Hallelujah

We're back.  But its been an up and down couple of weeks. And we're still dealing with the aftermath as you can see below, hence the absence of updates - despite there being SO MUCH to blog about...

Within 2 hours of the builder's call to say the painters were done, we were back in (but steering clear of the walls).  It was all awesome for about 15 minutes, until we realised the boiler was broken.  The first shower in my long-awaited sparkling new bathroom involved a kettleful of boiling water and the new plastic bin from under the kitchen sink, temporarily seconded for the fondly nick-named 'bucket shower'.  

Now its 2 weeks later, and we've had our last bucket shower.  Boiler was replaced on Tuesday.  Budget was looking ok until we had to add that bad boy on to the bottom line.  It was ridiculously expensive, even at the mates-rates we managed to get by hiring a friend (£1300).  But I'd forgotten all about that by the time I'd turned myself into a prune having my first extended and super hot shower under that shiny new chrome head.

Absolutely everything is covered in a thick layer of dust despite the dust covers, which were admittedly a bit haphazard.  The floor is stil filthy, and our feet turn black walking on it.  I've just spent tonight (yes, Saturday night) cleaning the bedroom, continuing to file our clothes into the Great Wall of Wardrobes, and washing the floor.  But given that I haven't been able to do the lounge room for all the stuff everywhere, it probably won't make much difference.


But despite this, the absolute highlight of the last 24 hours at least, has been sending the dishwasher off on her maiden voyage (on the eco-setting of course). Oh how I'd dreamt of this moment.  It was almost everything I'd imagined, except that the Ikea Whirlpool quality isn't quite as good as it could be... but I guess it was bottom of the range, and we did get 3 appliances for the price of 2 (we also bought the under counter fridge and freezer).  The sliding mechanism of the top drawer means it sometimes misses the connection with the top spray hose at the back, and then the door won't shut.  


Anyway, here's a sneak peek or two, with more detailed posts and much better photos to follow at a later point when we've tidied up and found the camera...
Wardrobes. No more suitcases, at least on the weekends.  Unfortunately still travelling for work every week.

Kitchen lighting, shelves, and some Orla Kiely ceramic containers with wooden lids for tea from our Mums (luckily enought to get both for my birthday this year).  Stainless steel shelves still have the protective wrapping on in this pic.

More soon!
Happy weekend.