The teapot

Today's socks

The main way to keep my headaches at bay is drinking enough. Two large glasses of water in the morning, tea or water during the day and perhaps a hot chocolate in the afternoon or evening. Peppermint or orange flavouring optional.

And since July that all worked quite well and I had fewer headaches. Then I got to be home and for some reason I did not drink enough. Which meant that last week an attack started that lasted six days. Although not as bad as they used to be, it was bad enough and I realised that just getting a mug of tea was not enough.

On the day the stitches were removed, I had to do some shopping and actually saw a really nice teapot. Only 20 euros as well, which wasn't that bad. But how to keep the tea hot in the teapot? I used to own a tea stand and light, but left them behind in Northern Ireland. I don't like tea purses like my Mum has and I cannot make a tea cosy right now.

This is the only voucher I have!

My Mum had a possible solution. Why not check out the savings program of Douwe Egberts. They are the coffee makers here in the Netherlands and for nearly 100 years they have had a savings program where they have vouchers on each pack of coffee or coffee related product they sell. Pickwick tea is also included in this program. The vouchers have values of between 2 and 100 points and can be exchanged for coffee or tea related items.

I checked out the site and found a lovely teapot. It was nearly 70 euros (!), which I thought was quite steep (no pun intended), but I could pay with points as well. For every euro you needed 2 points. A total of 13,798 points were needed. I had 4! My Mum went upstairs to get her stash (donations from friends and family) and came down with three bags containing a total of 13,000. I was still short. Mind you, I could pay the balance in money, but my Mum had another trick up her sleeve: the kitchen drawer.

She dug and dug and my Dad and I tallied. In the end all the vouchers from the drawer added up to about 2,300! I took out the 798 I needed and the rest was put in bags to be kept for a future buy. Then I went to the shop where I could get the teapot.

The new teapot with one of my Moomin Christmas mugs

I arrived, saw the teapot, handed over the points and now I am in the proud possession of a gorgeous double walled teapot that will keep my tea hot. I have been using it for several days now and I am very pleased with it: it is sleek and modern and it doesn't drip! It shall definitely help me keep my fluids up.

Chores

When I made the appointment for the operation, the assistant told me that it would be handy if I did the main chores before, as I would have limited use of the hand for a while. Which meant that the main bulk of the laundry had to be done, the bed had to be changed, the litter box had to be clean and several other things had to be done. 

For that I was quite lucky to have the appointment postponed for a couple of days (originally Friday, then Monday), which gave me the weekend to do it all. Because it was no fun doing it all. It's not a fun job anyway, but when you have a wrist that complains when you don't do anything, you can imagine what it was like when you're actually using it. 

The main job was the bed. I had my autumn cover on, but as I will most likely not have complete use for at least a few weeks, I decided it was best to put the winter stuff on. Which meant severe struggles with the duvet cover and sheets and such, while the wrist protested every step of the way. In the end I did get it done however. I then decided to write a few more posts to appear during my recovery (this being one of them).

Life on my own

An outing with my Mum back in 2019

When I first moved back to my parents over two and a half years ago, I knew it would only be short term. As in a couple of months. A month into living there, that had been modified to about 5 years as it was not looking good. Fortunately with a stroke of good luck, I managed to get a place of my own and I have been living here now for about a month and a half. 

The curtains are up

Apart from the mess that is still my guest room, most of the house is in order and getting more so by the day. I know where to find things, although I will still open the wrong cabinet in the kitchen to find a cup. I know where to put things, although it is speedily filling up, especially Harry's Room. 

One thing that will definitely take longer than anything else is the garden. Several reasons for that. One is that I may have overdone it a bit prior to the actual move. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome on both hands (right side the worst) and a likely case of RSI on my right lower arm (not diagnosed as yet). 

The weather has been okay-ish, but the other day I was digging in the pouring rain. Not a good mood enhancer I can tell you! Having good weather and time off at the same time is important. And lastly it's finances. Of course I don't need money to remove all the weeds (and there are plenty of those), but I would like to put something in its place from simple flower bulbs to more substantial plants. However, even though flower bulbs are now slowly being put in, the rest will have to wait. 

