Sliding doors

As a marker of how far the house is coming on we've put the doors back on the sewing and music rooms. That means we've finished painting them! Actually that's not quite true as Jon's room still needs the wood painting but Ellen and Robin are staying on Friday night and we thought they deserved a door.

Bank holiday organising

We haven't really done any decorating today. In fact we've been a bit lazy. It doesn't feel like we have but I'm feeling very lethargic, which is normally a result of being lazy. Also our bed delivery has been delayed again and we won't have our bed for 8 weeks or more, which has made me a bit bummed out.

But actually we've done quite an important job. We've tidied up the funny lean-to and thrown away the empty paint pots. 

Look isn't it a mess, what poor use of valuable storage space.

Looking good!

What a transformation! Now all our bike stuff and gardening stuff is neatly packed away in the wardrobe with wellies and our tent. Now, notice that funny bit of wall through the door....

Here it is after Jon starts dismantling it

What a hero. It's stubbon though so the final demolish will have to wait for another day, and maybe a sledge hammer

Oh yes, and we made some Elderberry Jam for Alex and Rosie's village fete wedding. Elderberries from Walthamstow Marshes, wicked!

Another day of doing that I have nothing to do with

Aren't I the lucky home owner. For the second time lots of work gets done and I'm blissfully unaware of the hard work. A huge thank you to Jenny and Stephen, my in-laws, for all the hard work they've done today. And also, of course, to my wonderful boyfriend Jon who has been slaving away alongside.

Sometimes I come home and I just think how much I love my home. There's still lots to do but I'm taking real pleasure in the simple things. Here's an overview of the things Jon, Jenny and Stephen did today to make me love my home a little more.

Jon sets his Mum to work in the front garden

Removing raul(?) plugs and polyfillaing the holes

Jenny Lloyd: super weeder!

Then she added some of the lavender my Mum gave us.

And a pot of mint. Doesn't the front garden look better!

Meanwhile Stephen and Jon took out the old dishwasher.....

look, there's the space it used to be

please ignore the messy kitchen

why make lots of little holes?

and bend 3 drill bits in the process?

aha! to make a hole to reach the plug socket!

ta da! Washing machine! No more stinky Jon and Hannah and no more trips to Laura's laundrette.

After all this work Jon took his parents to have a well deserved break in the fabulous Hornbeam Cafe

How amazing does our front garden look!

Magic decorating

I went to work this morning and didn't even think about decorating. But when I got home things had changed miraculously.

aha! That explains it. Dr Lloyd kindly spent a day in the Stow painting our house. Thank you Stephen!

our naked fireplace. Not sure why, will consult Jon.......So Stephen could paint the chimney breast. What a star!

and he cleaned our light. Now we can see what we're doing in the kitchen.

Jon gets all artistic documenting the moving of a wardrobe.

ta da! it's in place!

what a stunner.

In other news our washing machine arrived today so look out for news about that! What a cliffhanger.....

Finally we do some more work

Don't get too excited though, it's minimal.

Jon fixes our cooker. At least we thought the only problem was the numbers being rubbed off but then it burnt Ellen's birthday biscuits. Seems 50 is actually about 150. Might need to buy a new cooker.

What's this?  A toilet with a horrid plastic seat that's threatening to fall off or snap in two.

a bit of DIY later and......

ta da! Well done Jon. A nice new black wood loo seat, what a stylish bathroom.

Aha, now we see the reason that the house decorating has slowed so much. I've got my sewing room (notice I can now have 2 sewing machines and an ironing board up, all at the same time and permanently). But also I have been beavering away on a dress to wear at Mum's wedding next weekend. After sewing and unpicking the zip three times I gave up and just left it a bit wonky.

Some good news about our neighbours

Today we've had some wonderful news. Our new neighbours and inspiration for this blog's name, East 17, are reuniting (again) but this time without Brian. How they will fare without the short one who had a penchant for dodgy potatoes is anyone's guess, but they have our best wishes.

Going back to work (and in my case starting the best job ever) has slowed our progress somewhat but we did manage to do some important work this evening. The sewing room, though far from finished, is up and running. Thank you so much Michael for the table, it is perfect! I've found scissors, machine, pattern and fabric which means I can finally start my dress for Mum's wedding. Can I make a dress in two and a half weeks while holding down a new job and decorating my new house? Here's hoping!

Oh, and here's a picture of our painted but as yet sparsely furnished bedroom. Anyone got a lovely antique and/or iron frame king-size bed going spare?