Change and acceptance...

Over October through December, the changes I wanted to make to the apartment were accomplished. I only have a swag for the window in the bedroom and having the bedroom wardrobe stained left in order to have everything complete. I'm so pleased with the outcome. There were even some changes that I hadn't anticipated, but moments of inspiration moved me to create some amazing features. One of them is captured in the image to the right here. Once I had decided the colour for the living room, I realised the white closet doors were going to detract from the ambience of the room. There was no possibility of painting them, as they are composed of some sort of plastic material. I have long adored a piece of Chris' digital photo art - one he called "Emotive Triptych." I realised the colours in this piece would work well with the room, so worked with the original image to create two panels from the left and centre of the image. I sourced a company that could create custom-sized self-adhesive vinyl panels and - voila - I was able to create what I refer to as an art installation of the doors. I couldn't be happier with the outcome The blues correspond with the blues in the kitchen (picture below) and the browns would work with the wall colour. This is possibly my favourite thing in the whole apartment. I have no doubt Chris would look at it and find fault with the image - artists are always their own worst critics - but I love it. And it keeps him close.

The bathroom is by far the sexiest room in the apartment. The smudged white and beige walls and the "public bathroom brown" of the floor are gone. I had received permission to replace the shower with a tub, to take down the false wall that served no purpose, and to replace the small round sink (round sink for someone in a wheelchair - a recipe for spills and drips). Basically, it meant the whole bathroom would be replaced. The walls were replaced with gloss white wet walls, the floor with a non-slip black marble-look vinyl, the shower area with my longed-for hydrotherapy tub, and the sink is now in the right place at the right height, and I now have the storage I didn't have before. In the photos below, you can see the bathroom as it was before renovations on the left. That is basically the room I had (with the bidet toilet out of sight on the left side). I have added some wonderful artwork to the room (including two of Chris' photographs) and a large fabric basket for towels since these photos were taken. I couldn't be happier. Even the new light fixture is so much better than the "porthole" style light that flooded the room with glaring light. I love the idea I had of adding green to the small window area. I love this room and I'm always happy to spend time there. (The tub, as I suspected, has proven its worth with the incredible difference it makes to how my legs feel. I sleep better after having a bath in the evening - the hot water surrounding my legs and the jets moving the water around.) Despite the incredible mess that was created during the process, I wouldn't give up making the change.

The kitchen is now painted a beautiful rich teal blue and it works beautifully. I've filled spaces with artwork and bits and bobs. A minimalist would run screaming from the area, but I love it. It has inspired me to do more cooking and I'm so happy with the final look.


The living and dining area still requires some tweaks before I want to unveil it, so that will have to wait a little longer. But I am happy with every thing I have done and very happy with the two brothers who carried out all the work for me. (Shout out to HDR Property Maintenance.)

As for the acceptance part of this blog, I've had to cancel my booked holiday to Paris in May. I have been aware, but have tried to ignore the fact, that traveling in the car for just a couple of hours cripples me. When I made the two trips to Glasgow, I was in agony the day after - with swollen and sore joints in my legs and along my shoulders and the back of my neck. There is no way I could bear traveling from Birmingham to Paris (by way of ferry) and even think of moving the next day. Fortunately, the travel company has credited my deposit for a future trip. And while I don't think I will be able to travel far, I think I could use the credits to do two of their Scottish offerings. A way to meet new people and see some sights - some familiar, some not. Time will tell, But unless the world of medicine can cure arthritis and fibromyalgia, I'm afraid my travels will have to be limited to very short trips indeed. I am so sad I can't go to Paris and that the future won't hold other trips for me that I had hoped for. Perhaps pain medication will be perfected and maybe it could happen, but I have to accept that it won't for the time being. And that's fine. I have so much to enjoy and so much for which I am very grateful!


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