Painting Party Week

I just lost an ace blog about the whole week we spent painting, and my crappy laptop is being an arse. Annoying but it is not bursting my bubble - I am jubilant after an amazing week decorating, fixing, making and sorting. One massive low but dozens of highs. Amazing people doing amazing things for a cause we are united on - social inclusivity, people power and having a good time. Best laid plans an’ all that rot - I had intended to do a blog a day for the painting week but by the power of Greyskull, I had NO idea how shattered or sore I’d be after every day, and how much stuff I’d have to do when I got home. So my bad. However, I've a bunch of photos to share which document the process well (every photo tells a thousand words, apparently). 

First though I must thank those of you who have shared our social media posts, who have come in to say 'Hi', fed us; those of you who have donated everything from coats and blankets for Wrap Up NUL, earlier on in the year, to monetary donations via my biggest sis’ funding campaign, to those of you who have brought us brand spanking new goods, and those who have given up your time and energy to work tirelessly in the cafe. 

Pretend you read an ace blog about people, lust for life and gratitude, then look at these ace photos, covering our Painting Party week:

Starting out...

...so much pain I needed to lay down, then got the giggles.

The First Supper.

D'oh!

Bella, one our our in-house doggos.

Our first stencil, made by in-house and incredibly talented Grega Greaves, local artist and social entrepreneur.

Our first new donated goods received (thank you!), following the request for stock, via our social media and a fundraising campaign started by my totally awesome biggest sister.

More new goods, donated by a wonderful, kind friend. Thank you!

A very well earned chill

Happy days

Seasoned griddles, heating up our dinner, and a melted plastic knife as still no cooking utensils or cutlery (but a whopping fund, raised by you all, to buy some, now.

We knew Cultural Squatters would unite people, and become a nationwide love, we knew people would fall in love with what we are doing as only an absolute nazi pig wouldn’t celebrate inclusivity, community and our #bekind drive, but I didn’t realise just how many of you would dig in and actually help us, in all the ways I described before, nor did I realise how much help we’d need until Tuesday morning when it all went a bit west for a while. 

Thanks to you all getting behind us, we should, pending another unexpected calamity, open as scheduled in a few weeks (eeep!). We aren’t professional restaurateurs, we are people with diverse professional backgrounds who saw an empty outlet, thought ‘You don’t get if you don't ask...’ and have gone for it. It’s an amazing twist on my own ride, this Cultural Squatters malarkey, and I am honoured so many of you are on board for it.

Love, as ever, and hugs and kisses to boot as I'm feeling very happy and grateful. Mmmwahh 💋