Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin

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The latest news is that we have decided to finally extend the house. This is because it is somewhat small if we want to keep the office space. I estimate there must be at least 2,000 books in here. I have about 800 myself and Peter has at least twice that number. We have decided that we need to add on a conservatory and Peter has said that he'd like something like what Derrida has - or i should say had, because the man has passed on - which is a conservatory office. I'd much rather a conservatory bathroom myself, but one needs to be practical. This will be our project this year. The intention is that we'll get this done in September, after my sojourn in Singapore.

I'm quite excited. I've never really undertaken this kind of work before, but it will make our lives more comfortable. And it'll also let people stay with us as well. Right now the sleeping arrangements are sort of makeshift, to say the least. My mom and dad have taken residence in Oisin's bedroom - dad on top bunk, mom on bottom, with resultant predictable comedy, and Peter and Oisin are on the floor of the main bedroom - with me and the baby on the bed. It's not ideal, as you can tell. Thank god it's only for a month.

So that's the big project this year. Can't wait to smother myself with issues and issues of Homes and Gardens. I really don't know what's happening to me at all. Turning 36 must have switched on some kind of middle aged button in my brain. But i am tired of living like a student, which is what it has felt like for the past eight years. Any tips on renovation are welcome.

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