To New Friends

Afternoon Tea.

2.30pm - 5pm.

What an easy way to spend a few hours with (potential) new friends.

It's not as formal or long as 'come for dinner or lunch' and more friendly than 'let's go out'


"There's a new girl in class from Sydney" MissM announced a few weeks ago. "Great" I said.
"Can you call her mum and ask them over? I bet you'll get on well with her'

As our current school doesn't have class reps, it's up to the kids to tell you things. Class lists are complied by 'a mum' but it can take time for the information to filter from child to mum to email. It's really frustrating!

I emailed MrP, and said, MissM said there's a new girl in class from Sydney. Please pass my email address and mobile phone number to her mum and ask her to call me to organise a coffee' He replied, thank you for your generosity. I will be sure to do that today.

Generosity????? Really? Maybe it is .............. but all I was thinking was, what a crappy time to start school, 3 weeks before the long summer break! I remember how we felt arriving in Yokohama mid-year (January) and the incredible warm welcome we received. The invitations to join in were instant. We arrived in Winchester just after the October mid-term and it took ages for anyone to say hello at pick up time, let alone invite MissM  or me, let alone all 3 of us over for a mere coffee.

Landing well, fitting in quickly are so important!

For all sorts of reasons, we never made it to coffee so I invited them over for afternoon tea instead.

They've only just left a few hours ago and like I've said before, there's something open and bare about expats .... we just talk, and work out ways to connect, to share, to fit in, to make others welcome.

We've all been NEW.

We've all arrived not knowing anyone or anything about our new home.

We've all needed help working out the mundane of shopping, doctors, hairdressers, along with the 'how to's' or 'where' of our new city.

When you find commonality and can laugh (one of the best indicators of a potential friend in my opinion) you are on your way to a new friend.

It most definitely helps when the husbands get along - I've mentioned Girl Dating before (can't find the chat, might have to do another one) and believe me, nothing kills the girl-dating process faster than introducing the husbands.

G and MrL connected; there was a few chuckles, a bit of industry chat, and bit of domestic maintenance conversations, limited sports but enough to work out they share an enjoyment of golf; MrsL's a hoot! Between her thick Scottish accent, and her sense of humor we shared a few laugh-out-loud moments.

MissM and MissF seem to be getting along really well which is lovely.

To top it all off, the sun shone, the sky was blue and my Chocolate Chiffon cake was perfection.

We set up the outdoor table and chairs, and even had the umbrella up.

Do you 'do' afternoon tea?

What do you love to serve?

Do you prefer entertaining over lunch or dinner?

Formal or informal?

What a great way to start a New Friendship,

With friendship
x

Person Non- Gratis aka Expat Corporate Wife. I Don't Think So.

There's nothing so rewarding as being reminded, in an official capacity that you are person non gratis, an expat wife only allowed into a country because of your husbands worth to the organisation.

Welcome to another fabulous aspect of being an expat - not.

It starts with a visit to the immigration office usually within 3 months of arriving in your new country.

Last time we were not married, which might have caused an issue had G not been pre-warned (and kept me ignorant until after the appointment). Lots of countries have this attitude to defacto couples, it's something you sort of get used to.

Some couples get married to make immigration easier. We didn't. We weren't baulking the system, we just didn't feel like getting married as we already 'felt' married - gosh, a daughter, moving overseas together ....... committed to each other. Who was Ireland to tell us to get married???????



At least this time we're married and have paperwork, albeit it in Japanese (with English translation), to prove it so we knew it would be so much easier.

It shouldn't surprise me, but it does that NOT taking G's surname proves a problem for some people; that we have to 'show proof' of marriage, as if our relationship prior to marriage didn't count. I suggested to MissM that maybe at this school I should be known as MrsA so as not to complicate things for people. Her response - no way. They can learn who you are.


So, 7 years ago our time at the immigration office started with G asking me very politely to let him do all the talking at the immigration office.

'Do you have your marriage certificate with you' he was asked.

No. He replied.

Oh said the young man behind the window, wielding all the power to let us in or not (we'd already rented a house, had MissM into Montessori, G had been working for months by this stage).

(He didn't have a marriage certificate cos we weren't married, but he was never asked the direct question LOL)

Stamp. Stamp. Stamp.

We were in.

This time round, it was similar.

We were at different windows, with different officials doing the questioning.

Do you have your marriage certificate? I was asked.

