Settling in nicely....

I'm finding it hard to believe that we've only been in this new house less than a week, because thankfully its starting to feel like a home already. Well, after unpacking 48 boxes, I suppose that's not surprising really. We still have lots more to unpack unfortunately, but each room is starting to look lived in now.
Its just unfortunate that an initial idea of where to place a particular item seemed a good decision at the time of unpacking, but can change numerous times once you start actually using the room. I've lost count of the amount of times an object can move from one window ledge.... to the mantle....to a shelf....but then can even end up back in the original position! All very tiring to say the least, but once its right, its right, then you move on the the next item.....no wonder my back, legs, arms, knees, and shoulders ache so much.
The main area for this reshuffling is the kitchen. I'm determined to get this one right.....but I think it might well be an ongoing project. Mainly because I have a serious amount of kitchen implements....I just can't resist! Mostly I'm pleased with my decisions, but its not until you actually use everything in earnest, that you get to know if its going to work or not. If not......back to the drawing board.....or should that be chopping board?

Today has been a really blustery, wintry day here, so I'm glad I took a few snaps outside over the weekend.

Just looking at these little beauties make me smile....

It's not all good though....not exactly Wimbledon......

I think I've got my work cut out.....

 

Seeing this grass verge (as we would call it in the UK) or nature strip as they call it here, made me remember a funny story, that I heard from a work colleague, about an English couple who moved here last year....

One afternoon, shortly after they moved into a new house, the wife answered the door to discover it was her new neighbour, informing her she needed to attend to her nature strip?.....the wife looked confused but smiled and after saying goodbye went in to her husband explaining what the neighbour had said....her initial thought had been "how dare she comment on such an intimate subject".....lets just say her initial thought was along a more personal line ie with a Brazilian theme !?!?!

Well, once I get organised with a new lawn mower, rest assured I'll be attending to my nature strip!

Cough...cough...back to seriousness....

I just love the textures here between the fence and brick - the bricks apparently are called 'Clinker Brick'.

Clinker bricks or Red/Blues are popular for classic federation style houses. Clinker bricks have been baked

using coal not gas, and it is the coal infused in the bricks that creates its unique colour that cannot be created in new bricks.

I'm now going to stay focused and hit the remaining boxes with a surgical strike....in and out!

House Move 11 (Part 11)

Wow....I feel like I've been hit by a truck, but we're in....the new house that is. I can't believe I didn't get to tell you that I was actually on my way and here we are nearly a week later. Sorry I never warned you, but things went a little crazy. I'm just noting the title of this blog, which highlights the 11th house and this particular blog is Part 11. This must be a good omen for the new house because 11 is one of our lucky numbers!

I haven't got a lot of time tonight, so I'll just let you see some images of the new place, until I can get back to you.

This photo below was taken on our first night - what a spectacular sky. I think they'll be many more in this new place.

And look what I've got....can't wait to see what comes up and to restock the patch.

I'm a little nervous trying out our new oven for the first time tonight....wish me luck

Why its the first time tonight by the way, is because I have wonderful friends, who came baring gifts of beautifully cooked meals to keep us going - how special is that!

The rosemary by the way was from the herb patch.....

House Move 11 (Part 10) Nearly there.....

I've decided to have a little lunch break today...well we're nearly there with all the packing and organising. Phewph.....  

So I've a cuppa in hand and thought I'd share a moment with you. I hope you have a cuppa too?

I had to smile yesterday, when packing yet more of the kitchen items and came across this Beatrix Potter plate. It was my daughter's and there used to be more to the set, but they're obviously been lost along the

way. 

Who would imagine when she was a tot and had this little gift set that later she'd live for a short time in the lakes (The Lake District) - the home of Beatrix Potter and to even visit the cottage where Beatrix used to live.

http://www.visitcumbria.com/beatrix-potter.htm

 

Then I came across my son's mug from when he was younger....

It gets worse....look at the image on the other side of the mug...

It just highlights the difference....well with my two anyway. Hehe....;-)
 

It brought to mind the poem can be traced to the early 19th century - the battle of the sexes was raging even then!

'What are little boys made of?'

What are little boys made of?

Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails

That's what little boys are made of !"

What are little girls made of?

"Sugar and spice and all things nice

That's what little girls are made of!"

That's it ....lunch over. Must get on.....I'll be talking to you from the other side soon....whoohoo!

House Move 11 (Part 9)

Its been a cold wet day here today, but then it is the winter solstice after all, so I suppose that can be expected. So guess what I did today....yeah....packing again!