Other than that I am loving it here and I think I can safely say that Miss O does too. The house is big enough for us and the garden is a favourite with her as there are so many plants to sniff and little toads to follow (fortunately she does not catch them). The other day she also made clear to another neighbourhood cat that it was in fact her garden and to please get lost in all haste!

Sorting the Christmas decorations: from 11 to 6 crates

Not having to watch football, cycling, darts, snooker, tennis and any other sport my mother watches, is also good news. I still watch several other programs we used to watch together and I can record programs when I have to work or go to bed early. As I recently bought myself an iPod, I also have a year free on Apple TV, with delights such as 'Schmigadoon' and 'Come from Away'. Several others have been highlighted by me to watch.

American pancakes

Of course groceries still need to be gotten, dinner needs to be cooked, dishes need to be washed as do clothes. But I love living on my own again. 

The garden, part 2

No hiding in the grass anymore

There were several days last week where I got outside to do something in the garden. One day my Dad came over so we could tackle the lawn. Well, the grassy bit in the front garden. Which was very high. But, my Dad had managed to get the loan of a lawn mower, so we managed to get it done in the end. Hard work as we kept having to tilt the machine to remove the long and wet blades of grass that were clumping up the mowing blades. I won't even mention the number of slugs we managed to kill either...

It still needs some tidying as well

Then last night my Dad came over with the lawn mower's owner who would help trim one hedge and remove another one altogether. I must admit, the result of the trimming looks awful, but it will grow back and then at least it will be more manageable for me. The area where a hedge was removed just looks a bit bare, as several smaller trees have been removed as well, mainly the Devil's Walking Stick, which is a nasty piece of work with thorny stem and branches. 

Not quite sure what is left

On the other hand, I now have a perfect spot for a plant I received the other day: a lovely Hydrangea. Still small right now, but it will grow and can deal with areas that don't get sunshine all day long. In other news, I also managed to kill off my first two house plants by over watering them. *Sigh*

The garden, part 1

Kitchen yard with tree still in place

One thing that came with this house was a garden. Which had always been tended lovingly by the lady who lived here, but in the end dementia got her down and the garden with it. So, even though you can still see the remnants of a good garden, it is severely overgrown and not what I would like to do with it. 

The tree removed, but still very much overgrown

It needed cutting back. Yes, that would mean taking away the lovely places to live for frogs, snails, slugs and all sorts of other creepy crawlies, but I am planning to give back, so don't worry. The first bit I tackled was the kitchen yard (the bit outside the kitchen, alas no direct access). When I first got the keys, there was a large fir tree there as well, but that had already been removed by the housing association's landscapers. 

You can see the creeper behind the blue (paper) bin

The hedge however is still there. Part laurel and part something other, it is way too wide: about two meters I think. It needs a really good close trim. Close as in close to the ground. I will be cutting it down to about 50 cm from the ground. It will then take about 2 years for it to come back, but then I can keep on top of it much easier. And not let it grow out of proportion. 

The hedge

The first bit was done yesterday. By the time I had removed about one twentieth, the wheelie bin was full. Unless somebody comes with a trailer and a big saw, it will take some time. Never mind. I also removed some dead wood (containing a live froglet) and some creeping plant that even popped up in the shed and will most likely need to be removed for the next ten years.

Any difference?

My plans for the front yard are varied. On the one hand the plan is to keep the hedge and make sure the three wheelie bins I have have enough room, on the other hand the plan is to remove the hedge altogether and make a different entry into that yard. Also put up some large poles, fix wire mash, plant some nice climbers/vines and have enough room for the wheelie bins. That second option is my favourite, it is also more expensive.

The creeper has mostly been removed, but the roots...

And that is just the kitchen yard. The front yard is about five times bigger and although it does not have a hedge, it has the remains of the laurel tree that is already starting to sprout again after being cut down, conifers that are partly dead, a large blackberry bush (the freezer is filling up nicely, prior to making jam), a elderberry tree (will be picked as well and made into jam), a Chinese Rose, a Common Lilac, grass that is way too high and a massive attraction to cats to poop in. A bit of work needed I can tell you!

