Happy New Year lovely PPUKers!

[JoceAndChris]

What are your resolutions? I'm going to learn gilding and gild bits on panelling. More swags and tails, learn how to make trumpet valances, breed silver spangled Appenzellers, walk much much more as opposed to driving, learn raking out old pointing and replacing with like. We try to do a room a year - this year will, I hope, see the completion of the little loo with its new plumbing, windows etc and the spider cupboard which needs converting into a wardrobe with some lighting so that we can get rid of the huge fitted monstrosity currently swallowing the spare room.
Plans, projects? And a very happy new year to all. Xxxxx

 

[LadyArowana]

Happy New year Joce ( and everyone else too ). For the first time in a couple of years I took away some of the Christmas decorations before 12th night and did a New Year display.

 

[philpjuk100]

What are your resolutions? I'm going to learn gilding
And a very happy new year to all. Xxxxx

GILDING!! have you seen the price of gold?? (I am but a poor pensioner!) now then gliding sounds fun! and also a great new year to all forum members,phil.

 

[Juju]

Happy New Year all. I think we are definitely gearing up to finish all the decorating jobs that have been left over the past 2 years. Odd bits of skirting, panelling, doors etc as well as the 2 bathrooms. I'm feeling enthused cos we finished our kitchen in time for Christmas (well apart from some woodwork). I also want to give the house a really big clean and tidy. Hold on, these were all the resolutions from last year...

I'd like to learn lime plastering - ready for when we tackle our living room. I'm going on a one day topiary course (paid for by the NT) so that's my creative bit for the garden. I'm leading on designing an exhibition at my NT property which is exciting. Other than that, I need to do more paid work instead of lazing around ...
Oh, and there should be more PPUK parties - who's hosting the next one?!
Juju

 

[Penners]

My single New Year's resolution is to be more mindful of the things that really matter in life. People and relationships. We had a sad loss over Christmas, and it was one of those events that makes you stop and think about life, the universe and everything. And I've decided that the answer to that Great Question is not 42. It's family and friends.

Sorry folks - got a bit mawkish there for a minute. It all comes of having run out of Kit-Kats on a day when the shops are shut.

Have a wonderful 2012!

 

[Juju]

Sorry to hear that Mr P. I lost my mum early January 2008 and I always feel sad at New Year cos it was the last time I spoke to her...
I try not to be too miserable at New Year because it's a big thing for Mr Juju with his Scottish ancestry. Last night junior Juju and I were busy looking at Facebook at midnight and forgot Mr Juju had gone outside to do his traditional knocking at the door with the bottle of whisky... Oops he was left outside in the rain..
J

 

[MdB]

What are your resolutions? I'm going to learn gilding
And a very happy new year to all. Xxxxx

GILDING!! have you seen the price of gold?? (I am but a poor pensioner!) now then gliding sounds fun! and also a great new year to all forum members,phil.

I read it first as gliding - probably just as expensive.

 

[middi]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

I am with Penners and wish you all good health, the most important asset of our limited life journey where, sometime, restoration of it is not an option.

As to resolutions, for me is the same one every year- STOP SMOKING- . The approach is always the same, I go ouside, sit down, light up a fag and think as to the best way to achieve it :wink:

Middi

 

[Feltwell]

And Happy New Year to all from me as well!

Oh dear, where to start.....

Well, the usual boring one, lose some weight! It's the big 40 later this year so that's a target, get slim for the milestone birthday! (I'm sure FF posted up a "Feltwell 40" village sign picture some time ago, but it eludes me.....)

Get work situation permanently sorted, and actually finish some projects off for once - starting with the garage, which has been at it's current "95% complete" status for 2 years .

 

[Flyfisher]

My single New Year's resolution is to be more mindful of the things that really matter in life. People and relationships.

I'm not a great one for New Year resolutions but I've been increasingly mindful of Penners' sentiment over the last decade, having lost a few close friends at far too young an age. Just recently, another old friend (but not old himself) suffered a freak accident that has resulted in the complete loss of vision in one eye and leaving him with about 30% in the other. Such things do, indeed, put things in perspective.

Of course, I still have a few odd jobs around the house (!) but as long as progress is being made, however slowly, then I'm happy enough knowing I'm moving in the right direction. If we can't have fun along the way then what's the point of the journey?

Meanwhile, lime plastering is something I'd really like to get to grips with, though I can imagine this being a 2013 resolution as well. :wink:

A happy and healthy new year to all.

 

[Flyfisher]

It's the big 40 later this year so that's a target, get slim for the milestone birthday! (I'm sure FF posted up a "Feltwell 40" village sign picture some time ago, but it eludes me.....)

Eluded no more . . .


