google-site-verification: google935433b691795853.html KRISTY BERRIDGE: 2012-05-06

Saturday 12 May 2012

The Shed That I Built ...

Let me start this post by saying that I consider myself quite the handyman. Sorry, handy 'woman'. I have a healthy respect for power tools and I know how to use them. When I whip out a measuring tape, it's almost certain that the dimensions of my next project will be right on the money. The only problem is ... I can't work with angles.
Should I start at the beginning?
Okay, so about a year ago, cyclone Yasi blew through Cairns. I was hunkered down on that dark and seriously windy night, certain that the roof of my house was going to blow away. At two in the morning I heard a crash. I frantically ran through the entire house expecting to see my treadmill tossed into the drive way, the car in my living room, or whatever other crazy thoughts run through your head when cyclonic winds are tearing up your region. Alas, I couldn't find anything (bar the leaks that had sprung and the puddles of water throughout).
The next day, I wake up bleary eyed, passed out on the floor from sheer exhaustion. My hubby and I check the house all over, wondering what had caused the crash. We looked out the window, and what did we see?
My tin shed, blown to pieces and spread across the backyard like icing on a cake ... and so were my beloved tools!
So hence we started to re-build the shed. This time we went with timber construction, good sturdy cross bracing, and an iron roof fastened with 3 inch batten screws. The sucker is not going anywhere next time.
So where does my grief of angles come into it?
We decided to finally finish cladding the outside, row upon row of nice, easy straight cuts. A little measuring here and there, and then fastening with ease. Cue the 'Jaws' music, and I look up. Naturally the roof has to slope to allow water run off, but how the hell do I cut around every single one of the bloody bearers when the roof is already on an angle?
This is when I chuck a 'tanty' and give up. I measure one board, I cut it wrong. Job remains unfinished.
It simply boggles my mind that I can use a drop saw with my eyes closed, wield a jigsaw like I'm carving a christmas turkey, and holster a nail gun like it's the Wild Wild West. All this and I cannot work out how to measure and cut with multiple angles. This fully explains my distaste for all mathematics based subjects.
But like with all of our do-it-yourself household projects, we finally figure it out. I'm just not going to show you a picture of the scrap pile of wasted debris. I already feel like a tool (pun intended).
Happy home renovating everyone!

Kristy :)

PS - Since I wrote this post about a month ago, the shed has been finished and the angles cut (with dad's help) and is looking sublime. As luck would have it, my lawn mower man decided to do wheelies in my backyard and accidentally plowed into the corner of my newly crafted masterpiece. Besides swearing like a trooper, he vowed to have this fixed, and he made good on his promise. This is my baby now!
I have to do a final coat, but, it's looking pretty spunky for a tool shed.


Friday 11 May 2012

Follow Friday #31


Happy Friday everyone!
Yes, it’s that time of week again where bloggers unite to participate in the Follow Friday venture. The idea behind #FF is to promote traffic to your own blog, make new friends with other like-minded bloggers and discuss new and interesting topics each week.
Participating is simple. First you need to follow my blog because I’m totally awesome, then you can follow me on Twitter @kristyberridge (actually you don’t have to do this, it’s wishful thinking), but do follow my blog or assassins will get you …
Then you must follow our illustrious hosts Rachel of http://www.parajunkee.com/ and Alison of http://www.alisoncanread.com/ If you want more details on how to enter your own blog in the follow and hop, all directions are on their webpages
Now, once you’ve followed, check out my answer to this week’s questions and don’t forget to leave a comment so I can do the right thing and follow you back!

This week's question: This Sunday in the U.S. is Mother's Day, in celebration, what are some of your favourite books with strong mother/child relationships?

My answer: Truthfully, most of the books I read don't really surrender to any sweet family based relationships - it's mostly just blood, guts, and the occasional sex scene ... yeah.
Anyway, the only book I read where I did notice a real definitive connection was the 'Shifter' series by Rachel Vincent. Yes, Faythe Sanders is fiercely independent, but her mother is one tough cookie! The woman literally cooks for a house littered with shifters on a non-stop basis and still finds time to kick ass when necessary. Did I mention she would die to protect her family? What more could a daughter really ask for - a full stomach and the warm embrace of a woman that respects her boundaries.



Have a great weekend,

Kristy :)

Tuesday 8 May 2012

I'm Back ...

All I can do is start this post off by saying ... no it's too rude, I just shouldn't. Okay, I'll use sign language.

*middle finger now erect and pointed at a certain browser*

Phew, got that off my chest. Okay, so some of you have probably realised my agitation. You have probably already read my latest post, and if you haven't, here's the link, read it now and get up to date.
So, needless to say after my very nasty rebuttal letter to the support team about the 'suspected' Malware presumed infecting my blog site, all warning notification was removed within 24hours.
*fist pumps the air* it just goes to show that if you complain enough, someone will listen. Alas, I now have my blog back up and running. I did manage to get quite a bit of editing done for The Damned. Yes, I probably could have told you all was well last Saturday, but I thought I'd take advantage of the downtime and just be lazy.
I read a book.
I got a massage.
I ate some chocolate.
So now that I'm back again, suspected Malware a a ghost of bullshit past, you'll be hearing from me quite regularly. Check back on Friday where I'll be doing the Follow Friday blog tour and most probably posting a book review on Saturday.
Yay.

Kristy:)

Oh, PS - thanks for sticking by me everyone!