Saturday 21 September 2019

Settling Back In

O.K. and I have been away since the 7th of this month, hiking in Austria. We have had a great time and both go back to work on Monday. Internet connection was sporadic at best and non-existent most of the time; therefore, many pictures and handwritten notes in my diary are waiting to be turned into posts.

In the meantime, I have been settling back in. We arrived here at my place on Monday evening after a long and exhausting drive up from Austria. The week passed doing several loads of washing & ironing, food shopping, cleaning, meeting my family and friends, and going for runs and walks, even including a visit to the zoo. It is actually nice having time off at home, getting to do things on weekdays which are usually only possible on weekends, when everywhere is crowded.

Back in March, my parents gave me a token for a birthday present: a yellow armchair I had seen at IKEA. This, too, was one of those things we finally got round to during this past week at home. Of course we'd been to IKEA before, getting bits and bobs for my newly renovated bathroom, but going there on a Saturday is not for the faint hearted - the crowds are huge and it is no joy browsing the store.

The new armchair was quickly assembled (and we had made sure beforehand that the large box would fit into O.K.'s car) and has now replaced the former one, which belonged to my grandparents and was much treasured ever since it made its way into my home in 2011. I wrote about it here back then, but somehow never put my original plan in action to add the second armchair, which to this day sits in my sister's cellar. A friend will be asked whether he wants the old one, as I don't want to fill up my living room with too many pieces of furniture. Also, I don't simply want to throw it away.

Old:


New:


The box is big enough to make a playhouse for small children. I have asked a friend of mine who has a 3-year-old and an almost 1-year-old whether she wants it, but she has not replied yet. But I really like the idea and would love to make a start at it, cutting out a window, putting "curtains" up and sticking pictures and a "clock" to the wall. Maybe I'll do just that, and hand it over half done.

16 comments:

  1. I love both of those chairs, the old one and the new one! And what a great idea for the box, too. Little kids will love it! I'm glad you're back to blogging. I knew you were on holiday but I missed seeing you here.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer, you are so kind! I would have loved to have that box house for myself as a kid.

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  2. I wait to see some posts about your holiday, but enjoyed reading about the week at home, the trip to IKEA and the ideas for the playhouse box. My grandson Stephen who is 8 still enjoys playing with big boxes if any come his way.

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    1. There will be plenty about our Austrian holiday soon, Kristi; I hope to start tomorrow morning. Once I'm back at work, it will be more difficult to find the time, but I enjoy writing about my holidays, making them last longer that way.
      If Stephen lived closer, he could have my box!

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  3. Forgot to add how nice your new chair is, in your favorite color.

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  4. Love the new chair and what a lovely idea to make a start on that doll's house.

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    1. Thank you, Pat! I don't know yet whether I'll really start working on the box house, but right now, I am brimming with ideas for it.

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  5. Your new chair is lovely, a great colour and looks quite comfortable. I am sure any child would love a box house to play in. I certainly remember having great fun with the cardboard box that my mother's washing machine came in!

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    1. Thank you, JayCee! The chair is still very "firm", but comfortable nonetheless. Yesterday afternoon, I spent a pleasant hour in it reading my weekly paper.

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  6. I do love your grandmother's chair. It looks to be in perfect condition. I also really love the new yellow chair. It gives a "lift" to that corner of your room.

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    1. Joyful, O.K. said something similar to your "lift" comment; he says it makes for different light in that part of the room.
      Unfortunately, the old chair is rather worn down. You can't see it in the photo, but the upholstering fabric is shabby and spotty in places, and the wooden frame was broken and rather haphazardly glued back together at one time (not by me).

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  7. I'd keep that box for myself, for sulky moments.

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  8. Love the bright new wing back chair and matching ottoman, cushion too. I think you'll enjoy many a good read in that comfy window corner Meike.
    Glad your vacation was such fun and look forward to seeing your photos and read accounts of places you visited in Austria.
    Enjoy what remains of the weekend prior to going back to work!
    Hugs - Mary

    P.S. Cute kitty socks!

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    1. Thank you, Mary! I was still in my running outfit when O.K. took that picture of me in the box. The socks are part of a set of three pairs, a gift from my sister (she knows how much I like Hello Kitty).
      Now that I have new reading glasses and can read longer again, the new chair will definitely come in useful over the coming colder season!

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