June: DIY Tips and Free London Book
With better weather, my husband and I have been painting a room we intend to use as a library and freshening up some other rooms. Here are some tips you may not find in DIY manuals.
Wait for warm weather so you can open the windows and not freeze.
Meanwhile, prepare well. Declutter furniture so you won't have to keep moving it. Use up or recycle small items from cupboards and desks like packets, tins and stacks of paper. Donate read books and unwanted clothes (but save some old clothes). Everything left will have to be shifted at least twice. Save some newspapers.
If you're changing flooring, paint first.
Clear the credit card so you won't care about putting extra DIY gear on it.
A professional stepladder saves on time and accidents.
A detachable shelf for the stepladder holds the paint bucket.
Make the rooms brighter to make the most of natural light - more cheerful and it saves on electricity.
If you paint walls and ceilings white, no worries about where they meet. Otherwise use masking tape around the edges.
Tie a plastic bag over light fixtures during painting.
Now's a good time to wash the emptied shelves.
Also to seal any draughts.
If you find it hard to squeeze draught sealer out of a plastic tube, cut it open with a big scissors.
Apply sealer with your fingers in areas you can't easily see or reach with tools.
Two can work more quickly than one. But if one is less mobile or tires easily, they should not do stepladder work. Put them in charge of keeping the workers fed and brushes cleaned.
Plan your day and do anything that takes you out of the house first.
Change into the old clothes and practical shoes you keep for DIY.
Get some painting done before you eat lunch. That way you have earned the break and you're keen to return to work.
Take another break with a tasty snack. Reward yourself.
Have a very nice meal waiting in the evening. This can be as late as you like provided you have safe lighting to work.
A radio is good; lively music with news breaks makes the day go faster.
Wrap a brush in cling film or sit it in water during breaks. Always clean it at night. Brushes cost money and going to replace them takes up time. Wider brushes get more done. Agree beforehand on which basins etc. can be used for brushes.
Paints can now be low-drip and low VOC - volatile organic compounds. So they are easier to use, wash off brushes in water and don't smell as bad. Don't use thinners of any sort. Get a couple of cans or roller trays and a big tub, if you have a lot to do, and refill the cans from the tub. Sit each can in a plastic bag as you use it, to catch the drips.
Pets can get in the way, get paint on fur and get scared. Look after them and give them fresh water, food and litter trays in other parts of the house. The smell of paint can taint their food and water.
If painting a lot of ceilings, you will feel it on the second day. Take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen and work through; if the pain isn't easy to ignore in ten minutes, you may have done damage, but otherwise you will be fine.
Try to have something finished at the end of each day. You will enjoy making progress.
Keep happy. You will love the result.
Those reading my blog will know we have visited several parts of Britain during the past few years, including London; some particularly accessible locations are featured on my website blog. In sympathy with those harmed by the recent attacks in London and Manchester, I'm making this month's free book Dining Out Around The Solar System. This features two journalists investigating in a future, somewhat dystopian London. This is a standalone read and kicks off a series. The cover photo was taken by me.
In a future where giant corporations run countries, all British Space Mines has to fear are journalists and hackers.
Donal and Myron are their worst nightmare.
When people from offworld races open ethnic restaurants in London, they meet a lot of opposition.
Donal and Myron are their best friends.
The London's Eye zine has vacancies.
What do you think happened to their other reporters?
"So good, I want to complain." - Colorful_socks, Amazon.com reviewer.
"Some of the social problems involve the aliens, who are treated much the same as the other non-English-speaking minorities in this future London. Some of the action scenes are generated as some of the articles offend high ranking government and criminal entities who retaliate, and with various hate groups who don't like aliens. Another aspect of the story is a rich set of many well-drawn characters and bit players with believable interactions. It is easy to like (or dislike) the characters, but almost none of them are the kind of wallpaper figures that typically make up most sci-fi stories." - Systemguy, Amazon.com reviewer.
Free: June 16 - 19, 2017.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Out-Ar...
http://amazon.com/Dining-Out-Around-S...
To see more of my travels visit my website and look on the News and Events page. You can also sign up to my quarterly newsletter which will keep you informed of special offers and new releases. If you read one of my books, please consider leaving a review. Reviews help other readers as well as the author.
FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, blog, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website:
http://www.clareobeara.ie
Wait for warm weather so you can open the windows and not freeze.
