28 April, 2007

A busy few days

It's still raining - yay! The weather report for this week is kind of amusing. Rain forecast all week but it seems to read 'showers easing' one day, then 'showers increasing', then 'showers easing' again! I wonder if the bureau is just hedging its bets...

On Friday, work had another of their annual 'events'. Hard to describe them really, but basically everyone gets to get off the phones etc, go into town and listen to some of the company's directors chat about how the company is going, award some people trips and other prizes, then take part in some games and consume food and (alcoholic) drinks. This year we were divided into 4 teams and we played games for money that would go to different charities and the team that won the most money would also win a paid day off (yep a quarter of the whole building). Unfortunately my team didn't win this year but it was quite fun. We got to watch the company directors dress up and do some (very bad) karaoke. Cringeworthy but funny.

I didn't get to stay for the whole thing since J and I had plans to meet friends for dinner. We went to a Mongolian BBQ place. Now that was an interesting experience. You go up, choose your meat and veg, then add your choices of sauce and hand it to the chefs. The chefs then cook it in front of you on this huge shield over a fire. The shield was big enough to cook three meals at a time. Was quite yummy too.

Today, I had a half day off work and took Chickie to the birthday party of L who used to go to his childcare centre (but starts school this Monday). Chickie is the last of the 'four musketeers' who were such close friends there last year.

L's mother had organised the party at one of those indoor play places. This one is much bigger than the one we usually go to and way more popular - the place was packed. Not surprising on a very rainy day, I suppose. It was so noisy though, I'm surprised I didn't get a headache from it. Chickie had fun, although he didn't really take part in the games early on. He kept hiding behind me and pushing me to go sit down and play pass the parcel etc. I really wish he'd get past this initial shyness thing. He eventually gets in there and joins in but he really does miss a lot by hanging back so much. I don't want to push him too much but it does frustrate me a bit. Anyway, he joined in eventually and said this was 'the best day ever' as we were leaving. I'm glad he had fun.

One thing that amused me about it all was that he wanted me to write on the card 'Happy birthday, happy present'. I talked him into 'Happy birthday, I hope you like your present' but it took a bit of negotiating!

As for tomorrow, shopping is the order of the day. Now that I have my bedroom closet, I want a shoe rack and other shelf organiser type stuff, so it's off to Ikea tomorrow. While we're there, I want to have a look for a reasonably priced (ie: cheap) lounge. Now that our floor has been done and the furniture is back in, the lounge is looking a bit on the shabby side (and it wasn't a great one to start with). I don't want to spend too much though, since Chickie is still a bit too messy and we have two cats that tend to shed and scratch things (not allowed when we're there though). So, I don't see the point in getting an expensive 'forever after' lounge. I'm looking for a decent looking stopgap measure that will outlast the messy kid/cat stage (the cats are 10 years old btw).

I've also been thinking about paint colours for the bedroom. Please - give me your suggestions, your favourites. At this stage I'm looking for colours etc that I haven't thought of, ideas for techniques and hints on what to do/what not to do.

9 comments:

[] said...

Mongolian bbq rocks.

Some paint advice - stay away from the faux finishing techniques unless you are willing to live with your learning curve, right there on the walls, staring everyone in the face.

I'm a big fan of two-tone, or just two different colors on various walls. Happy decorating!

meggie said...

No tips... I am a really basic background person- jazz it up with the furnishings-ie quilt cushions etc. That way you are not stuck with blah for too long, & it is easily changed.
It can be hard for children in 'party' situations. When I was a kid, I hated them!

Holly Muppet said...

We have a couple of feature walls that look really nice. All other walls neutral but a splash of colour here and there. We like it. As for the couch, we have leather which is really good for just wiping away those spills. Don't have any inside pets to worry about ...

Zazzy said...

I really like some of the dramatic paint choices. The red walls and white trim sort of thing. I don't know whether I'd ever be brave enough to do that sort of thing. Neutral walls are just way easier.

The Phosgene Kid said...

Dust storm here. I liked going to the Mongolian BBQ in Naperville because I liked ot taunt the dude dressed up n the "Mongoman" costume.

Anonymous said...

I love neutral rooms, cream and chocolate browns with splashes of colour (my sister has this in her bedroom with turquiose as the added colour), but it works well in a living room too.

Stomper Girl said...

I'm hopeless at all renovation stuff but have recently been given some excellent advice on lounges from H&B. She's your gal I reckon, Gives you links and everything.

I think I'll borrow Chickie's "Happy Birthday. Happy Present" message. It's so CUTE!!

Jean-Luc Picard said...

A Mongolian BBQ? I haven't heard of them! Thanks for the good wishes in my Journal.

caramaena said...

thanks for your suggestions everyone - keep 'em coming!

Sounds like neutrals with feature colours (walls or furnishings) might be easiest.