…one who, although thinks your idea probably isn’t the best idea that you’ve ever had, helps you see your idea through to the end so that you too can see it probably isn’t the best idea you’ve ever had!
We have been in this house for over 18 months now. It’s about time we did something with it to make it more our own. We can’t keep thinking we’re going to be moved and so not bother doing anything. This autumn/winter, it’s the back garden’s turn. We’ve been mulling over a design for a shade to go over the (somewhat redundant) patio we had made earlier this year. Nothing has seemed quite right so we decided to leave it and focus on the planting. The kids’ trampoline will go around the back and some grass will hopefully be established, maybe a couple of palms and banana plants. We priced shrubberies (!) up at one of the many garden centres and we can get our garden set for about 50-70 Omani rials (about £75-100). So that is on the cards very soon, as soon as I’ve finished work, had a much needed pamper session, caught up with my girlfriends, caught up with emails and facebook THEN I will make a trip or seven to the nurseries. Not sure I will get many palms in the back of the Kia…
ANYway…let me explain the main reason behind today’s title.
I’ve been itching to get on with the garden…or any project it would seem. So I found one. The roof. It’s wasted space at the moment and could be made to be a nice, relaxing (read: MY) space.
I run it past Husband, knowing full well what his response will be. Practical, too sensible and if I dare say, a bit lazy! (Understandably maybe, we do have 3 stories to climb to get there!) My idea is that we would use it in the evening to enjoy the sunsets and the cooling evenings with a glass of wine or a cup of tea. If we forget the bottle opener for instance, or if the kids are playing outside. No, it’s not practical to be up there when the kids are playing outside but I wouldn’t be up there if that was the case! And we'd make sure we have a spare bottle opener upstairs. Along with a fridge and a kettle. Duh. ;-) This is one I wanted to see through!
So today was the day I HAD to do something about it and had the necessary energy to get on with it. So to start - it’s an empty, dusty space with the washing line, a/c units and the satellite. But there was space for a mat and the small table and chairs we brought over from the UK. Would the Arabic style camping picnic mat do? Yes, it would. That was my first idea. But then Husband suggested the large piece of astro turf we inherited from next door when they moved. Excellent, he’s getting on my side! It’s been lying out the back for over a year now, looking forlorn and dusty with no use being made of it. Yep, great idea. So I go out and start shaking off the gravel that’s accumulated. And the dust. And the crickets. It is a heavy piece so I get Husband to help. And love him, he does! We thought we might have to wait and call on the neighbours to help but we managed, we lifted this hulking roll of backed plastic, the weight of which was probably doubled by the amount of dust still embedded in it, up three stories. Very satisfying! Moreso for having some much-needed exercise too.
I've swept most of the dust from it. Well, loosened and shifted the dust from one place to another! Husband had to walk away I think, in despair! But I was in the determined mood. It was going to happen!
Now to plan pots and lighting and ambience at La Terrace! I just hope those who are invited can be arsed to climb the stairs!
We have been in this house for over 18 months now. It’s about time we did something with it to make it more our own. We can’t keep thinking we’re going to be moved and so not bother doing anything. This autumn/winter, it’s the back garden’s turn. We’ve been mulling over a design for a shade to go over the (somewhat redundant) patio we had made earlier this year. Nothing has seemed quite right so we decided to leave it and focus on the planting. The kids’ trampoline will go around the back and some grass will hopefully be established, maybe a couple of palms and banana plants. We priced shrubberies (!) up at one of the many garden centres and we can get our garden set for about 50-70 Omani rials (about £75-100). So that is on the cards very soon, as soon as I’ve finished work, had a much needed pamper session, caught up with my girlfriends, caught up with emails and facebook THEN I will make a trip or seven to the nurseries. Not sure I will get many palms in the back of the Kia…
ANYway…let me explain the main reason behind today’s title.
I’ve been itching to get on with the garden…or any project it would seem. So I found one. The roof. It’s wasted space at the moment and could be made to be a nice, relaxing (read: MY) space.
I run it past Husband, knowing full well what his response will be. Practical, too sensible and if I dare say, a bit lazy! (Understandably maybe, we do have 3 stories to climb to get there!) My idea is that we would use it in the evening to enjoy the sunsets and the cooling evenings with a glass of wine or a cup of tea. If we forget the bottle opener for instance, or if the kids are playing outside. No, it’s not practical to be up there when the kids are playing outside but I wouldn’t be up there if that was the case! And we'd make sure we have a spare bottle opener upstairs. Along with a fridge and a kettle. Duh. ;-) This is one I wanted to see through!
So today was the day I HAD to do something about it and had the necessary energy to get on with it. So to start - it’s an empty, dusty space with the washing line, a/c units and the satellite. But there was space for a mat and the small table and chairs we brought over from the UK. Would the Arabic style camping picnic mat do? Yes, it would. That was my first idea. But then Husband suggested the large piece of astro turf we inherited from next door when they moved. Excellent, he’s getting on my side! It’s been lying out the back for over a year now, looking forlorn and dusty with no use being made of it. Yep, great idea. So I go out and start shaking off the gravel that’s accumulated. And the dust. And the crickets. It is a heavy piece so I get Husband to help. And love him, he does! We thought we might have to wait and call on the neighbours to help but we managed, we lifted this hulking roll of backed plastic, the weight of which was probably doubled by the amount of dust still embedded in it, up three stories. Very satisfying! Moreso for having some much-needed exercise too.
I've swept most of the dust from it. Well, loosened and shifted the dust from one place to another! Husband had to walk away I think, in despair! But I was in the determined mood. It was going to happen!
Now to plan pots and lighting and ambience at La Terrace! I just hope those who are invited can be arsed to climb the stairs!