I must be getting there soon.....surely. I've de-cluttered for every move, so why is there still so much stuff?

The trouble is we're at a delicate stage of the process....what are we going to need up to the last minute and what can be packed away? I've gone to get two things so far and realised they're already away. Grrr....very frustrating!

I'm begining to think I wouldn't be bothered if I didn't see some of these possessions ever again.

This photo below only shows one half of the room. Around the corner are yet more boxes.

I am just so looking forward to doing something else.....other than organising this move.

For instance, I've got a great recipe for another chocolate cake I am keen to try.

I only found out about these handy storage bags a few years ago from my sister. I just hadn't come across them before, but I think they're fantastic!

All the quilts (doona's) shrink so much, its incredible and great for storage.

Whilst preparing to return to Melbourne after spending the Christmas holidays in the UK, my sister witnessed me trying to launch my body across the cases, in the hope my holiday excess weight would help to close them. No such luck.

I must have been a good girl because Santa had been very good to me, but then my cases are always bursting at the seams. Its just something I can't do.....travel light!

My husband will testify to that fact.

Anyway, after much giggling, she nipped into a cupboard and produced some of these bags. After a quick whoosh of the hoover, they miraculously shrunk considerably in size and vwahhlla...case perfectly closed!

Wish I could do that to my waist size! But it is winter after all and I have to have my chocolate treat daily to keep me motivated. That's my excuse anyway... 

Maybe its the extra winter layers that's making me feel squidgable? Roll on spring......

House Move 11 (Part 8) The deed is done....

You can all rest easy now....I've gone and done it!

If you've been following this moving blog then you'll probably guess what I'm talking about. I finally took my daughters clothes to the charity shop. I just grabbed the bag on my way out to the car and drove straight to the charity shop, without too much thinking. It helped by having so many things on my mind and having four ports of call on the one journey.

I know it was a good job done and someone will love those little cute designer dresses, but I still feel their loss. It didn't help when the kind assistant swooped on my bag and before I could escape she was holding them up on their tiny hangers....it was touch and go for a while and I actually had a fleeting thought that I might have to buy them back again!

There's one thing that isn't going to the charity shop and that's 'Bobby Bear'.

 He was my daughter's first teddy bear and he's certainly a well travelled bear. He's been everywhere we've been. I'm not sure exactly why we have him in our possession, but maybe its when I mentioned to my daughter that perhaps it was time for her to keep him safe....my other half threw a little tizzy fit!

So he remains with us....for now anyway.

I've been busy for the last few hours in my bathroom cabinets and quite frankly I stink....quite literally. As I've come across perfumes, I couldn't resist squirting, even though I know by their colour its not going to be good, I still do it! I also couldn't resist applying creams and potions, which probably will result in me having an allergy rash by this evening.
What is it that prevents me just throwing these things straight into the bin? I always have to have a little battle with myself. Mascara's and makeup which could be a decade old....well maybe I exaggerate but they're getting on and I certainly don't need them. They end up in the bin but only after a fight. I even used the varnish remover and had a few drops of essential oils (thankfully they were within the expiry date). I think I may need some fresh air, because I feel they're all lying heavy on my stomach. Even Muffin is staying well clear of me too.....;-(

House Move 11 (Part 7) Help....?

Oh I'm in such a dilemma today...but then I've been here on numerous occasions. I have a real predicament.
It's not the volcanic ash coming from Chile, which is causing havoc with Australian flights, or climate change issues, although they are prevalent. It's that I have some of my daughters baby clothes and I just can't seem to pass them on. I know its time to shed them after all she's a beautiful, healthy, intelligent, grown woman, but I've moved these little treasures across many continents, keeping them safe in storage for 20+ years.

You may wonder why I've photographed a black bin bag....? Well, the little treasures are held within.

  I've shown my daughter the dresses, thinking she might want me to keep them, but she's ready to let go...its just me that has the difficulty. I know that she wouldn't want keep them herself and she's given me permission to throw or give them away. I just can't seem to do it.....I've tried - really....
I've moved the bag numerous times, thinking they're heading into the car, to drop off at the charity shop for less unfortunate families, but it never makes it into the boot!
Is it just a mother thing I wonder?  But when I think back, I managed to give my sons clothes away when overseas. This was easier to do, because they went to very new young mum with a baby boy, who needed a helping hand.

Does anyone have any idea how I can do this with the least trauma? I'd love to hear from you....  