On the left you can see a tiny bit of hedge cut off.
And I removed the holly.

The plan there would be to remove the conifers and continue the poles/wire mesh/vines and climbers. The Chinese Rose needs trimming, the Common Lilac needs trimming, the grass needs cutting and of course edibles need to be planted. Berry bushes, perhaps an apple or a plum tree. Some of it will and can be done this year, other things will most likely be a long term project. Which is fine. I am not moving any time soon! 

The cost of moving

From the Netherlands to Norway

Having moved 6 times over the last ten years, I can easily say: it is not cheap. Especially when moving internationally when it is very much not cheap. So, when I lived at my parents and did not really have that many things to spend my money on, I saved up. For a move. That would take at least five years to happen. Until it happened a bit sooner. 

Fortunately I had most of my furniture as I had taken it along with me from Northern Ireland to the Netherlands. It was just in storage. I had plenty of towels and bedding: goodness knows where it all came from. I even had a bed and a spare bed! Although the spare bed was taken to my parents' house to be used over there.

 A new home in Norway

I had saved up plenty for paint and floors and such. Until I realised that the flooring alone would empty out the particular piggy bank and then some. Other piggies were emptied as well. I had all the curtains I needed as well, until they didn't quite fit. Adjustments were made and in the end it left my living room curtainless. Another hit for another piggy. 

In the end, most of the piggies I had were emptied out into the big account. I had kept a tally of all the spending on the new house and it just mounted and mounted. Mind you, as I had most of the stuff in the first place, I am still quite happy with how it has gone, as it could have been a lot worse. 

My massive bedroom in Northern Ireland

But the finances aren't the only thing. My body is tired and responding in kind. A heavy feeling in fingers and hands, knees that feel a bit sore and muscle aches appearing two weeks after any serious carrying and lifting. It will pass. And fortunately the one headache attack I had in the new place was only minor and only a 2 on the badness scale. 

My mind is also tired and responding in kind. Doing mundane tasks like the laundry is actually quite soothing, but the last load is in and from now on it will be the regular laundry instead of also doing the 'sat in a box for 2 1/2 years' laundry. I am slowly getting back to normal though. 

The new place

Whatever normal is...

Before and after 3

So, I didn't want any wardrobes in my bedroom. Or I should say: I did not feel there was enough room for wardrobes. The depth of a wardrobe is usually about the double of what a book case would be. Hence my choice. 

See the clearance to the ceiling?

However, I did already have other ideas anyway. Having two large and one small bedroom, I had decided to 'give up' the small bedroom to wardrobes. A trip to online Ikea had me ordering both the book cases and the wardrobes. It was delivered, but only to downstairs. We had to get the lot upstairs. It was very heavy and in the end we unpacked downstairs and took it up one shelf at a time.

This one came with me from Northern Ireland

Whereas the book cases had been fairly straightforward (make lying down, put upright, put in place, add top), the wardrobes were a very different kettle of fish. For starters: my ceilings are not high enough. High enough for the finished product, not enough to put something upright. So, my Dad and I put the things together in standing position. 

Some crates in the back, shoe rack in front

My Dad for some reason is great at reading maps, but give him an Ikea manual and it takes a great deal of time. Fortunately it was not my first rodeo, having made several pieces of furniture in the past (book cases were done a few days later) and we soon got it up. I say soon, it took us the best part of the evening, but up it was.

Door on left, lamp on right. Very little between them.

The second larger wardrobe needed three pairs of hands to put up, but in the end that was done as well. Only problem? The door couldn't close as there was a lamp in the way. *Sigh* The only option was to move the lamp, but that would be for another day.

It's already in double and still not fully filled.

However, I kept thinking about it and later that evening I thought: why not move the wardrobes? Just a few inches might do it. If the doors still don't open/close: fair enough and move the lamp. But, a few inches was just right. There is not a lot of room between the door and the lamp, but they don't touch. 

Uniform hanging on the right, the rest on the left/shelves.