(PM me with an email address if you'd like the full-sized photo file)

 

[JoceAndChris]

Nice to read the plans and wise words.

I like your display, LadyA.

(By the way, gilding is an extremely cost-effective hobby when compared to 27 rare breed chickens. It's only £20 for 20m of gold leaf, I could have lots of fun with that - whereas fluffs are around £30 a week just for feed and bedding!! However I don't plan on stewing them any time soon, and consider them well worth the expenditure and much better than having children)

 

[MatthewC]

My single New Year's resolution is to be more mindful of the things that really matter in life. People and relationships. .... And I've decided that the answer to that Great Question is not 42. It's family and friends.

I second that. We are all part of various communities, and the sense of local community is one thing that we seem to have lost in this country.

 

[Zebra]

To make no resolutions, no plan, no targets, no timescale, just to do one thing at a time, in no particular order, to make it up as I go along, and remember not to get too stressed and to enjoy it!

May I just say also, that I don't know what I'd do without you guys on here. If I weren't able to consult all you helpful and knowledgable people every time I got stuck on something I'd feel totally lost, and totally on my own! So thank you all, and Happy New Year!

 

[Feltwell]

Eluded no more . . .

Thank you very much. I shall cling to my 30's for a while longer, all the more time to remind Mrs F that she is in the next decade to me 8) (even if not by very much)

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Mmmm, yes, well I have been thinking about another year in the house that I find so difficult, plan A get a man who can.... too expensive, plan B look at each room and decide what I can reasonably manage to achieve on my own--- if Moo and Penners can, then I can! Plan C is to not be like one of my lovely neighbours, who when showing me around her home said to me 'don't look too closely, I am always being accused of not finishing the room'! ( like me her skirtings and door frames are not finished!!!!!!

So, all in all I shall try to combine the most practical, budget conscious tasks, one at a time, starting with the downstairs loo--- whatever colour does one put with the dreaded avocado in a south facing room ? No I am not going to rpelace the basin and loo, there is nothing wrong, except the colour, so paint is the only option.

Juju, how lovely to be able to do the topiary course, and best of luck with the NT exhibition-- must visit your property. Can I find out more on the website?

Joce, gilding is expensive and you need a delicate touch, no draughts, a soft brush and plenty of patience. My favourite bit is gently 'polishing the leaf into place after successfully lifting a leaf onto the surface,-- therein lies the skill--- leaf in the right place, not on the floor or stuck to your woolley jumper! But the end result is very, very, satisfying. I can recommend The Gilding Book,Glenn McDean-- it is my bible, and Joce, do make sure you afford the best materials. They keep quite well if you make sure that they are stored carefully

Middi, you can come and puff away here any time, to plan your next tasks.. that's exactly what I do, I have a little corner in the garden for contemplation. Mind you I am trying one of those v lites-----

A new challenge for me is to upholster a small armchair, I am looking into day courses that are being offered by a lady who has a unit in the Woburn Abbey Antiques centre, you can take a chair or seat over and she will guide you through each stage. I am keen to get to grips with cutting the fabric correctly and making the piping.
I just hope that my fingers are strong enough to do the stitching bit, that's assuming that I can see to thread the darn needle .( no pun intended)

Well, not so much resolutions as aspirations, I reckon I will manage to do some of it!

Happy 2012 ! xxx

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda Pawb and Happy New Year everyone.

M resolutions were simple - get fit, give up Another Place for 2 weeks, make renewed progress on some of the internal tasks, and pay particular heed to Penners' sage advice.

That was until we came home this evening and found part of the outbuildings next to the house had collapsed, blocked the drive and deposited 10 tons of masonry on the drive. :shock: :shock: :shock: With a weather warning set for Tuesday.

I suspect that will now displace some of the other objectives.

Pics and requests for advice will follow in the daylight.

Robin

 

[Flyfisher]

Ouch! At least it was 'only' the outbuilding (little consolation I know ) and thankfully nobody was hurt. An opportunity to test your insurance cover perhaps? Such a shame you're so far away - if it had been in East Anglia we could probably have rustled up a working party to help clear the rubble. Do be careful and don't get too close to the damage in the dark - but you already know that.

At least it will assist you in 'giving up' the other place for a couple of weeks (always look on the bright side . . . ). :wink:

 

[Feltwell]

Ouch! Poor Robin. It could have been much worse though - at least it was an outbuilding, and I presume it didn't fall on anything of value or anyone (of value! ).

 

[LadyArowana]

Ouch! Poor Robin. It could have been much worse though - at least it was an outbuilding, and I presume it didn't fall on anything of value or anyone (of value! ).

Such a shame we didn't have advance warning, I bet we could all have thought of people to nominate to be standing near a few tons of unstable masonry.