What is a pain in the 'you know what' for some...

[meriad]

... is a true blessing for others

My SIL and the two kids have been back home in SA for the past 4.5 weeks to spend time with her family. Thomas is now 9 and Amelia 6 and they have never spent a Christmas with Nadine's parents so way past time to make that up. Whilst they were away my brother Karl redid their bathroom - separate loo and bathroom now knocked into one slightly larger room, new bathroom furniture, all retiled, replumbed etc - ie everything brand new and modern and looking really good.

Nadine was due back this morning and Karl (my brother) and I really struggled this week to get as much done as possible. I helped with things like painting of walls, door frames, window sills etc, cleaning up where I could, putting things no longer needed away again and generally just doing what I could and he did the other bits and as of last night 'all' that still needed to be done was 2 tiles onto the wall (not sure how but he completely missed that bit ), grouting all round, basin taps connected and the bath panel put into place.

Nadine's flight was due to leave at 5pm our time last night, but at 10pm she called to say they still hadn't left and about midnight the call came to say the flight had been cancelled, they were in a hotel and were booked on a flight leaving 7pm tonight. So thankfully - courtesy of BA - he now has an extra 24 hours to get this done. It'll be well worth it in the end but it's been a tough job and I know Karl will be very very glad it's over and done with. He

Between us - I'm always so amazed and proud of Karl though. He's an engineer by trade but just has this knack (inherited from my dad according to my mom) to be able to do almost anything DIY related; and do a fantastic job of it. No-one has ever taught him any of this (dad passed away when he was 15). And believe you me - I've often reaped the benefits of his DIY skills; he's saved me loads of money in the past

[tonicha]

Such a pest for them, having their flight cancelled, but lucky for you and bruvver

[Diflower]

She's going to get a lovely surprise, did she know he was doing it?
Some men just can do those kind of things, can't they, I wish Bb was one of them!

[meriad]

She does know yes I don't think Karl would dare do something like re-do an entire room without consulting senior management on the design and colour scheme

and agree Ton, it really is a pain. Thankfully though the airline put them up in a hotel for the time being

[Kaz]

Mick is like that - he can build, do plumbing, wiring, all sorts of stuff! Mind you he's not as keen to do it now as he was a few years ago, hence buying a new house

That's a lovely welcome home for your SIL Meri, and kind of you to help

[JoM]

Mick is like that - he can build, do plumbing, wiring, all sorts of stuff! Mind you he's not as keen to do it now as he was a few years ago, hence buying a new house

That's like John, he's all DIY'd out after the old house He saved us a fortune over the years as he can turn his hand to most things.
His Mom keeps finding jobs for him to do at her house though which annoys him as she nags and nags until they're done. It's not like they're urgent jobs, it's just that she wants them doing immediately He says now that he realises why his Dad refused to do any DIY.

She's currently nagging about getting a piece of worktop fitted over the washer and drier in the garage. She's lived there for 25 years without any worktop over them but she had an off cut off someone and suddenly it's vitally important.

Ria, I bet your SIL will be thrilled with all of the hardwork you've both put into this - and I expect it won't be long before she's testing out the bath for a nice long soak.

[Weka]

You will have to post a photo.

It really will be lovely to come back to it all done. Well done BA on giving him more time.