Old Chair - New Chair

Another lifetime ago MY Little Girl was given a small Arm Chair by her Grandmother.

It saw a Lot of use in those early years and the other day I brought it out of storage with the intention of reupholstering it.  

Before I was able to get started - Little Miss A visited unexpectedly and saw the Chair.

"Do you like this?" asked Grandpa.  

Pointing to the tear on the arm she casually replied - "No!"

She changed her mind when we showed her the upholstery fabric.

* * *

We carefully dismantled it - Taking photos of each step and making notes on the frame as to which way was up.

I found a few lost items in the process - The standard Lolly wrappers, A Tasmanian Devil Tazzo (circa 1990) and The missing Blue Knitting Needle that belonged to my Grandmother.... or what was left of it.

We decided that the webbing was still tight enough for this makeover, so new Foam and Padding was all that we needed. 

I cut out the new Fabric using the old as a pattern giving myself a generous allowance in case the foam was too thick.  Just as well as I needed every inch!

My Father had a saying and that was - 'Get the Tool for the Job'.  So taking his advice I bought a Ryobi Cordless Staple Gun. 

It made things SO much easier than the last upholstery project I did!

Just for fun. 

I added a piece of the original Brown Vinyl upholstery fabric and a note as to when it was originally bought and when it was reupholstered.

With interruptions - It took about 2 weeks to do and looks SO much better now 

... and ready for a whole new generation (and one very spoilt Cat) to enjoy.  

Catching Up - More Mess

 Another 'When we Retire' Job that was left hanging due to COVID was to Upgrade our ageing and no longer efficient Air Conditioning.

The Evaporative Cooling System was well past its Use-by date.

And the unit was also taking up valuable space on our roof, that could be put to much better use (some day) for Solar Panels.

Considering that the Summers here in Melbourne are getting A LOT more Humid - we decided to go with a Ducted Reverse Cycle System.

I was very sad to see my Gas Heating go. 

The trade-off was, because they use the same ducting for Heating and Cooling we got a LOT more room up in our Ceiling, that we can now use for storage.

We still have to remove the old Cooling Vents and patch the ceilings. 

(Ew - I am not going to miss these Broken/Outdated/Horrible/Impossible to clean things!)

For roof access we have an Attic Ladder. 

But one of the Tradies suggested putting in a second Manhole in the back room, (which was part of an extension to the house).  

A good idea, and no plastering required. 

BUT as it turned out a 'Not as Quick a Fix' as it should have been. 

(The rafters were 2mm closer together than the Frame - requiring a LOT of sanding!)

However, it is done.     One hole down - Six to go!

And when they are finished I have the un-enviable job of painting all the Ceilings!

It is Ok - to not be OK

 Somewhere in the Mess that is our place at the moment I have lost my Mojo!

It is serious - when I can't even walk into my sewing room without feeling depressed.  

I have survived Lockdowns and all the "Rules and Regs" that came with the First 2 years of COVID.

People talk of  life "Post COVID" - This is far from over!

We have been Vaxed, Double Vaxed and even Triple Vaxed, we have had Whooping Cough/Tetanus Shots (recommended when new babies were on the way)  Last year's Flu shot, and this year's is next on the list.  

All those needles and not a Stitch in sight!

In 11 years of Blogging I haven't missed a month - let alone TWO.  Something I must remedy with some 'Catch up' posts that I can fortunately post date (including this one).

All I need now is to find the energy to look for that missing Mojo!

Dream Date?

I have heard of Dreamy Desserts and Dream Dates and even recipes that were a Dream to Make

BUT

Can Someone please explain how I managed to be Totally asleep whilst making Dinner?

5:51pm - 10:53pm 
I think my Fitbit went for a snooze without me!

Sunday Morning

We live in a Quiet Street in a Sleepy back-water Neighbourhood at the end of a Road that basically goes no-where.

Sunday Morning we woke to news of a very bad night in Melbourne with several attacks and stabbings - some of which were Sadly Fatal. We went through the emotions of "Oh - How Terrible" and then set about our walk to a Local Cafe for Breakfast.

What we did not know, until we walked around the Corner and were confronted by the sight of Police and Forensics, was that one of the Attacks ended near our Street. 

We are saddened by the events that have scarred our Beautiful Melbourne on what was a Family Holiday Long Weekend. 

And the fact that a 16 yr old lost his life in such terrible circumstances - so far from his own home and Family.

Update: 23rd March 2022 

Victoria Police have reported that 7 Teenagers (Aged 13 to 17) have been arrested for this Death. None of whom were Local to the area.

Declan will be laid to Rest on Thursday.

 Praying for Peace

Jemima's Next Adventure

Jemima was my DD's Favourite Companion and together they went on many Adventures.  They were Inseparable and When DD grew up, Jemima took up residence on the Laundry Shelf waiting for the day when she would once again be called to Go on an Adventure.

And Before going on an Adventure - You must of Course Look your best!

Such was the case with Jemima.

* * *

The other day I took her off the shelf and, 

after explaining to her that she did in fact NOT look her best - 

She needed a Bath!

We started with Washing her hair.

Years of Play, Dirt Dust and Memories fell out of those Golden Locks.

I was encouraged and She was slightly Impressed!

So we decided that, seeing it was a Very Hot day outside. A Girls Spa Day would be Fun.

After all - Who wants to look like a Chimney Sweep when going on an Adventure?

When seeing the "Special Spa Soak" Jemima was a little concerned that She would Vanish all away - 

But I assured her it was JUST the dirt we wanted Gone.

I left her to herself to Soak up the Pampering! 

When I returned, Oh My Goodness!

The Little Face with the Bright Eyes that I remembered was smiling up at me.

"I am ready for my Spin in the Salad Bowl now!"

And once she was fully dry - 

It was time to find her Other Companion - Ted.

And together Ted and Jemima are ready to meet a New Little Girl and Go on More Adventures!