No. My husband has it at window 9. I replied.

Oh. Ok. Please wait here.

So you've a different surname do you? He queried as if i was the first woman not to take her husbands surname.

Yes. (I remembered to only answer what I was asked)

You understand you are only allowed into Ireland because your husband is company sponsored, and you have a child together, and you can't work while you are here.

I smiled, and said yes. (the story of my 'new' life)

And you don't have the same surname on any documentation. (He made the question sound like a statement) so I said, that's right.

Stamp. Stamp. Stamp.

We're in - again.

G was also told that I was allowed in but that I wasn't entitled to work; he was also told that if for any reason he lost his job/resigned etc we had less than 6 weeks to leave the country. The official told him that the systems were very tight these days, and they would know as work would have to register him leaving with them within a fortnight of it possibly happening or be fined.

He was told we would have to come back and reapply for visa's in August '14.

While G was told to bring all of us in with the relevant paperwork, they didn't do a thing with MissM's passport - she's under 16. We didn't even bother to ask why we needed to bring her with us.

Then we (G and I separately)  went of to have our fingerprints taken.

An hour and a half later (G and MissM had left me and gone to work/school as it was taking forever) and I was called to window 1.

Name?
Birthdate?
Nationality?
So, you're here with your husband (states his full name) but you're not the same surname (statement not question)

Yes. (here we go again I thought)

Now, he's the one we are letting in ... you are to be known as his dependent. You understand you can't work as this visa does not allow you to earn an income. (Lots of statements here)

Yes I understand.

So, we're in.

As this is my 4th time as an official dependent, with no legal right to earn an income, it doesn't bother me anymore. I'm past being bothered by the legality of our lifestyle.

Sure I get bored.

Sure I'd love to be able to contribute financially to our bank account.

Sure I'd take great pleasure in buying G gifts with 'my' money but we've never been a 'his' 'mine' couple when it comes to money.

Sure things would be so different if we were in Sydney. I'd possibly be working mummy-hours in a lovely toyshop .... but we're not.

It's because of his job that we have had the enormous pleasure to have lived here before, and in Japan and the UK.

If I'm dependent on him, he's dependent on me - he's so tied up with work that the moves, settling in, sorting stuff out, finding friends, making a social life etc all fall to me.

So to all those expat corporate wives who might be reading this - you are so NOT a dependent.

You are every bit an equal partner in this up'n'down, frustrating, rewarding, exciting, challenging, sometimes-boring lifestyle.

With friendship
x

Slowing Down

It's not that there's nothing to write about, it's just that life has taken on a normal-ness to it that sometimes leaves me feeling like if I chat with you, it's more ego than anything else. Me, thinking not out-loud, but rather in words, for you to ponder and hopefully respond to (tho there's been very few comments lately, sad to say)

We're slowing down, but in a good way.

We all have our routines and are happy. We have become normal again!

MissM's at school while G's at work and I've enough to keep me out of trouble.

MissM school days are challenging and fun. She's really enjoying her singing, drama and ballet; has been invited to join the choir; Irish and French are coming along nicely thanks to catch-up classes at lunchtime and after school; even homework is improving week by week.

MissM's been invited to another birthday party, and she's had a couple of new friends over for afternoon tea/play, as well as hanging out with 'old' friends.

She loves our two sitters, MissE and MissC and they seem to enjoy her company which is awesome as it allows G & I to go out. We've had a couple of date nights, and been out with friends for dinner.

I'm nearly back to my old self.

Knowing the IWCD is there, with friends and activities is a huge support. While the Club doesn't seem as busy as it was 'before', just knowing it's there, and there's a few things to do each month is enough.

School is friendly and welcoming. I guess cos we've been here before my expectations were more realistic than when we arrived in Winchester (another chat, another time). We have to pick up the kids from the classroom, or their after school activity, so you see the same mums (some dads) every day. Some work, some don't; some are locals, others are expats .... but it's easy and there's chattering and smiles.

The PTA and EAL hosted a coffee morning last week for International Parents. It was well enough attended, and everyone was chatty. I've told the Class Liason that I'm happy to volunteer when needed.

We've all joined the local gym/leisure centre. I'm try to get there every day to do 'something' - the Zumba class is great fun, and the stretch'n'relax is divine! There's a combat class akin to boxing I did in Japan, but I need to be a lot fitter than I am - but it's a short term goal to get to a class within the next 6 weeks.

