There is that wonderful jazz song that says to, accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative and don’t mess with mister in-between. It was one of those weeks where it was necessary to remind yourself about perspective and what is important and to look for the positive. It started with a small operation that didn’t happen, continued with a furniture delivery that wasn’t possible and snowballed with various minor disappointments. We had organised a weekend to start some work on our Antibes French apartment which required some organisation and planning.
As with all good plans, things may not go accordingly and it is then when you learn how you manage patience and also how good you are at silent screaming! Due to the operation not happening, we had to arrive on different flights, both on stormy nights which is always interesting when you are landing at an airport – I love the Europeans that applaud when we finally land.
Tomorrow is Another Day
I had hoped to show you photos of a lovely dining table, retro kitchen dresser and two bedroom side tables, but that was not to be. So close and yet so far. Twenty minutes before the delivery, it was discovered that due to town works, we couldn’t receive a delivery after 10:30am. What to do with the time? I went shopping. Actually, I bought some French linen tea towels and some primer paint! I made friends with the local paint shop who advised against sealing the stone wall or the floorboards (they are probably treated); and I left with great advice but only one can of paint. Tomorrow…
More Patience Needed
My husband had arrived in a storm the night before. Having slept on an inflatable bed that is cold, we were not at our best but chose to be positive and review what we were left with to achieve. Various friends are going through tough times and we just had to manage a lack of furniture. We got up and visited the paint shop for the top coat – we were going to at least do what we could in the bathroom. Our goals were to, paint the ugly fake wood laminate bathroom vanity unit, paint the dark wood banquette, put up curtains in the bedroom and wax the front door and add a door knocker.
The primer was fine but required two coats but all good and when dry we added the top coat. The result was much better than we had anticipated until we found that the paint can chip. After a couple of patches, we are crossing our fingers that it will harden. Plastic and laminate are hard to paint over, even chalk paint is fragile as the surface doesn’t absorb the paint like wood. The banquette looks fine and it adds warmth to the bathroom that was needed. We needed to add some plant prints and then should be done.
Minor Disappointment Number 3
I am lucky that my husband had an early career during his university days working with builders. He is very knowledgable and handy with tools, paint and tiling and would love a paint or kitchen gadget shop, either would do. He discovered the strength of true ancient stonework. The poor drill, even with a masonry bit, lost the challenge with centuries of stone. After much silent swearing, using different wall plugs and screws, he was able to put up the brackets. We then discovered that we had an inch from the ceiling and after some silent screaming, the window just clears the curtain rod. We stopped and went out for a stiff drink!
Sunday
We took our courage and French in hand and visited the department store for the deliveries. Rescheduled but still uncertain, we had lunch. We returned home to do final bathroom patching and I said don’t touch the front door! So until, next time…!
