Archive Article: 1999/02/19
THE traditional "out with the old, in with the new" concept has taken Vimer by storm, well, taken yours truly by the nose.
Having everywhere downstairs decorated has left me disgruntled with upstairs, in particular our bedroom. We have a lovely big room with windows on both sides looking out onto the fields and sheep. Its my haven when life gets too hectic and I need to escape, but over the years it has been somewhat neglected and turned into my own personal bête noir.
Its where I throw everything I dont know what to do with when visitors surprise me; its a Chinese laundry at the weekends when the girls come home to do their washing and we cant put it outside; and as during the week, I never have time to catch up, the ironing-board and clothes horses have become permanent fixtures.
Tim has his corner by a small radiator where he keeps his work clothes warm for the early morning, I have mine by the window generally on the floor.
We have boxes of FARMERS WEEKLYS, and where they are not in boxes they are in vague piles along with piles of any other magazines thoughtful visitors bring us – we cant throw anything away. Everything has just accumulated to the extent that I cant get it tidy and I have put an "out of bounds" to all prying eyes sign on my door which must remain shut at all times to hide my shame.
Then last month I decided enough is enough, I must tackle this monster head on, and for some reason found myself reading a feng shui book. Aha… The answer to all my problems – doubtless replacing order and calm to our sleeping quarters will bring order and calm to our lives. Tim looks exasperated!
Full of enthusiasm Ive at last gone onto the attack and pulled out all the furniture to paint and dust behind (a friends sister dusts behind her furniture every week – including the wardrobes!). Serious doubts set in when I read that its not a good thing to sleep beneath beams; our room is a fine example of "olde worlde charm" – ie completely covered by them. And weve got a large desk with nasty corners pointing outwards spoiling the flow of the "chi", not to mention the square-edged chest of drawers. Does the bed face the door? Well, no, actually – no wonder we live our lives in a pickle.
This is going to be more difficult than I thought. There are various dark corners where Ill have to hang pot plants or chimes (Tims gone out groaning) to stop the "chi" stagnating, and buy a mirror to light up a dark alcove, and get some nice flimsy curtains which will give a feeling of airiness and light. Im about to close the toilet seat lid and bathroom door to stop us flushing away any good vibes we may have, then Im off to the calf house where doubtless theres lots of stagnant "chi". Wonder what I can do in there?