MissM's starting swimming lessons this weekend and G will swim laps or join me on the treadmill. We're all on a mission to get fitter, and loose weight.

G bought tickets to watch the Wallabies (Australian rugby team) play Ireland; we're off to Budapest to visit with friends over mid term .... so, we're slowing down into a normal groove which is brilliant.

Our B&B bookings are starting to come in too which is great fun! B&E are booked to visit in November; MissJ and a friend are here early December for a week; a few friends have asked what we're doing over the Xmas/NY break and mid terms in early 2014 so whether we go 'there' or they come 'here' it'll be fun.

It's now that being an expat is something we 'do' rather than 'who we are'.

It no longer defines us.

We have made friends and fit in and are welcome.

So with that comes a huge sense of relief which allows you to slow down, to take stock and review and reconnect.

Hope you're able to slow down too from time to time and acknowledge how good life can be when everythings working well,

Guess we need the lows to appreciate the highs,

With friendship
x

Heeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

In a matter of weeks, life is good again.

There's still the issue of the Homework Monster rearing it's incredibly ugly head, we've now got what seem to be 3 fox holes in the newly cleared but yet to be planted garden to deal with, but overall that's about it. Even G's hours have reduced slightly, or maybe MissM and I are just used to them.

I sincerely do not mean to offend anyone, but the time in Winchester seems to be just a distant memory already. It's like we went from Dublin to Japan and back again. Maybe going back to a place you've been to is like that. It's always faster driving home than going, don't you think?


Let's go thru the checklist:

House - Very lovely. It's light, bright and very warm! All our stuff fits. Artworks on walls. Ikebana is happening courtesy of MrsD's garden. Don't need to refer to the manuals to use the oven/s as often. Garage should be cleared of the extra furniture the owners kindly left for us but we don't need, this afternoon which means we can attempt to put the car into the garage for the first time.

We're waiting on the insurance claim from the move to replace the things that got broken, so a shopping trip to Ikea will happen sooner rather than later.

Garden - Professionally mowed, and tidied up. Now we have 3 fox holes to get rid of, before we start planting bulbs for spring, and some hardy shrubs for now. I'm slightly motivated to learn how to garden  so we'll see where that idea goes.

School - MissM loves school. She's enjoyed all her schools. Her teacher MrP is funny, warm, caring, passionate about the kids and teaching. He's Irish and loves a chat. Her class mates all seem very nice too; the mums are friendly enough, tho if I had just arrived and didn't know a sole I think I'd be feeling similar to how it was at PM. It's a friendly school, but 3 weeks in, there's been no class/grade coffee morning, there's no mentor programe for newbies,  the class parents have just put out an email for a get together next week, the class list was emailed last week which helps with contacting parents to organize the kids to catch up after school or weekends.

The Parents Group hosted a night for new parents last week. We were given name tags, but with our child's name not ours. We found one set of parents from MissM's class and chatted with them all night which was lovely. The Acting Head of School spoke, then the Head of the Junior School spoke and that was it. What a wasted opportunity for the Parents Group - no introduction, no call for volunteers, no invitation to join. There's no way MrsA and I would have let such a golden opportunity pass us by at YIS.

I've told MrP if he ever needs help in class or on field trips I'm only too happy to help; put my name down to volunteer in the school library; and if the Parents Group wants another pair of helping hands, I'm happy to get involved there too.

Friends - it's a true friend who just sits down with you for a coffee'n'chat like it was only yesterday and not 5 years (of course FB chatter helps keep people connected). Reconnecting with friends in person from our first time here has been amazing.

IWCD - Just as good, albeit different. Five years is a long time, but it's lovely to be back amongst friends. Book Club is an enjoyable monthly activity. Theatre group continues to be difficult to join until G's workload calms down and he can guarantee to be home early for me to get into town; wonder if there's an opportunity for a matinee group but then we've to get back for school pick up. The Area Coffee Morning Groups have been finalised, I'm in Area D. We're having our first get together for the 2013/14 year in two weeks.

Ikebana - Would you believe one of the Japanese ladies is an Ikebana  Master! She teaches KOFU style which uses a lot more materials than Ohara. I found the first class challenging but it was great to be thinking subject, object, secondary, ground fillers, tall fillers etc. Classes are monthly, so between time, I'll focus on Ohara and send MrsN photos of my work which she emails comments back; we'll eventually set up a monthly Skype session. I fear that without constant attention from Sensai, I'll be doing more freestyle than anything else.

