It seemed time for Gladys to have a bit of a makeover. She’s been a real trouper for us and shown us just how brilliantly she can accommodate us throughout each of the four seasons (Its incredible to think we are heading into our second autumn in her) so, we thought we would show our appreciation and give her a bit of a freshen up.
We bravely went for a bit of a radical interior redesign and decided that as all of the children have there own places to stay we really didn’t need to keep the old dinette/ double bed conversion. So that got ripped out last weekend and wow, we have positively loads of space for a neat ( well funky) little sitting area. The old green sofa bed really had had its day and whenever it got pulled out we all got wheezy, and what a mouldy old mess we found behind it when it got taken apart, no wonder it caused a wheezy reaction in us! Interestingly I’ve been asthma free for over 2 years now apart from when that sofa bed got used oh, and any use of regular brand household cleaners (nasty chemicals you see, we use Ecover or The Earth friendly Product Co). If you’re interested, I healed it by clearing my 4th Chakra and finding and using my voice, if you’re not then skip that bit!
As usual, Kirt came up trumps and helped out with all the lifting and humfing, (Alistair pee’s blood if he lifts anything heavy so obviously we need to avoid that at all costs). And Kirt is like a whirlwind, its no sooner said than done, which is great for me as Im not one for hanging around, I want things done as soon as the idea has been mooted and I’ve got my head around it!
The next bit was the painting (organic or VOC free paint of course) and blimey, what a job. The trouble is that Alistair had helped with the bathroom on the first day of painting and decorating and that left him pretty wiped out for the next day or two! (sad but true) so of course I stepped up and continued with the bedroom makeover. A two day job from start to finish, it does look much better though but shows how desperately the rest of Gladys is crying out for a lick of paint (we’re thinking Tibetan yellow and red in the living room and kitchen area). I also made sure to follow our ‘no accumulation of junk’ rule and took any clothes or household items that hadn’t been worn or used since moving into Gladys a year ago to the charity shop (well, they are actually in the holding place, aka my car, ready to be dropped into said shop).
I know when we first moved into Gladys I had written in a post that we have very set ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ jobs in Gladys, Alistair’s outside and mine inside! Well, since the pee problem and all that, I have been on outdoor duty too ( for those not in the know this means the Yorkie jobs, those that are not for girls like; emptying the plop tank, the washing up and shower water tank and refilling the water tank). Doesn’t sound like too much I know but, it has taken its toll on my poor old knee ( I have an old lady’s knee that actually needs a replacement but I don’t qualify until Im at least 50- so another 2 years to go yet)!
Im sad about this because I had managed to reduce the swelling and the need for a walking stick last year, but then I realise that I was doing very little to stress my knee at that point. Our anti-inflammatory diet helps and I will begin some supplements of my own but Im sad to report that for the time being I am back in the knee brace and if the pain continues I will be looking for a funky walking stick once again 😦
So, this has somewhat held up poor Gladys’ makeover schedule although I am still hopeful that I can have it completed by the time Alistair goes in for his Operation so that she’s all lovely and bright for when he comes home.
Our final job that needs to be done is to prepare Gladys for the autumn and winter. We were green last year whereas this year we can prepare ourselves! I think, with Kirts help, (thanks Kirt) we will put up our safari room ( sounds grand doesn’t it, but an awning basically) which should help to keep us a little less muddy directly outside and perhaps keep the chill out a little bit. We need some long velvet curtains for the door and curtains at the windows to help reduce the draughts ( if anyone is holding onto velvet curtains let me know)! And I think we probably need one or two more dehumidifiers to help with the condensation.
Then we will be ready for our second years adventure living in our lovely Gladys full time.
Living With Gladys Full Time 