Of course then the filling started. And more filling. And more. And more. And as of today it is still not finished. I don't know where I got all the bathroom and bedroom linen from, but it seemed to duplicate as I was filling. Nearly there though...

Before and after 2

Pre -curtains, -floor and -paint

The first room that was completely ready was the small downstairs loo. After that it took a bit longer. Flooring had to be put in and then I had to move everything else in. After which the proper move began I felt: what to put where?

I painted the lot! Twice!!

Pretty early on I had decided that I would not have wardrobes in my bedroom. The main reason for that was that it is not the biggest of rooms and I do like some moving room besides the bed. But in the end I did put some storage in there anyway: book cases. As I had plenty of books, I needed to put them somewhere and even though this is a three bed place, I was fast running out of room.

Summer duvet is up, but out of the way: too hot.

The bed I slept in at my parents' stayed there, as I have my own bed (the other one was my guest bed). It was my first big buy as an adult (ahem) living on my own and came with wardrobes (perished), chest of drawers (perished), vanity table (still here) and mirror (still here, but not for much longer). 

The colour of the book cases doesn't quite match the bed, but it is close enough for me. I put them together myself in one evening and I think they look pretty good. They looked pretty sad when there wasn't a book in them, but now they quietly sing in the background. I just have to start reading again. 

The vanity table also found a place in my room as it is the only other dark piece of furniture. You can just see it peeping out from behind the bed. Then there is a clothes rail that has to get out, but no room as yet in the guest room/office. A plastic crate and a suitcase will also move in due time. The artwork on the wall is of course my own. Shrewd viewers may recognise two of them as they have been shown on Tuesday's Travels.

I'm in!

Well, I was in by last Saturday and most of my belongings were here as well. Apart from my desk chair and computer among several other things. But I am now in and enjoying the new quiet place. 

Miss Oswin is still not sure about this whole move, also because things keep moving about here as well. She is still hiding under the sofa or a chest of drawers. But she has also found the window sills are perfect for watching the world go by. When it is quiet anyway.

There is still a fair bit to do. I keep finding more crates with bedroom and bathroom linen. Everything needs a wash before putting away, but I am slowly running out of room to put things away. For my own bedroom I bought two large book cases and there is not that much room left over in them. Unless I were to double up (two rows on one shelf), which I don't like very much. 

All my clothes and linen has been moved to the box room. A large wardrobe and a large chest of drawers take up most of the space there and it is still not enough. Perhaps I have too many towels? The guestroom is taken up by the huge amount of wool and other craft stuff I have. I don't need to buy any new yarn for a while yet. 

Downstairs it is slowly taking more shape. The kitchen was mostly done anyway before the big move, as was Harry's room (also known as the cupboard under the stairs), which houses all the tins, bottles, herbs, spices and sugar I have. Also tissues, paper hankies, bin bags, candles and such. 

The living room area is looking quite nice. Beforehand I knew exactly where to put everything and where I wanted my tv. In the end it doesn't look anything like it. Of course. This was mainly due to a large cupboard needing to be put in as well and there only being one spot for it. There will be a few more additions to come, but those will come in the time to come.

As for the garden? Neighbourhood cats pooping in the grass, a dead bird and blackberries slowly turning black. It will need some severe work doing to it. Not sure when, as my hands, elbows and knees are very sore right now. And I am tired. Very tired. 

But, I am in and enjoying it very much. Miss O will come around in due time as well, even though she will have to miss out on all the cuddles my parents gave her. Who, by the way, are enjoying a daughter and catless house very much!

AWOL

Holiday with my sister back in 1997

And three guesses why I have been AWOL recently. Well, I am celebrating the fact that I am holiday. At least, I had taken some days off to spend with my sister who was due to come over. The emphasis on WAS. She isn't. Again. Our hope is now for December when she will come over for three weeks: enough time to include a quarantine if needed. 

We knew and dreaded her not coming for a while, but in the end all was not lost, as there was a house to be decorated. I have been going over most days (two days I was out of the running due to a bad H) and have taken stuff from storage with me. 

