I am sitting here in my new house (well not actually new, I have returned to it after 7 years away). Anyway, I have moved in even though I do not have any of my stuff from Aus yet. I guess I wanted to start feeling normal and wanted to be back with the cats. So here we are, sitting in the lounge with borrowed chairs, bed and cups. Normally I have the TV going when I am at home as it creates noise but at the moment I don't have any TV and my internet access has not been hooked up yet, so I am still stuck with using my mobile as a modem, which is too slow to stream.
So, have some music playing from my computer, and looking around at all the things I need to do with my house. I am still a bit annoyed at how some tenants treat rental properties. I have patched small holes in every room and need to paint the entire house. The carpet is ruined but I will replace that when I move out and use rugs to hide the worst of the stains. Can't begin to face the garden yet - perhaps I might get a gardener in to deal with that mess. I need to buy 12 light bulbs as the last tenant has either taken bulbs or left them blown. I guess they figured it was an unnecessary expense to replace them before they left.
What I have to remember is that while I need to get this place back up to scratch, I can't go all out as it will become a rental again in 6-12 months time when I move again. So it is a balance between making it look nice and livable but not going to the expense of replacing everything.
It doesn't feel like home yet - but I guess any place would not feel like home when you have none of your things there!!! I am sure that once I get my furniture I will start feeling more settled.
I do hope that my internet connection comes through soon - I miss TV!!!
I do want to mention the earthquake in Christchurch that hit yesterday lunchtime. I have 5 friends who live in Christchurch and fortunately they have all made contact and are okay (although their houses are a bit worse for wear).
I have vivid memories of the Victorian bush fires that occurred a few years ago, and how tragic it was to hear the stories of loss. It was so close to home, and yet so removed from my life. The disaster in Christchurch feels the same - incredible real but still feel very distant.
The human spirit is remarkable and I have no doubt that once the grieving has past, the Christchurch community will recover.
So, have some music playing from my computer, and looking around at all the things I need to do with my house. I am still a bit annoyed at how some tenants treat rental properties. I have patched small holes in every room and need to paint the entire house. The carpet is ruined but I will replace that when I move out and use rugs to hide the worst of the stains. Can't begin to face the garden yet - perhaps I might get a gardener in to deal with that mess. I need to buy 12 light bulbs as the last tenant has either taken bulbs or left them blown. I guess they figured it was an unnecessary expense to replace them before they left.
What I have to remember is that while I need to get this place back up to scratch, I can't go all out as it will become a rental again in 6-12 months time when I move again. So it is a balance between making it look nice and livable but not going to the expense of replacing everything.
It doesn't feel like home yet - but I guess any place would not feel like home when you have none of your things there!!! I am sure that once I get my furniture I will start feeling more settled.
I do hope that my internet connection comes through soon - I miss TV!!!
I do want to mention the earthquake in Christchurch that hit yesterday lunchtime. I have 5 friends who live in Christchurch and fortunately they have all made contact and are okay (although their houses are a bit worse for wear).
I have vivid memories of the Victorian bush fires that occurred a few years ago, and how tragic it was to hear the stories of loss. It was so close to home, and yet so removed from my life. The disaster in Christchurch feels the same - incredible real but still feel very distant.
The human spirit is remarkable and I have no doubt that once the grieving has past, the Christchurch community will recover.