We had a busy day yesterday. Everyone had to pitch in.
The staircase was ready. It looks as though there has been linoleum here once, maybe a hundred years ago. I would love to know what it looked like; I can clearly recall the patterned lino of my childhood, in particular its distinctive smell that, when encountered nowadays, takes me right back in a trice to my first little school .
Eddie the carpet fitter arrived, bringing the wherewithal to keep a keen workforce of dogs and cats absorbed and productive for the day.
Inspection was thorough. Hamish hid for the entire day, but everyone else took the job very seriously.
The thick under-felt went down first, and was tested for density.
Precision measuring and cutting followed. Millie's pedigree of speed-learning a range of trade skills stood her in good stead as technical supervisor.
Eddie was grateful for her advice.
The important Bottom Test was applied at every stage.
And then another job came in, also requiring assistants. The dishwasher repair man had arrived to assess the cause of this essential appliance's untimely death.
Cats inspected the dark spaces behind the machine. A labrador was needed closer to hand, ready to help with tools and encouragement.
The news was not good. The usual dilemma - is it worth spending a lot of money on an appliance that cost me less when bought second-hand from a friend, than the replacement circuit board that is now needed? I shall consult eBay before I decide....
We returned to the carpet, ready to sweep up the larger debris. Labradors are tidy creatures.
The final Bottom Tests were carried out, and we pronounced ourselves satisfied with the results.
There's nothing like teamwork to get the job done well.
Today Margery is coming; oddly, the team's union rules do not allow them to assist with hoovering, so they can have a day off. They've earned it.
17 comments:
What a talented team! I am glad they are working under the auspices of union protection. We wouldn't want to see their talents exploited.
Don't you love the smell of new carpet almost as much as the smell of lino? It looks great by the way. Have you tried the Bottom Test yet?
You should feel a little better now that's done and doesn't it look great?!
Have you thought of looking on Freegle re: your dishwasher? It's: http://www.freegle.org.uk and it's recycling at its best. I looked it up and there are several groups in the North East, so there's a great deal of choice. You might be able to pick up either another dishwasher or the component part for yours.
Good luck!
Oh, this is wonderful! How does anybody get anything done in your house, with so many helpers? Flossie and the handbrush are priceless. And Tosca's little face peeping out. Carpet looks wonderful, but then we knew it would in your super-stylish home. Shame about the dishwasher, but, hey, there's got to be something wrong all the time - a lesson I learnt years ago when I drove old 'bangers'.
I'm a veteran freecycler already, Jenny - thanks for the link, though, because everyone should know about this! But I'd rather try for a new circuit board on eBay first - they are a tiny fraction of the cost via the engineer - before going through all the bother of rewiring/plumbing - my machine has all its connections tucked away where lying on the floor becomes necessary to make changes!
excellent work, team! carpet looks great
Almost too much excitement for one day! I trust your team of experts are having a well earned rest after their super human efforts.....
The carpet looks fantastic! Aren't your workmen lucky to have so much help. Just ask if you need Malcolm's assistance with the diahwasher.
We've just had the quote for or new stair carpet. At last!!! Not quite as bad as we'd imagined... Yours looks great, let's hope they all leave well alone.
I love 'the bottom test'. I smiled all the way through this account and don't your stairs look lovely now?
what a team - had me in tears I laughed so hard especially that darn Millie - She & our Oliver are indeed made for each other. They could open up their own "everything & all consultants" shop, get a wee van and travel the countryside helping, supervising, advising, more supervising, the odd mouse killing, and so on.
Oliver's latest is helping the Prince with the ancient VCR & the taping of shows on too late for us to watch. He sits on the arm of the easy chair with his nose cms from the machine, occasionally looking up at Doug. We're amazed by his constant, never ending enthusiasm for all things.
I thought I'd just say how perfect your choice of stair carpet colour was before I go off and Bottom Test my sofa .
What curious childhood's we must have lead to be so familiar with the smell of lino - or perhaps it was because we were closer to the ground.
Nice carpet - lovely finishing touch to your decorating projects.
We managed to keep our fluffy friends out of the bedroom that Tony the Painter was painting white. We thought it was as well. Black cats and white paint don't really go well together.
What a hard working team and what a lovely carpet you now have!
Have you found a way to stop The Team from sharpening their claws on the stair carpet? We have a real problem with this :-(
Stair carpet and claws are made for each other, according to my lot..... sigh....
isn't that why you had it installed ??
(the long trailing beautiful grey scratching mat)
les cats from Black Street
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