:: thrillsville

Excitements in my street this week:

Dave and Diane painted a bright pink stripe around the bottom of their house. It's semi-detached and the neighbour's stripe is dull rust to tone in with the harling (roughcast). Diane was downcast; she thinks it's too bright. Dave likes it though: "I think it's quite gay!" "Very gay," was my opinion. But in a seaside kind of way. "Huh, I suppose we should stick pictures of boats to it," huffed Diane.

Meanwhile, the couple next door to Bridie have constructed two raised beds in their front garden. "And can you guess what they've gone and planted in them? Only potatoes!!" Potatoes in their front garden! What next.

In other news, I got my Ikea bookcases built without too much bother and they look fantastic. I ripped into a big scrubbing and decluttering exercise, and the place is looking spiffy.

Work: The top-secret project is that we have gone compact on Saturdays. We had all guessed by the time we were told. Teeny tiny little paper, much more work but fun. I've been appointed chief nag, which is why it's fun.

Faye's arriving on Saturday on a break between jobs. The last one didn't work out -- no phone signal, hardly any time off, persnicketty clients. Happily the agency is very understanding, so she'll be posted elsewhere without any bother. She's motoring up -- the train was going to cost some astronomical amount and the bus takes 12 hours. She's here until Tuesday.