home at last

Well it’s been a long time since rock and roll and far too long since my last post – with a good excuse may I add.

The last post was about my new car (still loving it) in January. I’ve had more changes in my life since then – I changed jobs and started in February – loving that too.

I love a job where you really enjoy being there and are enthusiastic about your work. It’s a great feeling waking up in the morning and not dread going into work, but to actually look forward to it

More changes after that – I bought a house. The settlement went through in April. Such a great feeling having your own place – no more renting for me

The house itself needs heaps of work done to it and I need to get a bobcat or dingo in to flatten off the yard for the dogs and to get reticulation in to make it my agility space – will get there though. I want to get things done right rather than half heartedly so I’m in the process of saving to get the stuff done. The house itself is absolutely tiny but it’s a nice size for me – and less cleaning

It’s great having my own place – funny story too. I came around for the inspection with Ray from my old work. The house itself was filthy, smelly, cracks on the walls, windows broken and missing, every room is like a shoebox, holes in the doors and walls, no locks on the windows, front door needing replaced, nail holes in every wall (big ones at that), carpets with candle wax embedded in them or stains and holes, lino coming up and needing redone - not much of a looker.

I went out the back garden and heard the bell ringing in my head – ding dong!!!! I didn’t want to seem too eager to the agent and tried my hardest not to let my jaw drop or smile – it’s not the biggest garden by any means but it’s flat and all I could imagine was an a-frame there and a dog-walk there and seesaw probably there – could fit a tunnel there and some jumps too (may be not all at once) I could get a shed put there with a concrete slab for my agility equipment, and I suppose I could get a wee’er (lol) shed there for my gardening stuff and other stuff that’s supposed to go in sheds (think that’s all the stuff that doesn’t fit in the spare room or attic).

I had been looking for about 6 months and the quality of houses was much better – in fact, I’d go as far as saying far superior – but most of the gardens weren’t right for the dogs. Well as soon as I’ve unpacked my camera (can’t find it at the moment) I’m going to take before and after shots. As long as the dogs are happy I’m happy. I mean I’d love 10ha but 900sqm isn’t a bad start.

Do you know the other thing – since buying my own house, this is the first time I feel like I actually am meant to be here. Staying with my sister before and then renting wasn’t my own – now actually having a place where you can settle and call HOME – I actually have used that in a sentence you know regarding this place rather than saying I’m going to my house or I’m gonna go tae ma hoose, I tend to say I’m going home  silly mind thing I’m sure – not intended but it’s been a battle to get here – after all the caper.

I have to also say a big major major thank you to Tom and John who not only helped me move but helped me tidy up the rental – thanks guys you are legends.
Another wee thing – just before I moved in here I got professional cleaners in to gut the place and a gardener who removed all the debris from the garden, cleaned the gutters, removed waste, etc, a handyman to replace all the doors and locks (still to get the windows done) – 1 step at a time.

On the final move day which was just the smaller stuff – Tom and I came here and it was the first night I would be staying here – all the dogs were here – I let them out the back and all 3 of them were sniffing and peeing everywhere (could obviously smell the other previous dogs) – anyway Samroc came over and gave me a cuddle – I crouched down to him and started crying – I told him thanks for being such a great wee man and putting up with all the Sh*t for the last 6 years – for leaving a great loving home in Scotland (mum & dad) and that we had finally got our own place  (means so much to me I’m actually teary at the moment writing this). Me and my boy (and of course my girls too) have got our own place where they can do whatever they want to and have not a house or a place to live, but a home at last

The plan – I want to get a dingo or bobcat in to level both sides of the garden – Aaron (my buddy Corrine’s hubby) has made me promise to let him do the levelling with the bobcat when I hire it – I said only if he doesn’t knock down the house or fences – or any trees that may fall onto the house or fences  lol.

There are 2 sides to the garden – the bigger section for the dogs agility – round the corner from that there is a wee area where I can get my veggie patch and herb garden going – then there’s a separate section to the right – fenced off from the other area where will be my entertainment area – only small but I want to get a built in bbq (I think) a wee undercover area and may be way in the future a small pool or spa????? Would love to have a pool – coming from Scotland I’ve never had a pool and although heaps of folks say to me – “don’t get a pool they’re sooooo much work” I’d love to get one for the sake of saying (especially to folk back home) – think I’ll get in the pool today for a swim – it’s very hot here

Although the area isn’t that big (and that’s the bit where I hang out my washing) I think it may be more of a big puddle than a pool – not sure if pools come in mini size – i could always get a kids paddling pool and just leave the “paddling” part off when I’m describing it

Well since I’ve no photo’s to put on here and it’s pretty boring just reading I think I will leave it there. I want to get photos of how the place looks now (not very pretty) and what it looks like after I have done – this too will inspire me to get stuff done around the place.

I must admit though I am looking forward to making mine, Samroc, Diva and Mini’s home better - don't mid a bit of DIY and love when you look back at old photo's and say - did that really look like that :-) Oh well I know it will take a long while to do up MY HOME but it's worth it :-)