Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Friday, 21 April 2017
catching up
The days are coming and going and it feels like we are playing catch up. Today is the first day in a few weeks with some space. I do have a list of things 'to do' but the rain has put a bit of a spanner in the works and I'm waiting for the electrician and handyman to show up at some point. Think I'll abandon the 'to do' list for today. Every now and then I am reminded that you can only push so far before there are repercussions. I've skated close to the edge quite bit this last year and finding myself feeling teary for no apparent reason is a sure sign I've pushed too far.
It is a bit unfortunate that I don't feel I have been able to really enjoy the process of buying this place, moving in and setting up. When energy and emotional resources are limited 'getting to the end' is more than enough. It wasn't until I took some time to reflect and journal that I realised just what a challenging 12 months it has been. Sometimes I have blogged about things, sometimes I have alluded to things and often I have been silent about things because some of the most painful things are not my story to tell, nor would it be appropriate to do so on a blog. My list of 'things' reminds me to be realistic and patient with myself, it reminds me that this is real life and it reminds me that others' lists are longer and heavier than mine (not to minimise my own but to help put it in perspective).
And now, some things on a lighter and happier note - having all the kids around for Easter,
Easter Egg hunt (some kids never quite grow up #Heidi Duthie)
Making S'mores, the real deal, all the way from the U.S. Thanks Cass. Oh and we roasted chestnuts too, thanks Rach.
Checking out the pro surfing at Bells Beach
It is a bit unfortunate that I don't feel I have been able to really enjoy the process of buying this place, moving in and setting up. When energy and emotional resources are limited 'getting to the end' is more than enough. It wasn't until I took some time to reflect and journal that I realised just what a challenging 12 months it has been. Sometimes I have blogged about things, sometimes I have alluded to things and often I have been silent about things because some of the most painful things are not my story to tell, nor would it be appropriate to do so on a blog. My list of 'things' reminds me to be realistic and patient with myself, it reminds me that this is real life and it reminds me that others' lists are longer and heavier than mine (not to minimise my own but to help put it in perspective).
And now, some things on a lighter and happier note - having all the kids around for Easter,
Easter Egg hunt (some kids never quite grow up #Heidi Duthie)
Making S'mores, the real deal, all the way from the U.S. Thanks Cass. Oh and we roasted chestnuts too, thanks Rach.
Checking out the pro surfing at Bells Beach
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
home
We are in and unpacked. Luckily the house was pretty much as I expected and as the photos showed. Colin was relieved! Apart from some wear and tear that Colin hadn't really noticed, we are very happy with the place. Although the courtyard is smallish it is one of the things I like the best, I hadn't realised how much I missed having a bit of garden. A very full few days and everything is pretty much done.
There is a list of jobs for a handyman, an electrician and a tree lopper. There is a list of jobs for us too, the kind that we can potter around with over the coming weeks and months. It feels kind of strange to have moved into a place where we plan to be for more than a year or two (hopefully a decade or two), where the contents are our own and where we can do as we please - quite liberating really. It was special to share the moment with Rachel, Zac and Jan who were around at various times to help out and we are very much looking forward to having everyone down at Easter.
When we dreamed of a house by the sea it was always with family in mind - the sharing of something special to us. We imagined a house with space and sun, a bit of garden to grow things and hang a hammock and have a BBQ. A house where you can walk to the beach and the park and the shops and cafes. A house that breathes peace and contentment and fills you with happiness. A house where our family and friends can gather. A house with good food and conversation around a big kitchen table. A house that bears witness to lives being lived to the full. It is the sharing of this house that will bring us the most joy...
There is a list of jobs for a handyman, an electrician and a tree lopper. There is a list of jobs for us too, the kind that we can potter around with over the coming weeks and months. It feels kind of strange to have moved into a place where we plan to be for more than a year or two (hopefully a decade or two), where the contents are our own and where we can do as we please - quite liberating really. It was special to share the moment with Rachel, Zac and Jan who were around at various times to help out and we are very much looking forward to having everyone down at Easter.
When we dreamed of a house by the sea it was always with family in mind - the sharing of something special to us. We imagined a house with space and sun, a bit of garden to grow things and hang a hammock and have a BBQ. A house where you can walk to the beach and the park and the shops and cafes. A house that breathes peace and contentment and fills you with happiness. A house where our family and friends can gather. A house with good food and conversation around a big kitchen table. A house that bears witness to lives being lived to the full. It is the sharing of this house that will bring us the most joy...
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| Leaving; the Patrol came in very handy |
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| Arriving; the first time we have used removalists. Worth every cent! |
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| A quick breakfast before they head off to work |
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| Ahhh, the house to myself for a bit |
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| I love this space, looking forward to pottering around. The first job will be to remove the patch of pebbles and make another small garden bed. |
Monday, 3 April 2017
boxes
Well we have finally set ourselves to the task of packing - the boxes are out and filling up. I am working to the mantra of 'one last time'. It feels a bit surreal to be honest, a weird kind of non anticipation. Maybe because I don't know what I'm going to. I'm packing up but I'm not imagining unpacking in a new place, at the moment it is a blank (apart from seeing some photos). Come to think of it, feeling weary is a big part of it too.
Anyway, in between the packing there have been other welcomed distractions.
Our next door neighbour jumped from a plane, her second experience of sky diving. I tagged along with my camera to capture something of the moment.
And at the opposite end of the spectrum I also tagged along with my camera to capture something of yoga at sunrise. Johanna was kind enough to tolerate and ignore my presence!
Anyway, in between the packing there have been other welcomed distractions.
Our next door neighbour jumped from a plane, her second experience of sky diving. I tagged along with my camera to capture something of the moment.
And at the opposite end of the spectrum I also tagged along with my camera to capture something of yoga at sunrise. Johanna was kind enough to tolerate and ignore my presence!
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