Tuesday, October 7, 2008

The Princess and the Pea.

My new mattress is absolutely wonderful. It was quite a challenge getting the old one out and the new one in. First I chose (a 4' 6" Sleepeeze Pocket-Sprung number) and ordered from Mattressman as aforementioned and, true to his word, he delivered it next morning. The chap who brought it was very pleasant, but fairly short, not particularly strong and on his own, so it was obvious that he couldn't get it up all my stairs. Luckily the lovely Guy, who did my floors, had volunteered to come back and put the bed together again for me, so between us we somehow managed to heave it up the three flights of stairs. When the bedstead was ready, we manoevred the mattress on top and Guy took one look at it and said "You'll need a step-ladder to get up there." True enough, the new incumbent is possibly eight inches deep and therefore much thicker and higher than the old one. And I'm only 5 ft 2 ins. Hadn't thought of that! It's fun getting in and out of bed though, and when I'm perched up there with my mosquito net and my little sparkly paper lanterns draped around it, I really do feel like the Princess and the Pea.

The old mattress went down the stairs like a rocket, I just pointed it downwards and hoped it didn't smash into anything on the way down. The Council came and took it away on Friday morning, and I let it go without a backward glance. It took a lot of history with it, and I'm absolutely ready for new beginnings. I've reclaimed my bedroom, and there's nothing in it that doesn't belong to me. I've got rid of everyone else's rubbish and I just love the look and feel of my own space. I've re-hung the pictures and I'm going to buy sheepskin rugs to snuggle my toes in when I slide out of bed in the mornings! What Larks...

I have two Foreign Students now. The second one arrived last Friday and is a completely different kettle of fish from my Swiss boy. He is from Cyprus and says he is 25. If this is true, I'm a monkey's uncle (as my Mum used to say). He is small (about my height) with receding black curly hair, and he wears nail varnish! He is also extremely picky. He hadn't been in the house five minutes before he was asking for another towel (he already had two), more blankets for his bed (ditto) and was complaining about being cold. Of course he has been used to temperatures of 30 degrees or so (lucky man) and that was why I'd given him two extra blankets already. Anyway, he has started the way he means to go on, and finds something new to request every day. As he is planning to be with me for 12 weeks, this could be tricky. This morning it was warm milk for his cereal and coffee (perfectly reasonable) and this evening it was tea after dinner (again, not unreasonable). But it seems that everything I do isn't quite enough. I have a plan though - I'm going to introduce him to my Gay Friend. I think it could be a match made in heaven.

Yesterday and today I picked up Grandson from School. Foul weather and pouring with rain today, so we retreated indoors and had a cosy time playing with his wooden railway track. He is tired though, and really doesn't want to do more than chill out after a day of reading, singing and eating lunch. Today, apparently, he was on the School Computer. Tomorrow, he'll probably be showing me how to do it. When Daughter arrived home, she looked tired too. She seems to be doing extra days every week. I couldn't stop to chat though, because I had to rush back to cook for my two Students. Tonight it was homemade soup with pitta bread (he asked for more, so that's a compliment) followed by chilli con carne, baked potatoes and steamed broccoli. No dessert because I didn't have the time to make any. Come to think of it, that's probably why he asked for a cup of tea.

Dear old Terry Wogan, he plays some good stuff. I'd forgotten about Clifford T Ward and that old song he sang: "I could be a Millionaire.. If I had the money!" My sentiments exactly..

13 comments:

Suzysoo said...

There's always one, isn't there! I would be waving my patience ta-ra already!

Stinking Billy said...

Margot, never mind the history associated with the old mattress, just be careful what you get up to on the new one. (Thinks) I might change my name to Guy and see what that does for me? ;-)

Mean Mom said...

Another good read! Your new mattress sound good. Just make sure that you don't fall out of bed. You obviously have further to fall, now.

I'm looking forward to hearing more about your 2 students. I think they are going to be very entertaining, particularly the one who needs to be pampered.

Will stinking billy be in with a chance, if he changes his name? I'm interested, now.

Expat mum said...

In a moment of weakness last year, I let the Ball & Chain choose us a new mattress. I am 5'7" and can't reach the floor when I sit on the side. Of course I had to go out and buy "extra deep" sheets etc. What a palava (if that's how you spell it).

the mother of this lot said...

Twelve weeks? I can't see it lasting!

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

You're so right suzysoo, I keep singing and whistling in the kitchen to show him that he's not getting to me! M:-)

Oh Billy, please don't change your name - Guy is lovely but you were here first. M ;-)
PS Haven't got up to anything yet, but still hoping.

Hi Mean Mom, it's great fun sliding out of bed, and climbing in. The Students will be interesting, especially Mr Picky.
M :-)
PS Don't tell Billy, but he's always in with a chance!

Poor you, Expatmum, at least I only have myself to blame. Luckily my sheets seem to fit. M :-)

Hi Jackie - I know, 12 weeks does seem an awfully long time. I'm counting the days already! M :-)

Maggie May said...

A really good read, as always.
I MUST get a new bed & mattress too! Seems such a hassle though & I keep putting it off. Its all the lifting involved & where to put it till the council comes.Glad yours went smoothly.
I have some terrible memories of students that I had when I used to take in lodgers, like flooding and an upset chip pan on the bed! Some were truly lovely though.
Little kids seem to pick up IT from an early age. They are cleverer than me.

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Hi Maggie, and thanks for your lovely comments. It's funny, but I'd been dithering over the new mattress since I moved here 6 years ago! When I decided though, it did just seeem to fall into place.
How horrendous to have those disasters with students - I'm obviously lucky - so far... M :-)

Saz said...

thanks for popping by and reading soo many posts....thats was kind of you to leave so many messages also!

Working Mum said...

Thank you for popping over to mine. I'm trying to catch up on my blog reading tonight.

I like the sound of a bedroom filled with only your things. Have you found you've had to buy new sheets to accommodate your tall mattress - I did when we bought a new one!

auntiegwen said...

Never trust a man who wears nail varnish

You're very patient, I was getting fed up with his bahaviour after a 5 minute read !!!

You'll need to polish your halo or choke him with it, your call ...

Anonymous said...

Some people are incredible picky aren't they! You may have a job on your hands trying to contain yourself during the next 12 weeks!

CJ xx

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Hi FFF, thanks also - your Blog is a great read, and it's always fun to find other similar souls. M xx

Hi Working Mum - it's the catching up that takes the time, I find! I didn't have to buy new sheets, strangely, but probably because they were too big for the old mattress - if that makes any sense! M :-)

Hi Auntie Gwen, how perceptive of you. My halo has slipped, that's for sure. I think I'm coping because I feel very cheerful at the moment. Otherwise.. Grrr. M :-)

Hi Crystal - yes, it's looking like a very long time, patience-wise. I can hardly bear the thought that he's here until December!!! M xx