The Therapy of Knit and Sew

I was glad I was sitting down when our builder told us how much the damage to our hall was going to cost to repair. To be fair to him, he had prepared me by mentioning things like 'blown plasterwork,' and 'chop back the plaster to the brick' and 'replace the ceiling' and 'replaster the brick work' and 'replace dado rail' and 'paper and paint the entire hall, stairs and landing because otherwise it will look odd.' 

But still, the fact there won't be much change from £6,000 (even typing it makes me feel a bit queasy) made me wobble a bit and visions of living on economy beans on toast for the next 5 years flitted through my head. We are, of course, going to try and claim from our insurance company, but I suspect there might be a bit of wrangling and wrangling is not something I feel entirely up to at the moment. They might pay in full, they might pay some, they might pay nothing at all which does not bear thinking about. Heather said, 'Can't you just paper over the damaged bit?' and I said we could, but the plaster would still deteriorate and eventually fall off the wall and the ceiling might come down upon us sooner rather than later because it is still very wet with no sign of drying out, and I think she was quite pleased she isn't a homeowner and all its inherent costs. 

Anyway, one way or another it has to be done. Hopefully the insurance company will pay, aside from the excess which has more than doubled because it is water damage. It is going to be a testy few months. And remember the roofer, Number 5, that I left a message with on Saturday? Nope, he didn't get back to us either. Five wild goose chases in less than 4 weeks. Is it so difficult just to call back and say, 'Sorry, really busy at the moment so can't help?' I don't think so. Perhaps it is for roofers though. 

So to cheer myself up (some might say 'or indulge in some displacement activities) I spent yesterday sewing and knitting. I finished the blanket for the new chair...

 

...can you see the hearts? It is a bit crumpled because Tybalt has been massaging it. In fact, he began massaging it whilst I was still sewing it all together which did not help with entente cordiale 'twixt me and him. It is double thickness, so a bit like a duvet. I was going to put buttons on it to hold the two layers together better but on reflection (and because I will have to make a special journey into town to try and find some button blanks that I can cover with fabric and I really cannot be ar*sed) I shall leave it as it is and see how it settles.

And I made a Springtime Fairy Flower Mouse...

...she is currently on her way to France, to live with my chum Vera, along with...

...a customised lavender heart filled with Much Malarkey Manor lavender and embroidered with the name of the smallholding on which my chum Vera lives with hubbie Lester and their assorted animal crew. The lavender is very strong, so I am hoping it might assist with drowning out the smell of pig/ sheep/ cow poop. 

And finally, I am tiddling about with bedroom decorating ideas which, if the insurance company are difficult about meeting the claim may have to remain as ideas, with the assistance of this book...

 

...which arrived this morning from The Book People (£6.99). It is the last book I shall be buying for quite some time until the hall is repaired so I am quite glad I ordered it before our builder dropped the bombshell yesterday. 

Off to make a cup of tea now. Just had a piece of Heather's chocolate birthday cake and I am feeling a bit ikky with it so I might forego lunch. Making a cushion this afternoon. It's all good therapy.