My collection of bin bags. *Sigh*

Most of my kitchen stuff is now in the house, washed up as well. The only thing missing really are my dinner plates that have still not been located. I finally did locate curtains yesterday: in the first row from the door! *Sigh* But, they have been found and most are usable as are, some need a small adjustment, some need sewing from scratch. The main thing though: I don't have to buy any curtains! 

The inside painting was finished on Tuesday, the last bit involving some severe acrobatics on my side. Think ladder resting on stairs or me climbing over the protective barrier. The result however is good and I am very pleased. There are some bits where I spilled a bit, but they will have to remain so: no more acrobatics for me!

Last week the solar panels were due to be installed, but heavy winds on the day prevented them from doing that. They did do the preliminary stuff though, so it should be a quick job today. Some of the trees have been removed, which means there is a lot of light in the house now. My living room is north facing, so having big trees blocking light was not good. I still have some trees left that need pruning, and I have a big laurel hedge that is out of control. That will be trimmed back in a few weeks' time.

Today and tomorrow are the last days of me working in the house really. We are now on to coat hooks, and picture hanging anyway, so not that bad. On Monday the floors upstairs will be carpeted, which will mean that a lot of stuff now in the shed, will be moved up. Then on Wednesday the downstairs will get a laminate floor. Sunday in a week the big stuff will finally be gotten: bed, couch, wardrobes, washer and dryer. 

This was not part of the acrobatics!

I will not move in then just yet. There will be another week needed to get everything right, also because cooker and fridge don't arrive until Wednesday the 28th of July. A lot of my small appliances and some of the big have UK plugs on them: they don't fit our European sockets. They all need to be changed. And the remaining two lights will have to be hung. As I am still on the fence about where to put what in the living area, I thought it wisest to wait until it has found a place!

So, that is what I have been doing lately. Painting, fetching, carrying, doing dishes. But it is starting to look good!

Before and after

Goodness me, you would think that once past the panic buying last year, people would be less fixated on toilet paper, but apparently not so! The first thing people thought when they saw the potty: there is no loo roll! Tsk tsk tsk. It was a before photo people. Mind you, it could have been an after photo as well of course, but let's not get into that. Before it is.

But I am not one to hold out and that's why I took my camera to the new digs the other day to actually take photos of the littlest room in the house. Which is the only room completely finished at this stage, although I am making headway in the kitchen/living room. The hallway is also coming on fine and once I figure out how to re-glue the out of reach wall paper...

What else is there to say about the privy? It has a loo, it has a tiny sink with cold water (almost all Dutch houses have tiny sinks with cold water only in their bog, not sure why) and mine even has heating in it. I painted the walls and ceiling a nice calming magnolia, hung up a loo roll, put a shelf over the can itself where I placed more loo rolls, made sure there was a tiny waste receptacle and a cleaning brush. And I made sure some of my own flowery photos were level. Done!

The beginning

This one is done and dusted and in use.

There was an end last week, but there was of course also a beginning. As in a new place for me, Brom (and Mouse) and Miss Oswin. Very exciting indeed.

That hideous wall in front is now painted a lovely magnolia colour,
which really lights up the rest of the room.

Not that I am ready to move in just yet. I had hoped to be in by my birthday this week, but that is very much wishful thinking. I might move in alright, but there would not be anything in the house apart from painting materials. 

The living room area with a funny little window.

The plan is to paint everything first, then have the flooring done (professionally) and then move everything in. Due to Corona and holiday, the first option of having the flooring done is July 19th. Well, it was August 2nd, but by splitting the house in two (up and down) and doing it on two days, they were able to fit me in. 

This will be my bedroom. 

Which means I have some time to paint. So far I have done and finished the downstairs loo and am working on both kitchen and living room (one big room). A friend of mine came to help with the painting the other day and did some ceilings.

Not sure about the shower curtain

I also have to order things: television, fridge, cooker, internet/television, electricity/gas and insurance. I must admit it is a fair bit, but I am enjoying it. Then there are the things I have to have help with: painting of the upstairs landing and the actual moving in. So, if you are in the neighbourhood...

The garden will need some serious trimming back as well.