Nice People 13: Nice Save

Masomnia

Bought a peace lily Like it a lot. Definitely adds to the room. Supposedly cleanses the air too... which with me around is no bad thing.

Nikkster

LydiaJ wrote: »

The kitchen is fine. The living room can be made fine although a lot of the time it isn't. There's a large suitcase that's been in there for weeks with random stuff inside that I haven't got round to addressing.

I'd try and start with making the living room fine and trying to keep it that way.

Sounds like that suitcase is a good place to start.

When is DD's help starting? This isn't something that is entirely within your powers to address, you need help from your co-habitants too.

Have a slightly dodgy hug from me (not least because that means I can sneak one back from you too ) :grouphug:

At some point I'll cheer you up with a pic of my broken wall. My house looks particularly classy from the street at the moment with a broken wall, overgrown patchy grass and a couple of half-dead hanging baskets.

PasturesNew

Nikkster wrote: »

My house looks particularly classy from the street at the moment with a broken wall,

If I lived closer I'd pop over and rebuild that wall for you. I don't think it can be hard.... it's just bricks and they have to be straight and the mortar mixed properly and then pointed right.

I could do that.... but not in the rain

Nikkster

Will delete:

I'm thinking of getting rid of it altogether and putting up some fencing instead to discourage people from sitting/ leaning on the wall.

Nikkster

PasturesNew wrote: »

A lightweight trellis, backed by something prickly, would stop bums.

I was thinking something a little more sturdy, but the wrong height to lean on.

I've been (briefly ) eyeing up some of these: http://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/type/fencing-panels.aspx?tc1=aa&pg=227

Whatever I end up doing, it won't be happening any time soon. That's the only thing I'm sure of.

lostinrates

I like the wall personally. I'd consider planting a fairly brisk growing prickly thing to deter sitting, or having a top on the wall. The other thing to consider would be some sort of planting right up against and above the wall that might make sitting on it difficult. But that would in crease height.

Something like, ahem, espaliered fruit trees.

Nikkster

lostinrates wrote: »

Something like, ahem, espaliered fruit trees.

Now, that would be a lovely idea. and would look so nice from inside the house. But I think it's a bit advanced for my gardening skills, and the poor plants wouldn't see much light sitting behind the wall?

I'm not especially fond of the wall, but repairing it would definitely be easier than getting rid of it and starting again.

The big dark red thing is a Berberis, which does a pretty good job of growing, and being, well - barbed. My garden-loving friend was going to take me to a good garden centre and show me some suggestions of other unfriendly plants I could grow there. I guess I just need to hold her to that once I'm allowed to venture out again.

lostinrates

Nikkster wrote: »

I'd try and start with making the living room fine and trying to keep it that way.

Sounds like that suitcase is a good place to start.

When is DD's help starting? This isn't something that is entirely within your powers to address, you need help from your co-habitants too.

Have a slightly dodgy hug from me (not least because that means I can sneak one back from you too ) :grouphug:

At some point I'll cheer you up with a pic of my broken wall. My house looks particularly classy from the street at the moment with a broken wall, overgrown patchy grass and a couple of half-dead hanging baskets.

I agree the suitcase is a good, contained, place to start, and living room, so you have that nice adult space back.

I think play room is important, Regardless of dd's needing help ds should not have to live with it in their communal space. But if you could get living room back then dining room, I think your house would be better than many people's. The trick might be to think of dd's stuff separately. Is the garage full? Can her stuff be boxed and garaged until help arrives so she can at least fit in one room upstairs?

lostinrates

Nikkster wrote: »

Now, that would be a lovely idea. and would look so nice from inside the house. But I think it's a bit advanced for my gardening skills, and the poor plants wouldn't see much light sitting behind the wall?

I'm not especially fond of the wall, but repairing it would definitely be easier than getting rid of it and starting again.

The big dark red thing is a Berberis, which does a pretty good job of growing, and being, well - barbed. My garden-loving friend was going to take me to a good garden centre and show me some suggestions of other unfriendly plants I could grow there. I guess I just need to hold her to that once I'm allowed to venture out again.

My pears are on a north face ing wall.

I'd just make the first side shoots about four/ six inches above that wall then a foot or so apart to the height you desire. You can be much braver than I was and make so e incredible shapes,

Its really easy to do. IMO easier than traditional pruning. Selecting trees most angsty part. You need spur bearing fruit not tip bearing ones.

Few times in late summer need to cut off the water shoots ( especially at front of a house I'd have thought) but its very quick to do, and tie the ends of growing shoots in.

Doozergirl

You've all understood and you've all relayed my own questions. Compromising on quality for timescales is simply not happening with us.

Had back to back meetings today and couldn't call them, but we've decided to have the conversation. We could manage if we chose to.