the underside. Thankfully, we have a standard ceiling height, throughout our house, which makes this step-ladder a suitable tool.

Nine-foot ceilings, on the other hand, require a proper safety ladder, to get up that high. We've lived in rentals with those lovely high ceilings before, but sure was difficult to change light bulbs. Getting the big ladder inside the house, was quite a task too.

Fiddly jobs

In fact, changing light bulbs, would have to be the #1 reason, we now keep a smaller step-ladder in the house. If you have light covers (like ours) that require unscrewing several nuts, to be able to clean the bug carcasses out - you'll really appreciate the step-ladder, for this specific job too.

Because if I don't have a pocket to place the bulbs, or screws into afterwards, I just use the top of the step ladder. No traipsing up and down, which can be incredibly arduous. Especially since I never clean just ONE light cover, when the ladder is out.

Caution required

Step-ladders, are also handy to reach above sensitive areas, such as the television. Recently, I needed to clear the shelf above the television for Christmas decorations - then put them away in the new year, again. Followed by a good dusting.

I try to avoid reaching up so high (on tiptoes) close to the television screen. Just in case, I bump it with my body. A sturdy step-ladder however, keeps my footing secure, while allowing enough clearance to reach the shelf, without accidents.

Use with care

Each brand of step-ladder, is designed to hold a maximum weight capacity. So observe the limitations, clearly identified on the ladder. Occasionally, you may want to use the top step, to hold a bucket of water while cleaning. So keep in mind, not only your weight, but anything you might take up with you.

If you're in the market to buy a new step-ladder, be sure to open it out and test it, before leaving the store. We purchased ours a while ago now, but there were so many that wobbled like a drunken sailor. I've never regretted our investment in a step-ladder. There are so many jobs I do, which require a higher purchase, it's made my life easier.

Has a step-ladder found it's way into your home yet? Or how else do you make do? Other things we've been known to use in the past, were coffee tables and overturned, milk crates. Just not as easy to get up and down from.

What a Miracle

The beginning of a new year, is probably when I like to potter around the house, the most. I'm usually busy, re-organising and cleaning-up after Christmas. The tree and it's sparkling decorations, are always the first to be packed away. Then before you know it, you're washing windows and dusting shelves!

My particular challenge this year, was GREASY surfaces in the kitchen and elsewhere. Enter the magic of Miracle Spray. It's a homemade recipe I gleaned from this blog, and particularly useful for cutting through grease!

What do I mean by grease...?

Exhausting

Well, it's the kind that accumulates, above the rangehood cupboards! This has been building for a few years now, and I was tired of the reminder to trade my rose-coloured glasses, for a lovely shade of brown, instead.

I wonder if this can get any worse? The trusty step-ladder, reveals ALL...

The grime scene

Yes, indeed. It can get worse. The very TOP of the kitchen cabinets, accumulates even more dust, grease, bug carcasses and even food particles! How did that popcorn, get there? Seriously. The stove is directly underneath the cabinets. So it would have accomplished some rather fancy, ricocheting, to land there.

Mummified popcorn, just waiting to be discovered. The wonders a step-ladder will reveal in your home!

Hallelujah!

I've seen the white

And this is why I love, Miracle Spray, so much. It cuts through sticky, dusty and greasy surfaces. It's possible to use regular dishwashing liquid instead, as I've done in the past. But your bucket of water, becomes incredibly sudsy, afterwards.

A spritz of Miracles Spray, however, and not only does the cloth cut-through all that mess, but your bucket of water (to rinse the cloth) remains watery, instead of overflowing with suds. Which means, you don't have to change your bucket of water as often.

 Grime sins, are no more!

While regular dishwashing liquid, will achieve the same result, there's less mess to clean the tools, you're actually using to clean with. The cloth in particular, can get quite manky. So clean water for rinsing, is important.

The cleaning tools I used in this application, was a bucket of warm water, Miracle Spray and a cleaning cloth, or rag. Something that can at least handle, the caking of greasy gunk all over it. Some heavy cotton, flannel, or in my case, a microfibre cloth. I don't buy microfibre myself, but these were given to us when someone was doing a clean-out, of their kitchen supplies.

Transformation

These are my kitchen cabinets now, which look as good, as the day they were installed. So much cleaner. At least for another year or two. Grime always finds it's way back! I suppose that's the blessing of having a working kitchen though. All that home cooking, inevitably leads to mess. I wouldn't have it, any other way.

Miracle Spray, has other applications around the home too, which are just as easy to deal with, when the cleaning supplies are out...

In plain sight

Do your light switches, end up with as much dirty marks around them, as ours seem to collect? Natural oils, mixed with a good helping of dirt! Being a live, electrical switch however, I never spray liquid directly on it. Spray the cloth instead. The grime is still removed in a few seconds.

There are even more jobs for my cleaning kit and mojo, to tackle though.