Meanwhile, prepare well. Declutter furniture so you won't have to keep moving it. Use up or recycle small items from cupboards and desks like packets, tins and stacks of paper. Donate read books and unwanted clothes (but save some old clothes). Everything left will have to be shifted at least twice. Save some newspapers.
If you're changing flooring, paint first.Clear the credit card so you won't care about putting extra DIY gear on it.
A professional stepladder saves on time and accidents.
A detachable shelf for the stepladder holds the paint bucket.
Make the rooms brighter to make the most of natural light - more cheerful and it saves on electricity.
If you paint walls and ceilings white, no worries about where they meet. Otherwise use masking tape around the edges.
Tie a plastic bag over light fixtures during painting.
Now's a good time to wash the emptied shelves.
Also to seal any draughts.
If you find it hard to squeeze draught sealer out of a plastic tube, cut it open with a big scissors.
Apply sealer with your fingers in areas you can't easily see or reach with tools.
Two can work more quickly than one. But if one is less mobile or tires easily, they should not do stepladder work. Put them in charge of keeping the workers fed and brushes cleaned. Plan your day and do anything that takes you out of the house first.
Change into the old clothes and practical shoes you keep for DIY.
Get some painting done before you eat lunch. That way you have earned the break and you're keen to return to work.
Take another break with a tasty snack. Reward yourself.
Have a very nice meal waiting in the evening. This can be as late as you like provided you have safe lighting to work.
A radio is good; lively music with news breaks makes the day go faster.
Wrap a brush in cling film or sit it in water during breaks. Always clean it at night. Brushes cost money and going to replace them takes up time. Wider brushes get more done. Agree beforehand on which basins etc. can be used for brushes.
Paints can now be low-drip and low VOC - volatile organic compounds. So they are easier to use, wash off brushes in water and don't smell as bad. Don't use thinners of any sort. Get a couple of cans or roller trays and a big tub, if you have a lot to do, and refill the cans from the tub. Sit each can in a plastic bag as you use it, to catch the drips.
Pets can get in the way, get paint on fur and get scared. Look after them and give them fresh water, food and litter trays in other parts of the house. The smell of paint can taint their food and water. If painting a lot of ceilings, you will feel it on the second day. Take Paracetamol or Ibuprofen and work through; if the pain isn't easy to ignore in ten minutes, you may have done damage, but otherwise you will be fine.
Try to have something finished at the end of each day. You will enjoy making progress.
Keep happy. You will love the result.
Those reading my blog will know we have visited several parts of Britain during the past few years, including London; some particularly accessible locations are featured on my website blog. In sympathy with those harmed by the recent attacks in London and Manchester, I'm making this month's free book Dining Out Around The Solar System. This features two journalists investigating in a future, somewhat dystopian London. This is a standalone read and kicks off a series. The cover photo was taken by me. In a future where giant corporations run countries, all British Space Mines has to fear are journalists and hackers.
Donal and Myron are their worst nightmare.
When people from offworld races open ethnic restaurants in London, they meet a lot of opposition.
Donal and Myron are their best friends.
The London's Eye zine has vacancies.
What do you think happened to their other reporters?
"So good, I want to complain." - Colorful_socks, Amazon.com reviewer.
"Some of the social problems involve the aliens, who are treated much the same as the other non-English-speaking minorities in this future London. Some of the action scenes are generated as some of the articles offend high ranking government and criminal entities who retaliate, and with various hate groups who don't like aliens. Another aspect of the story is a rich set of many well-drawn characters and bit players with believable interactions. It is easy to like (or dislike) the characters, but almost none of them are the kind of wallpaper figures that typically make up most sci-fi stories." - Systemguy, Amazon.com reviewer.
Free: June 16 - 19, 2017.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dining-Out-Ar...
http://amazon.com/Dining-Out-Around-S...
To see more of my travels visit my website and look on the News and Events page. You can also sign up to my quarterly newsletter which will keep you informed of special offers and new releases. If you read one of my books, please consider leaving a review. Reviews help other readers as well as the author.FREE READ of my 2014 award-winning crime short story 'London Calling' on the Simon and Schuster website:
http://the-dark-pages-blog.blogspot.i...
Check out my latest books, blog, writing tips, puzzles, events and more on my website:
http://www.clareobeara.ie
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