G - Works going well, tho not without drama. His line manager, who is also a friend collapsed in a meeting two weeks ago and was taken to hospital. He's fine, tho taking it easy. Guy and his team presented to the clients that they are ready for them to launch as planned ...... it's only the tiniest pieces of the project that enable them to do this, but considering how behind the ball they were a few months ago it's incredible they still made their clients deadline.

We've joined the gym as a family, found a hairdresser, got a GP, been introduced to two lovely young ladies by a friend to sit with MissM when we go out, and had afternoon tea with the neighbours.

It's funny weird, not funny HAHA how quickly things can unravel, thru no fault, or some fault of your own, and then by changing a few things, in our case, big things like moving country, things can return to normal.

We do need to learn from the downtime, to draw strength as a family and individuals what happened, how we responded, how we coped or didn't, what might we have done differently, lessons learned so not to repeat them.

An acquaintance from Winchester moved to Istanbul around the same time we moved to Dublin. I'm sure if we had both stayed in Winchester, we'd have become good friends. Anyhow, we're FB buddies and we both know that that in itself offers us the chance of a great friendship. She very kindly said to me that not every place is for everyone; that sometimes, thru no fault of ours or the people we met, the timing isn't right and so things can and do go wrong. She apologised that Winchester wasn't the right place or time for us, but said how very glad she was we met.

Sometimes you have to remove yourself from a situation to see it more clearly. I am grateful for the friendships we made while in Winchester, for the memories of interesting days out, the fun times with the family and friends who visited with us and even tho it was difficult at times, the lessons learned.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

As Fonzie would say, with his thumb up, hhhheeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyy



With friendship
x

Phase 6: Exploration

Starting over ..... building a network ..... finding new 'favorites' to create a new list ...... you do it when you move area, or start a new job in a new part of town or heaven forbid, the business you prefer/love moves or worse, closes down or mergers!

Expats do it in every new city the land in and call home.

Stop and think for a minute of the shops you love, the services you use regularly (and not so regularly), the short cuts between A and B in the car, the public transport option if it saves time/money, the hairdresser you can't live without, or the kids swimming instructor, or the professionally run ballet/tennis/(insert preferred option) school/coach. The caring people at the vet, or dog parlor; yummiest cake shop ever; family friendly restaurants; restaurants you love going to with lots of friends; or the couple of restaurants you enjoy a quiet meal with your partner.

Think of the loyalty you have built up with some businesses or service providers.

Where ever we live, we create an environment unique to the needs and preferences of ourselves and our family.

I lived in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney most of my life. There's a LOT I don't know about it, but there's a LOT I do/did. When I was living there I knew where to go for pretty much everything I/we needed. My network of friends could always recommend something or someone if I needed to add to my phone book.

Mum has shopped at the same fruit shop for close to 45 years! The same with the pharmacy and hairdresser (tho she's tried numerous ones in between and always gone back), the local chicken shop is a fav too.

IMAGINE! And guess what? I shopped there too cos Mum did and they know me just as well as they've watched me grow up and now love to serve MissM when we're in town.

That sense of loyalty and community is rare, and getting rarer but you don't need me to tell you that.

We can usually rely on friends for recommendations. The fact we're friends is the first reason - we share similar beliefs, expectations, tastes .... that's why we're friends. Or if we're friends because opposites attract, we can still be assured they would recommend 'something or someone' in good faith.

Now think about how would you go about starting afresh?

When we moved from the Eastern Suburbs to the Hills District just before MissM was born we knew no one! Not one single person. I had to rely on my instinct, my sat nav and my research skills to find
e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g until we befriended people at the local Playgroup Association. In between time, I spent hours travelling back and forth to the Eastern Suburbs where I KNEW where to get everything I needed.

To this day, I believe moving to the Hills, and coping was a lesson I needed to learn in order to leave Sydney and become an expat.

Moving to Dublin was so much easier than moving 36 km's from 'home' simply because I couldn't just pop home for the day and get stuff ..... I had to make my own way on behalf of my family.

Years ago, The Yellow Pages was the fountain of information we all looked to. Thank goodness we are no longer producing such huge books and wasting so many trees, and the information is readily available online.

