Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Sewing projects

Some cool ideas to file for future reference:

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Kitchen Clean-Up

Thinking of the amount of cleaning that needs to be done at the new flat.  First the kitchen - the hood, stove and cabinets.

1 gallon hot water
1 cup household ammonia
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
  • Mix well in a large pail, dissolving baking soda completely. Apply soaked sponge to cabinet surface. For tough spots, hold sponge firmly on spot for several seconds.
  • Extra tough grease spots: Sprinkle damp sponge lightly with baking soda, gently scrub grease to break it up and then apply above solution.
  • Rinse cleaned cabinets well with hot water then dry with a clean towel.
  • Wear rubber gloves.  Do not mix this with bleach or any soap/detergent containing bleach.

Sold, for real

Signed the dotted line last night.  By October, we'll be out of this place.  We better get started doing up the other.
Here's what we absolutely need to do up:
  • Redo the balcony ceiling, pipe the condenser to the bathroom and patch up the (unauthorised) spout
  • Wardrobe in the master bedroom
  • Clean the floors, polish/varnish?
  • Paint
A maybe: Toilet in the kitchen?

Target - to engage a contractor and get quotation by this weekend.

On this end, we need to get a quote for movers and set a moving date.  After which, as agreed with buyer, we'll patch up the spalling concrete and hairline cracks before handing over the flat.


Thursday, July 17, 2008

Gathering Ideas

Summary of events: Got the keys to the new flat. Still trying to market the current.Por por is sick, baby is sick. I think I'm heading the same way too.

So much happening. I'm going to indulge in a little wishful thinking about doing up the new place.


So far, we have agreed that the girls will sleep with us for as long as they want to. That leaves 2 bedrooms free. We will reserve one for a guest room, which will go to the girls when they are ready. The other room will be our activity room. Which translates to crafting for me, homework for Big One, play for Little One and doodling for Dada. The computer will also be in here so that I can monitor Big One's time on it.


We will put all the reading and media downstairs - a reading corner, movie watching and lounging area - and Dada will probably be able to rig up the music throughout the house.


I'm longing to go IKEA and the Toyogo warehouse to stock up on containers. I love the idea of painting the wall behind the expedit shelves, maybe treating each cubby hole as a shadow box. I have this idea of unifying the storeroom containers by installing shelves to fit plastic Toyogo bins. In fact, I'm almost fanatical about wanting to unify all sort of containers and bins for the activity room and kitchen too.

I hate blogger for the trouble it takes to post photos. So here's to another photo-less idea post full of links.

Some other ideas for the popular ikea shelving.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/ikeashelves/pool/
Other organising ideas.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/prettyorganized/


And I'm so inspired by things handsewn. I might take this up (again!) soon. Like within the next five years?

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Sick

Had tummy upset since Friday. No strong medications allowed, so the best is to let it run its course. Not good for the body and soul. Weak from lack of food. Tired and cranky from waking from sleep and running to the bathroom.

Took a little time last night to do a quick rak, and fed my creativity just a tiny bit. Enough gratification to tide me over the rest of the week.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Monday Night

Late Monday night, Peter had two seizures. I called for an ambulance to send him to the hospital. I drove with Joy and Eryn and we spent the night in the ward. He was discharged yesterday evening. He'll need follow up at Dr Yap. Perhaps a tweak on the dosage.

The last episode was two years ago. Seemed to recur every two years or so. On Monday night, we were all asleep when it started. The two girls were frightened, but Joy took care of Eryn and carried and comforted her. Peter recovered and, after washing up, went back to bed. Before long the next episode started. This time, Joy was frightened and cried. I decided to call for an ambulance for fear of more recurrence.

I feel very detached now as I recount the events of the night. Even driving there, I was rather calm. I think I forced myself to be - with the two girls around, I cannot afford to break down. But throughout the wee hours of the morning, I was repeating to myself "I want to grow old with you".

I'm not sure if something is smothered or repressed. I just am not able to deal with this right now.