Sisters are doing it [okay not entirely) for themselves.

Remember how I bought the house I'm currently living in, almost two years ago? And how filled with enthusiasm I was about renovating it?

Yes. Well... What can I say? Almost two years on and the shine has gone off that idea. Ever-so-slightly. Don't get me wrong, I'm still doing things to it, but at a much slower pace. Partly because there is so little other than decorating [and writing novels] that I can do well.

So it was with much joy that I signed up for the free Ladies Night at my local DIY store. Now from the off I knew this wasn't going to be your average Ladies Night. Here the only stripper on offer would be of the wallpaper or paint variety, and that suited me just fine.

Because Broad Street DIY in Bromsgrove promised to show me how to drill [straight] holes and how to make a neat silicone sealant line. It was the latter that really appealed, because when I tried to do this before, it looked like I was icing the bath. The stuff was everywhere. Literally everywhere. On the bath, the floor, me, the dogs...

On top of all this, Broad Street were making it a social event with beverages, gourmet sandwiches, snacks, scones and cakes that neither my daughter nor I even tried to resist.

I watched a demonstration on tiling, I was tutored on how to silicone [neatly] and I was instructed on the use of all the best tools for the job.

And that wasn't all. I was given a free ticket for a prize draw and a goodie bag at the end of the night.

Like two kids, as soon as we were home, my daughter and I pulled out the contents of the goodie bag, which included a full size tape measure and a variety of trial sized products. So whilst my daughter made off with a lollipop, I set about measuring everything in the kitchen  - just because I could.

So whilst I don't think I'm quite up to retiling the bathroom just yet, I'll certainly be stepping up to the silicone challenge. Besides with my Scottish/Latin temperament it's probably the only gun I'll ever be allowed to get my hands on!

Move over Carole Smilie - here I come.

With special thanks to Broad Street DIY, Broad Street, Bromsgrove. http://www.broadstreetdiy.co.uk/