Local newspapers are another vault of invaluable 'local' information - editorial as well as advertising ensured you knew the 'local' businesses. As an ex-newspaper girl, it saddens me to see the poor quality of (some) local newspapers ..... they are my first source of NEW information yet seldom meet my requirements. Speaking as an expat, of course you have to find local newspapers in your mother tongue or have someone translate!

Google Search and other search engines are great but you have to be very specific in your search criteria and then cross check with Google Maps to ensure it's within an area you're prepared to travel to/from.

Then there's the brilliance of social media.

A friend in Sydney is renovating and asks on FB 'anyone in Sydney's East recommend a painter'; an Aussie friend in Japan calls out to her friends in Perth, Western Australia via FB 'looking for a new managing agent for our home in Perth - anyone recommend a reliable agent?' someone else is researching a holiday in Barcelona and asks 'Love to know where friends have stayed and what they've done in Barcelona as we are there in September'

I'm sure there are many other ways but that's a few.

We are fortunate to have relocation assistance provided every time we move. Their job is to help us find a house, school, doctor, language lessons if necessary, show us/me where to shop, recommend things to do etc.

Our school in Japan was brilliant at helping newbies settle quickly. The Parents Association ran mentor program for all new families, and the Japanese committee hosted regular visits to the supermarkets to help newbies (and not so newbies) work out how to shop (as everything's in Japanese).

The Information Coffee Morning involved local businesses being available to discuss potential services; for eg:  English newspapers would tout for subscriptions, international bank representatives would promote the ease with which to have a global account, the International Women's Club and the local expat sports club would canvass new members etc.

All the information you needed was there ..... plus your mentor! All you had to do was come up with the questions and even then, as we'd done this so many times, the information was openly shared leaving you with FEW questions.

Not every place is like that.

The UK was slightly helpful but only because I kept asking LOTS of questions. People weren't as forthcoming as I was used to; but once a friendship was established and you asked, people offered.

The enjoyment in building a relationship with the butcher at The Good Life, or the staff at Kyoto Kitchen, our chiro and my amazing hairdresser helped me feel I belonged.


Because we've lived in Dublin, we have an established network who have helped us find a gardener, and a sitter for MissM. They may not sound like major things, but we're pretty set on everything else.

The butcher I used to go to is still at Stillorgan, my chiro is working reduced hour, but still working; the fruit shop still sells the delicious strawberries I remembered from 5 years ago; my favorite fashion shops are still open as are a few of the restaurants we enjoyed. The Asian supermarket has expanded the size of it's shop and is also offering online orders for home delivery!

Today I explored the next shopping district and found a hairdresser - not sure why I didn't phone a friend, but I spied the salon a week ago when we went for a walk and liked the look of it. I've even found a stunning florist with the most unusual flowers who is happy to sell individual stalks for Ikebana!

Thank goodness my exploration was a success.

It's only a hairdresser but it's one more thing ticked off the FIND list and we're only 3 weeks living here.

Think they only thing we need is a GP, but I'm working on that.

With friendship
x

Phase 5.5: Not packing or unpacking, but still moving

Who’d have thought that moving from Winchester to Dublin was going to be so complicated?

It's a 2 day pack, a 6-8 hour drive to Holyhead, a two hour ferry ride (weather permitting), and a 30 minute drive from Dublin Port to our house. 

What's simpler?

What's simpler is all 3 previous international moves, that's what. (OK, I might be exaggerating just a tiny bit, and being a bit melodramatic) but really.

We arrived at the house with excitement and anticipation – you’d think we’d be used to a ‘new home’ but putting the key into the front door for the first time is always exciting. If I was lighter, G would carry me over the threshold!

Mia loves choosing her bedroom, and then we all start deciding (well, me really) where our furniture goes, we read the manuals for our new appliances, we explore the garden, fidget with the gadgets, turn the showers on full to test water pressure, then make a cup of coffee. 

Every new house is filled with anticipation of memories yet made, dinners with friends we’ve not met yet, and for Adventure 1B (G's coined that phrase as I was unsure what to call it, adventure 4?), we are looking forward to entertaining friends we’ve not seen for 5  years … the expectation of family and friends visiting, creating yet another HOME.

The first room we wanted to see was the kitchen as it looked amazing on the photos.  We were not disappointed. (I’ll post pics once all our stuff in here) Hope we can keep it as shiny sparkly. My goal in every home is to NOT have a dumping place, and to keep bench tops clear. You know what I mean?

