Relaxation, reupholstery and recycling
We often mean what we say at the time but when our thinking moves on, we sometimes forget to tell others that we’ve changed our view. Instead, we leave them guessing why we’re not all working harmoniously after all. This weekend was a light-hearted reminder of shared goals, the need to communicate changes and the power of laughter.
It’s taken a while to recognise that I simply can’t relax at short notice, let alone the day after I complete a work assignment. It always sounds like a great idea. I say things like, tomorrow I’m going to stay in bed all day, then I wake up earlier than ever! I squeeze my eye lids together tightly and try not to think about the 101 things on my “to do” list. But it’s not long before I’m brushing my teeth and reminding myself that we need shampoo, as well as wrapping paper.
Yes, I know how to relax but I just can’t make it happen when I’ve been working flat out towards a work deadline. And last week was no exception. Thursday was a whirlwind of tidying – worktops cleared and cleaned, plants watered, cushions plumped, and papers arranged neatly. I grabbed my pen, and a brand-new notebook (oh how I love a new notebook) then wrote down a few ideas for 2022 articles, spurred on by a mug of steaming hot tea (must buy more teabags). Then it was time for the list of all lists, the pre-Christmas countdown.
Unlike previous years, top of my list this year was to recover a headboard. A little ambitious I know and trust me; I’d tried to resist the temptation by telling myself (and my husband) that the existing colour was fine. And it was, but somehow it made the bedroom appear darker than it needed to be. These discussions took place back in October, so why was I in a hurry to complete the project before Christmas? Two different viewpoints, same household. The headboard had been stripped of its modesty and was on the living room floor in front of both sofas. Visitors could be forgiven for thinking we’d taken up flamenco dancing!
A last-minute cancellation on Saturday afternoon saw us reaching for the spray adhesive and the scissors. It was time to do this. Two level-headed adults, nervous laughter, equipment and materials assembled. We work very differently but what could go wrong? A few weeks ago, fed up with hitting my toe on the wooden structure on the floor, I suggested that we just needed to get the headboard back on the wall. Yes, well … er … I used more … er … definitive language. And that moment of weakness came back to haunt me on Saturday. Yes, I did say that it didn’t matter if it wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t mean it. No, I can’t finish it by myself.
It was dark by the time we’d finished gluing and stapling. Our fingers were sore and there was glue on the window as well as the carpet, but we’d persevered. We’d grumbled and giggled our way through whether we were measuring in imperial or metric, folding the corners over or under and why I didn’t want my dressmaker’s scissors blunted on screws (yes, screws). Our achievement is undisputed and all that remains is to get an extremely heavy structure upstairs and onto the bedroom wall. And yes, you’ve remembered that the walls have all been repainted.
Perhaps our newly upcycled headboard should stay in the living room after all? It’s quite attractive, and we did achieve our goal despite our different approaches. Now where did I put those spare fairy lights? It’s time to get in touch and tell me about your creative projects. Or maybe you’d just like to start a conversation Let’s talk.
