Day 1

It was a 7:30am start. I began by bundling left over branches from a tree that we had cut down a couple of weeks ago and stacking them in the wood pile. Half an hour later I was getting over it, my back was hurting and I'd nicked my finger, anyway it was time to get Hewitt organised for school. Good excuse.

Amanda on the other hand was straight into it. She has completed 80% of a sandstone retaining wall which runs the length of the side of the house. This was originally a dark passage of privet and she's turned it into a beautiful view from our bedroom windows. Now for the hard bit, the curve into the back garden. She was on a mission - mixing cement, stacking stones, digging trenches...

After dropping Hewitt off I went into my comfort zone. With my project managers hat on, I began making calls about re-financing, council regulations for above ground pools, ETC. Did you know that you can put build an in ground pool if it complies with simple regulations without a DA but not an above ground. I mentioned to the woman in the planning department that this was odd as obviously the building works that are required for an in ground pool far exceed those of an above ground and she said "I don't write the regulations, I'm just telling you!". OK.

Anyway, at this stage I'm feeling pretty good about my progress, 6 weeks is pushing it but with a little help from our friends it is achievable. Speaking of which as a director it's all about surrounding yourself by the right people and this is how I intend to approach this project. Already we have offers. Thank you to Martin - a TV lighting director - who is swapping a day of electrical work for Amanda's help in the garden, Nikky - a interior designer - who is booked in next week to go over the design for the bathroom and Libby - an organiser extraordinaire - who is putting in a day on Friday to help me get ready for the garage sale (more on this later.)

So, as I said I'm feeling pretty good and I decide to read about the Tropfest winner on line. Amanda's still out digging and she spies me through the office window and... it's on! She says she can't do this with out my help and I've just put all this extra pressure on her by committing to a deadline. I say what do you think I've been doing all morning? You always think your work is harder than what I do! To tell the truth, I was procrastinating, it's hot outside, I'm scared of hard physical labour, it is all feeling a bit overwhelming. So I begrudgingly finished the wood pile and then picked up the spade and began to dig a trench. My mood subsided as I dug. Amanda gives me such great praise for so little, i think she was just relieved to have me out there with her. And the hard physical work actually feels really satisfying.

So it's wrap up time. We are off to see Hat's Off tonight. Last year I directed this concert, this year I am going to sit back and be entertained after a hard days work.

Till tomorrow...

L x