Almost finished shedding

Time to give the ceiling fans some love. I didn't get a photo of what they looked like, "before" I started cleaning. This was only the remnants, I had yet to finish off. But just imagine these white blades, had sprouted a thick, brown, furry coat. All over! No wonder they were slowing down, with all that fuzzy drag.

Ideally, I should have cleaned them before Summer, but I always get so busy with the Christmas plans instead.

Ready for takeoff

Now I have my white, ceiling fans back - and I didn't have to get covered in suds to do it! They sound like a jet plane again, when starting up. Aerodynamic. I'll save the fluffy coat, for next winter. No doubt, it will re-sprout!

On the blog I gleaned the Miracle Spray from, it claims to remove stickers as well. Frankly, I had the perfect test subject, for that theory too...

Stuck on you

My son and our coffee table, are inseparable. He loves to create all sorts of lego, on it, play board games, and of course, the obligatory stickers. Which I absolutely told him NOT to stick to anything but paper! I was cross at the time, but didn't let it rise to the surface. I mean, I could just rip them back, off. Right?

Wrong! Now my son's stickers, were inseparable from the table too...

It really IS a Miracle...Spray

That was, until I sprayed my trusty homemade cleaner on it, and left for a few minutes. It does actually remove stickers, plus, that all important gummy residue. It states in the blog I linked this recipe from, not to spray on wooden surfaces. This was my exception though.

I'm not sure why it cannot be used on wooden surfaces, as I regularly use eucalyptus oil to clean mine. Maybe the washing soda will dry it out, and make the wood brittle, over time? I'd stick with the recommendation to avoid using on wooden surfaces. But I'm sure a one-off, desperate measure, can be forgiven. I mean, it was either the Miracle Spray, or the paint scraper!

Ready to play

Back to business as usual, at the coffee table again - minus the stickers. You'll be happy to note, that no coffee tables were actually harmed in the filming of this process. Even the lego managed to stay in tact! I'd like to thank my bare feet, for avoiding any random pieces of lego on the floor though. Sometimes you get lucky.

Have you tried the Miracle Spray at home? Any interesting applications I haven't thought of yet?

Bathroom reno

I finished my bathroom renovation, a while ago, but it took some time to gather the right accessories, to finish it off. I'm still on the hunt for a few things, but when you're on a budget, you have wait to find the right bargain.

I believe the last place I left this particular renovation though, was a cryptic clue...

Mystery object

Back in February, while still enduring the summer heatwave, I showed what I was working on. This little installation, was why the renovation began at all. Because we were experiencing a problem in our main bathroom.

It has to do with moisture (natural environment in the bathroom) and perhaps two different kinds of boards meeting together.

 Pre-drilled Holes

This crack, about a half to a third, up the wall, was where the plaster join was cracking. It was a problem in our main bathroom, as well as our ensuite. It's law in Queensland, to have a special board for wet areas, up to a certain point, then you can have drywall/gyprock, further up.

The bathrooms, are the only place in our entire house, we're seeing these cracks. If it is a moisture problem, weakening the plaster join, or a result of two different boards, expanding at different rates (due to the moisture present) then patching it up, would only be a temporary fix.

Enter, our little wooden installation, to place over the crack. You can see we drilled into the board (above) already. This was to install...

 Plus, boards

 ...a baseboard and shelf. Which results in a permanent fixture over the joint, doubling as a storage area in the bathroom. I mean, who doesn't need more storage in the bathroom?

But those screw heads, were a little too obvious for my liking. So enter the molding, next.

Plus, molding

The molding, not only covered the screws, but added extra bracing for the top shelf. It was installed with little tack nails, I pre-drilled holes for - top and bottom. As it was an awkward place to swing a hammer, so needed the pilot holes first.

But I wasn't going to rely on nails alone, with a shelf. So used heavy duty, epoxy glue, to affix all the wood in place. I originally purchased this glue to fix our dining table, chairs several years ago. I also used it recently, to adhere a ring to the back of an owl, so I could hang it on the wall. I've gotten a lot of value out of that original epoxy glue, purchase!

Supplies

Once I had affixed both shelves (either side of the window) it was time to paint them. I really liked the grain and colour of the original wood, so a stain wasn't necessary. But it did need a clear varnish to protect it, and made to withstand marine conditions. Which is exactly what I had on hand, in my supplies. I like using what I already have, rather than buying something new.

Same with the tools to apply the varnish with. I cut the base off a plastic milk bottle, and used it to mix the varnish with turpentine, for the first coat. Even the sponge brushes were given to me. I always use traditional bristle brushes, but challenged myself to use what I already had. As my bristle brushes were reserved, strictly for acrylic paints only. This marine grade vanish, was a solvent based paint.