We’ve 3 ovens to learn how to use; a space age dryer and washing machine and lots of cupboards to fill. The owners have planned a very lovely space with a lovely green outlook. I feel very 'Sydney' as the space reminds me of MrsH originally designed kitchen/family room with glass ceiling and doors, or SIL's new folding balcony doors, allowing for indoor/outdoor space. Just hope the Irish weather improves A LOT so we can take advantage.

The yard is very big, tho it’s more like a patch of grass ready for sheep than a back yard to a newly renovated house. There’s a dead piece of fence that apparently should have been replaced so the agent will follow up on that; but there’s no landscaping or garden – I'm going to ask a few ladies at IWCD who have green fingers to help me create some flower beds. Don't want to spend a fortune, but don't want to look at the mess for the next few years either. Think the owners were a bit cheeky not landscaping before they left.

The AHA! Moment here for me was not to tell G my plans, but to surprise him. Why have the conversation about 'not our house', 'not investing money into a garden that isn't ours' (well, it is while we live here) etc etc. Think I've finally learnt to just get on with what needs to be done, at least the not-so-important-day-to-day crap anyways.

As we walked from room to room, we were surprised to see so much furniture and asked the agent ‘when will they be collecting the last bits of their furniture’ only to be told, this is yours – they thought you needed it. Whatever you don't need, we can remove.

REALLY?

WHY?

Who on earth told them we needed anything?

When G saw the house and made the offer there was a dining room table and 8 chairs, an L-shaped lounge in the sitting room, a mattress on the floor of what would be MissM’s room, and a bedsuite in the master bedroom.

At no time did he even mention furniture. The agent said that they were leaving this and if we wanted to use it, we could. Guy said that would be fine (better their leather dining chairs fade than ours) as we had our own stuff coming over from the UK in the fortnight.

There’s even an IKEA Starter box full of cutlery, crockery and glassware!

Who on earth leaves a Dyson behind? Or an ironing board and iron, a mop/bucket, kettle and toaster (which are sexier than ours, so that’s ok). The crappy little TV is attached to the wall in such a way we’ll never get it off. We have a state of the art TV which we love – I’ll call the electrician on Monday and ask if they can come and disconnect it and connect ours.

The delivery is now Monday and in all honesty I should have not been so quick to bring it forward as we’ve nowhere to put the extra stuff in order to make room for our things.

The agent hasn’t returned my calls which is rather annoying and definitely not a great way to start relations.

Yesterday we moved the black bedside tables from Mia's room into our room as they will go with our furniture (always wanted bedside tables, but they are a luxury our shipment allowance doens't afford us).

The chest of drawers from our room is now in the guest bedroom as the robe didn't have any. So that's a positive move.

The tall tower of drawers from our room is in the home office. Can never have too many drawers for organisation.

That leaves 3 double beds, one set of bedside tables upstairs to move to the garage.

The sideboard will go into the hallway and be used as a shoe cupboard. Clever, eh?

The display cabinet will go! Don't like it, Don't need it. 

The L-shaped lounge will move into the sitting room off the kitchen, and the brown single couch will GO. 

Their coffee tables are OK (we don't have, so that's worked out well) and the two rugs are fine.

This is as close to interior designing our home as I ever get so I'm going to make the most of it and make it work!

I want our things surrounding me, enveloping us in memories, representing the places we’ve lived, the things we’ve seen and done and reminding us of friends.

Our memories of 4 homes in 4 cities.

My suggestion is to beg the deliver guys on Monday to simply put everything into the garage, then when the agent can organise a truck to come collect it. The owners can sell ‘brand new, never used, freshly built Ikea’ on eBay for all I care at this point in time.

There's no way our bed'n'base will go into the bedroom with the Ikea bed there; or MissM's into her room for that matter.  Our lounge (which is in a zillion pieces and has to be rebuilt) is going to be squashed into the lounge as it is ... so they HAVE to move the lounge (unless we do it today)

So, with no tools, no extra pair of broad shoulders to lift’n’carry we’ve no idea what we’re going to do.

Why is it, when someone does something really selfless and thoughtful, you feel like such a bitch moaning about it? How much simplier would it have been for the owners to have left two mattresses on the floor like they said, with two free standing robes, as was here?

The joy of an empty space, waiting to be filled with our stuff which quickly becomes our home lasted about 10 minutes. We've been here 4 days and I'm still stressed!

Let’s hope that by mid week I’ll feel different about our new home, and the things in it.

With friendship

x