Tea? (Part 2)

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Don't think my Mrs would allow me to convert our main living room into a workshop. Is Arch real?

 

[Archie_tect]

I worked from our extension on the house, first in the 'spare room' upstairs, moving down to the living room when I took on 2 people. We worked like that for 5 years before I found a suitable office in the village, which I can walk to through the park. Kept the costs down and I loved it.

I get the feeling that something's got to give and there'll be a backlash if people are forced to keep cutting back like this, unless it's a really a regional problem specific to the NE. How're things where you are?

Grab a and unwind for a few minutes.

 

[Night Train]

Don't think my Mrs would allow me to convert our main living room into a workshop. Is Arch real?

I set all this up long before Arch was on the scene, back in 2004 IIRC, and it was funded from the sale of my Harley Davidson (hence the user name). The smaller guest room I built up over Christmas is now my office, well nearly as there are still a lot of bits to move across. The big item to move is the drawing board but that is a two person job to save dragging it down some steps and over the flooring.

The bigger guestroom will be Arch's design studio and workshop for her crafts. We will be working right next to each other.
Arch and I have joked about a hatch through the wall between the room to pass tea to each other.

I worked from our extension on the house, first in the 'spare room' upstairs, moving down to the living room when I took on 2 people. We worked like that for 5 years before I found a suitable office in the village, which I can walk to through the park. Kept the costs down and I loved it.

I get the feeling that something's got to give and there'll be a backlash if people are forced to keep cutting back like this, unless it's a really a regional problem specific to the NE. How're things where you are?

Grab a and unwind for a few minutes.

That sounds like a nice set up and progression. Much more important to have external office space when employing staff though. I can't employ anyone to work with me and I couldn't tutor in my workshop either.
I did think about workshop space but locally there is nowhere I would consider secure enough from theft and vandalism to want to store tools and equipment, or timber stocks. It isn't even that affordable either given how many businesses go under within months of opening up.

I think the economic problems are fairly national, especially in areas that were originally less affluent anyway as there is a much smaller and more fragile local economy to buffer against.
Here, the thriving businesses seem to be the betting shops, the scary pubs, 99p and 89p shops, and the modern day 'pawn brokers'. Craft and skills based businesses are struggling to stay afloat and can't really afford to expand. Even the council run(?) local small business advice service has gone under due to lack of funding! The Job Centre still sends people there for advice though.

Arch and I do our best to support a mobile coffee stall in the town centre. The chap turns up in one of those three wheel Piaggio Ape things, a bit like this one, and sets up table and chairs as an out door cafe. The coffee is good and he is friendly so we try to go there when ever we can.

The local cafes are not so good and the new one that has opened doesn't seem to have much day time trade at all, maybe relying on their alcohol licence for the minimal evening trade.

 

[Speicher]

How is your head today NT?

Leo appears to be sulking a bit. I think he wonders why he was in the cattery on his own and without Tasha. He has got a lovely soft coat, after being brushed regularly.

 

[Speicher]

When it is less windy outside, yes, I might try brushing his coat. It has to be done outside, as I do not wish to have a large flurry of white fur everywhere.

Yorksire Dales? An excellent idea. I have had some lovely holidays in the Yorkshire Dales, Malham and Sedburgh.

Have you tried the Wensleydale Cheese, and been on the Railway?

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Cheese Gromit?

 

[Speicher]

I tried to give Leo's coat a brush, and was successful. This attempt was made indoors as it is extremely blustery outside.

 

[Archie_tect]

......am I allowed to give you a hug Archie?

I'm not sure there is a funny side....the only consolation is that if you survive the recession you may be in a good place to take advantage of the boom that will follow. My last career was in higher education and I left in the summer of 2011. I now work part-time on projects of my choosing. I know that I am incredibly lucky to be in a position to do this. I do know that my health - physical and mental is much much improved for deciding to do this.

Thanks Rocky- hugs gratefully accepted! The odd thing is that my stress doesn't come from my work or even running a practice, it comes from the responsibility of keeping people who work for me going so that their families aren't affected- I promised myself that I would manage the fee income to always have a float so that I haven't reduced their salaries or taken away any of their benefits, but it's hard work and it's me absorbing the worry not them or my family. It's not nice having to be a grown-up! Life would be so much easier if I just looked after us, but I couldn't live with that. The more I see how fantastic Mrs A_T and my children are, the more I love them!

 

[Arch]

Don't think my Mrs would allow me to convert our main living room into a workshop. Is Arch real?

As NT says, that was all done before I was around, but I hope I'd have seen the sense in it if I was!

Anyway, once everything is finished, we will; still have a mahoosive living room, a mahoosive kitchen/dining room, a big bedroom with en-suite, capability for several guests, and a workroom each. I could hardly complain!

Office is looking good NT!

Just waiting for some rice to cook for dinner, I shall mix it with tuna and sweetcorn, and season with soy sauce and sesame oil....

Meanwhile, ?

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I spy with my little eye JO

 

[Archie_tect]

You and Mrs R and Mrs A_T and I are a couple of pairs of old softies!
I used to joke that I am 6 inside... I still do but not as often.

 

[TVC]

Just noticed I've hit 2000 likes

Is Jo here?

 

[Archie_tect]

Jo!

 

[TVC]

So, does Jo have me on ignore, and has been around all along?

 

[Archie_tect]

Archie, in her university job, Mrs R has a team of researchers on 'soft money' and has to submit bids to funding councils and the EU to ensure that their salaries are paid. She too finds it stressful being responsible for their livelihood - they are a great bunch and she knows them and their families well - and this makes it harder. She says that sometimes it's like being the mother to ten kids.

She says that sport helps and always tries to swim each day or have a ride. I know that is not always possible for everyone.

Alcohol is not a solution but I am giving you permission to buy a nice bottle of sauvignon blanc and have a little tipple tonight with Mrs A_T

Target locked and mission accepted.