Friday 6 January 2023
Once I got going, I did a lot yesterday, around the house and writing. I finally posted another blog, which was from the end of November, still with heat issues in the house (though before it got really cold), while my body felt more achy than it had been for that long since, probably, our last move, and before I had committed to any painting projects.
My aches and pains are now at normal ‘occasional’ levels, the coal and failing to generate heat through the multi-fuel stove is a thing of November and December 2022 (phew!) and I’ve now painted the bed frame and, yesterday, painted an old trunk that had previously been a horrible orangey-brown (in certain light). It is now dark green, kidney bean-purple and the smaller ends are pale pink. The painting area is still set up for painting so I’m wondering what to paint next. I don’t know that I’ve enjoyed the painting as such, but I have enjoyed seeing the slow but sure transformation from things I didn’t like to things I now really like. I have some uninspiring picture frames, I might paint them. I am still impressed with myself for wanting to do something like that and actually doing it not long after thinking about it. I am a putter-offer by default.
Seven weeks ago today, we moved in. Over two weeks of that time was spent in London. I suppose we have done quite a lot in less than five weeks. I certainly feel like I’ve been busier than normal. I still haven’t felt I’ve had time to sit down and read a book though. With the bed now in my study, I finally have somewhere that is conducive to reading. The lounge is okay but we either have 12 ceiling lights on at the same time or very dim table lamp lighting, neither of which is right. I don’t think I’ve ever been so aware of certain places in the home being for certain activities.
I have pretty much got my desk set up as I want it. It’s a really comfortable space. It’s a shame I messed up my office chair order and ended up with a draughtsman’s chair too tall to use at my desk. That tall chair is currently in the best spot in the room, next to a Velux window with a view of land, trees and sky. At some point, I think I will find a way to use that seat in that location more regularly than just sitting there to look out the window and admire the view.
We placed bids in an eBay style auction ‘at’ the Peebles Auction House, where we bought a few things last month. It was a ‘last chance’ auction for things that didn’t sell in December. We bid on three things and won all of them, and all of them at the lowest price. We are now the new owners of two vintage oilskins (which I suspect will be too snug for me to wear), a print of Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks (I’ve never really liked prints of famous paintings, but seeing that painting at The Art Institute of Chicago made me cry (as did American Gothic by Grant Wood) and I like the thought of seeing it every day, even a hugely inferior copy) and what looks in the photo to be a great bargain, a table and four chairs for roughly £70, including the fees on top. We will have to arrange delivery for the table but I’m thinking of going to Peebles today to collect the rest.
Some days, I read back over my posts and I’m horrified how dull they sound. This is one such post.