Thanks, Karen - I've seen some of the auctions that I'm sure are over-inflated prices! One auction I won had some used stuff (four pieces) and that was $14 incl postage, another is two modular mates mini rectangle (7.5 cups) for $18 all up. I hope it's a set of two, cos that's what the ad suggested! I've seen those same rectangles go for about $15 each for just one, so I hope it is for two! Some of the things I think I'd be better off hosting a party here. But I spoke to DP last night and for now I'm not allowed to buy any more, especially as he's going through some intense self-discovery and doesn't want to be distracted by the thought that I'm spending money we're not earning! Therefore, I'm not allowed to think about the timber bin for now, either! He can make one, though, with his lathe and other bits and pieces, I suppose. Food for thought.
Meanwhile, as the timber bin is a way off and we need a new bin, I might try to find one of those with a sliding opening on top - if Oscar brings it down, the rubbish will stay in until I can get to it to right it! I just don't have the surface space to put it on a bench.
Much cooler today - the house has finally caught up with the weather and it's not muggy in here anymore.
So, DP is having an amazing time and the lady, Carol, who facilitates the personal development stuff, keeps telling him how great Oscar is - she only met Oscar for all of 5 minutes and was very taken with him. She told DP that Oscar is very wise and that we need to nurture his spirituality - Bath, was your post timely or what? DP's not spiritual (well, he may be after this!), but I feel spiritual connection to people, animals, plants and earth and would like to pass it on to Oscar. I was brought up in a Baptist environment, so I know it's not for me! I was also raised in a Catholic environment (dad's Irish, mum's some sort of self-proclaimed 'evangelical Christian'...for all the good it does her a lot of the time!), so the spirituality of my life has never been far from my mind. DP had the opposite - no religious education at all. I want to be careful that Oscar doesn't get the whole 'hellfire' thing, or that people can be 'evil', cos that's not helpful. I don't think he could go too wrong with the 'good egg' theory - there are good eggs and there are bad eggs, and the bad eggs are outweighed by the good eggs out there. It was great, though, that someone I admire thinks Oscar has some sort of constructive potential so soon!
Ok, back to this house and tidying it...
ETA Simone - great to have DH on board with you! Still, he can't rest on his laurels...he's got to keep up the good work till it becomes a matter of course