Bobbi, I take it you were painting the lower parts of your walls which I have trouble getting down to as I just can't kneel anymore. I use a low stool to sit on, which still hurts my knees getting up, but is the easiest option. When I have finished painting I have taken to lying flat out on my back on the bed for a good half hour and really stretch everything. That seems to help a lot and as it is around the 5pm slump time, it revitalises two ways. What sort of paint are you using? Normally any acrylic or water based paint washes out easily. Everyone knows when I have been painting, I went up the shop one time not knowing I had a huge blob of green paint right down the underside of my arm, clearly visible to anyone behind me. If shampoo isn't removing it, try rubbing straight conditioner into it and leave 10-15 mins. I find hand cream quickly removes it from my skin but I do have very streaky fingernails that nothing seems to be working on. Looks like the paint will have to grow out on them. If I know I am likely to get paint in my hair I also keep a supply of cheap shower caps for protection. Astraea - we are fine thanks, all the fires are in country areas, although some kids deliberately lit one in western Sydney this afternoon. The Metropolitan Firies have thermal imaging and they can spot a fire almost as soon as it starts which makes their response time much shorter. We also had a truck catch fire and set bush off beside a major freeway but the firies hit it all with foam and made short work of it. Still just over 34 here at 11pm - roll on 2am and the southerly!!!!!

We have moved 3 times. Next time I 'm going to ask the buyers of this place would they like to buy my patio/pot plants. Plants are so bulky, heavy and awkward. Each time we have moved I have used such care but my favourite's have still curled up and died, not adjusting to the new environment. I think better to get a few dollars towards the new ones. After selling our last house and moving 500k's the agent rang me settlement day, said the buyers wanted to buy my patio plants. To late we had hired a trailer took them to the new place where in 6mths they were dead. If I'd only known !!

Hi Kirsty, I figured it was early in the morning or late afternoon. Not being a morning person, I thought the latter! I would still consider a tree or palm to add height and soften, and I'd look at changing the shape and position of the garden bed. It doesn't really link back to the house at all - rather it looks like an afterthought (or an island!). Unfortunately Balinese style tropical planting isn't generally drought tolerant - so if you can get water there somehow, you'll be more likely to achieve that look. I'm guessing from your comment above, the guys that laid the driveway didn't install any conduit for future services when they were installing the driveway? The other option would be installing a tap on the house side opposite the garage. Not sure if that is a possibility, but worth considering! I'd pop into the local nursery and get some advice about plants that would suit your area and what you're trying to achieve if a landscape designer is out of the budget. Just do them the courtesy of buying the plants from them (having worked in nurseries for 18 years, nothing more frustrating than spending time with a customer who then takes your advice and purchases the plants elsewhere!). It certainly has potential. I've put some images below of planting that while drought tolerant, is textured, interesting and has a feel that will suit the aesthetic of the house. Look at the plants and how they've been used to add green, colour and texture.

m_mdimond; My constant whippet! Yes change is inevitable. Youth was great! Middle age more challenging, now the dread of what happens as the body slows, bu the mind still runs at top speed! Funny how we eventually become our parents and live with all the things they once complained about: eyesight less sharp, glasses, threading needles a challenge. Oh what we so easily dismissed or took for granted when we were young! Pain at bay to this point. Sad to hear of yours, but fantastic you are still managing to walk your Shepherd, despite it! Dogs keep us centred and motivated. They shower us in love and lack of judgement. My dad had his Jack Russell at his side into his nineties. He was his constant companion and often his sole company for days at a time, other than his twice weekly cleaner. Animals are so special. They deliver their own unique greetings and communicate in such different ways. My life would be so much the less without the animals who have been part of it. So lucky to have had two wonderful ponies and an incredible galloway. So lucky many of my friends had horses too. Horses, dogs and cats are always a point of connection into special human experience and also lead us to new human and animal connections. Nothing wrong with memories and sentiment. I think we feel it even more accutely as we age. Glad I kicked up my heels, as well as keeping those "heels down, legs close to my horses side and and elbows close to my own" for much of my fantastic and sometimes wild youth! I was a pretty good kid really, but do admit to having been a teen groupie, back in the day, wouldn't swap that either. Somewhere here, I believe is my scrapbook and definitely a few photos in the albums. Still like to kick up my heels, too! Yes. Gratitude is vital.