 Ready to go

This is what it looked like after the first coat. It needed to be thinned down with turps, to help it adhere to raw wood. But all subsequent coats, were just straight satin varnish. I still used the milk carton for subsequent coats, as my wide sponge-brush, wouldn't fit in the tin. Four coats were required, in total.

If you notice, I had to tape the window trim and part of the mirror (above) as it's a really narrow space to wield a brush. I'm glad I did that.

Between window and mirror

After adequate time to dry, we were able to use the small shelf to hold a candle, and some shells collected from our last rental. We knew the owners and their son had collected them on their various holidays. He had since grown up though, and our young daughter at the time, had fun, unearthing these gems from under the house, or in the garden.

With their blessing, we were able to take them when we left. They had been living on the bathroom window sills, and it just didn't do them any justice. So it was good to put them in full view again.

Between window and shower

The second shelf, holds more shells, sandalwood scent bottle, and an ornamental succulent. I think bathrooms are a tremendous backdrop to bring outside plants, indoors - which this bathroom really needed.

It was plain, cream walls, from top to bottom, with absolutely no dimension. Yet just outside those windows was a garden. It was my plan in this bathroom renovation, to bring some of those outdoors elements, inside. Which is why you may have noticed, some of that green paint.

I wanted to make a small feature wall, with it...

Introducing colour

As you can see, even before I applied the full colour, this wall screamed utilitarian and boring! I wanted something to highlight the toilet, inviting you to sit on it. Rather than make it look like a harsh, blinding wall of light you needed to get away from.

I tried the colour sample above, first, which was a little too citrus (aka: warm). I really liked the colour in the pot, but it didn't mesh with the existing cream walls. So I went for a cooler coloured green, instead - aptly named, "Cool Aloe".

Feature wall, done

I thought the new colour, looked so much better! Notice the dimension it adds to the white toilet too? It allows the eye to rest in that area now, without wanting to look away from all that white.

Speaking of which, one of the accessories I'm waiting to find, is to replace that white laundry hamper. I thought a nice rattan basket would be more inviting, especially by introducing more natural fibers. But I'll just have to wait until I find the right accessory, at the right price.

Silhouette painting

That green feature wall, however, is why I made the painting of a plant, to go on an opposing wall. I didn't want to paint the whole bathroom green, just invite some feature colours in various areas.

It highlights the plant theme, I wanted to introduce into the bathroom as well. But really, there's no imitating the best - which is why I wanted a living plant in this bathroom, also. Which (surprisingly) proved harder than I thought. You can't have just any plant in the bathroom. It has to like the prevailing conditions.

I needed a dedicated place I could keep it in the bathroom, though.

Before

Enter another naked wall, where the corners just happened to meet. Not very exciting. It was another utilitarian space, screaming desperately for new life.

So I went looking at my local Mitre 10, hardware store. I actually stumbled across it, when I was looking for the molding to build my little shelves. I was excited to find it, because it was perfect for what I needed.

Plus, shelf

For under $25, I was able to install a hidden corner shelf. It added new dimension to the walls, now being used for something other than holding up the roof.

This would soon become the mantle, to hold what I hoped, would become the highlight of the room. A plant! Am I the only one who goes crazy, ga-ga, for plants? Surely not.

Plus, plant

I really loved this plant, it's called "baby panda", and is part of the bamboo family. Only it grew outside in different light conditions. The light in this bathroom, wasn't strong enough. I'll save that story for another post - the saga of finding the right plant for the bathroom.

But that's really all I did in this bathroom renovation. Very small solutions, and within budget. I would have spent around $100 all up. I don't include the new towels I bought, as that was a necessity. Holes were starting to appear in our old ones. I just picked lovely green towels, this time around.

So we went from a bathroom that looked like this....

Before

Sorry, it's not a very good picture. I was rushing at the time, as I wanted to get into the work. I had already started painting behind the toilet.

Over a period of a few months though, we slowly transformed it to look something more like this...

After

All those additions of shelves, plants, wall art and colour accents, added more dimension. My favourite part was introducing real wood into the room, via the wooden shelves, to accompany the existing, wooden blinds. I loved using the vertical space available too.

While the shells might seem trivial, they are filled with memories of two children (the original collector, and our little archaeologist) and they bring more natural elements into the bathroom too. It looked stale before, now it echoes a little more, the elements of nature.

To think, it all started when cracks first appeared. It gave me the opportunity to evaluate the room, beyond just fixing that little area. What else did it need?

As they say in permaculture circles - the problem is the solution. And I really enjoyed implementing these ones. Although, I don't think anything can really beat this bathroom, for introducing natural elements. If I had to build a bathroom again, I would want that one!

Since this is the bathroom we had though, it took not a lot of effort (but some dedication) to make relatively, inexpensive changes. Do you keep plants in your bathroom?

Big projects

If I ever take a while between blog posts, I'm generally doing something big. At the moment, I'm painting our verandah. I've completed most of the front and side, but there's still that much more to go.