This is the butchers paper used for wrapping our household items....  I just couldn't resist the white crisp paper - it just needed something on it, and I suppose I needed a distraction for a few minutes.  

If I had time, I'd be tempted to get out my pencils and paints.

Why do I have so much crockery??? :-0

House Move 11 (Part 5) We've found it......

"Whoopdeedoo" sound the trumpets.....we've found our next home.....pop those corks!

It's been a stressful roller coaster ride, but I'm hoping that now we know where we're heading, we'll get some normality back into our lives. Well, as normal as 'we' can be.

It's getting late now, so this is just a quick post, but I wanted to let you know about the house.

I'm hoping now that we know what's next, we'll perhaps be able to actually sleep right through the night, instead of waking up at unearthly hours, to discuss potential properties.

 I've also just finished watching Masterchef and the first of Oprah's 3 last shows. so basically a really good day all round.

What will we do without Oprah????? :-(

House Move 11 (Part 3)

I've just viewed three houses today and I'm losing the will to live. I've lost count with how many I've seen so far. There always seems to be good points, but they come with compromises. I've just got to decide which compromises I'm will to live with....{sigh}...or without.

I decided I needed a little treat after the viewings, so I called in to the florist on my way home - it was my friends birthday yesterday, so I wasn't being totally self-indulgent, I bought her a bouquet too. One of my favourite flowers are freesia's, so that was my choice. I find their scent so intoxicating. Plus I needed a few chunks of chocolate....well, I have heard that it can be healthy for you??? Although probably not in the amounts I feel I need today. The sun has just come out and its wonderful to see after a few grey cold days. The kettles on for a cuppa...so basically I'm feeling much better. 

Tomorrow's a whole new day..... ;-)

House Move 11 (part 2)

Last weekend was a marathon to say the least.....the clocks ticking on our imminent house move, so we had to dedicate all day Saturday to viewing potential properties. But after viewing 11 homes everything became a blur. My mind was in a spin - all the kitchens, en suites, lounges, entertaining area's etc all merged into one.
My previous record for viewing in one day, was 13, but that was when we first moved to Melbourne and I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I think I've learnt my lesson since then and certainly don't want to repeat it.  Eleven viewings took timed military precision, a challenge to say the least.

Perfect houses, perfect plots, perfect locations but unfortunately not on the one property. There's always a compromise, but which is the most important? I've watched so many programmes over the years which give advice, tips and guidelines, but these all seem to disappear when your wanting to choose your next nest. Its a very emotional process.
Isn't location supposed to be the main aspect, but that doesn't help when you find a wonderful house that would be perfect, just if it were possible to uplift it to somewhere else!

I think the males of the species should leave the final nest choice to the females, but then logic can go out of the window, especially when the design is just what your looking for....the fact that its $1,000,000 over your budget doesn't really sink in. Rose coloured glasses maybe....?

Well, other than a divorce (which might well be a factor with the way some discussions go) and having a baby (which quite frankly, if that happened I'd kill him) a house move is certainly up there on the stress- oh-meter! What makes it harder is we don't particularly want to move in the first place :-(  Well not just now anyway....
Enough of this...I need to make progress, so I'm off to wrap some treasures in a box..... ho hum.....

House Move No.11

Wow what a week that was...

I'm sorry that I haven't posted lately and hopefully you've missed me ;-)

I didn't realise that I wouldn't get any time free for blogging, and before I knew it the whole week and weekend disappeared, so I couldn't give advance warning I'd be away.

The main reason for my absence was I became a headless chicken upon hearing news that the owners of the house we're renting want to move in!

http://www.clker.com/clipart 

I couldn't believe it initially, as we have never had to leave a house before we decided to, but I suppose that's one of the downsides to renting. (This is the first time we've rented and possibly the last for that reason)

But as the week progressed I've come to terms with it and looking positively forward.

Well, there's not a lot I can do other than start looking at what's available out there and packing asap....

I'm going to try and keep cool, calm and collected over this whole process, but this will be our 11th house move and I know how much effort, expense, organising, patience, understanding, not to mention how tiring it can be.

If anyone out there has useful tips or advice to help this be as painless as possible I'd love to hear from you.

I'm thinking of having t-shirts printed with 'Handle with Great Care' because I think they'll be times when I may either blow a gasket or hide under the duvet till its all over....

I'm sure there's going to be quite a few saga's throughout this process but as long as I can remain cheerful and positive plus have a bottle of gin or vodka handy, I'll get through it....

Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted ;-)