I still haven't bleach cleaned the other sides, yet to be painted. But the results are so much nicer, when it's all done. I've used textured paint, so it's covered a multitude of cement sins. Just normal wear and tear. I've spent close to a grand on paint. More than I thought I needed, or wanted to spend.

I consider it an investment however. Which I'll share more about, when I finally get this job finished. It always takes longer than I think!

Now for the rest

Back to business

As I recovered from the heatwave, which finally broke, I suddenly came down with a cold/flu. Sarah got it first (most likely from school) and then we all did. It was one of those colds, that was very forgiving with the regular symptoms – but knocked your energy levels out, for about a week.

Today, was the first time, I've been able to get back to business in a serious way! So I rolled up my sleeves, and set to work on the verandah again.

Something is growing on the concrete

Our verandah is 1.8 metres in width, all around the house. At certain times of the year, some areas don't see any sun. I've never cleaned the concrete, so it has moss and mould growing in certain places.

There's a deadline I have to work to, to tackle this problem. Well before winter, I hope. Because once we head into the colder months again, when the sun sinks lower in the sky, I won't get a chance to dry the verandah I'm cleaning. So it was imperative to get my cleaning supplies out, as soon as possible.

Minus the hose for water supply

Concentrated bleach, water and a squirt of dish-washing liquid, went into a bucket. First, I wet the concrete down with water, then scrubbed my cleaning solution in with a stiff bristled broom. I also have a small, hand-held brush (with stiff bristles) for getting up close to the brickwork and around the posts.

The moss is proving to be difficult to remove, so a straight mix of concentrated bleach and dish liquid is best applied to those more mossy areas. Never apply the concentrated mix for the whole verandah, because you'll waste a lot of water, just trying to get the suds out!

I have nearly 60 metres of verandah to get through! Thankfully, the moss only gathers on the edges, where the soil touches.

Creating better conditions for circulation

I managed to muster enough energy yesterday, to clear around the verandah with a mattock. Part of the problem with mould growing, is a lack of air circulation. Weeds grow over the concrete, and when the sun goes into winter hibernation - whulla - moss!

I've definitely got my work cut out for me, getting it under control again. It would have been best to manage it, from the get-go. Once I finish our verandah renovation, I'll have some tips to share about maintenance for concrete areas. I know concrete is tough stuff, but there are things we can do to make it easier to clean on a regular basis.

All clean

This is what the verandah looks like, once it's been cleaned. What a difference, removing the mould makes. I wish I could have done it sooner, but in reality, our verandah has served as a much needed storage area too.

I like having a wrap-around verandah. It's one of the things I always wanted, if we built our own home. The reason I like it, is the all-weather protection it provides to the brickwork and windows. We'd have to get serious horizontal hail, to do any damage to the windows. It also means if one of our gutters starts to overflow in a storm, we have the protection of the verandah, to get out and empty the leaf catchers on the downpipes.

The downside is the maintenance. There's a lot of ground to keep clean. Which is why I'll be happy, when I finish this renovation, to have an easier time of it.

Almost there...

I am so tantalisingly close, to finishing my mini room renovation. So, so, close!
You can see what I'm working on below, which should be the last improvement to make. I love this feature. I love all the little features I've added to this room.

A little ornate woodwork

But the heat has sapped my energy for now. I don't feel like driving half an hour to town, for the few remaining parts needed. Sometimes I can get tetchy from the heat. I spent the first 7 years of my life in Darwin, in the Northern Territory.

Darwin had the kind of sapping heat, days on end, like we're experiencing presently, in our temperate region. I got heat stroke once at school, and I reckon it must have fried my patience metre, or something. I can handle the heat, so long as I don't have to do a lot. So all my projects are on hold, at the moment.

I love green!

Although, I have enjoyed some knitting time, because it doesn't require much energy to sit and knit. Making dishcloths helps to pass the time, as the heat runs through the course of the day. We only have ceiling fans, but I'm glad we don't have air-con now. We had it at our last house, in town. Going outside was a lot harder, once I sat in air-conditioning all day.

Now when the sun goes down, the cool of the afternoon brings us outside the house, and I think it's healthy to feel what the outdoors is feeling. I like looking forward to going outside in the afternoons - like, I look forward to our home-made ice creams from the freezer.

Making mango ice-pops

Or eating a chilled bowl of fruit salad in the middle of the day. Fizzy kombucha, is a refreshing beverage, to help bring a little zing back to my day as well. I remember winter isn't far away, and I'm sure at some point, this heat spell will break. I'm also looking forward to hearing the raindrops on the roof again, which inevitably comes with such heat.

I hope you're staying cool in the summer heat. Or staying warm, if you're in the northern hemisphere. The seasons will be changing for both of us, soon. And maybe, I'll get that room finished too.